By Jim Tomlin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

SEBRING — Corvette Racing is banking on two young drivers in Saturday's 12 Hours of Sebring who have known their way around Sebring International Raceway for much longer than they have been driving on it.

Both Tommy Milner and Jordan Taylor are the sons of longtime sportscar figures and both live in Central Florida.

So going into this year's 60th anniversary of the 12-hour classic, both have an appreciation for its history far beyond their years.

"I've watched it for 15 years so I've learned a lot from watching it but … I think it's going to be a lot different when there are 64 cars on the track," Taylor said last week.

Taylor, 20, is a student at UCF, when his racing schedule hasn't taken him away. "I could be there for 15 years," he said.

And, perhaps a reflection of how important sponsorship is in auto racing, he's not an engineering major like many in racing but a business marketing major.

"Engineering was going to be way too hard," he says.

Racing, and in particular Sebring, comes much more naturally for Taylor. His father, Wayne, owns the SunTrust team in the Grand-Am series. As a driver, the elder Taylor won the 24 Hours of Daytona twice and the 12 Hours of Sebring once, in 1996 with Jim Pace and Eric van de Poele.Milner, 26, is the son of longtime sportscar team owner Tom Milner. It took the younger Milner a bit longer to get into racing.

"When I was 15 my dad got me (into) a go-cart school out in California and from the first session I was hooked," he said.

But his dad wasn't so sure.

"If you ask him now his first reaction was, 'Ah, there's no future in this,' " Milner says with a laugh.

But Milner earned a spot in the Formula BMW series in 2004, where he competed against current IndyCar drivers Graham Rahal and James Hinchcliffe.

Rahal's and Milner's families go back a long way. Graham's father, former Indy 500 winner and three-time CART champion Bobby, drove for Tom Milner in sportcars in the 1980s.

"Tommy and I had a lot of fun," Rahal said last week at IndyCar testing in Sebring. "Tommy drove for my dad (in sportscars with Rahal Letterman) and I was teammates with Tommy here one year and at Petit Le Mans."

Milner, a native of the Washington area, now lives in Lake Mary. Taylor is a Florida native living in Apopka. Both have built impressive credentials in their short sportscar careers.

Milner, who will drive the No. 4 Corvette C6 ZR1 with Oliver Gavin and Richard Westbrook, won the GTE Pro division last year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Olivier Beretta and Antonio Garcia.

Taylor, sharing duties in the No. 03 Corvette with Garcia and Jan Magnussen, was second in the Grand-Am series' GT championship last year.

And both young drivers, though they have had experience with stars from all forms of racing, say they're happy where they are now.

"If I had to pick today having — maybe — the opportunity to go to IndyCar, or staying in sportscars a long time, I would stay in sportscars a long time," Milner said. "I would pick that in a heartbeat."

Capt. Ric Liles
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Bite Blitz. If you are an angler in the Tampa Bay area, then you probably already know what is going on with our bite. It has gone crazy. I have fished from north Tampa Bay to Sarasota Bay in the last week with most of my time spent on the SouthShore and have had fantastic days in all areas.

Trout. The most consistent bite I have found has been with trout. They have gone on a feeding blitz that gets even the most seasoned fisherman to raise an eyebrow. The thing that has been the most impressive about the trout bite has been the size of the trout that have been caught. On a trip earlier in the week my crew had a pretty good day with six trout over 23 inches with two of them at 24. We limited out on slot fish and then had fun with the trophies. I have gotten reports from other area captains of fish bigger than that, but I was stoked about the average size of the fish my guys caught.

Redfish. If you're wanting something bigger with more attitude, now is the time for a good battle with a redfish. We have had an extremely good redfish bite in the past couple of weeks. Our best catches for redfish have come on high tide when our fish have been pushed up against the mangroves. If there is an oyster bar around, that can only help. Keep an eye out for the big bronze flash that is seen when these guys do a belly roll. Once you see that, put the brakes on and move around in stealth mode. I always tell my clients to walk like a ninja. I know that sounds a bit stupid but they get the idea.

Bait. All of the redfish and trout we have caught in the past week have come on scaled sardines or pinfish. The bait has been at the skyway bridge but is already starting to move onto some of the area grass flats. The best advice for catching bait at the bridge is to use a net with three-eighths-inch mesh. This will allow the net to sink faster than a quarter-inch mesh net. The faster it sinks, the faster you can get to fishing. If you load up on bait and use it to chum, it will help your bite. But once the birds find you it will be hard to keep the buffet open to the fish. Just stop or slow the chumming down until the birds go away. When you start again they will be back. This is a cat and mouse game we play every day with our feathered competition.

Ric Liles fishes out of Tampa, Ruskin, Bradenton and the surrounding areas and can be reached at (813) 601-2900, via email at CaptainRic@msn.com, or at ReelSimpleFishing.com.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — As bad as the full-speed collision between LF Desmond Jennings and CF B.J. Upton looked Wednesday, the good news for the Rays is both are fine.

Upton said he has lower back soreness, but it won't impact him more than a couple of days, and Jennings believes he can play today. But when the two starters fell and had to be carted off the field after converging on a fly ball in the third inning against the Marlins, it was a "pretty awful-looking collision," manager Joe Maddon admitted.

It resulted in a three-run, inside-the park homer by Marlins DH Austin Kearns, but it could have been a lot worse.

"That's something that can end people's career," Jennings said. "We got to do a better job of avoiding that situation. It's a pretty scary situation to be in."

Upton said the ball was hit in the "perfect spot," between the two near the left-centerfield track. Both called for it at the same time, but neither heard, with each seeing each other at the last second and bracing for impact.

"If not, I think we hit face to face," Upton said.

Maddon, assistant athletic trainer Mark Vinson and several teammates raced to check on them. Upton writhed in pain but was encouraged when he got up, with both able to sit on the cart.

"You've got two guys running at that speed, hitting each other, there's no telling," Upton said.

While Upton said they needed to communicate better, Maddon praised them for going hard after a ball with three weeks left in spring training.

"The fact we're still playing the game the right way, you don't want to see (a collision) happen, but it's going to happen on occasion," Maddon said. "Fortunately, both of them are all right."

