Monday, March 31, 2014

The unbeatens advance


Two tickets punched to the Final Four tonight:

Notre Dame beat Baylor, 88-69. Natalie Achonwa went down with a knee injury late in the second half, which scared everyone in the arena. But she got up, pointed to her teammates and reportedly yelled at them to "win this #@$% !" She will have an MRI tomorrow.

UConn surged past Texas A&M, 69-54.

More NCAA Tournament news:

After rolling her ankle in yesterday's game, North Carolina star Diamond DeShields is a game time decision for tomorrow's match up with Stanford.

Stanford is riding the triangle to the pinnacle (at Nashville?)

UConn encountered a necessary challenge in Sweet 16 foe BYU.

It's all in the family for Maryland.

Other college news:

Fresno State coach Raegan Pebley is expected to be named TCU's new coach tomorrow.

WNIT:

The semifinals are set after quarterfinals wrapped up tonight:

Monday, 3/31

Rutgers 55, Bowling Green 50
UTEP 70, Washington 63

Semifinal

Wednesday, 4/2

Rutgers at South Florida, 7 p.m. ET
South Dakota at UTEP, 9 p.m. ET

McDonald's All-American game:

Player slideshow.

WNBA:

The Sun traded Sandrine Gruda to the Sparks in exchange for their 11th pick this year and their second-round pick next year.

Spalding Maggie Dixon Division I Rookie Coach of the Year finalists named

Finalists are:

• Dan Burt, Duquesne University
• Bunky Harkleroad, California State University, Sacramento
• Billi Godsey, Iona College
• Mike Neighbors, University of Washington
• Megan Gebbia, American University

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Elite Eight

Two upsets today on the second day of the Sweet 16 round:

Maryland took down Tennessee, 73-62. Alyssa Thomas netted a career-high 33 points for the Terps.

North Carolina upended South Carolina, 65-58. Tar Heel freshman Diamond DeShields overcame two injuries to put up 19 points.

The other two games were blowouts:

Louisville ground down LSU, 73-47.

Stanford thrashed Penn State, 82-57. My choice for NCAA player of the year, Chiney Ogwumike, had 29 points.

ESPN photo gallery.

This sets up the next round:

Tomorrow, Baylor faces Notre Dame and Connecticut plays Texas A&M.

Tuesday it'll be Louisville against Maryland and Stanford versus North Carolina.

More NCAA Tournament news:

As I noted on twitter, both South Carolina and North Carolina have been nominated for the WBCA's "Together we R" team award. Gamecock assistant coach Nikki McCray was diagnosed with breast cancer last fall, and Tar Heel coach Sylvia Hatchell announced she had leukemia shortly thereafter. Congratulations to both teams for persevering at such high levels this season.

McCray's biggest support system has been her team.

Sister act, Ogwumike style.

UConn assistant coach Chris Dailey keeps the team engaged.

More college news:

Arkansas has hired ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes as their new coach.

What?

Dykes discusses.

WNIT results:

Sunday, 3/30

South Dakota State 76, Indiana 64
South Florida 60, Mississippi State 58

Monday, 3/31

Rutgers at Bowling Green, 7 p.m. ET
Washington at UTEP, 9 p.m. ET

McDonald's All-American game:

Top 2014 prospect A'ja Wilson will compete against the guys tomorrow in the slam dunk contest.

Friday, March 28, 2014

DII champs, and WNIT

Bentley capped a perfect 35-0 season with a 73-65 win over West Texas A&M to win the NCAA Division II Championship tonight.

WNIT:

UTEP downed Colorado, 68-60, to advance to the WNIT Elite Eight. Crowds in El Paso have been big for the Miner's first two wins. Tonight they broke an attendance record: 8,234 fans.

Minnesota and Rhode Island open

NCAA Tournament news:

See how the Final Four court was created.

Brittney Martin has lead Oklahoma State into the Sweet 16.

Baylor point guard Odyssey Sims is 66 points shy of the NCAA single-season scoring record.

Stopping North Carolina freshman Diamond DeShields is a tough task.

BYU in the Final Four would mean a schedule change.

Coach shedding season:

Minnesota fired coach Pam Borton. She'd been there for 12 years.

Rhode Island will not renew the contract of coach Cathy Inglese.

WNBA:

The Mercury have signed Shay Murphy.

A quick bit

NCAA Tournament news:

NCAA-ifying Notre Dame's Joyce Center.

LSU will draw on past NCAA tourney experience
in facing Louisville.

Tennessee's communications and information majors: Cierra Burdick, Draya Carter and Isabelle Harrison.

Bria Goss' quest for perfection has paid off for Kentucky
.

Texas A&M is learning from watching other teams.

WNBA:

The Fever have signed veteran forward Marissa Coleman to a multi-year deal
.

WNBA draft day approacheth

The WNBA draft will be April 14 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.

Fans on one message board are wondering when some teams, such as the Sparks and Silver Stars, will make trade or acquisition moves.

Giving credit where credit is due

Two days ago the WBCA released its list of nominees for Division I coach of the year. While the nominated coaches are deserving, the following coaches are also very worthy of the same honor. In the spirit of giving credit where credit is due, I nominate the following:

Mike Carey, West Virginia

In his 13th season with the Mountaineers, Carey guided the team to a school record-best 30 wins. They debuted in the Big 12 by going to the championship game. Carey has taken the program to new heights every year he has been there.

Wes Moore, North Carolina State

In his first year with the Wolfpack, Moore took a .500 squad to a 25-8 record. He was a Naismith Coach of the Year finalist. Athletes say he is an exciting coach. The future is bright for Moore.

Kenny Brooks, James Madison

Brooks has amassed quite a resume over 12 seasons. This year he took the Dukes won the CAA Championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, which included an upset of Gonzaga in the first. Consistency is Brooks' middle name.

Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, Albany

In her fourth season, Albany has been America East champs the last three years. This season they were 28-5. Abrahamson-Henderson is a rising star.

David Six, Hampton

In five years at Hampton, Six has guided the team to five straight MEAC championships. This year their record was 28-5. Six is an exciting coach that makes fans wonder what's next.

Dawn Brown, Prairie View A&M

Brown took the reins as coach this year after serving three years as an assistant. And for the fourth year in a row, the Panthers took the SWAC championship. Brown has not let her team miss a beat.
____________________________

Team recognition:

Three teams have been ranked all or most of the year, and made the NCAA Tournament with ten active players: Tennessee, Nebraska and Florida.

