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North Carolina coach Roy Williams denied allegations of academic wrongdoing Friday by former player Rashad McCants connected to the schools long-running academic scandal. In an interview with ESPNs "Outside the Lines" to air Friday, McCants -- the second-leading scorer on Williams first NCAA championship team in 2005 -- said tutors wrote papers for him and that Williams knew about no-show classes popular with athletes. "I thought it was a part of the college experience, just like watching it on a movie from He Got Game or Blue Chips," McCants said. "... When you get to college, you dont go to class, you dont do nothing, you just show up and play. Thats exactly how it was, you know, and I think that was the tradition of college basketball, or college, period, any sport. Youre not there to get an education, though they tell you that. "Youre there to make revenue for the college. Youre there to put fans in the seats. Youre there to bring prestige to the university by winning games." McCants also said Williams told him he could swap a failing grade from one class with a passing one from another to stay eligible during the 2004-05 season, according to the report. He entered the NBA draft as a junior after that season. "I strongly disagree with what Rashad has said," Williams said in a statement Friday. "In no way did I know about or do anything close to what he says and I think the players whom I have coached over the years will agree with me. "I have spent 63 years on this earth trying to do things the right way and the picture he portrays is not fair to the University or me." McCants comments are the latest allegations levied against UNC in an academic fraud scandal that began as an offshoot of an NCAA investigation into the football program beginning in summer 2010. Those findings centred on the formerly named Department of African and Afro-American Studies, most notably with lecture classes featuring significant athlete enrollments that did not meet and were instead treated as independent study courses requiring only a research paper at semesters end. Former UNC learning specialist Mary Willingham, who has questioned the literacy of Tar Heel athletes, has said "paper classes" were designed to keep players eligible despite many reading at below-grade levels. The fraud findings also unauthorized grade changes and possibly forged signatures on grade rolls. By 2012, an investigation led by former Gov. Jim Martin found the problems in the AFAM department ran back at least to the late 1990s. That probe found no evidence of athletic department involvement, though another probe led by former U.S. Justice Department official Kenneth Wainstein is underway. . - The Raiders have released guard Mike Brisiel after two disappointing seasons in Oakland. . In mens doubles, Vancouvers Vasek Pospisil and American Jack Sock reached the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over Croatian Mate Pavic and Andre Sa of Brazil. . Huntelaar also had a penalty saved by Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio. The two goals brought Huntelaars total for the season to 18, level with Bayern Munichs Mario Gomez for most in the league. . Lisicki beat South African Chanelle Scheepers by a 7-5, 7-6 (7-1) margin. Next up for the Wimbledon runner-up will be Slovenian Polona Hercog, who outlasted Czech Petra Cetkovska 6-4, 5-7, 6-1. . Halak did not get the start in the Washington Capitals Tuesday night game against the St.Phoenix, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was named the NFLs Most Valuable Player for a second time in his career on Saturday night. Rodgers, who was also won the award in 2011, garnered 31 of the 50 available votes from a nationwide media panel. He beat out Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt to win the award, which is given by the Associated Press. Watt was a unanimous pick as Defensive Player of the Year after a dominant season, becoming just the seventh player ever to win the award twice after previously receiving it in 2012. Rodgers, 31, guided the Packers to a 12-4 record and an appearance in the NFC Championship game against Seattle. He completed 341-of-520 passes for 4,381 yards and 38 touchdowns with just five interceptions for a 112.2 rating. In his fourth season with the Texans, Watt was a defensive juggernaut, racking up 20 1/2 sacks for the second time in three seasons. He had 78 tackles, four forced fumbles, a safety and an interception returned for a touchdown. The 25-year-old also contributed on the offensive side of the ball, catching three touchdown passes. Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray was honored as the Offensive Player of the Year after guiding his team to an NFC East title as the leagues top rusher. He ran for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns on 392 attempts and led the NFL with 2,261 yards from scrimmage. Arizonas Bruce Arians became the first coach in NFL history to be awarded Coach of the Year honors multiple times in a three-year span with more than one team. He won the award in 2012 with Indianapolis. In his second season with the Cardinals, Arians led the team to a franchise record-tying 11 wins and a postseason berth. He joined Don Coryell as the only coaches in team history to win 10-plus games in consecutive seasons.dddddddddddd Todd Bowles, who served as Arians defensive coordinator and is now the Jets head coach, won the first-ever Assistant Coach of the Year award. Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. seized the Offensive Rookie of the Year award with a dynamic season. The LSU product took home 42 of the 50 available votes after hauling in 91 passes for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 22-year-old drew national attention after a phenomenal one-handed touchdown catch against Dallas in Week 12 and took home Play of the Year on Saturday during the NFL Honors TV show. His 606 yards in December are the most by any rookie in a single month. Defensive Rookie of the Year honors were given to a defensive tackle for the second straight season as St. Louis Aaron Donald took home the award. Donald led all rookies with nine sacks and also compiled 48 tackles with two forced fumbles over 16 games (12 starts). Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was named Comeback Player of the Year after catching 12 touchdown passes and making 82 receptions for 1,124 yards a year after tearing his ACL and MCL in 2013. Kansas City outside linebacker Justin Houston won the Deacon Jones award after leading the NFL with 22 sacks and Steelers running back LeVeon Bell was given the title of Fantasy Player of the Year. Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis was the recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which celebrates volunteer and charity work in addition to play on the field. Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald claimed the inaugural Art Rooney NFL Sportsmanship award and Bears defensive end Jared Allen was given the Salute to Service award. ' ' '
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