FOOTBALL

OWENS SAYS HE WILL PLAY IN SUPER BOWL

Eagles receiver Terrell Owens didn’t leave anyone in suspense. Less than a minute after the tape recorders and cameras began rolling at yesterday’s Super Bowl media day, Owens made his pronouncement.

“I will play on Sunday,” he said, relishing the moment as he gazed out at some 100 members of the media hanging on his every word. Then, transforming the podium into a pulpit, Owens put on an hour-long performance that was part Ali, part Reverend Ike – and pure T.O.

“If you believe in miracles,” he said, “just wait until Sunday.”

Owens tore ligments in his ankle and broke his fibula when tackled awkwardly in a December 19 game against Dallas. The Philadelphia team doctor later announced that he would not clear Owens to play in the Super Bowl.

PRO BASKETBALL

TOMJANOVIC MAY STEP DOWN AS LAKERS COACH

Rudy Tomjanovich is considering resigning as Los Angeles Lakers coach because of health reasons, a team spokesman said yesterday.

ESPN.com reported that Tomjanovich would step down following last night’s game against Portland. But spokesman John Black said that would not be the case.

“He’s considering several options and resigning is one of them. That decision has not been made,” Black said. “There won’t be an announcement tonight. He won’t coach tonight because he’s not feeling well. This has nothing to do with cancer.”

Tomjanovich, who won a pair of NBA championships with the Houston Rockets, missed Los Angeles’s win over Charlotte on Sunday night because of a stomach virus. He returned to the coaching ranks this season after recovering from bladder cancer. Black said he had no idea when Tomjanovich will be back on the bench – if indeed he stays on the job. Tomjanovich signed a 5-year, $30 million contract last summer.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

TOP-RANKED ILLINOIS OUTLASTS MICHIGAN STATE

Luther Head scored 22 points, Dee Brown had 18, and the Fighting Illini made 13 3-pointers to remain undefeated with an 81-68 victory over 12th-ranked Michigan State last night.

Illinois (22-0, 8-0 Big Ten) was expected to face a tough test against Michigan State (14-4, 5-2) in an arena known to be raucous. But several Illini calmly made 3-pointers and when they were not making shots from beyond the arc, they scored on low-post moves and mid-range jumpers in their finely tuned half-court offense.

Michigan State’s Paul Davis and Shannon Brown each scored 12 points while Maurice Ager and reserve Kelvin Torbert both had 10.

TENNIS

HINGIS LOSES IN RETURN TO TOUR

Former world no. 1 Martina Hingis’s comeback was spoiled yesterday when Marlene Weingartner of Germany beat her 1-6, 6-2, 6-2 in a first-round match at the Volvo Women’s Open.

Hingis started well, winning the first set easily, but looked far slower than she did before taking a two-year break to recuperate from a severe ankle injury. The five-time Swiss Grand Slam champion last competed in a WTA tournament in October 2002 at Filderstadt, Germany, where she lost to Elena Dementieva.

Hingis was composed after the loss, telling reporters the match had been “a nice experience,” but that she had no set plans for an extended comeback or to play other tournaments.

TRACK AND FIELD

SCIENTISTS UNCOVER NEW DESIGNER STEROID

Canadian scientists have uncovered a new steroid designed to avoid detection in standard drug tests.

The World Anti-Doping Agency said yesterday the substance – called desoxy-methyl-testosterone, or DMT – had been identified after a tip-off from an anonymous whisteblower. WADA science director Olivier Rabin said the drug had similarities to THG, or tetrahydrogestrinone, a drug at the heart of the Balco steroid investigation.

Several track and field stars, including sprinters Kelli White and Dwain Chambers, were banned after THG was unmasked in 2003.

Rabin and Christiane Ayotte, director of Montreal’s antidoping lab, said there was no evidence that DMT has been used by athletes. They touted the finding as a pre-emptive victory against drug cheats.

HOCKEY

DEVILS TO SIGN ARENA DEAL IN NEWARK

The Devils plan to sign redevelopment and lease agreements with the city of Newark today to build a $310 million, 18,000-seat multipurpose arena and entertainment facility to open for the 2007-08 NHL season.

Groundbreaking could occur by spring, Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said last night. The Devils have called the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford home since moving from Colorado for the 1982-83 season.

The state’s largest city and the Devils have been putting the final touches on the redevelopment and lease agreements for months. Newark is paying up to $210 million for the facility. The Devils will pay $100 million and handle any cost overruns. The city’s contribution will come from the proceeds of a lease with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Newark Liberty International Airport property.

NHL, UNION TO MEET AGAIN

The NHL and the players’ association will hold their next round of labor talks today in yet another undisclosed location.

Only Bill Daly, the NHL’s chief legal officer, and outside counsel Bob Batterman were expected to represent the league, while NHLPA senior director Ted Saskin and attorney John McCambridge will take part for the players’ association. For the fifth time in two weeks, the sides will meet without commissioner Gary Bettman and union chief Bob Goodenow. If this round of talks doesn’t lead to serious negotiations, time will likely run out on the hockey season soon after.

– Associated Press