Times wires
Saturday, February 25, 2012

ATHENS, Ga. — Florida coach Billy Donovan isn't sure if his team is ready for a difficult finish to the regular season.

If the Gators don't get better play from senior point guard Erving Walker, Donovan thinks they could be in real trouble.

"He doesn't understand that his disposition and his carefreeness out there affect the other guys on the team," Donovan said. "And he doesn't see or understand that, as a point guard, people are looking for direction from you."

Freshman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 18, Gerald Robinson added 15 and Georgia snapped No. 12 Florida's three-game winning streak with a 76-62 victory Saturday.

The Gators, who never led, trailed by double digits most of the second half. They whittled the lead to five on Kenny Boynton's 3-pointer with 1:53 left.

But Georgia (13-15, 4-10 SEC) scored the next six. Dustin Ware and Donte' Williams made two free throws each and Caldwell-Pope followed with a breakaway dunk to make it 73-62.

Florida (22-7, 10-4) is second in the SEC, one game ahead of Vanderbilt. Bradley Beal scored 19 for the Gators, who close the regular season this week at Vanderbilt and at home against No. 1 Kentucky.

Florida had won 10 of 12 overall and had taken of 15 of 17 against Georgia, including three straight.

Donovan held out Walker for nearly six minutes of the second half before the school's career assists leader returned to the floor, replacing Scottie Wilbekin with 12:17 remaining and Florida trailing by 12.

"It's not all on him to score and get all the assists and everything else, but I think as a senior you would think he would want to take that responsibility a little bit and show that kind of passion considering that he's got two regular-season games left in his career," Donovan said. "But he didn't do that. I just felt like his energy wasn't where it needed to be. He wasn't playing as passionately as I thought he needed to be, and I just thought I'd give some other guys a chance."

Wilbekin, a sophomore, went scoreless, missing his only shot from the field and handed out one assist in 22 minutes. Walker, who has started 105 of his 136 career games, finished with 14 points and one assist in 31 minutes.

After the game, Walker spoke to reporters before Donovan did.

"Our defense usually gives us easy buckets, but we didn't get that much in transition," Walker said. "I'd just say we missed shots, and they made a lot of plays on the offensive end, and it was tough for us to recover from that."

Times wires
Saturday, February 25, 2012

MARANA, Ariz. — Rory McIlroy was walking down the stairs toward the driving range when he passed Lee Westwood and gave him the same message he had delivered earlier Saturday in the Match Play Championship.

"See you in the morning," McIlroy said with a big smile. "Just like I told you."

In 14 years of this fickle tournament, there has never been a semifinal match so compelling.

McIlroy had another surge on the back nine to put away Bae Sang-moon, 3 and 2. Moments later, Westwood finished off Martin Laird by the same margin, setting up a showdown today with more at stake than just a spot in the championship match.

Should the McIlroy-Westwood winner go on to take the World Golf Championships event, he would be ranked No. 1 in the world.

"I think with both of us being up there in the world, and both of us with the possibility of going to No. 1, it gives the match definitely an extra little bit of spice," McIlroy said.

The duel was not lacking spice in the first place.

They were stablemates at International Sports Management until some testy exchanges last year.

After McIlroy shot 80 in the final round of the Masters to blow a four-shot lead, Westwood, 38, of England, got under his skin by saying the 22-year-old Northern Irishman "has a pull hook in his bag under pressure." Then McIlroy was the first of the two to win a major, setting records at Congressional on his way to an eight-shot win in the U.S. Open.

Later in the year, when McIlroy left Chubby Chandler at ISM, Westwood tweeted that it was a bizarre move. McIlroy quickly un-followed Westwood and Chandler on Twitter.

Both players say their relationship is no different than with other golfers. They don't spend as much time together, understandable because they no longer have the same manager.

"There's nothing strained about the relationship between the two of us. It's still the same as it was," Westwood said. "Rory said to me before I went out, 'See you tomorrow morning.' And then today again there, he said, 'See, told you.' That's the trouble with kids nowadays. They think they're always right, don't they?"

Today's duel begins as the sun begins to climb over the high desert. "I think it's the match that most people wanted, and definitely the match that I wanted," McIlroy said.

The other semifinal features Hunter Mahan and Mark Wilson, assuring an American will make the final for the first time since Tiger Woods won in 2008.

Mahan played the shortest quarterfinal in the 14-year history of the event, beating Matt Kuchar 6 and 5. Wilson had an easy time in his 4-and-3 win over Peter Hanson of Sweden.

PGA: Daniel Summerhays shot 4-under 67 to take a two-stroke lead over Chris Stroud at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Summerhays was at 12-under 201 through three rounds.

LPGA: Americans Katie Futcher and Angela Stanford and South Korean Jenny Shin all shot 1-under 71 to stay tied for the lead after three rounds of the $1.4 million HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore. Futcher's bogey on No. 18 left all three players at 207. Tampa resident Kristy McPherson (73) was at 1-over 217 and Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (76) was 5 over.

Times wires
Saturday, February 25, 2012

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — USF came into Purcell Pavilion unfazed by playing the No. 3 team in the country in its regular-season home finale.

The Bulls scrapped, attacked and even forged a lead early in the second half but couldn't maintain it to pull off the big upset, falling 80-68 on Saturday.

"This group has battled all year," USF coach Jose Fernandez said, reciting a list of close games.

Natalie Novosel had a career-high 32 points and Devereaux Peters added 17 points and a career-high 18 rebounds for the Irish, who clinched at least a tie for the Big East title.

The Bulls (15-14, 7-8) got 18 points apiece from Jasmine Wynne and Inga Orekhova and forced 22 turnovers.

"We're up three, had a transition break to go up five and then got a little winded," Fernandez said.

Andrell Smith had two baskets and Sasha Bernard one as USF scored the first six in the second half to take a 44-41 lead. But the Irish (27-2, 14-1) scored the next six to regain the lead for good.

USF's Tahira Johnson was knocked to the floor under the basket with 13:58 left and left with a hip injury.

NO. 2 STANFORD 69, UTAH 42: Coach Tara VanDerveer earned her 700th victory as the host Cardinal (26-1, 17-0 Pac-12) ran its conference winning streak to 74.

NO. 4 UCONN 85, MARQUETTE 45: Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis scored a career-high 27 and Tiffany Hayes scored 18 of her 20 in the second half for the visiting Huskies (26-3, 13-2 Big East).

NO. 12 GREEN BAY 78, BUTLER 53: Julie Wojta had 27 points and 13 rebounds as the host Phoenix (25-1, 15-1) earned its 14th straight Horizon League title.

NO. 14 TEXAS A&M 79, TEXAS TECH 51: Adaora Elonu scored 14 for the host Aggies (20-7, 11-5 Big 12), who shot 59 percent.

NO. 15 GEORGETOWN 65, SYRACUSE 62: Sugar Rodgers scored 21, including a three-point play in the last minute, as the visiting Hoyas (22-6, 11-4 Big East) won it with a 5-0 game-ending run.

NO. 16 LOUISVILLE 75, NO. 21 DEPAUL 62: Becky Burke scored 20 for the host Cardinals (20-8, 9-6 Big East), who pulled away with a 12-2 run on either side of halftime against the Blue Demons (20-9, 8-7).

