Thursday, March 30, 2017

19 hours, 15 minutes until the semifinals

Final Four:

Which teams will advance to the Final Four?

Six story lines to follow at the Final Four.

The Samuelson sisters aren't distracted by a possible game clash.

Follow John Samuelson's odyssey to watch his daughters play.

South Carolina:

Dawn Staley will take on her mentor, Tara VanDerveer, tomorrow night.

A'ja Wilson has taken her leadership to another level.

Coach Dawn Staley on the Final Four: "it's what you play for."

The Gamecocks use the "Heads Up" game as a way to bond.

Mississippi State:

The Bulldogs are older and wiser entering their rematch with the Huskies.

A willingness to take charges is behind Mississippi State's toughness.

The Bulldogs are tuned into what they can control.

Morgan William: the reason I play.

Father-daughter duo Vic Schaefer and Blair Schaefer are leading Mississippi State to the Final Four.

UConn:

Everything's coming together for Napheesa Collier.

Stanford:

Stanford faces a tall task to stop South Carolina.

Awards:

AP coach and player of the year honors go to Geno Auriemma and Kelsey Plum.

Kelsey Plum is grateful for the award.

College team news:

Maryland doesn't want a Sweet 16 exit to define its season.

Clemson is confident about its future.

College coach news:

Coach Pat Summitt's belongings will be auctioned off tomorrow.

Sean O'Regan shone in his first season as JMU coach.

Fans react to Keitha Adams leaving UTEP.

Geno Auriemma says not as many women want to coach today.

WNBA news:

President Lisa Borders is eyeing attendance and ratings goals
.

Rachel Banham is ready for the season.

Cool bonus:

Kate Starbird is kicking behind as a UW professor.

WNBA Draft details released

April 13, NYC, 7 p.m. ET.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Stories, story lines and news

Final Four news:

Analyzing the Final Four.

Vic Schaefer and Geno Auriemma will coach against each other in the Final Four.

Coaches are on display as Stanford faces South Carolina.

South Carolina:

The team went directly to the Final Four from regionals.

The Gamecocks learned from their 2015 Final Four experience.

South Carolina has turned into hoops country.

Stanford:

The "unselfish" Cardinal remind coach Tara VanDerveer of her 1992 Championship team.

Stanford is preparing for South Carolina.

The Cardinal's team approach suits their point guard, with eight siblings.

Stanford earned its trip as a cohesive team.

Mississippi State:

Mississippi State has grown from last year's regional loss to UConn.

The Bulldogs still feel the sting from that loss.

The next step is the hardest for Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs look for redemption.

They are out to take their best shot against UConn.

Carly Thibault is carrying on the winning family name with the Bulldogs.

Connecticut:

Kia Nurse has taken her game to another level.

The Final Four gets harder and harder, Geno Auriemma says.

Q&A with Auriemma.

This year's Husky squad has forged its own identity.

Tournament attendance:

Attendance at regionals was the lowest in 20 years.

Tournament commentary:

Glory for women and money for men in the NCAA Tournament.

Championship atmosphere? Not unless the NCAA changes.

College team news:

How West Texas became the cradle of women's basketball.

St. Louis will bolster their RPI by scheduling tougher opponents.

Oregon State basketball outlook.

Tennessee could learn from Mississippi State.

FSU's season is over but the culture endures.

College player news:

Kelsey Mitchell will return to Ohio State for her senior season. (Don't say I didn't tell you so)

Oregon State's Sydney Wiese is thankful forever.

Three players are leaving Texas State and one is leaving Boston College.

College coach news:

Delisha Milton-Jones has been promoted to head coach at Pepperdine.

Wichita State will hire UTEP's Keitha Adams.

Rechelle Turner is Murray State's new coach.

WNIT:

It'll be Michigan vs. Georgia Tech in the Championship Saturday.

McDonald's All-American game:

The East rallied for an OT win behind MVP Relle Boothe.

