By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

There may be no more startling contrast of teams in the NCAA Tournament than Kentucky-Princeton. A year ago, coach John Calipari's Kentucky Wildcats reached the Elite Eight, the had four freshmen declare for the NBA draft. Guard John Wall was the top pick of the Washington Wizards and three of his teammates went in the first round. This year, the Wildcats reloaded with more one-and-done freshmen — Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones, who could easily follow Wall's hightops to the NBA.

If a Princeton basketball player heads to Washington, D.C., after his career ends, it's usually to play with the real Senators.

In 2005, the NBA declared that a player must be 19 or complete at least one year of college to be eligible for the draft.

Calipari knows the rule is bad for college basketball, but he's used it to full advantage.

"Sometimes I don't think people will listen when I say this: I don't like the rule. I don't like the one-and-done," Calipari said. "I don't think it's good for college, I don't think it's good for the NBA. But it's a rule we have to live with. I recruit the best players I can recruit and I don't try to hold them back.

"Now the option is, why do I recruit such good players? Because they want to play for me and I want to coach them."

The fourth-seeded Wildcats are heavily favored over Princeton, a senior-laded team that has been together for four seasons and just hung their first banner as Ivy League champions.

Imagine how good Kentucky would be if Calipari could keep his best players from leaping to the NBA.

"I tell kids, you know, early on I would say if you want to do what's right for you and your family, you probably should put your name in the draft," Calipari said. "If you want to do what's right for me and my family, why don't you stay a couple more years so we can win a whole lot more games."

STAGE FRIGHT OR FLIGHT?: Princeton has more experience but is making its first NCAA appearance since 2004. Coach Sydney Johnson believes his team will be focused.

"There's a lot of bright lights, it's a big arena, it's a fantastic opponent that we're playing, we're on CBS, but my expectation is that we're going to be very focused," Johnson said. "I'll be very frank, I'll be very disappointed if we're caught up. It's not the kind of group we have. It would be a strange thing for me to be watching a team that looked nervous or didn't have their composure because that's just not who we've been all season long."

Calipari said he has no clue what to expect from UK.

"When you're starting three freshmen and three players who were inexperienced prior to this season and you jumble them all together, they can get off kilter at any point," Calipari said. "What I'm comfortable with is we're playing as well as we've played all season."

HANGING TOUGH: Johnson and the Princeton players acknowledged Wednesday that Kentucky is a more athletic team and that will be an issue.

"That's something obviously that's highlighted in our scouting report," Princeton guard Dan Mavraides said. "I can't give away any secrets about how we're going to stop that."

Times staff
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

30 Clubs in 30 Days: 5 p.m. on MLB Network. The spring training tour stops to preview the Detroit Tigers.

World Series classic: 8 p.m. on ESPN Classic. A replay of Game 7 of the 1991 World Series between the Twins and Braves.

Notre Dame classics: 5 p.m. on Versus. The network, to help celebrate St. Patrick's Day, is showing three Notre Dame football classics: 1992 Snow Bowl against Penn State, 2005 Bush Push game vs. USC, and 1993 showdown between No. 1 FSU and No. 2 Notre Dame.

By Pat Damico, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Watch the birds: Warmer water continues to bring gigantic schools of larger baitfish into Tampa Bay and the passes along our coast. Spanish mackerel and little tunny are following the smaller fish and present great opportunities for fly rod anglers. An incoming tide is usually best. Noisy diving terns and gulls will reveal where the fish are.

Technique: Use a bow-mounted electric motor to position your boat ahead of the fish and let them come to you. If you have an outboard, idle into position well ahead of the action and shut off the motor. When within casting range, cast a 9-weight fly rod with a sinking tip line ahead of the fish. Larger fish will usually be deeper, so give weighted flies a little time before starting a fast retrieve. Instead of one-hand stripping, place the fly rod under an arm and use both hands to put the line in the basket in front of you. When you feel a strike, set the hook by stripping hard. Spanish mackerel and little tunny have sharp teeth, so a small 30-pound wire leader can be placed between the fly and the leader tippet. If tying your flies, use a long shank hook, such as a Mustad 34011, and tie the fly at the hook's bend. The hook's long metal shank helps prevent biteoffs.

Pat Damico charters out of St. Pete Beach. Call (727) 504-8649 or visit www.captpat.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

JUPITER — Just Elliot being Elliot.

INF/OF Elliot Johnson put on an impressive display of his value to the Rays in Wednesday's 6-3 win against the Marlins, stealing three bases (including home), rapping two hits, knocking in a pair of runs (with a double) and making a diving catch in centerfield.

"Perfect example," manager Joe Maddon said. "That's what makes him so attractive, that he can do so many different things for us."

Johnson, 27, has his best chance to make the opening day roster in what is his 10th season in the organization. His value is his versatility, specifically that he can play in the middle of the field — shortstop, second base and center — his hustle and his scrappiness, which first drew attention in spring 2008 when he ran over Yankees C Francisco Cervelli.

Simply put, it's what a player like Johnson, who doesn't hit a lot of home runs, has to do.

"You've got to make up and do things in areas for areas that you don't do," he said. "I have to make that a part of my game. I've always done it that way."

He also showed his speed, stealing second and third after singling to set up a run on a Manny Ramirez sacrifice fly, and wriggling out of a mess to score in what was an aborted steal of home. Johnson thought he could break when Marlins C John Buck tossed the ball casually back to the mound, but left too soon so Buck held the ball, but the Marlins botched the rundown.

"I got lucky," said Johnson, who, after missing 10 days with a left quad strain, is hitting .278.

MANNY MATTER: Joking that he was "The Travelin' Man" after asking to make the trip to Jupiter, Ramirez said (even after taking a third strike and grounding out in addition to the sac fly) that he is feeling good at the plate.

Ramirez looked so good on his home run swing Tuesday that Maddon watched the replay repeatedly on his iPad during the nearly three-hour bus ride to Jupiter. "It was nice, easy, not an effort-laden swing; more the tension-free kind of hack that really permits a ball to jump and permits you to be quick," Maddon said. "I kept replaying it so I have it in my mind's eye what it looked like."

