Butler’s Lickliter headed to Iowa (ESPN News Services)

Butler University basketball coach Todd Lickliter has agreed to take over the vacant University of Iowa basketball position.  A news conference is scheduled for Tuesday where the announcement will be formalized.

The position became open after former coach Steve Alford jumped ship and took the New Mexico job last month.

Titans visit with Chargers RB Michael Turner (AP/USA Today)

The Tennessee Titans met with San Diego Chargers back-up running back Michael Turner today.  The Titans are looking for a running back after releasing Travis Henry last month.  LenDale White is currently number one on the depth chart.

Rockies extend GM O’Brien and manager Hurdle (AP/Yahoo! Sports)

The Colorado Rockies extended both general manager Dan O’Brien and manager Clint Hurdle two years on their existing deals today, the Associated Press is reporting.

Why the Rockies did this, we have no idea.

Devils fire Julien, Lamoriello takes over (AP/ESPN.com)

The Associated Press is reporting that the New Jersey Devils have fired head coach Claude Julien and replaced him on an interim basis with general manager Lou Lamoriello.

Report: WVU’S Beilein offered Michigan job (AP/SI.com)

Published reports indicate that West Virginia University hoops coach John Beilein has been offered the Michigan job.

NFL cancels pre-season game in China (AP/ESPN)

The NFL announced that they have cancelled the scheduled pre-season game in China that was to feature the New England Patriots squaring off against the Seattle Seahawks.  The league stated that it wanted to concentrate its “global resources” on the regular season game in London.

Lakers’ Jackson, UNC’s Williams head hoops hall class (ESPN News Services)

Phil Jackson, coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Roy WIlliams, coach of the Carolina TarHeels, head the 2007 induction class of the National Basketball Hall of Fame.

ESPN commentator and former Detroit-Mercy coach Dick Vitale failed to get in on his third try as a contributor to the sport.

Report: Creighton’s Altman jumps to Arkansas (KNWA)

Longtime Creighton University hoops coach Dana Altman has apparently accepted the job at Arkansas, according to television station KNWA in Arkansas.

A press conference to introduce Altman is expected later this afternoon. The deal is worth $1.5 million per season.

Tribune accepts offer from Zell, will sell Cubs (AP/Yahoo! Sports)

The Tribune Company has accepted billionaire real estate mogul Sam Zell’s offer to buy the conglomerate for $8.2 billion. Zell will sell the ballclub after the season, according to the Associated Press.

We posted this late last week from the BizofBaseball site.  And we can’t wait for the Mark Cuban rumors to start.

News and notes while rolling out of bed…

80K turn out for Wrestlemania 23 (AP/ESPN) We won’t spoil it for you, but it’s pretty anti-climactic who shaved whose head.

Cubs’ Zambrano extends negotiating window (AP/ESPN) As noted yesterday by Ken Rosenthal, it looks like both sides are close.

Why Steve Jobs is going to London — EMI is ditching DRM (Engadget) Great news for digital music lovers.

Lady Vols rally with 20-2 run to get into finals (AP/USA Today) Both women’s games tonight were complete snoozers, but at least the second game ended with some excitement.

Top 7 most hated people in sports (InsideSTL) A few of these are interchangeable though list is pretty good.

Padres, Gonzalez ink extension (San Diego Padres) Four years, $19.5 million.

Southern Illinois keeps coach Lowery with 7-year extension (AP/stltoday) Programs with openings will have to look elsewhere.

Feel the ground shake? Kobe dishes 13 times, Lakers down Kings (AP/Yahoo! Sports) You read that right — 13 assists.