High school news:

Is Duncanville the UConn of girls high school basketball? They're more alike than you may know.

WNBA news:

LeanIn.Org, NBA, WNBA, and NBPA have launched a new campaign promoting gender equality.

Overseas report.

Lindsay Whalen and Cheryl Reeve did a chant before a hockey game last night.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Three days until the semifinals

All Final Four teams have landed in Dallas.

The Final Four:

Ten things to know ahead of the Final Four.

Why each Final Four team could win it all.

Coaches of all four teams share a rich history.

What to look for in the Final Four.

Mississippi State is heartbroken no more.

UConn is the heavy favorite.

Husky Napheesa Collier feels the pull of the family name.

Geno Auriemma looks back fondly at meeting with Vic Schaefer last year.

NCAA Tournament team news:

South Carolina is fighting to join the NCAA elite.

College team news:

UCLA hopes to lengthen their NCAA run next year.

The future is bright for Notre Dame.

The days of being the underdogs are likely over for Oregon.

The Ducks' magical run has left them hungry for more.

Oregon State looks toward the future.

Michigan is overcoming adversity in the WNIT.

Five takeaways from Louisville's season.

Purdue is looking ahead to next season.

Iowa this year: not good, not bad, not memorable.

What happened to Northwestern?

College coach news:

Abilene Christian coach Julie Goodenough will receive the Kay Yow Heart of a Coach Award.

Northern Iowa coach Tanya Warren has received a two-year contract extension.

Wichita State is interviewing Texas A&M assistant coach Kelly Bond-White for their head coaching job.

Jim Turgeon is Denver's new coach.

Pro news:

Becky Hammon is the front runner to be the NBA's first female head coach.

The league's commissioner hopes for a female coach.

If he has his way, it will be soon.

High school news:

National leading scorer Destiny Littleton is weighing her recruiting options again.

McDonald's All-American game:

....is tomorrow.

A day in the life of Relle Boothe.

Alexis Morris is excited about playing.

Sidney Cooks is ready to display her skills.

Queen of Peace's Raven Farley-Clark is ready to play.

West Side's Dana Evans is ready to show out.

Thanks to her big brother's influence, Kiana Williams is set to play.

Monday, March 27, 2017

Sunday, March 26, 2017

The wild, wild road to the Final Four

What a game day! I'm exhausted. But exhilarated.......

Morgan William scored a career-high 41 points to lead Mississippi State past Baylor in overtime, 94-85.

William was in tears right after the win, because yesterday marked the third anniversary of the death of her father. She dedicated the win to him.

It's the first Final Four in program history for the Bulldogs. Congrats to them.

Earlier in the day, Stanford toppled No. 1 seed Notre Dame, 76-75, in a game that also went down to the wire. The Irish threw up a shot at the last second, but Erica McCall's block sent it to the sidelines. Brittany McPhee had 27 points for the winners.

It's the thirteenth Final Four trip for the Cardinal.

Tomorrow it's Oregon vs. Connecticut and South Carolina vs. Florida State for the last two spots.

Final Four:

Florida State gets another shot at South Carolina tomorrow in the Stockton regional.

Gamecock coach Dawn Staley isn't sleeping much as she and her team prepare for a physical match up.

It's a fun time to watch the Seminoles.

Oregon needs a monumental upset to reach the Final Four.

The Ducks, with three freshmen starters and a savvy coach show not fear.

Oregon doesn't figure to be intimidated by UConn.

Husky senior Saniya Chong's journey has been rewarding.

Kelly Graves and Geno Auriemma admire each other.

Half of the Samuelson sister Final Four is set.

Team news:

Regret clutters the Notre Dame locker room.

The script has flipped for Arizona State: now the must replace their posts.

Player news:

TeeTee Starks will transfer from Iowa State.

WNIT news:

The semifinals are set: Villanova vs. Michigan and Washington State vs. Georgia Tech.