NO. 19 St. Bonaventure 58, Rhode Island 32: Megan Van Tatenhove scored 17 for the visiting Bonnies (27-2, 14-0 Atlantic 10), who won their 16th straight.

NO. 20 St. John's 69, Villanova 49: Da'Shena Stevens scored 21 for the host Red Storm (20-8, 12-3), which won its seventh straight.

NO. 24 Rutgers 68, Providence 47: Khadijah Rushdan scored 21 for the visiting Scarlet Knights (20-8, 9-6 Big East), who beat the Friars for the 19th straight time.

NO. 25 Gonzaga 77, BYU 60: The host Bulldogs (25-4, 14-2) clinched their eighth straight West Coast Conference regular-season title.

PRINCETON CLINCHES BID: Senior Lauren Edwards scored a career-high 29 as host Princeton clinched the nation's first NCAA Tournament berth with a 94-57 win over Dartmouth. The Tigers (21-4, 11-0) won the bid from the Ivy League, the only conference that does not have a tournament.

ECKERD 66, LYNN 51: Linsey Niles, one of three honored on senior day, scored 20 for the host Tritons (15-10, 8-8), who clinched the No. 4 seed in the Sunshine State Conference tournament. Eckerd hosts Nova Southeastern Wednesday in the first round; no time was announced.

TAMPA 61, FLORIDA TECH 59: Jaleesa Harmon scored 21 for the host Spartans (11-15, 4-12 SSC), who play at 7 p.m. Wednesday at No. 2 seed Florida Southern.

BARRY 71, SAINT LEO 51: Chelsea Williams scored 23 in a season-ending loss for the visiting Lions (7-19, 1-15), who will miss the eight-team SSC tourney.

Times wires
Saturday, February 25, 2012

ORLANDO — Jazz F Jeremy Evans won the Slam Dunk Contest at the All-Star Saturday night festivities.

The second-year player out of Western Kentucky, who replaced injured Knicks G Iman Shumpert, earned 29 percent of about 3 million text message votes cast by fans. This was the first year fans had total control of voting.

Evans beat out Rockets F Chase Budinger, Pacers G/F Paul George and T'wolves F Derrick Williams.

"It's just amazing to come out here to give the fans what they want," Evans said.

Evans dunked with a camera on his head, dunked two balls while jumping over teammate Gordon Hayward and donned a jersey of ex-Jazz star Karl "The Mailman" Malone while dunking over mailman-dressed comedian Kevin Hart.

Budinger got his loudest cheer when he donned a Cedric Ceballos jersey and imitated his 1992 blindfolded dunk, completing it with a reverse slam.

3-point contest: Timberwolves F Kevin Love defeated Thunder F Kevin Durant 17-14 in the final. Love and Heat G Mario Chalmers tied for the final semifinal berth, but Love won a tiebreaker. Heat G/F James Jones, the defending champ, was eliminated in the semifinals and Magic F Ryan Anderson in the first round.

Skills Competition: Spurs PG Tony Parker won the competition that involves moving through a dribbling circuit, throwing chest passes through a hanging tire and driving for a layup. He beat Celtics PG Rajon Rondo and Nets PG Deron Williams in the final.

Looking good: Union leader Billy Hunter said he's pleased with the state of the league while reserving judgment about the labor deal in the aftermath of the prolonged lockout. "The TV ratings are up. The attendance is up. Merchandising is up. So all the signs are positive," he said.

Hunter said he's not surprised the league has rebounded. "I believed that the electricity was in the air and what was going to happen was the same thing that happened to football," he said. "(There was) just a groundswell of support when the NFLPA and NFL got their deal."

Next commissioner: David Stern endorsed his deputy, Adam Silver, to replace him. As for when that will be, Stern, 69, said only he will retire within five years.

RISING RATINGS: Friday's Rising Stars Challenge on TNT drew 2.7 million viewers, most in the event's history. The previous record was in 2004, when nearly 2.2 million watched a game that included LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Friday's game earned extra attention when Knicks PG Jeremy Lin was a late addition.

Times wires
Saturday, February 25, 2012

LAWRENCE, Kan. — It was the best atmosphere that Kansas coach Bill Self could remember. Thomas Robinson said the Jayhawks rose to another level. Tyshawn Taylor simply smiled, shook his head in disbelief and tried to describe his emotions.

"I'm so proud of my teammates," he said finally. "They stuck it out, man."

In the final scheduled game between Kansas and Missouri, it was only fitting the bitter adversaries in the Big 12 would need five extra minutes to decide it.

Robinson's three-point play in the waning moments of regulation kept their 105-year-old rivalry alive, and Taylor's free throws with 8.3 seconds left in overtime gave the fourth-ranked Jayhawks a dramatic 87-86 victory over the No. 3 Tigers on Saturday.

"That couldn't have been scripted a lot better for us," said Self, whose team wrapped up a share of an unprecedented eighth straight conference championship. "I'm not the most emotional guy, but that's about as good as it gets."

Missouri, which blew a 19-point second-half lead, never got off a winning try after Taylor's two free throws. Michael Dixon was boxed in by Robinson as he tried to get to the basket, and the buzzer eventually sounded on a series steeped in tradition.

"These guys played their hearts out. We left it on the court," Missouri coach Frank Haith said. "I read everything; we weren't supposed to be in the game. We came out and competed."

Robinson finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds for Kansas (24-5, 14-2 Big East), which sent the Tigers off to the SEC with a bitter taste in their mouths.

Taylor added 24 points and five assists, and Connor Teahan sank all four of his 3-pointers as the Jayhawks mounted their big second-half charge.

"Just the whole situation combined made it one of the best victories I've been a part of," said Teahan, who was a freshman on the 2008 national championship team.

Marcus Denmon had 28 points to lead Missouri (25-4, 12-4). Ricardo Ratliffe had 22 points, Dixon 17 and Kim English 11.

"We had the game in our hands," English said. "We gave them a gift."

The Tigers were controlling the game early in the second half, but Kansas methodically chopped away, Robinson working inside and the Jayhawks taking advantage of the Tigers' foul trouble.

Robinson's basket inside with 2:28 left got the Jayhawks within 71-70, and Travis Releford answered a basket by Denmon with two free throws. Ratliffe restored a three-point lead with two free throws, but the Jayhawks still had time to draw even.

Robinson took a feed in the post and backed down Dixon, getting his leaner to go as he was undercut for the foul. His free throw with 16.1 seconds left tied it at 75.

NO. 1 KENTUCKY 83, VANDY 74: Freshman Anthony Davis scored a career-high 28 on 10-of-11 shooting, and the Wildcats (28-1, 14-0 SEC) won the conference regular-season title for the 45th time with their 51st straight home victory.

NO. 2 SYRACUSE 71, UCONN 69: Fab Melo hit a follow-up dunk with 31 seconds left, and the visiting Orange (29-1, 16-1 Big East) clinched the league regular-season title despite blowing a 17-point second-half lead.

NO. 5 DUKE 70, VA. TECH 65, OT: Austin Rivers had 23 points and Seth Curry 19 for the host Blue Devils (25-4, 12-2 ACC), who made 6 of 8 free throws in the final minute of overtime to win their sixth straight.

NO. 6 MICH. ST. 62, NEBRASKA 34: Draymond Green had 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the host Spartans (24-5, 13-3), who remained in control of the Big Ten race.