PITCHING IN: RHP Wade Davis was scratched from his scheduled start when he became ill — "vomiting and all kinds of issues," Maddon said — and may not get back on the mound until Friday. RHP Cory Wade found out just before the bus left Port Charlotte early Wednesday that he was the replacement: "I happened to run into (pitching coach Jim) Hickey in the food room and he said, 'Hey, you want to start?' " … RHP Jeremy Hellickson said there should be no recurring problem with the blister/skin flap that was an issue Tuesday, and added that he felt better after being ill. He is set to pitch Sunday.

TROP TREK: A small group of players will go through a quick workout at Tropicana Field before tonight's game in Tampa to check out the new AstroTurf and to refamiliarize themselves with the roof. The Rays made some adjustments to the fill material in the turf that affects the roll, trying to match it to how the half-field installed in Port Charlotte has been playing. "Hopefully it's to everyone's liking," Maddon said.

COUPLE of JOES: Maddon visited for about 15 minutes pregame with Joe Torre, who is making the rounds in his new role as MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations, talking about a variety of on-field issues. "He wanted to know what I thought about certain issues, so I told him," Maddon said. "It's easy to talk to Joe, it's a nice, easy exchange. … He's a guy that you definitely believe is listening to what you're saying. … And he likes wine, so a lot of good stuff going on there."

GAME DETAILS: The Rays (8-9-1) played a crisp game, starting with a strong 2 2/3 innings from Wade. … OF Sam Fuld, who had started the spring 2-for-22, had three hits. … The Rays rapped ex-teammate Randy Choate for three runs on two hits and a walk.

Times staff writer Joe Smith contributed to this report.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

TAMPA — Who says Arena Football is all about the passing game?

Tampa Bay managed to do something it hadn't done in more than two decades in last week's season-opening 46-40 victory at New Orleans — win a game without throwing a touchdown pass.

"Sure, I guess you could call us a power running team," coach Dave Ewart said with a chuckle.

The last time the Storm pulled off this rare feat was a 27-24 win against Albany on July 14, 1990.

Michael Lindsey and Grant Gregory each ran for a pair of scores against New Orleans and Eric Ortiz added another on the ground. Lindsey had a kickoff return for the Storm's other touchdown.

"Running the ball is part of what we will do, and we work on it daily at practice," Ewart said. "And right now the running game is a little more advanced than the passing."

QB Mike Potts struggled in his first game with the Storm, completing 20 of 35 passes for 160 yards. He missed several open receivers but did not throw an interception.

"I have a philosophy that a win is a win is a win," Ewart said. "But we have to get better quarterback play."

Gregory to start: With Potts struggling, Ewart said that Gregory, a former USF quarterback, will get the start under center tonight in Salt Lake City.

"We're hoping Grant can give us a little spark," Ewart said. "We need to upgrade that position and have someone take control."

players recognized: Huey Whittaker and Cliff Dukes were honored by the league as the Ironman and defensive players of the week, respectively. Dukes recorded a team-record four sacks and added five tackles against the VooDoo. Whittaker, a former USF standout, caught 10 passes for 80 yards and recorded 2½ tackles.

Ortiz injured: The Storm's win against the VooDoo came at a price: Ortiz dislocated his left elbow.

The Storm placed Ortiz, a linebacker/fullback, on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least the next four weeks. Ewart said he plans to use a platoon to replace Ortiz's Jack linebacker slot that will include DB Michael Hawthorne and Whittaker.

Times wires
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

BRADENTON — Blue Jays RHP Kyle Drabek has the stuff to pitch in the majors. It's his demeanor that needs fine-tuning.

"One of the main things I'm working on in spring training is trying to stay calm on the mound and not show anything to the hitters," Drabek said Wednesday after Toronto beat the Pirates 5-3.

"I'm real competitive," Drabek said. "When I was younger, it showed on the mound. People were saying I needed to slow down a little bit. Even my dad told me that. It's something that's got to happen."

Drabek's father, Doug Drabek, was the NL Cy Young winner in 1990 with the Pirates.

Drabek, 23, pitched five innings and gave up two runs on seven hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Neil Walker hit a solo homer off Drabek in the first inning. Garrett Jones had a two-out, RBI single in the fourth.

"My arm has felt great this spring," Drabek said. "It's a success so far. Hopefully, it continues." Drabek, a former first-round draft pick, made his big league debut last season. In three starts, he went 0-3 with a 4.76 ERA. This spring, he is in position to lock up a spot in the rotation.

"I knew what I was coming into," Drabek said. "When I got out there, it's just me and the catcher. It's baseball. That's what I try to think about, no off-field things or anything like that when I'm on the mound."

Offense: David Cooper hit a two-run home run and Edwin Encarnacion hit a solo shot. Cooper's homer capped a three-run fourth inning, when Toronto took a 4-1 lead.

Yanks: Joba to toss

TAMPA — Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain is set to test a strained muscle on his upper left side today.

Manager Joe Girardi said the right-hander will play catch for the first time in four days today. An MRI this week found that Chamberlain has a mild strain.

"First step is let him feel good playing catch and go from there," Girardi said before Wednesday night's game against Baltimore.

"I feel fine," said Chamberlain, who has been undergoing treatment. "I have no soreness."

Thumbs up: Sergio Mitre, who was scratched from his start Monday due to muscle soreness on the left side of his upper body, threw 26 pitches off a bullpen mound and afterward said the session went "perfect."

He hopes to pitch in a game Friday or Saturday.

Phils: Halladay works

CLEARWATER — Even though the Phillies' big club had the day off, RHP Roy Halladay, who was scheduled for his fourth spring start, faced a squad of Pirates minor-leaguers.

The numbers were not great, but progress was made, he told MLB.com.

"You want to stay as close to routine as you can," said Halladay, who allowed four runs, three earned, and seven hits over five innings. "As long as you get your work in, I don't mind at all. It's different, but there's ways it can be good."

He worked on his curve.

"I was happy with it today for the most part," he said. "We threw some good ones and the ones that weren't good, we came back with a good one."

The Phillies host the Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. today.

Obituary: J. Mahlon Buck Jr., who purchased a minority stake in the team along with two brothers in 1981, died late Tuesday. He was 86.

