By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 21, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE — RHP Kyle Farnsworth said he felt okay after hyperextending his left knee in the fifth inning Monday against the Yankees.

But with all the uncertainty surrounding the bullpen this season, the sight of Farnsworth appearing hurt and attended to by assistant athletic trainer Paul Harker was scary for the Rays.

"I was really concerned," manager Joe Maddon said.

Farnsworth, expected to be a key late-inning option, raced to his left to field a bunt. After the play, he bent over near the first-base line with discomfort in the back of his left knee.

Maddon came out to visit, along with Harker. But after Farnsworth threw a couple of warmup pitches, he looked and felt fine and finished his scoreless inning. Said Maddon: "He said he got a little bit upset and threw the ball even better."

Farnsworth was encouraged there was no swelling and plans to take it day by day. "Just a little twinge, I guess," he said.

ON POINT: RHP Jeremy Hellickson looked good in throwing four scoreless innings against a Yankees lineup that had Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano.

The 48-pitch outing, in which Hellickson allowed three hits, was encouraging as his hamstring felt good and his blister was not a factor. He said all of his pitches were working, including his curveball, which he had struggled with earlier in the spring.

Maddon liked Hellickson's command and said he's on pace to be stretched out enough to be at full go when the season starts.

NO WORRIES: CF B.J. Upton said it was "comforting" to see the Rays have his back Sunday when Maddon summoned security to remove a fan — wearing an Orioles jersey — who he said was yelling racist comments at Upton in the dugout.

Upton had struck out in the sixth and was headed to the dugout when he heard the comment.

"I was too busy worrying about the slider I swung and missed at out of the zone," Upton said. "I heard what he said, but I wasn't really worried about it. For me to turn around and see all those guys on the top step defending me, it's pretty cool."

Upton said it's not uncommon to hear racial remarks from the stands. "You hear it all the time," he said. "I hear things like that in the outfield, in some places. But I think (Sunday) was just an instance where more than one person got to hear it, not just me."

MEDICAL MATTERS: OF Matt Joyce was scratched from Monday's lineup due to mild back tightness but "fully expects" to play today against the Red Sox. Joyce said it was minor, and if it were a regular-season game, he would have played.

C John Jaso, struck in the groin area with a foul tip Saturday, is getting better but will still be out three or four days.

GAME DETAILS: C Kelly Shoppach hit a solo homer (off a right-hander) and threw out two runners in a 3-1 win over the Yankees in front of a sellout crowd of 7,786. 1B Dan Johnson also homered (off a lefty) for the Rays (10-12-1).

LINING UP: With Ben Zobrist expected to be the main leadoff hitter against right-handers, Maddon said he might consider using the switch-hitter in the top spot against lefties but for now likes Upton in that role.

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

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 21, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE — The enormous task the Rays face in replacing Gold Glove winner Carl Crawford in leftfield will allow centerfielder B.J. Upton to showcase part of his game rarely seen before.

"I can confirm," Upton said, "that I can go to my right."

Upton has rarely needed to, as Crawford routinely ran down balls from the line into left-centerfield and then some. But with Crawford, 2008 Gold Glove first baseman Carlos Peña and 2009 All-Star shortstop Jason Bartlett all working elsewhere, doing more is going to be catching as the Rays seek to maintain the defensive excellence so vital to their success.

"I'm really hung up on the defense," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We've got to catch the ball. … I don't care how much we hit; if we don't pitch it and catch it, we're not going to win. We're not."

But with Johnny Damon replacing Crawford, Dan Johnson taking over for Peña and Reid Brignac stepping in for Bartlett, they are going to do it in another, or at least a different, way.

"It's definitely going to be a different defensive team, but we feel strongly that we're going to be an above-average defensive team," executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "We think our defense is going to be a big asset for us and is going to help us win a lot of games. It will just be different than in years past."

Leftfield

The Rays are realistic enough to acknowledge that nobody actually can replace Crawford, and that no matter whom they put out there he'll look lesser by comparison.

But Damon, 37, has a good take on it.

"Someone's got to do it," he said. "And I'm excited to be the one."

After spending most of last season primarily as Detroit's DH, Damon said he is looking forward to running around on the grass, figuring good jumps and proper routes will be assets. "The more I'm out there, the better I'll be," Damon said.

Plus, the Rays will give Damon some help.

"We think Johnny is going to do an above-average job in leftfield, and that we'll be able to move things around to get guys out there that are going to be strengths for us," Friedman said. "But there's only one Carl Crawford in leftfield, and we're not thinking we're going to have exactly the same type of defensive production."

Look for the Rays to be precise in positioning from batter to batter and cheat him in when they can to compensate for Damon's arm. Expect reserve outfielder Sam Fuld to be used early and often when they have a lead. And figure that Upton will be shaded a bit more to the leftfield side and encouraged to be more aggressive in going that direction, literally taking on a larger responsibility.

"I think he's more than capable of handling it, and I think he wants it," starter James Shields said. "He's already shown in spring training he's really embracing the fact that he doesn't have to be Carl's understudy, that he's the guy chasing all the balls down in the outfield."

First base

Following Peña, who won the Gold Glove in 2008 and was only slightly less stellar since, is almost as tough as Crawford.

While Johnson understands he will never be known for being as good as Peña, he doesn't understand why he's constantly referred to, in the most polite terms, as the guy whose defense isn't as bad as you think.

"I'll be known as the guy who could never field no matter what happens, I guess," he said. "I hope to change it this year with the opportunity."

As Oakland's semi-regular starter in 2005-07, and with Triple-A Durham, Johnson was considered adequate, a word you'll hear a lot. He has the hands to make the routine plays but doesn't look particularly smooth in doing so, more a product of his footwork. Range might be an issue. (There is also the possibility the Rays could keep Casey Kotchman, who is on par with Peña but doesn't have Johnson's power.)

"We think he can do a good job over there," Rays infield coach Tom Foley said. "We know he's no Carlos Peña; we all know that. … 'Los made a lot of plays look easy. We haven't seen Dan too much over at first. Talking to the Triple-A staff, they say he does an adequate job over at first, and we believe he can do it."

Shortstop

The Rays have the most confidence in, and the least concern about, Brignac replacing Jason Bartlett. Simply, because Brignac might be better.

Actually, Maddon says, Brignac, with only 61 big-league starts at short, is already one of the best in the game.

"Defensively, I'll stack him up against anybody on the field," Maddon said. "Anybody out there right now I'll put him up against them catching the ball and throwing accurately."