NO. 7 UNC 54, NO. 25 UVA 51: Tyler Zeller scored 20, including a critical dunk with 13.3 seconds left and the shot clock winding down for the visiting Tar Heels (25-4, 12-2 ACC). The Cavaliers (21-7, 8-6) played much of the game with leading scorer Mike Scott in foul trouble.

NO. 9 G'TOWN 67, VILLANOVA 46: Freshman Otto Porter had 15 points and six rebounds in his second start of the season, and the host Hoyas (21-6, 11-5 Big East) took sole possession of fourth place in the conference.

PURDUE 75, NO. 11 MICHIGAN 61: Terone Johnson scored a career-high 22 to help the Boilermakers hand the Wolverines (21-8, 11-5 Big Ten) their first home loss of the season in 16 games and boost their own NCAA Tournament chances.

NO. 13 BAYLOR 70, OKLA. 60: Pierre Jackson scored 18 and hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer that started a late 13-2 spurt for the host Bears (24-5, 11-5 Big 12).

NO. 14 MURRAY ST. 69, TENN. TECH 64: Isaiah Canaan scored 18, and the Racers (28-1, 15-1 Ohio Valley) finished undefeated on the road for the first time in school history.

TCU 83, NO. 18 NEW MEXICO 64: Amric Fields scored eight in a row within 48 seconds in a tiebreaking run for the Horned Frogs, who routed the Lobos (22-6, 8-4 Mountain West) for their second straight win at home over a ranked team.

NO. 19 WICHITA ST. 81, DRAKE 58: Ben Smith had 18 points to lead a balanced offense for the host Shockers (26-4, 16-2), who had already clinched the Missouri Valley regular-season championship going in but celebrated their first title since 2006.

ST. JOHN'S 61, NO. 20 NOTRE DAME 58: Moe Harkless had 22 points and nine rebounds for the host Red Storm, which beat a ranked team for the first time in 11 games this season and stopped a program-record nine-game conference winning streak by the Fighting Irish (20-9, 12-4 Big East).

NO. 21 UNLV 68, AIR FORCE 58: Senior Chace Stanback scored 21 for the host Runnin' Rebels (24-6, 8-4 Mountain West) to pass Reggie Theus for 23rd place on the school's all-time scoring list. Stanback has 1,187 points in his career.

SAINT JOE'S 82, NO. 22 TEMPLE 72: The host Hawks snapped Temple's 11-game winning streak and kept the Owls (22-6, 11-3 Atlantic 10) from clinching the conference regular-season title.

State

UCF 63, UTEP 45: Isaiah Sykes had 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Knights (20-8, 9-5 C-USA), who improved to 15-1 at home.

FLA. TECH 82, TAMPA 74: The Panthers rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit, and the host Spartans (6-20, 2-14 Sunshine State) fell in their season finale.

ECKERD 74, LYNN 58: Seniors Wayne Sears had 16 points and Lance Kearse 11 in their regular-season finale as the host Tritons (19-7, 11-5 SSC) snapped a two-game skid.

SAINT LEO 61, BARRY 56: Trent Thomas had 20 points for the visiting Lions (16-10, 10-6 SSC), who finished the regular season with seven straight wins.

Times wires
Saturday, February 25, 2012

Tennis

Austrian wins again despite broken big toe

MEMPHIS — Austrian Jurgen Melzer continued his run with a broken right big toe, beating Radek Stepanek 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 Saturday in the semifinals of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships.

Melzer, who helped Austria beat Russia in the first round of the Davis Cup two weeks ago, broke the toe when he got caught in a hotel bedspread Feb. 16.

Melzer ousted top seed and Tampa resident John Isner in straight sets to reach the semis. He has iced the toe after each match. He said it bothers him only when he sprints and stops. "Most of my sliding I do on hardcourt I do with my left foot," Melzer said. "So it doesn't … affect my game."

Today Melzer meet Milos Raonic, who beat Benjamin Becker 6-4, 6-4. Raonic won last week's tournament in San Jose, Calif.

Open 13: Juan Martin del Potro reached his second straight final, beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-7 (7-9), 6-3 in Marseille, France. Del Potro, who lost to Roger Federer last week in Rotterdam, Netherlands, faces Michael Llodra. He beat Janko Tipsarevic 6-4, 7-6 (12-10).

Dubai Championships: Agnieszka Radwanska won her eighth title, defeating Julia Goerges 7-5, 6-4 in the United Arab Emirates. She will rise one place to a career-best No. 5 in the world Monday.

College baseball

Tampa goes 10 to remain perfect

Damon Elder singled in Carlos Saade in the 10th as Tampa (11-0) beat Delta State 2-1 in the Holiday Classic at Valdosta, Ga. Late Friday, UT, No. 1 in the Division II coaches poll, beat No. 6 and defending national champ West Florida 10-7. The game was delayed four hours by rain. Jake Schrader (Pasco High) hit a three-run home run, and Adam Pendleton (Alonso) drove in three for the Spartans.

NO. 1 Florida 5, William & Mary 1: Preston Tucker (Plant High) became the career RBI leader for the host Gators (6-1). His solo homer in the third gave him 215, passing Brad Wilkerson.

Horses

Long shot edges another at Downs

Roman Tiger, which went off at 28-1, ended a 13-race losing streak and defeated El Commodore (33-1) by a nose to win his first graded stakes, the Grade III $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar. Ridden by Angel Serpa for owner-trainer Dennis Manning, Roman Tiger completed 11/16 miles in 1 minute, 40.42 seconds.

More horses: Favorite El Padrino beat Mark Valeski by a neck to win the Grade II $300,000 Risen Star Stakes, the final prep for the Louisiana Derby, in New Orleans. … The Factor beat Sway Away by a half-length to win the $200,000 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.

Et cetera

Boxing: Alexander Povet­kin earned a decision over Marco Huck to retain the WBA heavyweight title in Stuttgart, Germany. Huck (34-2), the WBO cruiserweight champ, staggered Povetkin in the fourth and seventh but couldn't knock him out. One judge scored it 114-114. The others had it 116-113 and 116-112 for Povetkin (24-0).

Greyhounds: Hi Noon Renegade and Sing In The Rain won third-round qualifiers for the $64,000 Sprint Classic at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. Qualifying concludes Wednesday.

Skiing: Benjamin Raich earned his first World Cup win since December 2009 in a super-G in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

Don Jensen, Times correspondent; Times wires

Times wires
Saturday, February 25, 2012

ORLANDO — Jeremy Lin is one step closer to having a sneaker line.

Nike started selling Lin-themed sneakers on its website this weekend to capitalize on the Knicks point guard's rise from obscurity to worldwide phenomenon.

Priced at $130, the Zoom Hyperfuse Low iD shoe is blue and orange — the Knicks' colors — and is the shoe Lin has been wearing this season.

Fans can customize the sneakers for color and size, and to add Lin's name on the tongue top.

The sneakers will take 22 to 30 days to be delivered, the website says. They are not available in stores.

Asked when Lin will have his own sneaker line and when his shoes will appear in stores, Nike spokesman Brian Strong said, "We are not commenting on any speculation around future plans for Jeremy."