Four teams were ranked and/or won their conference titles with 11 active players: Connecticut, Florida State, Iowa and Idaho.

Kudos to them for not just achieving, but excelling, with a lot less.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Final Four summit will focus on the growth and future of the game

A major women's basketball summit will take place next weekend at the Final Four in Nashville:

Called the Women's Final Four Summit, the gathering will draw representatives from all levels of women's basketball, including representatives from USA Basketball, WNBA, AAU, intercollegiate athletic administrators and coaches.

It is the second meeting held since the June 2013 release of a white paper written by then-NCAA consultant Val Ackerman, who is currently the commissioner of the Big East Conference. The first NCAA Women's Basketball White Paper Summit in September brought together NCAA conference representatives, campus athletics administrators, Division I women's basketball head coaches, an on-court official, television executives and other stakeholders of the game.

The summit will be streamed on the NCAA YouTube channel and is scheduled to last six hours. Among the topics that will be discussed: youth development of the game, the business of women's basketball and the overall state of women's basketball.

Looking ahead to the Sweet 16

Is it Saturday yet?

Contemplating day one match ups:

Kentucky vs. Baylor

Oklahoma State vs. Notre Dame

BYU vs. Connecticut

DePaul vs. Texas A&M

I'm most intrigued by DePaul-TAMU. DePaul is rising, and TAMU is back. It should be a good game.

Second up is Kentucky-Baylor. The last time these two teams saw each other, last Dec. 6, the Wildcats beat the Bears 133-130 in the highest-scoring game in NCAA history. What to do for an encore? Hopefully this game will be just as close as the last one.

Sunday's schedule:

Maryland vs. Tennessee

LSU vs. Louisville

Penn State vs. Stanford

North Carolina vs. South Carolina

NC-SC is interesting first because they don't even get to have a rivalry due to being in different conferences. The youth and athleticism of both teams makes for a great match up across the board, which should translate into an intense, physical game.

Penn State and Stanford also seem to match up well, and both have hungry senior stars in Maggie Lucas and Chiney Ogwumike, respectively. Ah, to be in Palo Alto.

NCAA Tournament news:

Nebraska coach Connie Yori wants fans to pack the arena in Lincoln, Neb.

LSU's Jeanne Kenney is out for the rest of the season with a concussion.

Connecticut's dominance starts on the defensive end.

Tar Heel coach Sylvia Hatchell said she could return to coaching if the team reaches the Final Four.

Stanford's Mikaela Ruef is used to juggling multiple roles.

The SEC is showing its depth in the Tournament.

The NCAA talks stars and surprises.

WNIT results:

Wednesday, 3/26

Washington 62, San Diego 55

Thursday, 3/27

South Florida 74, George Washington 59
Indiana 66, Northwestern 65
Rutgers 91, Seton Hall 79 2OT
Bowling Green 63, Michigan 53
South Dakota State 70, Minnesota 62
Mississippi State 59, Auburn 54

WNBA:

The Sky have signed Jessica Breland.

The Storm have acquired Charde' Houston from the Mercury in exchange for the rights to Ewelina Kobryn.

Wade Trophy finalists named

The Wade Trophy finalists are:

Stefanie Dolson, University of Connecticut, Senior, Center
Bria Hartley, University of Connecticut, Senior, Guard
Jordan Hooper, University of Nebraska, Senior, Forward
Natasha Howard, Florida State University, Senior, Forward
Jewell Loyd, University of Notre Dame, Sophomore, Guard
Maggie Lucas, Penn State University, Senior, Guard
Kayla McBride, University of Notre Dame, Senior, Guard
Tiffany Mitchell, University of South Carolina, Sophomore, Guard
Chiney Ogwumike, Stanford University, Senior, Forward
Odyssey Sims, Baylor University, Senior, Guard
Breanna Stewart, University of Connecticut, Sophomore, Forward
Alyssa Thomas, University of Maryland, Senior, Forward

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Tournament, college, coach and WNBA news load

NCAA Tournament:

North Carolina freshman Diamond DeShields is pure entertainment: "People love it, people hate it. It don't matter to me; I'm going to keep doing it."

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley discusses the possibility of playing Stanford at Maples Pavilion: "Yeah, I think it sucks."

BYU is excited for the chance to play UConn.

DePaul is playing their best ball going into the Sweet 16. Coach Doug Bruno reached win 600 in advancing.

Stanford is happy to be back home for regionals.

It's been another sweet season for Baylor.

Champs:

Oklahoma City University won the NAIA Championship last night.

More college news:

Nebraska has big shoes to fill next year.

Oregon State has shown they belong with basketball's elite.

Their final postseason ride ended too soon for Purdue's seniors.

Sophomore Precious Person is leaving Rutgers.

Kellyn Schneider has requested a release from Texas Tech.

College coach news:

USC let assistant coaches Evan Unrau and Brandy Manning go.

Two distinct portraits of Boston University coach Kelly Greenberg have emerged.

Coach Jim Littell has brought stability and success to Oklahoma State.

Coach Mike Bradbury has turned Wright State into a powerhouse.

Seton Hall players are buying into coach Tony Bozzella's system.

WNBA news:

The Dream have re-signed center Erika de Souza.

The Sun have signed center Kelley Cain.

The Sky have re-signed Allie Quigley and Avery Warley.

Tulsa Shock point guard Skylar Diggins appears in the current issue of Vogue Magazine.

USC lets assistant coaches Evan Unrau and Brandy Manning go

Evan Unrau and Brandy Manning's contracts not renewed as USC assistant coaches.

Finalists for Russell Athletic/WBCA Division I coach of the year

The list:

• Region 1 - Geno Auriemma, University of Connecticut
• Region 2 - Muffet McGraw, University of Notre Dame
• Region 3 - Dawn Staley, University of South Carolina, Columbia
• Region 4 - Jennifer Roos, Bowling Green State University
• Region 5 - Kim Mulkey, Baylor University
• Region 6 - Curt Miller, Indiana University
• Region 7 - Ryun Williams, Colorado State University
• Region 8 - Scott Rueck, Oregon State University

I think we need to have a separate list for mid-major coaches. Too many great names left off this list.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Down they go

Tonight's lone upset is a big one:

LSU upended West Virginia, 76-67.

I didn't see that one coming.

More results:

Connecticut 91, Saint Joseph's 52.

Maryland 69, Texas 64.

Penn State 83, Florida 61.

North Carolina 62, Michigan State 53.

Louisville 83, Iowa 53.

South Carolina 78, Oregon State 69.

Texas A&M 85, James Madison 69.