Times wires
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

tennis

serena: 'tough year' has been depressing

LOS ANGELES — Serena Williams told USA Today she's "at the end of (her) rope" after several physical setbacks that have kept her off the court since July.

"It's just been a tough year," Williams, 29, said in an interview published Wednesday. Shortly after winning her fourth Wimbledon title in July, Williams cut her foot on broken glass at a restaurant, leading to a pair of surgeries.

"I definitely have not been happy," she said. "Especially when I had that second surgery, I was definitely depressed. I cried all the time. I was miserable to be around."

Last month she suffered a pulmonary embolism and was hospitalized to remove a grapefruit-sized bruise from her stomach.

She has not set a time­table for her return but said it could come this summer.

BNP Paribas Open: Juan Martin del Potro beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (9-7) in the fourth round at Indian Wells, Calif. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer played later matches.

soccer

Man U manager gets 5-game ban

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was suspended for five matches by England's Football Association for criticizing an official after a Premier League match.

Ferguson said of Martin Atkinson's performance in United's 2-1 loss to Chelsea on March 1 that his league-leading team didn't get a "fair or strong referee." Ferguson appealed his suspension. The Football Association said an independent commission "found the charge of improper conduct relating to media comments proven."

Ferguson, also fined $48,000, earned a three-game ban, and two matches were added because of a previous suspended sentence. The suspension starts Tuesday.

European Champions League: Real Madrid reached the quarterfinals for the first time in seven years by sweeping aside Lyon, and Chelsea relied on its first-leg goals to oust FC Copenhagen.

alpine skiing

Vonn takes over World Cup lead

Lindsey Vonn took the lead from Maria Riesch in their duel for the overall World Cup title, finishing fourth behind winner and fellow American Julia Mancuso in the final downhill of the season at Lenzerheide, Switzerland.

Vonn earned 50 points for her lowest downhill finish this season, and Riesch failed to score after placing 17th. Vonn took a 27-point lead with three races left this week. Vonn is going for her fourth straight overall title.

men: Didier Cuche of Switzerland won his fourth World Cup downhill title, scoring enough points by finishing fourth at Lenzerheide, Switzerland, to overtake Austria's Michael Walchhofer, who placed 11th in his final downhill before retiring. Only Austria's Franz Klammer has won more titles in the discipline, five from 1975-83.

et cetera

cycling: The Leopard Trek team denounced a Belgian newspaper report that time-trial world champion Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland is using a revolutionary ball-bearing system that gives him a substantial advantage.

drugs: The criminal underworld controls "a significant proportion" of sports, including the distribution of doping substances and attempted bribery of drug-testing labs, World Anti-Doping Agency director general David Howman told the World Sports Law Report's antidoping conference outside London.

Times wires

By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Patrick Long started the defense of his second straight American Le Mans Series GT2 driver's championship by going on test runs.

With his body.

In January, Long and eight other Porsche factory drivers spent 10 days in Boca Raton for a boot camp. They went on 10-kilometer runs, lifted weights and did aerobics up to eight hours a day. "Physical training and racing go hand in hand," Long said. "Physical fitness is where the majority of the homework comes in. The true work."

Endurance racing is now about marathon men who make sure their bodies are running as well as their cars. And Long's steadfast commitment to conditioning has helped make a difference on the track. Last year he won his second straight and third career driver's championship.

Long started this season in January at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Driving the Porsche-powered Riley Daytona Prototype, Long and teammate Jorg Bergmeister won the pole position and led the first 27 laps. But an accident and a small engine fire forced them to drop out.

This weekend Long will try to navigate the treacherous turns of the 12 Hours of Sebring, a race he has won once (2005).

"Sebring is our Super Bowl," Long said. "It's the holy grail. To win, you have to have everything together because the track is so challenging and demanding. That's where the training element comes in."

Studies have found race car drivers can sustain heart rates of 120 to 150 beats per minute, about the same level as a serious marathon runner. Research also shows that aerobic and resistance training help drivers handle the g-forces racing generates.

There are benefits of adhering to a training schedule. Drivers suffer fewer injuries because their muscles protect their bones and internal organs. Drivers can better handle the intense heat in the car, 120 degrees or higher, because they start with a lower pulse, and a strong upper body helps a driver steer better when the car is not handling well.

"You're not just sitting on your butt driving," Long said. "In a car, you're basically in a sauna for three hours at a time. It's the equivalent of a brisk jog when you're out there. And you need strength training and a solid core to handle the 3 g's of load and the bumps that come with turns in a race."

The boot camp helped Long get in shape for the season. The tough part is maintaining it. Drivers are on the road 24 days a month.

"It's tough because you try to squeeze in a 45-minute jog at a hotel," Long said. "Traveling takes a lot of energy out of you."

To minimize the traveling, Long decided to take up part-time residence in Belleair in 2007. Long was familiar with the area because his mother lives in St. Pete Beach. But the move was made more because so many races are in Florida and it cut down on air travel to Europe.

"It just made sense to come here," said Long, 29, who was born in Thousand Oaks, Calif. "The weather here is a safe haven for me. And there are a lot more direct flights."

In the offseason, Long rides his bike on the Pinellas Trail and kayaks in Tampa Bay.

"I find ways to stay active," he said. "There's so much to do around here. I have to be around the immediate presence of water, so anything I can do near the beach works for me. It's a great area to stay in shape for the season."

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

UCLA and Michigan State compare favorably when it comes to basketball resumes, but the current makeup of these teams couldn't be much different. The Bruins are particularly young. Among players with the six most starts on the team, three are freshmen. The team has no seniors. The NCAA Tournament is brand new to nearly the entire team. Michigan State, meanwhile, has been here before. The Spartans have six players who logged minutes in the Final Four and have three seniors in the starting lineup.

The Bruins figure to compensate for their lack of tournament experience with coach Ben Howland's wealth of postseason history.

"You don't go to three Final Fours in a row for nothing," sophomore forward Tyler Honeycutt said. "He knows what he's doing."

For the Spartans, experience will only be part of the equation, but it's a pretty big part.

