Sunday, March 18, 2012

GREENSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina PG Kendall Marshall broke his right wrist during Sunday's victory over Creighton.

Marshall, ,who is left-handed, was fouled on a drive to the basket and knocked to the floor midway through the second half. His status for the rest of the tournament is unknown. Coach Roy Williams said he would talk to Marshall and his parents.

"When you go to the Sweet 16, it's supposed to be a lot more fun than this," an emotional Williams said.

Marshall is perhaps UNC's most irreplaceable player. He drives a fast-paced attack with his court vision and pitch-aheads in transition.

"I just want to be here for my team," said Marshall, his eyes red with emotion. "Luckily it's my right hand. If it was my left hand, then we'd probably have some problems. But we'll take it day by day and figure it out."

Williams cleared reporters out of the locker room to inform the team of Marshall's injury. The players struggled with the news.

"I've seen it all from knee injuries to Kendall's wrist," said F John Henson, the former Sickles standout who returned Sunday from a sprained left wrist. "We've just got to keep fighting and everybody's got to step up."

Marshall was knocked down by Ethan Wragge on a drive with 10:56 left. He made the first free throw, missed the second and left the game. He played about seven more minutes before leaving for good with 1:54 left.

In January, the Tar Heels lost top perimeter defender and No. 2 ballhandler Dexter Strickland to a season-ending knee injury, leaving freshman Stilman White to relieve Marshall for spot duty. If Marshall is out, the job would likely fall to White and versatile senior Justin Watts.

"It's a little bit shocking," White said. "I know for sure I didn't expect it to be that bad. I know Kendall's a really tough guy. It's just a little bit of shock right now. That's the great thing about Coach Williams — he always figures something out."

never forget: The Florida-Marquette region semifinal matchup Thursday has Heat teammates Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller ready to do some trash talking about their alma maters. Wade led the Golden Eagles to the 2003 Final Four while Haslem and Miller helped lead the Gators to the 2000 national-title game. "There's going to be a lot of trash talking," Wade said. "We're not going to like each other for a week." Haslem said he has plans to make Wade pay for dinner after a Gators' victory. Wade said it will be too tense to watch the game with Haslem: "Nah, that's out. I'll be texting him and I'll let him know."

A judd oops: Actor Ashley Judd, a Kentucky superfan, was allowed in the locker room after Saturday's victory over Iowa State and mistakenly left with Terrence Jones' cell phone. She realized what happened after leaving town and had someone pick up the phone to return to Jones. She sent Jones a handwritten apology: "So sorry pal that I grabbed your phone! I apologize for the inconvenience. Thanks for another beautiful game — take care, enjoy your week. See you in Catlanta.''

major programs dominate: Instead of parlaying an historic day of upsets into a second weekend filled with underdogs, the tournament now looks like a who's-who of major programs. All but two of the 16 teams in the region semifinals will be from power conferences. The exceptions: Ohio University and Xavier.According to STATS, this will be the first time since 2003 that 14 teams from the six major conferences have made the Sweet 16.

Times wires
Sunday, March 18, 2012

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Kenny Frease scored a career-high 25 to go with 12 rebounds as Xavier beat Lehigh 70-58 on Sunday to reach the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in five years.

Xavier (22-12) was ranked as high as eighth in the country this season, but a bench-clearing brawl with Cincinnati on Dec. 10 resulted in suspensions. Then it had to battle to make the tournament, getting in as a No. 10 seed.

"Coach (Chris) Mack was talking to us about how everyone's taking shots at us around the country," said guard Tu Holloway, who scored 15 of his 21 in the second half. "After going through so much, we're still standing in the last 16 teams. It just shows our character."

Lehigh (27-7), which beat No. 2 seed Duke, sought to be the first No. 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16. But the 7-foot Frease dominated the paint, making 11 of 13 shots.

"My guards put me in great position," he said. "All I had to do was turn and finish."

Lehigh center Gabe Knutson gave up 3 inches and 55 pounds to Frease.

"I didn't do as good of a job as I could have defending him," he said. "But he's a tremendous player."

Xavier also held C.J. McCollum, the nation's fifth-leading scorer at 22.4 points per game, to 14 on 5-of-22 shooting.

"I just wasn't making shots," McCollum said. "Offense is going to come and go. We still have to get stops on defense."

The Musketeers won despite missing third-leading scorer Dezmine Wells. He hurt his right ankle in the first half and did not return. His status was unknown.

The Mountain Hawks led 35-20 in the first half. But the Musketeers cut it to 37-33 by halftime with help from Holloway's 3-point buzzer-beater.

Then Lehigh went more than seven minutes without a field goal to start the second half — missing their first 10 shots. Overall in the half, it made only 5 of 34 shots.

Tied at 52, Xavier closed the game with an 18-6 run.

"We ultimately knew we had talent, but for whatever reason things just weren't clicking," Frease said. "We're coming together at the right time."

Sunday, March 18, 2012

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — For about a week, Florida guard Jordan Jones listened to the chatter about how Ohio State felt insulted by the selection committee.

It was as if the Gators, who were playing the Buckeyes in the first round, were an afterthought.

"All week long we heard Ohio State this, Ohio State that, their guards average this, their post players do that," Jones said. "I know Ohio State talked a lot about being disrespected, but we felt disrespected, too. I don't think anyone knew how good our defense was."

Quick on the perimeter and relentless rebounding, the ninth-seeded Gators beat the eighth-seeded Buckeyes 70-65 in the Des Moines Region. Florida led all the way.

Jennifer George had 16 points and six rebounds and Lanita Bartley added 15 points to lead Florida to a win in front of a crowd packed with fans of the in-state Buckeyes.

With her 98th victory, Amanda Butler became the winningest coach in UF history through her first five years.

Tayler Hill scored 23 for Ohio State, including two late baskets to pull the Buckeyes (25-7) within two. Florida (20-12) patiently worked the ball inside to George, who scored with 45 seconds to play. Emilee Harmon then missed for the Buckeyes.

Ohio State star Samantha Prahalis went scoreless in the second half and finished with nine points, 11 below her average. She joined Courtney Vandersloot of Gonzaga as Division I players with 2,000 points and 900 assists in their careers.

"We came to play,'' Hill said. "I mean, we got the cards dealt. It had nothing to do with our mind-set because we had an eight seed."

Florida forced turnovers early and had 20 offensive rebounds, overcoming 35 percent shooting.

The Gators play undefeated top overall seed Baylor at 7 p.m. Tuesday with the winner advancing to the Sweet 16.

"We would play anyone, anywhere — it just didn't matter," Jones said. "When we saw our name come up on the screen, we were ecstatic. We could have been playing the Lakers, and we would have been hugging and crying tears of joy."

