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Entering Transitions Championship, John Daly says success just a couple of swings away

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By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 14, 2011

PALM HARBOR — John Daly believes he's a swing or two away from being competitive again. But those swings have been the difference between making and missing cuts.

Daly, 44, has made one cut in five tournaments this year. In last week's Puerto Rico Open, he missed the cut by one shot. But Daly is upbeat about his game before this week's Transitions Championship at Innisbrook.

He has lost 131 pounds and now weighs a svelte 187. It has taken time to adjust his swing to the new body type, but he swears he's close.

"The hard work has to pay off sooner or later," Daly said. "I just can't keep going this bad. I'm close to being really good. Every week, I'm seeing so much more improvement. I think I'm used to the body change. It's just one or two bad swings. That's the way the whole year has gone so far.

"I'd play 15, 16, maybe 17 good holes and then a swing comes out of hell. A big ol' duck hook about 40 yards left. It comes out of nowhere. I don't know if it's focus or what. I mean, I'm making a ton of birdies."

Daly, who moved to Clearwater's Island Estates more than a year ago, has cashed one check this year, $12,006 for a tie for 65th at the Farmer's Insurance Open. He is in the Transitions Championship on a sponsor's exemption. He played with Rays pitcher David Price in Monday's celebrity pro-am.

Daly said he hopes to play in 20 events this year as he did last year. He is not qualified for next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, but he hopes to get into the Houston tournament in two weeks. And he plans on selling merchandise in Augusta, Ga., during Masters week in early April.

As for his game, he hopes the golf gods will start smiling on him again.

"Maybe they're still mad at me, I don't know," he said.

Don't bet on Austin: Former Tampa resident Woody Austin grew up playing at Babe Zaharias Golf Course. He has three PGA Tour victories and earned millions. But here's what he thinks his chances are of competing this week.

"Zero," he said. "Pretty much zero. This golf course is tough, but I couldn't play Babe Zaharias right now."

Austin, playing on a sponsor's exemption, blames part of his poor play on living in Kansas. He said the weather has limited his play, and he has to adjust his swing to the constant winds.

"I'm going through a big transition in my swing, and it's just terrible," Austin said. "I wasn't doing my due diligence and paying attention to my ball positioning. Playing in that Kansas wind every day, my ball positioning got so far behind me that my golf swing is really bad now."

Huston in: Palm Harbor's John Huston, the 2000 tournament champion, joined the field. Huston earned a sponsor's exemption spot when Alvaro Quiros withdrew after an injury during Sunday's final round of the WGC Cadillac Championship in Doral. Now every past champion of the Transitions Championship is in the field. This is his third event this season, and he has not made a cut. Huston turns 50 on June 1 and plans to join the Champions Tour.

Monday qualifiers: Tampa resident Travis Hampshire shot 66 to lead all Monday qualifiers at Innisbrook's Island Course. Russell Knox, Jason Kokrak and Will Claxton also qualified with 67s.

Pro-am winners: The team of professional Daniel Summerhays, Bucs player Ronde Barber and amateurs Brian Hauser, Al Villavecchia and Lance Anderson won the celebrity pro-am with a net score of 13-under 58.

Today: Players' practice rounds are scheduled. Most of the field will be in town by today. The best viewing will be around the practice green and the driving range.


Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos says playoffs more important than goals

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 14, 2011

TORONTO — Steven Stamkos, with a league-best 43 goals, six more than anyone else entering Monday, might be the only NHL player to reach 50. But the Lightning center said he would sacrifice the mark "any day" to reach the playoffs.

"If it comes, it comes," said Stamkos, who last season tied Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby with a league-best 51. "But I want to be in the playoffs. It's something I haven't experienced yet.

"Last year was different. Everyone was trying to get me that goal because winning wasn't the top priority when you're out of the playoffs. You want to win, but when you're out of the playoffs, it's tough. This year, we're right in the thick of things."

Stamkos has just three goals in 16 games but has two goals, eight points in his past five.

"My game is getting better, and I'm getting the confidence back," he said. "You want to feel that way coming into this part of the season."

But that has nothing to do with Stamkos reaching 50 goals, coach Guy Boucher said:

"Stammer is the first one who doesn't really care about the number. He cares about making his team win. Some people say that, but in this case, it's true; so, for us, the numbers don't really matter."

BOTTOM LINE: C Dominic Moore said he agrees with Canucks star Henrik Sedin, who told the Vancouver Sun that players must lead the way to make the game safer.

"The players need to be more proactive about it, for sure," said Moore, Tampa Bay's rep to the players association, "maybe take the reins as well, deciding what they want and getting together with the league and working with them to find the right solution. I'm optimistic."

INJURIES: D Randy Jones (high ankle sprain) likely will not play again in the regular season, said Boucher, who made it sound as if getting him back for the playoffs would be a bonus. … W Ryan Malone, out 15 games with a torn stomach muscle, skated with the team and wore a red jersey. He said he is about 75 percent and still has discomfort but added, "I'm not worried about making it back by a certain time." Malone is expected back by April.

GOOD BOYS: Monday's game was the first this season in which Tampa Bay did not get a power play. Toronto was called for two penalties, but both coincidental with Lightning penalties. Boucher sarcastically called the Leafs "the cleanest team in the league."

CHEW ON THIS: Stamkos said two tooth caps installed Saturday after he took a stick in the mouth against the Panthers did not prevent enjoyment of a home-cooked meal Monday.

"A little sore," said Stamkos, raised in Unionville, Ontario, near Toronto. "I just put the food in the back of my mouth and chewed."

ODDS AND ENDS: The Lightning swept a season series (4-0-0) from the Maple Leafs for the first time in team history. … W Marty St. Louis, like Stamkos, has two goals, six assists in five-game points streaks. … D Pavel Kubina sat out the last game of a three-game suspension for Wednesday's elbow to the head of Chicago's David Bolland. … RW Steve Downie (ankle/knee) and D Matt Smaby also were scratched.

Charlie Weis happy with new Florida Gators job

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 14, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Charlie Weis carries one of his multiple Super Bowl rings in his pocket because it comes in handy when he wants to make a splash with recruits. He's so close with Tom Brady he calls him "Tommy." Long before he arrived, he said he admired the Gators from afar under former coach Urban Meyer. Now he's happy to be at Florida. And, no, there won't be any major clashes with new coach Will Muschamp because, quite frankly Weis isn't interested in Muschamp's job.