Lin, who has been with Nike since 2010, was released by the Warriors and Rockets during the preseason. He spent time in the Development League, then was buried on the Knicks' bench. Given playing time, he averaged 23.9 points and 9.2 assists over his first 11 games before being shut down Thursday by the Heat (eight points on 1 of 11 shooting).

Lin is making his first foray into the world of marketing. It began with "Lin-sanity" T-shirts, which are not exclusive to one apparel company.

Lin, who played less than nine minutes in Friday's Rising Stars Challenge, made an appearance for Foot Locker on Saturday at the Orlando mall that hosted All-Stars Derrick Rose, Paul Pierce and Russell Westbrook this weekend.

Fans starting lining up at 9 a.m. for a chance to get an autograph from Lin. By the time he arrived at 12:10 p.m., hundreds were lined up around a steel-fenced area in the center of busy Florida Mall. Lin was wearing a Linsanity T-shirt — no hyphen.

Lin sat at a table and signed photos of himself and other items for the fast-moving crowd until about 12:55. Not everyone made it in, however.

Lin was whisked away for another appearance before some R&R. The Knicks return to practice Monday. Their next game is Wednesday against Cleveland.

"I'm going to shut it down until the Cleveland game," Lin said. "I definitely need this break."

The Florida Mall is the venue that had a near-riot Thursday night during the launch of a basketball shoe that had nothing to do with Lin.

Hundreds of people packed the mall parking lot in anticipation of a shoe release at midnight. Sheriff's deputies in riot gear closed the mall and dispersed the crowd. Two people were arrested for trespassing and one for fighting, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 26, 2012

TAMPA — Life on the NCAA bubble is an exciting time, and USF didn't disappoint Sunday afternoon, rallying twice in the final 30 seconds to pull off a 46-45 thriller against Cincinnati and pick up a huge boost for their tournament resume before a season-high announced crowd of 6,784 at Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Senior Ron Anderson — a 48 percent free-throw shooter — hit two for a one-point lead with 26 seconds left, and after Cincinnati got the lead back on Cashmere Wright's shot with 9 seconds left, freshman Anthony Collins drove the length of the court, drew a foul and hit two free throws with 3.2 seconds left for a crucial Bulls win.

"I'm really proud of those guys, the way we handled adversity, persevered and found a way to come back," said coach Stan Heath, whose team improved to 14-1 in home games.

"Anthony Collins, he's just playing incredible. I don't know how to explain it. He's a freshman. He doesn't play like a freshman, he doesn't act like a freshman. But he sure makes things happen on the court for us."

The Bulls (18-11, 11-5 Big East) are fifth in the league standings, having already clinched a first-round bye for the Big East tournament in 10 days. If they win Wednesday at Louisville or Saturday at home against West Virginia, they should have a strong case to make the NCAA cut for the first time in 20 years.

USF won with defense, holding Cincinnati (20-9, 10-6) to eight points below its season low and 24 below its season average. In the past six games, the Bulls have held all their opponents to 56 points or fewer and at least 20 below their average. The Big East's most prolific 3-point shooting team went 3-for-15 beyond the arc, though Bearcats coach Mick Cronin didn't give the Bulls all the credit for that.

"It's Sunday morning in a hockey arena," Cronin said. "I didn't think we were going to make shots."

USF led most of the way, but after leading 37-31 in the second half, the Bulls went scoreless for more than six minutes, and Cincinnati led 41-37 with four minutes to play. But a layup by Hugh Robertson cut the lead to two, and Toarlyn Fitzpatrick's 3-pointer from the wing ignited the crowd in giving the Bulls a 42-41 lead with 2:23 left.

Wright, who had been held to three points, hit a fade for a 43-42 lead with 1:03 left, but the Bulls' Anderson drew a foul as the shot clock was running down with 26 seconds left.

For USF to win at the line was unlikely: The Bulls had gone 1-for-4 on free throws for the entire game before the final 30 seconds. Anderson's front end of the 1-and-1 hit the back of the rim and bounced straight up and in.

"That was the craziest bounce of my career," Anderson said. "There are some things that happen in a game that you can't explain. It furthermore shows me and my team that there's a bigger purpose in what we're doing out there. We're trying to make the tournament this year, and I feel like everything's falling into place."

After Wright gave Cincinnati the lead with 9.5 seconds left, Heath didn't call a timeout, trusting in his freshman to make a play, which he did, drawing a foul and hitting the winning shots at the line.

"Usually, Coach just says, 'Try to make a play,' " said Collins, who had game highs with 14 points and five assists. "I was just trying to drive, get in the lane, and if I saw an opening, shoot it."

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 26, 2012

NEWARK — Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said he spoke to the Blues about minor-league G Ben Bishop but was not willing to give up a second-round draft pick for him.

Bishop, 25, who has received much publicity as a potential franchise player, was traded to the Senators for a 2013 second-round pick.

That little drama seemed to end the bulk of Tampa Bay's work headed into today's 3 p.m. trade deadline.

"We've made our moves," Yzerman said Sunday. "We'll work the phones and see what's going on. But as far as acquiring players or real impact players, it's more likely than not at the draft."

In other words, acquiring a No. 1 goaltender — Vancouver's Cory Schneider, perhaps — will have to wait.

As for today, Yzerman said there is mild interest in some of his potential unrestricted free agents, including defensemen Brett Clark, Bruno Gervais and Matt Gilroy, goaltender Dwayne Roloson, and forwards Ryan Shannon and Adam Hall.

LW Ryan Malone also has been through the rumor mill, but Yzerman seems more inclined to keep the player, whose salary drops to $3 million next season from $5.5 million.

Yzerman said he is happy the trades of Dominic Moore, Pavel Kubina and Steve Downie helped him accumulate two first-round picks in the June draft and up to four in the second round.

"They are assets," he said. "Whether we choose to use them as draft picks or in trades, we have some options there."

A more immediate concern is what to do with Brett Connolly. Tampa Bay has until the trade deadline to send the rookie right wing to Tri-City of the junior Western league so he is eligible for its playoffs.

The question is: Is Connolly better served playing there or the NHL?

"There's an argument for both sides," Yzerman said. "He plays the final (20) games and gets a lot of ice time, obviously, the NHL is a better league than junior hockey. The tempo is higher, the players are stronger. He's going to benefit on that if he plays."

Connolly, 19, has four goals and nine points in 48 games, but has just one assist in his past 26. He admittedly has struggled defensively, and his average ice time is just 10:44.

That said, Connolly's past three games, in which he has played on the power play and averaged 13:09 of ice time, have been his best in a while.

"I don't know that he really struggled. He hasn't played a whole lot," Yzerman said. "The coaches were going with veteran guys, trying to win. It's hard to have an impact when you play five minutes."

HURTING: D Victor Hedman sat out against New Jersey with what might be a concussion.

"I can't say one way or another," Yzerman said, adding he preferred to wait for the results of testing today in Tampa.

If Hedman, hurt Saturday against the Penguins, is concussed, it would be the second time in two months. He missed 13 games in January.

ODDS AND ENDS: D Evan Oberg was recalled from AHL Norfolk and played 11:25. In eight previous callups he played 1:21. … Shannon (upper body), D Marc-Andre Bergeron and C Vinny Lecavalier (hand) also were scratched.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 26, 2012

Popping off about the pop-ups

• Pop-up drills are usually entertaining, even more so with the balls spinning out of the machine, on the first day of workouts, with gusting winds and a cloudy sky. "The idea is to make it even harder than they really are," 1B Carlos Peña said. "And the machine achieves that."