Said INF Sean Rodriguez: "They both wanted the ball. You've gotta love that."

Upton said he knew Jennings was recruited by Alabama to play college football, but quipped, "I think I held my own in the collision."

ROSTER, ETC: SS Hak-Ju Lee knew Wednesday's ninth-inning at-bat would be his last in big-league camp, as he was reassigned after the game to the minor-league side along with RHPs Bryan Augenstein and Matt Torra. Lee, 21, as he has done for most of the spring, left quite an impression, ripping a two-run single. He acknowledges he has some work to do, but knows what it'll take to get back.

"The beginning of spring training was really good for me," Lee said. "I know how to play like a big-leaguer."

RHP Alex Colome, RHP Wilking Rodriguez and RHP Albert Suarez will be optioned today to minor-league camp.

HEADS UP: C Robinson Chirinos is sidelined with a concussion, suffered Monday when he took a foul tip off his mask. Maddon said he isn't sure when Chirinos will return to game action. Chirinos is competing with Jose Lobaton, Chris Gimenez and Stephen Vogt for the second catcher spot. He has hit .143 in seven games this spring.

GAME DETAILS: The Rays scored twice in the ninth before losing 4-2 to the Marlins in front of 5,278 at Charlotte Sports Park. … Rodriguez made a great bare-handed play to throw out 3B Hanley Ramirez in the fifth. … Maddon lauded the bullpen, with RHPs Josh Lueke, Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta, LHP J.P. Howell and RHP Brandon Gomes combining for six shutout innings.

MISCELLANY: LHP Matt Moore came out of Tuesday's spring debut feeling good and will make his next appearance this weekend, a start in which he'll likely throw three innings. … OF Matt Joyce and Rodriguez will be guests on tonight's "Countdown to Opening Day" show on 620-AM from 7-8 p.m. at the Wyvern Hotel in Punta Gorda. They will also serve as guest bartenders to benefit the Charlotte County YMCA.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

Times staff
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Earnest Graham fishing tournament aids kids dealing with cancer

The Earnest Graham InShore Slam fishing tournament will be held March 23 at the Florida Marina Club Tampa, 5210 W Tyson Ave.

The charity event benefits 1Voice Foundation, which helps local children with cancer and their families. The cost starts at $125. Angler and corporate sponsorship opportunities are available, which include guided celebrity entries. There also will be a kickoff party Wednesday at the Hula Bay Club & Waterfront Bar adjacent to the marina club.

For more information, go to earnestgraham inshoreslam.org.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

TAMPA — There has never been a day quite like it in the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a 24-hour cycle in which the team signed three high-profile free agents — Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson, Saints guard Carl Nicks and Lions cornerback Eric Wright — to contracts worth $140.5 million.

It was a whirlwind bro-mance in which the Bucs scooped up players and their wives in Los Angeles, San Diego and New Orleans on a pair of chartered, private jets, including one that was met by coach Greg Schiano in Tampa at 4 a.m. Wednesday.

All three players were considering strong offers from other teams, including their own, but the Bucs weren't taking no for an answer. Armed with $44.5 million under the salary cap, the third-most room of any NFL team — Tampa Bay put on a fullcourt press when the free agent signing period began at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

"These guys, they didn't leave much to doubt," Jackson said. "They were very aggressive and very open with me from the very beginning, so there wasn't much time to consider much else."

Jackson was the first to reach an agreement, about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Twelve hours later, Nicks, a Pro Bowl guard who crammed his 6-foot-5, 343-pound frame into a private jet waiting in New Orleans to fly him to Tampa on Tuesday, was the last to sign at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

"It's a great day in Buccaneer history," GM Mark Dominik said. "It's been a very exciting 24 hours for our organization.

"I think we're tired of rebuilding here. That's not who we're trying to be. We want to be the best team we can be in 2012, and we know that these guys can help us become that."

Since gutting the team of veterans in 2009 and vowing to build through the draft, Dominik and the Glazer family that owns the Bucs were largely spectators during free agency except to lock up a few of their own players. After a 10-6 record in 2010, the only free agent added from another team was Falcons punter Michael Koenen.

"In 2010, we were coming off a lot of wins and then going into '11 hoping to build on that, so we didn't get as involved in free agency for two reasons," Dominik said. "One, we had young players. And two, I didn't really like the feeling that you wouldn't have time to jell with guys who had not been part of your organization or your football team before."

While Bucs fans were skeptical when co-chairman Joel Glazer vowed on Jan. 2 to spend "whatever it takes to win'' following a 4-12 season that led to the firing of coach Raheem Morris, Dominik said he knew it was time to add pieces to the core of young players.

"There's no debate people look at salary cap and say, 'What are you doing?' or 'Why aren't you spending?' or things like that," Dominik said. "But I knew what we wanted to do going into the offseason and that's why when Joel stood up and talked at the podium and talked about 'we'll do whatever it takes,' then I knew what we were going to do as we discussed it."

The 6-foot-5 Jackson was the Chargers' franchise player last season and could have received $13 million for one season if they placed that designation on him again. When the Saints failed to sign quarterback Drew Brees to a long-term contract and had to place the franchise tag on him, it allowed Nicks to hit the open market. Lions receiver Calvin Johnson did not agree to a contract extension until Tuesday, making Wright available.

Schiano was all smiles as he spoke about how each player could help the Bucs. The former Rutgers coach dined with Nicks on Tuesday night. Wright and his wife were met by a private jet in Los Angeles, which hopped south to San Diego to pick up Jackson and his spouse.

Wright, who had four interceptions last season, will help limit the big plays on a defense that allowed 30 touchdown passes last season. Nicks is a road grater who was excited by Schiano's ground-and-pound philosophy. "No disrespect to (New Orleans) but they are a pass first, pass second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth," Nicks said. "They may slide a run in at the end."

Jackson gives quarterback Josh Freeman a legitimate No. 1 receiver.

"I think they're a perfect fit," Schiano said.

Dominik said after making the biggest splash in free agency during the first 24 hours, the Bucs will shift most of their focus to the draft.

"We need to continue to monitor free agency," Dominik said, "but I don't see us being really active or involved in it after today for awhile there. We've made our mark for what we've really wanted to accomplish."