Baylor 81, UC Santa Barbara 40: Brittney Griner scored 14 in 22 minutes, and the top-seeded Bears (35-0) rolled over the 16th-seeded the Gauchos (17-16) in Bowling Green, Ohio. UCSB at times had two players fronting Griner to prevent passes to her, but other players took advantage for the Bears. Baylor set a school record for wins, set last season. "I think the more rest you can get, the better, but make sure you get them enough minutes not to get out of rhythm," coach Kim Mulkey said. "I thought our kids worked up a sweat, and I thought they did some good stuff. We didn't have to show a lot of stuff — and get them off the floor. We've actually done that a lot of late."

Notre Dame 74, Liberty 43: The top-seeded Irish (31-3) led 11-0 less than two minutes into the game in South Bend, Ind. The 16th-seeded Flames (24-9) trailed 44-19 at halftime.

California 84, Iowa 74: Layshia Clarendon scored 16 points and the eighth-seeded Golden Bears (25-9) had a 16-point lead slip to six, then held off the ninth-seeded Hawkeyes (19-12) in South Bend, Ind.

St. Bonaventure 72, Fla. Gulf Coast 65, OT: Megan Van Tatenhove scored 18, Armelia Horton had 17 and the fifth-seeded Bonnies (30-3) snapped the 12th-seeded Eagles' (29-3) 21-game winning streak in Tallahassee. St. Bonaventure overcame a 53-42 deficit in the final 61/2 minutes. Courtney Chihil forced overtime with Florida Gulf Coast's only field goal in the final 6:29, a layup. Sarah Hansen led FGCU with 15 points and 11 rebounds. FGCU, the nation's top 3-point shooting team and eligible for the tournament for the first time this year after transitioning from Division II, went nearly 22 minutes in the second half and OT without a 3 after Eglah Griffin connected with 16:12 left. That shot set a Division I record for 3s in a season (341).

marist 76, georgia 70: Corielle Yarde scored 21, Brandy Gang had 18 and the 13th-seeded Red Foxes(26-7) upset the fourth-seeded Bulldogs (22-9) in Tallahassee. Marist made 21 of 25 free throws; Georgia made 6 of 8.

Georgetown 61, Fresno St. 56: Tia Magee scored 17 points and the fifth-seeded Hoyas (23-8) held off the 12th-seeded Bulldogs (28-6) in Chapel, N.C.

Georgia Tech 76, Sacred Heart 50: Freshman Sydney Wallace scored a season-high 28 to lead the fourth-seeded Yellow Jackets (25-8) past the 13th-seeded Pioneers (27-6) in Chapel Hill, N.C. Sasha Goodlett added 12 points and 11 rebounds as Georgia Tech set the school's single-season wins record.

Delaware 73, UALR 42: Elena Delle Donne had 39 points and 11 rebounds to lift the third-seeded Blue Hens (31-1) over the 14th-seeded Trojans (20-13) in Little Rock, Ark. Delle Donne, the nation's leading scorer at 27.5, made her first NCAA appearance after leading Delaware to the WNIT the past two seasons. "I think our team did a good job introducing ourselves to the country," Delle Donne said.

Kansas 57, Nebraska 49: Angel Goodrich scored 20 to lead the 11th-seeded Jayhawks (20-12) past the sixth-seeded Cornhuskers (24-9) in Little Rock, Ark. Kansas led by as many as 10 in the first half and held on for its first NCAA Tournament win since 1999. Nebraska's top scorers, Jordan Hooper and Lindsey Moore, were a combined 9-of-39 from the field, going 0-for-14 on 3-pointers.

Duke 82, Samford 47: Tricia Liston scored 22 as the second-seeded Blue Devils (25-5) started strong and beat the 15th-seeded Bulldogs (20-13) in Nashville.

Vandy 60, Middle Tenn. 46: Jasmine Lister scored 19 as the seventh-seeded Commodores (23-9) pulled away from the 10th-seeded Blue Raiders (26-7) in the second half in Nashville. The schools, about 40 miles apart, hadn't met since 1992.

St. John's 69, Creighton 67: Nadirah McKenith scored on a coast-to-coast layup with 0.1 seconds left in Norman, Okla. and the Red Storm (23-9) avoided becoming the first No. 3 seed to lose in the tournament's opening round. "I was praying that it was going in," said McKenith, who scored 21. The 14th-seeded Bluejays (20-13) tied it with two free throws with 5.4 seconds left.

Oklahoma 88, Michigan 67: Aaryn Ellenberg scored 21 of her 28 in the second half as the Sooners (21-12) took control with an early 14-4 run and never trailed against the Wolverines (20-12) in Norman, Okla.

Penn State 85, UTEP 77: Maggie Lucas scored 23 and the fourth-seeded Lions (25-6) beat the 13th-seeded Miners (29-3) in Baton Rouge, La. UTEP led by as many as seven in the first half but trailed by 14 in the second.

LSU 64, San Diego St. 56: LaSondra Barrett had 17 points and 10 rebounds as the fifth-seeded Tigers (23-10) held off the 12th-seeded Aztecs (25-7) in Baton Rouge, La.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

James Madison defeated Wake Forest 84-76 in the WNIT on Sunday and will host USF in a third-round game at 7 Friday.

The Dukes (26-7) outscored the Demon Deacons 14-6 in OT.

For the seventh straight year the Dukes have won 24 or more games and have advanced to postseason play.

Wake Forest ends its season at 20-14.

Men's NIT

oregon 108, Iowa 97: E.J. Singler scored 25, Olu Ashaolu had 22 and the host Ducks (24-9) rallied from 15 down in the first half to beat the Hawkeyes (18-17) in the second round. Devyn Marble led Iowa with 31 points, making all seven 3-pointers and 10 of 15 overall. Oregon rallied from a 15-point deficit in the first half and plays at Washington on Tuesday. The winner heads to the NIT Final Four in New York on March 27.

nevada 75, bucknell 67: Olek Czyz scored 24 and Malik Story had 18 for the host Wolf Pack (28-6) in the second round. Mike Muscala led the Bison (25-10) with 25 points. Nevada next plays the winner of today's Illinois State-Stanford game.

Drexel 65, N. Iowa 63: Samme Givens scored 28 for the host Dragons (29-6) in the second round. Johnny Moran led the Panthers (20-14) with 19 points, but missed a last-second 3. Drexel, which will host Massachusetts on Tuesday, was outrebounded for the seventh time this season, 32-24.

St. John's: Forward Moe Harkless, the Big East rookie of the year, reportedly will apply for early entry to the NBA draft. The school scheduled a news conference today with Harkless planning to attend. Harkless, 6 feet 8, averaged 15.5 points and 8.5 rebounds.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, March 18, 2012

NASHVILLE — It was over now, the dreaming and the daring and the dancing. The wildest ride of the unlikeliest team you could imagine had come to an end, and there was nothing for Stan Heath to do but swallow hard and try to ignore the searing pain in his stomach.