Catching up during March Madness

College news:

For Tennessee senior star guard Meighan Simmons, last night was a moment worth waiting for.

Cal is a team bonded by strength and perseverance.

The book has closed on the Paul Westhead era at Oregon. (And thank God for that)

WNBA:

Camille Little has signed a multi-year contract with the Seattle Storm.

This is all that's happened so far, trasaction-wise, believe it or not.

WNIT results:

Saturday, 3/22

Indiana 72, Marquette 69
Colorado 79, Southern Utah 68

Sunday, 3/23

George Washington 76, Villanova 66
South Florida 75, Stetson 56
South Dakota State 62, Creighton 51
Northwestern 88, IUPUI 52
Seton Hall 75, Princeton 74
Minnesota 77, SMU 70

Monday, 3/24

Michigan 68, Duquesne 52
Bowling Green 76, St. Bonaventure 65
Rutgers 63, Harvard 52
Auburn 82, Old Dominion 59
Mississippi State 74, Southern Miss 66 2OT
San Diego 60, Montana 57
UTEP 76, Saint Mary's 64
Washington 93, Oregon 85

All-region nominees for 2014 WBCA Division I coaches' all-America team

Region 1

Name Institution Year Position Height

Breanna Stewart University of Connecticut Sophomore Forward 6'4"
Stefanie Dolson University of Connecticut Senior Center 6'5"
Bria Hartley University of Connecticut Senior Guard 5'8"
Marissa Janning Creighton University Sophomore Guard 5'8"
Brittany Hrynko DePaul University Junior Guard 5'7"
Jasmine Penny DePaul University Senior Forward 6'1"
Shoni Schimmel University of Louisville Senior Guard 5'9"
Sara Hammond University of Louisville Junior Forward 6'2"
Katherine Plouffe Marquette University Senior Forward 6'3"
Keena Mays Southern Methodist University Senior Guard 5'7"
Courtney Williams University of South Florida Sophomore Guard 5'8"
Aliyyah Handford St. John's University Sophomore Guard 5'9"

Region 2

Name Institution Year Position Height

Tricia Liston Duke University Senior Guard 6'1"
Natasha Howard Florida State University Senior Forward 6'3"
Alyssa Thomas University of Maryland Senior Forward 6'2"
Markeisha Gatling North Carolina State University Senior Center 6'5"
Kayla McBride University of Notre Dame Senior Guard 5'11"
Jewell Loyd University of Notre Dame Sophomore Guard 5'10"
Dearica Hamby Wake Forest University Junior Forward 6'3"

Region 3

Name Institution Year Position Height

DeNesha Stallworth University of Kentucky Senior Forward 6'3"
Tiffany Mitchell University of South Carolina Sophomore Guard 5'9"
Aleighsa Welch University of South Carolina Junior Forward 6'0"
Meighan Simmons University of Tennessee Senior Guard 5'9"
Isabelle Harrison University of Tennessee Junior Center 6'3"
Christina Foggie Vanderbilt University Senior Guard 5'9"
Jasmine Lister Vanderbilt University Senior Guard 5'4"

Region 4

Name Institution Year Position Height

Rachel Tecca University of Akron Senior Forward 6'1"
Alexis Rogers Bowling Green State University Senior Forward 6'1"
Crystal Bradford Central Michigan University Junior Guard 6'0"
Jerica Coley Florida International University Senior Guard 5'7"
Ebony Rowe Middle Tennessee State University Senior Senior Forward 6'1"
Chastity Gooch Western Kentucky University Junior Forward 6'0"

Region 5

Name Institution Year Position Height

Odyssey Sims Baylor University Senior Guard 5'8"
Nina Davis Baylor University Freshman Forward 5'11"
Hallie Christofferson Iowa State University Senior Forward 6'3"
Chelsea Gardner University of Kansas Junior Forward 6'3"
Aaryn Ellenberg University of Oklahoma Senior Guard 5'7"
Tiffany Bias Oklahoma State University Senior Guard 5'6"
Asya Bussie West Virginia University Senior Center 6'4"

Region 6

Name Institution Year Position Height

Samantha Logic University of Iowa Junior Guard 5'9"
Rachel Banham University of Minnesota Junior Guard 5'9"
Amanda Zahui B. University of Minnesota Freshman Center 6'5"
Jordan Hooper University of Nebraska Senior Forward 6'2"
Maggie Lucas Penn State University Senior Guard 5'10"

Region 7

Name Institution Year Position Height

Tyonna Outland California State University, Bakersfield Junior Guard 5'9"
Madi Buck University of North Dakota Senior Forward 6'0"
Kacie Sowell Seattle University Senior Forward 6'2"
Kayla Woodward University of Wyoming Junior Forward 5'11"

Region 8

Name Institution Year Position Height

Brittany Boyd University of California, Berkeley Junior Guard 5'9"
Cassie Harberts University of Southern California Senior Forward 6'2"
Chiney Ogwumike Stanford University Senior Forward 6'3"
Michelle Plouffe University of Utah Senior Forward 6'4"

Some deserving players left off this list.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

More

Tennessee coach Holly Warlick understands her position.

North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell isn't ready to return to the bench yet.

Maggie Lucas wants to leave Penn State as a winner.

In-state talent guides Michigan State.

Ten things to know about Syracuse.

Oregon State basketball's revival is a story worth cheering.

Iowa is playing for one another.

Behind the scenes with West Virginia.

Tomorrow's game schedule.

Catching up with WNIT results:

Friday, 3/21

Michigan 86, Stony Brook 48
Duquesne 62, Mount St. Mary's 52
St. Bonaventure 81, Charlotte 62
South Florida 56, North Carolina A&T 50
Saint Mary's 75, CSU Bakersfield 68
UTEP 74, Arkansas State 64
Washington 67, Hawaii 50

Second Round

Saturday, 3/22
Indiana 72, Marquette 69
Colorado 79, Southern Utah 68

First day games deliver plenty of "wow" moments

The wows:

Cal edged Fordham, 64-63.

A last-second trey lifted St. John's over USC, 71-68.

Oklahoma outlasted DePaul, 104-100, in the highest-scoring game in Tournament history.

BYU upset higher-seeded North Carolina State, 72-57.

Florida State also pulled an upset, 55-44 over Iowa State.

Oklahoma State needed an overtime to get by Florida Gulf Coast, 61-60.

Arizona State upended Vanderbilt, 61-60.

Stanford downed South Dakota, 81-62, which included Cardinal star forward Chiney Ogwumike becoming the Pac-12 all-time scoring leader.

