Times wires
Sunday, April 3, 2011
RICHMOND, Va. — About 100 fans welcomed Virginia Commonwealth back to Richmond on Sunday after its Final Four loss to Butler the night before, ending an unlikely but magical run in the NCAA Tournament.
Fans chanted "VCU, VCU" as the team arrived around 3:30 p.m. at the campus' Siegel Center with a police escort. The cheers quickly turned to "We want Shaka," referring to coach Shaka Smart, who flashed a humble smile as he exited the bus before the team.
Smart and his players took their time giving high fives, hugs and autographs to waiting fans.
Gabby Brophy, 10, beamed as most of the team signed her gold, blowup spirit stick.
PG Joey Rodriguez said the school's run from a first-round game to the national semifinal was a great experience and the fan support was much appreciated.
"It means a lot after a loss to have everybody here," he said. "It was a great four years."
Meanwhile, Smart, 33, spoke like a man making plans to stick with the Rams rather than looking to get a bigger job.
"We're going to try to do this every year," he said. "It's not easy; there's no question about it. In our program, we're going to continue to build."
AD Norwood Teague said in a text message that neither N.C. State nor Missouri, both looking for head coaches, have contacted him about talking to Smart.
Other options: Butler defensive specialist Ronald Nored got an academic scholarship from Harvard, but he decided to go somewhere where basketball would be as big a deal as his grades. The native of Homewood, Ala., initially committed to Western Kentucky but changed his mind after coach Darrin Horn left for South Carolina. Nored then decided to go to Butler.
"Harvard's done a great job. (Coach) Tommy Amaker's done a heck of a job at Harvard lately," Nored said. "And the fact that he told me the average Harvard graduate makes $300,000 after they graduate, I was like, maybe I need to be going to Harvard. But I thought Butler's been doing great things over the last 10, 11 years, and I just wanted to be a part of something special."
Ratings: Saturday's Final Four broadcast on CBS posted an 8.9 rating and a 17 share. That's tied for the highest since 2005. Butler's 70-62 win over VCU in the first game drew an 8.3 rating and averaged 14.2 million viewers, while UConn's 56-55 win over Kentucky in the second game drew a 9.5 rating and pulled in 16.7 million viewers.
Miami's Haith to Mizzou?: Frank Haith agreed to leave Miami after seven seasons and take over as coach at Missouri, the Associated Press reported. Haith's deal was not yet finalized. Miami officials did not return messages seeking comment.
Around the nation: Utah hired Nets assistant Larry Krystkowiak, 46, as coach. … Archie Miller, 32, was hired to coach Dayton, less than a week after Brian Gregory left for Georgia Tech.