The Rays are so enamored with his defense that they, at least as of now, are willing to put aside concerns about his offense and plan on him for pretty much everyday duty, even against left-handed pitchers. "I really don't want to see him sitting next to me too often," Maddon said.

Brignac, 25, feels he served his apprenticeship under Bartlett well. "Bart's gone, but hopefully I can do some of the things he did last year, so it's not like we're missing anything there," he said.

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

Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

st. petersburg runner places fifth

St. Petersburg's Andrew Chandler was the first local competitor to complete the second annual Florida Beach Half-Marathon in Tierra Verde on Sunday.

Chandler, 37, took fifth place overall. He finished the race in one hour, 17 minutes and seven seconds. He was the champion of the men's 35- to 39-year-old age division.

Other age group winners from Pinellas County included: (F master) Madeleine Zolfo, Treasure Island, 1:32:10; (M grandmaster) Dennis Byron, Palm Harbor, 1:25:02; (F grandmaster) Pila Cadena, St. Petersburg, 1:43:27; (F15-19) Amani Morcos, Clearwater, 2:00:27; (M20-24) Kellen Leja, Oldsmar, 1:33:17; (M30-34) Trey Howell, St. Petersburg, 1:19:33; (F30-34) Lisa Williams, Largo, 1:31:48; (M40-44) Michael Lisman, Palm Harbor, 1:23:07; (M50-54) Victor Yeager, Dunedin, 1:31:04; (F65-69) Millie Hamilton, Redington Beach, 2:02:39; (M70 and over) Herb Townsend, Treasure Island, 1:47:09.

Anthony Calingo of Tampa was the overall winner in 1:13:46. The women's champion was Sara Petrick of Apollo Beach in 1:19:20.

The race had 666 total participants.

In the 5K race, Lee and Christa Stephens pulled the husband-and-wife double. Both runners crossed the finish line in 18:09 to win their respective championships.

Lee Stephens was the men's winner by 15 seconds. Christa Stephens came across the finish line four minutes and 19 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.

Local age group winners were: (F master) Mary Hanlon, St. Petersburg, 25:19; (F grandmaster) Carol Jean Vosburgh, Treasure Island, 27:00; (M14 and under) Kylar Barrett, Dunedin, 21:09; (F25-29) Karina Gardano, St. Petersburg, 23:39; (F30-34) Tanya Taylor, Clearwater, 24:44; (M45-49) Charles Novak, St. Petersburg, 28:37; (F45-49) Aminta Owen, St. Petersburg, 28:55; (F50-54) Carol Dates, St. Petersburg, 30:39; (M55-59) Bira Conrado, Largo, 22:50; (M65-69) James Ladig, Clearwater, 22:39; (F65-69) Bonnie Theall, Dunedin, 29:47; (F70 and over) Dede Buckley, St. Pete Beach, 33:04.

The 5K had 321 finishers.

GATOR HALF-IRON TRIATHLON

St. Petersburg resident Bryan Prushinski survived the 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13-mile run at the Gator Half-Iron Triathlon in Sarasota on Sunday and was able to pick up a medal for his efforts.

Prushinski, 42, won the men's 40-44 division in a time of four hours, 43 minutes and two seconds. He finished more than eight minutes ahead of his nearest competitor.

At the Gator International Distance Triathlon, which featured a 1.5-mile swim, 40K bike and 10K run, a handful of Pinellas County triathletes were age group winners.

John Cornish of Palm Harbor won the men's 50-54 group in 2:30:46. Seminole's Gary Bonacorsi was the top runner in the men's 60-64 group after running 2:56:50. Lewis Bennett of Clearwater Beach claimed first place in the men's 65-69 group in 2:48:09. Mark Parish of Clearwater took the men's 70-74 group title in a time of 3:26:37. Cheryl Forgang, 47 of Safety Harbor, was the women's master's champion after clocking in at 2:55:01. Erin Westberg, 33 of Clearwater, was the top Athena runner after crossing the finish line in 3:01:55.

YMCA SPRING SPRINT TRIATHLON

A pair of local triathletes were age group winners at the East Pasco YMCA Spring Sprint Triathlon in Zephyr­hills on Saturday.

Brian Morris of Seminole completed the 300-yard swim, 11-mile bike and 3.1-mile run in one hour, seven minutes and 44 seconds to take first place in the men's 55-59 group.

William Steinberg, 70 of St. Petersburg, was the winner of the men's 70-74 group with a time of 1:23:38.

SHAMROCK'N RUN

Tyler Lewis claimed the race championship at the Shamrock'N Run 5K in Largo on Friday, March 11. The race had 372 finishers.

Lewis, 16 of Largo, broke the tape in 16:55 to win by 21 seconds.

Treasure Island's Hunter McCann was third overall in 17:53. He was also the champion of the 11-14 division.

Kristen Proach, 26 of Clearwater, was the women's winner by nearly two minutes, crossing the finish line in 18:08.

Lisa Williams, 32 of Largo, came in second in the women's race in 20 minutes and was the top runner in the women's 30-34 division.

Local runners who won their age group were: (M master) Steve Williams, Largo, 19:35; (F grandmaster) Pamela Stine, St. Petersburg, 25:04; (M10 and under) Coleman Inglima, Clearwater, 23:08; (F10 and under) Ava Sykes, Largo, 24:40; (F11-14) Fatima Abu-Rumman, Belleair Bluffs, 23:47; (M15-19) Brandon Anderson, Seminole, 18:06; (F15-19) Shayna Hartmann, Clearwater, 25:02; (F20-24) Michaela Bridges, St. Petersburg, 27:57; (M35-39) Bill Lynch, Largo, 19:30; (F40-44) Molly Rohrer, Palm Harbor, 24:02; (F45-49) Maureen O'Sullivan, Palm Harbor, 24:13; (M50-54) Ward Edwards, Largo, 21:49; (F50-54) Julide Burak, Seminole, 25:24; (F60-64) Bobbe Masem, Seminole, 29:36; (M65-69) James Ladig, Clearwater, 22:55; (F65-69) Millie Hamilton, Redington Beach, 28:41; (M70-74) John Verel, Clearwater, 36:13; (F70-74) Mimi Fournier, Clearwater, 44:44; (M75-79) Don Hammond, Indian Rocks, 31:29.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Ask Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun how Kemba Walker's confidence compares with that of other elite players he has coached, and he stops for a moment to put his junior guard in perspective.

"Everybody's different," Calhoun said during his team's five-day, five-win run to a Big East tournament championship. "Emeka (Okafor) never said anything. He just had it. He was kind of regal. Ben (Gordon) was kind of shy. To this day, he's a little bit shy.

