Lobos coach won’t elaborate on “Sept. 11” comment
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico coach Fran Fraschilla, apparently frustrated over five early Lobo fouls during a game against Air Force, made a cryptic reference to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks while complaining to an official.

“I don’t care what happened on September 11th. That’s two, Lonnie,” Fraschilla yelled to referee Lonnie Dixon of the Mountain West Conference after freshman Chad Bell was called for a foul during a scramble for a loose ball.

Fraschilla has refused to answer a reporter’s question about his remark, which was made during a late Monday night game at The Pit and could be heard at the scorer’s table.

The Lobos were favorites against Air Force but had to rally for a 50-47 victory.

New Mexico athletic director Rudy Davalos said he didn’t hear the comment and no one has said anything to him about it, including fans or the university president, who has courtside seats near the Lobo bench.

“If he made it, he made it to an official during the heat of battle,” Davalos said. “What he said or meant, you’d have to ask him.”

Strahan beats Urlacher for Defensive Player honors
The sack has become the most glorified defensive play in the NFL, a major reason why Michael Strahan is The Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year.

Strahan, who set an NFL record with 22 sacks for the New York Giants, earned a seven-vote margin over Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher in balloting announced Wednesday.

“Only seven,” Strahan said with a huge smile that showed off his famous gap-tooth look. “I’m disappointed, but I'll take it.”

Nothing was disappointing about the defensive end’s performance this season.

Strahan, one of the league’s most popular players for his outgoing, entertaining yet humble manner, always has been a fearsome pass rusher. He was a force against the run this season, too, and, with linebacker Jessie Armstead and the rest of New York’s defense plagued by inconsistency, Strahan was Mr. Reliable.

Charlotte Hornets negotiating move to New Orleans
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — State officials and the owners of the Charlotte Hornets appeared to be on the verge of completing a deal to bring the NBA team to New Orleans.

“We are a perfect fit. We love New Orleans. We’re bringing a very good team here,” Ray Wooldridge, co-owner of the team with George Shinn, said after a Wednesday afternoon meeting with Gov. Mike Foster.

Wooldridge and Foster said a deal could be announced Thursday or Friday. However, Foster also urged reporters to listen to his Thursday afternoon radio show for a possible announcement, and officials at the New Orleans Arena called a news conference for Thursday.

Wooldridge said discussions included improvements to the 18,500-seat arena, which is already close to NBA standards, and state help in the sale of luxury box suites and season tickets.

Baseball Owners OK $660 Million Red Sox Sale
PHOENIX (AP) — The $660 million sale of the Boston Red Sox to a group led by Florida Marlins owner John Henry was approved Wednesday by baseball owners.

Acting with a speed seldom seen in the sport, owners approved the controversial deal less than one month after the team agreed to it with Henry’s group.

Because the Red Sox spurned higher offers — $755 million from New York lawyer Miles Prentice and $750 million from Cablevision Systems Corp. chairman Charles Dolan — Boston CEO John Harrington and baseball commissioner Bud Selig have been accused of steering the deal to Henry’s group, filled with connected baseball veterans.

TCU Daily Skiff © 2002