Sterling Davis believes Glasgow Rocks have plenty of room for improvement despite the American winning the BBL's Coach of the Month award for November, writes Mark Woods.
Davis revealed that he has ordered recent signing Mike Ringgold to raise his game in a bid to spark a title push.
The Emirates Arena side suffered only one loss in November but slipped up against league leaders Leicester last Sunday and a lacklustre start by Ringgold, who has averaged just 3.4 points in his first five appearances, already is troubling Davis.
"I've told Mike he's got to step up his productivity," he said. "He's not a role player on this team and he can't be that as one of our Americans. We have to make sure that we get the ball to him but when he gets it, he has to be aggressive and a threat. He only had three shots against Leicester and that won't get it done.
"When he came in, Kieron Achara was still here and maybe he didn't want to disrupt things but now he has to step up and I think our conversation will definitely help."
Newcastle Eagles forward Kareem Maddox was named Player of the Month.
cricket
The Saltires are being lined-up for an ODI double-header against Pakistan next summer, writes William Dick.
It's understood discussions between the two countries are at an advanced stage and that the games will be staged in Scotland.
The Pakistanis have already announced two games against Ireland as part of their preparations for the Champions Trophy but it's understood they are also keen on facing the Saltires before their first Trophy match, against West Indies at the Oval on June 7.
If confirmed the games will provide another boost to Scotland, who last month announced they will face Australia in a four-day match in June.
cycling
Pat McQuaid , the International Cycling Union president, has vowed to continue to improve the sport, despite recent calls for his resignation, writes Rob Moir.
A day after a meeting of pressure group Change Cycling Now called for a change of leadership and saw three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond offer his services as an interim president of the UCI, McQuaid launched the first phase of a stakeholder consultation.
All of those involved in the sport, from riders to industry representatives and anti-doping organisations, have until next Monday to respond to a letter from the UCI.
There are four main topics of conversation – globalisation, anti-doping, riders and sports calendar – and the UCI plan to use the feedback to then finalise and announce the format of its stakeholder consultation.
McQuaid said: "We will work together to tackle issues of concern and build a bright future for cycling.
"We will look at how we can continue the process of globalising cycling, encourage wider participation and make the sport even more interesting for spectators."
The consultation, which will take place in early 2013, is completely separate from the external independent commission, which is charged with looking into the issues and allegations contained in the United States Anti-Doping Agency decision relating to the Lance Armstrong affair.
Teams and major event organisers met in Switzerland this week to discuss the 2013 season and beyond.
The UCI reported speakers included world champion Philippe Gilbert and his BMC Racing team-mate Johann Tschopp, retired rider Dario Cioni, who now works with Team Sky, two lawyers, various television producers and a biodiversity expert.
McQuaid added: "The aim was to address issues that are part of the day-to-day concerns of organisers and riders.
"Everyone at the seminar had the same objective: to see cycling thrive. United, we are very strong and have the force to carry cycling through to a bright future."
ice hockey
Dundee CCS Stars forward Sami Ryhanen was yesterday named Player of the Month and said: "I owe it to my team-mates," writes Nigel Duncan.
The 32-year-old has scored seven goals and set up seven other strikes in seven matches. The tally included a hat-trick in Dundee's home match against high-flying Sheffield Steelers.
The Finnish, who was released by Nottingham Panthers, also scored in home matches with Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils and Edinburgh Capitals.
This means that he found the net in every home game in the month of November.
The Helsinki-born forward, who is also the Dundee CCS Stars Travel Club Player of the Month, is currently second in the Elite League's points-scoring charts with 43 points (15 goals, 28 assists) in 25 matches.
Meanwhile, Fife Flyers travel to Braehead Clan tonight (7.30pm) looking for revenge.
They were edged 4-3 on their last visit, Fife's only defeat to the Clan so far this season in three games.
Fife defeated Clan in the Autumn Cup final, winning the match at the Fife Ice Arena 7-3, and also won the second comfortably, also at Kirkcaldy, 5-1.
Todd Dutiaume, Fife's player/coach, has led the team to three wins out of the last four games but their last outing was back on November 24 when they won a shoot-out against Hull Stingrays.
Fife are ninth in the 10-strong table with 14 points from 18 starts while Braehead are sixth with 21 points from 20 games.
Both teams have incentives. The Glasgow side come into the game looking for a tonic after having lost 5-1 at Coventry Blaze on Sunday.
Clan are six points behind fifth-placed Coventry but have a game in hand on the Midlands club.
Fife are two points adrift of Hull, who occupy the eighth and final play-off place.
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