Bulls Set To Host Pacers, NBA Preseason

Bulls Host Pacers

(Chicago, IL) -- The Chicago Bulls host the Indiana Pacers tonight at the United Center in preseason action. The Bulls are 4-0 on the year after a 96-81 win over the Pistons Wednesday. The Pacers are winless at 0-4 following a 92-85 setback to Dallas on Wednesday.

Iverson To Officially Retire

Allen Iverson is calling it a career. Reports say Iverson will officially announce his retirement during the Philadelphia 76ers' regular season opener on October 30th against the Heat. The 11-time All-Star hasn't played since 2009-10. Iverson, who was selected first overall by the Sixers in 1996 out of Georgetown, earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1997 and was named league MVP in 2001.

Illinois Hosts Wisconsin

(Champaign, IL) -- The Illinois Fighting Illini welcome in the Wisconsin Badgers to Memorial Stadium tomorrow night on the Big Ten Network. The Illini are 3-2 overall but are 0-1 in Big Ten play. The Badgers come in at 4-2 on the year with a 2-1 conference mark.

Northwestern Meets Minnesota

(Evanston, IL) -- The Northwestern Wildcats take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ryan Field tomorrow on ESPN2. The Wildcats and Gophers are both 4-2 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten. The Wildcats defeated Minnesota 21-13 last season.

Kentucky Tops Preseason Basketball Poll

Kentucky is number-one in the "USA Today" preseason men's college basketball poll. The Wildcats received 16-of-32 first-place votes and 767 points to secure the top spot. Michigan State is second with three first-place votes and 749 points. Defending champion Louisville got 10 first-place votes and ranks third with 741 points. Duke is number-four and received the other three first-place votes.

Irish Host Trojans

(Notre Dame, IN) -- The Notre Dame Fighting Irish host the USC Trojans tomorrow night on NBC. The Irish have been off since a three-point win over Arizona State in Arlington on October 5th.  Notre Dame is 4-2 overall. The Trojans come in at 4-2 on the season with a 1-2 Pac-12 mark, which includes a 21-point loss to ASU.

First NCAA B'ball Poll Released

"USA Today" released its preseason men's college basketball poll Thursday. Kentucky tops the initial rankings with 16 first-place votes and 767 points, eight more than Michigan State, which has three first-place votes. Notre Dame is ranked 22nd while Illinois was outside the top-25 with two points.  

Thursday, October 17 Scoreboard

NBA Preseason

Charlotte Bobcats 110, Philadelphia 76ers 84

Cleveland Cavaliers 96, Detroit Pistons 84

New York Knicks 98, Washington Wizards 89  (at Baltimore, MD)

San Antonio Spurs 106, Atlanta Hawks 104

New Orleans Pelicans 105, Oklahoma City Thunder 102  (at Tulsa, OK)

Brooklyn Nets 86, Miami Heat 62

Sacramento Kings 107, Phoenix Suns 90

Friday, October 18 Schedule (All Times Central)

NBA Preseason

6:30 a.m. - Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors  (at Shanghai, China)

6:00 p.m. - Memphis Grizzlies at Orlando Magic

7:00 p.m. - Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls

9:30 p.m. - Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Clippers