In the "no surprises" department:

Tennessee 70, Northwestern State, 46.

Notre Dame 93, Robert Morris 42.

Baylor 87, Western Kentucky 74.

Kentucky 106, Wright State 60.

Nebraska 74, Fresno State 55.

Duke 87, Winthrop 45.

Purdue 84, Akron 55.

Syracuse 59, Chattanooga 53.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Can we start this Tournament, already?

Let's get this thing started! For God sakes.

NCAA Tournament news:

Match up previews galore.

Duke coach Joanne McCallie is unhappy that the Blue Devils are in the same region as UConn.

A mid-season meeting has Kentucky ready for the NCAA's. They also blew off steam at a firing range.

Tennessee's perfect home Tournament record is on the line.

Baylor begins play without suspended coach Kim Mulkey.

Stanford's Iowa native, Taylor Greenfield, is glad for the homecoming at their first round location.

Oregon State coach Scott Rueck has the Beavers ready for their first tourney appearance since 1996. Confidence has paid for Oregon State's Gabby Hanson.

A great point guard match up is on tap in Cal vs. Fordham.

The break from conference tournament play to the big dance was huge for Oklahoma.

Marist is ready to face Iowa.

Penn is ready to spring into action.

Florida is looking for NCAA redemption.

Michigan State's Big Ten Tournament loss still haunts them.

Nebraska is not looking ahead to number one UConn.

Florida State's defense will be tested in the Tournament.

DePaul guard Chanise Jenkins stayed home to go far in hoops.

Oklahoma State will guard the perimeter against Florida Gulf Coast.

Fresno State's prep work meant honing in on opponent Nebraska's defeats.

BYU is feeling good about their match up with North Carolina State.

West Virginia's Asya Bussie is grateful for this season, when she wasn't "supposed" to be there.

For South Carolina's Aleighsa Welch, the waiting was the hardest part.

Penn State coach Coquese Washington is preparing for Maggie Lucas' graduation.

Naismith Trophy finalists

Finalists for the Naismith college player of the year are:

Kayla McBride, Notre Dame
Chiney Ogwumike, Stanford
Odyssey Sims, Baylor
Breanna Stewart, Connecticut

Thursday, March 20, 2014

WNIT, WBI results

Today's WNIT results, and tomorrow's game schedule:

Indiana 48, Belmont 47
IUPUI 72, Central Michigan 66
Bowling Green 72, High Point 62
Harvard 90, Iona 89
Rutgers 65, Delaware 61
Princeton 94, VCU 76
Seton Hall 63, American 60
Auburn 78, Furman 64
Old Dominion 68, Navy 60
Stetson 70, Miami 63
Marquette 63, Indiana State 61
SMU 84, Texas Southern 72
South Dakota State 78, Butler 61
Creighton 77, Missouri 51
Northwestern 69, Ball State 65
Mississippi State 77, Tulane 68
Southern Miss 75, Lamar 60
San Diego 82, Cal Poly 59
Southern Utah 71, Colorado State 56
Pacific at Oregon, 10 p.m. ET (still in progress at this blogging)

Friday, March 21

Stony Brook at Michigan, 7 p.m. ET
Mount St. Mary's at Duquesne, 7 p.m. ET
Charlotte at St. Bonaventure, 7 p.m. ET
North Carolina A&T at South Florida, 7 p.m. ET
CSU Bakersfield at Saint Mary's, 9 p.m. ET
Arkansas State at UTEP, 9 p.m. ET
Hawaii at Washington, 10 p.m. ET

Women's Basketball Invitational results thus far:

First Round

Wednesday, March 19th

Maine 77 vs. Bucknell 47
Fairfield 90 vs Bryant 86
UIC 84 vs. IPFW 71

Thursday, March 20th

E. Michigan 78 Evansville 65
C. of Charleston 85 vs. USC Upstate 71
NKU 84 vs. McNeese State 72
SFA 59 vs. Texas State 51
Grand Canyon vs. Boise State – 7 pm MST (no score posted yet as of this blogging)

All news bases covered

NCAA Tournament news:

The Gonzaga team and community is a family.

Tennessee came together at just the right time.

Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw said their bench is the difference this year. Natalie Achonwa is their towering Canadian.

Irish coaches have scouting down to a science.

Duke is fueled by belief, adversity and perseverance.

North Carolina freshman Diamond DeShields blogs.

South Carolina is on an upward trajectory.

Nebraska has put their time off to good use.

Iowa's Samantha Logic has a passion for passing.

Michigan State's seniors subtly lead them.

Penn State's Maggie Lucas blogs that the Lions can't wait to get back on the court.

Vanderbilt is ready to dance.

Tournament analysis:

Cinderellas and contenders.

Three of the biggest upsets in NCAA tourney history.

WNIT news:

The Tournament is no longer one to avoid, says Mel Greenberg.

The mission is simple for Navy coach Stefanie Pemper, but her task isn't easy.

WNBA:

The Lynx have resigned center Janel McCarville to a multi-year contract.

The Mercury have signed veteran post Mistie Bass.

Indiana star Tamika Catchings talks about why it's important for athletes to give back.

Shaquala Williams is the Storm's new assistant coach.

Brianna Turner wins Gatorade Player of the Year

Texas' own Brianna Turner is the Gatorade Player of the Year.

An example on and off the court, Turner has committed to Notre Dame.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Today's WNIT results: first round of the first round

Tonight's results:

Villanova 74, Quinnipiac 66
George Washington 86, East Carolina 68
Minnesota 62, Green Bay 60
Colorado 78, TCU 71
Montana 90, Washington State 78

March 20 schedule:

Belmont at Indiana, 7 p.m. ET
IUPUI at Central Michigan, 7 p.m. ET
High Point at Bowling Green, 7 p.m. ET
Harvard at Iona, 7 p.m. ET
Delaware at Rutgers, 7 p.m. ET
VCU at Princeton, 7 p.m. ET
American at Seton Hall, 7 p.m. ET
Furman at Auburn, 7 p.m. ET
Navy at Old Dominion, 7 p.m. ET
Stetson at Miami, 7 p.m. ET
Marquette at Indiana State, 7:05 p.m. ET
Texas Southern at SMU, 8 p.m. ET
Butler at South Dakota State, 8 p.m. ET
Missouri at Creighton, 8 p.m. ET
Ball State at Northwestern, 8 p.m. ET
Tulane at Mississippi State, 8 p.m. ET
Lamar at Southern Miss, 8 p.m. ET
Cal Poly at San Diego, 9 p.m. ET
Southern Utah at Colorado State, 9 p.m. ET
Pacific at Oregon, 10 p.m. ET

Bustin' with postseason news

NCAA Tournament news:

Notre Dame doesn't get enough props, one columnist says.

