Welcome to Thursday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

THURSDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NFL: Eagles at Seahawks, 8 p.m. (NFL Network; WEEI)
College football: West Virginia at South Florida, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Providence at South Carolina, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: St. John’s at Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Georgetown at Alabama, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

AROUND THE WEB:

The Syracuse Post-Standard decided to pass on a story about assistant coach Bernie Fine's alleged child molestation in 2003. (AP)

♦ The Syracuse Post-Standard and ESPN have come under fire for failing to publish stories about the Bernie Fine accusations when they were first contacted by former ball boy Bobby Davis in 2003. In Wednesday’s Post-Standard, executive editor Michael J. Connor explains why the paper passed the first time, even after Davis taped a phone call with Laurie Fine in which she makes some statements that appear to corroborate Davis’ story.

Connor explains that the tape — which he implies was made with the encouragement of the paper — was “sleazy and sickening” but still too vague and ambiguous to use as verification of the accusations. And when the paper confronted Laurie Fine after hearing the tape, she said it had been doctored and then stopped talking to the reporter.

♦ The NBA is getting ready to return, but for some free agents who signed in China, it might not be so easy getting back to the States. Players such as Kenyon Martin, Aaron Brooks, Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith and Patty Mills are under contract for the entire Chinese season, which lasts until March. There are severe financial penalties if they leave, and the NBA is required by basketball’s governing body, FIBA, to honor international contracts.

♦ The Big Ten is holding its football championship game Saturday night in Indianapolis, pitting Michigan State against Wisconsin. Apparently, tickets are tough to give away. So, an unidentified party is offering to pay $75 for individuals to attend the game as “seat-fillers.” UPDATE: It’s a prank.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Dec. 1, 1961, which Red Sox player was named American League Rookie of the Year after starting the season in the minors but playing so well after his call-up that he was named to the All-Star team?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s quite an accomplishment. It might be one of those things that only happens … well, for a lot of guys it won’t even happen once in their career, right? For anybody who has played for the Bruins their whole career, obviously no one’s done that since 1969. Unfortunately, the way the world works and the way this league works, November’s gone. It’s behind us. This is December.” – Bruins goalie Tim Thomas, after the Bruins finished November without a regulation loss, capped with Wednesday’s 6-3 win over the Maple Leafs

STAT OF THE DAY: 3 – NHL coaches who have been fired this week, with the latest Wednesday when the Ducks replaced Randy Carlyle with recently fired Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau

‘NET RESULTS: This young Eagles fan really hates Tom Brady, because “all he does is throw touchdowns.”

TRIVIA ANSWER: Pitcher Don Schwall, who went 15-7 with a 3.22 ERA

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Gilbert O’Sullivan turns 65 Thursday.

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