After all of the moments, after all of the victories, USF finally lost. The Bulls players moved slowly off the court, a few heads drooping, a few shoulders sagging at the realization there was no more basketball to play. In the end, they could not buy a 3-pointer, and they could not rent a free throw, and they could not protect a lead.

Ohio 62, USF 56.

And good night.

Eventually, there will be time for perspective. Eventually, these Bulls will be known as the team that changed everything for the program. Perception. Standards. Expectations. If USF is good from now on, this will be the team that started it. If USF returns to the land of the lost, this team will be the shining exception.

For now, however, there is only unending pain of a team losing a game it seemed to have in hand for much of the night. It is a high-wire sport, the NCAA Tournament, and falling always hurts. Let's face it: For a legitimate team — and you have consider USF one at this point — losing is supposed to hurt. When a team is bounced out of the tournament, there are supposed to be tears in the locker room.

"This will sting with me until the day I die," Heath said, shaking his head. "You know, once I wake up in the morning, I'll have a lot of pride and I'll feel like, 'Boy, this team gave a lot.' It did."

But not now. Not yet.

"We made history," forward Victor Rudd said. "We'll be proud of it in about a month."

In the meantime, there are moments from this loss that will leave the Bulls with nightmares.

In some ways, it was inevitable that its lack of offensive proficiency would eventually catch up to USF. They are, after all the Shotless Wonders, and whenever they lost, you figured they would shoot themselves out of the tournament. Over the season, there were too many droughts, too many trips down the court where the Bulls simply seemed to have no idea of where the bottom of the basket was.

Against Ohio, it was 3-point shooting that vanished. USF hit only 2 of 15 3-pointers for the night, which doomed it. How are you going to win when the opponent outscores you 27-3 from the perimeter? Answer: You probably aren't.

Then there were the two five-point swings in the second half. In the first, USF was ahead 31-26 when an intentional foul was called against Rudd. Ohio hit two free throws, inbounded and hit a 3-point shot. Tie score.

A few minutes later, with USF up 42-37, Hugh Robertson dunked, but was called for a technical for hanging on the rim. Again, Ohio hit two free throws, inbounded and hit a 3-pointer. Tie score again.

"We pride ourselves in not beating ourselves," Heath said. "When the play happened that way, I think it took a little bit of that fuel away from us. But, you know, it's part of the game."

For a long time, this loss will haunt the USF players. Did their legs tire out? After all, it was their third game in five nights. Did they lose their composure? Why were there so many points left at the free-throw line? And why couldn't they find their shooting rhythm the way they did against Cal and Temple?

As for Heath, the first questions will be internal. Where else would you suspect?

"I'm one of those guys who looks in the mirror and says 'What could I have done better?' " Heath said. "And so I'm kind of kicking myself a little bit. I feel like maybe … I don't know if I prepared them well enough or maybe did a little bit too much the day before because we didn't quite have the zip.

"I don't know. I'll digest this and try to figure out what I could have done better to help our team. I don't feel like I did everything necessary to get my team to play like they're capable of playing."

For most of the season, Heath pushed every right button. He convinced his team to put defense first, and he coaxed it to overachieve, and he led it further than any USF team had a right to expect. If he is disappointed today, if his team is disappointed, if you are disappointed, it is because Heath made success look possible. He made the Sweet 16 look like just another step.

Think of it this way: When is the last USF season that ended in disappointment? By the time most USF seasons have ended, you have been willing to gather the balls and turn out the lights to help it along. Even in those two long-ago NCAA one-and-dones, even in the NIT seasons, no one thought the Bulls would be around for long.

But this time? This team made you believe. For all of its flaws, for all of its grunt-and-grind wins, for all of the times you heard how ugly they were, these were the best moments the Bulls have had.

These were the program-changers. These were the players who stopped the laughing. Perhaps, these are the players who started the winning.

If you are disappointed in them, it is that they did not last long enough.

Soon, they will recognize what they have done. For now, the pain persists.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 19, 2012

NASHVILLE — Clearwater's Luke Loucks had nine of Florida State's final 13 points Sunday night, but his two costly turnovers in the final two minutes helped sixth-seeded Cincinnati pull out a physical, back-and-forth 62-56 win against the third-seeded Seminoles, sending a fourth Ohio school to the Sweet 16.

FSU (25-10) led 50-49 on two Loucks free throws with 2:09 left before the Bearcats' Sean Kilpatrick hit a free throw that tied it at 50. Then the game shifted seconds later when a Loucks pass was stolen by Cincinnati's Dion Dixon, who went in for an uncontested dunk and a 52-50 lead.

The Bearcats' Cashmere Wright hit a jumper on the next possession, and Loucks was called for a travel — he left his feet without shooting, thinking he had a foul call coming — with 48 seconds left.

Cincinnati (26-10) went 8-for-8 on free throws in the final 35 seconds, sending the ACC champions home and the Bearcats advancing to face second-seeded Ohio State on Thursday in Boston.

"We lost to a team that had 13 steals. We turned the ball over 17 times that led to 19 points," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said.

"They were a tremendous strip team. They did a very good job with deflections and steals, causing us to cough it up and leading to baskets. Had we taken care of the ball a lot better, at least we would have given ourselves a chance. As I look back on the game, that was probably what did us in."

The two teams battled in a grind of a game, with neither leading by more than five points until Cincinnati went up by six in the final minute.

FSU got 14 points and four assists from Loucks, who had hit a crucial 3-pointer to answer one from the Bearcats and tie the score with 3:25 left. FSU's Bernard James added 12 points, including two dunks in the final three minutes.

"I can't say how proud I am of this team," said Hamilton, noting that the Seminoles opened the season 9-6. "I really feel they gave me what they had, and they represented the Florida State and Tallahassee communities in as fine a fashion as I've ever seen in a basketball team. We're not going to allow this last game to identify who we are and what we've become."

FSU's leading scorer, Michael Snaer, who had been held scoreless in Friday's second-round win against St. Bonaventure, hit two 3s in the first three minutes and finished with 11 points, but the game's big scorer was Kilpatrick, who hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put Cincinnati up 49-46 after the Bearcats had trailed for much of the second half. Kilpatrick finished with 18 points.

"Coming down the stretch, we did make some mistakes, but the effort was there and the intensity was there, too," James said. "It just didn't go our way tonight."

With Cincinnati's win, the Sweet 16 has four teams each from the Big East and Big Ten, and the Bearcats join Ohio State, Xavier and Ohio in representing their state later this week. The Bobcats had won on the same court by an identical score in eliminating USF two hours earlier.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 19, 2012

Sebastien Caron was asked what he remembers about a game from November 2003, when he allowed the Lightning eight goals in 49 minutes in what turned into Tampa Bay's 9-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"I don't remember that game," Caron said, smiling.