Iowa is not done yet.

MTSU assistant coach Mariska Harris will miss NCAA opening rounds due to pregnancy complications.

Going into the NCAA Tournament, Oregon State coach Scott Rueck is leaning on his past postseason experience at Division III George Fox. The Beavers are managing an abnormal week before heading out of town for round one.

Marist's three seniors reflect on their time as Red Foxes.

A flag controversy blocks South Carolina's home court advantage.

UConn's Breanna Stewart is standing tall and talented.

Tennessee freshman Jordan Reynolds dishes on her moves.

Gonzaga is dancin'.

BYU's Jennifer Hamson is playing at another level entering the Tournament.

Young Baylor is still the #2 seed and Big 12 champs.

Camille Redmon provides strength in the post for Purdue.

Duke's Rebecca Greenwell says anything is possible in the postseason.

Six players to watch at the Tournament.

The NCAA's top five performances from last week.

WNIT news:

Missouri is looking at the WNIT as an opportunity.

Princeton will be missing two for tomorrow's round one opener.

Colorado State is starting fresh in the WNIT.

Patience and persistence have paid off for Green Bay's Sam Zastrow.

Dawn Staley Award finalists are.....

The final three:

Odyssey Sims, Baylor

Breanna Stewart, Connecticut

Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina

Naismith college coach of the year finalists

The list:

Geno Auriemma, University of Connecticut

Muffet McGraw, University of Notre Dame

Wes Moore, North Carolina State University

Dawn Staley, University of South Carolina

Nancy Lieberman point guard award finalists announced

Ouch - tough choice:

Odyssey Sims Baylor University

Jerica Coley - Florida International University

Brittany Boyd - University of California

Moriah Jefferson - University of Connecticut

Heather Butler - University of Tennessee at Martin

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

2014 Parade All-America Team

The team:

Name Pos. High School Ht. College

Ariel Atkins G Duncanville (Texas) 5-11 Texas
Tyra Buss G Mount Carmel (Ill.) 5-7 Indiana
Sierra Calhoun G Christ The King (Middle Village, N.Y.) 6-0 Duke
Amber Campbell G Northwood Academy (Charleston, S.C.) 5-9 Wake Forest
Jordin Canada G Windward (Los Angeles, Calif.) 5-6 UCLA
Jamie Cherry G West Craven (N.C.) 5-5 North Carolina
Gabby Green G St. Mary’s College (Oakland, Calif.) 6-1 California
Lexi Gussert G/F Forest Park (Crystal Falls, Mich.) 6-1 Michigan State
Whitney Jennings G Logansport (Ind.) 5-5 Iowa
Brittany McPhee F Mount Rainier (Wash.) 5-11 Stanford
Brooke McCarty G Clear Springs (Texas) 5-4 Texas
Kelsey Mitchell G Princeton (Cincinnati, Ohio) 5-7 Ohio State
Jaime Nared F Westview (Portland, Ore.) 6-2 Tennessee
Taylor Rooks F Gill St. Bernard’s (N.J.) 6-0 Stanford
Azura Stevens G/F Cary (N.C.) 6-4 Duke
Brianna Turner F Manvel (Manvel, Texas) 6-3 Notre Dame
Sarah Veilleux G RHAM (Hebron, Conn.) 6-0 St. Joseph’s
Victoria Vivians F Scott Central (Forest, Miss.) 6-0 Mississippi St.
Jatarie White C Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.) 6-4 South Carolina
A’ja Wilson F Heathwood Hall (Columbia, S.C.) 6-5 Undecided

The dust has settled.......

NCAA Tournament news:

The #1 seeds are set, but there are also five newcomers to the bracket: Akron, North Dakota, South Dakota, Winthrop and Wright State.

The new playoffs format may force the top seeds to play road games.

South Carolina is set for a bigger challenge.

The Lady Vols are eager to end their Final Four drought.

Notre Dame finds themselves overshadowed by UConn again.

President Obama has picked UConn, Notre Dame, Stanford and Louisville for the Final Four.

The women's NCAA Tournament graduation rates are better than that of the men.

More college news:

Coach Jeff Mittie has left TCU to take the top post at Kansas State.

Monday, March 17, 2014

WNIT bracket announced

The visual WNIT bracket.

The game schedule list:

Round #1
Wednesday, March 19
Washington State at Montana, time TBA
TCU at Colorado, time TBA
Green Bay at Minnesota, time TBA
Quinnipiac at Villanova, time TBA
East Carolina at George Washington, time TBA

Thursday, March 20
Pacific at Oregon, time TBA
Cal Poly at San Diego, time TBA
Southern Utah at Colorado State, time TBA
Texas Southern at SMU, time TBA
Butler at South Dakota State, time TBA
Missouri at Creighton, time TBA
Marquette at Indiana State, time TBA
Belmont at Indiana, time TBA
Ball State at Northwestern, time TBA
IUPUI at Central Michigan, time TBA
High Point at Bowling Green, time TBA
Harvard at Iona, time TBA
Delaware at Rutgers, time TBA
VCU at Princeton, time TBA
American at Seton Hall, time TBA
Tulane at Mississippi State, time TBA
Lamar at Southern Miss, time TBA
Furman at Auburn, time TBA
Navy at Old Dominion, time TBA
Stetson at Miami, time TBA

Friday, March 21
Hawaii at Washington, time TBA
CSU Bakersfield at Saint Mary's, time TBA
Arkansas State at UTEP, time TBA
Stony Brook at Michigan, time TBA
Mount St. Mary's at Duquesne, time TBA
Charlotte at St. Bonaventure, time TBA
North Carolina A&T at South Florida, time TBA

Other things actually did happen today


AP final top 25 poll
.


USA Today final top 25 poll
.


Louisiana-Monroe coach Mona Martin is retiring after 19 years
.

The health of Central Michigan's Cyrstal Bradford is uncertain after their MAC Tournament loss.

WNBA:

The Lynx have a new jersey partnership with the Mayo Clinic.

Bracket

The bracket has been unveiled.

On the "Around the Rim" show that I was on earlier, I picked South Carolina as a #1 seed, which turned out to be the case.

Fran Harris asked us each for a "dark horse" team that we expected to do well, and I said North Carolina State. Coincidentally, I will get to see the Pack play this weekend at the Los Angeles regionals, which I am covering.