Experience, coach Tom Izzo said, "is maybe the biggest factor we've got going for us. … We've played in some of the biggest stages in front of the most people that ever witnessed college basketball games. I'm hoping that now that we haven't completely fallen off the deep end that that gets us going again."

LOVE THE EFFORT: With former UCLA star Kevin Love setting precedents for rebounds and double doubles in the NBA, Bruins forward Reeves Nelson is doing his best to follow in Love's footsteps.

Nelson has 12 double doubles this season, his most recent coming in one of his best games. Nelson posted a 27-point, 12-rebound effort on Feb. 26 against Arizona. UCLA is 8-4 in the games in which Nelson has double doubles.

THAT WAS CLOSE: Izzo admitted he was sweating bullets when the NCAA brackets were being released Sunday night because of the Spartans' average — by their standards — season.

After going to six Final Fours, it was arguably healthy to gain an appreciation for an at-large berth.

"For the first time in a long time, we were excited to get in," Izzo said. "That's not meant to be arrogance. It just meant we knew from January we were in most of these years and February for sure. So, all of a sudden … it was a little nerve-racking, and I would have understood either way. As I said, we did enough to be in, but we did enough not to be in."

BLOCK PARTY: Honeycutt has been a defensive force for UCLA, leading the Pac-10 with 61 blocks, the third-most in a season in UCLA history. His season-high eight blocks against Oregon State on Feb. 12 were the most by a Bruin since Jelani McCoy's school-record 11 in 1995.

And Michigan State should be aware that Honeycutt has 22 of his rejections in the past eight games alone.

Times wires
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee athletics director Mike Hamilton said he does not know if Bruce Pearl will be coach after this season ends.

In an interview with WNML-AM in Knoxville that aired Wednesday, Hamilton said he, the UT-Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek and school trustees will evaluate Pearl after the season ends. The ninth-seeded Vols play eighth-seeded Michigan on Friday in the NCAA Tournament.

"We don't know the answer today," Hamilton said when asked if Pearl would be coach next season. "We've done a lot of soul searching about the direction of our program, and we'll continue to do that, and we'll decide after we're out of the NCAA Tournament what direction it is that we're going to go next."

Pearl has been working without a contract since revealing in September that he misled NCAA investigators during a probe into recruiting. The NCAA charged him with unethical conduct and other violations, though the NCAA has not released a final ruling on the matter.

PRESIDENT RIDES NO. 1'S: President Barack Obama picked each of the four No. 1 seeds to advance to the Final Four.

For the third straight year, Obama filled out an NCAA Tournament bracket for ESPN.com. He said Duke, Kansas, Ohio State and Pittsburgh will make the Final Four and picked Kansas, the top seed in the Southwest, over the No. 1 overall seed Buckeyes for the national championship.

"Kansas has more firepower," Obama told ESPN.

SPLIT LOYALTIES: There's no shortage of people filling out multiple NCAA Tournament brackets.

LeBron James is among them.

The NBA's two-time reigning MVP said he still wants Ohio State — his longtime favorite school and a team that wears his sneakers and apparel — to win the NCAA title. But on his website, James picked Duke to win it all.

"It's all fun," James said. "I love March Madness."

PULLEN ILL BUT OKAY: Kansas State star G Jacob Pullen came down ill and didn't practice, but the school said he's expected to recover in time to play today against Utah State. The senior leads the Wildcats with 19.5 points per game.

BRUINS MIFFED: UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero said the school is "extremely disappointed" that the original round center section of basketball court at Pauley Pavilion is to be auctioned. The 12-foot jump circle was used from 1965-82 by the men's teams that won eight national championships and the women's team that won the 1978 national title.

TV RATINGS: College basketball fans found truTV on the first day of the new-look NCAA Tournament. The First Four matchup between No. 12 seeds Clemson and Alabama-Birmingham on Tuesday drew 1.35 million viewers on the cable network. The earlier game between No. 16 seeds UNC-Asheville and Arkansas-Little Rock drew 1.2 million. Last year's opening game between No. 16 seeds Winthrop and Arkansas-Pine Bluff drew 1.05 million on ESPN.

Times wires
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Transitions Tee Times