Odds and ends to catch you up

Our Bridgeport regional recap from yesterday.

Basketball is anywhere from 50-99 percent mental, depending on your view. Sabrina Ionescu's comments about Oregon playing loose seems to attest to the higher margin. Maryland, on the other hand, said they were thinking too much. "Let the game come to you," is more than just a catch-phrase. To play effectively, it's best to be in the middle: exerting relaxed but focused effort that is focused in the moment, and not on ultimate outcomes.

Shifting gears, the LA Times woke up just in time to send a reporter to UCLA's first- and second-round NCAA Tournament games last weekend. The reporter also wrote a story about Jordin Canada last week which, though her quote structure at the end was screwed up, at least showed the newspaper is trying to care.

They sent the writer to Bridgeport, and she came up with this story. This was the most touching part:

“I don’t want it to end,” UCLA Coach Cori Close said after the game as her voice cracked and tears welled in her eyes. “I thought they fought their guts out.”

We know what you mean, Cori Close. Felt the same way. And appreciate you for being a caring coach.

NCAA Tournament team news:

South Carolina is bracing for Florida State.

Mississippi State strives to achieve the success of Baylor.

The Bulldogs' success is all about strength and conditioning.

The Bears will face a tower of power in the Bulldogs.

Baylor has plenty of options as they strive for the Final Four.

The Bears have depth.

NCAA Tournament player news:

Fifth-year back up Tiffany Davis is getting her moment in the Tournament for South Carolina.

Oregon State's seniors are leaving a lasting legacy.

NCAA Tournament coach news:

UConn coach Geno Auriemma isn't surprised by Oregon's Tournament success.

A confident coach Sue Semrau is leading a confident Florida State team.

How Mississippi State coach Vic Schaefer built an Elite 8 team.

College team news:

Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale hopes to find a go-to player in the off-season.

Missouri took another step this season.

Saturday, March 25, 2017

And then there were eight

Today's Elite 8 competition began with an upset:

Oregon took down Maryland, 77-63. Only three double-digit seeds have reached that round in tournament history, and Duck coach Kelly Graves coached two of them.

Then:

Connecticut struggled to a win against UCLA, 86-71. The Huskies have won 110 straight.

South Carolina ended Quinnipiac's magical run with a 100-58 rout.

Florida State staged a comeback to beat Oregon State, 66-53.

Tomorrow's schedule sees Stanford vs. Notre Dame and Baylor vs. Mississippi State.

Elite 8 previews and story lines:

Finding the perfect mix of players will be key for Mississippi State and Baylor.

Notre Dame and Stanford will meet again, with a Final Four trip on the line.

The Irish are set for a chess game with the Cardinal.

Upset-minded Oregon now sets their sights on UConn.

NCAA Tournament team news:

The glass is half full for Notre Dame.

What's next for Washington - reset or reload?

Photos from last night's Washington-Mississippi State game.

Quinnipiac's run helped boost the school.

The Lady Vols have a lot to think about before next season.

NCAA Tournament player news:

After delivering the joyride of a season, the Washington seniors won't be forgotten.

UCLA's Jordin Canada is the archetype for UConn's Crystal Dangerfield.

The Samuelson sisters keep in touch through their games.

Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson are at the forefront of UConn's quest for another title.

Can Erin Boley deliver big for Notre Dame again?

Will Kelsey Mitchell leave Ohio State early for the WNBA draft, or will she stay?

She hasn't made a decision, but Tennessee's Mercedes Russell has, and she's staying.

College player news:

Precious Hall ends her career at James Madison as a legend.

Emily Thomas is leaving UNCW.

Recruiting news:

Oregon State's got a 6-9 signee.

WNIT:

Results and schedule for tomorrow.

Friday, March 24, 2017

Elite

Half of the Elite 8 has been decided:

Notre Dame trounced Ohio State, 99-76.

Mississippi State defeated Washington, 75-64.