I don't really see any teams that I disagree with being selected. But I do have Seattle and Knoxville regionals envy.

Musings:

CSUN got a tough draw with the Gamecocks.

It's been a while since Penn was in the Tournament.

The WCC sends both Gonzaga and BYU. Not a surprise for those of us who have seen the Cougars play.

Five teams from the Pac-12 in the Dance!

So many West coast teams dancing.....great to see.

Both Lister sisters going dancing.

College Station will be a tough regional.

Will there be as much parity in the Tournament as there has been in the regular season?

Your thoughts?

Tune into the pre-Selection Show discussion

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Goin' dancin'

The last six tickets punched today, via conference championships:

Atlantic Sun:

Florida Gulf Coast got by Stetson in overtime, 72-70.

Horizon:

Wright State rallied to down Green Bay, 88-69.

Colonial:

James Madison crushed Delaware, 70-45.

NEC:

Robert Morris beat St. Francis, 78-64.

Southland:

Northwestern State routed Stephen F. Austin, 62-44.

MVC:

Wichita State defeated Drake, 73-49.

The bracket awaits.

Can't wait til Selection Monday!!!!!!

More college news:

Lousiana Tech has fired Teresa Weatherspoon as head coach.

Gonzaga is ready to travel for the Tournament.

Colorado State coach Ryun Williams missed his daughter's high school state championship for his own title game yesterday.....and the Rams lost.

Thomas More star Sydney Moss was injured in her team's loss yesterday.

Former Lady Vol Shanna Zolman is determined to make a difference.

WNBA:

The Minnesota Lynx will announced a multi-year marquee jersey partnership tomorrow at 2 p.m. Central time. It will be the most extensive jersey partnership in WNBA history.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Catching up with the news

College team and player news:

Two in the zone: North Carolina's Diamond DeShields and Allisha Gray.

Courtney Moses and Purdue are ready to bounce back from a disappointing Big Ten tournament.

Arizona State is on the front end of a renaissance.

Middle Tennessee assistant Mariska Harris is hospitalized with pregnancy complications.

The Lady Vols are still grinding for nine.

Marist returned to the court yesterday to prepare for the NCAA's.

A weak schedule is clouding Rutgers' Tournament prospects.

LSU is focusing on fundamentals as they face the possibility of an NCAA bid.

What are Washington State's post-season options?

College coach news:

Boston University coach Kelly Greenberg is fighting allegations of emotional abuse, as two more players have spoken out.

U.S. National Team:

Team USA will face Serbia, Angola and China at the World Championships this fall.

Ten more tickets punched

Congrats to the champs, who are going dancing:

Big West:

Cal State Northridge dominated Cal Poly, 73-58. They'll make their first Tournament appearance since 1999.

C-USA:

#22 Middle Tennessee cruised past Southern Mississippi, 84-55.

Sun Belt:

Western Kentucky squeezed by Arkansas State, 61-60.

WAC:

Idaho defeated Seattle University, 75-67.

Mountain West:

Fresno State put away Colorado State, 77-68.

SWAC:

Prairie View upset Texas Southern, 63-58.

MAC:

Akron downed Ball State, 79-68, for their first Tournament title.

MEAC:

Hampton beat Coppin State, 50-47.

Big Sky:

North Dakota routed Montana, 72-55. They'll make their first NCAA Tournament appearance.

Patriot:

Army topped Holy Cross, 68-58.

Full scoreboard.

Finals on tap tomorrow: CAA, Southland, Atlantic Sun, MVC, Horizon and Northeast.

Championships on the line today

Eighteen games on tap today, which includes some conference championship finals: the Big West, Sun Belt, Mountain West, Patriot, Big Sky, Western Athletic, MEAC, SWAC and MAC.

Cal State Northridge takes on Cal Poly at 1 p.m. Pacific for the Big West crown. Matador coach Jason Flowers said defense was the key to their semifinal victory yesterday over UC Irvine. They plan more of the same today against the defending champions.

"We've got to bury them offensively," he said. "They're difficult when they get their inside and outside games going at the same time. We're going to try to slow down (leading scorer Molly) Schlemer."

This marks the first trip to the title game for Flowers, now in his fourth year at the helm. CSUN had a slow start to the year, but came on strong in the second half.

"Our goal all year has been to be champions," he said.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Player, coach and freshman of the year: wrong POY picked

ESPN named their player, coach and freshman of the year. Respectively, they are: Breanna Stewart of Connecticut, Muffet McGraw of Notre Dame and Diamond DeShields of North Carolina.

DeShields is the only obvious choice. She has lead the Tar Heels in scoring, as a rookie, with 18 points per game. She has taken over contests, and established her career high at 38 points.

The choice of McGraw is understandable, as the Irish don't seem to have missed a beat after losing floor leader Skylar Diggins. They sweep into the NCAA Tournament undefeated, and as title-holders of their new conference. I believe South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and West Virginia coach Mike Carey should have made it a closer race for coach of the year, however, as both have taken their teams to new heights this season.

ESPN erred in choosing Stewart for player of the year. She averaged 19.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this season, and helped the Huskies stay dominant as injuries threatened to sink them. But there were still enough other players to help her shoulder the load, as four of Stewart's teammates also averaged in double figures.

The true ESPN player of the year is Stanford forward Chiney Ogwumike. She averaged 26.8 points per game - far above the next leading Cardinal scorers - and 12.3 rebounds per game. She not only carried her team, but she broke numerous personal records this year. Ogwumike became the Pac-12 all-time rebounds leader in early January, and she attained her new career high of 37 points earlier this month. This season, Ogwumike scored 30 points or more in a game 14 times, and had 24 double-doubles.

That's just ridiculous.

Stewart is good, but she ain't no Ogwumike yet.

Player of the year: Chiney Ogwumike.

Let the NCAA Tournament begin.

ESPNW's All-Americans

ESPNW's All-Americans:

First Team

Odyssey Sims, Baylor
Kayla McBride, Notre Dame
Alyssa Thomas, Maryland
Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
Chiney Ogwumike, Stanford

Second Team

Bria Hartley, Connecticut
Jewell Loyd, Notre Dame
Stefanie Dolson, Connecticut
Shoni Schimmel, Louisville
Jordan Hooper, Nebraska

Semifinals

Conference-USA:

#22 Middle Tennessee topped Florida International, 64-57.

Southern Miss ran past UTEP, 84-70.

Mid-American Conference:

Ball State upset #25 Bowling Green, 73-55.

