UConn’s Calhoun faces suspension

University of Connecticut basketball Coach Jim Calhoun was suspended Tuesday by the NCAA for three games next season for recruiting violations committed under his watch, but the program dodged a major sanction when it was spared a postseason ban.

Calhoun was cited by the NCAA for failing to create an atmosphere of compliance within his program and was suspended for the first three Big East games during the 2011-12 season.

The NCAA also hit Connecticut with scholarship reductions for three academic years, recruiting restrictions, permanent disassociation of an unnamed booster and three years’ probation.

“I am very disappointed with the NCAA’s decision in this case,” Calhoun said. “My lawyer and I are evaluating my options.”

The NCAA and the school have been investigating the program since a report by Yahoo Sports in March 2009 that former team manager Josh Nochimson helped guide recruit Nate Miles to Connecticut, giving him lodging, transportation, meals and representation.

PRO BASKETBALL

Knicks-Nuggets trade is finalized

The three-team deal that sent Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks was finalized. New York acquired Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman and Shelden Williams from Denver in return for Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov, a 2014 first-round draft pick and a 2012 and a 2013 second-round pick and cash. New York also traded Eddy Curry and Anthony Randolph to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Corey Brewer.

Denver also acquired center Kosta Koufos from Minnesota.

The Chicago Bulls traded forward James Johnson to the Toronto Raptors for the 2011 first-round draft pick Toronto had acquired from Miami.

The Sacramento Kings say guard Tyreke Evans will miss three weeks with an injured left foot.

ETC.

Morneau returns to field for Twins

Justin Morneau took the field with his Minnesota Twins teammates at Fort Meyers, Fla., for the first time since sustaining a concussion in July.

Morneau said he “felt good” after batting practice and playing long toss during an informal workout. But he wasn’t about to proclaim himself 100%. Morneau said he wanted to wait and see how he felt later in the day, which is usually when the symptoms from his concussion resurface.

He was injured on July 7 in Toronto last season while sliding into second base to break up a double play. He missed the remainder of the season.

Former three-division world champion Erik Morales (51-6, 35 knockouts) of Mexico announced his first fight in Las Vegas since 2006 when he’ll fight Argentina’s Marcos Maidana (29-2, 27 KOs) April 9 in a pay-per-view junior-welterweight bout at MGM Grand.

The April 9 card includes a lightweight bout pitting Gilroy’s Robert Guerrero (28-1-1, 18 KOs) vs. Michael Katsidis (27-3, 22 KOs).

— Lance Pugmire

James Toney will continue a boxing career that has included 81 professional fights and titles ranging from middleweight to heavyweight when he takes on Damon Reed Thursday night at the San Manuel Casino in Highland. Toney (72-6-3) last fought a pro boxing match in September 2009. He ventured into ultimate fighting and has returned to boxing. Reed is 45-14.

Single-session tickets for the Big West basketball tournament, to be played March 10-12 at the Honda Center, are on sale at the arena box office and through Ticketmaster (www.tickmaster.com). Tickets are priced from $10 to $22 for general admission for women’s games and $27 to $34 for men’s games. Big West students can purchase tickets for $10.