"But Kemba's an outgoing personality. … He's really worked on his game, shooting-wise. He always had the quickness, always had the heart, but he's 186 pounds of terrific athlete who can make shots. That, to me, is pretty special."

And that was before Walker drained a stepback jumper at the buzzer to knock off top-seeded Pittsburgh, perhaps the highlight of a record 130 points in five games. Now, with all but two of the Big East's record 11 teams eliminated in the NCAA Tournament's first three rounds, Walker is carrying not only UConn but much of his conference's postseason hopes.

"I've definitely grown as a player, but the biggest thing about my game is I've grown as a leader," Walker said of his progress to one of the nation's leading scorers this season. "I'm being a great leader vocally for my team, and I did a great job of helping some of the younger guys develop. Being a leader was the biggest asset to my game this year."

His quickness and scoring ability are rivaled only by his confidence, which oozes from him on the court and off. Ask him which Big East guard can stay with him best defensively, and he matter-of-factly responds that there aren't any who can do that.

"Nobody," he said. "There's a lot of help defense in this league. Teams doubling me, tripling me. As far as anybody staying in front of me, nobody."

Walker's strong play has continued in the NCAA Tournament, including a 33-point effort in UConn's win against Cincinnati to earn a spot in the Sweet 16. With UConn down 15-7 early, Walker had eight points in 87 seconds, and he went 6-for-6 on free throws in the final 51 seconds to close out the 69-58 win, part of a 14-for-14 night at the line.

"Beginning of the season, I always told him he was the best point guard in the country. I don't think he believed me," teammate Alex Oriakhi said. "I'm pretty sure he believes me now. He's definitely a confident player. You can definitely see it out there in the shots he makes, the things he does. It has to come with confidence.

"He knows what he's capable of, knows it's really hard to guard him. He's able to back it up with whatever he says."

Calhoun has lauded Walker as a national player of the year candidate, saying no individual means more to his team than Walker has to the Huskies this season. The coach publicly aired his disbelief that a fellow Big East coach left Walker off one first-team all-conference ballot, suggesting that the coach must have been on vacation for the previous five months.

"He's as good a player as there is in America," Calhoun said. "I can't believe (anyone) would ever see him play, see the joy with which he plays, the speed with which he plays, the ability he plays with, the pure love of the game, and think he is not as good a player as there is in the league."

UConn honored Walker as part of its senior day, anticipating him entering the NBA draft. The Bronx native talked in New York about his desire to play for the Knicks, to play alongside his favorite player, Carmelo Anthony. For now, he's just continuing his emergence on college basketball's biggest stage.

Two years ago as a freshman, Walker had one of his breakout games in a region final win against Missouri, scoring a season-high 23. Such an effort is now the norm for him, and he'll have another chance to show what he can do Thursday night as the third-seeded Huskies take on second-seeded San Diego State in Anaheim for a spot in the Elite Eight.

"This year, he knows it's him, and we need him," Oriakhi said. "He's the heart and soul of this team. He knows it and buys into it."

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@sptimes.com.

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By Gary Shelton, Times sports columnist
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

NEW ORLEANS — A coach pulls his team from the bottom of the division to the brink of the playoffs. He increases the wins from three to 10. He convinces his team to buy into his message.

And what does he get in return?

He gets to wait.

For now, Raheem Morris is more of an evaluator than a coach. His players are locked outside the facility while the negotiations continue for a new agreement between NFL owners and players.

So Morris works on the draft, and he breaks down tape, and he waits for the smoke to clear.

Sometimes, he talks.

Early Tuesday morning, Morris sat at a large round table in the middle of a meeting room at the annual winter meeting coaches' breakfast, talking about players, about progress and about perceptions with a half-dozen reporters, most of them who cover the NFC South.

Pull up a chair, won't you?

Q: Considering how much progress was made last season, does the lockout this off-season threaten the progress of the Bucs?

A: "The obvious downfall, when you're talking about the state of the league right now, is that you're not able to see your players as much as you did last year. It really hasn't affected us so far. Right now, we're just missing the guys being in there to lift. So we'll see. We're just concentrating on the draft and bringing in more people who can help us win."

Q: Is your job easier because of the success this team tasted last year?

A: "I don't want to say it's easier to be a head coach. The (players) have a direction, they have a plan, and really they should have the hunger because they didn't get in (to the playoffs). All that stuff can go to your head as well. If we sit around and read a lot of articles from people saying how good we can be, we might not reach that potential. If we're not readying ourselves to go out and win a championship, then we won't be ready."

Q: How are your injured players progressing in their rehabs?

A: "Right now, you don't know. We have some major injuries to come back from with (Aurelius) Benn and (Kareem) Huggins. Some of the others are ticky-tack ones that we have to fix. To get Aqib (Talib) and Gerald McCoy back will be like getting extra No. 1s in the big picture."

Q: Is it too simplistic to say you need a defensive end with the No. 20 pick?

A: "I think so. We had the pick at 20 a couple of years ago, and the whole town wanted a defensive player. The whole media wanted a defense player. And we (moved up and) took Josh Freeman. No one understood it at the time. ... I really believe you take the players you want. You don't force it. It eliminates a mistake you can possibly make."

Q: What are your expectations for next year?

A: "Expectations for me will never change. I'm always in search of championships, different forms of them. Division championships, conference championships and hopefully, the world championship. There is no reason we can't do it. It's the 'Why not us' mentality."

Q: Do you look back at losing the Detroit game?

A: "Not just the Detroit game. I think about all of them. The fourth-and-inches at Atlanta. The third-and-20 they hit in the second game against against Atlanta. The (offensive pass interference) call against Detroit. The play Calvin Johnson made against Detroit. There is always something to look back at in a loss, except the two where we had our butts beat against New Orleans and Pittsburgh. But even in that Pittsburgh game, you can see the missed opportunities we had. ... But you can do the same with the games you won. You can look back and see where you could have lost. That's the beauty of our game."

Q: The Bucs have had a off-the-field incidents, like those involving Jerramy Stevens, Tanard Jackson and Aqib Talib. How do you discipline players?

A: "I'm never going to be a coach who disciplines publicly. We do almost everything in house. It's a family matter. I don't like to embarrass people's families because of one mistake or two. It keeps the mud from being thrown on any single guy and alienating them from the team. The clear message is easy. You have to straighten up or you won't be here long."

Q: Do you have a gut feeling of how long the lockout might last?

A: "I'm very hopeful. I've got a positive outlook. My pay grade does not allow me to talk to lawyers. I'm kind of like you guys. I watch the ticker."

Q: What about free agency?