• The wind seemed to be causing most of the problems, but OF Sam Fuld said the cloud cover was an issue, too. "Pretty similar to the Trop — it was tough to see the ball," he said. "I don't know if we coordinated that with Mother Nature, or it just worked out. Joe (Maddon) is a powerful guy. And Andrew (Friedman), too."

Quote of the day

"I think I passed."

LHP David Price, on the Sunday morning eye exam

Show of respect of the day

When senior adviser Don Zimmer, now entering his 64th season, was introduced during the pre-workout meeting, the players broke into a round of applause.

Who is this Ray?

He is an avid golfer with a 10 handicap. He played at Long Beach State with Evan Longoria. He was drafted by and debuted with the Padres, then was traded to the Rays.

The dish

Today's full-squad workout starts around 9:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and lasts three hours. Admission and parking free. Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 South to Toledo Blade Road, go west 6½ miles to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, stadium complex is on left. For more information: (941) 235-5025.

Heads-up

Live batting practice starts around 11, with David Price, James Shields and Wade Davis among those scheduled to throw.

Exhibition schedule

Rays tickets: $9/12-27, available at box office, via raysbaseball.com and Ticketmaster.

Info: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)

All games 1:05 unless noted

March

3: at Twins

4: Twins

5: Orioles*

6: Twins

7: at Yankees

8: Tigers (ss)

at Twins (ss)

9: Orioles

10: at Red Sox (7:05)

11: Pirates

12: Twins

13: at Orioles

14: Marlins

15: Phillies

16: at Jays

17: at Pirates

18: Red Sox

19: Off

20: at Marlins

21: Yankees

22: at Pirates

23: Jays (7:05)

24: at Twins (3:05)

25: Marlins

26: at Twins

27: at Red Sox (1:35)

28: Pirates (7:05)

29: at Phillies

30: at Pirates

31: Red Sox

APRIL

1: at Orioles

2: Twins*

3: at Twins

4: vs. Future Rays, 1:40, at Tropicana Field

* Value game, $2 off

Who is this answer: LHP Cesar Ramos

Twitter 'controversy' of the day

Saturday afternoon, a Twitter account in the name of Red Sox INF Mike Aviles (@MikeAviles3) posted his goodbye to Boston with the "news" he had been traded to the Rays. Two problems: There was no such deal, and Aviles didn't have a Twitter account, though he now planned to get one. "It was crazy," Aviles told Boston media.

Chicken-and-beer note of the day

After saying the Rays would not be like the Red Sox and ban beer, manager Joe Maddon was asked about fried chicken, which reportedly went with the beer during Boston's collapse. Maddon said he was okay with that, too. "Depends if that's what they're serving (in the clubhouse) that night," he said. "It kind of goes well with it actually."

By Matt Santiago, Times Correspondent


Sunday, February 26, 2012

When to go: The higher parts of the tide and the warmest times of the day have produced the best results of late.

What and where: A lot of snook are still in their late winter spots because the water has not stayed warm enough consistently for them to venture out to their spring haunts. Whitebait is the go-to bait for snook, but they have been reacting well to artificials as well. Snook are catch-and-release only in gulf waters.

Trout have been right where we normally find them in March and April, and they will eat just about any live or artificial bait.

Reports of redfish catches come from miles up the rivers to out on the flats. The really big schools haven't shown up yet, but 20-30 slot-sized redfish (18 to 27 inches) days are not uncommon.

Black drum have been around bridges and on the bars, where they go for spawning rituals. Black drum more than 30 pounds are not uncommon. A well-presented live or artificial crab or shrimp should work. The larger drum are here to spawn and should be quickly landed and released.

Bait: The Skyway Bridge is still the best place to load the livewell.

Matt Santiago can be reached at (813) 205-2327 or CaptainMattSantiago@gmail.com or online at FishingGuideTampa.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 26, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — Manager Joe Maddon had run into most of the Rays infielders and outfielders during the past week when pitchers and catchers were working out. But seeing all 59 players together in front of him Sunday morning during his speech prior to the first full-squad workout was still a meaningful moment.

"I've been kind of poring over that mentally and on paper and then you do see them out there, it's kind of nice," Maddon said. "There's a variety of talent, and a lot of it speaks to youthful athleticism. … That's what really smacks me when I look out at our players."

The primary topic of Maddon's address, as expected, was dealing with the raised expectations for the team.

"We need to utilize the expectations as fuel regarding what we're doing," Maddon said. "Don't run away from it. I believe as a group we have humble baseball players here. I believe humility is a real strong human quality. But I don't think that false humility is.

"So you don't go out there and just deny things or push back because you consider it superstitious, even though I'm just a little -stitious. You have to be concerned about that kind of thing — when you really don't admit to and you're always making excuses, I think that actually takes away. I like the idea that people feel that way about us."

Maddon also talked to the players about not getting complacent.

"You naturally have the ability to get a little complacent when people expect you to go out there and succeed, and that was the main message," OF Sam Fuld said. "I think that's an important one, and I don't think he needs to say it any more. I think we're all aware of it."

MOORE SLOWED: Rookie LHP Matt Moore "probably won't" throw his scheduled batting practice session today, pitching coach Jim Hickey said, a "precautionary" move due to some lower abdomen discomfort.

The Rays expect Moore to return to the mound Wednesday, and if so he will only be two days behind going into the exhibition schedule, which begins Saturday.

RHPs Brandon Gomes (back surgery) and Kyle Farnsworth (workload) are also on a slower-paced schedule.

SWING TIME: DH Luke Scott felt "a little bit off" during Sunday's batting practice session, which he attributed to not having a chance to loosen his surgically repaired right shoulder before swinging.

Scott said he wasn't concerned or surprised but that he would change his schedule starting today to make sure he had more time to warm up. Overall, he said he remains "a little bit ahead of schedule" in his recovery from the July 26 labrum repair and fully expects to be ready opening day.

Maddon said the Rays expect the same, but said Scott's availability and schedule for the exhibition season hadn't been determined. "In the beginning I just want him to go slowly and we'll figure that out," Maddon said.

MISCELLANY: Maddon mentioned LHP Alex Torres and RHPs Burke Badenhop and Josh Lueke as standing out during the live batting practice sessions. … Several hitters just took pitches rather than swing, though Matt Joyce and Sean Rodriguez did hit homers. … 1B Juan Miranda was the last of the 59 players to report.

Times wires
Sunday, February 26, 2012

Ever since he became the Nationals' very first draft pick, Ryan Zimmerman wanted to stay with the club for the long haul.

Now he'll get that wish.

Washington took what it hopes is another step toward consistent contention by locking up its third baseman, and the player many still call the face of the franchise, through 2019, adding six years to Zimmerman's existing contract in a deal announced Sunday.

The deal includes a full no-trade clause.

The extra six seasons are worth $100 million, the Associated Press reported

"It's nice that it's done," Zimmerman, 27, said at a news conference at the club's spring training stadium in Viera. "It's where I want to be. It's where I've always wanted to be."

