Lovie Smith is officially the new head football coach at Illinois. Smith replaces Bill Cubit, who was relieved of his duties on Saturday. Smith was fired by the Buccaneers in January after going 8-and-24 in two seasons. He also coached the Bears from 2004-2012.
The Warriors have set a new record for the most consecutive home wins in NBA history. The Warriors posted their 45th straight win at home with a 119-113 victory over the Magic. Golden State eclipsed the record set by Michael Jordan’s Bulls from 1995-96.
Pau Gasol did it all in the Bulls’ 100-90 win over the Bucks. Gasol collected 12 points, 17 rebounds, 13 assists and five blocks in Chicago’s second straight win. Derrick Rose added 22 points and seven assists. The Bulls visit the Spurs Thursday.
Matt Holliday played first base for the first time in the Cardinals’ 9-4 Grapefruit League win over a split-squad Mets team. Holliday was 0-for-2. Adam Wainwright tossed two scoreless innings, but he walked three and allowed two hits. He did strike out two. St. Louis faces the Twins this afternoon.
The Cardinals could be without shortstop Jonny Peralta for a while. Peralta has a torn ligament in his left thumb and he might miss two-to-three months. He’s headed back to St. Louis to get a second opinion. Jedd Gyorko, Greg Garcia and Aledmys Diaz are options to get extra playing time.
Both split-squad teams for the Cubs suffered losses in Cactus League play yesterday. Jason Heyward hit a solo homer in a 4-2 loss to the Rockies. Addison Russell drilled a two-run shot in a 3-2 loss to the Royals. The Cubs host the Dodgers this afternoon.
Jose Abreu had three hits as the White Sox routed the Angels, 9-4, in Cactus League action. Steve Lombardozzi belted a two-run homer during a four-run seventh. The Sox host the Brewers this afternoon.
Running back DeMarco Murray is on the move again. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Titans are finalizing a deal to acquire Murray from the Eagles. Murray had only 702 rushing yards last season after leading the NFL with 1,845 while with the Cowboys in 2014.
The Colts have agreed to a new deal with tight end Dwayne Allen. After having a career-high eight touchdown receptions in 2014, Allen managed just 16 catches for 109 yards and one score last season. The 29-year-old has missed 21 games over the past three years due to injury.
The Robert Griffin the Third era is over in Washington. RG-Three was released after four seasons with the team yesterday. Griffin led Washington to an NFC East title as a rookie in 2012, but didn’t play a single snap last season.
Maria Sharapova is admitting she failed a drug test at the Australian open. Sharapova says the failed test was a result of taking a medication that had not been previously banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. She says she’s been taking the medication for 10 years.
Illinois tries to extend its season in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament tomorrow night from Indianapolis. The 12th-seeded Fighting Illini take on 13th-seeded Minnesota. Illinois is 13-and-18, while the Gophers are 8-and-22.