Tennessee State University has fired men's basketball Coach Cy Alexander before the end of his sixth season at the Ohio Valley Conference school. Assistant Mark Pittman will be the interim head coach for the rest of this season. With the seventh defeat in their last eight games, 88-58 to Murray State on Wednesday, the Tigers' record dropped to 6-16 (4-8 OVC). We thank Coach Alexander for his service to the basketball program as head coach, said Athletic Director Teresa Phillips on the school's Web site after Friday's firing.

By Steve Millizer, The Paducah Sun, Ky. Jan. 12--It's been a month since Murray State coach Mick Cronin could sit comfortably on the sidelines and enjoy the warmth of a steady 40 minutes of Racer basketball.