Illinois confirms Groce as new coach
URBANA, Ill., March 29 (UPI) -- John Groce was named Thursday as the new head coach for the University of Illinois men's basketball team, the university announced at an Urbana news conference.
Groce, who formerly coached for Ohio University, said he expects Illinois to become a Big Ten power under his leadership, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday.
"This place has tremendous potential," Groce said. "The 'consistency over greatness' line that (Miami Heat president) Pat Riley uses is what we're striving for."
Former Illinois coach Bruce Weber was fired by athletic director Mike Thomas March 9 after failing to make it into three of the last five NCAA tournaments.
Danny Manning to coach at Tulsa
TULSA, Okla., March 29 (UPI) -- Danny Manning, who led Kansas to the 1988 NCAA championship, has agreed to be the head coach at Tulsa, the Oklahoma school said Thursday.
Manning is currently an assistant on the Kansas staff and the Jayhawks have advanced to the Final Four in New Orleans this weekend so he won't be formally introduced until next week.
"I'm excited and looking forward to being the head basketball coach at the University of Tulsa," Manning said in a release from the school.
"I want to thank President [Steadman] Upham, [Athletic Director] Ross [Parmley] and the search committee for allowing me this tremendous opportunity to coach at a university with a fine basketball tradition."
Manning thanked Kansas Coach Bill Self "for giving me the chance to be a part of his staff for the past nine years."
Self previously coached at Tulsa.
Manning holds Kansas records for points (2,951) and rebounds (1,187) during a career in which the Jayhawks twice played in the Final Four, including the 1988 championship. He averaged 14.0 points a game over a 15-year NBA career.
Manning replaces Doug Wojcik, who was fired after the Golden Hurricane finished last season 17-14. Wojcik set the school record for coaching victories (140) in his seven seasons at Tulsa.
Course record has Lawrie in Euro Tour lead
SCIACCA, Italy, March 29 (UPI) -- Peter Lawrie fired a course record 8-under-par 64 Thursday in taking the first-round lead at the European Tour's Sicilian Open in Italy.
Lawrie had nine birdies and a bogey in setting the record at the Verdura Golf and Spa Resort.
The record wasn't very old, having been set early in the day by Soren Kjeldsen and matched by Jamie Donaldson and Tano Goya with 65s. They are one stroke off Lawrie's pace.
Six more golfers are at 6-under 66 and 11 more are at 5-under.
Kjeldsen started his round with four pars but then had six birdies, a bogey and an eagle at the par-5, 523-yard 14th hole in setting the record. Donaldson had an eagle at the 568-yard 11th hole and added five birdies while Goya had eight birdies, including four in the row at one point, and a bogey.
But Lawrie grabbed the record for himself. He was 2-under after four holes and made the turn at 5-under after birdies at 7, 8 and 9. He had a birdie at No. 11 but suffered his lone bogey at 13. He got 8-under with three birdies over the span of Nos. 14-17.
Bears sign Devin Thomas for one year
CHICAGO, March 29 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears have signed former New York Giants wide receiver Devin Thomas to a one-year contract.
Thomas, 25, was signed to the franchise amid wide receiver Johnny Knox' expected status on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform list following spinal fusion surgery in December, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday.
"I know I'm joining an organization that's legendary. That's the first thing that comes to mind, the tradition and the history," Thomas said on the team's Web site. "The team has shown so much promise and just needs a little bit more to get to the Super Bowl. I think they're putting the right pieces together. They have the right mentality to be right there. I'm looking forward to joining the team and adding to the success of the team.''
Thomas has 11 starts in 55 career games with the Washington Redskins, the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants. He has recorded 43 catches for 482 yards and three touchdowns.
