NCAA

UCLA is vowing to take disciplinary action against Bruins defensive lineman Jay Toia ... after the 6'3", 325-pounder was captured on video threatening to slap a woman on an elevator last weekend.

The video made rounds earlier this week ... appearing to show the freshman approach an elevator on campus full of students he thought were from USC.

Toia -- donning a UCLA hoodie -- had to be held back by his friends as he goes on an expletive-filled rant threatening to hurt any USC student.

One girl tries to clear the air, saying "we go to Santa Barbara! Nobody's a Trojan! We go to USCB!"

Toia still goes off ... yelling, "you a f***ing Trojan n****! I'll slap a b****, too! I'll slap a b****!"

Worth noting -- the 4-star recruit signed with the Trojans back in Dec. 2020 ... before transferring to UCLA this June. He was the 21st ranked defensive tackle in his class and had offers from Arizona, Cal, Michigan, Nebraska and more.

UCLA's athletic director, Martin Jarmond, and football head coach, Chip Kelly, released a statement saying they saw the clip and Toia will be disciplined.

"We're aware of a recent video in which a student-athlete made disparaging remarks. This was inappropriate and not in line with our values and expectations."

"As such, we are taking disciplinary action and working with campus partners to assist with educations for the student."

Toia already lost an NIL deal with college apparel company Campus Mogul due to the video ... but has been practicing with the team all week.

Tua Tagovailoa -- who won a national championship alongside Henry Ruggs at Alabama -- choked back tears as he addressed his ex-teammate's fatal DUI arrest after practice Wednesday ... saying, "You’d never think that this guy could hurt a soul."

The Miami Dolphins quarterback appeared emotional and upset over the tragedy ... sharing his condolences to those close to the 23-year-old woman who died as a result of the crash.

"That’s tough," Tua told reporters. "My heart goes out to the families affected by what happened, the choices and decisions."

"My heart goes out to Henry, too, and his family. Obviously, it wasn't the right choice or decision he made at that time. I know he'd wish he could have it back."

He added ... "When I heard the news, that was tough for me to hear, just knowing the kind of person that Henry is ... I'm still kind of in disbelief."

Tua and Ruggs were very close in Tuscaloosa from 2017-19 and have remained tight as pros in the NFL ... and it's clear he's been hit hard by the news.

TMZ Sports broke the story -- officials say Ruggs was driving 156 miles per hour just seconds before the accident ... and had a BAC of .161.

The Las Vegas Raiders released Ruggs shortly after the crash ... and he could be facing serious time behind bars.

Master P has a message for the haters who think Dwyane Wade got his son, Zaire, a spot in the G League ... telling TMZ Sports, "Life ain't fair."

As we previously reported, the former Sierra Canyon standout joined the Salt Lake City Stars earlier this month ... which just so happens to be the affiliate for the Utah Jazz, of which D-Wade is part owner.

We spoke with MP about Zaire's opportunity while at LAX this week ... and he brings the truth.

"When you look at it, it's a blessing," P said. "His dad knows the business. He played in the game."

P says Zaire is working with some top-notch trainers and busting his ass every day ... and thinks Wade can really "change the game" if he continues to put in serious effort.

MP -- who suited up for two NBA teams back in the day -- knows a thing or two about raising an athlete ... his son, Hercy, is a hoops star at an HBCU and he thinks his team can make the tournament if his son keeps it up.

"You know what, he's working hard," Master said. "He just played last night. He had a great game. They won."

"That's what life is about. Just getting better and better."

As for Wade, P also went on to rave about how bright the future is for him in the G League ... but is Zaire "finessing" the system?!? He disagrees.

"He taking advantage of an opportunity. He knows he wants to be a pro player."

The Univ. of Tennessee has just barred 16 students -- and 9 other fans -- from attending games the rest of this season ... after the school says they were all involved in throwing trash at the Ole Miss game.

If you missed it ... UT football fans heaved things onto the field at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 16 after losing to Ole Miss -- infamously hitting head coach Lane Kiffin with objects, and making a massive mess.

Two days later, the SEC fined the university $250,000 for the chaos ... and this week, UT announced after an investigation, it found 16 UT students and 9 non-students had been involved in the trash throwing.

The school said, as a result, all of the above are banned from all university sporting events for the rest of this academic and athletic year.

School officials said more punishment could be on the way.

UT's Athletics Director Danny White says the university is also taking extra measures to ensure a similar scene never happens again ... promising changes in a letter to the SEC this week.