First round: Today

Copperhead Course No. 1 tee

7:45 a.m.: Rich Beem, Kevin Stadler, Alex Prugh

7:55: D.J. Trahan, George McNeill, John Senden

8:06: Jeff Maggert, Brandt Jobe, Greg Chalmers

8:16: Billy Mayfair, Harrison Frazar, Matt Jones

8:27: Charley Hoffman, John Rollins, David Toms

8:37: Robert Garrigus, Ryan Palmer, Jerry Kelly

8:48: Michael Bradley, Jonathan Byrd, Geoff Ogilvy

8:58: Arjun Atwal, Cameron Beckman, Vaughn Taylor

9:09: Jason Day, Stephen Ames, Sean O'Hair

9:19: Ryuji Imada, Nick O'Hern, Bryce Molder

9:30: Cameron Tringale, Steven Bowditch, Daniel Summerhays

9:40: Jarrod Lyle, Bio Kim, Brendan Steele

Copperhead Course No. 10 tee

7:45: Steve Flesch, Joe Durant, Kris Blanks

7:55: J.J. Henry, Gary Woodland, Ryo Ishikawa

8:06: Kevin Sutherland, David Duval, Josh Teater

8:16: Paul Goydos, Chris Couch, Charlie Wi

8:27: Johnson Wagner, Ryan Moore, Fred Funk

8:37: Rory Sabbatini, Paul Casey, Padraig Harrington

8:48: Nick Watney, Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer

8:58: Bill Lunde, Kenny Perry, Justin Leonard

9:09: Rocco Mediate, Stewart Cink, K.J. Choi

9:19: Tag Ridings, Webb Simpson, Jeff Klauk

9:30: Tommy Gainey, Chris Kirk, Peter Uihlein*

9:40: Zack Miller, William McGirt, Will Claxton

Copperhead Course No. 1 tee

12:30 p.m.: Andres Romero, Shaun Micheel, Troy Merritt

12:40: J.P. Hayes, Chris DiMarco, Jesper Parnevik

12:51: Chad Campbell, Brian Davis, Ricky Barnes

1:01: Charles Howell, Alex Cejka, Marc Leishman

1:12: Carl Pettersson, Derek Lamely, Trevor Immelman

1:22: Zach Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Matteo Manassero

1:33: Mark Wilson, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh

1:43: Nathan Green, Lucas Glover, Brian Gay

1:54: John Daly, Roland Thatcher, Peter Hanson

2:04: Chris Riley, James Driscoll, Chris Stroud

2:15: Chris Tidland, Keegan Bradley, Jeff Freeman

2:25: Bobby Gates, Joseph Bramlett, Russell Knox

Copperhead Course No. 10 tee

12:30: Garrett Willis, Kent Jones, Blake Adams

12:40: Tim Petrovic, Brendon de Jonge, Chad Collins

12:51: John Huston, Spencer Levin, Michael Connell

1:01: Brandt Snedeker, Ben Curtis, Jimmy Walker

1:12: Troy Matteson, Marc Turnesa, Chez Reavie

1:22: Matt Bettencourt, Justin Rose, Retief Goosen

1:33: Bill Haas, Stuart Appleby, Martin Laird

1:43: Heath Slocum, Pat Perez, Mark Calcavecchia

1:54: Woody Austin, Dean Wilson, Tim Herron

2:04: Kevin Na, Jason Dufner, Jamie Lovemark

2:15: Hunter Haas, Fabian Gomez, Jason Kokrak

2:25: Kyle Stanley, Scott Stallings, Travis Hampshire

Second round: Friday

Copperhead Course No. 1 tee

7:45 a.m.: Garrett Willis, Kent Jones, Blake Adams

7:55: Tim Petrovic, Brendon de Jonge, Chad Collins

8:06: John Huston, Spencer Levin, Michael Connell

8:16: Brandt Snedeker, Ben Curtis, Jimmy Walker

8:27: Troy Matteson, Marc Turnesa, Chez Reavie

8:37: Matt Bettencourt, Justin Rose, Retief Goosen

8:48: Bill Haas, Stuart Appleby, Martin Laird

8:58: Heath Slocum, Pat Perez, Mark Calcavecchia

9:09: Woody Austin, Dean Wilson, Tim Herron

9:19: Kevin Na, Jason Dufner, Jamie Lovemark

9:30: Hunter Haas, Fabian Gomez, Jason Kokrak

9:40: Kyle Stanley, Scott Stallings, Travis Hampshire

Copperhead Course No. 10 tee

7:45: Andres Romero, Shaun Micheel, Troy Merritt

7:55: J.P. Hayes, Chris DiMarco, Jesper Parnevik

8:06: Chad Campbell, Brian Davis, Ricky Barnes

8:16: Charles Howell, Alex Cejka, Marc Leishman

8:27: Carl Pettersson, Derek Lamely, Trevor Immelman

8:37: Zach Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Matteo Manassero

8:48: Mark Wilson, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh

8:58: Nathan Green, Lucas Glover, Brian Gay

9:09: John Daly, Roland Thatcher, Peter Hanson

9:19: Chris Riley, James Driscoll, Chris Stroud

9:30: Chris Tidland, Keegan Bradley, Jeff Freeman

9:40: Bobby Gates, Joseph Bramlett, Russell Knox

Copperhead Course No. 1 tee

12:30: Steve Flesch, Joe Durant, Kris Blanks

12:40: J.J. Henry, Gary Woodland, Ryo Ishikawa

12:51: Kevin Sutherland, David Duval, Josh Teater

1:01: Paul Goydos, Chris Couch, Charlie Wi

1:12: Johnson Wagner, Ryan Moore, Fred Funk

1:22: Rory Sabbatini, Paul Casey, Padraig Harrington

1:33: Nick Watney, Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer

1:43: Bill Lunde, Kenny Perry, Justin Leonard

1:54: Rocco Mediate, Stewart Cink, K.J. Choi

2:04: Tag Ridings, Webb Simpson, Jeff Klauk

2:15: Tommy Gainey, Chris Kirk, Peter Uihlein*

2:25: Zack Miller, William McGirt, Will Claxton

Copperhead Course No. 10 tee

12:30: Rich Beem, Kevin Stadler, Alex Prugh

12:40: D.J. Trahan, George McNeill, John Senden

12:51: Jeff Maggert, Brandt Jobe, Greg Chalmers

1:01: Billy Mayfair, Harrison Frazar, Matt Jones

1:12: Charley Hoffman, John Rollins, David Toms

1:22: Robert Garrigus, Ryan Palmer, Jerry Kelly

1:33: Michael Bradley, Jonathan Byrd, Geoff Ogilvy

1:43: Arjun Atwal, Cameron Beckman, Vaughn Taylor

1:54: Jason Day, Stephen Ames, Sean O'Hair

2:04: Ryuji Imada, Nick O'Hern, Bryce Molder

2:15: Cameron Tringale, Steven Bowditch, Daniel Summerhays

2:25: Jarrod Lyle, Bio Kim, Brendan Steele

* amateur player

Times wires
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

KISSIMMEE — Braves minor-league manager Luis Salazar has lost an eye after he was struck in the face by a line drive while watching a spring training game.

General manager Frank Wren said Wednesday that doctors were unable to save Salazar's left eye after the accident March 9. The former major-league player is otherwise recovering from his injuries and expects to manage Lynchburg of the Class A Carolina League this season.

Salazar, 54, was standing against the railing on the top step of the dugout during a game against the Cardinals when Brian McCann fouled a ball in his direction. Salazar was unable to get out of the way and fell headfirst into the dugout.

Wren said that Salazar would spend about a week at home in Boca Raton and then return to Braves camp at some point this spring. The minor-league season begins April 7.

"Doctors have told us and him that there is no reason why, in about four or six weeks, he can't manage his team as he anticipated," Wren said.

Cardinals: Chris Carpenter, returning from a hamstring injury, was named opening-day starter, then gave up three runs and six hits in four innings in a 9-4 victory over the Tigers. "All I need to do now is get my pitch count up and not hurt anything," he said.

Mets: Outfielder Carlos Beltran played catch and took batting practice, his first baseball activity in more than a week because of tendinitis in his left knee.