Weis, 54, arrived at Florida in late January with a reputation as a surly, brilliant offensive coordinator with little love for the media. But in his first news conference, Weis was engaging, candid and quite humorous as he talked about how concern for his family led to his new job, the pro-style offense he plans to run and why QB John Brantley is a good fit for his offense.

Weis and his wife have a special needs daughter, Hannah, who wasn't adjusting well in Kansas City, where he was offensive coordinator for the Chiefs last season after being fired as Notre Dame coach. His wife had already planned to move back to South Bend, Ind., where he has a foundation and where Hannah will eventually reside, when Muschamp called.

"It was a fairly easy decision, and almost all of it was directly related to family issues," Weis said. " … When Will called and I thought about how I could best take care of my family, I thought about how my son could go to school here. My wife is a horse person and I'm buying a house in the Ocala area, so I got serious brownie points on that end, too. So the fact that I could take care of my wife, daughter and son and kind of mesh everything together, really it's as simple an answer as that one."

Weis said he knew Muschamp only through conversations with Texas coach Mack Brown. But he believes the two will work well together. Muschamp said Monday that he doesn't want a staff of "yes men," and Weis said his experiences as a head coach can be invaluable for a first-year coach. There's no mistaking who's in charge, Weis said.

"I think that we mesh very well together," he said. "He's the boss and wanted a guy to turn the offense over to, so I was a very good complement to what he was looking for. … I think it's a very comfortable situation for me, because I didn't come here to take his job. I just wanted to come run the offense."

DEFENDING THE 2: The men's basketball team received a ton of criticism over its selection as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but coach Billy Donovan said that's about what he expected.

"I'm not surprised at all," he said. "Did I think we were going to get a 2 seed? I didn't know. I thought we were right in the middle of a 2 or a 3. … If you look at our whole body of work, I think we probably had as many wins against the RPI top 50 as any school in the country. Then I think you look at the fact of where you play on the road and what we did on the road and what we did in our nonconference schedule and who we played. I wasn't surprised if you look at the whole season."

BASKETBALL HONORS: Donovan and senior F Chandler Parsons were named SEC coach and player of the year by the Associated Press on Monday. Parsons was a unanimous selection. Last week, the two earned the same honors from SEC coaches. Florida junior G Erving Walker was a second team All-SEC selection (list, 6C).

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.

Ronde Barber says Tampa Bay Bucs have lockout leaders

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 14, 2011

PALM HARBOR — Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber will enter his 15th season, the most experienced player on the youngest team in the league. But he credits 23-year-old quarterback Josh Freeman for organizing practices during the NFL lockout.

"We have some great young leaders on our team," Barber, 35, said Monday from the Shelton Quarles Celebrity Pro-Am at Innisbrook. "It's amazing that a guy like Josh has already got everything all set up for the offseason in anticipation of this.

"It's not ideal; it's not what we want. But until we get something resolved, we'll work as best we can."

Bucs coach Raheem Morris said the continuity of the staff should help players until the labor issue is resolved. The defensive line will be most affected because the team hired new defensive line coaches Keith Millard and Grady Stretz.

"I think a lot of our young guys will have a good feel about what to do," Morris said from the pro-am.

Barber's twin brother, Tiki, will end his retirement and attempt to make a comeback to the NFL after missing four seasons. The Bucs, Jets and Raiders have been mentioned as possibly having an interest in Tiki, who rushed for 1,662 yards in 2006, his final season with the Giants.

Will Ronde be reunited with Tiki, about to turn 36, in 2011?

"We'll see what materializes," Ronde said. "Tiki apparently has nothing at all else to do. I've heard him talk about it for a year or so. Tiki was great when he left. He's been out for four years, so we'll see the next couple of months if his working out and his desire to do it stays the same."

Morris has said the Bucs want to build through the draft. But he has not ruled Tiki out.

"For us, it's not really in our philosophy," Morris said. "But a player like Tiki, you've always got to consider it just to see what he could do and how he would fit."

Around the league

Labor update: A request by players to keep the league and its teams from locking them out will be heard by a federal judge April 6 — the first time the sides will be in a courtroom since the labor pact fell apart. It is unlikely that negotiations will resume before then. Meanwhile, NFL lead negotiator Jeff Pash said the league last week offered a 10-year collective bargaining deal and was willing to give the union more time to consider the proposal. George Atallah, the top spokesman for the players, said a deal was not close. "The perception is that we were really, really close. The reality is: We really, really weren't," he said.

vick endorsement: Eagles quarterback Michael Vick landed an endorsement deal with Lutte Licensing Group, maker and distributor of Core Synergy, a titanium-infused silicone wristband. In January, Vick signed a two-year contract with Unequal Technologies, his first endorsement since a conviction on dogfighting charges.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Florida State Seminoles get No. 3 seed in women's NCAA Tournament

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Times wires
Monday, March 14, 2011

The Florida State women's basketball team will play in its seventh straight NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

And the Seminoles won't have to travel far for their first game.

FSU (23-7) was awarded a No. 3 seed by the NCAA selection committee Monday and will travel to Auburn, Ala., to play No. 14 seed Samford (25-7). The Seminoles, who reached the Elite Eight last season in their 10th NCAA appearance, earned a third seed for the second straight season.

The Seminoles were one of four state teams to get a berth.

Miami, like FSU, was an at-large selection out of the ACC receiving a No. 3 seed. The Hurricanes (27-4), in their seventh appearance, face Big South conference tournament champion Gardner-Webb (23-10), which makes its tournament debut.

Miami is back in the NCAA women's Tournament for the first time since 2004.

UCF and Stetson earned bids by winning their league tournaments. The Conference USA champion Knights (22-10), in their fourth appearance, got the No. 13 seed in the Dayton region and face Ohio State (22-9) in the first round at 1:30 Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. The Hatters (20-12), in their second appearance as Atlantic Sun champ, drew the 16th seed in the same region and go on the road to face eight-time national champion Tennessee (31-2) at 1:30 Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.

The Volunteers were one of the four No. 1 seeds. The others were two-time defending champion Connecticut in the Philadelphia region, Baylor in the Dallas region and Stanford in the Spokane, Wash., region.

"I think if it's a four-horse race, there are some dark horses," said Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer, whose team lost to UConn in last season's national title game. "I don't think there is a clear-cut favorite. Last year they (UConn) were a clear-cut favorite. We're not a clear-cut favorite. Tennessee's not a clear-cut favorite; Baylor's not; and UConn's not."

For UConn's Geno Auriemma to match Tennessee coach Pat Summitt with an eighth title, he might have to go through her Vols. The Huskies earned the No. 1 overall seed and if both win their regions, UConn and Tennessee would meet in a national semifinal at Indianapolis.