A: "The best part about it is that we have the plan laid out. We want to draft our guys and resign them, and then do what we need to do. It's no different than when our ownership went out and got Simeon Rice and Brad Johnson and Keyshawn Johnson and Keenan McCardell to push that team over the top a little. We may be nearing that plateau at some point."

Q: Are stats really for losers?

"At the time I said that, I was thinking about the Patriots teams that were 20th in offense and 20th in defense but won the Super Bowl. I'll talk about stats when I'm out of the game and you're writing stories and I'm bragging about what I've done. ... I have an empty trophy case, and I'll keep throwing things in there. In a couple of years, we'll talk about the things that are in there. But right now, for me, it's about whether we won or whether we lost. I have an emotional bank account that's empty."

Q: Does it change your psychological approach that people are saying Tampa Bay is a frauds, that they didn't beat teams with a winning record?

A: Only if you count New Orleans as a mirage. I think every team in this league is a talented team that can go out and win on any given Sunday. I watched the Browns beat the Patriots after we beat them."

Q: There has been talks about the Bucs being the team on HBO's Hard Knocks this summer. Would you want that?

A: "I don't know. There are a bunch of positives, some negatives. I'm about promoting the beauty of our league. It's something out there in the air. I don't shy away from anything. I want the world to know Josh Freeman, and some of these young players who make plays for him."

Q: Do you think the Bucs will end up with prime-time games this year?

A: "I feel confident we'll see some prime-time games. If we don't get them, we'll continue to win in non-prime-time games. There is no better prime time than the playoffs."

Q: How do you improve the pass rush?

A: "It's go to be a better coaching effort on my part, better schemes on my part and more accountability on our defensive line. We don't point fingers. We're very confident we're going to get better."

Q: Did the Bucs exceed your expectations last year?

"I thought we were capable of more. I thought we were capable of shocking the world and doing some dynamic things. It was exciting. It was a good start."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Tampa Bay Rays further reduced the field of pitchers competing for spots in their bullpen, sending RHPs Chris Bootcheck and Mike Ekstrom and LHP R.J. Swindle to minor-league camp.

Ekstrom, who is on the 40-man roster, had the best chance of the three to win an opening-day spot, but had a miserable spring. Bootcheck and Swindle were non-roster invitees who could end up helping the Rays later in the season.

The moves leave 37 players in camp, with the roster due to be cut down to 25 in advance for the opening day roster.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Sarah Fisher didn't officially retire as a driver until November, so she won't know how well she's taking being a full-time team owner until her new driver, Ed Carpenter, is riding in her car at the Indy 500 in two months.

"It's actually been pretty good. It's been okay. Ask me while I'm standing on the grid at the 500 with Ed in my car. It might be a bit different," she said. "In starting a family, I have a much bigger picture in mind.

"There's more to it than racing all the time."

Fisher's team said Tuesday that it won't run in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg this week. The team will focus on oval tracks and run three road courses grouped closer in the IndyCar schedule later in the year, replacing St. Petersburg with Sonoma in California.

She said she's enjoying being a team owner more now that there's less juggling involved. She remembers thinking of business matters in the middle of races, which isn't the ideal time to be distracted.

"To be just an owner and have one mind-set, that's going to make our team do that much better," said Fisher, 30, who first raced in the Indy 500 at age 19 in 2000. "Me being in the car, it was good. I was relaxed and confident in my race car, but at the same time, thinking about ownership stuff, and that doesn't fly. At 220 mph, you need to just be worried about being 220 mph."

Carpenter, who has a short-track background much like Fisher does, will be in St. Petersburg this week, and he sees why she has been successful in running her own team.

"She's been a fan favorite forever, and now she's a fan favorite as an owner," said Carpenter, 30. "She's done an excellent job of building a brand, and first and foremost, she understands how to treat people, whether it's employees or sponsors or anyone."

Fisher is looking forward to a family of her own. She's married to her team's crew chief, Andy O'Gara, who has family members all over Sarah Fisher Racing, from mechanics to engineers to public relations.

She's pleased to have the same sponsor for a fourth season in Dollar General, though there's uncertainty for next season, when all IndyCar teams have the "fairly significant" added cost of financing redesigned cars.

Fisher will have appearances in Indianapolis when the Women's Final Four is there next week, and she and Carpenter are enjoying the success of Butler's men's team — she attended the Indianapolis school for two years, and Carpenter graduated from Butler in 2003 with a marketing degree.

They, too, hope to be a team that surprises people with its success.

"We know for sure, especially with his background, that we're going to have a very strong chance at doing very well with the oval championship," she said.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

TAMPA — DT Terrell McClain is the one that NFL scouts are most likely to have their eyes on, but for the rest of USF's draft hopefuls, Thursday's pro day workouts are their best opportunity to show they deserve a look in an NFL camp this fall, that is, if there are NFL camps this fall.

McClain, the only USF player invited to the NFL combine in Indianapolis, has been projected as high as a second-round pick — ESPN.com's Todd McShay is projecting him to go with the 56th overall pick, to the New Orleans Saints. McClain said Tuesday that he will run the 40 again Thursday, hoping to trim a fraction of a second off his combine time, generally reported as 5.02 seconds, which isn't bad for a 297-pounder. He won't participate in the bench press, content to stick with the 29 repetitions of 225 pounds he had at the combine.

After McClain, the rest of USF's seniors are battling to be drafted — with the NFL lockout, there will be no undrafted free agents signed until an agreement is reached. That group includes C Sampson Genus, DB Mistral Raymond, WR Dontavia Bogan, LB Jacquian Williams and DEs Craig Marshall and David Bedford.

ON THE ROAD: USF softball has an 18-15 record, but the Bulls have their first road games this weekend, opening up the conference season with three games at St. John's. Ken Eriksen's team has optimism entering Big East play, but one area to shore up is its defense, ranking second-to-last in the league in fielding percentage with 53 errors.

The construction of USF's new stadium meant less opportunities to work on glove work before the season — it's hard to take infield when there is no infield. But Eriksen has been pleased with the consistent production at the plate from freshmen such as Stephanie Medina, Kourtney Salvarola and Ashli Goff, and speedy junior Gina Kafalas leads the Big East in hits, runs and stolen bases. His pitching needs consistency, but freshman lefty Sara Nevins of Pinellas Park and sophomore Lindsay Richardson have shown plenty of promise in the first half of the season.

QUICK IMPRESSION: South Dakota coach Ed Meierkort sent his young DBs coach Byron Thomas down to USF this spring to spend three days learning from Skip Holtz and Bulls defensive coordinator Mark Snyder.