Some of the plans, White explained, are effective immediately ... including prohibiting student guest tickets, increasing law enforcement at games, and removing bottle caps from concession stands.

Can you imagine being the youngest athlete ever to sign with Puma??

Just ask 17-year-old basketball prodigy Mikey Williams about it … ‘cause the five-star recruit just inked a historic multi-year deal with the athletic brand!!

Terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed, but the agreement makes Williams the youngest athlete to sign with Puma Hoops ... joining an already star-studded roster featuring LaMelo Ball, Deandre Ayton, Breanna Stewart and RJ Barrett, and Katie Lou Samuelson.

"Mikey joining our Puma family is exciting news for our brand," Puma global brand director Adam Petrick said in a statement.

"His talent on the court and his ability to connect with young athletes and fans alike, will help drive hoops culture forward and inspire the next generation of athletes. He has a bright future ahead of him and we are proud to be a part of his journey."

Puma will be getting more than just a basketball sensation ... 'cause the rising star is also a social media force with more than 3.3 million followers on Instagram.

The 6'2" guard will be rocking various Puma styles, including the Court Rider Line … and will be featured in an upcoming “Not Yet Rated” marketing promotion, 'cause "his ceiling hasn't yet been determined" the company explained.

Williams spoke about the historic deal ... saying, "I am excited to join the Puma family this early in my basketball journey."

"Puma really understands how to mix hoops and culture, two things I am passionate about."

It'll be interesting to see what happens if Williams decides to take his talents to a college program that is NOT sponsored by Puma ... 'cause those deals normally force every player to rock the same brand.

Ivan Douglas -- the left tackle for Ohio State's famous 2002 National Champion football team -- has died after a battle with COVID-19, his family and friends announced.

He was just 41 years old.

Douglas -- who helped block for Craig Krenzel and Maurice Clarett in the Buckeyes' epic upset win over Miami in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl -- contracted the virus last month and was placed in the hospital shortly after.

According to a GoFundMe set up in his honor, Douglas was "purple in color and his oxygen level was at 63%" when he entered the medical facility -- and he needed to be placed into a medically induced coma a short time later.

Tragically, after weeks of fighting, Douglas' family and friends said he passed away on Thursday.

"Our family is devastated and ask for your continued love, support and prayers," a statement on Douglas' GoFundMe read.

Douglas' former teammate at OSU, Chukwuemeka Nnamdi Onyejekwe, AKA Mekka Don, also confirmed the news on Twitter ... saying, "Our good brother Ivan Douglas has passed away. Please keep his family in your prayers!"

Douglas leaves behind a wife and two children.

The new NIL rules have college athletes livin' the luxurious life ... 'cause Kentucky hoops star TyTy Washington just locked a deal with Porsche!!

The 5-star recruit and #4 guard out of the 2021 class announced the partnership on Wednesday ... posting IG photos from the Louisville Porsche dealership.

"Proud to announce my NIL deal with @porschelouisville and @frank_eaves," the 18-year-old said.

You can see the 6'3" baller in a pearly-white Porsche Cayenne SUV -- which has a price tag for over $80k!!

Players across the NCAA are benefiting off this new "name, image and likeness" rule that was announced in June ... with Ohio State QB Quinn Ewers, Alabama QB Bryce Young and TCU hoops guard Hercy Miller -- Master P's son -- each inking deals worth more than $1 million.

The new policy works for high school ballers, too -- 17-year-old Mikey Williams signed a contract in July worth millions.

A 20-year-old Tufts University lacrosse player has died ... after she tragically choked during a hot dog eating contest over the weekend.

Madelyn "Madie" Nicpon -- a junior on the Jumbos' lax squad -- was participating in a competitive eating event off-campus on Saturday when something went horribly wrong.

According to The Journal News ... authorities said Nicpon fell unconscious after choking, and was rushed to the hospital after first responders got to the scene.

Sadly, Nicpon passed away just a day later on Sunday.

"In the face of this painful loss," school officials said in a statement, "our hearts go out to Madie's family and friends."

Thousands of students came out to the campus to mourn the loss of Nicpon shortly after her death Sunday evening ... surrounding her jersey with candles and remembering her fondly.

"We are beyond heartbroken to share the news of the passing of junior Madie Nicpon -- 'Scooter,'" the Tufts lax team wrote on Instagram. "Scooter was a true friend and teammate. She truly valued her relationships with her teammates and coaches."