Seriously, though, "It was a different time," he said. "I was really young back then and the team was not doing well back then either. But I learned a lot from the past years and I told myself if I was going to give it another shot I would be more ready for it, and I think I am."

The Lightning will find out soon as it officially announced signing Caron, 31, to a prorated one-year, one-way contract. As a goaltender coming from Europe (he played this season in Germany), Caron still has to clear waivers. We will know at noon Tuesday if he clears. It is not expected to be a problem.

The plan is to give Caron some time to get acclimated to the NHL with some practice time against NHL shooters. Once he starts playing and proves capable, Dustin Tokarski -- who starts tonight against the Sabres -- will be sent back to AHL Norfolk. At least that's the plan right now.

Caron, who was 25-23-0 for Iserlohn Roosters this season with a 2.57 goals-against average and .932 save percentage, said the deal with Tampa Bay came together in just the past few days. He even played Friday for Iserlohn.

"I just go with the flow," he said. "I'm just going to enjoy my time here and get some playing time and do my best and try to do a show. I'm not going to say no to that."

Caron, 6 feet 1, 184 pounds, played 92 NHL games between 2002-07 (90 with the Penguins) with a 25-47-14 with a 3.45 goals-against average and .892 save percentage.

"We'll go one game at a time," coach Guy Boucher said when asked how he will handle Caron. "He's going to get some time to get accustomed ... We'll see when we can put him in."

Other stuff from the morning skate: More injuries for the Lightning as wing Ryan Shannon and right wing Adam Hall join the list of walking wounded that is now up to eight, one off the team high from January. Both players have upper-body issues that occurred during Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Blues. Shannon was hurt in the second period, Hall played the entire game. "I've got a choice," Boucher said. "Either I can start crying, which I felt like, or just look at it as ridiculous. I've just got to go with it." ... To compensate, Tampa Bay recalled Pierre Cedric-Labrie from Norfolk. Labrie was with the Admirals Sunday, when the team won its 18th straight game, setting an AHL single-season record. "We'll always remember that," he said and added about the team, "We're just like a big family. We're all brothers. It makes every day fun. I have a lot of confidence on the ice and everybody is just smiling during practice." ... When Shannon was hurt Saturday, defenseman Brendan Mikkelson got some turns at forward from where he scored his first NHL goal in his 116th game. Asked if he would have rather scored from his natural position, he said, "After so many games, it could have been an empty-net goal." Actually, Mikkelson said he was in a good position to make the switch to forward. "I pay attention to all the meetings, so you know what the forecheck is, you know what the responsibilities are."

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 19, 2012

NASHVILLE -— Just as this year's USF men's basketball team was motivated by the disappointment of last season's 10-23 record, coach Stan Heath says this first taste of NCAA Tournament success — and the sting of losing Sunday to 13th-seeded Ohio — will drive his team to return for more next season.

"We'll use this as fuel, use this to take things to a higher level," Heath said Sunday after the Bulls' 62-56 loss. "No. 1, we won't go 7-6 in nonconference. I can tell you that right now. We're going to set the tone early. We already know how good defense can be for us, and with some of the guys we have coming in, we have a lot of firepower offensively. ... Don't be surprised. Don't be surprised. We'll be a hungry group."

Sunday's loss, ending a wild tournament run of three games in five days, will linger with the Bulls in coming months, allowing the team to relish the greatest season in the program's history, but still be motivated by the knowledge that even more was within its grasp.

"Us having a good year, we want to go further next year," said guard Victor Rudd, a rising junior who scored in double digits in all of USF's final five games. "We're going to get in the weight room with our weight coach, and on the track and go harder than we did last year so we can be a successful team next year. Our newcomers coming in, we're going to welcome them with open arms and have a good offseason and come in ready."

The Bulls lose three senior starters in center Ron Anderson, forward Augustus Gilchrist and guard Hugh Robertson, but should have greater depth in 2012-13, with at least five newcomers to help offset those losses and challenge the returning players. The nucleus will start with point guard Anthony Collins, who sparked this team as a freshman with poise and leadership from the start.

"The best is yet to come for that young man," Heath said Sunday. "He's good, but just wait until next year, because he will be extremely motivated. This kid gets up during a regular year at 6 in the morning and shoots and works on his game when everybody else is sleeping. He's a hungry, motivated young man, and he's going to set the tone for everybody ... So 22 (wins) and winning a couple (NCAA Tournament) games, that's not going to last very long here."

In the past week, USF has reset the expectations for a program that hadn't been to the NCAAs in 20 years and had never won a tournament game. With wins against California and fifth-seeded Temple, these Bulls have radically changed what will be considered a success for USF basketball.

"I think it does wonders for our program, setting a certain standard for guys coming in and the returning guys," said forward Toarlyn Fitzpatrick, who should step into a starting role next season. "USF is no longer a bottom-tier team. We're trying to make statements, to become a top-tier team, to earn respect, and I think we've done that this year."

The Bulls will return Collins, Rudd, Fitzpatrick, and guard Jawanza Poland, with two newcomers taking over for Anderson and Gilchrist in the post. Waverly Austin is a 6-foot-11 center among the nation's top junior college players, and the Bulls will have an even bigger post presence in 7-3, 320-pound freshman Jordan Omogbehin, who redshirted this season. Martino Brock, a transfer from South Alabama, should inherit Robertson's role as a top defender and athletic wing, and freshman guard JaVontae Hawkins will add a new perimeter scoring threat, with another freshman, forward Zach LeDay, adding a versatility much like Fitzpatrick. Junior college guard Musa Abdul-Aleem will challenge Blake Nash for minutes backing up Collins.

"This team was coachable. They listened. They bought in," Heath said. "They hugged each other. They lifted each other up. ... It didn't happen at the beginning. It happened as time went on. And so it's really special to me."

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 19, 2012

By the end of 2011, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had developed a formidable defensive end rotation that coaches hope will be a reason the defense shows dramatic improvement in 2012.

A big part of that defensive end unit was Michael Bennett, who now will be officially be a part of it after signing his restricted free agent tender today.

The Bucs had placed a first-round tender on Bennett, essentially protecting the team with first-round pick compensation from any team that signed him to a competing contract. That, and the $2.7 million salary that accompanies the decision, was a strong indication of the Bucs' feelings for Bennett.

Bennett, 26, had a breakout season in 2011 playing mostly left defensive end. He registered four sacks in 14 games (10 starts), but was among the defense's most consistent players during one of the franchise's worst defensive seasons. His ability to play both the run and pass is valued by coaches, as is his flexibility. Bennett has played extensively at defensive tackle on passing downs, despite being just 274 pounds.

With Bennett, the Bucs are likely to use a defensive end rotation that also includes 2011 rookies Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 19, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. — Around this time last year, Florida junior guard Mike Rosario was in Gainesville watching his teammates participate in the NCAA Tournament from his on-campus housing apartment.