Thomas, a four-year starter at linebacker at South Dakota who graduated in 2009, showed enough in those three days that Holtz has added him to his coaching staff as the Bulls' new defensive graduate assistant.

"The kid is striking. He doesn't carry himself like a graduate assistant. He acts like he's 35 years old," said Meierkort, whose I-AA program upset Minnesota 41-38 last fall. "I sent him down there to learn about coaching cornerbacks, and he struck gold. I'm very happy for him. I think it's fantastic."

THIS AND THAT: Items from the personal collection of former USF baseball coach and Phillies great Robin Roberts will be auctioned off at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia next month, including his Hall of Fame induction ring (estimated at more than $15,000) and his 2008 Phillies World Series ring ($20,000-plus). Proceeds will benefit his family — many of whom still live in Tampa — as well as Phillies Charities. Roberts died May 6. For information on the auction, visit Huntauctions.com. ... Former USF men's basketball assistant Dan Hipsher, now an assistant at Alabama, could be returning to Florida. He's been mentioned as a candidate for the head coaching opening at Florida Gulf Coast University, near Fort Myers.

Times staff
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

NCAA Final Four classic: 7 p.m. on ESPN Classic. Hoosiers fans will enjoy watching a replay of the 1987 title game between Indiana and Syracuse.

Late Show With David Letterman: 11:35 p.m. on Ch. 10. Yankees ace pitcher CC Sabathia is one of the scheduled guests.

By Jay Mastry, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

What's hot: Kingfish have been caught off Redington Long Pier. We caught an 18-pounder among our by-catch while bottom fishing in 45 feet near the Egmont shipping channel. Results from the Marco Island kingfish tournament this weekend should indicate how the kings' migration from the Florida Keys is progressing.

In the meantime: Grouper continue to feed aggressively below 45 feet and beyond, but you have to let them go. Recreational grouper fishing is closed in state and federal waters. Mackerel are screaming drags at all area piers, and action in the gulf is picking up. The rocky edges of the shipping channel inside the Sunshine Skyway bridge hold a variety of species. Grouper, grunts, sheepshead and larger-than-average mangrove snapper have been chewing shrimp.

Bait: Much of the bait we've caught on recent trips has been large and would be ideal for kingfish. Taking time to gather 3-inch whitebait will be well spent and more productive when mackerel fishing.

Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 321-2142.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

TAMPA — The Lightning believes a scar-tissue mass in the muscles in the back of Simon Gagne's neck is at least contributing to the nerve injury he has dealt with this season.

"Obviously, there's a lot of nerve involvement coming through that area," head athletic trainer Tommy Mulligan said Tuesday. "We're kind of suspicious that's been causing his issues. So that's what we've been kind of working on, to treat the nerves that come up through the neck and keep that from compressing them."

Gagne missed Saturday's game at Ottawa after receiving from a Montreal doctor an injection of anesthetic and cortisone to "decrease the sensitivity" of the nerves, Mulligan said.

It is the same successful treatment Gagne received when he missed 18 games in October and November. Gagne, in the lineup against the Islanders, said he has had "ups and downs" with symptoms since then: "Some weeks I was feeling really good, other weeks I was stiff or sore."

The treatment is to ensure Gagne's readiness for the playoffs. "I know it's working," he said. "I feel really good."

But he apparently is stuck with the scar tissue, which Mulligan said formed when Gagne, while with the Flyers, took prolotherapy injections from a private physician treating his concussion symptoms. According to prolotherapy.org, the injections trigger healing by inflaming the affected area.

"The doctor in Montreal took a look at it," Gagne said of the scar tissue. "It's nothing dangerous. It's solid. He said there's nothing to do. Just leave it there. 'It's not going to take away anything from you, but you're going to have it the rest of your life.' "

As for getting back in the game, Gagne, who has a disappointing 12 goals and 28 points in 54 games but two goals and six points in his past four, said he is ready.

"You want to finish strong," he said before going minus-3 Tuesday. "Whatever happened during the season, it's all gone. Playoffs are starting. It doesn't matter if you have 50 goals or 10, you start at zero again. That's the real games. I'm ready for that."

900 AND COUNTING: Mattias Ohlund played his 900th NHL game. Said the defenseman, 34 and in his 13th season: "I'm just enjoying every day."

SLOW RECOVERY: Two weeks into a four- to six-week rehabilitation, D Randy Jones, out with a high ankle sprain, finally has his emotions in check.

"I don't handle injuries too well," he said.

Especially this fluky one, sustained March 7 against the Capitals when his left skate caught in a rut in the ice. "I know it's part of the game, but I get frustrated," Jones said. "I had some family in town. They just stayed clear of me. I needed a few days to get it out of my system."

MINOR MOVE: Free-agent G Pat Nagle signed a two-year deal. Nagle, 23, was 18-14-5 in 37 games this season for Ferris State with a 2.02 GAA and .923 save percentage.

ODDS AND ENDS: Coach Guy Boucher said RW Steve Downie (ankle/knee) is on track to play Friday against the Hurricanes. W Ryan Malone (mid body) could be ready March 31 against the Penguins.

Times wires
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

SARASOTA — Two Yankees returned from oblique injuries on Tuesday afternoon.

But another player, starting CF Curtis Granderson, was a late scratch with the same malady, one which has become a bit of a spring training scourge for the team.

Granderson was sent in the afternoon to be evaluated by the team's orthopedic surgeon in Tampa, Dr. Allen Miller, and no further tests were scheduled, generally a positive sign.

But there is a degree of concern until the Yankees, with the opener eight days away, get an exact diagnosis.

"I can't sit here and tell you he'll be ready in time (for opening day) because we just don't know what we're dealing with yet," GM Brian Cashman said. "It's just too early. I know he's not really concerned from his end, but obliques can be tricky, so we'll just see how he is the next few days."

OF Greg Golson suffered an oblique injury March 7 and returned Tuesday, as did RHP Joba Chamberlain, who had not appeared in a game since March 11. Chamberlain pitched one inning in a 6-2 loss to the Orioles, allowing a home run.

WHO LEADS OFF?: Girardi didn't rule out using both Derek Jeter and Brett Gardner in the leadoff spot, depending on the opposing pitcher. "You could see two different lineups," Girardi said. "One for right-handers, one for left-handers." Girardi said Gardner could bat first against right-handers and ninth vs. lefties.

Phils: Late arrival

CLEARWATER — Luis Castillo didn't make much of a first impression on the Phillies.

The veteran second baseman, signed to a minor-league contract Monday after being released by the Mets, was late reporting and was scratched from Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Castillo, who arrived late Tuesday afternoon, called it a miscommunication between him and his agent.