Red Sox: Manager Terry Francona informed Jon Lester that he had the opening-day start in a text months ago. The manager went public with that Wednesday, then Lester gave up eight hits and three runs in 4 2/3 innings in a 4-3 to the Braves. "It's a big honor," Lester said. "But it's still a work in progress down here."

Twins: Joe Mauer swung at the second pitch he saw in a spring game and ended up with his first hit in a 4-3 win over the Mets. Mauer, serving as the DH while recovering from offseason surgery on his left knee, singled in three at-bats. The catcher is expected to play in the field for the first time today in a minor-league game. "It felt like I had some ankle weights on my legs," he said.

Obituary: Marty Marion, the 1944 NL MVP as a shortstop with the Cardinals and a former manager of the Cardinals and St. Louis Browns, died Tuesday. He was 93.

Bonds trial: Federal prosecutors in San Francisco released transcripts and recordings of voicemail messages Barry Bonds left for his former mistress during their nine-year relationship. Most of the messages show Bonds angrily inquiring after Kimberly Bell's whereabouts. Prosecutors say the recordings and transcripts are evidence of Bonds' steroid use because the drugs supposedly induce rage in some users. Bonds' perjury trial starts Monday. Bonds' attorneys are seeking to exclude the recordings, arguing the material is irrelevant because there is no mention of performance-enhancing drug use.

Times staff
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Tournament information

Fed Ex Cup points: 500

Defending champ: Jim Furyk

Schedule: Today-Friday — first and second rounds, morning and afternoon tee times. Saturday-Sunday — third and fourth rounds

Tickets: Available at Publix, transitionschampionship.com or (727) 942-5566. Cost is $30 per day (today-Sunday) in advance, $40 at the gate and $89 for a weekly badge. Those 17 and younger and military personnel are admitted free all week.

TV: Today-Friday, 3-6 p.m., Golf Channel; Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m., Golf Channel, 3-6 p.m., Ch. 8

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The sidelines at the St. Pete Times Forum this week are full of star power. Florida's Billy Donovan has two NCAA titles on his resume. Here's a look at four others who walk among the elite with Donovan's take on each:

Ben Howland, UCLA

He is one of just three coaches in NCAA history to win at least 30 games in three consecutive seasons, and he has taken three schools to the NCAA Tournament in his 17-year career. He led the Bruins to the Final Four from 2006-08.

Donovan: "I think Ben has been a system-guy on defense, terrific at pick-and-rolls, trapping the post, a lot of different things there. So it's been good for him."

Tom Izzo, Michigan State

A four-time national coach of the year, he has six Final Four appearances and one national title in 16 seasons. He has led his team to 14 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. He's the longest-serving active Big Ten head coach and one of six in Big Ten history to win six league titles.

Donovan: "We both started out as assistants about the same time. I think Tom Izzo has been very effective because he's got a system and a style that he's going to play to each and every year, which is rebound and defense."

Bob Huggins, West Virginia

In 29 seasons he has won 690 games and has been named national coach of the year five times. He's fourth in total victories among active Division I head coaches. He has made 19 NCAA Tournament appearances, with two Final Fours and four in the Elite Eight.

Donovan: "I know him real well. I think his thing is the same thing — defense has been really something that he's done and the way they've played."

John Calipari, Kentucky

He is making his 13th NCAA Tournament appearance, with a .700 record that includes a national runner-up finish (2008), two Final Fours, six Elite Eights and eight round of 16 appearances.

Donovan: "John I've known for a long time, our days go back to being at Five-Star (camp) together. We've known each other for a long, long time. Cal has really, really capitalized on really getting high-level talent and utilizing the one-and-done, something that's been very, very effective for him."

Antonya English, Times staff writer

Times wires
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

DAYTON, Ohio — Melvin Johnson III insists he's in a deep shooting slump.

Oh, really?

The smooth guard with "SWISH" scrawled on the side of each orange shoe had a career-high 29 points Wednesday night, leading Texas-San Antonio to a 70-61 victory over Alabama State in the "First Four" round.

"It seems like the last four or five games, I can't make a shot," Johnson said. "I have 'SWISH' on the side of my shoes because I used to make shots. I might have to black it out for now."

No need to edit the footwear, not after that NCAA Tournament debut.

The Roadrunners (20-13) and their smooth guard head to Cleveland for a game Friday against top-seeded Ohio State, which likely won't allow all those open shots.

"No. 31, if he's on like he was tonight, it should be a pretty good game," Alabama State's Jeff Middlebrooks said.

Against the Hornets (17-18), Johnson seemed to capitalize on every opening. The sophomore had a career high in the first half alone, when he outscored Alabama State 25-21.

Middlebrooks and Tramayne Moorer had 12 points apiece for Alabama State, which had the worst record in the expanded 68-team tournament.

"We let a guy get 25 points in the first half," Moorer said. "He outscored us!"

The Roadrunners had never won an NCAA Tournament game of any sort. Now, they have reason to raise a banner in their 4,080-seat UTSA Convocation Center.

"Our first win in an NCAA Tournament game in any sport; we're very proud to be in this moment," coach Brooks Thompson said.

Might as well let Johnson pick the spot to place the banner.

The 6-foot-5 guard scored off drives to the hoop and made fall-away jumpers from all over the court. He was 8-of-14 from the field in the first half, making one fewer field goal than all the Hornets combined.

"Johnson got good look after good look, and he also made some tough shots," Hornets coach Lewis Jackson said. "He got on a roll and it trickled down to everybody else."

Johnson also got to shoot four free throws after two technicals on the Hornets. He made them all.

UTSA's front line took control during a 17-4 opening run that put the scent of a blowout in University of Dayton Arena. The Roadrunners got 14 of the first 18 rebounds, repeatedly giving themselves second chances after a miss.

Johnson made a 3 that built the lead to 31-13. Next time down the court, he was feeling so comfortable that he quickly got off a long 3 that came up short of the rim for one of his few misses.

While a smattering of Alabama State fans chanted "Air Ball," Johnson turned away and smiled. So did Thompson, who couldn't blame him for shooting away.

Times wires
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt interviewed former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie in Florida on Wednesday.

Red Raiders spokesman Blayne Beal said Hocutt, who took over the program this month, met with Gillispie in Palm Beach.

