After Davis and his stepbrother, Mike Lang, accused Bernie Fine of molesting them when they were boys, Boeheim vehemently defended his longtime friend and assistant coach. He said Davis was lying to cash in on the publicity generated by a sexual abuse scandal unfolding at Penn State University. The Hall of Fame coach later backed off, saying he based his defense on loyalty and two previous claims of abuse against Fine that authorities could not substantiate.
Boeheim apologized after a third accuser came forward at the end of November.
In December, Davis and Lang filed a slander suit in state court.
A lawyer for Boeheim did not return calls seeking comment.
In games last night *
At Illinois, Brandon Paul had 18 points as the Illini (16-6, 5-4 Big Ten) upset No. 9 Michigan State, 42-41. The Spartans (17-5, 6-3), who lost forward Draymond Green with a leg injury, were led by Branden Dawson's 12 points.
* At Arkansas, Rickey Scott scored 18 points as the Razorbacks (16-6, 4-3 Southeastern Conference) upset No. 25 Vanderbilt, 82-74. The Commodores (16-6, 6-2) were led by John Jenkins' 19 points.
* At Kentucky, Anthony Davis had 18 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks as the No. 1 Wildcats (22-1, 8-0 SEC) beat Tennessee, 69-44.
* At Wake Forest, Tyler Zeller scored 18 points and No. 5 North Carolina (19-3, 6-1 ACC) beat the Demon Deacons, 68-53.
* At Virginia, Mike Scott had 23 points and 10 rebounds as the No. 16 Cavaliers (18-3, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) rallied to beat Clemson, 65-61.
* At Penn State, Jordan Taylor scored 18 points to help No. 19 Wisconsin (18-5, 7-3 Big Ten) won, 52-46. Tim Frazier led the Nittany Lions (10-13, 2-8) with 21 points.
* At Marquette, Jae Crowder had 20 points and 12 rebounds, helping the No. 15 Golden Eagles (19-4, 8-2 Big East) beat Seton Hall, 66-59. Marquette forward Davante Gardner missed the game with sprained left knee.