"I was surprised this morning that he didn't show up," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told MLB.com. "It happens. We were a little confused. Evidently, he was confused, too."

Castillo, 35, is getting what amounts to a tryout with Philadelphia, which may open the season without All-Star 2B Chase Utley. He's expected to be in the lineup today against the Rays.

"I'm healthy and I feel good," he said. "I'm excited to be here. I want to compete and win a job here. I have 10 days to prove it."

Jays: Reliever out

DUNEDIN — An examination on Blue Jays RHP Frank Francisco found no structural damage in his injured pectoral muscle, but the reliever is expected to begin the season on the disabled list anyway, the National Post reported.

Francisco saw noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews after feeling soreness in his right pectoral muscle during a weekend bullpen session. He was considered a leading candidate to close for Toronto.

With RHP Octavio Dotel also likely to miss opening day with a hamstring injury, RHP Jon Rauch may get the first shot at closing.

INJURY REPORT: LHP Ricky Romero, who missed his previous turn due to inflammation in his left middle finger, said he felt good after allowing four runs in four innings of a 5-4 loss to the Phillies. "My arm felt great, finger felt great," said Romero, scheduled to start the season opener. … 2B Aaron Hill, who had been sidelined by a strained right thigh muscle, was 0-for-3 in his spring debut.

Times wires
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO — With prosecutors saying Barry Bonds lied about using steroids, the home run king's lead attorney started picking at the government's case Tuesday, attacking witnesses expected to accuse Bonds of willfully taking drugs to make him a better hitter.

Defense lawyer Allen Ruby said in his opening statement that a former Bonds girlfriend, a former business partner and a former personal shopper only came forward against his client after the star broke off relationships with them.

He also insisted Bonds testified truthfully before a grand jury in December 2003 when he said he did not know he was using two designer steroids. Bonds claims his trainer told him that he was taking "flaxseed oil" and "arthritic cream."

Federal agent Jeff Novitzky became the first witness to testify, saying Bonds' grand jury account differed with other facts. And Bonds' former trainer, Greg Anderson, again refused to testify and returned to jail.

COX HONORED: The Braves plan to retire former manager Bobby Cox's No. 6 on Aug. 12 before a home game against the Cubs. Cox is the first to have his number retired by the Braves only for his accomplishments as a manager.

ANGELS: First baseman Kendrys Morales was shut down because of soreness on the ball of his left foot. Morales is trying to come back from a broken leg that cost him most of 2010.

D'BACKS: Manager Kirk Gibson named right-hander Barry Enright the team's fifth starter, beating out right-hander Armando Galarraga.

GIANTS: Closer Brian Wilson, sidelined by a mildly strained oblique muscle in his left side, might begin playing light catch today and said he expects to be ready by opening day.

MARINERS: Manager Eric Wedge named Brendan Ryan his starting shortstop, moving Jack Wilson from shortstop to second base.

MARLINS: Rightfielder Mike Stanton, out since Feb. 27 with a strained quadriceps, said he hopes to make his spring debut Thursday. … Rookie third baseman Matt Dominguez was sent home with a stomach virus.

METS: Rightfielder Carlos Beltran said he felt no pain in his ailing knees after playing two minor-league games. … Former Rays right-hander Jason Isringhausen resumed throwing after being sidelined three days with right elbow inflammation. … Centerfielder Angel Pagan left after one inning with lower back tightness.

NATIONALS: Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman fielded grounders and hopes to return from a groin injury Friday.

TIGERS: Will Rhymes was named the opening day second baseman over Scott Sizemore. Starter Carlos Guillen remains out with an injured left knee.

TWINS: Right-hander Scott Baker was named the No. 5 starter, with right-hander Kevin Slowey headed to the bullpen.

WHITE SOX: Two days after being shut down with shoulder tendinitis, starter Jake Peavy played catch for about 5 minutes and said he felt good.

Times wires
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

NEW ORLEANS — The NFL will move kickoffs up 5 yards to the 35-yard line, keep touchbacks coming out to the 20 and allow the number of players in a blocking wedge to remain at two.

Kick coverage players now will be limited to lining up 5 yards or fewer from the spot of the kickoff.

Team owners also voted Tuesday to make all scoring plays reviewable by the replay official and referee. But they tabled a proposal to ban players launching themselves to make a tackle, and will reconsider it in May.

The league's competition committee proposed placing the ball at the 25 after touchbacks on kickoffs and banning the wedge altogether. Several coaches expressed concern about making too many changes to kickoffs, also saying bringing touchbacks out 5 more yards would affect field position too much. Coaches worried about an increase in touchbacks from the 16 percent of kickoffs last season.

"Any time there's a touchback and now it's not coming to the 20," Saints coach Sean Payton said, "I think that that probably was the most drastic of the four or five items that constituted one rule."

Making kickoffs safer was the objective, and Payton believes the owners met it, voting 26-6 for the new rule.

"The bottom line is it's … the highest risk of injury play," he said.

Browns standout returner Joshua Cribbs wasn't thrilled by the changes, tweeting: "Essentially taking returners out of the game … injuries will still take place, then what move it up again, or eliminate it (altogether)."

The replay official now can call for the referee to review any scoring play. Previously, replay officials could order reviews (on any play) only in the final two minutes of each half and in overtime.

Coaches pushed for the change in great part because they felt they didn't get a fair shake in road games.

"It's a real big competitive disadvantage," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "You don't get that look at it on the road that you get at home; they just don't show it."

CBA talks: Owners haven't talked about using replacement players if the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987 stretches on, commissioner Roger Goodell said, and the league might not keep its last contract offer on the table if bargaining doesn't resume soon.

"We have not had any discussions or consideration of replacement players," Goodell said at a news conference closing the owners meetings. "It hasn't been discussed, it hasn't been considered, and it's not in our plans."

He also said the Dolphins and four other teams have been fined or been told the NFL is investigating them for violating offseason rules prohibiting contact with players. Goodell was asked specifically about the Dolphins; he did not reveal other teams involved.

NFL general counsel Jeff Pash said the violations aren't related to the league's lockout of players, which began March 12. Even during normal offseasons, from the end of one season until around March 15, NFL rules bar teams from holding organized workouts, practice or meetings, and don't allow position coaches to supervise players.

Times wires
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Soccer

glazer company puts losses at $171.5 million; concerns minimal

LONDON — The American-owned holding company of Manchester United, which also owns the Buccaneers, recorded a net loss of $171.5 million last season.

The Glazer family's Red Football Joint Venture Limited incurred a $105.9 million expense to refinance high-interest bank loans.