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Brooksville Parks and Recreation Department is offering the Smart Start Basketball program every Monday through April 9 at the Jerome Brown Community Center.

Start Smart Basketball teaches children ages 3 and 4 the basic motor skills necessary to play organized basketball while they work one-on-one and spend quality time with their parents.

The program focuses on teaching children and their parents skills in ball handling, passing, shooting and running, without the burden of competition or the fear of injury. Each week the exercise becomes increasingly more difficult.

Sessions will run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $60. For information, call (352) 540-3835 or visit cityofbrooksville.us.

WOMEN'S 500 CLUB BOWLING TOURNAMENT: The Hernando County Women's 500 Club will host an 8-pin No-Tap Handicap Tournament on April 15 at Spring Hill Lanes.

To compete, participants must be members of the Hernando County Women's 500 Club and the Hernando County U.S. Bowling Congress Women's Bowling Alliance. Entry forms are available at Mariner Lanes and Spring Hill Lanes.

The handicap at the event will be 100 percent of a 200 average. Check-in will be at 1 p.m. with a potluck lunch; bowling starts at 2 p.m. The entry fee is $17 per person with a deadline of April 9. Entries may be dropped off at either bowling center.

For information, call Sheila Wehrenberg at (352) 688-1575.

FIRST TEE GOLF: The Brooksville Parks and Recreation Department will begin a First Tee golf program starting April 10 and running for six weeks at the Quarry Golf Course, Brooksville Country Club at Majestic Oaks and Silverthorn Country Club.

First Tee focuses on golf and life skills instruction. The juniors program strives to instill in participants the organization's nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

The cost is $60 per child, with ages 5 to 17 eligible. Preregistration is required. The program is accepting up to 10 participants per class.

Volunteers also are needed. Donations are welcome, including youth golf clubs, bags and balls. For information, contact Miles Groff at (352) 540-3835 or mgroff@cityofbrooksville.us.

HYL FOOTBALL: Registration for the Hernando Youth League football season will be May 5, 12 and 19 and June 9 at Ernie Wever Youth Park in Brooksville.

Officials will be on hand from 9 a.m. until noon each day registering players. The cost is $128 per player, which includes a $3 county park usage fee. Payment may be made with cash, money order, debit card or credit card. All players must be present at registration so they can be fitted for equipment.

Space is limited, so participants are urged to sign up early. For forms and information, visit leaguelineup.com/hylfootball online.

For other information, call (352) 346-0000.

GRIDIRON ALUMNI FOOTBALL: Gridiron Alumni is planning several full-contact alumni football games in Brooksville during the next couple of months.

Gridiron Alumni is an organization that travels around the country pitting old high school football rivals against each other. Players are still needed. The first 40 players on each team get to play, and the team that gets 30 people registered first gets home-field advantage.

Teams from Central High, Hernando High, Hernando Christian Academy and Nature Coast Technical High are forming. Games are scheduled for this month and April.

For information, call Chris Hall at (530) 410-6396 or go to gridironalumni.com.

TENNIS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS: The Nature Coast Tennis Foundation has announced that 2012 scholarship applications are available for high school seniors.

Two $500 scholarships will be awarded by the organization. There are two applications online at nctf.usta.com — one for an academic scholarship available to all seniors, the other specifically for tennis players. The application deadline is April 1.

For information, visit the website or send email to nctf@tampabay.rr.com.

DAWN CENTER GOLF TOURNAMENT: The Hernando Oaks Women's Golf Association will sponsor a golf tournament to benefit the Dawn Center. The tournament will be April 18 at the Hernando Oaks Golf and Country Club in Brooksville.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. Proceeds will go to the Dawn Center, Hernando County's nonprofit shelter for abused women and children.

Golfer registration is $65 per person and includes the tournament, buffet, contests and prizes. Hole sponsorships are available for $50. The golf reservation deadline is March 30; spots are limited.

For information, send email to Andrea McGregor at HOWGACharities@aol.com.

HUMANE SOCIETY GOLF TOURNAMENT: Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville will host the third-annual Cause Fore Paws Golf Tournament on April 3 to benefit the Humane Society of the Nature Coast.

A shotgun start for the best-ball scramble is set for 9 a.m., with check-in starting at 8.

The entry fee is $75 per golfer, including prizes and a buffet barbecue lunch. The lead tournament sponsor is Brooksville/Spring Hill Regional Hospital. Other sponsors include Century 21 Alliance Realty/Gail Spada Team, Flagstone Pavers and Sammy the Cat, representing special-needs felines. The hole-in-one sponsor is Rick Matthews Buick/GMC.

Individual hole sponsorships also are available for pets and their human companions. Proceeds will go toward the care of homeless pets in Hernando, Citrus, Pasco and Sumter counties.

For information, call (352) 797-0962.

Contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Fast company

Steven Stamkos on Tuesday became the sixth player to score 50 goals in a season twice before age 23. The six and their age at the end of their second 50-goal season:

* With 13 games left

TAMPA — Steven Stamkos' game-day naps had not been so restful the last little while.

The Lightning's star center was thinking about 50 goals, and as the milestone got closer, the naps got shorter. So it was with as much relief as joy for Stamkos that his two goals in Tuesday's 6-1 victory over the Bruins pushed him to the mark for the second time in his four-year career.

"It's nice to get this over with," Stamkos said. "It's going to take a little bit of the pressure off."

For a moment, perhaps. The truth is, as Stamkos continues to produce goals at a prodigious pace, even more will be expected.

Consider that his 146 goals since 2009-10 — when he tied Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby for the league lead with 51 — are 35 more than any other player. His 50 goals this season are 12 more.

And at 22 years old, Stamkos stands among some of the giants of the game as one of six players — the others are Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy, Joe Nieuwendyk and Alex Ovechkin — with two 50-goal seasons before turning 23.

"A phenomenal feat," Lightning founder and Hall of Fame player Phil Esposito said. "To be in the same category as those guys is absolutely outstanding."

How good can Stamkos be?

"We don't know," Lightning teammate Ryan Malone said. "He still feels like he's improving, and every year in this league you learn something new. We'll see."

Coach Guy Boucher's favorite Stamkos moment Tuesday had nothing to do with scoring goals and everything to do with how the center handles himself within the team.

