SPORTS UPDATE 12/5/12

Sports Tonight airs at 5:08 this evening on News/Talk 95.3 FM-1230 AM WHOP and whopam.com. Todd Hamilton will originate his show from Tiger Gym at Hopkinsville High School before Hopkinsville meets Henderson County in boys’ basketball action this evening. The game tips off at 7:30, with the Heritage Bank pre game show at 7:15.

College Football:   Multiple media sources are reporting that Charlie Strong is the leading candidate to become the new coach at the University of Tennessee. However, Yahoo Sports is reporting that Strong may stay at Louisville.

Strong said on Monday whether he will return to the Cardinal program next year will be announced at the right time. Louisville is playing in its third bowl game in as many years under Strong when they meet Florida in the Sugar Bowl, January 2^nd in New Orleans.

Meanwhile, reports are surfacing that Wisconsin athletics director Barry Alvarez, who once coached the Badgers, may return to the sidelines to coach the team in the Rose Bowl game on New Year’s Day. Bret Bielema announced Tuesday he is leaving Wisconsin to become the new coach at Arkansas.

Soon to be Conference USA member Florida International has fired Coach Mario Cristobal. The Golden Panthers were 27-47 in Cristobal’s six seasons on the job. FIU was 3-9 and 2-6 in Sun Belt Conference play this past season.

College Basketball: Tonight’s action includes Austin Peay hosting Oakland College at 7 in the Dunn Center, while Western Kentucky entertains Southern Illinois at 7 in EA Diddle Arena in Bowling Green.

Top 25 action has number 5 Florida meeting Florida State, 10^th rated Gonzaga at Washington State, 17^th rated Michigan State welcomes Arkansas Pine Bluff, 20^th ranked New Mexico hosts Southern California and 23^rd ranked Oklahoma State entertains South Florida.

NFL: The quarterback carousel continues for the New York Jets, as Coach Rex Ryan today announced Mark Sanchez will be the starter Sunday when they meet the Jacksonville Jaguars.