"Her reach was far beyond our team -- she was a true connector on campus and touched every single person she met."

They added, "We love you, Scooter. Keep dancing from above."

Nicpon had played in several games in her first two years for the Jumbos, and was expected to be a key contributor this season.

Dick Vitale says cancer will not get in the way of his passion for college hoops -- explaining in an emotional video he's still planning to call games despite chemotherapy treatments.

The legendary broadcaster revealed his lymphoma diagnosis earlier this week -- and said Wednesday he's been prescribed steroids and six months of chemo to try to eradicate it.

But, Dickie V -- who's been providing commentary on games since the 1970s -- made it clear he's going to do everything in his power to stay on the air during the treatment process.

"They're going to try to plan the chemo so I can be free to do some games," Vitale said. "Which I've got to do -- that's my best medicine of all."

The 82-year-old says he's been overwhelmed by the amount of love he's received since announcing his diagnosis ... nearly breaking down in tears while thanking everyone for their support.

"I'm going to beat it because I got a great team," Vitale said. "Great family, my second family ESPN, all my colleagues have been so kind and so good and I have a great team of doctors who are all involved."

He then guaranteed that he will win his battle with the disease ... adding, "Take that to the bank. There's no doubt in my mind."

J.R. Smith's officially a college golfer -- the 36-year-old made his debut at a tournament on Monday ... and it may not have gone the way he was hoping.

The ex-NBA star suited up for North Carolina A&T on the first day of the Elon Phoenix Invitational at the Alamance Country Club in Burlington, NC on Monday ... and he had a pretty solid start, hitting 2 birdies in his first 5 holes.

But, after making par on holes 10-14, Smith carded 7 bogeys and a double-bogey to finish out with an 81 (+7) ... just 6 spots above last place.

Look, there was no way the former All-Star was going to come in and wreck the competition, but the fact he's even out there doing his thing is pretty awesome ... and he looked damn good, too.

Smith will be able to work on his score during the second round of competition -- which got underway -- and we'll be keeping an eye out to see what he does on the links!!

Big shout-out to Smith for putting in the work and getting this far.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron made an eye-opening comment toward a prank caller on his radio show this week ... when he seemingly threatened to make the guy disappear -- and people are pissed.

Here's how it went down ... Coach O was taking calls from listeners on his weekly show on Wednesday, when one person asked the 60-year-old to wish his sister a happy birthday.

When Orgeron asked for more details about the fake birthday girl, the caller described her as "a little blonde-headed girl" ... and then dropped the line, "Try not to have sex with her," before getting cut off. That got O worked up.

While the hosts tried to brush it off and move on to the next topic, Orgeron wanted to address the heckler.

"You know, down the bayou, we got a nice little fishing hole for people like that," O said.

The phrase is a popular term in Louisiana (ask a local) ... and once Orgeron's comment started to spread around social media, it didn't take long for people to sound off on Twitter.

Some users are going as far as to say Orgeron should be fired for the comment.

"Coach O should be terminated immediately for cause because if this call," one user said. "He is the highest paid State employee and just threatened to kill a man. He is not mature enough for this job. I am formally calling for his termination"

"Should've called a timeout Coach ...," another user added.

Creighton University baseball administrator and ex-minor leaguer Chris Gradoville was tragically shot and killed Wednesday, the school announced. He was just 37 years old.

The tragedy occurred when Gradoville -- who also played for the Bluejays from 2004-07 -- showed up to make a repair at a rental home he recently sold to a realty company, according to Omaha police.

Gradoville was shot multiple times outside the home ... and was found dead in the yard around 7:55 AM after cops responded to a report of gunshots.

43-year-old Ladell Thornton -- who is believed to have been renting the home -- was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

The incident sparked sorrow from the University, prompting Creighton’s head baseball coach to say he was lucky to have known Gradoville since he was 17.

"Having Chris as a member of our staff over the last 18 months was tremendous because he was a such a great man and a great teammate," Ed Servais said.

"Whether you were a player, teammate or fellow staff member that needed a hand, Chris was one of the first guys to step forward."

Gradoville was a part of the 2007 Creighton team that won the school's first Missouri Valley Conference title ... and was later drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 24th-round of the 2007 MLB draft.

The president of the university, athletic director and other members of the athletic dept. released statements as well ... expressing their sadness over the loss.

"The Creighton community is absolutely devastated by the death of Chris Gradoville," the school said Thursday.

"Chris represented the very best of what it meant to be a Bluejay. He was an alumnus, former standout baseball player, and the volunteer director of baseball operations."