Stanford prevailed over Texas, 77-66.

Louisville pounded Baylor, 97-63.

Tomorrow's schedule.

Another grip of news

NCAA Tournament team news:

UCLA is ready for UConn in the Sweet 16.

UConn's success recipe is run, run, and run more.

Maryland is riding the rails to the regional.

The Terps are fueled by regret as they head into tomorrow's game.

Oregon State has been winning with grit and experience.

South Carolina stands in the way for Quinnipiac.

Unspoiled by success, the Gamecocks keep striving.

Texas makes their first trip to Lexington since 1986.

NCAA Tournament player news:

It all starts with point guard Jordin Canada for UCLA.

How Washington's Kelsey Plum took over college basketball.

Plum and Chantel Osahor: how we do it in the Pacific Northwest.

How Plum and Oregon State's Sydney Wiese transformed their programs.

Baylor's Lauren Cox has juggled type I diabetes in her first year at Baylor.

UConn's Natalie Butler is looking to make her mark during the Tournament.

Allisha Gray's injury stressed South Carolina fans, but not her.

The NCAA will honor last year's Team USA gold medalists during the Final Four.

NCAA Tournament coach news:

UCLA coach Cori Close spent time learning from UConn.

John Wooden and Geno Auriemma are Close's mentors.

College team news:

What's next for Middle Tennessee's 10 returnees?

After a championship season, Gonzaga looks for more next year.

There's a culture change happening at Virginia Tech.

Cal's ride ended in the NCAA Tournament.

College player news:

Incoming freshman Anastasia Hayes is ready to make an impact at Tennessee.

The curtain has closed on the career of Middle Tennessee's Ty Petty.

Sophomore forward Brenna Wise is leaving Pitt.

New Mexico's Hannah Sjerven is transferring to South Dakota.

College coach news:

Sources say Florida has offered Becky Hammon the head coach job.

Iowa State has extended coach Bill Fennelly's contract through 2022.

The game:

Fourteen women's hoops fans share why they love the game.

Women are stealing the show during March Madness, but the NCAA continues to neglect them.

UConn's dynasty reveals the sexism in March Madness.

An SI writer has seen the light about the beauty of women's basketball.

International news:

Turkish women's hoops has made a mark despite their proximity to war.

Thursday, March 23, 2017

T'was the night before the Sweet 16

LET'S GET THIS GOING AGAIN, ALREADY!!

General Tournament news:

Those witty NCAA WBB tweets? Ball State students.

NCAA Tournament team news:

Florida State is focused on the here and now.

Louisville is again looking for an upset against Baylor.

The Cardinals are shaking off the underdog label.

Washington braces for a stiff defensive test against Mississippi State.

Notre Dame looks to move on without injured forward Brianna Turner.

Are the Irish still ready for Tournament success?

Three freshman starters have helped Oregon to the Sweet 16.

Moments that defined the Ducks' season.

Oregon is going places, to the Sweet 16 and beyond.

The Ducks feel like they're playing with house money.

Oregon's rebuilt team prepares to play the Terps.

Maryland arrives in Bridgeport with plenty of motivation.

The Terps consider an ailing seven-year-old "like a little sister."

Oregon State's seniors leave a legacy at home, but a bigger treasure awaits.

Beaver Breanna Brown is focused on the present.

The Ducks and Beavers would love an all-Oregon NCAA Championship.

The Gamecocks are wary of "Cinderella" Quinnipiac.

The Bobcats are enjoying a memorable climb.

How 12-seed Quinnipiac became a mispronounced Cinderella.

The Bobcats' Tournament run will have a lasting impact.

Is UConn peaking at the right time?

NCAA Tournament player news:

Victoria Vivians: How we do it in Mississippi.

Washington's high-scoring Kelsey Plum leaves opponents befuddled.

Texas' Joyner Holmes and Stanford's Alanna Smith are ready to make impact in Sweet 16.

