The school blames Sampson and his assistants for the messy phone-call scandal that has tarnished its men's program.

In a lengthy response to the NCAA's newest major allegation, failure to monitor, the university yesterday accused Sampson and his staff of withholding information and concealing impermissible phone calls from the school's compliance department.

The NCAA had accused the program of four major violations stemming from more than 100 impermissible phone calls to recruits made by Sampson and his assistants while Sampson was still on probation for a similar phone-call scandal at Oklahoma.

Indiana is awaiting word on possible NCAA penalties.

Kansas State safety Gary Chandler has been suspended indefinitely by coach Ron Prince until Chandler's legal problems are resolved. He was arrested Sunday morning in Riley County and charged with driving with a revoked license and obstructing the legal process.

Chandler was released after posting $2,000 bond.

Elsewhere: Connecticut coach Randy Edsall said quarterback Tyler Lorenzen is expected to be out for six to eight weeks after surgery on his broken right foot. Steve Brouse, the starting tight end for the No. 24 Huskies, will miss up to eight weeks after surgery on his broken right leg. . . . Washington quarterback Jake Locker will be out for up to eight weeks after breaking his right thumb. . . . West Virginia quarterback Pat White has a bruised thumb but will play in Saturday's Big East opener against Rutgers. . . . Villanova running back Aaron Ball and kicker Joe Marcoux were named the Colonial Athletic Association's offensive and special-teams players of the week.

Pro basketball

A book chronicling Alonzo Mourning's life, Resilience, is being released today.

Mourning, who has battled kidney disease, is hopeful of rejoining the Miami Heat after suffering major injuries to his knee and leg last season.

Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady said his left shoulder is arthritic and will require surgery after this season. He also said his left knee is still bothering him after surgery in May.

Meanwhile, 6-foot-8 rookie forward Joey Dorsey agreed to a contract with Houston. Dorsey was drafted out of Memphis by Portland early in the second round before the Rockets acquired his rights.

The Rockets also signed center Marcus Campbell and guard Von Wafer.

Hockey

Khabibulin is entering the final season of a four-year, $27 million contract. He joined Chicago from Tampa Bay as a free agent after leading the Lightning to the 2004 Stanley Cup.

Cycling

Armstrong is hopeful that authorities will grant an exemption, allowing him to ride.

The International Cycling Union, which said it will make a decision this week, requires riders coming out of retirement to be in the sport's anti-doping program for six months before racing.

Noteworthy

Detroit will open the best-of-five WNBA championship tomorrow against the Silver Stars in San Antonio, Texas.

Paul Menard will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season to drive for Yates Racing.