[AP photo] Florida coach Billy Donovan brings his Gators to Tampa.

Great eight
There are plenty of compelling stories among the schools playing their NCAA Tournament openers in Tampa.

More coverage from AP March Madness NCCA brackets

Heeeerrrre come the Gators
• UF heads to Tampa, which is ecstatic to be awarded two No. 2 seeds and some intriguing matchups in its subregion. Story
• First-round game pits Florida's Billy Donovan against a familiar coach. Story

It's no longer who you are but where
With year-old system, NCAA tries to keep more teams closer to home.

Kellogg: UF better beware of Buffs
Clark Kellogg is in his 10th year as a CBS college basketball analyst.

Tampa's teams at a glance
• Colorado
• Michigan State
• Sam Houston State
• Florida
• East Tennessee State
• Wake Forest
• Auburn
• St. Joseph's

John Romano: UF handed a shot at redemption
As the lights dimmed and the season was turning dark, a most amazing thing happened. Florida became potent once again.

ACC: Duke makes it 5 straight
Behind J.J. Redick's 30 points, Blue Devils rally to another tournament title.

Big 12: Sooners three-peat despite meltdown
Oklahoma goes scoreless for 8:48 but beats Missouri 49-47.

Selection lends normalcy to the season
After a turbulent year, few find fault with seedings. Only a looming war poses a problem.

Salukis ready for NCAA run
Coach Bruce Weber thinks if SIU can limit Missouri's 6-9 junior center-forward, teams will match up well.

Sunday game for BYU would require switch to Midwest
INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA will send Brigham Young to the Midwest Region if it reaches the round of 16.

NIT
State schools fail to earn tournament spots
FSU (14-15) and Miami (11-17) are ineligible for NIT, while USF is snubbed.

Women's tournament
The usual suspects, plus LSU, are seeded at top
Tennessee or Duke could get shot at UConn in women's championship game.

Storm
Avenging force turns tables for the Storm
STORM 52, PREDATORS 32: Quarterback pressure is key to Tampa Bay's revenge for earlier loss.

Motorsports
The finishing touches
Ricky Craven edges Kurt Busch by inches after the two rub doors coming to the finish at Darlington.

More engine problems for Roush Racing cars
DARLINGTON, S.C. -- When Jeff Burton saw the thick, white smoke pouring from his car Sunday, he knew exactly what it meant: more engine problems for Roush Racing.

Son rises to Top (Fuel)
Brandon Bernstein tops John Smith in the final to win at Gatornationals.

Baseball
Ex-Jay accused of theft
TORONTO -- The Blue Jays released pitching prospect Pasqual Coco after he stole money from teammate Diegomar Markwell's locker, the Toronto Star and Toronto Sun reported Sunday.

MLB may invade Europe
MEXICO CITY -- Baseball goes with apple pie, and next year maybe with pasta or brie.

NHL
Newcomer leads Caps past Avs 2-1
WASHINGTON -- Two nights after Washington gave up the Southeast lead, Sergei Berezin helped it inch its way back.

In brief
Americans strike gold 10 times at indoor meet
BIRMINGHAM, England -- Tyree Washington started the spree with a win in the 400 meters. He ended it by anchoring the relay team to victory.

Sailing
Steady racing nets Midwinter win
Brian Hayes of Milford, Conn., with crew Carter Utzig and Laura Jeffers of Tarpon Springs won the 56th Lightning Midwinter Championship on Tampa Bay over the weekend.

Horses
Merit takes Derby with difficulty
OLDSMAR -- Region of Merit had things aligned well before the start of the $250,000 Tampa Bay Derby.

NBA
Nash helps Mavericks avoid season sweep
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Steve Nash saved the Mavericks from getting swept in the season series by one of their biggest rivals.

Golf
Leonard gives gift to in-laws: victory
PALM BEACH GARDENS -- Justin Leonard spent several days begging for tickets to the Honda Classic, trying to satisfy in-laws living near the Country Club at Mirasol.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
The Sunshine Skyway is loaded with white bait, scaled sardines and small threadfins.