The development of Holmes coincides with a rematch with Stanford.

Ohio State's Stephanie Mavunga is progressing, but coach Kevin McGuff is noncommittal about her return.

Leticia Romero broke out of her slump at right time for Florida State.

Mississippi State's dad-daughter combination works - just ask mom Holly Schaefer.

NCAA Tournament coach news:

Geno Auriemma is the 2017 United States Marine Corps/WBCA National NCAA Division I Coach of the Year.

Karen Aston will coach against an icon when Texas meets Stanford.

Muffet McGraw and Kevin McGuff must put their friendship aside tomorrow.

Texas A&M coach Gary Blair has a unique perspective on the Mississippi State-Washington match up.

Washington coach Mike Neighbors faces a friendly foe in Mississippi State coach Vic Schaefer.

WNIT news:

Today's results and recaps.

College team news:

Five players - all international - will transfer from Maine.

College player news:

Jackie Benitez will transfer from Siena.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

A balanced meal of news

Regionals news:

Injury might change the landscape at Lexington.

Four of the nation's top teams are headed to Rupp Arena.

Stockton is preparing to host.

NCAA Tournament team news:

The Pac-12 is making a statement with five teams in the Sweet 16.

The NCAA Tournament has boosted support for women's hoops in Seattle.

Sue Semrau and Florida State are focused on Oregon State.

Notre Dame shifts gears for Ohio State after losing Brianna Turner.

Baylor heads to Oklahoma City - the site of both cheers and tears.

Travel challenges are just part of the NCAA Tournament for Stanford.

Texas seeks revenge in their rematch with the Cardinal.

Quinnpiac: tough to say, hard to beat.

Teh Bobcats seeks another upset against top seed South Carolina.

Baylor and Louisville will cross paths again.

Oregon is waiting for another chance to play road warriors.

Maryland isn't looking past the surprising Ducks.

Washington gave fans a party Monday, and now they're ready to keep dancing.

Washington is confident about a return trip to the Final Four.

Ohio State is in a better place in their return to the Sweet 16.

Oregon State will see familiar teams in Stockton.

Steady growth led to a storybook ending for the Beavers.

UConn is winning by playing unselfishly.

NCAA Tournament player news:

Allisha Gray will be able to play in the Sweet 16, South Carolina says.

Gamecock freshman Tyasha Harris plays beyond her years.

Destiny Slocum means a lot to Maryland.

Lindsay Allen has driven Notre Dame into the Sweet 16.

Oregon alums say the Ducks' Tournament run has brought them together.

WNIT news:

Games resume tomorrow.....bracket and schedule.

Kim Barnes Arico will face her former team as St. John's visits Michigan.

College program news:

Riverside's Athletic Director, Tamica Smith Jones, joins the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship Sport Committee.

College team news:

For Miami's seniors, Monday was a heartbreaking finish to their great careers.

College player news:

Up next for Syracuse's Brittney Sykes and Alexis Peterson: playing for pay.

College coach news:

Illinois is set to hire Nancy Fahey as their new coach.

Florida's pursuit of Becky Hammon is a big swing.

Holly Warlick could be coaching for her job next season.

Bryan Whitten's contract will not be renewed at Mount St. Mary's.

WNBA news:

Sweet 16 watch.

Walt Hopkins is Minnesota's new assistant coach.

High school news:

Don’t be that recruit: Five crazy stories told by college coaches.

Monday, March 20, 2017

Upsets, broken records, oh my!

If the rest of the NCAA Tournament is as heart-stopping as these first two rounds have been, I will need a couple more defibrillators......

Major upsets, bro:

Oregon upended Duke, 74-65, to reach their first Sweet 16.

Quinnipiac outlasted Miami, 85-78, to reach their first round of 16.

Another broken record for Kelsey Plum:

In Washington's 108-82 rout of Oklahoma, Kelsey Plum set an NCAA single-season scoring record. She now has 1,080 points.

