Why I'm rooting for LSU

Hard not to root for George Mason, but I think LSU is an even better story. The Globe's Stan Grossfield tells that story nicely.

He's no Jim Murray, but who is...

Bill Plaschke, a fantastic writer himself, looks back at legend Jim Murray.

Final Four links

If South Carolina wins the NIT, does it brag about being Back to Back NIT Champions? Do you sell T-Shirts for this? Do you tell recruits about the NIT Dynasty?

On to the real tournament...

Dan Wetzel says George Mason can win.

Diane Pucin on LSU's brotherhood.

Bob Hohler of on the legacy of Collis Temple III's father.

Mike Wise on GMU's Lamar Butler.

The Washington Times on Tony Skinn.

Bob Kravitz isn't excited about the Kelvin Sampson hire.

Berry Tramel says Sampson has the last laugh.

This story about Duke lacrosse is disturbing and going to get worse.

Legs

I just like this photo.

"He hits like a woman" Joey Gathright on Julian Tavarez.

GMU Time

Mike Vaccaro says we've been waiting along time for this.
Michael Wilbon ponders where this one fits among all-time great upsets.
Jay Mariotti remembers why this is the coolest sporting event out there.
Jeff Jacobs says UConn got what it deserved.
Dave Solomon says it was a great game unless you live in Connecticut.

Big Baby, bad reffing and snake eating

It's hard not to write a good story on Glen Davis and Houston Chronicle scribe John Lopez delivers another good one. In it, Davis refers to his team's next goal as the "Final Feezy." LSU people should make T-Shirts with that on it if the Tigers make it.

Art Thiel said another team from Washington got screwed. The New Haven Register's Dave Solomon doesn't entirely disagree.

ESPN has a story on Mbah a Moute (with a goofy headline). In it the Cameroon native talks about eating snakes.

Projo.com's Jim Donaldson wants to know if we can stop treating Duke like a dynasty now.

Tourney stuff

Geoff Caulkins has a fun column about the stat monitors not being able to keep up with Memphis.
John Feinstein looks at mid-majors coming of age.
The West Virginia Gazette eulogizes the Mountaineers run.
Bill Plaschke is stunned by UCLA's comeback.
John Canzano's heart goes out to Adam Morrison.
UConn freshman Jeff Adrien is writing a blog for the Boston Herald during the tournament.
The Baton Rouge Advocate looks at perhaps the biggest win in LSU history.

Richie V?

Dave Scott, an old friend from college has a really good article on Dick Vitale in New Jersey Monthly. Whether or not you like Vitale's schtick, he's a truly good man.

Tourney eve

Dan Wetzel annually writes a column on why the NCAA Tournament is the nation's best sporting event. Every year it delivers.

This is the sympathetic story of a rapist playing in the NCAA Tournament. I don’t think I can feel sympathy for a guy who’s version of a “mistake” was breaking into a house and raping a woman a knife point. I hope he truly has turned his life around. It’s an interesting story regardless.

I’m a lot more sympathetic to Tony Skinn, who made an actual mistake.

This was an unfortunate way for John Chaney’s and Mardy Collins’ careers to end.

Has the CAA passed the A-10?

Andy Katz says the Missouri Valley has to win some games now.

Chaney "disappears"

To Mike Kern’s credit, he could have written a Chaney retiring story weeks or even months ago and had it ready to go. But he whipped up something fresh and its good. If you don’t like Chaney the coach, it’s hard not to like Chaney the husband.

Phil Sheridan says he’s the human equivalent of the Liberty Bell.

Mike Jensen has reaction

Marc Narducci does too.

Adrian Wojnarowski takes a personal look at the man.

Ian O’Connor says Chaney’s pros outweighed the cons

Rich Hoffman looks at a true original

Jerry Izenburg, a Chaney contemporary looks at a retired Chaney

Shaun Powell says Chaney’s flaws added to who he was

Mike Kern writes about Chaney’s bizarre necktie tradition

A Daily News Op-Ed says Chaney was Philadelphia

Elmer Smith says Chaney was a soft heart on hardwood.

Selection Monday links

Gregg Doyel says the committee needs some geography lessons


Vitale picks UConn to win it. He said Cincy got snubbed, which I give him credit for. The committee snubbing Cincy made Vitale’s preseason prediction (he said Cincy won’t get in) come true.

Wetzel on Gonzaga


Pat Forde looks at the bracket and criticizes Jim Nantz and Billy Packer.


Add the MVC to the long list of people that don’t like Billy Packer. If this club had a membership card it’d be in my wallet.

Temple coach John Chaney expected to announce his retirement today

Air Force didn't even watch the Selection Show


Al Skinner thinks his team got screwed

Bob Ryan likes BC’s chances

USA Today on Belmont

Wilbon predicts lots of upsets

Tony Kornheiser’s bracket took less work than his seven inch columns.

Pat Forde is interesting. Coach K is paranoid

Pat Forde looks at the return of the white basketball player.

The Washington Post has a great look at the shaky academic past of George Washington's Omar Williams and how easy it is to beat the system. It's not an indictment of Williams, as much as it is an expose on how far behind the NCAA is in policing this sort of thing.

Andrei Kirilenko has a weird marriage. Why would he or his wife even have this discussion with a reporter?

Coack K is doing his best imitation of the backside of an equine.