COLLEGE BASKETBALL

CINCINNATI’S HUGGINS GIVEN 24 HOURS TO RESIGN

Bob Huggins was ordered yesterday to resign or he’ll be fired as Cincinnati’s basketball coach, culminating a power struggle with the school president. In a letter sent by the university, Huggins was given 24 hours to resign, or he would be fired and get a buyout, said an associate who spoke on condition of anonymity because Huggins had not yet seen the letter. Huggins has won more games than any other coach at Cincinnati, but his tenure has also been marked by player arrests and NCAA rules violations that landed the school on probation.

PRO BASKETBALL

DAVIS SIGNS UP FOR TWO YEARS IN DETROIT

Dale Davis signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the Detroit Pistons yesterday, adding depth to their frontcourt. Davis, a 6-foot-11-inch, 252-pound center, has averaged 8.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks with Indiana, Portland, and Golden State during his 14-year career. Detroit used part of its mid-level exception to sign Davis, keeping about $2 million available.

PRO FOOTBALL

GATES AGREES TO SIX-YEAR DEAL

Antonio Gates agreed to a six-year contract yesterday with the San Diego Chargers, three days after he was suspended for missing a team-imposed deadline for reporting to camp. The All-Pro tight end will still have to sit out the season opener on September 11.

STILL MOURNING HERRION, NINERS PROMOTE RATTAY

Tim Rattay will be the San Francisco 49ers’ starting quarterback for the season opener, reclaiming his job from no. 1 draft pick Alex Smith after just two preseason games.

Coach Mike Nolan announced the decision yesterday at the conclusion of the 49ers’ first full practice following the death of offensive lineman Thomas Herrion, who collapsed in the locker room in Denver on Saturday night.

HOCKEY

RANGERS GET RUCCHIN FROM ANAHEIM

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks traded two longtime mainstays yesterday, sending center Steve Rucchin to the New York Rangers and left wing Mike Leclerc to the Phoenix Coyotes. The 34-year-old Rucchin was dealt to the Rangers in exchange for left wing Trevor Gillies and a conditional pick in the 2007 NHL draft.

THRASHERS DEAL HEATLEY TO SENATORS FOR HOSSA

The Atlanta Thrashers traded former NHL rookie of the year Dany Heatley to the Ottawa Senators for Marian Hossa yesterday, a blockbuster deal requested by Heatley less than two years after he was blamed for a car wreck that killed teammate Dan Snyder. The teams swapped high-scoring right wings on the same day Hossa agreed to a three-year, $18 million contract with the Senators.

– Associated Press