In Brief
COLLEGES
UNLV basketball returns
to No. 12 in AP rankings
UNLV climbed back to No. 12 in The Associated Press men’s basketball poll released Monday, moving up two spots following Mountain West Conference home victories over Texas Christian and New Mexico last week.
In the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll, the Rebels jumped from 20th to 15th.
UNLV is 18-3 after a 101-78 victory over Texas Christian on Wednesday and an 80-63 win over New Mexico on Saturday.
The Rebels had reached No. 12 in both polls before opening MWC play with a 69-67 loss at San Diego State on Jan. 14.
Kentucky (19-1) and Missouri (18-1) are ranked 1-2 in both polls this week, with Syracuse (21-1), Ohio State (17-3) and Kansas (17-3) filling out the top five in the AP rankings, and Ohio State, Syracuse and Kansas completing the top five in the coaches rankings.
In other UNLV news, junior guard Anthony Marshall was named Mountain West co-men’s player of the week after averaging 22.5 points, 11 rebounds and 2.5 steals in the Rebels’ wins over the Horned Frogs and the Lobos. He shared the honor with Wyoming’s Leonard Washington.
Also: Navy will announce today that it’s joining Big East football in 2015, a person with knowledge of the decision said.
BASEBALL
Astros owner considers
franchise name change
New Houston Astros owner Jim Crane is considering changing the name of the franchise, as well as its uniforms. Crane said the team will conduct a study to decide whether or not to change the name. He said switching uniforms is something they are “highly considering.”
Any changes wouldn’t occur until 2013, when Houston makes the move from the National League to the American League.
Also: Free agent David Ross said he has agreed to sign with the Boston Red Sox, adding an experienced bat to help replace J.D. Drew in right field.
The contract reportedly is for one year and $3 million. Ross, 31, batted .240 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs for the San Francisco Giants last season while playing at least 22 games at every outfield position.
The Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees finalized the four-player trade that sent All-Star pitcher Michael Pineda to the Yankees for slugging prospect Jesus Montero, as all of the players completed physicals with their new teams.
The San Diego Padres agreed to terms on a $2.7 million, one-year contract with 28-year-old left-hander Clayton Richard. He was 5-9 with a 3.88 ERA and 53 strikeouts over 18 starts in 2011 before undergoing season-ending surgery on his left shoulder July 29.
MISCELLANEOUS
Breeders’ Cup Classic
set for prime-time start
The Breeders’ Cup Classic will air in prime time for the first time. NBC Sports Group and the Breeders’ Cup agreed to a multiyear deal for the network to televise the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships, starting this year at Santa Anita Park.
NBC Sports Network (formerly Versus) will televise the Breeders’ Cup races Nov. 2, and on Nov. 3, NBC will pick up coverage for the $5 million Classic.
Also: Rachel Alexandra and her first foal are “doing well,” a day after the 2009 Horse of the Year gave birth to a bay colt. The 125-pound colt was sired by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.
Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin was suspended for three games for a charging incident in which he launched himself to hit Pittsburgh defenseman Zbynek Michalek during a 4-3 overtime loss to the Penguins on Sunday.