LEXINGTON, Ky. - Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart apologized to Florida for the behavior of some Wildcats fans during a game against the Gators.
Barnhart wrote a letter to Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley on Monday, saying the school did not condone the behavior.
During Kentucky's 82-62 win Sunday at Rupp Arena, some fans taunted Gators forward Matt Walsh.
Athletic department spokesman Scott Stricklin said the letter wasn't meant to be made public.
"It wasn't a p.r. thing," Stricklin said. "It was a legitimate letter to Florida."
MEMPHIS' BURKS HONORED: Memphis senior guard Antonio Burks was named Conference USA player of the year, and UAB's Mike Anderson was named the coach of the year. Burks, the first Memphis player to win the award, averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 assists and 2.5 steals in leading the Tigers to a share of the C-USA regular-season title. Anderson, in his second season at UAB, led the Blazers to a 19-8 record, 12-4 in C-USA, and a share of the regular-season title.
SEC HONORS: Rick Stansbury guided Mississippi State to its first conference championship since 1991, but South Carolina's Dave Odom was named coach of the year by his peers. Odom received the honor when the coaches' All-SEC team was released, one day after Stansbury was named coach of the year in media balloting conducted by the Associated Press. The coaches and the media agreed on player of the year, selecting Lawrence Roberts of Mississippi State.
AKRON: Assistant Keith Dambrot was promoted to replace fired coach Dan Hipsher.
CONNECTICUT: Center Emeka Okafor's status for the Big East tournament quarterfinals was in doubt after more tests on his injured back. A decision will be made before today's game.
LOYOLA (CHICAGO): Former UCLA player and coach Larry Farmer was fired as coach.
MIAMI: President Donna Shalala has asked for a complete review of coach Perry Clark's four-year career with the Hurricanes. Athletic director Paul Dee is compiling the report, which will be used to help decide whether Clark remains with the school after consecutive losing seasons.
N. CAROLINA: Point guard Raymond Felton participated in his first full practice since suffering a hip injury in the regular-season finale at Duke.
N.C. STATE: Guard Scooter Sherrill is doubtful for the ACC tournament because of an ankle injury, coach Herb Sendek said. Sherrill injured his left ankle in a 71-64 loss to North Carolina on Feb.29. He has not played or practiced since.
TEXAS A&M: Coach Melvin Watkins said he's resigning after this season, ending a six-year tenure that bottomed out with an 0-16 Big 12 record this season. The announcement came on the eve of the conference tournament. He said he wanted it out now to avoid speculation distracting the team.
- Times staff writer Pete Young contributed to this report.