More results:

Connecticut 94, Syracuse 64.

Baylor 86, Cal 46.

Stanford 69, Kansas State 48.

Louisville 75, Tennessee 64.

UCLA 75, Texas A&M 43.

Washington 108, Oklahoma 82 (Our reporter's game story).

Madness. Just Madness.

News before scores again

State of the game:

Early upsets and close games in the Tournament are a sign of changing times.

College team news:

Key injuries could derail South Carolina and Notre Dame.

Birds fly, grass grows, and the Maryland women are the last local team standing.

Texas has added mentality to its arsenal.

Slimantics: grinding and winning (Mississippi State).

Purdue pushed Notre Dame to the limit.

The Irish need to better prepare for life without Brianna Turner.

Drake hopes to learn from their early tournament exit.

FGCU has a bright future ahead after they impress again, and LSU's future also looking rosy.

UNI's senior trio leaves the program on solid ground.

College player news:

Don't be fooled: Chantel Osahor is much more than a complement to Kelsey Plum.

A reflective Makayla Epps looks back on her time at Kentucky.

Kristina Nelson's role will shift for Notre Dame.

Maturity and commitment have allowed Allisha Gray to make an impact with the Gamecocks.

Joyner Holmes is still a freshman, but we’re watching her grow with every game for Texas.

Quinn Dornstauder is changed by four years at Arizona State.

After an unsure start, Gabby Williams is soaring at UConn.

College coach news:

The success of Syracuse could push top Syracuse assistant coach Vonn Read into a new job.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Something in the water

It's only been three days of the NCAA Tournament, but the defibrillators have been on overdrive. Today there were THREE heart-stopping finishes:

Texas slipped by NC State, 84-80.

South Carolina held off Arizona State, 71-68.

Notre Dame needed an overtime to survive Purdue, 88-82.

LOVE the excitement!

But worried about Gamecock Allisha Gray and Irish woman Brianna Turner, who each left their respective games with injuries. Praying it's nothing serious.

More results:

Maryland 83, West Virginia 56.

Mississippi State 92, DePaul 71. And that's with coach Vic Schaefer trying out different starting lineups for the Dogs.

Florida State 77, Missouri 55.

Ohio State 82, Kentucky 68.

Oregon State 64, Creighton 52.

Tourney story lines

Stories about tomorrow's games:

Both Tennessee and Louisville rely on pressure defense.

The Lady Vols need a shipshape effort in their showdown with the Cardinals tomorrow.

Stanford looks to shake off the rust.

Georgia players could decide the UT-Louisville match up.

Diamond DeShields' bond with her father fuels her at Tennessee.

Kansas State isn't afraid of Stanford.

UConn is well aware of Syracuse's big-time back court.

We'll see if they have the best back court, UConn says.

Without Kyra Lambert, Duke is ready to face Oregon.

History made, Quinnipiac looks to scale the second step.

Jen Fay shines bright on the big stage for Quinnipiac.

Baylor will go from a record-setting win to a rematch with Cal tomorrow.

Baylor's incomparable length is a reason they'll go deep into the tourney.

Another mid-major will test Miami.

UCLA and Texas A&M are set for their second round match up.

Tomorrow's schedule.

College team news:

Michigan State is ready to lose Tori Jankoska.

LSU's future looks bright after their return to the Tournament.

Penn isn't there yet, but they're on the brink of a breakthrough.

What's next for Albany?

College coach news:

Syracuse coach Quentin Hillsman wants to be "bad for basketball" like Geno Auriemma.

Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell is ready to put departure talks on ice and focus on the future.

WNIT results:

Today's scores and recaps.

WNBA news:

Marissa Coleman says her Terps are determined to march on.

Breanna Stewart says March is the best time of the year. I couldn't agree more.

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Record-breaking, upsetting on day 2 of Tournament

Records broken:

Baylor set an NCAA Tournament record with an 89-point drubbing of Texas Southern, 119-30.