A transfer from Rutgers, Rosario was able to practice last season, but could not compete. When he got his first NCAA Tournament opportunity this past weekend, Rosario tried to make the most of it for the Gators. He, sophomore forward Casey Prather, and the rest of Florida's bench provided a surprising, and much-needed, spark during the second and third rounds of the NCAA Tournament — combining for 41 points and 17 rebounds.

"It's a great experience," Rosario said. "I've been waiting to step up like this whole year for my team. But I feel like right now is a crucial time for me to come off the bench and provide that energy and whatever I can. I thought that me and Casey really made a jump and we've got to keep it going because it keeps a lot of positive energy for all our players, and it gives our coach a lot of trust to make those decisions that we can make the plays that we've been making."

"In Friday's game against Virginia, Prather scored 14 points, and had several key blocks and rebounds in the Gators' win over Virginia.

"He gave them a great lift," Virginia coach Tony Bennett said. "And when you look at someone off the bench, I don't want to say that you weren't counting on that, but that is a pleasant surprise, and he was that for them. He is very athletic. His threat is more slashing from the glass and they played him a little bit as a four, so he's a matchup problem."

On Sunday, with Prather suffering from a 101-degree temperature and flu-like symptoms, Rosario came up big with 12 points. Sophomore guard Scottie Wilbekin also provided the Gators with impressive minutes to relieve guards Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker, and forward Cody Larson offered solid frontcourt minutes.

"When we can get points off the bench it's a plus for us," Boynton said. "I'm happy for Casey and the day he had (Friday) was big for us. With Mike, I think Mike can come off the bench every game and score like that. He was a great scorer at Rutgers so it's just a matter of time, him getting comfortable."

The timing of the greater bench production isn't necessarily coincidental. When sophomore forward Will Yeguete was lost for the season late last month with a broken foot, Florida coach Billy Donovan was forced not only to readjust his starting rotation, but to find a way to integrate the bench in the new schemes as well. Donovan isn't ready to declare that this team has it all figured out, but he believes the starters and bench are starting to jell at the right time.

"It's a tribute to those guys that they're that locked in and focused," Donovan said. "I didn't tell Mike, 'Hey, listen we need your scoring' or tell Casey anything. When you're locked in those things happen for you. I felt like Mike the last couple days although he didn't play a lot of minutes against Virginia, he had a good day on Saturday getting ready for (Norfolk State). He gave us good contributions. I think in this tournament you have to have different guys step up at different times and different moments."

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

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 19, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson could definitely tell a difference in pitching on the backfields against some free-swinging minor leaguers Monday afternoon.

"They don't let too many fastballs go by," Hellickson said.

Hellickson felt pretty good, though, about his start against the Red Sox's Class-A team, allowing three runs and five hits over 4 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking one in a 76-pitch outing. He said his fastball command "wasn't too good," but felt his changeup improved and he threw some quality curveballs.

"I'm very happy," Hellickson said. "I feel really good. My stuff feels good. Like I said, I'm still trying to command my fastball."

After four spring appearances, Hellickson still feels like he has some work to do. He's trying to become more consistent with his curveball, which is good at times, but "it seems like every other one bounces 5-10 feet in front of the plate." After allowing the first two hitters to reach base Monday, Hellickson got into a groove in retiring eight straight, before allowing three consecutive hits in the third.

"With two strikes, I'm leaving it over the plate a little bit too much right now — just trying to get it in there," Hellickson said. "Hopefully I fix it here in the next few starts."

HOT CORNER: While 3B Evan Longoria said it is not always about the results in spring, the fact he picked up his first two hits Sunday "breeds some confidence."

Longoria, sidelined earlier in camp after getting hit in the right hand by a RHP Matt Bush pitch, is 2-for-12 in five games.

"It's just constantly a battle to get comfortable again," Longoria said. "It's always about 20-30 at-bats before we really start to feel like we're back in some sort of groove. You talk about midseason form, you really don't start feeling like that for a while."

But Longoria said he wants to improve his play in the field, as the two-time Gold Glover has a team-high three errors.

"I've been terrible on defense this spring," Longoria said. "But it's just getting back to ground ball form, just the speed of the game, picking up balls off the bat. I've just got to work on a day-to-day basis."

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

Times wires
Monday, March 19, 2012

On the heels of winning its third straight Hockey East title, Boston College received the No. 1 overall seed in the 16-team NCAA men's hockey tournament Sunday, and Michigan, Union and North Dakota got the top seeds in the other regions.

The Wolverines are the second overall seed, followed by Union and the Fighting Sioux. Region play begins Friday. The Frozen Four is April 5 and 7 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa.

Defending champion Minnesota-Duluth got the second seed in the Northeast Region behind Boston College.

The Eagles, the top-ranked team in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll, have a 15-game winning streak after becoming the first team to win three straight Hockey East titles, 4-1 over Maine on Saturday.

"We're proud of (the winning streak) because it means we're playing good hockey," coach Jerry York told U.S. College Hockey Online. "A lot of the games have been tightly contested games, so we've had to make good plays to win them, and that builds your confidence. But now … everyone's 0-0."

Automatic bids went to the five conference champions. Besides BC, they are Union (Eastern College Athletic Conference), North Dakota (Western Collegiate Hockey Association), Air Force (Atlantic Hockey Association) and Central Michigan (Central Collegiate Hockey Association).

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 19, 2012

PORT CHARLOTTE — The Singer and the Swinger sat on the floor of the family room of their spring training rental home a couple weeks ago, phones in hand opened to their calendars, a Rays pocket schedule unfolded, four pages of notes scribbled about upcoming events, engagements, family visits and availability to work around.

Most days, it's pretty awesome — a word they both use often — being Julianna and Ben Zobrist, the Rays two-career couple. She sings Christian pop music, with a second CD dropping next month and an expanding concert schedule. He swings a potent bat, while splitting time between two positions, as a key member of the Tampa Bay lineup. Together, they rock.

But some days, like this one, when they're trying to plot out a season's worth of travel, adhering to their self-imposed rule of not going more than six days without seeing other, accommodating their 3-year-old son Zion and 6-month-old daughter Kruse or arranging for them to be watched, adjusting to the inevitable changes, it can be a little hectic. After a few hours, they had a plan: 56 tickets on 37 flights — all on Southwest, because there's no change-fee penalties — for another season of their real-life reality show.

"It's pretty amazing," Ben said. "It's a blast. If you would have asked us when we first got married what are you going to be doing in five-six years, we would not have placed ourselves where we are."

"It's hard to even believe," Julianna said. "There are so many people that dream about doing what we do. And how awesome is it that we have the opportunity to do it? It makes us both not only appreciate it, but want to be excellent with how we do it."

•••

One measure of success can be in the length of the journey.