Akron downed Central Michigan, 85-69.

Big West Conference:

Cal State Northridge routed UC Irvine, 78-60.

Cal Poly beat Hawaii, 66-52.

Mountain West Conference:

Colorado State outlasted Wyoming after three overtimes, 95-92.

Fresno State bested Nevada, 82-71.

Western Athletic Conference:

Seattle University got by Cal State Bakersfield, 84-79.

Idaho took down New Mexico State, 75-65.

Sun Belt Conference:

Arkansas State defeated Texas State, 59-48.

Western Kentucky squeaked by Arkansas-Little Rock, 66-62.

Horizon League:

Green Bay 68, UIC 59.

Wright State 98, Youngstown State 70.

Southwestern Athletic Conference:

Texas Southern 79, Jackson State 77.

Prairie View A&M 72, Southern 43.

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference:

Coppin State 57, North Carolina A&T 55.

Hampton 65, Savannah State 49.

Big Sky Conference:

North Dakota 78, Idaho State 53.

Montana 73, Southern Utah 69.

Missouri Valley Conference:

Drake 71, Evansville 61.

Wichita State 71, Missouri State 53.

Full scoreboard.

More news:

Facts about the NCAA Tournament.

Stanford senior Chiney Ogwumike is going out with one more video: N-E-R-D-S.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Gatorade players of the year

By state:

Ruthy Hebard, Alaska
Alexis Jennings, Alabama
Jordan Danberry, Arkansas
Julia Barcello, Arizona
Katie Lou Samuelson, California
Justine Hall, Colorado
Kiah Gillespie, Connecticut
Marta Sneizek, District of Columbia
Adrianna Hahn, Delaware
Beatrice Mompremier, Florida
Adia Durr, Georgia
Chanelle Molina, Hawaii
Haley Lorenzen, Iowa
Leah Bonner, Idaho
Tyra Buss, Illinois
Whitney Jennings, Indiana
Kaylee Page, Kansas
Erin Boley, Kentucky
Kalani Brown, Louisiana
Ashley Russell, Massachusetts
De'Janae Boykin, Maryland
Allie Clement, Maine
Lexi Gussert, Michigan
Chase Coley, Minnesota
Sophie Cunningham, Missouri
Victoria Vivians, Mississippi
Jill Barta, Montana
Jatarie White, North Carolina
Sarah Jacobson, North Dakota
Jessica Shepard, Nebraska
Aliza Simpson, New Hampshire
Taylor Rooks, New Jersey
Danni Williams, New Mexico
Mallory McGwire, Nevada
Sierra Calhoun, New York
Kelsey Mitchell, Ohio
Chelsea Dungee, Oklahoma
Jaime Nared, Oregon
Erin Mathias, Pennsylvania
Taylor Buckley, Rhode Island
A'ja Wilson, South Carolina
Macy Miller, South Dakota
Crystal Dangerfield, Tennessee
Brianna Turner, Texas
Haley Boonar, Utah
Dorothy Adomako, Virginia
Emily Kinneston, Vermont
Brittany McPhee, Washington
Arike Ogunbowale, Wisconsin
Mychal Johnson, West Virginia
Kaylee Johnson, Wyoming

Pre-Selection Monday funk

Selection Monday nears.

Look behind the curtain to see how teams are picked.

ESPN will unveil the bracket, and coverage will include content from the Emmy-nominated show "Nashville."

Current RPI rankings.

Today's scoreboard, as conference tournaments continue.

More NCAA Tournament-related news:

Chiney Ogwumike says Stanford is hungry after their Pac-12 loss last weekend.

General college news:

Jamie Weisner's absence allowed Oregon State to develop into a dangerous threat.

After a losing season, Virginia eyes better days.

Virginia Tech is keeping coach Dennis Wolff.

The rumors that University of Washington coach Mike Neighbors is going to Arkansas are just speculation for now.

A day in the life of Stanford redshirt forward Mikaela Ruef.

It's Deja Vu for Arizona State's Deja Mann.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Sixteen down, sixteen to go

Sixteen conference championships have been decided, with sixteen more to go over the next four days. Still on the line for NCAA Tournament auto bids are the following conference tournaments: Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big West, Colonial, Conference USA, Horizon, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Mountain West, Northeast, Patriot, Southland, SWAC, Sun Belt, Western Athletic.

Today's scoreboard.

More news:

Senior Jillian Halfhill and Bowling Green want that NCAA bid.

Today Florida International's Jerica Coley moved from nine to number five on the NCAA Division I career scoring list.

Middle Tennessee feels a need to back up their top seed.

North Carolina assistant coach Ivory Latta continues her commitment to basketball.

Their shotgun marriage has proved harmonious for Sacramento State coaches.

New Mexico State coach Mark Trakh's mother died last night, and he won't be with the team at this week's Western Athletic Conference Tournament.

WNBA/WNBPA trade/acquisition season rules

These are the rules under which WNBA teams are now operating, according to a March 5, 2014 document from the league to the WNBPA:

- Teams have from March 10-15 to make qualifying offers and core player designations. If a core qualifying offer given to a player who would otherwise be a restricted free agent is withdrawn after March 13 and before March 31, a restricted qualifying offer may be made within 48 hours of the withdrawal.

- If not previously withdrawn, a qualifying offer of any type shall remain open until March 31. Restricted qualifying offers made on or after March 14 shall remain open until April 7, 2014.

- If a team does not make the applicable qualifying offer to a veteran free agent by March 15, the player shall become an unrestricted free agent on March 16.

- A veteran free agent shall become either a reserved player, a restricted free agent, or a core player if the applicable qualifying offer is made in a timely manner, and shall be subject to her prior team's exclusive negotiating rights or right of first refusal.

- From March 16-19, teams may negotiate with their own core players and reserved players, and any free agent who has not been designated as a core player by another team.

- Beginning March 20, teams may enter into player contracts with their own core players and reserved players, and enter into player contracts (AKA offer sheets) with any free agent who has not been designated as a core player by another team.