And the Huskies (32-1) face a familiar face at home in the first round: former Connecticut star Jen Rizzotti, now the coach at Hartford. Her Hawks were the surprise winner of the America East tournament.

UConn is one of a record nine Big East teams in the field.

Tennessee continued as the only team to make the field every year that there has been an NCAA women's Tournament; this year makes 30.

WNIT: Florida earned an at-large bid and Florida Gulf Coast also got an invitation in the second-tier tournament. Both teams open Friday; UF (18-14) hosts Maryland-Baltimore County in the first round and FGCU (27-3) starts at home against Drexel.

AP POLL: UConn finished No. 1 in the women's poll for the fourth straight season. The Huskies received 37 of 39 first-place votes in the AP top 25, with Stanford drawing the other two. UConn has topped the final poll 10 times, all in the past 17 seasons.

COACHING MOVES: Tia Jackson announced her resignation at Washington after going 45-75 in four seasons. … Beth Dunkenberger resigned at Virginia Tech with a 110-104 record in seven seasons.

Women's NCAA Tournament Philadelphia region glance

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 14, 2011

The favorite

We're going to go with Connecticut, which has won the past two national championships and has the motivation of the unsightly loss on its resume, which ended a 90-game win streak at Stanford's hands in December. The Huskies have seemed mortal — Notre Dame lost all three meetings, but two by just three and nine points, and Georgetown and West Virginia also got within 10 points.

Other contenders

Start with second seed Duke, which lost by 36 to UConn in their regular-season meeting. The Blue Devils lost only three games, avenging a loss to North Carolina with two wins and splitting two meetings with Maryland. Can they improve that much in a rematch? UConn opened the first meeting with a 23-2 lead, so there's plenty of room for improvement. And as much as UConn seems to schedule nearly everyone, Brenda Frese and Maryland haven't gotten a shot at the Huskies in their current dynasty, so that would make for a strong region semifinal.

Best player

If she can wrap up her college career with a third national title, you can make a case for Maya Moore being one of the best college players ever. We could throw out all kinds of statistics for Moore, but when your career record in four seasons against the best of the NCAA is 146-3, that should do the trick. The rest of women's college basketball will be happy to bid her farewell. …

Dream matchup

Third seed DePaul didn't get any favors from the NCAA, as its second-round game will likely be against sixth seed Penn State on the Nittany Lions' home court. Just getting placed in UConn's region wasn't kind, but DePaul has to know that given another shot, UConn couldn't possibly play as well as it did in an 89-66 regular-season drubbing. The Huskies shot 68 percent from the field, which is strong even by UConn coach Geno Auriemma's standards.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

Foes excited to kick things off

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Times wires
Monday, March 14, 2011

DAYTON, Ohio — In the past few days, the NCAA's opening acts enjoyed a key to a city, roomy charter flights, more national attention than ever and a deluge of calls and text messages that kept them awake.

Complaints? Absolutely none.

North Carolina-Asheville and Arkansas-Little Rock arrived Monday a little sleep-starved and taken aback by their chance to become a footnote to NCAA Tournament history. They open the expanded 68-team tournament tonight, the first of four games over two days at the University of Dayton Arena.

To them, it felt more like a privilege than a play-in.

"If anybody's critical of this, they're probably spoiled," UNC-Asheville coach Eddie Biedenbach said.

A lot has changed since the Bulldogs opened the 2003 tournament in Dayton and became the first Big South team to win an NCAA Tournament game.

Over the years, players and coaches groused about getting consigned to what was officially known as the opening round but commonly called the play-in for a 65-team field. With the expanded field and eight teams in Dayton this time, it felt more like a first round — its new, official title.

And the Bulldogs (19-13) and Trojans (19-16) felt privileged to get it started.

"We talked amongst ourselves, and it's exciting to be the first one to be in the tournament and to play the first game," UNC-Asheville guard J.P. Primm said. "Our guys are pretty stoked about it."

Half the fun was getting there.

UNC-Asheville ran off six consecutive wins to get to Dayton. Leading up to the tournament draw, the Bulldogs reveled in their first NCAA appearance since that 2003 win. Biedenbach and his players attended a City Council meeting in Asheville on March 8 and received gifts — blue caps embossed with the city's name and a gold, 6-inch key to the city.

"I tried it in every door I wanted to get in, and it didn't work in any of them," Biedenbach said. "I thought they were giving it to the team, which I think they did, and I just happened to be the representative there. But that's never happened to me before."

The NCAA made sure teams could charter flights to the first round in Dayton, another first for many of the players.

"It was definitely something new for us: a big charter flight," Arkansas-Little Rock guard Solomon Bozeman said. "It was great."

Same for the Bulldogs.

"We felt presidential," Primm said.

The Trojans didn't get a key to their city, but they've gotten attention in other ways. Bozeman, a transfer from USF and the Sun Belt's player of the year, hit a 3-pointer with 1.5 seconds left to win the conference tournament, a moment that has been replayed countless times on television.

His shot put the Trojans in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 21 years.

"I've probably seen it about 50 times now," Bozeman said. "I watch SportsCenter a lot. I went to my mom's house the next day after the game, and she rewound it and showed it like 25 times. I had to leave her house and get away for a minute because I got tired of seeing it. But it was a great moment."

.Fast facts

First round

All games on truTV

Today

• No. 16 seed Southeast: UNC-Asheville (19-13) vs. Arkansas-Little Rock (19-16), 6:40 p.m.

• No. 12 seed East: UAB (22-9) vs. Clemson (21-11), 9:10 p.m.

Wednesday

• No. 16 seed East: Texas-San Antonio (19-13) vs. Alabama State (17-17), 6:40 p.m.

• No. 11 seed Southwest: Virginia Commonwealth (23-11) vs. Southern Cal (19-14), 9:10 p.m.

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Women's NCAA Tournament Spokane Region glance

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 14, 2011

The favorite

Of course, it's top seed Stanford, which has won 23 in a row, among them the only loss Connecticut has taken over the past three seasons. There is senior leadership in Kayla Pedersen and Jeanette Pohlen — who lost in the 2008 final in Tampa as freshmen — and the talented Ogwumike sisters, Nnemkadi and Chiney. The team's only losses came in a span of four days in December, at DePaul and at Tennessee (in overtime no less). The Cardinal has geography in its favor and the fortune of familiarity with its toughest challengers in the region.

