KostComp1Genre5+-+Newspaper+Article

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/sports/ncaabasketball/03uconn.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

April 2, 2011 =Still Running, Still Stunning=

By [|GREG BISHOP]
HOUSTON — As the final seconds ticked away, Coach [|Jim Calhoun] stalked the sideline for Connecticut, arms folded, gum churning in his jaw. His expression never changed, even as the Huskies burst into the championship game, on Monday against Butler, even as he moved closer toward the rarest air in his profession. Behind Kemba Walker and the usual young sidekicks, [|UConn] captured its 10th straight postseason victory, by 56-55 over plucky Kentucky, in front of a packed house at Reliant Stadium. Should Walker help Calhoun seize another national championship, Calhoun would become only the fifth coach in the history of men’s Division I basketball to win three titles. That list includes John Wooden, Adolph Rupp, [|Mike Krzyzewski] and [|Bob Knight], a Mount Rushmore of coaching royalty, owners of 21 championships combined. That Calhoun advanced to within striking distance of their company by ending the season of his longtime rival, Kentucky’s [|John Calipari], only added to his elation. “It’s special,” Walker said. “We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs.” Calhoun and Connecticut took a strange trip here. There was the early-season [|N.C.A.A.] penalties for violations in the recruitment of Nate Miles. There was the midseason swoon. Then there was the streak, complete with another tournament trip through the West, same as during UConn’s 1999 and 2004 title runs. When it ended, after the freshman guard Shabazz Napier calmly drained the decisive free throws, the Huskies sauntered into their locker room, slapping the hands of their fans who lined the court. “Our defense eventually won it for us,” Calhoun said. “Along with the best player in America.” The second national semifinal here featured two programs steeped in history, two teams on white-hot win streaks and two coaches, Calhoun and Calipari, who care for each other as much as a child does for brussels sprouts. They stood 40 feet apart during player introductions, arms folded, stealing an occasional glance the other way without acknowledging each other’s existence. Compared to the midmajor underdogs Butler and [|Virginia Commonwealth] who squared off in the first semifinal, this game showcased heavyweights, rosters heavy with future [|N.B.A.] players, an uptick in athleticism. As had been the case for nine straight Connecticut victories, Walker figured prominently. All week, Calipari had compared Walker to Danny Manning, who carried Kansas to the 1988 title with a similar herculean effort. They called that team Danny and the Miracles. Walker and his young teammates — UConn’s rotation includes five freshmen and two sophomores — may deserve a nickname of their own. (Kemba and the Kids?) They won the Big East tournament and four N.C.A.A. games in 19 days, as Walker emerged as the best player in the country over the stretch. In a recent telephone interview, the former Huskies great Caron Butler said, “UConn can beat anybody, as long as Kemba Walker keeps playing like Kemba Walker.” Walker started slowly Saturday. He forced passes into traffic, forced shots that clanged awkwardly off the rim, as if the run, all those games, 344 minutes since early March, had tired him. It had. But he still carried Connecticut, still filled another box score: 18 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, an off-night by his ridiculous recent standards. Walker sparked a 10-0 first-half run that gave Connecticut a 19-12 advantage. He drove for one basket and dished for another and knocked down a 3-pointer. Kentucky appeared deflated and trailed, 31-21, at halftime. Afterward, the Wildcat players said they felt nervous and came out timid, tight. Kentucky had been through as strange a season as Connecticut. It fell one win short of the Final Four last season, but four freshmen bolted for the N.B.A. This being a Calipari team, another talented wave of freshmen arrived to replace them. Yet while three freshmen ranked among Kentucky’s scoring leaders, it was the upperclassmen, like Josh Harrellson, the senior forward who proudly wears jorts, or jean shorts, who drove the Wildcats this deep into the tournament. Along the way, some called this Kentucky group Team Redeem, as it avenged losses to Georgia, Florida and North Carolina, among others. Connecticut toppled Kentucky earlier this season, at the Maui Invitational, giving a delighted Calhoun a 3-2 (now 4-2) edge in his personal rivalry with Calipari. The stage for another round of redemption had been set. For Calipari, the trip here had proved emotional. His mother, Donna, died of cancer in November, and his father, Vince, has become something of a good-luck charm. Calipari said his father spent a few weeks grieving, then he came to the Southeastern Conference tournament and to Kentucky’s N.C.A.A. games, riding the bus, hanging out at the team hotel. Calipari watched his father and his son, their interactions, and sure, it felt therapeutic. Vince Calipari cheered as Kentucky surged back into the game behind a 14-2 run to start the second half. The freshman guard Doron Lamb drilled consecutive 3-pointers to put Kentucky back ahead, 35-33. Walker, of course, answered with a deep jumper. From there, the game swung back and forth. Kentucky trailed, 54-52, as the clock neared zeroes. Calipari designed a play for the freshman guard Brandon Knight, who made 6 of 23 shots Saturday. Instead, DeAndre Liggins fired. It bounced off the rim and Connecticut held on. Afterward, Calhoun said: “Very simply put, a coach is a coach. There’s a thousand guys out there that do an incredible job and don’t have the opportunity that I do.” Such opportunity — and Butler — await Calhoun on Monday. History potentially does, too.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/sc-spt-0403-notes-heisler-nba--20110402,0,7326003.story