It was the third period, Stamkos had his 50th, and Tampa Bay was up 6-1. Instead of lobbying to get on the ice to try for a hat trick, Stamkos, who had averaged 25:21 of ice time his previous six games, was happy to stay on the bench, playing one four-second shift in the final 8:17.

"He wanted the other guys to get more ice time," Boucher said. "That's the kind of player he is."

"Once I got it," Stamkos said of his 50th goal, "we said, 'Let's get some other guys out there.' I just didn't want to force anything. If (a hat trick) was going to happen, it was going to happen. We were up a couple of goals, so it was nice to rest for a bit."

With 13 games remaining, starting tonight against Toronto at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Stamkos is on pace for 59 goals. That not only would shatter Vinny Lecavalier's team-record 52 set in 2006-07, it would be a 31 percent increase over the 45 goals Stamkos had last season.

As noteworthy is how Stamkos is scoring. Of his 50 goals, only 10 have come on the power play; his 40 even-strength goals are 12 more than any other player. That's quite a difference from 2009-10, when 24 of his 51 goals were with the extra man.

"This year you see how he adjusted from his left circle one-timer," Malone said. "You can probably count on one hand how many goals he has from there. He has the knack to find that space and anticipate where the puck is going to be. That's something you can't teach."

Said Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman: "He really is thinking, 'Where can I go to be open?' " He doesn't let things happen on their own. He makes them happen, and he drives to the net. Nothing stops him from getting to the net."

That said, it's not going to get easier for Stamkos, who already faces opponents' top defensemen and best checkers, not to mention those growing expectations.

"It comes with the territory," he said. "I put the most pressure on myself, so no matter what anybody else says, they're not going to meet what I expect of myself, so that's how I'm able to deal with that."

Better naps won't hurt, either.

streak extended: Norfolk won its 16th straight, 4-1 over visiting Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, to pull within one of the AHL season winning-streak record.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — Lucky would be winning the lottery. Meeting an engaging super-model in the supermarket checkout line. Having an off day on the road line up with an offer to play Pebble Beach.

But winning 13 games, as a rookie, for a team playing in the American League East?

"Yea, I just got lucky on the mound," Jeremy Hellickson says dryly. "A lot of lucky outs."

Amid the statistical autopsies of Hellickson's impressive accomplishments last season — a 13-10 record and 2.95 ERA that resulted in the AL rookie of the year award — a story line has emerged that the right-hander's success wasn't all his own doing.

The premise is based on a sabermetric calculation, called BABIP, which stands for batting average on balls in play, something essentially out of the pitcher's control. The theory is that since Hellickson had such a low number — a major-league best .223, nearly 70 points below the league norm — he was more lucky than good.

"I hear it; it's funny," Hellickson said, not quite sure of the acronym. "I thought that's what we're supposed to do, let them put it in play and get outs. So I don't really understand that. When you have a great defense, why not let them do their job? I'm not really a strikeout pitcher; I just get weak contact and let our defense play."

Manager Joe Maddon allows that there was some luck involved in Hellickson's success — in his BABIP; as well as his ERA, lowest by an AL rookie in 21 years; and his .210 opponents' average, third best in the majors. And that there would have to be more for him to do so — or get close — again.

"Is he possibly able to do that? Yes," Maddon said. "Is he going to do it? I don't know."

But it is Hellickson's pitching — specifically his style of pitching, combining a well-located fastball with a dynamic changeup — that is the key, Maddon said, often resulting in weak contact, specifically a high number of infield popups.

"He's a fly-ball pitcher, but he's one of those anomaly guys that gets the popup on the infield,' Maddon said. "If you look into those guys, they are pretty successful. The fastball-changeup combination probably induces the popup."

(Indeed. Of Hellickson's fly balls, 22 percent were on the infield, well above the MLB average of 13 percent, per baseball-reference.com.)

Hellickson, 24, isn't too wrapped up in the specifics, nor the suggestion that he is going to have things tougher in his second full season.

He knows hitters will make adjustments based on what he did last season, and that he will have to adjust as well, specifically improving against left-handed hitters.

This spring, for example, he continues to work on implementing a cutter into his repertoire, throwing about 10 in Wednesday's four-inning outing against the Marlins.

"I can either handle my business or I don't," he said.

And that translates to the statistic that Hellickson feels matters the most.

"Wins are by far the most important stat," he said. "You have a terrible day out there but as long as you win, you're fine."

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

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

PALM HARBOR — The way Justin Rose sees it, he's entering the prime of his career.

"If you look at the course of history, a lot of players do their best between 30 and 40," said Rose, 31. "If I was ever going to do anything great in the game, it is going to be between that time period."

Rose hasn't elevated himself to great yet, but he has risen to the "pretty darn good" category. After carrying the dreaded label of being one of the best players to not win a tournament, Rose broke through by winning the 2010 Memorial.

Since then, he was won three more times, including last week at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship at Doral. A week earlier, he tied for fifth at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens.

Last year at the Transitions Championship, Rose held the third-round lead before finishing in a tie for fifth. In his past five starts on the Copperhead course, Rose has finished in the top 25. If there was ever a favorite in this year's wide-open field, it would have to be Rose.

"Everything is in order," he said. "Maybe not everything shows up on the same day, and when it does, it's the day you go low. But some days I rely on my putting, other days I rely on my short game, other days I rely on hitting the ball really well. Everything is there, and it's just a matter of using them every time I play."

Lately, Rose has played a lot.

He is scheduled to play in every Florida tournament, including the team exhibition Tavistock Cup on Monday and Tuesday at Lake Nona near Orlando. Starting Wednesday, he said he will be playing golf for 12 straight days. And going back to the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles, Rose will play in six consecutive tournaments before taking a week off and then playing the Masters.

"I know it's a lot of golf, but I just felt like something good was going to happen," he said. "I've had a long offseason, so I felt it was time to … put in some work."

Rose is certainly not the only player in the field with a good chance to win. Luke Donald is the world's No. 2-ranked golfer. Webb Simpson finished second here last year, although he is battling a case of food poisoning. Sean O'Hair, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh and Carl Pettersson are past champions. Gary Woodland won here last year. And Retief Goosen and K.J. Choi have won twice at Innisbrook.

