The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will do more to emphasize academics in the football program following a report that star running back Maurice Clarett received preferential treatment in classes.

The university opened an investigation into the allegations after the New York Times reported Clarett was allowed to take two oral exams to pass a class.

"Maybe I need to do a better job of making sure we keep pounding and pounding and pounding the importance of academics and the importance of doing things right," Tressel said Wednesday at the Big Ten kickoff.

"I think we do a great job of that at Ohio State. ... But I also know that I can do things better and I believe we'll keep working on that."

Tressel said he had not read the Times story and wouldn't comment on the allegations.

The Buckeyes, defending national champions, were selected by sportswriters and broadcasters to repeat as Big Ten champs. Clarett, who rushed for 1,237 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, was selected the conference's preseason offensive player of the year.

Michigan, which finished third behind Ohio State and Iowa last season, was picked second in the Big Ten. Wisconsin was third.

Michigan cornerback Marlin Jackson was selected as the preseason defensive player of the year.

O'BRIEN AWARD: Cincinnati's Gino Guidugli and Miami's Ben Roethlisberger were among 42 preseason candidates for the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's top college quarterback. The winner will be announced Dec. 11

Tennis

RCA CHAMPIONSHIPS: A new, relaxed Yevgeny Kafelnikov has put off thoughts of retiring and has decided to play a heavier schedule to prepare for the U.S. Open.

Kafelnikov overcame Janko Tipsarevic 7-5, 6-3 in the second round at Indianapolis. He next plays 14th-seeded Nicolas Kiefer.

BANK OF THE WEST CLASSIC: Jennifer Capriati struggled to a 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 victory over Marion Bartoli at Stanford, Calif., in a second-round match. Capriati, ranked No. 1 for 17 weeks in the fall of 2001, hasn't won a tournament since the 2002 Australian Open.

U.S. OPEN: Defending champion Pete Sampras officially withdrew from this year's tournament Wednesday. Andre Agassi will be the top seed.

College basketball

MASSACHUSETTS: Redshirt freshman forward Stephen Briggs was dismissed from the men's team for an unspecified rules violation.

He had been removed from the team in October 2002, also for unspecified rules violations, but was reinstated in January.

Swimming

BARCELONA, Spain - Michael Phelps followed his world record with a gold-medal performance in the 200-meter butterfly at the World Championships.

Phelps, an 18-year-old American, won in 1 minute, 54.35 seconds, slightly off his world record-time of 1:53.93 set Tuesday. The two times are the fastest in history.

Phelps also swam the first leg of the 800 freestyle relay. Australia's Grant Hackett, Craig Stevens, Nicholas Sprenger and Ian Thorpe won the relay in 7:08.58; the U.S. team was second.

James Gibson won Britain's first world championship since 1975, taking the 50 breaststroke in 27.56.

High schools

Notre Dame Academy graduate Andrea Lanham has signed to play volleyball for Northern Kentucky University. The 5-foot-9 setter led the Pandas to the state finals last season and was named first team all-Kentucky and Enquirer co-player of the year.