No announcement on who will succeed Pat Knight will be made until next week, Beal said. Gillispie, who also coached at Texas El-Paso and Texas A&M, was fired at Kentucky in 2009 after two tumultuous seasons.

Texas Tech announced before the Big 12 tournament that Knight would not return next season and Knight publicly endorsed Gillispie for the job.

Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance said he didn't know whether Hocutt made Gillispie an offer.

"I think they're going through the details and we'll see what Kirby does," Hance said.

Hance met with Gillispie last Saturday in Dallas and Hance said he got a "very good" impression.

A "good recruiter and a good salesman" is how Hance described the native of Abilene, a few hours east of Lubbock.

"He's very personable and I think has an idea what needs to be done in the basketball program and would be a good person for Texas Tech," Hance said.

The decision is Hocutt's, though.

Gillispie was an assistant at Tulsa, Baylor, South Plains College in nearby Levelland, Texas State and Illinois before going to UTEP in 2002.

In 2009, Kentucky fired Gillispie after the Wildcats went 40-27 in two seasons under him and missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 17 years.

LSU WOMEN: Two days after the Tigers did not receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, coach Van Chancellor decided to step down and take a position in the athletic department. Chancellor, who coached LSU for four seasons, will become a special assistant to athletic director Joe Alleva. LSU's streak of 12 NCAA Tournament appearances ended this season.

NIT: Malcolm Grant had 23 points and host Miami beat Florida Atlantic 85-62 in the first round. The Hurricanes (20-13) host Missouri State in the second round. … Jeff Allen had 19 points to help host Virginia Tech overcome the sting of not making the NCAA Tournament with a 79-54 win over Bethune-Cookman. Virginia Tech (22-11), making its 12th appearance in the NIT and fifth in eight seasons under former USF coach Seth Greenberg, will meet Wichita State in the second round. … John Shurna had 25 points and host Northwestern (19-13), in its school-record third straight postseason tournament, beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee 70-61. … David Kyles had 13 points and hit four of host Wichita State's 11 3-pointers to help the Shockers (25-8) to a 76-49 victory over Nebraska.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

.TONIGHT

Lightning at Canadiens

When/where: 7:30; Bell Centre, Montreal

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 970-AM

Key stats: The Lightning is on a 2-4-2 streak. … C Steven Stamkos and W Marty St. Louis both have two goals and six assists in five-game points streaks. … In three games against Montreal this season, Tampa Bay's power play is 4-for-18 (22.2 percent). … Canadiens G Carey Price is second in the league with eight shutouts. … Montreal, in a 7-3-0 stretch, has killed 30 of its past 33 penalties (91 percent).

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

MONTREAL — Polite as ever, Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier asked a reporter if he minded that he probably would not read the article for which he was being interviewed.

Lecavalier said he is trying to avoid distractions, and he held up his hands, like blinders, at the sides of his head.

"I just want to stay focused," he said.

You can forgive Lecavalier for being protective of his "A" game. It has, after all, been so long since anyone saw it.

Lecavalier said he is playing his best hockey since 2007-08, when he had 40 goals, 92 points and was a consistent difference-maker. And with 10 goals and 16 points in his past 16 games, Lecavalier, 30, is reminding people he once was regarded as one of the best players in the world.

He also is putting behind him two seasons in which he struggled on the ice, with injuries and, more than he admits, apprehension about his future as trade rumors flew under previous ownership and management.

In other words, it is the perfect time for tonight's game at the Bell Centre with the Canadiens.

"It's always better to come back to Montreal when you have good things to say," said Lecavalier, who grew up in the Ile Bizard suburb. "The last couple of years have been tough with the team and myself, and the reporters coming to talk to you. It's always nice to come here feeling good about what we do."

Lecavalier's previous two seasons were forgettable; his 53 goals and 137 points were dwarfed by the two seasons before that in which he had 92 goals (including a league-best 52 in 2006-07) and 200 points.

What happened?

The team was losing. Lecavalier dealt with shoulder and wrist surgeries. It added up, he said, to "bad habits" and a loss of confidence.

"When you lose, you're in a bad state of mind," Lecavalier said. "Maybe that's where the bad habits come from. You're trying to do something differently."

"And you lose yourself," coach Guy Boucher said. "You're trying to play that free-area game where you're looking for free space out there rather than charging through where the game is played."

Getting Lecavalier to stop floating and start grinding was a major part of the re-invention of his game. Lecavalier was willing, though results were slow. He had just eight goals and 24 points through 37 games. Now, he has 18 goals, 40 points.

Results would have come quicker, Boucher said, had Lecavalier not missed the preseason because of knee surgery and 15 games in November and December after hand surgery.

"He's controlling the play," Boucher said. "He's shooting. He's driving the net. He's taking the pressure to the other team on every shift. He plays a grinding game, so his skills come out of that."

"I'm skating a lot more," Lecavalier said. "I'm being physical. I'm bringing the puck to the net more. Everything gets better when I do things like that."

Everything got better when new owner Jeff Vinik hired general manager Stave Yzerman, who publicly declared he was not trading Lecavalier.

Lecavalier rumors were constant the previous two years. And though Lecavalier had assurances from then co-owner Oren Koules and GM Brian Lawton he would not be moved, there was speculation he nearly was traded at the June 2009 draft to Montreal for goaltender Carey Price, center Tomas Plekanec and defenseman P.K. Subban.

Lecavalier, who in July 2008 signed an 11-year, $85 million deal with Tampa Bay, declined to talk about it. And all agent Kent Hughes would say was, "An individual who goes to work under less than ideal conditions is more likely to be distracted, less likely to feel part of the team solution."

At this point, more important is what is happening on the ice.

"He's using his body. He's coring goals. He's creating chances," center Steven Stamkos said. "He's got that confidence, and that's the No. 1 thing as a player."

"I still have to bring my game up more," Lecavalier said. "But by winning this year and playing good as a team, it got everybody better, including myself."

TERMINATED: Minor-league center Mitch Fadden is on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, Yzerman said:

"There have been some off-ice issues."