Unlike the previous season, the team did not sell any high-profile players. Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid helped the club's parent company to a $10.5 million net profit for the previous season.

In the annual report for the year ending June 30, director Joel Glazer says the club has "sufficient cash reserves … for investment in the playing squad."

English team reinstates captain: John Terry is back as captain of England's team and acknowledges he's not "everybody's cup of tea." The Chelsea defender was stripped of the captaincy in February 2010 after allegations he had an affair with teammate Wayne Bridge's former girlfriend. Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand took over as captain. Bridge wound up quitting international soccer.

tennis

Oudin gets first-round win at Sony Ericsson

Melanie Oudin defeated Julia Goerges 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the Sony Ericsson Open on Tuesday in Miami.

Oudin led 5-2, but allowed Goerges to pull even before winning the first set.

Wild card Madison Keys, a 16-year-old ranked No. 421, took Patty Schnyder to three sets before falling 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-2).

Djokovic, Nadal to play soccer for charity: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will lead a group of top tennis players in a charity soccer match to benefit the relief effort in Japan. Andy Murray and David Ferrer are among others planning to play against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at a Miami high school tonight.

college football

'Canes suspend LB after felony charges

Miami linebacker Ramon Buchanan is facing felony counts of resisting arrest and battery after allegedly spitting on and attempting to head butt a police officer, as well as three misdemeanor charges following an incident last week.

He has been suspended indefinitely by coach Al Golden.

Police said Buchanan, 21, caused a disturbance in a restaurant bathroom in Coconut Grove around 1:30 a.m. Friday.

garcia back: South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia, a former Jefferson standout, returned after a suspension for violating team rules. He missed three practices.

ET CETERA

Golf: Tiger Woods will join two of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour the first two days at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando. Woods is in a group with Transitions Championship winner Gary Woodland and Dustin Johnson, both on the A-list of big hitters. … Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin committed to the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am, April 11-17 at TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz.

Olympics: A leading Chinese sports official is calling for bone-age analysis to stop athletes from faking their birth certificates to qualify for events. Cai Zhenhua also is head of the Chinese table tennis federation and says it will adopt bone-age analysis as a test case. … Gymnast Nikolai Andrianov, whose 15 medals made him the second-most decorated Olympic male athlete, died at 58 in Vladimir, Russia. Russian news reports said he had a degenerative neurological disorder.

Times wires

Times wires
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State's Bernard James is heading back to San Antonio, Texas, but he's in a different uniform this time.

James went through basic training and attended military police and leadership schools at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He spent about six months of his six-year enlistment there.

Now the 6-foot-10, 245-pound shot-blocking southpaw is returning with the Seminoles (23-10) to meet Virginia Commonwealth (26-11) on Friday night in the NCAA Tournament.

"I really feel honored to be in this position to be representing the Air Force and the military in general," James said. "It's a huge part of my life. I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't gone into the military."

FSU is happy to have him.

In the Seminoles' two tournament wins last weekend in Chicago, James scored 24 points and grabbed 16 rebounds and had six blocks in 46 minutes.

In the absence of scoring and rebounding leader Chris Singleton to a foot injury, James has led the team in those categories in addition to his dominating defensive presence.

James' 77 blocks are second best for any Seminole in a season. Rodney Dobard had 111 blocks for FSU's last Sweet 16 club in 1993. And James has done it despite averaging about 21 minutes a game.

"He's always had the potential to take over a game," said junior G Luke Loucks, a former Clearwater High standout. "And he's still learning a lot about being a post player."

James, who turned 26 last month, won a starting job in late December after Xavier Gibson was injured in a holiday tournament in Hawaii. Since then, James has been steady, if not brilliant at times.

"He's still learning," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said.

Service experience helps James keep things in perspective.

"You end up in some tough situations and some dangerous situations, but the people and camaraderie, the bonds you form just having a common goal," James said. "It's really a lot like basketball, being on a good team. The Air Force is a much bigger team."

Ex-Sickles star Henson coming up big for UNC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina senior Daniel Bolick had a feeling, with 7.4 seconds left Sunday, that John Henson was in position to make a game-changing inbounds deflection.

One of Bolick's practice tasks is to try to inbound past the 6-10 forward with an 88-inch wingspan.

"The first two weeks of practice, he probably deflected 80 percent of all of my inbounds passes," the 5-10 Bolick said. "I had to develop a few tricks to get past him … but it's a hard thing to really scout for, because you really don't know how much room he can cover until you experience it a couple of times."

Washington F Justin Holiday sure didn't. The Huskies trailed 84-83 and were trying to throw the ball in from the baseline, but the 6-6 senior couldn't get it past Henson. The sophomore and former Sickles High standout instead deflected it to Dexter Strickland, who was fouled and hit two free throws. The Tar Heels (28-7) won 86-83 and face Marquette (22-14) on Friday.

Henson, the ACC's defensive player of the year, said he never guarded inbounds passes until college, when coach Roy Williams put him in that role.

"Sometimes in practice, Coach says, 'C'mon, John — get a tip,' " said Henson, who also averages 10.1 rebounds per game. "I know it's important, so it's something I try to get."

No living in past: Steve Fisher is living for the moment, just like his San Diego State Aztecs.

Although he has a long resume that features a national title at Michigan in 1989, Fisher is excited to have the Aztecs in the Round of 16 for the first time.

As the Aztecs (34-2) prepare to meet Connecticut (28-9) on Thursday, Fisher could tell his players all sorts of postseason stories. But will he?

"Not from me, no," said Fisher, 65. "I'm long past that era."

A dozen seasons into his San Diego State tenure, he's helping to write a new chapter at a school with little hoops history. The Aztecs beat Northern Colorado for their first tournament win in seven tries. Two days later, before a double-overtime win against Temple, Fisher received a lapel pin from tournament officials.

"As I said on Saturday, it's been 17 years since I put a pin on for the second round," he said. "And it felt good."

More time for Blue Devil: Duke PG Kyrie Irving will play "significant minutes" against Arizona (29-7) on Thursday, coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

Irving will not start but is ahead of schedule in his return from a right toe injury that cost him most of his freshman season. He missed 3½ months but came off the bench in both of the top-seeded Blue Devils' tournament games.

The Blue Devils (32-4) are "good with who we're starting," Krzyzewski said.

NCAA Tournament Round of 16

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

For ceremonial sake

Gov. Rick Scott will throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Rays' season opener against the Orioles on April 1. He will be the second governor to throw out the first pitch at a Rays home opener, with Charlie Crist assuming the honor in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Gift of the day

Manager Joe Maddon received two bottles of homemade red wine pregame, delivered by Joe Pirrone, the owner of Mona Lisa Italian Restaurant in Fort Myers. Maddon said the restaurant was very helpful in one of his Thanksmas events over the winter, held at a Salvation Army in Fort Myers.