He already was signed for 2012 and 2013, with $26 million remaining on the five-year, $45 million contract he got at the start of the 2009 season. He's now guaranteed $126 million over the next eight seasons, and there is a club option for 2020.

"I love pressure. I don't think people get these kinds of contracts that don't want to be in pressure situations. Ever since I've been here, I've wanted to be the guy that's up last in the ninth inning," Zimmerman said. "I've wanted to be the guy that everyone looks to. I've wanted to be the so-called leader. I relish being that guy. I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way."

HAMILTON CLARIFIES: When it comes to the Rangers, star outfielder Josh Hamilton wants to make this clear: "My loyalty is here."

A couple days after his comments led some to wonder about his future, the former AL MVP clarified his remarks. Hamilton is eligible for free agency after this season.

"If it does go to free agency, the first place I'm coming is here," Hamilton said. "If I owe anything, it is that."

COMEBACK OVER: Twins right-hander Joel Zumaya, 27, was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right elbow, ending his latest comeback bid almost before it began. Zumaya, who hadn't pitched since June 2010, had signed an incentive-laden, one-year deal with Minnesota.

INDIANS LOSE CLOSER: All-Star right-hander Chris Perez will miss a month to six weeks with a strained left side muscle. Perez, 26, was injured throwing off the mound for the first time in spring training.

ANGELS: Right-handed reliever Juan Rincon, 33, agreed to a minor-league contract.

METS: Left-hander Johan Santana, 32, threw 72 pitches from a mound without pain or discomfort in the shoulder that he had surgically repaired in September of 2010.

ORIOLES: Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, 31, was held out of his scheduled bullpen session because of discomfort in his pitching elbow.

RED SOX: A day after manager Bobby Valentine told his team there would be no alcohol in the clubhouse or on plane trips after road games, right-hander Josh Beckett told WEEI.com that it was of little consequence to him. "I don't get paid to make those decisions," he said. "It doesn't matter to me."

Times wires
Sunday, February 26, 2012

TAMPA — Yankees RF Nick Swisher, who is in the final year of a three-year contract, said Sunday he will not try to negotiate a new contract during the season and expects to become a free agent, ESPN reported.

"The Yankees aren't traditionally an organization that does do multiyears in the middle of a contract," Swisher said. "They are a team that you're going to have to test the free-agent market. You're going to have to because that's how the Yankees work."

The Yankees generally don't discuss contract extensions during the season. They had talks this spring with C Russell Martin about a multiyear deal, according to ESPN, but decided to wait until after the season.

Swisher, 31, said he would not instruct his agent, Dan Lozano, to contact the Yankees about a possible extension.

"That's not my style, man. I don't force the issue," he said. "I just go and play the game and I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."

Phils: Howard checkup

CLEARWATER — Phillies 1B Ryan Howard will visit foot specialist Mark Myerson today in Baltimore, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Team trainer Scott Sheridan said Philadelphia was planning to send the slugger for a follow-up visit even before a post-surgery problem surfaced in recent days.

"The last couple days, he developed what we think is a delayed reaction to his sutures," Sheridan said. "He has an open wound that isn't healing the way we want it to … and we have to get that evaluated. Mark will evaluate him and we'll determine what his treatment plan is from there."

GM Ruben Amaro described Howard's condition as seroma, or a pocket of clear fluid that sometimes develops in an area after surgery. Sheridan said it is common, especially after Achilles' tendon surgery.

LEE UPDATE: After skipping a scheduled bullpen session due to abdominal soreness, LHP Cliff Lee threw about 40 pitches in a side session with no problems.

Jays: Nicked up

DUNEDIN — Several Blue Jays players had minor injuries on the first day that pitchers threw live batting practice.

RHP Carlos Villanueva missed the workout because of a mysterious hand injury, but tests came back negative and he expects to be at full strength today.

During his bullpen session Saturday, Villanueva felt a cold sensation in his hand that the club though might be related to poor circulation.

"He went through a number of tests (Saturday) and everything turned out — as far as the results went — fine," manager John Farrell told MLB.com. "He's going to be re-examined (today) and we'll have more of an update at that point."

RHP Henderson Alvarez took a ball off his right foot while playing catch with LHP Luis Perez. Alvarez was carted off as a precaution but should return to action today.

And OF Anthony Gose, one of Toronto's top prospects, was sidelined with a blister on his right hand and sported a large bandage.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 26, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — Starting with the Hall of Fame asking for the bat, Evan Longoria had a pretty good sense of how legendary his Game 162-ending/wild-card-clinching/Red Sox-eliminating home run was in baseball circles.

But it was during a mid-December trip to New York that he realized how far his newfound fame had reached. Having put his name on the list for what was supposed to be a 90-minute wait for a table inside Mario Batali's Eataly dining complex, Longoria within moments was quickly ushered to a table. He got similar royal treatment at other stops during his stay.

"Usually New York City is pretty good about being hospitable to their own athletes and visiting teams and players," Longoria said, "but I swore I've never seen more doors open and carpets roll out for a guy. I'm not even kidding you. …

"It was pretty crazy how one event can shape something in a city. And I think they were obviously so happy Boston wasn't in the playoffs."

While Cooperstown has the Louisville Slugger, Longoria has the memories, plus his cleats and uniform — though the ball, which he said he would have given to the Hall, was never recovered amid the massive celebration. "I guess anybody could say they have it," he said.

The 12th-inning walkoff homer was the peak of an up-and-down season for Longoria, and with the Rays taking the field Sunday for the first full-squad workout of this spring, he talked excitedly about building on the team's success and his own strong second half.

At 26, somehow entering his fifth season, Longoria feels great physically after November surgery to correct a nerve condition in his left foot (Morton's neuroma) and a changed workout regimen that has him leaner and more flexible than years past.

"This year, above all, I feel from top to bottom really good," he said.

And he likes the improvements the Rays have made to the lineup around him, highlighted by the signings of sluggers Carlos Peña and Luke Scott, plus the additions of Jeff Keppinger and Jose Molina.

"This offense, I think we are as solid and as put-together as we've had," he said. "In past years, there's always been the question factor — 'Is this guy going to do what we expect him to do?' … Now there's a lot less questions to be answered, and more so the focus is just on us a unit staying healthy and going out there on a daily basis."

As memorable as Longoria's season ended, it began forgettable as the third baseman strained an oblique in the second game and missed a month, then struggled upon returning and had issues with his foot.

But in 98 games from June 11, he hit an AL-high-matching 27 homers (including 13 in the final 41 games) and racked up a major-league-leading 86 RBIs, though with a .245 average. Over a full season that extrapolates to 45 and 142, and though Longoria doesn't like to talk specific numbers, suffice to say that stretch was more along the lines of what he expects of himself.

"A lot of what this team does, if I'm hitting in the middle of the lineup, is going to be predicated around how I perform," he said. "I try not to put that huge amount of pressure on myself, but of course I have to go out there and put some sort of pressure on myself to produce, and thankfully, it came at the right times and we were able to put everything together."

Manager Joe Maddon said he could tell just from Sunday's workout how much better Longoria feels, and how he feels about himself, noting the fluidity of his movements during drills and the confidence in his words.

"I think that's a very, very big positive for us," Maddon said. "And maybe dangerous for the rest of the league."

Longoria's teammates see even more if he stays that way.

"MVP candidate," starter David Price said. "No doubt in my mind."