Yzerman declined to elaborate, as did Fadden's agent, Rich Evans. But Fadden, 22, who has not played with ECHL Florida since early January while being treated for blood clots, was arrested March 2 in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, on suspicion of drunken driving. The Salmon Arm Observer, quoting a police report, said Fadden also became "violent with officers."

Fadden was drafted 107th overall in 2007, and his 51 points on 15 goals and 36 assists led the ECHL.

Andy Villamarzo, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

WESLEY CHAPEL — Fivay has put a lot upon the right arm of its top pitcher, freshman Jarred Mattos, the past few days in the Pasco County Varsity Baseball Tournament.

But Springstead coach Frank Vitale remembers Mattos' older brother Jimmy, who pitched at Ridgewood and warned his team to be prepared to see some good pitching. And his Eagles listened to the advice, as they got to the younger Mattos in the bottom of the fifth and scored five runs Wednesday night en route to a 6-2 victory over the upstart Falcons.

"I think we were a little lackadaisical to start off," Vitale said. "Fivay was really into it, while my guys were like, oh well, we're playing Fivay, and I told my guys you have to respect everyone you play. I know the Mattos kid's older brother was a good pitcher, and I knew (Jarred Mattos) would be a good pitcher, too."

In the first four innings Mattos had it going, allowing only four hits, striking out two and giving up one earned run. Fivay (4-8) took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth off a T.J. Niles rope single that scored R.J. Hampshire from third. The Falcons left the bases loaded in the top frame, leaving the door open for Springstead (9-5).

In the bottom of the fifth the Eagles' bats got rolling after one out, with three straight hits off Mattos that chased him from the game with a 4-2 lead. Springstead sophomore Ryan Nicoll (three strikeouts) would take care of the rest, pitching perfect sixth and seventh innings to seal the win.

In earlier action, Central defeated Sunlake 5-3 and Mitchell ousted Hudson 12-7 to improve to 11-3 on the season.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

TAMPA

Florida coach Billy Donovan stepped down from his seat at the postgame interview table Saturday in Atlanta and headed toward his team's locker room. The Gators had just advanced to the SEC tournament title game. As Donovan walked, he was surrounded by a throng of reporters. Florida basketball — and Donovan — are relevant again.

In four years, Donovan has gone from the top of the college basketball world to the bottom and back on the way up again. The Gators won back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007, then made consecutive NIT appearances before a one-and-done run in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

The trials and tribulations did not come without criticism and skepticism. And yet Donovan considers it one of the most rewarding times of his coaching career.

"For me, it's the process I enjoy the most," Donovan said. "When you're on top, it's tough to get to the top, and it's tougher to stay there. Nobody stays at the top forever, I've said that many times. It's the process of building again — remembering what it took to get there, how hard you worked, then going back and working to get there again. That's enjoyable for me."

Even through the most difficult times, Donovan insisted things would be fine. He has compared it to walking up a flight of stairs, then missing a step. The fall may take you back to the bottom. And the only way back up is one step at a time.

Donovan's "fall" came after he lost five NBA draft picks from that 2007 national champion. He told any and everyone he could that rebuilding was going to take time — one step at a time. But along the way, with young players who had no veteran leadership and mounting losses, there were questions about whether the Gators would ever rise again.

Donovan never questioned. And his relentless pursuit of getting back was evident to all around him.

"I think that's his comfort zone," Florida assistant coach Rob Lanier said. "If you trace Billy's history, he's a self-made player. And you know when you go back, I've always admired him as a player because he was an underdog type of guy. And I think there's some carryover from that in his coaching. … He's relentless in his effort to figure out a way to get better.

"It's interesting because everybody has their mechanisms that motivate them," Lanier added. "And Billy always uses the phrase with our team, 'on edge.' He wants you to be on edge, to not take anything for granted. And I really think that speaks to his personal motivation style. I think he finds a cloud in every silver lining. And that motivates him to continue to work."

Today, Florida will begin play in the NCAA Tournament at the St. Pete Times Forum with a No. 2 seed, its highest since 2007. There's satisfaction in finally being close enough to see the top of the staircase again.

"No question, we came from a struggle, two years in row with an NIT appearance," senior center Vernon Macklin said. "But I think we've come a long ways. We've grown up. We're really coming together as a team. Coach Donovan is responsible for that. He kept teaching us, telling us to believe."

For the first time since his arrival at Florida, Donovan was voted SEC coach of the year by his peers. Those who work closely with him say it was well-deserved. Unlike the national championship years when he had superior talent, he has molded this group into winners by instilling confidence, building chemistry and bringing out the best in what each has to offer.

"He did not have the most talented team that he's coached, or Florida's seen, but he may well have had the pieces fit as well as any team," associate coach Larry Shyatt said. "These guys had to dig and grind, and learn how and listen to their boss. The job he did on the floor as well as the job he did in the game of life was outstanding, just second to none."

To make it here, the players had to put their trust in Donovan. When the hardest times hit, he was the one who kept them believing.

"He instilled confidence in us from way back, even when things were their worst," junior guard Erving Walker said. "He showed belief in us and never gave up on us, even back then."

Former players are also impressed with the job he has done.

"These guys stuck with him, nobody left early and I think it makes a big difference," said former Gator Al Horford, now with the Atlanta Hawks. "You can see it now. I'm very proud and happy with how successful they've been this year. He motivates people and he really knows how to talk to you. He's very much about his players and doing the right things."

At 45, Donovan is the "dean" of SEC coaches: the winningest coach in Florida history and the sixth coach to reach 300 victories at an SEC school. He has led Florida to four of its five SEC titles.

"For Billy to accomplish what he's accomplished here, I'm blown away," said Alabama coach Anthony Grant, a former UF assistant. "I hope nobody takes it for granted. I was here in 1996. I know what it was like here when he started. What he's been able to build has been nothing short of phenomenal."

But there are still steps to climb back up to the top. It's a work in progress.

"In life, when you have failures, and failures are prevalent all over the place, you identify the problem and then you try to fix it," Donovan said. "But how often when you're successful, do you lose sight of how did we get here? Why did we get here? You're too busy celebrating. You lose sight and focus on what the reasons were. And I think identifying reasons why you lose are just as important as identifying reasons why you win."

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com. Follow her coverage at gators.tampabay.com.