NBA

Nets fire head coach Jacque Vaughn and replace him with Kevin Ollie

Vaughn is better suited as an assistant coach than a head coach, so the decision to terminate him makes sense for the Nets. For the sake of Nets fans, hopefully the franchise doesn’t view Ollie as a long-term replacement.

Grade: C

Timberwolves sign PG Mike Conley to two-year, $21 million contract extension

Conley, previously scheduled to be a free agent this summer, probably could’ve gotten a better deal than this in free agency. For Conley, that’s probably not what matters though, as the veteran point guard has made plenty of money throughout his career, and clearly likes his situation in Minnesota. The first-place Timberwolves will continue to benefit from Conley’s steady hand and three-point shooting.

Grade: A-

NCAAB

Chicago State 93, Indiana Northwest 70

This game completes Chicago State’s 12-18 season, and until the Cougars receive an invite to join a conference, the program will remain irrelevant. At the very least, Chicago State is trending up under Gerald Gillion.

Colgate 67, Lafayette 62

Lafayette has given Colgate fits this season, defeating the Raiders over a month ago, but it’s still difficult to envision any team knocking Colgate out of the Patriot League Tournament next month. Containing Keegan Records inside is a tough ask for any team in the conference, and this game was no different. 21 points for the senior big.

Virginia Tech 75, Virginia 41

Lynn Kidd has taken a massive leap from last season, going from a little-used bench big to the Hokies’ third-leading scorer. Virginia’s vaunted defense had no answer for Kidd last night, as he recorded 14 points and seven rebounds.

On the surface, a 20-7 ACC team shouldn’t have to sweat its tournament status, but Virginia has put itself in a precarious spot, mainly because of poor offense and a 4-5 road record. The Cavaliers still have time left to impress, but it’s hard to do so when Reece Beekman and Issac McKneely struggle on offense. The duo combined to shoot 6-for-17 yesterday.

Texas 62, Kansas State 56

All Dylan Disu does is produce. Even on a night in which Max Abmas and Tyrese Hunter struggled, Disu and his 20 points were enough for Texas to win. The Longhorns are now 6-7 in the Big 12, but the real tests are ahead — at Kansas and at Texas Tech.

It’s fair to wonder if Arthur Kaluma regrets his decision to transfer from Creighton to Kansas State. Kaluma has gotten what he wanted with the Wildcats — more playing time — but 15-11 Kansas State is likely to miss the tournament. To pile on, the forward shot 4-for-16 in this game.

Houston 73, Iowa State 65

Jamal Shead is a force. Houston has several players that define the team’s identity, but Shead is both a culture fit and All-American-level talent. The senior guard tallied 26 points, four rebounds, and six assists in this game and had an answer every time Iowa State gained momentum. Houston at Baylor on Saturday — L.J. Cryer’s return to Waco — should be awesome.

Tamin Lipsey wasn’t himself, but I thought Iowa State played one of its better games last night. Unfortunately for the Cyclones, it’s nearly impossible to win at the Fertitta Center. Tre King’s recent emergence as a three-point threat has been important for Iowa State, and will help the Cyclone’s shaky offense come tournament time. King was 3-for-3 from deep in this contest.