This is an explanation of common terms of designation:

FREE AGENCY

Free Agency is based on years of service. A player is credited with one year of service for each year she is signed to a Standard Player Contract and is on the active or injured list for any portion of the Regular Season.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

- Any player, not already under contract, with six (6) or more years of service.
- These players are free to negotiate with any WNBA team. They are not subject to a team’s right of first refusal or any team’s exclusive negotiating rights.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

- Any player with four (4) or five (5) years of service.
- If the player’s team makes her a Qualifying Offer, the team retains a right of first refusal with regard to the player.
- The player may then attempt to negotiate with other teams for a better contract (compensation, length, salary protections, etc.).
- Once the player decides which new team’s offer (“Offer Sheet”), if any, she would like to accept, she presents that Offer Sheet to her prior team.
- Her prior team has ten (10) days to match the Offer Sheet.
- If her prior team matches the offer, the terms of the Offer Sheet become her contract with her prior team.
- If her prior team does not match the Offer Sheet, then the player and the new team have a contract based on the terms in the Offer Sheet.
- The Qualifying Offer for a Restricted Free Agent must be for one year and for the greater of:
- The applicable Minimum Base Salary; or
- The Base Salary contained in the player’s last season contract.

RESERVED PLAYERS

- Any player with three (3) or fewer years of service.
- Team must make player a Reserved Qualifying Offer.
- If her team makes a Reserved Qualifying Offer, the player must negotiate exclusively with her prior team.
- If her team does not make a Reserved Qualifying Offer, the player becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent.
- The Qualifying Offer for a Reserved Player must be for at least the applicable Minimum Salary based on the player’s number of years in the league.

CORE PLAYERS

- A player may not be designated as a Core Player for more than five (5) seasons throughout her career, except that
- A player who has been designated as a Core Player for five (5) seasons prior to the 2008 season may be designated as a Core Player by the team for which she last played for up to two (2) additional, consecutive seasons beginning with the first season after the expiration of her Player Contract covering the 2007 season.
- A player who has been designated for four (4) seasons prior to the 2008 season may be designated as a Core Player
(1) by the team for which she last played
- Up to two (2) consecutive, additional seasons beginning with the first season after the expiration of her contract covering the 2007 season or
- For one additional season at any time
- By any other team for one additional time

QUALIFYING OFFERS

- All Qualifying Offers are for one (1) year.
- No Qualifying Offer can provide for Base Salary protections.
- The qualifying offer is not necessarily the contract a player’s prior team will ultimately sign with the player. Players and teams may negotiate for a salary and for other terms beyond what is contained in the Qualifying Offer. A qualifying offer has to meet the basic threshold based on a player’s status as a free agent and is for a period of only one year. Thus, a player may negotiate with her prior team beyond the initial qualifying offer.
- A player who knows or should have known of a physical disability or other condition (including pregnancy) that would render her unable to perform her contract, may not accept a Qualifying Offer.

Changing of the guards

Big trades today:

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (March 12, 2014) — The Connecticut Sun announced today that it has acquired Alex Bentley in a trade that sent Kara Lawson to the Washington Mystics.

Earlier in the day, Washington traded Matee Ajavon and its second round (No. 18) pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft to Atlanta in exchange for Bentley and a third round (No. 32) pick in this year’s draft.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Champions, and a milestone

#18 Gonzaga clipped BYU for the West Coast Conference Championship, 71-57.

#23 DePaul topped St. John's for the Big East Championship, 65-57.

South Dakota beat Denver for the Summit League title, 82-71.

Pennsylvania dethroned Princeton for the Ivy League Championship, 80-64.

Full scoreboard.

Major milestone:

Jerica Coley scored her 3,000th career point tonight in Florida International's rout of Rice:

FIU senior Jerica Coley did not initially understand how rare it is for a women's college basketball player to reach the 3,000-point mark.

When it was explained to her, she was blown away.

Coley is the 10th player in NCAA Division I history to eclipse the 3,000-point barrier, doing so with a 20-point showing Tuesday in FIU's 85-65 win over Rice in the first round of the Conference USA tournament at El Paso, Texas.

She's at 3,012 points for her career, and will get at least one more chance to keeping adding to the total when the Panthers (13-17) play East Carolina on Wednesday in the tournament's second round.


Top five:

The NCAA's pick for top five performances of the first round of championships this past weekend are: Abigail Corning, Fordham; Isabelle Harrison, Tennessee; Rachel Theriot, Nebraska; Ariya Crook, USC; and Taylor Hall, Chattanooga.

High school rankings "all shook up"

Losses mean new opportunities for other teams:

1. Blackman
2. Windward
3. Incarnate Word Academy
4. Dunvanville
5. Mater Dei
6. Manvel
7. Regis Jesuit
8. Myers Park
9. Bedford North Lawrence
10. Long Beach Polytechnic
11. Lawrence North
12. St. Mary's
13. Rock Bridge
14. Whitney Young
15. Riverdale Baptist
16. M.X. Shabazz
17. Salmen
18. New Hope Christian Academy
19. McEachern
20. Southwest Dekalb
21. Etiwanda
22. Sierra Canyon
23. Neumann-Goretti
24. Salesian
25. Miami Senior

USA Today top 25 poll

This week's USA Today top 25:

1. Connecticut
2. Notre Dame
3. Tennessee
4. Louisville
5. Stanford
6. Baylor
7. West Virginia
8. South Carolina
9. Maryland
10. Duke
11. Kentucky
12. Nebraska
13. North Carolina
14. Texas A&M
15. Penn State
16. Gonzaga
17. North Carolina State
18. Oklahoma State
19. Purdue
20. Middle Tennessee State
21. California
22. DePaul
23. Iowa State
24. Michigan State
25. Iowa

Trade one: Mercury acquire Erin Phillips from the Fever

The Phoenix Mercury have acquired point guard Erin Phillips from the Indiana Fever, in exchange for their first-round draft pick, and forward Lynetta Kizer.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Five more tickets punched

Conference champions tonight:

Chattanooga routed Davidson, 71-45, for the Southern Conference title. Coach Jim Foster is the fist coach in NCAA history to lead four different teams to the NCAA Tournament.

Marist topped Quinnipiac, 70-66, for their ninth straight MAAC title.

UConn downed Louisville, 72-52, to take the first American Athletic Conference Championship.

Baylor held on to defeat West Virginia, 74-71, for the Big 12 Championship.

Albany thrashed Stony Brook, 70-46, for the America East title.

Full scoreboard.

It's coach shedding season:

Jennifer Mountain's contract won't be renewed at Santa Clara.

Binghamton won't offer Nicole Scholl a contract renewal.

Brown coach Jean Burr will retire after 26 years.

Arizona coach Niya Butts may keep her job despite a poor season.

WBCA/Russell Athletic "Together we R" Team Award:

Finalists are: Colorado Christian University, the University of North Carolina, Purdue University and the University of South Carolina.

More news:

Former Miami coach Lin Dunn was named an ACC legend Saturday.