Bennett cites NIL and transfer portal era as reasons for retiring

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. >> Describing himself as “a square peg in a round hole,” a tearful Tony Bennett said Friday he suddenly retired from coaching at Virginia because he wasn’t suited to navigate the current landscape of college basketball.

Bennett — dressed in his signature suit-minus-tie look — told those gathered at his exit news conference that name, image and likeness money and the transfer portal have brought elements to the job that he’s “not great at.”

“I looked at myself and I realized, I’m no longer the best coach to lead this program,” Bennett said.

Cave, Lambert, Hudson become free agents

The Rockies’ offseason roster shuffle began Friday when versatile outfielder Jake Cave and right-handed pitchers Dakota Hudson and Peter Lambert opted for free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque. All three players were on the Rockies’ opening-day roster.

Cave becoming a free agent opens the door for Sam Hilliard to compete for a roster spot in spring training as Colorado’s fourth outfielder. Hilliard slashed .239/.305/.507 with 10 homers and 27 homers in 58 games.

Pendrith avoids biggest wind, still leads in Vegas

LAS VEGAS >> Taylor Pendrith was spared wind so strong it caused a four-hour delay and battered the field in the Shriners Hospital Open. The Canadian only had to play six holes and stayed in the lead before the second round was halted by darkness.

Pendrith, who had a 10-under 61 on Thursday in a relatively calm morning to start the tournament, now faces a long Saturday — 12 holes to complete the second round and however many holes in the third round as the autumn light allows.

Green takes lead 2-stroke lead at LPGA South Korea

PAJU, South Korea>> Hannah Green completed her weather-delayed second round with an 8-under 64 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead after 36 holes of the LPGA Tour’s BMW Ladies Championship. Green was 4-under for her round Friday when rain washed out the remainder of play for the day.

Americans Levito, Tennell lead after short program

Isabeau Levito channeled her inner Holly Golightly in a stylish performance set to music from the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” on Friday night to lead after the short program at Skate America, the opening event of figure skating’s Grand Prix season.

The reigning world silver medalist, wearing a black dress that invoked the character played by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film by George Axelrod, scored 68.43 points at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas. American teammate Bradie Tennell was second with 66.99 points in her comeback from a broken ankle, while Japan’s Rinka Watanabe was third with 66.54 points.

Dallas Wings fire coach Trammell after 2 seasons

The Dallas Wings fired coach Latricia Trammell on Friday.

Trammell went 31-49 in two seasons with the Dallas Wings, including 2-3 in playoff appearances. This past season the team went 9-31 and missed the WNBA postseason for the first time since 2020.

The Wings will also look to hire a general manager for the first time.