The college football season is barely a quarter of the way done, but ya ain't going to see a better catch all year than this ...

Here's Virginia wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks hauling in a pass in ridiculous one-handed fashion against Miami ... catching a ball that had ricocheted off a defender's hands and then his back!

The wild play all went down in the third quarter of the Cavaliers' tilt with the Hurricanes ... when quarterback Brennan Armstrong threw up a prayer into a body of players down at the goal line.

The ball initially looked like it would be intercepted, but when the defender dropped it ... it fell onto Wicks' body.

Broadcast cameras showed Wicks somehow balanced the ball on his back, then flipped over, popped it up, and snagged it out of mid-air for the score.

Even the game's announcers were shocked by the play ... with one saying, "I don't know that I've ever seen anything like this."

The play wasn't just amazing -- it was also necessary for Virginia, 'cause it only won the game 30-28.

Michael Strahan is making sure Texas Southern University's football team is straight for the rest of the season -- donating 100 brand new helmets to his alma mater.

TSU's head coach, Clarence McKinney, spoke with TMZ Sports about the amazing gesture on Wednesday, saying after his team's white helmets got old and beat up, they hit up Strahan for help.

And, it didn't take long for the Hall of Famer to deliver aid -- with McKinney telling us the former TSU star sent over 100 new maroon and grey Riddell helmets to the Tigers last week!

"He's been good to our program," McKinney said. "The players are pretty excited about the donation."

"We practiced in them on Monday," McKinney added. "The players love them."

This ain't the first time the New York Giants legend helped out his alma mater -- Strahan also donated high-quality XTECH football pads to the Tigers in 2019.

Strahan was a beast when he played for the HBCU in the 90s ... he broke TSU's single-season sack record (19) and still holds the school record for career sacks (41.5).

The 49-year-old was also named Black College Defensive Player of the Year (1992) and was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

Paul "Bear" Bryant -- arguably the greatest college football coach of all time -- famously wore a Houndstooth fedora on the sideline ... and now you can own an actual game-worn hat rocked by the late Alabama coach, cause one recently hit the auction block.

Of course, Bear was the head man at Alabama for 25 years (1958-1983) ... where he won 6 national championships and 13 conference titles.

The hat -- available at Lelands Auctions -- is a size 7 3/8 hat with a gold stamp that says Paul "Bear" Bryant.

There's also a logo inside the hat that confirms it's an original. There's also a letter of authenticity from Robert Crawford, a photographer who worked the Crimson Tide's sidelines for 4 decades.

The hat shows minimal wear, according to Lelands.

The fedora currently has 7 bids ... with the highest offer coming in at over $4,400.

If the price remains near where it currently is, it's a huge bargain. Lelands previously sold 2 other Bryant hats for a combined $100+K this past year.

And, the 6 figure price tag isn't surprising ... that's how important Bear was to the game of football.

In fact, the Coach of The Year award was renamed to the Paul 'Bear' Bryant Award in 1986.

Bryant also has several buildings on the Alabama campus -- including the football stadium -- that are named after him. He was also honored with a U.S. postage stamp in 1996.

So, if you want that Bryant swag ... ya better act fast. The auction ends tomorrow night.

Urban Meyer ain't the only one shutting down USC rumors -- so is Kansas City Chiefs' OC Eric Bieniemy ... telling reporters Thursday, "I am focused on the task at hand."

The first question at Bieniemy's press conference wasn't about his teams week 2 game against the Ravens ... but the rumors about him being a candidate for USC's head football coaching vacancy.

EB immediately laughed at the reporters inquiry ... saying, "You know me."

"You guys know me. I am where my feet are. So, when it’s all said and done with, I am focused on the task at hand."

Bieniemy added, "I’m not worried about anything like where my name is being mentioned. My job right now is to make sure that we’re preparing for this weekend’s opponent.”

Another reporter followed up, asking *hypothetically* what Eric would do if USC hit him up, and again, Bieniemy shut down the question.

"If USC reached out to me right now, my answer would be, ‘I am preparing for this team to play against the Baltimore Ravens.’ That’s how I roll. You guys know that."

"My job is to make sure we’re ready to play a complete, sound, 60-minute football game where we can come out and win the game."

Honestly, it'd be hard to blame EB if he had interest in one of the premiere college football jobs ... after he was passed up for several head coaching gigs in the off-season.

But, it certainly appears Bieniemy is committed to sticking with KC this season.