Ben, 30, grew up the son of a preacher playing ball in the southern Illinois town of Eureka — most famous as the birthplace of Ronald Reagan — and wasn't drafted out of high school, played at two small colleges (Olivet, Ill., Nazarene and Dallas Baptist) and was a sixth-round pick by the Astros in his third season in the low minors before coming to the Rays in July 2006 as the lesser piece (to Mitch Talbot) in the Aubrey Huff trade.

Since then he's became an indispensable, mold-breaking All-Star and MVP candidate, switching seamlessly between second base and rightfield while hitting in the middle of the order, earning a long-term contract worth at least $18 million over four years and up to $30 million over six.

Julianna, 27, grew up the daughter of a preacher dancing and writing poetry in the eastern Iowa university town of Iowa City, singing in her father's Parkview church with a plan to study music at Nashville's Belmont University and see where it took her.

Since then, she has become an accomplished singer and songwriter, with one CD, The Tree, out and another, Crazy Fearless, coming April 10 (go to thezobrists.com to hear some songs), a unique slot among contemporary Christian artists influenced by myriad artists, and performances before a crowd of 10,000 as an opening act at AtlantaFest and at an awards show in L.A.

What's next?

"Your guess is as good as ours," Ben said.

•••

They came together through a long-term, long-distance relationship, started with an email when Ben was a 20-year-old in college and Jules, as he calls her, was a 17-year-old high school junior, and culminated with their first real date only 2½ years later.

They had a push, one of Ben's friends married to one of Julianna's older sisters, encouraging him to email her. Months and then years passed with little progress, but a series of serendipitous meetings and connections — that both are convinced was divine intervention — finally brought them together, a few days after her 19th birthday.

And they've been a couple ever since, he the voice of maturity and reason, and she, especially with the funky, occasionally — his word — shocking, wardrobe and colorful hair styles, not.

"He's an old soul," Julianna said, "and I'm like a junior high boy, immature to the nth degree."

The first time Julianna saw Ben play baseball, when he and one of her brother happened to end up in the same summer collegiate league (in one of those coincidences), she was much more interested in how he filled out his uniform than how he played. "He looked really good," she said. "He got a solid 10 on that one."

The first time Ben heard Jules sing, really sing, not just goofing around with their friends, was a Christmas show at Parkview as she belted out Mary Sweet Mary, and he was quite impressed with what he heard and saw. "Of course I was," he said.

•••

They attend as many of each other's events as they can and at times will talk shop at night comparing notes — she'll ask why something happened as it did in a game, he'll wonder why something sounded as it did during her show.

But their favorite professional moments are when their careers intertwine.

Julianna has sung the anthem before a handful of his games (Note to Rays: And eager to do more), but her voice can be heard several times a night, as Ben uses her songs for his walk-up music, with plans this year to use a cut off the new CD, Behind Me.

"Ben is my biggest fan, for sure," she said. "And it's so awesome."

Ben is usually in the front row at Julianna's concerts, as much so he can have an up-close view as for the moral support it provides her. "I like to see him because a lot of the songs are about him," she said. "And I like to point at him."

Occasionally, they'll share a stage. Ben does speaking engagements, sharing stories of mixing his devout Christianity with pro sports, life, even having a wife who is a singer, and sometimes Jules is also booked to provide the entertainment. "We team up," he said. (Both appeared in a short film, Snake, that a friend shot this winter, and Ben last week did a cameo in a faith-based feature-length film called Ring The Bell.)

Julianna didn't play any sports growing up, but at least ventured on to the Trop turf for the wives' softball game. Ben will go on stage with Julianna, but to talk, never, ever to sing.

He suggests she needs some background dancers with her four-piece band. She blurts out, "He can do a mad Backstreet Boys dance." He shows off a couple moves.

The Singer and the Swinger, so happy together.

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

By Steve Papen, Times Correspondent
Monday, March 19, 2012

Deepwater: Spring is officially here and with it comes many pelagic species that make their way through our offshore waters on their northerly migration. King mackerel have taken center stage for the inshore fishery and will continue to do so for the next couple of months. In deeper waters other species such as tuna, mahi, wahoo and sailfish have started their move into the bait rich areas off the coast.

Many websites will assist anglers in finding current rips, eddys and blue-water edges offshore, that are essential in finding these fish.

Tuna: During this past week we have found many blackfin tuna hiding under schools of bonita offshore in 100 to 140 feet. These fish can be a challenge because there are so many of the undesired species in these feeding frenzies. I usually pull up well outside the school and pitch baits such as cigar minnows and Spanish sardines, and free spooling the reel, allowing the bait to swim straight down under the school where the tuna will be. Two trips this past week to different areas resulted in a handful of tuna from 18 to 29 pounds.

Wahoo: For the next few months the Elbow should be a good place to start. Though some like to troll lures and ballyhoo for these speedsters, I prefer a slow trolled live bait such as a big blue runner or large cigar minnows. The Elbow is full of large peaks, some 30 feet, that will hold these fish. Deploy a spread of baits up top and on the down-riggers and try to keep your trolling speed at 1-2 knots.

Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at (727) 642-3411 and fintasticinc.com.

Times wires
Monday, March 19, 2012

CLEARWATER — Phillies 2B Chase Utley will likely start the season on the disabled list for the second straight year because of problems with both knees.

The five-time All-Star left camp to see a specialist, and it's uncertain when he'll be ready to play.

Utley, 33, was believed to have only an injured right knee, but general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. indicated Monday the left one may be causing more trouble.

"The guy's got bad knees. We know it and that's a fact," Amaro said. "We're just trying to limit and also make sure he's ready to go and play the bulk of the season. He told me his right knee feels much better. His left has been bothering him."

Utley hasn't played in a game this spring because of his condition, which forced him to miss all of last spring and the first 46 games of the regular season. He was diagnosed in February 2011 with patellar tendinitis, bone inflammation and chondromalacia, which is pain due to irritation under the kneecap. Surgery didn't guarantee a cure, so he opted for rehab and played through pain when he came back.

"We haven't had any discussions about surgery," Amaro said. "He's got a cartilage issue. You can't grow cartilage. It's partially tendinitis and partially a cartilage issue."

The tight-lipped Utley said Saturday he hoped to play in a game this week. Those plans are on hold. However, Amaro expressed some optimism that Utley isn't going to miss a significant part of the season.

"He's been improving the last couple weeks, but not to the point where he can get on the field," Amaro said.

PITCHER CUT: The Phillies released veteran RHP Joel Pineiro, who signed a minor-league contract in January.

Yanks: Cano okay

TAMPA — The Yankees got good news on All-Star 2B Robinson Cano, who was hit by a pitch on his left hand in Sunday night's game against the Orioles. X-rays were negative, and Cano was diagnosed with a bruise on the side near his pinkie.

Cano likely will be held out as a precaution until at least Friday. The Yankees were off on Monday. SS Derek Jeter (sore left calf) also might not play until the weekend.

