Florida Atlantic player dies on basketball court

An 18-year-old Florida Atlantic University basketball player died Sunday after collapsing during stretching exercises at practice.

Walter Turner lost consciousness but was breathing as athletic trainers tended to him. Turner was declared dead at 2:50 p.m. at Boca Raton Community Hospital, about 45 minutes after collapsing.

Advertisement

Turner, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound freshman, attended Norland Senior High School in Miami. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office was scheduled to conduct an autopsy Monday.

Villanova claims No. 1 spot in Division I-AA

The University of Villanova Wildcats have taken over the top spot in the Sports Network Division I-AA poll this week. Villanova, ranked third last week, moved up after losses by No. 1 Youngstown State University Penguins and No. 2 University of Montana Grizzlies. The Wildcats make their first-ever appearance at the top spot after getting 74 of a possible 95 first-place votes, for a total of 2,333 points, and lead new No. 2 McNeese State University by 105 points.

Villanova staked its claim to the top spot in the poll, selected by the TSN selection panel and Division I-AA sports information directors, following a 40-29 win over the University of Richmond Spiders. The win raised the Wildcats’ record to 6-0.

Youngstown State lost its two-week hold on the top spot following a 35-32 defeat to 25th-ranked University of Northern Iowa Saturday. The 6-1 Penguins fall to the fifth spot as a result of their loss. Northern Iowa jumped to 17th in the poll on the strength of its win over Youngstown State.

Montana had its chance to regain the top spot but was foiled in a 40-35 loss to 20th-ranked Eastern Washington University Eagles. The loss dropped Montana down to sixth place in the poll, while the win boosted the Eagles up eight spots to No. 12.

Western Illinois University jumped from fifth to third this week, while the University of Delaware Blue Hens move from sixth to fourth in the poll. The top-10 is rounded out by Western Kentucky University, Southern University, Eastern Illinois University and Stephen F. Austin University.

Advertisement*

The second-10 includes University of Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington, East Tennessee State University, William & Mary College, Hampton University, Georgia Southern University, Northern Iowa, South Carolina State University, Furman University and Jackson State University.

Florida A & M University, Appalachian State University, Dayton University, North Carolina A&T University and Troy State University fill in the final five spots in the poll.

Rodman wants to renegotiate contract

Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman has decided he would like to rework the one-year contract he agreed to earlier this month.

The controversial Rodman is scheduled to meet with general manager Jerry Krause this week to discuss the incentive-laden deal. Rodman could miss the beginning of the season if the two sides cannot resolve their differences. The two-time All-Star and six-time rebounding champion has averaged 7.8 points and 13 rebounds in 11 seasons with Detroit, San Antonio and Chicago.