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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginia coach Tony Bennett said Sunday that kicking heralded transfer forward Austin Nichols off the team was a difficult decision but the right thing for his No. 8 Cavaliers and for Nichols.Bennett dismissed Nichols, who was expected to anchor Virginias interior offense, on Friday night. He gave no reason other than a violation of team rules, but he had also suspended the 6-foot-9 redshirt junior from two scrimmages and the Cavaliers season-opener at UNCG for an unspecified team rules violation.As a coach, you dont want to do hard things, unless you think its the right thing for your team and for a young man involved, Bennett said after Virginia beat Yale 62-38. Its just one of those situations. We always talk about theres a standard we have. Certainly showing compassion and grace, but theres also accountability and truth that comes with every situation, and with this case, thats how we dealt with it with Austin. I love Austin. My hope is that this will be a turning point for him and hell take the right steps.Nichols, one of the most coveted transfers following the 2014-15 season, averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.4 blocks as a sophomore at Memphis. He sat out last year and played in just one game this year, scoring 11 points against St. Francis Brooklyn on Tuesday.The past few days have been stressful, Bennett said.Thats the stuff you dont like about coaching, but thats the necessary stuff thats far more impactful and lasting to the guys in the program, those decisions you make, he said. Hopefully itll make a difference in the big picture. I dont have it all figured out and Ive made so many mistakes in my own life, but Im hoping that were doing the right things, the wise things for Austins case, for the young men in our program and that well keep taking the right steps forward. I just want to hopefully lead them well and our staff and go forward.But yeah, not easy, not at all. Been hard, for sure.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org---Follow Hank on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hankkurzjr Angel Delgado Jersey . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Ivica Zubac Jersey . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2). https://www.clipperslockerroom.com/Patrick-Beverley-City-Edition-Jersey/ . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. Tobias Harris Jersey . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. Landry Shamet Jersey . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Its been two months since Tom Brady returned to the field after serving a four-game suspension. In his eight games back, Brady has played at an MVP level in leading his team to the cusp of yet another AFC East title.But as New England (10-2) prepares to host the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, the ghost of Deflategate has emerged this week -- even as Brady insists its the furthest thing from his mind.In the initial months after Deflategate began, court papers surfaced as a part of a lawsuit Brady filed against the NFL to fight his suspension. They revealed a claim that a Ravens employee contacted the Indianapolis Colts about deflated footballs used in Baltimores playoff loss to the Patriots the week before the AFC title game in 2015. Those claims were refuted by the Ravens.Brady was suspended for what the NFL determined was his role in a scheme by the Patriots to underinflate footballs used in that 2015 AFC championship game.I think you just try to put everything aside, and whether it was that or whether it was a playoff game a couple of years ago or whether it was a regular-season game a couple of years ago or championship games, Brady said this week. I mean, none of those really matter.What does matter is that the outcome of Mondays game will have playoff implications for both teams.New England can clinch the AFC East for what would be an NFL-record eighth consecutive season with a victory and Miami loss or tie. The Patriots would also earn a first-round bye with a win and losses by Miami and Pittsburgh.Baltimore (7-5) has won four of its past five games, but entered the week tied with the Steelers for first place in the AFC North.Under coach John Harbaugh the Ravens have been one of the few teams that have consistently played the Patriots close. In six games at Gillette Stadium under Harbaugh, the Ravens are 2-4, but their four defeats have come by an average of four points. That includes the 35-31 loss in the 2015 playoff loss.We do appreciate it, Harbaugh said of the rivalry with New England. Were glad to be in this game. Were glad weve earned the right to play a meaningful game in December, most especially against the team were about to play, because theyre always in that position.Here are some other things to watch for in Mondayy nights matchup:GROUND GAME: The Ravens entered the week with the NFLs top-ranked defense, giving up 296.dddddddddddd1 yards per game overall and an NFL-low 73.8 rushing yards per game. That unit will be tested this week when it tries to slow down New England RB LeGarrette Blount, who has a league-best 13 rushing touchdowns.PLAYING THROUGH PAIN: The spotlight has been on Patriots TE Martellus Bennett since Rob Gronkowski was placed on injured reserve following season-ending back surgery Dec. 1. Bennett continues to deal with an ankle issue that slowed him in New Englands win over the Rams. He was targeted just four times in that game, finishing with two catches for 4 yards. He also had a pair of holding penalties.Bennett acknowledged he is not 100 percent, but said his working through it.The thing about playing this sport is its always something. You never go through a season without having some kind of nick or tear, Bennett said. I just keep going. Im like the Energizer bunny. I just try to find a way.OLD MANS GAME: While many people have marveled at the play of Brady at age 39, a lot of that same praise was heaped on 37-year-old Ravens WR Steve Smith by the Patriots. Smith has 54 catches for 589 yards this season. Hes also been a nuisance in his past two games against New England, amassing 145 receiving yards and a touchdown. Patriots CB Malcolm Butler called Smith one of his favorite players.Lot of respect, man, Butler said. At the age of 37, he looks like hes out there running around like hes 26 or 27.EYES ON JONES: Its been a challenging season for Patriots rookie cornerback and punt returner Cyrus Jones. He had his fourth fumble of the season last week against Los Angeles, and is averaging only 4.7 yards per punt return. He was replaced by Danny Amendola, who promptly suffered an ankle injury. But Jones said hes hoping to get more chances to prove himself.Ill just take whatever opportunities I get, Jones said. Dannys out, so somebody has to get back there and try to do it.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower ' ' '