Hump Day Headlines: Early Afternoon Edition

In this week's Hump Day Headlines, we discuss UConn's recruiting violation, the open competition for the Browns Quarterback position, a Pirates prospect's wife steals an infant, and more...

• According to a Yahoo! Sports exclusive, the University of Connecticut violated NCAA recruiting rules in pursuit of former guard Nate Miles. (Don't worry, I had never heard of him either. He currently plays for the College of Southern Idaho, after he was expelled from UConn for violating a restraining order in 2008.) This is according to a six month investigation by the website. According to the report, a former UConn student manager turned sports agent was providing Miles with a nice place to stay, transportation, meals from restaurants, and agent representation. The relationship between the player and the agent is a recruiting violation, as well as the fact that a UConn assistant coach reportedly knew about the relationship and looked the other way also violates NCAA rules. This story stems from an investigation of the role of agents in college basketball. Apparently they have gone from helping kids move to the next level, but are also recruiting them out of high school to find a college program. According to the report, there were more than 1,500 phone calls and text messages exchanged between the agent and the UConn coaching staff, including 16 from hall of fame coach Jim Calhoun. It's unclear what kind of punishment will come from the NCAA for this story's leak. However this really could change the balance of power in college basketball. For the first time since probably the sanctions against Michigan after the "Fab Five", a major power in college hoops has been probed and apparently caught. Not a good time for UConn to have this bomb dropped on them, especially as they ready to play 5th seed Purdue in the Sweet 16 tomorrow.
• The Browns are going to have an open competition for their quarterback position in 2009, according to new head coach Eric Mangini. This means Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson will be working extra hard to make sure they aren't the one holding the clipboard and wearing the visor on the sidelines. Mangini announced the decision to hold an open competition at the NFL Meetings on Tuesday. This is the part where I'm supposed to tell you who I think should be under center for Cleveland this upcoming season, but neither guy really is a great option, right? Anderson had a Pro Bowl season in 2007, throwing nearly 30 touchdown passes for a pretty good Browns team and almost 3,800 yards. Then again, he was not very good last year as the Browns struggled. Quinn is the popular choice because everyone loves the backup quarterback, especially when that backup calls Notre Dame his alma-mater. But Quinn wasn't even remotely impressive in 3 games last year for the Browns before getting hurt. To be honest, I think Mangini is doing the right thing here, because why not give both these guys the chance to prove themselves? It's not as though either has proven anything on the field over the last calendar year...
• Here's another heartwarming story in the world of sports. The wife of Pirates outfield prospect Jose Tabata is a suspect in the kidnapping a two month old. Apparently Amalia Tabata Pereira was questioned by Manatee County, FL police yesterday when they found the baby unharmed. Pereira is being arrested for taking the baby from a health care center there the day before. This woman is 43 years old, but is the wife of 20 year old Pirates prospect Tabata. That's disturbing in itself. But here's what Tabata had to say about the incident. "I was shocked to be told that my wife has been arrested for kidnapping. I am hurt, frustrated, and confused by her actions. I have and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials in anyway that I can. Until I have all of the facts, I cannot comment any further." Apparently his wife was posing as an immigration official to swipe the infant. Although this story has yet to be officially confirmed. Creepy, to say the least. And bad news for the Pittsburgh Pirates, as if that franchise need this to add to its already sterling on-field reputation.
• Finally, make sure to check us out tomorrow for more NCAA Tournament news. Four games tomorrow, and four games Friday, before the Elite Eight pairs things down to two games a piece Saturday and Sunday. We'll provide the schedule of events right here on BERNing, with a short preview of each game.