Other contenders

It's just cruel that UCLA was placed in this region, regardless of any geographic explanations. The Bruins are 27-4, and since a loss to LSU their other three losses are to Stanford, including the Pac-10 tournament. So naturally, despite a No. 7 national ranking and a win against Notre Dame on their resume, they're a No. 3 seed, and they might have to play Stanford in the region final. You can argue it's hard to beat a team four times in one season, but the Bruins would probably rather get a fresh shot at another top seed. The No. 2 seed, Xavier, has just two losses, but one of them is, naturally, a 37-point loss at Stanford.

Best player

Stanford has three John Wooden Award finalists, but we'll go with Pohlen, who earned Pac-10 player of the year honors in leading the Cardinal this season. She always has been an assist machine, but she has elevated her scoring, from less than double digits last season to 15.8 points per game, with the late-game benefit of a 90.8 percent rate at the free-throw line. Xavier has star power in Ta'Shia Phillips and Amber Harris, but for NCAA Tournament experience and leadership, it's hard to top Pohlen's resume.

Dream matchup

For all the potential rematches Stanford could face, we'd like to see Tara VanDerveer face Sylvia Hatchell next weekend if No. 5 seed North Carolina can get past No. 4 seed Kentucky. That's two coaches with more than 800 career wins each, contemporaries in every sense — Hatchell, 59, started at UNC in 1986 and VanDerveer, 57, started at Stanford in 1985.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer


Pelphrey firing baffles Donovan

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Times staff, wires
Monday, March 14, 2011

Florida coach Billy Donovan staunchly defended his friend and former UF assistant coach John Pelphrey on Monday, a day after Pelphrey was fired as head coach at Arkansas.

Donovan, who worked with Pelphrey from 1994 to 2002, said he felt bad for him and was surprised he wasn't given at least one more year because of the stellar recruiting class he has coming in next season.

"You know, John's situation, I feel bad for him,'' Donovan said. "It's an unfortunate situation because I'm not really sure, I mean, (former coach) Stan Heath, I think, took two teams to the NCAA Tournament. And they make a change. Then John goes in there and goes to the NCAA Tournament with all of Stan's players and does a good job coaching them. He's in his third year with his entire team, returning with a top-five recruiting class, that doesn't make sense to me."

Pelphrey made his feelings clear on his way out, saying he didn't feel he was given enough time to complete a turnaround.

"I do not agree with the decision (Sunday) to make a change," Pelphrey said. "Obviously, I would have liked more time. It takes time to build stability in a program. Every situation is different. This situation was different.

"I know we were really close to reaping some of the rewards of all our hard work."

Meanwhile, Minnesota coach Tubby Smith addressed reports he was close to replacing Pelphrey by saying he expected to return to the Gophers despite a disappointing fourth season.

SOONERS FIRE COACH: Oklahoma fired coach Jeff Capel after he followed a trip to the NCAA Tournament's region finals with the program's first back-to-back losing seasons since 1967. Capel was 96-69 in five seasons but 17-36 the past two.

LAMAR: Steve Roccaforte was fired as coach after a 13-17 season and a 76-78 five-season tenure.

LOYOLA OF CHICAGO: Coach Jim Whitesell was fired after posting a 109-107 mark in seven seasons.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Sports in brief: Nadal, Wozniacki have it easy at Indian Wells

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Times wires
Monday, March 14, 2011

Tennis

nadal, wozniacki have it easy

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Top-ranked Rafael Nadal breezed past American qualifier Ryan Sweeting 6-3, 6-1 in a third-round match as the second week of the BNP Paribas Open began Monday. Nadal improved to 28-4 in his career at Indian Wells, where he has won twice.

Women's top seed Caroline Wozniacki advanced with a 6-1, 6-3 victory against Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez. Other women's winners included No. 8 Victoria Azarenka, No. 9 Agnieszka Radwanska and No. 16 Maria Sharapova. Sharapova beat 20th-seeded Aravene Rezai 6-2, 6-2 as the Russian star returns to the WTA Tour after a five-week absence because of illness.

There were two upsets on the men's side: fourth-seeded Robin Soderling and No. 11 seed Nicolas Almagro. Soderling fell to No. 32 seed Philipp Kohlschreiber, 7-6 (10-8), 6-4 after holding five set points in the tiebreaker; 23rd-seeded Albert Montanes took out Almagro 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Soccer

AC Milan forward suspended for punch

AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been suspended for three games for punching Bari's Marco Rossi in the stomach and will miss the match against second-place Inter Milan on April 3.

Ibrahimovic was given a red card for hitting Rossi in the 73rd minute of Sunday's 1-1 tie after the defender beat him to a header.

Milan holds a five-point lead over Inter in the Italian league with nine matches remaining. The league also banned Lazio defender Stefan Radu for three matches for head-butting Roma midfielder Fabio Simplicio on Sunday.

Colleges

Stetson to resume football in 2013

Football is returning to Stetson University after a 55-year hiatus beginning in 2013.

The school announced the sport's return a year after a feasibility study to determine if it could increase enrollment and interest enough to sustain a program. Women's lacrosse will also join Stetson's current roster of 14 men's and women's sports teams in 2013.

Stetson previously fielded a team from 1901 to 1956. Its new team will be nonscholarship and a member of the football-only Pioneer League.

ET CETERA

Autos: Michael Andretti's Andretti Autosport is teaming with Richard Petty to field a car for his cousin John Andretti in the Indianapolis 500. John Andretti will run in the Indy 500 for the third straight year May 29 under a deal with Petty and sponsor Window World.

Times wires

Women's NCAA Tournament Dayton Region glance

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 14, 2011

The favorite

Tennessee. After several years of subpar performances in the NCAA Tournament, the Vols are back on top as a No. 1 seed and armed with a team capable of making a serious run for the title. Tennessee went undefeated in the SEC this season and won the regular-season title and conference tournament title. Its only two losses this season are to Georgetown and at Baylor, and the Vols are on a 21-game winning streak and playing as if they don't plan to lose.

Nine of Tennessee's players were on the squad that became the first Vols team to lose in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, two years ago against Ball State. They've matured — and improved their skills. More important, this is a hungry team.

"We've been through the highs and the lows," senior G Angie Bjorklund said. "We're not going to give up, and we want another championship."

To do that, Tennessee has the possibility of facing No. 4 seed Ohio State in the region final, which might neutralize the generally large following Tennessee carries.

Other contenders

Ohio State, Notre Dame, Miami, Oklahoma. Miami's No. 3 seed is second only to the No. 2 seed earned by the 1991-92 Hurricanes, who reached the Sweet 16 that season. Ohio State, the No. 4 seed, has experience. Oklahoma is one of the best in the always tough Big 12.