Jays: Brutal honesty

DUNEDIN — When, or perhaps if, Omar Vizquel's career comes to an end, he may have a future in the broadcast booth.

The shortstop, 44, who is trying to make the Blue Jays as a backup infielder, was a guest of Toronto broadcasters Buck Martinez and Pat Tabler during Sunday's game against the Phillies, and his candor made quite an impression.

Asked about incumbent starting SS Yunel Escobar, Vizquel didn't mince words: "He has to improve the mental game a bit.

"The shortstop position, you have to dominate the game in so many different aspects. He has to communicate, has to be a presence out there for the pitchers. I'm going to try to keep him more in the game. He loses his head out there when he's 0-for-3, 0-for-4. He's thinking about his (at-bats) and that's something we cannot do when we play the infield."

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 19, 2012

Worst off day plans

LHP Jake McGee was scheduled to get a root canal on Monday, the team's lone off day of spring. He figured he had to get it done sometime, but wasn't exactly looking forward to it. "As long as they numb me, I'll be fine," he said.

Family off day plans

C Chris Gimenez said he and his wife, Kellie, planned to take their 4-month-old son Jace to Fort Myers to get family photos taken. "It'll be pretty cool," he said. "We did it right when he was born, and I guess you're supposed to go to do it 3-6-9 (months.) We're a little late."

Lazy off day plans

LHP J.P. Howell said he was going to do a whole lot of nothing Monday. Though he predicted he'd wake up at 8 a.m. out of routine, he figured naps were in order. "I'm not even going to leave the house," he said.

Outdoors off day plans

Third-base coach Tom Foley was one of many who planned to go fishing. UTL Jeff Keppinger was thinking of renting a boat to take his kids, 5-year-old son Kaden and 4-year-old daughter Brilee.

Rays spring hitting leaders

(Minimum seven games)

Reid Brignac .389

Desmond Jennings .381

Jeff Keppinger .333

Stephen Vogt .323

Matt Mangini .310

Rays rotation

(Grapefruit League stats)

RHP James Shields (2-0, 0.75 ERA, three appearances)

LHP David Price (0-0, 5.40, three appearances)

RHP Jeremy Hellickson (0-1, 9.00, three appearances)

LHP Matt Moore (0-1, 9.00, two appearances)

RHP Wade Davis (0-1, 5.19, three appearances)

RHP Jeff Niemann (0-2, 4.32, three appearances)

Who is this Ray?

He's an outfielder who played one season at Oklahoma State University and made the opening day roster with Arizona in 2008, establishing major league career-highs in games, runs, hits and RBI.

The dish

Rays at Marlins

When/where: 1:05 today; Roger Dean Stadium, 4751 Main Street, Jupiter

Tickets: $15-$28, available at stadium box office, or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

Pitchers: Rays — Wade Davis, Marquis Fleming, Jhonny Nunez, Ryan Reid. Marlins — TBD

Heads-up

LF Desmond Jennings, SS Reid Brignac, SS Sean Rodriguez, OF Matt Joyce and OF Sam Fuld are among those scheduled to make the trip to Jupiter. RHP Wade Davis, a candidate for the fifth rotation spot, starts on the mound.

On deck

Wednesday: Rays vs. Yankees, 1:05. Rays — Kyle Farnsworth; Yankees — Phil Hughes

Thursday: Rays at Pirates, 1:05. Rays — TBD; Pirates — TBD

Upcoming schedule

All games 1:05 unless noted

March

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 Jeff Salazar

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Times wires
Monday, March 19, 2012

NEW YORK — The Mets' owners scored an early season victory Monday, stabilizing the club's financial future in a deal with a trustee for Bernard Madoff's fraud victims that requires them to pay millions less than they might have — and lifts a dark cloud from a team whose dismal play seemed to mirror its misfortune in the owner's box.

Mets CEO Fred Wilpon and team president Saul Katz, co-majority owners, emerged smiling from a Manhattan federal courthouse after a judge announced the agreement, which makes it likely they'll pay much less than the agreed-upon $162 million, if any at all; guarantees they will owe nothing until the end of four years; and averts a high-profile civil trial.

"Now I guess I can smile, maybe I can take a day off, but I can't wait to get back to our businesses, which I love," Wilpon said outside court as he pledged to rejoin the Mets today at spring training. He stood with Katz, who rested his hand on Wilpon's shoulder.

After speaking, Wilpon gave a nod to the sagging faith some have had with owners who seemed mired in accusations that they knew Madoff was up to no good but kept silent because they were making lots of money on their investment.

"Stick with us," he said.

Later in the day, the Mets owners closed long-awaited deals to sell 12 minority shares worth $20 million each. Additionally, they repaid their $25 million loan to MLB, a $40 million loan to Bank of America and additional club debt.

CABRERA BLOODIED: Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera left a 4-3 loss to the Phillies with a bloody face after a hard grounder from Hunter Pence hit the six-time All-Star near the right eye. Cabrera was taken to a hospital to receive stitches and get precautionary X-rays.

"We don't have any information," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said, repeating that answer several times.

Cabrera was wearing sunglasses, and it's uncertain whether the wicked one-hopper hit the right lens or just under it.

CARDINALS: Infielder Skip Schumaker has a torn right oblique muscle and likely will start the season on the disabled list.

MARINERS: Left-handed reliever Hong-Chih Kuo, trying to come back from a fifth elbow surgery, was released.

RED SOX: Left-hander Jon Lester was picked to start opening day. The six-year veteran went 1-3 last September, including two losses to the Rays in which he allowed eight runs and walked seven in 11 innings, helping accelerate Boston's colossal collapse.

ROYALS: An MRI exam revealed that closer Joakim Soria has ulnar collateral ligament damage in his right (pitching) elbow. There was no word on the extent of the damage.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 19, 2012

TAMPA — There always are tell-tale signs players are hurt. In the case of Lightning C Steven Stamkos it was a precipitous drop in his recent faceoff efficiency.

Asked if he is hindered by something physical, the league's top goal scorer did not deny he was hurt, though he said the injury is "nothing major" and should not prevent him from playing.

"You get banged up," he said Monday. "I missed a couple of practices there. There are bumps and bruises during the season that sometimes hinder you in certain areas of the game.

"It's one of those things you go through every year, especially playing as much as we have."

With C Vinny Lecavalier out with a fractured hand, Stamkos is, as coach Guy Boucher likes to say, sleeping on the ice, playing fewer than 23 minutes only twice in his past 10 games.

Stamkos' faceoff woes go back further. In 13 previous games entering Monday he won just 98 of 230 draws (42.6 percent). Against the Blues Saturday, he won 6 of 19 (31.6 percent).

Stamkos did better Monday against the Sabres, winning 11 of 22. Still, the overall has been a notable difference from the 46 percent he previously won.