"The course is in great shape, and the weather is calm," Donald said. "If it stays like this, there's going to be some low scoring."

That would suit Rose just fine. Out of 16 official PGA Tour rounds played this year, only two have been over par. His worst round this season was 73 on the final day of the Farmers Insurance Open in January.

He is coming off a 16-under finish at Doral that included 8-under 64 in the second round. Rose, who is from England, is seventh in the world rankings and eighth in Fed Ex Cup points.

Now in his 14th year as a pro, Rose said he is hitting his stride.

"It's just a matter of finally putting all the things I've learned into practice," he said. "I've got a good team around me. I've gotten to a point in my life where I'm comfortable off and on the golf course. Those are all factors into playing well."

Rose still has things to add to his resume. He has yet to win a major. He has not won a Fed Ex Cup title or the Race for Dubai, PGA Europe's equivalent to the Fed Ex Cup. Until he does, Rose knows there is work to do.

"It's been a nice run, but I've got to keep working hard," he said. "This game has taught me to stay humble. You never know what's around the corner."

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

PALM HARBOR — George McNeill is coming off a good weekend heading into today's Transitions Championship. Not only did the Fort Myers resident win his second career tournament at the Puerto Rico Open on Sunday, but the Florida State alumnus also found out his Seminoles won the ACC basketball tournament on the same day.

"A lot of my buddies were texting me," said McNeill, who birdied the last three holes to win by two shots over Japan's Ryo Ishikawa. "They were saying how it was a great weekend for FSU."

The victory earned McNeill $630,000, but it didn't come with an invitation to the Masters since the Puerto Rico Open was played opposite a World Golf Championships event. He is exempt on the PGA Tour for two years and does have a spot in the PGA Championship in August.

"I felt a kind of calmness all week," McNeill said. "It didn't matter what I shot every day. I just kind of went with it and kept playing."

As for this week, McNeill certainly has momentum. And he's playing on a course he likes.

"I would say (Copperhead) is my favorite golf course," McNeill said. "It's my favorite in Florida by far. As long as we keep playing here, I'll keep coming back."

Under the radar: Charl Schwartzel is making his first appearance at the Transitions Championship. Even though he's last year's Masters champion, he's not the kind of player who creates a buzz like Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy. But the self-proclaimed "shy" South African doesn't mind being overlooked.

"It's nothing new for me," Schwartzel said. "It's always been like that. Tiger's always been popular. Rory has always been popular. It's nothing new for anyone."

Young guns: One of the more interesting pairings for the first two rounds is the threesome of Bud Cauley (turns 22 on Friday), Tom Lewis (21) and Ishikawa (20). Lewis and Cauley are making their first appearances at Innisbrook. Ishikawa is playing in his fourth Transitions.

Quote of the day: "I'm still learning out here. I just graduated from college six months ago. It's all still a learning process for me. I know it can go away just like that. Golf is hard." Harris English, PGA rookie and Georgia grad, who already has three top-20 finishes in his first six tournaments

By Mike Manning, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

What's hot: The warm weather has all the game fish in a feeding frenzy. Snook, redfish, trout and cobia are eating everything. Local artificial reefs are also being invaded by Spanish and king mackerel.

Finding cobia: The cobia are on the flats from Anclote to New Port Richey. They are following large stingrays looking for an easy meal. My favorite way to catch them is sightcasting with live bait. A tower boat gives the angler a big advantage in seeing the fish. Throw the bait about 6 to 8 feet in front of the cobia to avoid spooking the fish. I use large whitebait or pinfish fished under a cork. When fishing for cobia use 15- to 20-pound test line with a 40- to 50-pound monofilament leader.

Trout tips: The trout are everywhere, from shallow flats to the mouths of creeks and rivers. The best baits have been large live whitebait. The trout have been spooking easily, so use a push pole or trolling motor for a quiet approach.

Mike Manning runs Action Fishing Adventures out of Tarpon Springs. Call him toll-free at 1-800-644-5940.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

TAMPA — The Bucs bid farewell to former captain Jeff Faine, their starting center the past four seasons.

Faine was released Wednesday, the same day the team acquired All-Pro guard Carl Nicks, who will move to left guard while Jeremy Zuttah — signed to a four-year deal last week — will replace Faine at center.

When he signed with the Bucs in 2008, Faine was the NFL's highest-paid center at six years, $37.5 million. He had two seasons remaining on the deal and was slated to make $5.925 million in base salary in the fall. His release creates additional cap room after the club spent roughly $30 million in cap space in the first 24 hours of free agency.

"The move is bittersweet, but I leave in good health, excited and energized for my next opportunity," Faine, 30, said in a statement.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Deal of the day

Manager Joe Maddon and about 25 Rays and coaches will shave their heads today to raise money for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation; it'll take place at 11:30 a.m. by the rightfield gate of Charlotte Sports Park. Fans can get in on the act, with the first 15 to donate $100 to the PCF at the stadium getting a tight haircut plus an autographed "Fortune Favors the Bald" shirt.

Flips of the day

With March Madness under way, many Rays were filling out their brackets Wednesday morning. OF Matt Joyce tried his hand at two, one with his actual predictions and another where all the winners were decided by a flip of a coin; in that one, Ohio State beat Louisville in the title game. "It's just fun," he said.

Quote of the day

"My first thought was, 'Shoot, a concussion is not what we need or want.' "

INF Sean Rodriguez, on what was going through his mind when LF Desmond Jennings and CF B.J. Upton collided.

Rays vs. Phillies (ss)

When/where: 1:05 today; Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte

TV: Sun Sports

Tickets: Reserved seats $19-27, berm/boardwalk $9. Available through raysbaseball.com and Ticketmaster, at Tropicana Field and Charlotte Sports Park box offices, Tampa team store.

Gates open: 10:35 a.m.

Directions: Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Exit 179 (Toledo Blade Road), go west 6½ miles (crossing U.S. 41) to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, complex is on the left.

Parking: $10, lots open at 10:30

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

Pitchers: Rays — Wade Davis, Alex Colome, Dane De La Rosa, Kyle Farnsworth, Josh Lueke, Cesar Ramos; Phillies — Joel Pineiro, relievers TBA.