Best player

Tennessee's Bjorklund and Shekinna Stricklen are top-notch, but Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins, left, is an unheralded star. She can create on the dribble, hit 3-pointers and run the offense overall for the Fighting Irish. She averages 14.2 points and 4.5 assists a game, and as Diggins goes, so goes Notre Dame.

Dream matchup

Tennessee-Oklahoma. The Vols have experience, hot shooting guards and a strong inside game. The Sooners counter with hot-shooting guards led by freshman Aaryn Ellenberg, a top 3-point shooter. And it would be interesting to see coaches Sherri Coale and Pat Summitt match wits.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

Changes planned to address head injury concerns

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Times wires
Monday, March 14, 2011

As concussion-stricken Sidney Crosby took his first strides on the ice in Pittsburgh in more than two months, NHL general managers on Monday took tentative strides toward minimizing and treating head injuries — a hot topic since Boston's Zdeno Chara wasn't suspended for a hit that left Montreal's Max Pacioretty with a concussion and fractured vertebra.

Commissioner Gary Bettman opened the three-day session in Boca Raton by introducing a five-point plan highlighted by a new protocol for head injuries. It mandates that players who report or display concussion symptoms be examined by a team physician "in a quiet place" instead of by a trainer on the bench.

The league will work with the players' association to reduce the size of equipment, and a committee that includes Lightning GM Steve Yzerman will examine safety issues.

Yzerman isn't thrilled about calls to slow down the game.

"It's kind of odd that we're talking about rules to slow things down," Yzerman said. "Players are bigger athletes. They're faster and stronger. The equipment is designed to shoot the puck harder and faster. But now we're going the other way and looking at, 'Okay, how do we make it slower?' "

Crosby, whose last game was Jan. 5 vs. the Lightning, said he has been free of symptoms a few days but isn't sure about a return this season.

Around the league: Chris Pronger, the leader of the Flyers defense, will have surgery this morning to repair a small fracture in his right hand and could miss the last 14 regular-season games. … Wild captain Mikko Koivu returned in Monday's late game at the Canucks after missing 11 games with a broken finger. … An autopsy showed that former Sabres star forward Rick Martin died of hypertensive heart disease.

Monday's game

at Blackhawks1506
Sharks2103

First Period1, San Jose, Pavelski 14 (Boyle, Marleau), 2:20 (pp). 2, Chicago, Stalberg 11 (Campoli, Johnson), 12:13. 3, San Jose, Thornton 17 (Marleau, Pavelski), 18:36. PenaltiesPisani, Chi (boarding), 1:08; Johnson, Chi (hooking), 2:07; Boyle, SJ (interference), 4:23; Mitchell, SJ (hooking), 16:33.

Second Period4, Chicago, Hossa 20 (Sharp, Kane), 3:14 (pp). 5, Chicago, Hossa 21 (Sharp, Kopecky), 6:06 (pp). 6, Chicago, Toews 30 (Seabrook, Sharp), 7:25. 7, Chicago, Hjalmarsson 3 (Kopecky, Keith), 14:29. 8, San Jose, Couture 26 (Vlasic, Clowe), 17:24. 9, Chicago, Kane 24 (Sharp, Toews), 17:46. PenaltiesMarleau, SJ (hooking), 2:09; Setoguchi, SJ (holding), 5:16; Eager, SJ (slashing), 14:48; Campoli, Chi (slashing), 18:07.

Third PeriodNone. PenaltiesDemers, SJ (holding), 1:16. Shots on GoalSan Jose 10-10-16—36. Chicago 11-17-6—34. Power-play opportunitiesSan Jose 1 of 3; Chicago 2 of 6. GoaliesSan Jose, Niemi 26-17-5 (18 shots-14 saves), Niittymaki (12:35 second, 16-14). Chicago, Crawford 27-13-5 (36-33). A22,094 (19,717). T2:23.

Playoff chase

With nonshootout wins (first tiebreaker in determining final playoff spots) and games left. Division winners get top three seeds:

East Pts. Wins GR

1. Flyers 91 40 14

2. Capitals90 37 12

3. Bruins 85 37 14

4. Penguins88 35 12

5. Lightning 873312

6. Canadiens 83 36 13

7. Sabres76 29 13

8. Rangers 76 28 12

9. Hurricanes 72 27 13

10. Thrashers 70 26 13

11. Maple Leafs 70 26 12

12. Devils 68 29 14

West Pts. Wins GR

1. Canucks 1014211

2. Red Wings 90 37 13

3. Sharks 86 34 12

4. Blackhawks 84 33 12

5. Kings83 32 13

6. Coyotes 83 31 12

7. Stars 82 32 13

8. Flames 81 28 11

9. Predators 80 29 13

10. Ducks79 33 13

11. Wild 77 33 12

12. Blue Jackets 73 28 14

Women's NCAA Tournament Dallas Region glance

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 14, 2011

The favorite

Baylor. The Big 12 tournament champions have dominated all season, led by center and sophomore phenom Brittney Griner — who had 31 points, seven blocks and eight rebounds in the tournament final. Baylor is 31-2 with its only losses coming on the road against Connecticut and Texas Tech. The Bears enter the tournament on a seven-game winning streak and on a mission. They've had to battle back from double-digit deficits — including the Big 12 tournament final — so they are experienced and know how to face adversity. The key is keeping Griner out of foul trouble. Twice in the past week Baylor has cut down the nets (regular-season and tournament titles), and the players have said they are determined to do it once more this year.

"It's a feeling that you want to keep having," Griner said. "So it's definitely something to look forward to and work hard to try and get that feeling again."

Other contenders

Texas A&M, Florida State, Michigan State. The Aggies became the only team in NCAA Tournament history to be chosen as a No. 2 seed four consecutive years. They have strong guards, which is critical in the tournament, and are motivated by an early exit last season. FSU's strength is its defense. Also, playing at Auburn could make it a close enough game to draw a favorable crowd. Michigan State has tournament experience and is battle-tested in the Big Ten.

Best player

Griner is 6 feet 8 with a wingspan of more than 7 feet and without a doubt is fantastic. But the unsung hero, and arguably most talented, is Baylor freshman G Odyssey Sims, left. She averages 13.5 points (Griner 22.6) but shoots 45.6 percent on 3-pointers and can take over with her outside shooting. She's the outside threat that makes Griner even more effective inside.

