PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux had a medical procedure designed to provide a long-term fix to his irregular heartbeat, the team said Monday.

The 40-year-old Lemieux retired last month, saying he could no longer play the game at a high level. He found out in early December he had atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can cause his pulse to flutter wildly. He returned to the lineup Dec. 16 against Buffalo, but the problem flared up again late in the game.

Lemieux underwent a procedure known as cardiac ablation. A catheter was inserted through a blood vessel and was used to destroy a small section of heart tissue that was causing the abnormal electrical impulses that disrupt the heart's normal rhythm.

The Penguins didn't say when or where Lemieux had the procedure, but said he'll be released from a hospital today and should be able to resume normal activities shortly.

Penguins trainer Mark Mortland said the procedure is meant to control the condition so Lemieux won't have to take medication to control it for the rest of his life.

Duke was No. 1 in The Associated Press' college basketball poll for the second straight week, and Connecticut moved up one spot to No. 2.The Blue Devils (27-1) were a runaway No. 1 for a second straight week, receiving 65 first-place votes and 1,791 points from the 72-member national media panel. Connecticut (25-2) made the jump following Sunday's 89-75 victory over No. 2 Villanova, avenging the loss to the Wildcats two weeks ago that knocked the Huskies from No. 1.Memphis (26-2) extended its winning streak to 15 games with victories over Texas-El Paso and Tulsa last week and moved up one spot to No. 3, matching its highest ranking this season.North Carolina returned to the top of the women's poll only two weeks after surrendering the program's first No. 1 ranking.The Tar Heels (26-1) replaced Duke at No. 1 after beating the Blue Devils for the second time this season and fifth straight time overall. They received all 46 first-place votes, which dropped Duke (25-2) to second.

PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State officials scheduled a news conference for today at which men's basketball coach Dick Bennett was expected to announce his retirement. He will be succeeded by his son, Tony.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Roger Clemens' son took dad deep on the Rocket's first pitch of spring training Monday, crushing a trademark fastball over the left-field fence.Then the Rocket got Koby's number. The next time his 19-year-old son came to the plate, Roger buzzed him high and tight with another fastball. The younger Clemens dodged the pitch, then smiled at his father.Clemens threw 66 pitches to Astros' minor-leaguers in preparation for the World Baseball Classic, then said he's no closer to deciding his future beyond the event.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers reliever Troy Percival has left training camp, perhaps for good.The 11-year major league veteran, who is 10th on the league's career saves list with 324, left Monday after a painful performance Sunday in a simulated game.His locker was cleaned out and the nameplate removed, and he could not be reached for comment.

VIERA, Fla. The Washington Nationals addressed their dire starting pitching situation Monday by agreeing to terms with 35-year-old right-hander Pedro Astacio on a one-year contract.

MIAMI (AP) — Bryan Colangelo resigned Mondayas general manager of the Phoenix Suns, and he's expected to join the Toronto Raptors as president and general manager Tuesday.Colangelo will replace Rob Babcock, who was fired Jan. 26 by the Raptors. Colangelo was the NBA's 2005 executive of the year after the Suns' won a league-high 62 games.Colangelo was in his 11th season as the Suns' general manager and 17th with the team. His father is Suns chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo, who sold the club to a group led by Sarver.

NEW YORK — Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett was fined $5,000 by the NBA Monday for throwing a basketball into the stands in a win over Memphis.Garnett accidentally hit a fan when he tossed the ball away in the third quarter Sunday. He was reacting in frustration after being called for an offensive foul, and was ejected from the game.Teammate Ricky Davis was also fined $5,000 by the NBA for kicking a basketball into the stands in a loss to Denver on Friday.