IN BRIEF

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Davidson star Curry expects speedy return

Turns out Stephen Curry doesn’t just have a lightning-quick release. He’s a fast healer, too.

Davidson’s star guard was walking with a just a slight limp Monday, two days after what appeared to be a gruesome injury to his left ankle.

Curry was held out of practice but said he was confident he could return this week. He wouldn’t rule out playing Wednesday when Davidson (22-4, 15-1 Southern Conference) faces The Citadel in a league game. The Wildcats host No. 21 Butler on Saturday in an important matchup for Davidson’s NCAA Tournament resume.

Also: North Carolina coach Roy Williams said he expects a decision this week on whether freshman 7-footer Tyler Zeller will return from injury or take a redshirt.

Zeller broke his left wrist late in a win against Kentucky on Nov. 18. He had surgery the next day and was expected to miss the rest of the season, but he recently returned to limited practice.

TENNIS

Nadal might sit out tournament with injury

A leg injury could force Rafael Nadal to skip the next ATP tournament in Dubai, but the top-ranked Spaniard said he should be back in time to play for Spain next month in the first round of the Davis Cup.

Nadal received treatment on his right leg Sunday in the final of the ABN Amro, which he lost to Andy Murray.

Also: A lucrative tournament in Dubai risks being struck from the women’s tennis calendar after the United Arab Emirates refused a visa to Israeli player Shahar Peer for this week’s event.

WTA Tour chairman Larry Scott told The Associated Press that the WTA will consider what “types of sanctions are going to be deemed to be appropriate in light of what has happened, including whether or not the tournament has a slot on the calendar next year.”

MISCELLANEOUS

Michigan QB Threet planning to transfer

Michigan quarterback Steven Threet said he was given his release from the school and plans to transfer.

Threet said in a statement he does not yet know where he will continue his college career. He completed 102 of 210 passes for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns last season, when Michigan went 3-9 under new coach Rich Rodriguez.

Also: Florida offensive lineman Carl Johnson, who started eight games at left guard last season, was arrested and charged with violating a domestic violence restraining order.

According to Alachua County, Fla., records, Johnson last week was ordered to stay away from a woman but was arrested Monday after he allegedly followed her off a bus.

UNLV football coach Mike Sanford is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on both knees Friday.

He said it was to repair torn menisci that developed “over a period of time” and that he should be fine when spring practices begin March 9.

Lance Armstrong took a spill when he got tangled with a motorcycle, but he still moved up a spot in the overall standings at the Tour of California after a rainy, crash-filled, 116-mile second stage from Sausalito to Santa Cruz, Calif.

Two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer took the overall lead, emerging from a chasing group on the final climb before finishing a close second to stage winner Thomas Peterson.

The Montreal Canadiens acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Atlanta Thrashers for two draft picks.

Schneider began his 20-year career with Montreal and helped the Canadiens win their 24th Stanley Cup in 1993.