And as you can imagine it's dotted heavily with freshmen and sophomores
By Mark Heisler, Tribune Newspapers 9:21 PM CDT, April 2, 2011 In our annual salute to the NCAA tournament, here's our best guess at the first 20 players to be selected in the June NBA draft.

The debate about No. 1 will depend on who gets the pick.


 * 1 (T). Kyrie Irving, Fr., Duke:** Some see Chris Paul II, more see a better Ty Lawson. I'm going with those who see greatness, even if Irving was only good in the tournament coming off his injury. If the Cavs, Raptors, Kings or Jazz (with Nets' pick) are No. 1, it's him.


 * 1 (T). Derrick Williams, So., Arizona:** Now top three, two or one. If the Wizards, who have John Wall, get the No. 1 pick, it's him. Or …


 * 3. Enes Kant****er, Fr., Kentucky:** Listed at 6-10, 240, the weight looks right ... as a low estimate. If he's 6-9, the Timberwolves or Wizards could take him No. 1 as an Al Hoford-type center. At whatever height he is, Kanter got 34-13 in 2010 Hoop Summit against Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes, et al.


 * 4. Jonas Valanciunas****, Lietuvos Rytas****, Lithuania:** Slender at 6-11, 240, but GMs say he could be a Pau Gasol. Says a scout of Kanter and Valanciunas, "If they played college ball in the U.S., they might be 1-2."


 * 5. Harrison Barnes, Fr., North Carolina:** Not ready.But who is? Not gifted at small forward where the athletes play but has great feel, attacks, plays on the move. I love him, but when I miss, all I have to do is write "Oops."


 * 6. Jared Sullinger, Fr., Ohio State:** Not coming but deserves this salute. I don't like comparisons to anomalies like Dennis Rodman or Kevin Love — but I think he's Love Child II.


 * 7. Perry Jones, Fr., Baylor:** On pure appeal since he's like a 6-11 guard. Baylor made Elite Eight with Ekpe Udoh, didn't make 68-team field with him.


 * 8. Kemba Walker, Jr. Connecticut:** Not big or knock-down shooter but totally clutch, taking young team through Big East tournament and loaded West bracket.


 * 9. Terrence Jones, Fr., Kentucky:** Great-looking 6-9 athlete, but production slipped as other Wildcats stepped up.


 * 10. Alec****Burks, So., Colorado:** Major shooting guard prospect, should go higher.


 * 11. Brandon Knight, Fr., Kentucky:** Shot his way, literally, into lottery. Not great penetrator but knock-down shooter who defends.