On deck

Friday: at Blue Jays, 1:05. Rays — Jeff Niemann; Jays — Ricky Romero

Saturday: at Pirates, 1:05. Rays — James Shields; Pirates — TBA

Odds of the day

The Rays are 18-1 to win the World Series, per online site Bovada, including 9-1 to win the AL pennant and their over/under for wins at 86½.

Who is this Ray?

He played in 13 minor-league seasons — including a stint with the then-Devil Rays — before appearing in the majors (in 2010 with the Mets). He played for Team Puerto Rico in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Upcoming schedule

All games 1:05 unless noted

March

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 Trop

* Value game, $2 off

Who is this answer: OF Jesus Feliciano

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Times wires
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

DUNEDIN — Yankees C Francisco Cervelli knew something was wrong with RHP Freddy Garcia almost immediately after the pitcher was hit in the hand by a comebacker and walked right off the mound.

"If he walks away, forget it, because my guy, he likes to throw no matter what happens," Cervelli said after the 7-5 loss to the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Garcia was hit at the base of his thumb and index finger on his pitching hand in the fourth inning on a one-hop shot off the bat of Edwin Encarnacion. After being hit Garcia spun around for an instant, looking for the ball, then he headed toward the Yankees' dugout.

Garcia's hand quickly swelled and he was driven back to New York's spring complex in Tampa, where he saw Dr. Allen Miller, the Yankees' orthopedic surgeon. X-rays were negative.

The was no additional information, but manager Joe Girardi didn't express too much concern.

"His hand swelled up a lot right away," Girardi said. "I don't know what that means."

SWISHER NICKED: RF Nick Swisher left in the fifth inning with what Girardi said was "a little tightness in his left groin. We'll have to see how he is but there are no tests planned."

Jays: Alvarez on

DUNEDIN — RHP Henderson Alvarez was impressive in Toronto's win over the Yankees, allowing one run on four hits in three innings and striking out three.

"He works quick, he throws strikes, he changes speeds," manager John Farrell told the Toronto Star. "He's got very good stuff. That's a pretty good combination for a consistent major league pitcher. He's picked up where he left off a year ago."

Alvarez was backed by Edwin Encarnacion. The DH, playing left for the third time this spring, homered twice.

"When (Edwin) stays through the baseball his power is as good as anybody we have and it was obviously the case today," Farrell said. "He didn't try to overswing the bat or muscle up against good velocity. He trusted his hands and that's what he's capable of.

Phils: Halladay off

CLEARWATER — RHP Roy Halladay got rocked in the Twins' 6-4 victory over the Phillies, allowing five runs and seven hits, including two homers, in 22/3 innings.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner gave up a long three-run homer to Chris Parmelee in the third and came out after walking the next batter on four pitches.

"I hate innings like that, but they help build stamina. They humble you and they push you to work," Halladay said.

Times wires
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

JUPITER — Chris Carpenter noticed a crowd was steadily building behind the chain-link fence. Seems word had spread that the Cardinals ace was doing some throwing.

These days, even playing a few minutes of catch is a big deal.

"Amazing, isn't it? Did I do okay?" Carpenter asked afterward.

The reigning World Series champions certainly hope Carpenter did since their rotation to open the season may depend on how he feels over the next few days. Carpenter's few minutes of catch with teammate Jake Westbrook on Wednesday may be considered a positive sign for the Cardinals, who have dealt with a flurry of injuries in camp, the status of the guy who won Game 7 of last year's World Series most prominently.

Carpenter took a spot in leftfield, alternating throws from between roughly 60 and 90 feet with Westbrook off the flat grass. No one, including Carpenter, can say for certain what the next step in his recovery from a sore neck caused by a bulging disc will be, and the April 4 season opener at the Marlins is looming fast.

"You're always frustrated if you can't play," Carpenter said after the throws. "I want to play, and I haven't been able to yet this spring. That's not what you're looking for, coming to spring training and not being able to get ready for the season. So there's always frustration. But you deal with it and move on and get ready to go."

METS SAGA: A federal judge said Mets owners must show a jury next week they weren't willfully blind to a gigantic fraud carried out by their friend, Bernard Madoff. Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan said in a two-page order that the burden will rest with the owners rather than a trustee recovering money on behalf of thousands of cheated Madoff investors.

ANGELS: First baseman Albert Pujols hit his first two homers with Los Angeles and right-hander Ervin Santana exited after being hit by a line drive in a 9-7 loss to the White Sox. Santana left with a bruised right arm after Alexei Ramirez's liner struck him in the shoulder with one out in the second. He said no X-ray was planned.

ASTROS: Catcher Landon Powell, who was released by the A's last week, signed a minor-league contract.

GIANTS: Catcher Buster Posey, coming back from a serious leg injury, homered as the DH for his first spring hit in a 2-2, 10-inning tie with the Indians.

MARLINS: Reserve infielder Greg Dobbs was diagnosed with a partially torn left hamstring, jeopardizing his chances of making the opening day roster.

METS: Third baseman David Wright's left rib cage injury was diagnosed as a muscle tear, but he said he'll be ready by opening day. … Bullpen catcher Eric Langill, who was charged with DUI over the weekend after flipping his car, was suspended without pay for seven days.

ORIOLES: Rightfielder Nick Markakis made his spring debut after having abdominal surgery in January, going 0-for-2 as the DH and saying afterward that he felt fine. He's scheduled to play the outfield today. … Backup catcher Taylor Teagarden is expected to be sidelined for several weeks with a slight ligament tear in his lower back.

RANGERS: Leftfielder Josh Hamilton, the former Rays top prospect, left the game against the Rockies in the top of the second inning because of a jammed right heel.

REDS: Left-hander Aroldis Chapman pitched more than two innings in a big-league game for the first time, allowing one run in three innings against the Padres.

ROYALS: Catcher Salvador Perez plans to have left knee surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear and likely will be out several weeks.