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Sunday, February 26, 2012

MARANA, Ariz. — Even as Hunter Mahan motored through the Match Play Championship by beating one tough opponent after another, he had reason to feel he was just along for the ride in Sunday's final.

All the chatter was about U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy and his march to No. 1 in the world. All the chants Mahan heard as he walked down the first two holes at Dove Mountain were for McIlroy.

With a little extra motivation he didn't need, Mahan won three straight holes on the front nine to seize control and answered McIlroy's charge with birdies for a 2-and-1 victory.

"Deep down, you wanted to postpone that crowning of the No. 1 player in the world for Rory," Mahan said. "He'll get there. I mean, he's phenomenal. … But yeah, when you're a player, and I listen to Johnny Miller and Nick Faldo and all those guys, they had him picked to win. And that's what everybody was talking about.

"There was absolute motivation in that."

McIlroy, the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland, put a lot of energy into a high-stakes semifinal against Lee Westwood earlier. Both went into Sunday with a chance to be No. 1 had they won the event.

Luke Donald stays at the top.

McIlroy ran off seven birdies in 10 holes to overcome an early deficit and beat Westwood. But he looked flat in the final, lost back-to-back holes, and fell too far behind.

"To me, it was like my final in a way," McIlroy said of beating Westwood. "That was the one I wanted all week and I got. And that's what I got myself up for. Yeah, maybe mentally and emotionally it did take a little bit out of me. But it still doesn't take away from the fact that Hunter played very, very solid golf."

Mahan's resume over the week included wins over Zach Johnson, Y.E. Yang, Steve Stricker, Matt Kuchar, Mark Wilson and McIlroy. Three of them have won majors.

"It feels good because you're going against the game's best," said Mahan, who beat Wilson 2 and 1 earlier Sunday. "I played well from tee-to-green, putting to chipping to driving, irons, everything was there."

PGA: John Huh parred the eighth playoff hole to beat Robert Allenby and win the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Huh, 21, shot 63 to finish at 13-under 271, then parred all eight holes in the playoff that matched the second-longest in PGA Tour history. In the 1949 Motor City Open, Cary Middlecoff and Lloyd Mangrum were declared co-winners after 11 holes. "It's amazing," Huh said. "It's my rookie year, especially, and playing in my fifth event on the PGA Tour. … I mean, it was my dream."

LPGA: American Angela Stanford won the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore on the third playoff hole for her first victory since 2009. The 34-year-old Texan parred the last playoff hole, beating South Koreans Jenny Shin and Na Yeon Choi and China's Shanshan Feng. Stanford bogeyed No. 18 to fall into a four-way tie at 10-under 278. Top-ranked Yani Tseng (69) missed the playoff by a stroke. Tampa's Kristy McPherson (71) was 30th, 10 strokes out, and Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (70) was 13 strokes back.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 26, 2012

USF women vs. Providence

When/where: 7; USF Rec Center, Tampa. Radio: 1010-AM

Records: Providence 13-15, 5-10 Big East; USF 15-14, 7-8

Notable: It's senior night with the final home game for two Bulls, including guard Jasmine Wynne, who leads USF in points (15.7) and rebounds (5.7). … A win tonight secures a winning record and potential berth in the Women's NIT. … Providence has the league's worst free-throw and field-goal shooting and the worst 3-point defense.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 26, 2012

DAYTONA BEACH — NASCAR's marquee event and one of racing's most highly anticipated debuts will have to wait.

Steady showers on Sunday postponed the 54th Daytona 500 by a day for the first time in race history. The season opener — and the Sprint Cup debut of former IndyCar star Danica Patrick — is scheduled to start at noon today and will be televised on Fox (Ch. 13).

But the radar doesn't look much better. The National Weather Service forecasts a 70 percent chance of rain with a possible thunderstorm today.

"Awesome," pole-sitter Carl Edwards said sarcastically.

Weather has shortened the Great American Race four times, including in 2003 when Michael Waltrip won and in Matt Kenseth's 2009 victory. NASCAR also started the race under yellow because of rain in 1963 and 1979.

But the elements had never postponed its start or pushed its finish back a day.

"I didn't know when to eat," said veteran driver Bobby Labonte, who kept his racing gear on all day in case the skies cleared. "I didn't know when to rest. I didn't know when to do whatever."

Mist hung over the 2½-mile tri-oval in the morning as fans streamed in, and rain fell at 1:29 p.m. when WWE wrestler John Cena was scheduled to wave the green flag. Drivers stood under umbrellas with their teams, and black covers blanketed their cars on pit road.

As the afternoon wore on and drivers disappeared to their trailers, the only action near the track came from seagulls waddling through infield puddles and poncho-clad fans buzzing under the grandstands.

"It's like watching paint dry because you look out the window and it's still raining," said Greg Biffle, who will start the race on the outside of Row 1.

Racers and crews passed the time in different ways. Patrick darted between media and sponsor obligations. Last year's winner, Trevor Bayne, wore a flannel shirt as a guest analyst on Fox.

Mark Martin napped. A member of Jimmie Johnson's crew watched highlights of the NFL combine. Edwards watched professional bowling on TV.

"I got into that a little bit," Edwards said.

Showers let up around 3:30, and 10 trucks equipped with powerful jet dryers circled the track for an hour and a half to try to dry the superspeedway. But when sprinkles fell harder shortly after 5, the track grew damp again, and NASCAR parked those vehicles, too.

"A long day," track president and Tampa native Joie Chitwood III said. "We attempted our best to try to get the track dry. It seemed like every time we got close, a pocket of rain showed up."

NASCAR will honor Sunday's tickets today, and other tickets will be on sale at the gate or at the speedway's ticket office. If rain persists, Chitwood said officials likely will wait until early evening before thinking about postponing it again and exploring its next options.

"I don't even want to talk about Tuesday right now," Chitwood said.

Drivers and crews don't expect the rain to make any major changes to the track, but the delay will cause plenty of other problems. Logistical issues could arise because teams have less time to transport their equipment 2,200 miles to the next race in Phoenix, six days away.

And everyone must adjust mentally after being geared up for NASCAR's biggest race but leaving the track without circling it once.

"Now when you put that off for another day, for all of us, it's now who can really stay focused," Edwards said. "That's not just drivers. That's the pit crews, crew chiefs, everyone."

REPUBLICAN RACE: Two hopefuls for the Republican presidential nomination had a presence Sunday. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney addressed the crowd briefly about an hour before the race. One of his chief rivals, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, sponsored the No. 26 Ford of Tony Raines, which starts 41st.

Times staff writer Matt Baker can be reached at mbaker@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Sunday, February 26, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A lot of coaches would go ballistic if their 6-foot-10 center stepped outside and took a 3 with the clock running down and their team behind on the road.

Not Bo Ryan

Jared Berggren scored Wisconsin's final five, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 31 seconds left, and the 16th-ranked Badgers beat No. 8 Ohio State 63-60 on Sunday, assuring Michigan State of at least a share of the Big Ten title.

"Wasn't that huge?" Ryan gushed later. "Give the kid a lot of credit. He's done that before."

In Ryan's offense, the big men have to carry their share of the load at the offensive end, and that doesn't necessarily mean with their backs to the basket. The Badgers have a history of big men who can shoot outside.