 * 12. Jan Vesely,****KK Partizan Belgrade****, Serbia:** Admirers see Andre Kirilenko.


 * 13. John Henson, So., North Carolina:** Slender at 6-10, 220, but answered questions about toughness, so far.


 * 14. Jeremy Lamb, So., Connecticut:** Billed as Wes Johnson but better. Surfaced so recently, it's not known if he's coming.


 * 15. Reggie Jackson, Jr., Boston College:** Point guard moving up. Big, athletic at 6-3, 208, considered third best behind Irving, Knight.


 * 16. Kawhi Leonard****, So., San Diego State:** Not a player you often see. Try Luc Richard Mbah a Moute with Kobe Bryant handle.


 * 17. Tyler Zeller****, Jr., North Carolina:** Major mover at 7-foot, 250. Filled out, got tougher and can shoot.


 * 18. Lucas Nogueira****, Asefa Estudiantes****, Spain:** Closely-watched 7-0 Brazilian, in Saturday's Hoop Summit.


 * 19. Donatas Motiejunas****, Benetton Treviso, Italy:** Young, skilled basket-facing Euro-type big man is 7-foot, 215 pounds.


 * 20. Kenneth Faried, Sr., Morehead State:** Animal rebounder if only like 6-6. Nice tab by ESPN's Chad Ford.

Then there's BYU's Jimmer Fredette. He's still a first-rounder, but scouts see him as sharp-shooting reserve, not a starting point guard.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0403-dufresne-final-four-20110403,0,4760047,full.column

Butler's second consecutive chance at the title and Connecticut's improbable run makes for one sensational story.
Chris Dufresne 9:55 PM PDT, April 2, 2011 Reporting from Houston
 * Advertisement ||
 * || [[image:http://this.content.served.by.adshuffle.com/p/kl/46/799/r/12/4/8/ru/d3d3LmNoaWNhZ290cmlidW5lLmNvbQ==/1583222063/v/576462396821352313/ac/797734/b/274551/c/455240/view.pxl align="center"]] ||
 * Advertisement ||
 * || [[image:http://this.content.served.by.adshuffle.com/p/kl/46/799/r/12/4/8/ru/d3d3LmxhdGltZXMuY29t/2096565407/v/576462396821352313/ac/797734/b/274551/c/455240/view.pxl align="center"]] ||

It's been tough keeping with up the college sports scandals this week. They come almost hourly.

The Fiesta Bowl turned out to be a real fiesta involving strip clubs. Ohio State opened spring football practice amid allegations involving Coach Sweater Vest.

Auburn football players told HBO they were paid sacks of cash for making sacks.

New NCAA President Mark Emmert probably wished he'd worn a flak jacket to Thursday's state-of-the-union news conference.

[|**Kemba Walker leads UConn to NCAA title game**]

Thank goodness for… Butler.

The story of last year's NCAA tournament is back in this year's finale with an even more outlandish tale.

Butler, which fell to 14-9 on Feb. 3 after a loss at Youngstown State, scored a 70-62 win over Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday in a national semifinal win at Reliant Stadium.

It set up a mid-major/large-major matchup against Connecticut, a 56-55 winner over Kentucky in the other semifinal game.

[|**Butler is a fit in final, but no Cinderella**]

Freshman Shabazz Naper's two free throws with two seconds left proved to be the difference.

"I am glad I was able to get them to go," he said.

A football-sized crowd of 75,421 watched Saturday's action at Reliant.

[|**Final Four teams succeed without former stars**]

Butler doesn't even have a football program.

"It's unbelievable," Butler senior forward Matt Howard said. "This is what you dream about doing … and to be able to do it twice is great. Hopefully we can finish it off this time."

Butler (28-9) won its 14th straight game and will wear white hats against Connecticut, a different kind of great story. The Huskies have won 10 straight games for a program under increasing scrutiny. Coach Jim Calhoun has had to answer more questions this week about his recruitment of Nate Miles even though the NCAA has already adjudicated the case.