Dream matchup

Texas A&M vs. Baylor. They met twice this season with Baylor winning both, but the matchups were highly competitive and the rivalry is fierce. It's always tough to beat a team three times in one season, which puts extra pressure on the Bears. Plus, it would be great for Texas and women's college basketball to have an All-Texas region final. That's a crowd any team would love to play in front of.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

Tampa Bay Lightning routs Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 14, 2011

TORONTO — Lightning wing Mattias Ritola had gobs of blue shaving cream in his hair. Center Nate Thompson wore a hat with Viking horns.

Ritola was doused in the locker room because he scored twice Monday night, on his 24th birthday, in Tampa Bay's 6-2 victory over the Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Thompson, with a goal and an assist, was awarded the horns as player of the game.

Nothing against Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier, but coach Guy Boucher was thrilled others besides his three stars stepped up.

"We were looking for secondary scoring," Boucher said. "We got secondary scoring."

And the Lightning (39-22-9), which lost six of seven previous games, regained some confidence.

Tampa Bay scored more than three goals in regulation for the first time in 10 games. And it cut the Capitals lead in the Southeast Division to three points.

It also got contributions from players who lately had been absent from the score sheet.

Ritola, with his first multi-goal NHL game, hadn't scored in 12 games. Thompson hadn't scored in 17. Mike Lundin got his first goal of the season, and Dominic Moore's tally was his first point in five games.

Teddy Purcell had three assists. Brett Clark had two and was plus-4, and goalie Dwayne Roloson had 30 saves.

Not that the big three were left out.

Lecavalier's goal with 1:07 left in the second period to make it 4-2 was huge. And Stamkos and St. Louis had two assists each.

But with Lecavalier, Stamkos and St. Louis having 13 of Tampa Bay's previous 28 goals, it was time for others to chip in. So Boucher, at a pregame meeting, challenged his forwards.

"The message was you can't have Stamkos, St. Louis and Lecavalier and wait for them to score goals," Boucher said. "That's not the way it goes."

"We've been doing the little things, blocking shots, killing penalties, creating a little bit of energy, but we still need to do more," Thompson said. "We had to create some offensive chances and bury our offensive chances."

The morning skate was devoted to creating traffic in front of the net and getting pucks on goal.

Lecavalier scored from the crease after Simon Gagne carried the puck off the side wall and got a shot to dribble through the legs of goalie James Reimer.

Moore's goal was from the front of the net, and Ritola's first goal was off a rebound after Thompson, whom Boucher called "a differencemaker," fought off two defenders to shoot.

"We did everything we talked about before the game," Ritola said. "We were going to the net, putting pucks there. That's how you score goals."

And how you get rewarded with a shaving cream pie.

Lightning1326
at Maple Leafs0202
Lightning1326
at Maple Leafs0202

First Period1, Tampa Bay, Thompson 8 (Purcell, Clark), 9:53. PenaltiesBergenheim, TB (slashing), 3:41; Kessel, Tor (slashing), 3:41; Lundin, TB (high-sticking), 6:23; Bergenheim, TB (tripping), 7:27; Grabovski, Tor (unsportsmanlike conduct), 7:27; Brewer, TB (interference), 19:58.

Second Period2, Toronto, Phaneuf 5 (Brent, Lupul), 5:12. 3, Tampa Bay, Ritola 3 (Hall, Thompson), 9:25. 4, Tampa Bay, Ritola 4 (Purcell, Clark), 12:34. 5, Toronto, Kulemin 26, 14:37. 6, Tampa Bay, Lecavalier 18 (Gagne, Purcell), 18:53. PenaltiesOhlund, TB (delay of game), 15:18.

Third Period7, Tampa Bay, Moore 13 (St. Louis, Stamkos), 8:47. 8, Tampa Bay, Lundin 1 (Stamkos, St. Louis), 14:32. PenaltiesNone. Shots on GoalTampa Bay 13-10-13—36. Toronto 7-12-13—32. Power-play opportunitiesTampa Bay 0 of 0; Toronto 0 of 3. GoaliesTampa Bay, Roloson 20-22-3 (32 shots-30 saves). Toronto, Reimer 13-7-4 (29-24), Giguere (8:47 third, 7-6). A19,410 (18,819). T2:30.

Tropicana Field catwalk ground rules changed back to pre-playoff rules

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 15, 2011

At the request of Major League Baseball, the 2011 regular season ground rules pertaining to the catwalks at Tropicana Field will revert back to the language that was used during 2010 regular season. Tropicana Field's ground rules were changed prior to the 2010 American League Division Series. 2011 Tropicana Field Ground Rules.

BULLPEN AREA

- Ball lodging on, under or in the bullpen seating area: OUT OF PLAY. A ball is deemed to be lodged when it goes in or behind equipment or seating or, in the umpire's judgment, is deemed otherwise unplayable.

- Ball enters the bullpen seating area and rebounds out of the seating area: IN PLAY.

CATWALKS, LIGHTS AND SUSPENDED OBJECTS

- Batted ball strikes catwalk, light or suspended object over fair territory:

- Batted ball that strikes either of the lower two catwalks, lights or suspended objects in fair territory: HOME RUN.

- Batted ball that is not judged a home run and remains on a catwalk, light or suspended object: TWO BASES.

- Batted ball that is not judged a home run and strikes a catwalk, light or suspended object in fair territory shall be judged fair or foul in relation to where it strikes the ground or is touched by a fielder. If caught by fielder, batter is out and runners advance at own risk.

- Batted ball strikes catwalk, light or suspended object over foul territory: DEAD BALL

Previous rule:

- Batted ball strikes catwalk, light or suspended object over fair territory:

- Batted ball that strikes either of the lower two catwalks, lights or suspended objects in fair territory: HOME RUN.

- Batted ball that strikes either of the upper catwalks, lights or suspended objects in fair territory: DEAD BALL and the pitch does not count. Any declaration of an Infield Fly after the hit shall be nullified.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Gerald McCoy heads to Uganda, Rwanda on charity missions

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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2010 first-round pick Gerald McCoy and a number of prominent NFL players are beginning a mission trip today to two war-torn African countries with the nonprofit group Pros for Africa.

A number of former Oklahoma players -- Tommie Harris, Mark Clayton and Adrian Peterson among them -- have been intimately involved with the organization, which is based in the state. That prompted McCoy to get involved. Also scheduled to join them were players such as Vernon Davis and Santonio Holmes.

McCoy was scheduled to depart Monday for the two-week effort that will help bring clean drinking water, medical and hearing aid to children impacted by the countries' wars.