Texas A&M staged the biggest comeback in Tournament history, rallying back from 21 down in the fourth quarter to stun Penn, 63-61.

Upsets and chokin':

Quinnipiac upended Marquette, 68-65.

Oregon rallied past Temple, 71-70.

Cal got by LSU, 55-52.

Escapes and annihilations:

Miami 62, Florida Gulf Coast 60.

Stanford 72, New Mexico State 64.

Connecticut 116, Albany 55.

Duke 94, Hampton 31.

More results:

Washington 91, Montana State 63.

Louisville 82, Chattanooga 62.

UCLA 83, Boise State 56.

Kansas State 67, Drake 54.

Syracuse 85, Iowa State 65.

Oklahoma 75, Gonzaga 62.

Tennessee 66, Dayton 57.

Tomorrow's schedule.

College team news:

Maryland is at the same spot as last year's Tournament disappointment.

College player news:

Jadda Buckley will forego her final season at Iowa State.

Ohio State's Linnae Harper comes to grips with facing her former teammates tomorrow.

Makayla Epps is doing whatever it takes to extend her career.

College coach news:

A-freakin-mazing piece by Tennessee coach Holly Warlick: The voice in my head.

Cal coach Lindsay Gottlieb believed her team was NCAA-worth all along.

The catch up, part I

Stories flowing like flooded rivers.........

Day one recap:

A trio of great escapes yesterday.

NCAA Tournament team news:

Texas shakes off late-season fatigue for NCAA run.

Texas A&M enjoyed California before getting serious about NCAA play.

Oklahoma looks to rebound in the Tournament.

The gamble: Oregon coaches drew up a three-year rebuilding plan.

NCAA Tournament player news:

Alexis Peterson is transforming Syracuse with heart.

South Carolina post Alaina Coates is watching the Tournament from home.

Breanna Stewart is gone, but still dishing out assists to UConn.

WNIT news:

Round one recaps and scores from last night.

Friday, March 17, 2017

Round 1, day 1

Today's lone upset:

Purdue 74, Green Bay 62.

Close ones:

Missouri advanced on a last-second shot, 66-64 over South Florida.

Oregon State survived Long Beach State, 56-55.

Kentucky held off Belmont, 73-70.

Ohio State got past Western Kentucky, 70-63.

More results:

Maryland dominated Bucknell, 103-61.

West Virginia overcame Elon, 75-62.

NC State beat Auburn, 62-48.

DePaul routed Northern Iowa, 88-67.

South Carolina thrashed UNC Asheville, 90-40.

Texas downed Central Arkansas, 78-50.

Mississippi State left no doubt: 100-69 over Troy.

Notre Dame took care of Robert Morris, 79-49.

Florida State handled Western Illinois, 87-66.

Arizona State defeated Michigan State, 73-61.

Creighton pounded Toledo, 76-49.

The Tournament:

Belmont left a lasting impression today, despite their loss.

Notre Dame showed balance in their opener.

The Bridgeport regional is filled with quality passers.

NCAA Tournament team news:

Great chemistry helps UCLA do the dirty work.

So you're playing UConn: what it feels like to get the worst draw in sports.

The Rueck Effect: how a simple life lesson turned the tides for Oregon State basketball.

Tennessee is just another team to Dayton.

Montana State is excited for their test against Washington.

Oregon is emerging as the Pac 12's new power program.

FGCU is peaking at the right time.

Boise State is unfazed by UCLA's history.

The Bruins aren't looking past the Broncos.

UConn is taking nothing for granted ahead of their opener tomorrow.

NCAA Tournament player news:

Stanford's most emotional player, Erica McCall, eyes a national title.

Baylor guard Alexis Jones is expected back from injury tomorrow night for the team's Tournament opener.

Louisville's seniors are steeling themselves for a final NCAA run.