"We always — if we have an open look, we have to be aggressive," said Berggren, who had 18 points. "They're a good defensive team so you know open looks can be hard to come by. So when we get an opportunity, you have to step up with confidence."

The Badgers (21-8, 10-6), who lost at Iowa on Thursday night, beat a top-10 team on the road for the first time since topping No. 4 Ohio State 72-71 on Jan. 26, 1980. Ryan was an assistant coach on that team.

Ohio State (23-6, 11-5) has lost three of its past five.

"Just our inability to sustain what needed to be sustained," coach Thad Matta said of Sunday. "Be it offensive execution or defensive stops, we weren't able to get those things done."

NO. 17 LOUISVILLE 57, PITT 54: Russ Smith scored 18, Kyle Kuric added 17 three days after going 0-for-11 in a loss to Cincinnati and the host Cardinals (22-7, 10-6 Big East) held on.

NO. 23 INDIANA 69, MINNESOTA 50: Christian Watford had 12 points for the visiting Hoosiers (22-7, 9-7 Big Ten), who held the Gophers to their fewest points this season.

CALHOUN SURGERY: Connecticut Jim Calhoun is set to have back surgery today to help alleviate pain caused by narrowing of his spinal column.

Women

NO. 10 TENN. 75, UF 59: Glory Johnson had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the host Vols (21-8, 12-4), who grabbed second place in the SEC and will face Vanderbilt or Mississippi State in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament on Friday. Florida (18-11, 8-8) had won five of seven but hardly threatened. UF, seeded eighth, faces Auburn on Thursday in the tournament.

VIRGINIA 66, FSU 57: Ariana Moorer had 23 points to lead the Cavaliers (21-9, 9-7 ACC). Senior center Cierra Bravard had 24 points and 10 rebounds in her final regular-season home game for the Seminoles (14-16, 6-10).

NO. 5 MIAMI 88, BC 42: Riquna Williams scored 20 and the Hurricanes (25-4, 14-2) ended their ACC regular season with their 40th straight home win.

NO. 6 MARYLAND 65, N.C. ST. 50: Alyssa Thomas scored 22 of her 24 in the second half and added a career-high 17 rebounds for the visiting Terrapins (25-4, 12-4), who clinched the No. 3 seed in the ACC tournament .

NO. 7 DUKE 69, UNC 63: Tricia Liston scored 15as the host Blue Devils (24-4, 15-1) won the ACC regular-season title outright.

NO. 23 NEBRASKA 71, NO. 8 OHIO ST. 57: Emily Cady scored 24 to match her career high, and the host Cornhuskers (21-7, 10-6 Big Ten) handed the Buckeyes (24-5, 11-5) their second loss in three games.

NO. 9 DELAWARE 89, N'EASTERN 71: The host Blue Hens (26-1, 17-0 Colonial Athletic Association) won their 16th straight game and tied the school record for victories.

NO. 11 PENN ST. 74, MINNESOTA 51: The host Lions (23-5, 13-3) claimed sole possession of the Big Ten title.

NO. 13 KENTUCKY 76, MISS. ST. 40: The visiting Wildcats (24-5, 13-3) clinched their first regular-season SEC title in 30 years and set a school record for conference wins.

NO. 17 GA. TECH 62, CLEMSON 50: The host Yellow Jackets (22-7, 12-4) wrapped up their best regular season in ACC play.

NO. 18 GEORGIA 62, LSU 46: The host Bulldogs (22-7, 11-5) clinched the third seed in the SEC tournament.

NO. 22 PURDUE 90, INDIANA 58: Brittany Rayburn scored 24 for the host Boilermakers (21-8, 11-5 Big Ten).

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 26, 2012

NEWARK, N.J. — Coach Guy Boucher was so happy with the nickname he gave Marty St. Louis, he made sure the player heard him use it.

"There's the 'little giant,' " he called out as the Lightning wing walked by in the Prudential Center.

St. Louis made a good-humored nod before opening the door to a meet-and-greet area where he was enveloped by cheers and picture flashes.

It was a well-earned attaboy for the 5-foot-7 player, who Sunday had a hat trick and four points in a 4-3 win over the Devils that took some of the edge off a disappointing 1-2-0 road trip.

"He's been an incredible leader," Boucher said. "When you realize what he's done, what he keeps doing, it has to inspire."

The Lightning (28-28-6) needed someone to provide some equilibrium. Saturday's 8-1 loss in Pittsburgh was bad enough. But a roster depleted by trades and injuries was slapped again by the loss of defenseman Victor Hedman to a possible concussion. That's bad news for a team 11th in the Eastern Conference, six points out of the eighth and final playoff spot. But with 11 of its next 16 games at home, where the Lightning is 18-9-2, and the power play suddenly clicking with five goals in 16 chances, players believe they have a chance.

"You want to fight until the end," St. Louis said. "We talked about it before the game. 'Let's just make sure we keep hanging around, and you never know what happens.' We go back home and give ourselves a chance. We did that by getting two points."

St. Louis' third goal, his 22nd of the season, was the winner; it made the score 4-2 with 9:42 left in the third period.

Tampa Bay also got a huge goal from Matt Gilroy, whose tap-in 3:09 into the third made it 3-2 41 seconds after Petr Sykora tied it.

Teddy Purcell, with four goals and 11 points in a six-game points streak, had three assists. Steven Stamkos had two points, and Mathieu Garon made 19 saves. New Jersey had a 22-16 shot advantage. That's right, Tampa Bay scored on four of 16 shots against future Hall of Famer Marty Brodeur.

Garon even got an assist. His pass to Stamkos past the red line helped set up St. Louis' first goal.

"A great play," St. Louis said, "a heads-up play."

There was a blip when the Lightning had to survive St. Louis' tripping penalty with 59 seconds left.

Still, "he's such a great leader for us," Garon said of the Laval, Quebec, native who has two hat tricks this season and six in his career. "Every time he's got the puck, he's dangerous. That's why he's one of the top players."

"He is," Boucher said, "the little giant."

First Period—1, N.J., Ponikarovsky 12, 12:07. Penalties—Zidlicky, NJ (holding), 13:04.

Second Period—2, Tampa Bay, St. Louis 20 (Stamkos, Garon), 6:39. 3, Tampa Bay, St. Louis 21 (Purcell, Stamkos), 14:55 (pp). Penalties—Zubrus, NJ (holding stick), 8:17; Kovalchuk, NJ (tripping), 13:46; Smith, TB (hooking), 15:47; Stamkos, TB (hooking), 20:00.

Third Period—4, N.J., Sykora 15 (Bernier, Zubrus), 2:28. 5, Tampa Bay, Gilroy 2 (St. Louis, Purcell), 3:09. 6, Tampa Bay, St. Louis 22 (Purcell, Brewer), 10:18. 7, N.J., Parise 23 (Kovalchuk, Elias), 17:25 (pp). Penalties—Stamkos, TB (tripping), 15:36; St. Louis, TB (tripping), 19:00. Shots on Goal—Tampa Bay 6-6-4—16. N.J. 8-6-8—22. Power-play opportunities—Tampa Bay 1 of 3; N.J. 1 of 4. Goalies—Tampa Bay, Garon 20-16-4 (22 shots-19 saves). N.J., Brodeur 22-15-2 (16-12).