He said the trip will allow him to fulfill a longtime wish while also impacting lives.

"I've always wanted to go to Africa anyway, and when I learned about what they were doing over there, I thought it was something great to get involved with," he said.

In Uganda, the players will spend part of their time working with Sister Rosemary Nyirmube. She runs a facility that houses hundreds of displaced women and girls abandoned by their villages because of unintended pregnancies stemming from sexual assault.

"We're going to do a lot of work with kids who haven't been treated fairly in their lives," McCoy said. "Some have been raped, abused. This is a pretty big deal.

"It definitely touches my heart. It's hard to know all the things that our people (black people) went through in the first place. This isn't slavery, but they're being mistreated over there by their own people. It's a great feeling to be able to help them."

McCoy expects the interaction with the children in Africa to hit especially close to home. He said being the father of a young girl, Nevaeh, will greatly affect his perspective.

"Having a little girl, I couldn't imagine her being kidnapped and raped," he said. "I couldn't imagine losing her -- period."

McCoy and the other players expect to leave a lasting impression on those they help, but he thinks he'll benefit personally, too.

"I think it'll open my eyes a lot to see there are other things outside of America," McCoy said. "And I think it'll encourage me to encourage others to get involved and help others besides yourself."

For more information or to donate to Pros for Africa, see their website .

Desmond Jennings, Chris Archer, Robinson Chirinos among Tampa Bay Rays' latest cuts

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Tampa Bay Rays officially announced the full list of cuts today, which included OF Desmond Jennings, RHP Chris Archer, SS Tim Beckham and C Robinson Chirinos.

The others are: RHP Alex Cobb, RHP Dane de la Rosa, RHP Brandon Gomes, RHP Dirk Hayhurst, 1B Leslie Anderson, Russ Canzler, J.J. Furmaniak, Daniel Mayora and Steven Vogt.

The one that may surprise Rays fans is Jennings, who is one of the Rays top prospects. He's long been expected to take over in the outfield, but with veteran LF Johnny Damon signing in the offseason, his time will likely have to wait. When the Rays summon Jennings, they want him to play, and he'd likely be a reserve currently.

Chirinos, acquired from the Cubs in the offseason Matt Garza trade, has made quite an impression in his first camp. More than likely, he provides some depth in Durham in case the Rays need a catcher this season.

RHP Chris Archer will be able to get more innings in minor league camp, as will RHP Alex Cobb, whom the Rays feel can be one of the next guys up in case an injury hits their rotation.

Cobb, 23, has impressed the Rays this spring, with manager Joe Maddon saying he'll be one of those next guys up in Triple-A in case they need someone to fill in the rotation. But as the Rays starters continue to build up their innings here, Cobb needed to get more work in minor league camp.

Cobb said he was "glad to be up here this long," and will be ready if the Rays call upon him.

"Hearing those things from those guys, saying good things about you, it's an honor," Cobb said of Maddon's praise. "If it turns out they need somebody this year, I hope they could think they could count on me to fill in a spot if they need it."

Gomes, 26, one of the players acquired from the Padres in the offseason Jason Bartlett trade, entered camp with some optimism, among the hopefuls vying for the final bullpen spots. Though disappointed, he appreciated the opportunity and benefited from the experience. He impressed the Rays by throwing four consecutive scoreless outings before giving up two homers in his last one against Boston.

"I came in as positive as I could, and I thought I had a good a chance as any," Gomes said. "The cards fell where they did. But like I said, it was good overall and felt like I got better being up here and meeting all those guys. It was a great experience."

Several Florida Gators to miss or see limited action in spring practice

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Florida Gators will begin spring football practice on March 16 without several players who are recovering from injuries, and several others will participate in a limited capacity.

"There are some guys that will not partake in spring because of various issues including injuries, surgeries,'' UF coach Will Muschamp said. "Janoris Jenkins obviously with his shoulder surgery, Neiron Ball has a congenital syndrome that we are currently treating and no decisions have been made on his football future, but he will not partake in spring. Jeff Demps, obviously with the indoor track bridging right into outdoor track, and we are excited about his season. And Mike Blakely had shoulder surgery when he first reported to campus, something that was from high school, from Manatee, and we felt it was better to get it cleaned up now, as opposed to waiting through the summer.''

Armwood alum OL Matt Patchan, David Young, James Wilson, Omar Hunter, Jaye Howard, Kedric Johnson and Jaylen Watkins have all participated in offseason workouts, but have not full strength. They will be limited in spring practice. Patchan missed all of last season with a wrist injury that required multiple surgeries.

"All are guys that have been all or part of our off season program, but not been able to do everything,'' Muschamp said. "So at this point they need to work themselves in to being full speed because when they hit the field they need to be full speed for the Gators, and if they are not at that point yet they are not ready to be in the two deep. Nothing against those guys, but for whatever reason from injury standpoint they haven't been able to partake full board.''

Here is Florida's depth chart heading into spring practice:

NOTE: DOES NOT INCLUDE PLAYERS WHO HAVE BEEN LIMITED/OUT DURING THE SPRING

OFFENSE

WR (X) 85 Frankie Hammond Jr. 89 Stephen Alli OR 84 Quinton Dunbar

WR (Z) 82 Omarius Hines 4 Andre Debose

TE 11 Jordan Reed 81 A.C. Leonard

F-21 8 Trey Burton

F-12 88 Michael McFarland 87 Josh Postell

F-11 6 Deonte Th ompson 83 Solomon Patton OR 7 Robert Clark

HB 3 Chris Rainey 23 Mike Gillislee OR 33 Mack Brown

QB 12 John Brantley 10 Tyler Murphy OR 16 Jeff Driskel

LT 75 Chaz Green 64 Kyle Koehne

LG 72 Jonotthan Harrison 63 Cole Gilliam

C 50 Sam Robey 58 Nick Alajajian

RG 67 Jon Halapio 60 William Steinmann

RT 73 Xavier Nixon 77 Ian Silberman

DEFENSE

Buck 7 Ronald Powell 34 Lerentee McCray OR 85 Lynden Trail

DT 73 Sharrif Floyd 91 Earl Okine

DT 58 Dominique Easley 68 Leon Orr

DE 96 William Green 23 Chris Martin OR 86 Clay Burton

Sam 32 Gerald Christian 25 Gideon Ajagbe

Mike 52 Jonathan Bostic 51 Michael Taylor

Will 43 Jelani Jenkins 13 Dee Finley OR 49 Darrin Kitchens

CB 36 Moses Jenkins 26 De'Ante Saunders

S 22 Matt Elam 9 Josh Shaw

S 24 Josh Evans 34 Tim Clark

CB 8 Jeremy Brown 31 Cody Riggs

Nickel 22 Matt Elam 31 Cody Riggs OR 26 De'Ante Saunders

SPECIALIST

SP 44 Kyle Christy 40 David Lerner

K 19 Caleb Sturgis 97 Brad Phillips

LS 54 Christopher Guido 46 Drew Ferris

PR 3 Chris Rainey 85 Frankie Hammond Jr. 4 Andre Debose

27 Chris Dunkley

KR 4 Andre Debose 83 Solomon Patton 7 Robert Clark

23 Mike Gillislee

David Price officially named Tampa Bay Rays' opening day starter

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 15, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE — The fact that left-hander David Price was officially named the Rays' opening day starter Tuesday surprised no one.

