New York ? UCLA’s 88-game winning streak had just been snapped by Notre Dame in 1974 when Bruins coach John Wooden was asked how long it would be before somebody beat the streak.

“I have no idea how long it will be before somebody else wins that many. I know it takes at least three years,” he replied.

Try nearly 37 years. And the University of Connecticut women’s team can do it tonight.

Coach Geno Auriemma and his players — just Huskies, never the Lady Huskies — have been so dominant that some in the sports world have even suggested their overwhelming success is no good for the game.

Auriemma took the debate a step further Sunday after UConn’s 88th straight victory, questioning whether there is a gender bias against his team.

“The reason everybody is having a heart attack the last four or five days is a bunch of women are threatening to break a men’s record, and everybody is all up in arms about it,” he said.

While no men’s team has approached UCLA’s record set from 1971-74, Auriemma and UConn once came close. The Huskies won 70 straight in the early 2000s before tripping up against Villanova. That was a record that many thought would never be achieved again.

Until now. UConn, which hasn’t lost since the 2008 NCAA tournament, will pass UCLA with a win over No. 22 Florida State tonight.

College basketball

MU guard out 2 weeks

Columbia, Mo. — Missouri point guard Phil Pressey will be sidelined at least two weeks after breaking his right ring finger in practice.

Pressey, a freshman, started the last two games for the ninth-ranked Tigers after sophomore Michael Dixon was suspended for violating team rules. Dixon is practicing with the team but his status was unclear for Wednesday’s game against No. 21 Illinois in St. Louis.

Duke men No. 1, but lose vote

Duke is again No. 1 in the Associated Press men’s basketball poll, although for the first time in three weeks it’s not unanimous. Central Florida joins the Top 25 for the first time in school history.

The Blue Devils were off last week and received all but one of the first-place votes Monday from the 65-member national media panel.

No. 2 Ohio State has the other first-place vote and is followed by Kansas, Connecticut and Syracuse. Completing the top 10 are Pittsburgh, San Diego State, Villanova, Missouri and Georgetown.

Pitino to coach Puerto Rico

Miami — Louisville’s Rick Pitino will coach Puerto Rico’s national team next summer in hopes of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.

UConn women still No. 1

One more milestone for the Connecticut women. A day after they won their 88th straight game, they were ranked No. 1 by the Associated Press for the 50th consecutive week. It is the 151st time the UConn women have led the rankings. The Huskies received all 40 first-place votes in Monday’s poll.

College football

Friedgen fired at Maryland

College Park, Md. — Ralph Friedgen was fired as Maryland’s football coach Monday, effective after the Military Bowl on Dec. 29.

Friedgen received $2 million to cover the final year of his contract in 2011. Athletic director Kevin Anderson intended to immediately form a search committee to find Friedgen’s replacement and acknowledged that former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is on his preliminary list.

During his 10 years at his alma mater, Friedgen went 74-50.

Kent State hires Ohio State aide

Kent, Ohio — Darrell Hazell made some history at Kent State just by being hired, becoming the school’s first black head football coach.

“I’m proud and excited to be named Kent State’s head football coach,” Hazell said Monday after becoming the first minority to head the school’s football program in its 90-year history.

Baseball

Ankiel, Nationals agree

Washington — Outfielder Rick Ankiel and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract.

The deal announced Monday includes $1.25 million in performance bonuses: $200,000 each for 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 plate appearances, and $250,000 for 375.

The 30-year-old left-handed hitter batted .232 with six homers and 24 RBIs this year with Kansas City and Atlanta.

Kearns returns to Indians

Cleveland — Even as he packed his bags for New York, Austin Kearns knew there was a good chance he would be back in Cleveland.

Kearns, who spent four months with the Indians last season before he was traded to the Yankees, returned to the club Monday by agreeing to a $1.3 million, one-year contract. Kearns made Cleveland’s roster out of training camp and was with the Indians until July 30, when he was dealt for pitcher Zach McAllister.

Nolasco gets $26.5M deal with Fish

Miami — Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco has agreed to a $26.5 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations said Monday. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract won’t become final until Nolasco passes a physical.

Hall finalizes deal with Astros

Houston — Free agent infielder Bill Hall has finalized a $3.25 million, one-year contract with the Houston that includes a mutual option for 2012.

Crain signs with ChiSox

Chicago — Jesse Crain can’t help it: Pitching for the White Sox is going to be a bit odd for a reliever who has played his entire seven-year career for AL Central rival Minnesota.

Of course, Crain said, the Twins didn’t make an effort to keep him before he signed three-year, $13-million offer with Chicago.

NFL

TO finished for year for Bengals

Cincinnati — Terrell Owens is having surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, ending his season.

The Bengals receiver hurt the knee a couple of weeks ago, but kept playing. He aggravated it while making a cut on the opening series of a 19-17 win over Cleveland on Sunday and left the field.