Metro Sports Report

Big Ten expansion stinks

I grew up in New York, attended the University of Michigan and covered Big Ten sports in parts of four decades, all of which makes me semi-qualified to comment on the Big Ten adding Rutgers and Maryland to the league.

Actually, I can sum it up in one word.

Yuck.

The Big Ten had a good thing going for a long time. Then they added Penn State, which seemed to make sense, and then Nebraska, another good fit.

The Nittany Lions and Cornhuskers have two of the most tradition-rich football programs in the country, blessed with national titles and instant name recognition.

But Rutgers? And Maryland?

MVC girls basketball ripe for confusion

The Mississippi Valley Conference girls basketball campaign begins this week. Or does it?

You better check with your favorite school to find out for sure.

There's no doubt MVC girls basketball teams will begin facing each other this week, but will the games count in the league standings?

Usually, but not always.

Andersen helps Saints clean up Dragons

McKenna Andersen had a big game for the Xavier girls basketball team Saturday night against Johnston, but it didn't matter.

The talented freshman still had to make sure the locker room was spic and span before she was allowed to go home, no matter how well she played.

Andersen scored 13 points as the Saints topped Johnston, 46-33, in a non-conference game at the Xavier gym.

J-Hawks notch 1st win for Edwards

BETTENDORF - Maddie Koolbeck scored 17 points to lead Jefferson past Bettendorf, 64-52, Saturday night in a non-conference girls basketball game.

It was the first victory for Jefferson first-year coach Jason Edwards and evened the J-Hawks' record at 1-1.

Kaitlyn Davidson added 11 points, and Rachel Broghammer scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Jefferson.