Neither Stamkos, who in his four-year career never has missed a game because of injury, nor Boucher would be specific about what Stamkos is nursing.

"Sometimes there are physical things which keep you from being at your best," Boucher said. "He's a fighter. If something is bothering him, he would want to fight through the pain."

MORE MEDICAL MATTERS: Eight regulars are sidelined because of injury (one off the season high from January) with the latest being W Ryan Shannon and RW Adam Hall, both of whom sustained upper-body injuries against the Blues.

Shannon could be out "a long while," Boucher said and added he is waiting for test results for more specifics. Of Hall, the team's top faceoff man, Boucher indicated it might be serious.

"I have a choice," Boucher said of the injury bug, "either I start crying, which I feel like, or I just look at it as ridiculous."

GOALIE SIGNED: G Sebastien Caron from Iserlohn of the German elite league, was signed to a prorated one-year, one-way contract. Because he is coming from Europe, Caron must clear waivers before joining the team. We will know at noon today.

Caron, 31, who from 2002-07 played 92 NHL games (90 for the Penguins) will get practices to get re-acclimated to NHL shooters before he plays a game, Boucher said. Once that happens, the plan is to re-assign G Dustin Tokarski to AHL Norfolk.

MINOR MOVE: The Lightning signed prospect Alex Killorn to a two-year deal beginning next season. Norfolk signed the forward to an amateur tryout contract for this season.

Killorn, 22, drafted 107th overall in 2007, led Harvard with 23 goals and 69 points in 34 games, was a first-team ECAC selection and a nominee for the Hobey Baker Award.

ODDS AND ENDS: RW Pierre-Cedric Labrie was recalled from Norfolk. … RW Brandon Segal was in the lineup after seven games as a healthy scratch. … Shannon, Hall, G Mathieu Garon (groin), F Nate Thompson (upper body) and D Mike Commodore were the official scratches.

Times wires
Monday, March 19, 2012

NASHVILLE— His eyes were glossy. The circles around them were red from several minutes of covering up the tears.

Where was he to go from here? What was next for his teammates?

How would he remember his final night as a Florida State Seminole?

In time, former Clearwater High star Luke Loucks might smile when he thinks about the 3 he hit with about three minutes left in Sunday night's NCAA Tournament game against Cincinnati.

But for now, soon after a rare late-game loss, he won't remember Sunday night in Nashville all that well.

"I feel like I let the team down," the senior guard said, less than an hour after FSU's 62-56 third-round loss.

He was not alone.

"They hit a couple of 3s on me," senior guard Deividas Dulkys said. "I take full blame for that. I shouldn't have let that happen."

Two Bearcats 3-pointers and a sequence of free throws soundly ended FSU's dream season. One week after storming into Atlanta and claiming their first ACC tournament title, the Seminoles (25-10) hoped for a return to the city that treated them poorly about a month ago.

But they will not pack their bags for Boston. That was where FSU lost to Boston College by four. Instead the Seminoles return to Tallahassee.

"There were a lot of positive things that happened this year that are going to set the tone for the direction of this program," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. "We're specifically moving it forward and took a giant step in the right direction."

Times wires
Monday, March 19, 2012

DENVER — The Broncos got their Man — Peyton Manning.

Pending final contract negotiations, Manning will join John Elway's Broncos with hopes of winning another Super Bowl.

So much for Tebowmania.

Still to be decided is what happens to last season's quarterback sensation, former Florida star Tim Tebow.

The Broncos and Manning agent Tom Condon spent Monday working out parameters of a deal expected to be worth about $95 million over five years after the NFL's only four-time MVP called Elway, the Broncos' revered QB-turned-executive, and told him he had decided to come to Denver.

Titans owner Bud Adams also said Manning let him know that he had picked the Broncos. Adams released a statement confirming the Titans were out of the running and told the Tennessean: "He called me himself and told me he wasn't coming, that he made his mind up to go with Denver."

Besides the Titans, the 49ers had been a finalist to get Manning, who turns 36 on Saturday and missed 2011 because of multiple neck surgeries. It seems likely the 49ers will now keep Alex Smith and work out a new deal with him.

ESPN first reported Manning told his agent to negotiate the details of a deal with Denver, less than two weeks after the Colts released him rather than pay a $28 million bonus.

"I think it's a great place for him," Broncos defensive end Robert Ayers said. "I don't think he made a bad decision. I think he made a great decision."

Despite missing last season, Manning's success — the Colts averaged a 12-4 record from 2001-10 — made him perhaps the most desired free agent ever.

He was wooed to Denver by Hall of Fame quarterback Elway, who led the Broncos to two Super Bowls and is now vice president of football operations.

Elway never sounded all that convinced Tebow was the answer at the sport's most important position and now could trade the enormously popular but flawed QB.

Tebow energized the Broncos in leading them to the playoffs last season but was erratic.

Bucs re-sign Bennett

Defensive end Michael Bennett signed a restricted free agent tender Monday to remain with the Bucs for $2.7 million next season. Tampa Bay had placed a first-round tender on Bennett, essentially protecting the team with first-round pick compensation from any team that signed him to a competing contract. Last season Bennett, 26, had four sacks in 14 games (10 starts).

Around the league

BENGALS: The team signed free agent cornerback Jason Allen from Houston and agreed to a four-year deal to keep safety Reggie Nelson, a former UF star.

CHIEFS: Right tackle Eric Winston, cut by the Texans, signed a $22 million, four-year free agent deal. Also, former first-round pick Brady Quinn was signed to back up quarterback Matt Cassel.

COWBOYS: Guard Kyle Kosier, a 10-year veteran, was released.

DOLPHINS: The team agreed to a one-year deal with former Jaguars quarterback David Garrard, 34, who was out of football last season and is coming off of back surgery. He said he was told he would compete to start.

JETS: Free agent safety LaRon Landry signed a one-year deal; ESPN reported it was for $4 million. Landry finished last season for Washington on injured reserve with an injured left Achilles' tendon.

LIONS: Punter Ben Graham re-signed to a one-year contract.

PANTHERS: Free agent running back Mike Tolbert, who had been mentioned as a possible target for the Bucs, signed a four-year contract. Tolbert's agent, Joel Turner, said his client left more than $1 million on the table on an offer to remain in San Diego.

PATRIOTS: Receiver Donte' Stallworth agreed to a one-year deal to return, AP reported. The team also signed two free agents, defensive end Trevor Scott and cornerback Marquice Cole. And NFL Network reported that the team agreed to terms on a deal with guard Roberty Gallery.

RAMS: Pro Bowl center Scott Wells left the Packers to join the rebuilding effort in St. Louis, signing a four-year contract for a reported $24 million with $13 million guaranteed.

STEELERS: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that running back Rashard Mendenhall, who tore his right ACL in the regular-season finale, might not play in 2012.

Times staff writer Stephen F. Holder contributed to this report.