TIGERS: Right-hander Jacob Turner, one of the team's top prospects, has tendinitis in his right shoulder and will be shut down for a week.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

. Tonight

Lightning vs. Maple Leafs

When/where: 7:30; Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 970-AM

Key stats: Lightning LW Ryan Malone has three goals, four assists in a seven-game points streak. … The Maple Leafs, on a 2-13-2 streak, entered Wednesday with the league's second-worst penalty kill, 76.9 percent. … The Maple Leafs' 150 points from the blue line were third in the league. … Thursday is Toronto's best day of the week (7-4-1).

Times wires
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

ALPINE skiing

Vonn gets 12th win of season

CHLADMING, Austria — Lindsey Vonn won a downhill by nearly a second Wednesday for her 12th victory of the season, the second-highest total in World Cup history. It also was the American's 17th top-three finish in a race this season, one short of the World Cup record.

Vonn, who clinched her fourth overall title last week and her fifth consecutive downhill title last month, finished the race in 1 minute, 46.56 seconds, 0.92 ahead of Marion Rolland of France. Tina Maze of Slovenia was third.

"This definitely is my best season ever. It went well in all disciplines," Vonn said after her 53rd career World Cup victory, extending her U.S. record. "Twelve wins in one season. I can't believe it's true."

Only Vreni Schneider of Switzerland won more races in a World Cup season, 14 in 1988-89. And only Hanni Wenzel of Liechtenstein and Pernilla Wiberg of Sweden wound up on a World Cup podium 18 times in one season.

Vonn's not necessarily done, either. A super-G and a giant slalom are left on the schedule, which means Vonn is within reach of the World Cup record of 2,000 points, set by Hermann Maier of Austria in 2000. Vonn has 1,908 points.

Soccer

Premier League boss' rant, fall at dinner cause stir

The chairman of the English Premier League accused the sport's world and European governing bodies of stealing soccer from the English and derided his Qatari hosts' restrictions on selling alcohol before tumbling into a fountain at an official dinner in Doha.

Dave Richards' rant was denounced by the Premier League and England's governing body. Richards was forced into an apology for creating "any negativity" while insisting his comments were "intended to be lighthearted." He slipped into the fountain while walking in an unlighted courtyard, said Phil Gartside, chairman of Bolton of the Premier League.

European champions league: Real Madrid advanced to the quarterfinals with a 4-1 victory over CSKA Moscow, and Chelsea took until extra time to overturn a first-leg deficit and beat Napoli 4-1.

rowdies down UT: Luke Mulholland and ex-USF star Ogi Perucica scored as the Rowdies beat the University of Tampa 2-0 in an exhibition in St. Petersburg.

Et cetera

College football: DT Jose Jose was kicked off UCF for disciplinary reasons. He and coach George O'Leary argued a few days before spring break, Jose said. Neither would give specifics. "I said some things that I probably shouldn't have said," Jose said. Said O'Leary, "He said some stuff he shouldn't say to anybody."

Horses: 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom won't need surgery for a stress fracture keeping him out of the March 31 $10 million Dubai World Cup.

Tennis: Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer each needed three sets to reach the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, Calif. Also advancing were Rafael Nadal and Tampa resident John Isner. On the women's side, No. 1 Victoria Azarenka tied Serena Williams' 2003 record of 21-0 to start a season with a win over Agnieszka Radwanska.

Figure skating: Michelle Kwan was selected to the world hall of fame.

Times wires

Times wires
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

PITTSBURGH — There will be a different look to Syracuse's famed 2-3 zone when the Orange take the court today against North Carolina-Asheville in the second round of the East Region of the NCAA Tournament.

Fab Melo, the 7-foot sophomore who was selected Big East defensive player of the year, won't be in the middle of the back line. He was declared ineligible by the school for academic reasons.

"I think this is not going to stop our train from moving," sophomore F C.J. Fair said Wednesday. "Of course Fab is a beast, but we've got guys that can go out there and play and keep winning."

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim repeated over and over that he can't talk about why Melo was declared ineligible, citing privacy issues.

Melo missed three games in January for the same reason. The Orange (31-2) had a season-opening 20-game winning streak snapped by a loss at Notre Dame in the middle of those games.

Boeheim said he felt bad for Melo, who averaged 7.7 points and 5.8 rebounds and blocked 88 shots, the same number North Carolina-Asheville's whole team did this season.

"I feel bad for the rest of the players on the team, because you don't want to lose a teammate in this situation at this time," Boeheim said. "Yeah, it's a very difficult thing to go through. He's a kid that's come, in my opinion, just an unbelievable way in a relatively short period of time."

Boeheim also took issue with the notion that Melo — who apologized to his teammates Tuesday before they left, according to several players — had abandoned the Orange.

"I will say he didn't let anybody down, in my opinion, all right?" Boeheim said. "I know that's out there. I don't believe that to be true."

Now the Orange, which entered the tournament No. 2 in the AP poll, must find a way to win six games without him if they are to win the school's second national championship.

"We lost one without him; we lost one with him," Dion Waiters, the Big East's sixth man of the year, said of Melo. "He'll be truly missed, but we've just got to be ready to go when the ball gets tipped in the air."

Now, North Carolina-Asheville is a 16th seed with a better chance than it had two days earlier of becoming the first to beat a No. 1 seed.

"We want to make a name for UNC-Asheville," said Matt Dickey, the Big South player of the year. "This is the opportunity to do it."

PEYTON'S PLACE: Louisville's Peyton Siva was about the only member of the team who was hoping for a cross-country trip when the NCAA Tournament field was revealed.

Siva got his wish when the fourth-seeded Cardinals were sent to Portland, Ore., for a second-round game against 13th-seeded Davidson. Not a bad way for the Seattle native to potentially finish out his junior season at Louisville.

"Nobody really wanted to come to Portland, you know. It really didn't matter to me. If we came to Portland, I have a lot of my family members can come," Siva said. "It's great to come back to the Northwest, and it feels good."

49ERS GUARD IFFY: The status of injured Long Beach State G Larry Anderson remained unclear on the eve of the 49ers' NCAA Tournament game against New Mexico. Anderson has a strained knee and missed LBSU's run to the Big West tournament title. The 6-5 senior averages 14.3 points and 6.3 rebounds and was named the Big West defensive player of the year.

PRESIDENT'S PICK: President Barack Obama likes North Carolina's chances of winning the NCAA title. Obama picked the Tar Heels to win it all in his NCAA bracket, beating Kentucky in the title game. Ohio State and Missouri rounded out the president's Final Four.