As part of NCAA punishment, Calhoun has to sit out the first three Big East games next year.

He might be doing it as coach of the defending national champions.

For now Calhoun, who won national titles in 1999 and 2004, is enjoying the real-time moments of this team's run.

"The kids decided they didn't want to go home," Calhoun said on the court after Saturday's victory.

Monday's title matchup isn't good versus evil in a deep, dark, Biblical sense, but it does pit programs answering different kinds of legacy questions.

Butler did it this year without star Gordon Hayward, whose last-second heave at the buzzer last year in Indianapolis nearly sank the U.S.S. Duke.

Butler returned some key components, notably junior guard Shelvin Mack and the mop-headed Howard.

Mack finished with 24 points, making five of six three-pointers, while Howard played his usual late role despite picking up his fourth foul with 9:22 left.

Howard has been omnipresent in Butler's tournament run, seeming to show up near the ball every time his team needs a point or a rebound.

"He's unbelievable," Butler Coach Brad Stevens said. "He only wins. And his mind and motor are different. I mean, he is different."

He finished Saturday with 17 points and eight rebounds. He made only three of 10 shots but connected on 11 of 12 free-throw attempts.

The game turned in a few second-half moments after VCU cut the lead to four at 61-57 on Jamie Skeen's three-pointer with 2:32 left.

Howard, following teammate Shawn Vanzant's miss, had a put-back basket with 59 seconds left to push Butler's lead back to six.

Howard then scored four last-minute free throws to help secure the victory.

Who is this guy?

Howard isn't the same 6-8, foul-prone space eater we remember from last year, when he served as inside-the-lane muscle protection for Hayward.

Howard's game has matured. In fact, he has not fouled out of a game during Butler's 14-game winning streak.

It was too bad VCU (28-12) had to lose. The Rams' story was also compelling. VCU was already the first school to win five NCAA tournament games and not reach the championship game. The Rams were vilified by many for even making the expanded field of 68.

VCU defeated USC in the "first-round" game, and then knocked out powers from the Big East (Georgetown), Purdue (Big Ten), Atlantic Coast (Florida State) and Big 12 (Kansas) to earn the trip to Houston.

"It's a phenomenal run," VCU Coach Shaka Smart said after Saturday's loss. "It's really a historical run in NCAA tournament history … these guys are never going to be forgotten … but make no mistake about it, this one really stings."

The Rams simply ran out of magic. The team that made 53 three-point shots in five tournament games, while shooting nearly 44%, made only eight of 22 on Saturday

Bradford Burgess hit four of his seven attempts, and Skeen made three of his four, but Joey Rodriguez, Ed Nixon and Brandon Rozzell were only a combined one for 11.

Skeen and Burgess carried VCU as far as they could in combining to score 42 of their team's 62 points. Skeen's 27 points led all scorers.

VCU also got hammered inside, getting outrebounded by 16 (48-32).

VCU came a long way to come up short. Entering the tournament the Rams were a 350-to-1 shots to win.

VCU against Connecticut would have been a similar Monday setup: the unlikely upstart facing a major college basketball power with issues.

Butler vs. UConn is a better setup.

Last year's Bulldogs were seeded No.5 for their historic run. This year's team was a No. 8.

Last year's team had a superstar in Hayward. And this year's team, for most of the year, looked lost without him.

Butler's run to last year's title game was unbelievable.

This year's repeat run is unfathomable.

It seems like only weeks ago Hayward's shot in Indianapolis nearly downed Duke.

"I've seen that shot just through promos and on TV," Howard said. "But I haven't watched the game since."

Who would have imagined he might get to replay it?

//chris.dufresne@latimes.com// Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times

Title Author Date Story Location
 * __Characteristics__**

__**Criteria**__ Title Date Author Location (in this order - I think this makes it the best) Quotes (if available) Professional Language - Language about the topic