After all, Price is the reigning AL Cy Young runnerup who won 19 games last season and started the All-Star Game. Still, Price was honored, saying it's "pretty big," and hopes it's the first of many.

And right-hander James Shields, who started the past three openers, was the first to congratulate Price, saying it was well-deserved.

"I want to be No. 1, there's no doubt, everybody does," Shields said. "But (Price) earned it, just like I earned it, when I got it. I'm happy for him. This guy had an unbelievable year last year. He's one of the best pitchers in the game."

Manager Joe Maddon said tabbing Price, 25, for the April 1 opener against the Orioles was an easy decision, "the right thing to do," based on what he accomplished last season. Shields will pitch next, with Maddon still sorting out how to slot right-handers Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann and Jeremy Hellickson.

But no matter how the rotation is lined up, Maddon feels fortunate to have a starting five so young, talented and durable, a big reason why the Rays feel they can compete with the best in the American League East.

"You have to have that in order to be good, you have to have a very good starting rotation," Maddon said. "A lot of teams might have three guys they like, some may have four. But to have five that you like is very unusual. …

"There's a comfort knowing that every night you put your starting pitching vs. theirs, you've got a pretty good chance of winning tonight."

Said third baseman Evan Longoria: "I'd match them up against anybody."

It starts with Price (19-6, 2.70 ERA last season), the ace, who said this spring he wants to be "the best pitcher in baseball, period." And though he said it wouldn't matter to him if he started the first or fifth day, he appreciated the opportunity. "Only one guy gets it off each staff each year, so it's a very big honor," he said.

There's the elder statesman/leader in Shields, 29, a workhorse who became the first Ray to pitch 200 or more innings in four consecutive seasons. He didn't have the kind of season he wanted in 2010, with career highs in ERA (5.18) and homers (34), but Maddon feels he's primed for a bounceback year.

Then there's "the three silent partners," as Maddon calls Niemann, Davis and Hellickson. "They're all pretty much cut from the same non-verbal cloth, they show up and do their job," Maddon said. "They don't even want to attract any attention to themselves and they like it."

Maddon said the fact all five starters were drafted by the Rays and came up in their system is unique, as is the fact that they all can throw some pretty good curveballs. The goal of them combining for 1,000 innings is attainable, with veteran Johnny Damon saying they have some special potential.

"It's something that you're hoping you can look back and say, 'Wow,' " Damon said. "You've got five guys going out there that are all good, and you want them to be put in that class that, say, the Phillies are right now or what Boston has right now, what the Braves had. It's exciting."

Princeton Tigers hope to recapture upset magic at NCAA Tournament

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 15, 2011

TAMPA — Princeton basketball coach Sydney Johnson, when talking about the Tigers' second-round matchup Thursday at the St. Pete Times Forum against fourth seed Kentucky, said he isn't afraid of playing a game in the 80s or 90s.

He meant points, not the decade.

Mention Princeton basketball and it conjures up images of picks and rolls, screens and back-door cuts, walk-it-up halfcourt sets milking the shot clock and big men who could stroke it from the perimeter.

It's Gabe Lewullis' layup kissing the glass with time running out in a stunning win 15 years ago this week over defending national champion UCLA, one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history. It's the same style that produced a two-point loss in '89 to No. 1 seed Georgetown, the closest a 16th seed has ever been to marching past the first round.

So what's this? Princeton running and gunning, pressuring the basketball and dialing up tempo? It's enough to strain those crewnecks on Nassau Street.

It's not that Johnson, a member of the team that toppled the Bruins, doesn't embrace that history.

"You go into the airport and they find out we're the Princeton basketball team," Johnson said. "And these (players) are too young to remember it, but random people are talking to them about remembering the UCLA game. It's a moment I can cherish the rest of my life."

Guard Dan Mavraides had another moment that might redefine Princeton basketball. It came long before Douglas Davis hit a 12-foot jumper at the buzzer in Saturday's 63-62 win over Harvard in the Ivy League playoff at Yale, sending the Tigers back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004.

"I saw five guys from Harvard sprinting back, just turning around and sprinting all the way back," Mavraides said. "That's not usually something you see teams doing traditionally against Princeton."

Not that Johnson has abandoned Princeton's halfcourt principles and execution.

"We were playing the more traditional version of the Princeton offense three or four years ago because it was best suited for those teams," Johnson said. "We wanted to control tempo, we wanted to make sure we were getting great stops and great possessions on offense. And quite frankly, we weren't able to defend as well.

"We've made major, major strides defensively. We can pressure people, we can turn people over or we can just grind it out in the half court defensively, so that allows us to get out and go a little bit more. That's how I see it."

Face it, Princeton never has played on a level basketball floor except in the Ivy League, which doesn't offer full scholarships but dishes out aid according to need.

As legendary former Princeton coach Pete Carril has said, "the real superstars here are at the library."

But Johnson is quick to point out that he walks into the same gym joints searching for players "as any every other coach in America."

"We want players who get after it, who view themselves as basketball players. This is not just a hobby or something to pass time.

"The bottom line is we want basketball players who care a lot about being good at it and then they have to have great grades. When you put those two together and get them to buy into a system and working hard for each other, you get what I think is this year's Princeton basketball team."

In rolling to a 25-6 record, Princeton averaged 69.6 points per game, threatening the school record from 1971-72. The high-octane Wildcats average 76.4 points per game.

Johnson went so far as to hint he believes the Tigers, the No. 13 seed in the East region, might wear Kentucky down Thursday in Tampa.

"Do we want to make it an 80- or 90-point game?" Johnson asked. "That might play in their hands. At the same time, they're only playing six or seven guys. I don't want to tip my hand."

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