GUESTS IN the BOOTH: St. John's coach Steve Lavin and Villanova coach Jay Wright will serve as guest studio analysts for NCAA Tournament coverage this week. CBS and Turner Sports said Wright would join the Atlanta studio today and Friday. Lavin will be in the New York studio Saturday and Sunday.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

DAYTON, Ohio — Cal's players knew they were facing a tough defensive team Wednesday night in USF, but what the Golden Bears didn't expect was a sharp-shooting Bulls team that would hit 15 of its first 21 shots from the field.

"They made pretty much every open shot they took," Cal senior Harper Kamp said after the Bulls' 65-54 win. "I think it's really our fault as players for maybe underestimating them at times. Maybe the reason they got that reputation for being a mediocre offensive team is because they play against great defensive teams every night. … We were a mediocre defensive team tonight."

USF jumped out to a 15-3 lead, getting eight points from freshman Anthony Collins, and the Bulls helped themselves by going 4-for-7 on 3-pointers in the first half, something Cal coach Mike Montgomery didn't see coming.

"If you look statistically at their team … they were not a very good 3-point shooting team," Montgomery said. "We felt like they were an in-the-paint team, and yet they shot it in right, just made baskets from 3. And then at one point it was 22-2 in the paint. We couldn't do anything about keeping the ball (out of) the paint."

FRESHMAN POISE: Montgomery had particular praise for Collins, who had only one assist but went 6-for-9 from the field for 12 points and had only one turnover under a huge spotlight.

"The one thing about it is that little guard is good," Montgomery said. "And he doesn't lose his poise out there. He controls the tempo. … He has the ball and he's not fazed with the late shot clock. He splits it and he gets it where he wants it to go."

THIS AND THAT: Icing on the cake for USF fans? Cal's director of operations is Gregg Gottlieb, whose brother Doug, an ESPN radio personality, has been outspoken in questioning whether USF deserved to be in the NCAAs. … The Big East improved to 5-1 against Pac-12 schools with USF's win. … Montgomery's teams (Cal and Stanford) had won their NCAA opener in 11 of his previous 12 appearances. … USF's women's team opens play in the Women's NIT tonight against Florida Atlantic in the USF Rec Center. The Bulls (17-15) have made the WNIT seven times in the past nine seasons and won the tournament in 2009.

Times wires
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

DAYTON, Ohio — It has been seven years since Vermont's signature win.

The Catamounts think it's about time for another.

North Carolina, are you paying attention?

Freshman Four McGlynn came off the bench to score 18 and Vermont grabbed an early lead and hung on to beat Lamar 71-59 on Wednesday night in a first-round NCAA Tournament game.

Matt Glass added 11 points and Sandro Carissimo 10, and Brian Voelkel had 12 rebounds to help the Catamounts earn a spot against the top-seeded Tar Heels on Friday in Greensboro, N.C.

Their only previous NCAA Tournament win was a 60-57 upset of fourth-seeded Syracuse by the 13th-seeded Catamounts in the first round in 2005.

"The Syracuse game was a huge win for Vermont and the community," Voelkel said. "Obviously, we're going to come into North Carolina with a lot of confidence, and hopefully we can pull off another upset and give the people of Burlington something to cheer about."

The Catamounts (24-11) shot 50 percent from the field, blending an inside presence with McGlynn's touch from the perimeter.

But the America East tournament champions will be severely tested down where the skies are Carolina Blue.

"Obviously, North Carolina is one of the best teams in the country," first-year Catamounts coach John Becker said. "They've got a roster of future NBA stars. We're just going to do what we do: continue to play our brand of basketball."

McGlynn, the only player in Division I to lead his team in scoring (12) without starting a game and yet playing in every contest, provided punch to Vermont's offense.

He entered in the first half and immediately ignited a 13-0 rally that gave the Catamounts a lead that they never relinquished.

"It was my first NCAA Tournament game. I thought I played pretty well," McGlynn said after hitting 5 of 9 shots from the field, including 3 of 5 3-pointers, and adding 5 of 6 free throws. "I got in a good flow. I give all the credit to my teammates."

Vermont's ability to hang on to a lead has been a rarity at University of Dayton Arena. Both Mississippi Valley State and Iona built big leads then blew them in first-night losses to Western Kentucky and BYU, respectively.

Devon Lamb and Mike James each had 16 points for Lamar (23-12), which had won six in a row since first-year coach Pat Knight ripped his seniors after a loss in late February. He said they were "stealing money being on scholarship" and that his players had problems "off the court, on the court, classroom, drugs."

But after the NCAA loss, an emotional Knight fought back tears as he spoke about players who he said would turn the program around.

"It's obvious. … I think these guys have done a heck of a job. If people disagree, they're morons," he said.

NIT: Rion Brown scored 18 to lead host Miami (20-12) to a 66-50 win over Valparaiso in the opening round. The Hurricanes finished the game with a 16-0 run over the final 3:41. Miami played without leading scorer Durand Scott, who began serving a six-game suspension after he was declared ineligible last week for receiving impermissible benefits. … Frantz Massenat had 18 points and 14 assists and Chris Fouch scored 19 as host Drexel (28-6) shook off the disappointment of not making the NCAA Tournament by trouncing Central Florida 81-56. … Rodney Williams tied his career high with 21 points, Austin Hollins had 16 and visiting Minnesota (20-14) beat La Salle 70-61. … Seth Tuttle sank two free throws with 1.3 seconds left and finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead visiting Northern Iowa (20-13) to a 67-65 win over Saint Joseph's.

Around the nation

CENTRAL MICHIGAN: Coach Ernie Zeigler was fired with two years left on his contract. Zeigler was 75-111 in six seasons and 11-21 this season.

USC: Sophomore forward Garrett Jackson was granted permission to transfer.

VILLANOVA: Junior guard Maalik Wayns, the team's leading scorer, will enter his name in the NBA draft. Wayns has not hired an agent, keeping open the option of returning for his final season of eligibility.

WOMEN: Kent State fired coach Bob Lindsay after going 6-21 this season, its third losing season in 23 under Lindsay, who went 418-256.