This could be the last NCAA Tournament for Tennessee's Diamond DeShields and Mercedes Russell.

Alex Harris is excelling since her transfer to Dayton.

Bucknell seniors made their mark on the program.

Kia Nurse's return makes UConn even better.

NCAA Tournament coach news:

Connecticut has little room for error, says coach Geno Auriemma.

The Lady Vols want to play better for coach Holly Warlick.

Tomorrow's NCAA Tournament schedule.

College player news:

Affidavit: Kansas men's player made threats against women's team member McKenzie Calvert.

Another story on that situation.

College coach news:

Marshall has promoted Tony Kemper from associate head coach to head coach.

The game:

Selling tickets is only part of the issue for women's basketball.

Women's hoops needs more representation during March Madness.

WTF: Where's the Fans? Texas is trying to address attendance.

WNBA news:

The Atlanta Dream will play games this season at McCamish Pavilion on the Georgia Tech campus.

Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart have signed a letter to defend LGBT rights in Texas.

Mike Neighbors, seniors formed lasting bond at Washington

Story.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Tournament news binge

General Tournament news:

First round coverage map.

Despite UConn's dominance, expect the unexpected in the Tournament.

Breaking down the Stockton regional.

The Big Ten is out to prove it is NCAA-worthy.

Tomorrow's schedule.

NCAA Tournament team news:

Maryland will let go of their seed contention and begin their challenging path.

The Terps are lead by seniors and freshmen, who formed a fast bond.

South Carolina tips off the tourney without half of their low-post duo.

Stanford hits the road for the Tournament.

Florida State hopes their two-week break gets them back on track.

Montana State is bracing for Washington's Kelsey Plum.

Arizona State is at full strength for the Tournament.

Hitting the road is nothing new for the Oregon Ducks - it's the way they roll.

Green Bay looks to advance on the biggest stage.

Auburn's success have paved the way on the recruiting trail.

Long Beach State is finally back in the tourney.

For Miami, the Tournament has special meaning this year.

Breaking down film with the Hurricanes.

Two views of the Lady Vols for the Tournament.

The Gamecocks are ready for life without Alaina Coates.

Michigan State must contend with Arizona State's stingy defense.

Makayla Epps and Kentucky have unfinished business in Lexington.

Belmont is ready to chuck it into the cheap seats against the Wildcats.

The afterthought of Texas A&M's senior class helped keep their win streak going.

The long journey of Robert Morris basketball.

NCAA Tournament player news:

It's the last chance for Baylor's Nina Davis to get to the Final Four.

Purdue's Dominique Oden has developed a scoring mindset.

Tynice Martin leads West Virginia.

Missouri's Cunningham sisters relish their final games together, and aim to keep going.

Some ex-Kentucky players are now back in a gym they once called home.

NCAA Tournament coach news:

Oregon State assistant coaches Katie Baker and Brian Holsinger have fit in well this season.

Timing paved the way for DePaul's Doug Bruno to get into coaching.

It takes guts and fearlessness to play for Geno Auriemma.

The tourney brings a fresh vibe for coach Sue Semrau and the Seminoles.

In their historic season, Elon has fulfilled coach Charlotte Smith's vision.

Long Beach State sends Oregon State coach Scott Rueck down memory lane.

WNIT news:

Colorado senior Haley Smith is excited to extend her playing career.

Penn State's Teinya Page is leading her team into the WNIT.

Today's scores.

Today's recaps.

College player news:

Amid allegations of unfair treatment, Kansas will meet with the father of McKenzie Calvert.

WNBA news:

Senior watch from the Bridgeport region.

Senior watch from the Oklahoma City region.

A fan mural and a special logo highlight the Sun's 15th season.

Season TV schedule.

I asked for this two weeks ago, but......I guess the draft order didn't come out until Tuesday.

High school news:

Indiana Gatorade POY Karissa McLaughlin is swamped with suitors after reopening her recruitment. She had committed to Florida.