The new look of college basketball (MightyMJD/Men.Style.Com)

Nike has unveiled a new set of college hoops uniforms that may be part of an upcoming change throughout basketball.

As the site notes, starting on March 6th (that’s this evening), four schools will be donning these uniforms — Arizona, Florida, Ohio State, and Syracuse — for game play.

Here’s a sampling of what they’ll look like on your SportsCenter highlight reel.

Penguins likely staying in Pittsburgh? (Hockeybuzz)

For what it’s worth — anonymous hockey blogger “Eklund” has posted on his site that after some discussions with those involved in the arena negotiations between the three key parties (city of Pittsburgh, the state of Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Penguins ownership group spearheaded by former NHLer Mario Lemieux) have inched closer to finalizing a deal to keep the team in town.

As the old saying goes, we’ll believe it when we see it. However, it has been our feeling that the team wouldn’t leave the city for other pastures in the Midwest.

Leverage rears its ugly head once again.

Some charges against ex-hockey agent Frost dropped (Sportsnet.ca)

Six sex charges and one assault charge against former hockey agent David Frost have been dropped due to lack of sufficient evidence in the case.

The former agent still faces six other charges related to three young boys and one girl involving sexual exploitation of minors, ages 14 and 15.

In case you forgot (and how can you?), Frost was the target of a murder-for-hire plot by former NHL player Mike Danton (Jefferson) in April 2004. For a refresher, check out an indepth review on Canadian Broadcasting’s website.

Vazquez, White Sox agree to three-year extension (MLB.com)

The Chicago White Sox and starter Javier Vazquez have agreed to an extension worth $34.5 million over three years.

The pact keeps him at U.S. Cellular Field till 2010.

Hansbrough: No bad blood with Duke’s Henderson (AP/ESPN)

Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough spoke to reporters today in the wake of his incident with Duke’s Gerald Henderson that caused a micro-fracture in his nose.

A quote from the AP article:

“I was upset when it happened,” Hansbrough said. “I don’t think he did it intentionally. I don’t really like talking about it because I really don’t know how to handle the situation, but I’m fine right now. I feel fine. I was kind of shocked my nose was broken.”

Niners sign free agent Banta-Cain (ESPN.com)

ESPN’s John Clayton reports that the San Francisco 49ers have signed free agent linebacker Tully Banta-Cain to a contract. The deal’s terms weren’t disclosed.

Banta-Cain had been with the New England Patriots.

PFT: Clements’ real deal? Six years, $8.791M annually  (ProFootballTalk.com)

PFT breaks down the San Francisco 49ers deal with corner Nate Clements.

News and notes while struggling with Chef Boyardee as a food group…

Topps trading cards sold to group led by Eisner (Reuters/USA Today) In our opinion, the gimmick of chase cards ruined the hobby.

Petitgout reaches agreement with Tampa (NFL Network) Solid offensive guard when healthy, Petitgout offers a nice option in Tampa.

Duquesne shooting victim set to resume working out for hoops team (AP/ESPN) Some good news for people who like good news.

Rachel McAdams gushes about her boyfriend (People) We don’t care who her boyfriend is, we just love us some Rachel McAdams.

Prosecutors want Tank Johnson in jail (SI.com) From SI’s Lester Munson, prosecutors now want the Bears player in jail. We guess since the Super Bowl is over, he won’t hurt the Bears now.

[youtube KcWR-95PkU0] A three minute look at the NHL’s plays of the week.

SI: Inside the steroids ring (SI.com)

From the article description:

SI’s Luis Fernando Llosa and L. Jon Wertheim, on the scene for the Florida raids, continue to report on the ongoing investigation that promises to rock sports.

The article reveals some names that haven’t been previously mentioned by any publication.  Click the link!

Enough said.

Dolphins sign linebacker Joey Porter (ESPN.com)

The Miami Dolphins have signed recently released Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter to a five-year, $32 million contract.  According to ESPN’s John Clayton, the deal calls for $20 million of it to be guaranteed.

Shanoff: The Ron Burges scandal (danshanoff.com)

Blogger extraordinaire Dan Shanoff writes about the suspension of Boston Globe writer Ron Borges over claims of plagiarism of his recent Sunday column on the New England Patriots.

If you hadn’t heard, Borges apparently “borrowed” what is considered pool notes, or, quotes gathered from an NFL writer in a city and distributed to fellow football writers around the country for publication.  Allegedly, Mr. Borges got a bit lazy and just did the ‘ol copy-and-paste job.

Marlins pitcher Johnson to miss two months (AP/Yahoo! Sports)

Florida Marlins starting pitcher Josh Johnson is expected to miss up to two months with an irritated ulnar nerve in his pitching elbow, the Associated Press reports.

Johnson had been experiencing elbow discomfort for much of the spring and it was originally feared that the right would require Tommy John surgery.

News and notes while rolling out of bed…

Seahawks reach six-year agreement with DE Kerney (ESPN.com) It took them two days, but Seattle got arguably the best defensive player on the market remaining.

Nats’ Acta welcomes challenge (ESPN INsider) Peter Gammons blogs about new Washington Nationals skipper Manny Acta’s role in the building process in D.C. and how Jerry Hairston, Jr. should be presumed innocent.

DiPietro’s record 56 saves not enough to lift Isles in SO (AP/ESPN) The man with a 15-year deal comes up one save short in a New York Islander record-setting performance by a goaltender.

No guarantees for Green (AP/Yahoo! Sports) Kansas City Chiefs’ president and GM Carl Petersen tells quarterback Trent Green: compete and take a pay cut.

Gonzaga continues streak in WCC tourney, down Santa Clara and gets NCAA bid (ESPN/AP) The Zags have won eight of the last nine WCC tournaments.

YouTube video of Duke’s Gerald Henderson’s flying elbow into Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough (YouTube) Billy Packer is his usual, atrocious self with comments like these:

“Jim, if anything, that was probably Hansbrough’s fault for going after Henderson’s elbow with his face …”

Comical.

[youtube LebHSBzxJ1c]

Canadiens forward Kovalev denies ripping coach, team to Russian station (CP/TSN.ca) One paper backs the team (Montreal Le Press); other calls it some Internet hoax (Le Journal de Montreal). What a passionate hockey town.