Familiar face of the day, part 1

Former Rays RHP Dan Wheeler, a native New Englander, said he has greatly enjoyed his time thus far with his hometown team, especially pulling on the Red Sox jersey for the first time. "When we started talking about it this winter, it started bringing back childhood feelings," Wheeler said. "Wearing the jersey every day, it's kinda cool."

Familiar face of the day, part II

Some 6- to 8-year-old kids in the West Pinellas Little League got quite a thrill when Wheeler, who still lives in the Tampa Bay area, took the mound for the coach-pitch portion of his son Gabe's game. "It was kind of funny, they tagged me for a couple runs," Wheeler said.

Rays vs. Phillies

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

TV/radio: Sun Sports/Raysbaseball.com audio

Tickets: Reserved seats $19-$27, berm/boardwalk $10. Through raysbaseball.com and Ticketmaster, at Tropicana Field and Charlotte Sports Park box offices and Tampa team store.

Gates open: 11 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

Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297

Pitchers: Rays — James Shields, Cesar Cabral, Rob Delaney, Cory Wade; Phillies —Roy Oswalt

Heads-up

RHP Rob Delaney, a candidate for a bullpen spot, is scheduled to make an appearance. "I think he's got the right kind of makeup to be a consistent relief pitcher," manager Joe Maddon said. "… He's got a quiet confidence about him and I like it."

Who is this Ray?

This outfielder has played 52 career games with the Rays, making a huge diving catch against the wall against the Blue Jays during the 2008 season. The former Texas A&M standout spent last season in Triple-A Durham.

Upcoming schedule

March

25: Pirates

26: Orioles

27: at Pirates

28: at Yankees, 7:05

29: at Red Sox

30: vs. Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, 4:10

Who is this Ray answer: OF Justin Ruggiano

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Times wires
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence hired former Fairfield coach Ed Cooley to replace fired Keno Davis.

Cooley, 41, who led the Stags to a school-record 25 wins and a MAAC regular-season championship, coached his final game at Fairfield on Sunday, a 72-68 loss to Kent State in the second round of the NIT. Cooley, a Providence native, was named the coach of the year in the MAAC.

"I have had the opportunity to spend some time with Ed, and I believe he is the right person to lead our men's basketball team," said Father Brian Shanley, Providence's president.

Providence (15-17, 4-14 Big East) hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament since 2004.

Vols hunting: Tennessee's program appears to be in shambles after the firing of popular coach Bruce Pearl on Monday. But officials insist it's an attractive place to be despite ongoing NCAA compliance problems. They have begun searching for a coach, who will inherit a program that could be facing scholarship losses or a postseason ban as a result of an NCAA investigation that uncovered 10 alleged major violations during Pearl's six-year tenure.

Missouri: Coach Mike Anderson's agent says he is negotiating a new contract with the school amid reports that Arkansas is interested in hiring the architect of the "Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball." Anderson's agent, Jimmy Sexton, told Memphis radio station WHBQ-AM that while "nothing is imminent," he expects "some resolution … in the next few days." The university's curators must approve any changes to Anderson's existing seven-year, $10.85 million deal.

Washington State: Junior post player DeAngelo Casto was suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules and will miss tonight's NIT quarterfinal against Northwestern.

NIT: Alec Burks had 25 points and 10 rebounds, helping host Colorado (24-13) hold off Kent State 81-74 to reach the NIT semifinals. The Buffaloes will play tonight's Alabama-Miami winner. Justin Greene scored 20 for the Golden Flashes (25-12).

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

TAMPA — The NHL made the right call in suspending Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke for the rest of the regular season and first round of the playoffs, Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier said.

"Hopefully," he said Tuesday, "it helps clean up the game."

Lecavalier has long been an advocate of harsher penalties for head shots. He also has a low opinion of Cooke, whose blind-side hit on him in the penultimate game of 2007-08 caused a separated shoulder and torn labrum that required surgery.

But Lecavalier said he took no personal satisfaction in the suspension to Cooke, considered by many one of the league's dirtiest players, who laid out Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh with an elbow Sunday.

"I'm just happy that the league is doing that," Lecavalier said of the harsh penalty, slapping one hand into the other for emphasis. "They took a big step forward by doing that. By saying it's 10 games and a (playoff) round, it's going to make guys think they're serious. If you're going to elbow a guy in the head, you're going to be suspended, so keep (the elbows) down."

Cooke, suspended for the fifth time in his 12-year career, said he knows he needs to change his play: "I don't want to hurt anybody. That's not my intention. I know that I can be better. I made a mistake. … I want to change. … My actions will prove it."

The Penguins have no plans to sever their ties with Cooke, who signed a three-year contract extension last offseason.

"I'd prefer to be part of the solution to rehabbing him as a player as opposed to making the decision to toss him overboard to be somebody else's problem," GM Ray Shero told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "He's a value to our team when he plays hockey."

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Basil Spyridakos, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

SEMINOLE — Countryside has been on a tear since slumping to a four-game losing streak in the beginning of March. A solid Jupiter Tournament campaign and win over Pinellas Park last week has given the Cougars confidence.

Countryside scored at least two runs in every inning and overwhelmed Seminole 12-1 in five innings Tuesday night.

Ayanna Andrews started the game with a big triple to leftfield and Hailee Keisling drove her in with an RBI single. Keisling stole second and Kristin Hubbard drove her in on an RBI single to put the Cougars up 2-0 early.

"We have had some games like this, but we've kind of been rocky lately," said Keisling, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. "Everyone just stepped up and started to hit the ball."

The Cougars scored four times in the second and twice more in the third.

Alyssa Queen was efficient with her pitch selection, allowing only three hits, two walks and an unearned run.

Seminole (9-5) struggled to get a consistent hit on Queen's pitches. She faced three Warhawk batters during the third inning and was able to get two to pop out and force a groundout to short with only five pitches.

"It's an accident," said Queen, who improved her record to 3-1. "Sometimes my drop ball goes up instead of down, so it gets the batter to pop it up."

Countryside (12-5) continued to pour it on in the fourth inning, scoring three more runs. Up 10-1 with two out, Queen ripped an RBI single driving Alyssa Householder in from second. The Cougars would cross the plate once more in the fifth.

"I honestly didn't expect it to be like this," Countryside coach Kaylyn Bayly said. "We've been without our No.1 pitcher since the East Lake game, and two other freshmen have been trying to get us through it and (Queen) did a great job."