COLLEGES

AP Source: Big 12, Big East representatives discussing a merger of their conferences

A person involved in the discussions tells The Associated Press that school and conference officials from the Big East and Big 12 have been discussing ways to merge what’s left of the two leagues if Texas and Oklahoma leave the Big 12.

The person, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk publicly about what is going on behind the scenes, said Monday there has been dialogue between athletic directors and high-level officials in the conference offices.

Syracuse and Pittsburgh have announced they will be leaving the Big East for the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Texas and Oklahoma are both trying to decide whether to leave the Big 12 for the Pac-12, taking Oklahoma State and Texas Tech with them.

Both universities’ board of regents voted Monday to give their presidents the right to choose a new conference, though the Texas regents still held the right to give a move final approval.

If the Big 12 loses those four members, it would leave Missouri, Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas and Kansas State scrambling. Without Syracuse and Pittsburgh, the Big East still has six football members, Cincinnati, Connecticut, South Florida, Rutgers, Louisville and West Virginia.

AUTO RACING

BEECH RIDGE: Johnny Clark reclaimed the lead on Lap 220 of the PASS North 300 and went on to win the race at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on Sunday. Scott Mulkern finished second and Trevor Sandborn was third.

In the PASS Sportsman 100, Dan McKeage stole the lead from Carey Martin on a restart with eight laps left and held on for the win. Martin finished second and Joe Pastore was third.

Andy Shaw won the PASS Mod 50, followed by Dale Shaw and Alan Wilson.

TENNIS

DJOKOVIC UPDATE: Novak Djokovic says the back muscle injury that forced him to quit his Davis Cup match is not serious but requires rest. He tried to play through the pain Sunday against Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinals. But he stopped during the second set, sending Argentina to the Davis Cup final against Spain.

Djokovic skipped Friday’s opening singles because of lingering back problems following his victory over Rafael Nadal in the U.S. Open final. But after losing the opening set 7-6 (5) against Del Potro, Djokovic fell from pain during the third game of the second set.

BASKETBALL

CANADIAN PRO LEAGUE: Former NBA players Rodney Buford and Eddie Robinson signed with the Halifax Rainmen of a new Canadian League that begins play next month.

The seven-team National Basketball League also includes the Saint John Mill Rats, Quebec Kebs, London Lightning, Oshawa Power, Moncton Miracles and Summerside Storm. Each team plays a 36-game schedule, with the season starting Oct. 29.

 

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