Duke new No. 1 in Coaches' poll
MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Duke takes over the No. 1 spot in the USA Today Coaches' poll, replacing Indiana, which suffered its first loss last week.
Duke (9-0) collects 30 of the 31 first-place votes and was second on the other ballot in taking the top ranking.
Indiana (9-1) had been No. 1 since the pre-season poll put was beaten Saturday by Butler 88-86 in overtime. That win allowed Butler (8-2) to enter the poll at No. 25, with North Carolina State dropping out. Indiana slips to sixth.
The Top 25 teams -- including North Carolina State but not Butler -- went 25-2 on the week. The other loss for a ranked team came when No. 8 Arizona edged firth-ranked Florida 85-64 in Tucson.
Michigan (11-0) receives the first-place vote denied Duke and is ranked second with Syracuse (11-0) moving up one spot to third and Louisville (9-1) up two to fourth. Arizona (8-0) moves to fifth.
No. 6 Indiana is followed by seventh-ranked Ohio State (8-1) and No. 8 Kansas (8-1), which are to play each other Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. Florida (7-1) drops four places to ninth and Illinois (12-0) remains 10th.
Cincinnati (10-0) moves from 12th to No. 11, swapping places with Missouri (8-1). Creighton (10-1) continues in the 13th spot with Gonzaga (10-1) again 14th and San Diego State (8-1) No. 15.
Minnesota (11-1) keeps the No. 16 ranking but New Mexico (11-0) goes from 20th to No. 17. Nevada-Las Vegas (8-1) comes in 18th with Michigan State (9-2) and North Carolina (8-2) tied for the 19th spot.
Georgetown (9-1) is voted 21st followed by, in order, Notre Dame (9-1), Kentucky (7-3), Oklahoma State (8-1) and Butler.
Sanchez reaches deal with Detroit Tigers
DETROIT, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Pitcher Anibal Sanchez has reached a five-year contract deal with the Detroit Tigers, the team said Monday,
Sanchez, a 28-year-old right-hander, signed a contract that is worth $80 million. The deal runs through 2017 and the Tigers hold a one-year option for 2018.
"Anibal pitched tremendously for us down the stretch and during the postseason," Tigers General Manager David Dombrowski said. "He strengthens our starting rotation and we are pleased to have him back with the Tigers organization."
Sanchez joined Detroit in July after a trade with the Miami Marlins. He was 4-6 with a 3.74 earned run average over 12 regular-season games and 1-2 with a 1.77 ERA in three playoff appearances.
Sanchez, a major leaguer since 2006, has a career record of 48-61 with a 3.75 ERA.
Edwards sued for child support again
NEW YORK, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- For the second time, New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards is being sued in Manhattan Family Court for child support.
The plaintiff in the case, Ashton Wittington, described by the New York Post as a "fashion blogger," gave birth to Ashton Arthur Wittington 18 months ago, the newspaper reported Monday, noting Edwards, 29, was also sued for child support in 2010 by "America's Top Model " contestant Nik Pace after she gave birth to Braylon Edwards Jr., now 3.
Wittington's lawyer, Lauren Mallin, said, "We expect Mr. Edwards to provide appropriate support for his child."
Edwards played for the Jets until his release two years ago, and was waived by the Seattle Seahawks last week. He returns to the Jets in Monday night's game against Tennessee.
Dan Rooney returns as Steelers' chairman
ARLINGTON, Texas, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Dan Rooney said he is returning as chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, after resigning as U.S. ambassador to Ireland.
"I want to be involved with the team and the organization in any way I can," Rooney, 80, said Sunday before the Steelers' game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. "I would want to become involved again in league matters where I can be helpful."
Rooney, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, resigned from the ambassadorship Friday after serving one term since 2009, a typical procedure in U.S. State Department posts involving non-career employees, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Monday.
The Steelers listed him as "chairman emeritus" in his absence, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said.
His son Art Rooney is the Steelers' president.
