Indianaoplis ? Fearing a postseason ban, Indiana University accepted an NCAA-ordered three years’ probation with relief Tuesday, eager to continue rebuilding its once-storied men’s basketball program.

After months of uncertainty over an embarrassing telephone recruiting scandal, the NCAA spared the school any additional punishment such as a postseason ban or additional scholarship losses.

But former coach Kelvin Sampson, the man at the center of the scandal, faces recruiting restrictions through November 2013 if hired by another school.

“I really believe this allows us to put the whole, ugly episode behind us and move forward,” said incoming athletic director Fred Glass. “I’m obviously disappointed with the failure-to-monitor finding, but I’m very glad the committee didn’t impose any other penalties.”

The announcement ended a 20-month saga that began with Sampson’s hiring in March 2006.

Infractions committee chairwoman Jo Potuto acknowledged Indiana was spared additional punishment because of its cooperation with the investigation, its own decision to take away a scholarship and extend recruiting restrictions and the school’s long tradition of abiding by the rules.

BASEBALL

Marlins stadium delayed

Miami — The Florida Marlins’ new ballpark won’t open until the 2012 season, a one-year delay because a recent court challenge slowed the start of construction. Last Friday, a Miami-Dade circuit judge eliminated the final legal obstacle — a lawsuit filed by auto dealer Norman Braman against several projects, including the stadium.

Reports: Trainer gave DNA

New York — Roger Clemens’ former trainer gave samples of his DNA to federal investigators trying to ascertain whether the pitcher committed perjury before Congress, two New York newspapers reported. The request for a DNA sample from trainer Brian McNamee suggests that investigators found readable DNA on the syringes, needles and gauze pads McNamee turned over to federal prosecutors in January.

NFL

Thomas a hall semifinalist

Canton, Ohio — Derrick Thomas, a Kansas City Chiefs linebacker from 1989-99, is on the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bruce Smith, the NFL’s career sack leader, versatile defensive back Rod Woodson, tight end Shannon Sharpe and defensive end John Randle are the four first-time eligibles who made the list, which wil be reduced to 15 before the final vote on Jan. 31 in Tampa, Fla., the day before the Super Bowl.

There will be 17 finalists in all, including senior nominees Claude Humphrey and Bob Hayes and from that 17, four to seven new Hall of Fame members will be chosen.

Vick pleads guilty

Sussex, Va. — Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick pleaded guilty Tuesday to a state dogfighting charge, a necessary step to make him eligible for early release from prison and potentially speed a return to the NFL. Vick, 28, pleaded guilty to one charge and not guilty to a second count that was then dropped. The former Atlanta Falcons standout was given a three-year suspended sentence.

Vick already is serving a 23-month sentence in Leavenworth, Kan. for a federal dogfighting conviction. He’s scheduled for release on July 20, 2009, and will serve three years of probation.

Redskins cut Alexander

Ashburn, Va. — Former NFL MVP Shaun Alexander was released by the Washington Redskins on Tuesday after getting only 11 carries in five games. Alexander was signed Oct. 14 after backup Ladell Betts sprained his knee in a loss to the St. Louis Rams

NBA

Knicks trade completed

New York — The trade that sent Zach Randolph from New York to the Los Angeles Clippers was completed Tuesday, though Cuttino Mobley still wasn’t available to play for the Knicks.

Reports: Quinn out for year

Cleveland — Browns quarterback Brady Quinn will miss the remainder of Cleveland’s season because of a broken right index finger he made worse by playing on Sunday, according to several reports.

GOLF

Tour tweaks FedEx Cup

The PGA Tour revamped its FedEx Cup race Tuesday for the third straight year of its existence, this one geared toward making sure the winner of the $10 million prize is decided at the Tour Championship.

Under the new formula, points that previously had been reset at the start of the four-tournament playoffs will not be changed until the Tour Championship, meaning all 30 players who qualify for the finale will have a mathematical chance to win. The top five in the standings at East Lake would win the FedEx Cup with a victory, while the next five in the standings also would have a chance by winning.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Paterno out of hospital

State College, Pa. — Penn State coach Joe Paterno was released from the hospital two days after undergoing hip replacement surgery. The 81-year-old coach had surgery to fix a sore hip that prevented him from pacing the sidelines. He coached the final seven games of the regular season from the press box.

WVU player charged

Benwood, W.Va. — A freshman running back for West Virginia University has been dismissed from the team after he and another man were charged with sexually assaulting a woman following a weekend party. Mark Robert Sampson Jr., an 18-year-old walk-on from Glen Dale, and Carson Dale Koontz, 19, of Moundsville, are both charged with four counts of second-degree sexual assault, Police Lt. Dave McLaughlin said Tuesday.

Tar Heels lose linebacker

Chapel Hill, N.C. — North Carolina linebacker Mark Paschal won’t play college football again because of a spine injury he sustained last week against North Carolina State. School officials said Tuesday that Paschal suffered a cervical spine.

Ball State stays unbeaten

Muncie, Ind. — MiQuale Lewis ran for three touchdowns, and Nate Davis threw for one and ran for another Tuesday night to keep No. 15 Ball State aunbeaten with a 45-22 victory over Western Michigan.

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