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Bucs bring back reserve DE Warner TAMPA -- Another day, another player squeezed under the Bucs' tight salary cap. Rays Ordonez calms down after meeting Alomar on field PORT ST. LUCIE -- Rey Ordonez's return to Mets camp nearly turned into headline news. Or even back-page news. Lightning Grahame's stops good for a Lightning point Martin St. Louis sends game to overtime tied at 2 with third-period goal, and the goalie prevents a loss. Cullimore plans his return LOS ANGELES -- Head medical trainer Tom Mulligan said defenseman Jassen Cullimore could be ready by the end of the month or early April. That gives Cullimore at least three games before a potential playoff series.
TAMPA -- In one corner of the locker room a television is showing the final minutes of an NCAA first-round game. At the other end of the room, on another TV, President George W. Bush is talking about the opening minutes of a war. Gary Shelton: Florida's Nelson: flash of danger or flash in the pan? TAMPA -- On his finest forays, his most memorable trips downcourt, there always was a bit of the unexpected. College basketball: Upsets hard to come by Most of the higher seeds survive Day 1 of the NCAA Tournament. NCAA - West: Kansas survives upset bid OKLAHOMA CITY -- Apparently, it takes Kansas a while to get going in the NCAA Tournament. NCAA - Midwest: Disputed call sends SIU home INDIANAPOLIS -- Rickey Paulding wanted the ball for the final seconds Thursday. Women's NCAA: A tournament rarity: a wide-open field The women's NCAA Tournament will start with some grumbling over travel and an outcome in doubt. NCAA - East: Cal freshman caps jolly good win OKLAHOMA CITY -- When an Englishman makes a big shot, it's usually on the soccer field, not the courts of the NCAA Tournament. Tampa subregional: Hawks star West may be able to start TAMPA -- Saint Joseph's fans can breathe a little easier. Hawks standout Delonte West might not be 100 percent healthy, but the shooting guard is getting close. West has a stress fracture in his right leg and saw limited minutes in the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament. Sunday's Tampa games moved back Sunday's games at the St. Pete Times Forum, originally scheduled for 2:15 and 4:45 p.m., have been moved to 4:30 and 7 to accommodate a request by CBS. It could have been special homecoming TAMPA -- It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, or at least it could have been. Buffs arrive late, tired but not dismayed TAMPA -- With heavy eyelids and slouched over their microphones, Colorado's Blair Wilson and Stephane Pelle faced the media Thursday night. They looked as if they wanted to hit the snooze button more than the basketball court. Frosh star aims to be a 4-year Gator TAMPA -- He has SEC Freshman of the Year honors from both the coaches and the Associated Press on his resume, but Florida guard Anthony Roberson said that's not enough. Gators refuse to look past No.15 Bearkats In the NCAA Tournament, the one thing you never say is never. Michigan State's keys to victory 1. REBOUNDING: This is where the game likely will be won or lost. Colorado's trio of Stephane Pelle (9.4 rebounds per game), David Harrison (8.4) and Michel Morandais (5.3) are big-time rebounders. Michigan State's Aloysius Anagonye (5.4), Kelvin Torbert (3.9) and Paul Davis (4.6) must keep the Buffaloes off the glass. Want an upset today? Then look no further They've got the experience, the coaching and all of the key components -- a superb scorer, outside shooter, shot-blocker and rebounder -- to pull off the opening-round win. Sam Houston State's keys to victory 1. START FAST: The Bearkats play an uptempo style, and riding that to an early lead -- any lead -- will be crucial to help hush the thousands of Gators faithful. It might also plant a small seed of doubt in the mind of an opponent coming off three consecutive losses. Florida's keys to victory 1. DON'T LOOK AHEAD: The Gators have their first No. 2 seed in history, but they better not start thinking that means an automatic pass to Sunday's second round. In an event where upsets make up some of the most memorable games in history, Florida needs to stay focused, otherwise it might be part of an unpleasant highlight reel. Florida vs. Sam Houston State 3-POINT SHOOTING: Colorado's keys to victory 1. BIG GAME FROM BIG DAVE: CU averages 6.6 blocks, and 7-foot center David Harrison averages 3.2. His shot-blocking has dominated several games this season, and it could make the difference tonight. He has had games with 11 and 10 blocks this season. Half of that many could alter the outcome. Colorado vs. Michigan State THREE-POINT SHOOTING Auburn's keys to victory 1. PERIMETER DEFENSE: Everybody knows how effective Jameer Nelson can be for Saint Joseph's. But the Hawks have one of nation's best 3-point shooters in Pat Carroll, who ranks third in percentage and has 76 3-pointers this season. In losses to Kentucky and LSU, the Tigers didn't defend the 3. Don't look at seeding for the best team here The 7-10 game usually produces an upset or two. Since the field expanded in 1985, the 10th seed is 29-43 in the first round. This shouldn't come as a surprise. East Tennessee State's keys to victory 1. WATCH THE 3s: While the Buccaneers are the sixth-best scoring team in Division I, they also are one of the worst at guarding outside shots, especially 3-pointers. The Bucs have given up an average of 75.2 points, and against Wake Forest's defense, they'll have a tough time outscoring that average. Auburn vs. Saint Joseph's Saint Joseph's has the edge, having made more 3s while shooting at a better percentage. Hawks small forward Pat Carroll has 76 and ranks third in the country in percentage at .463. Point guard Jameer Nelson (61) and shooting guard Delonte West (53) also are formidable. Auburn's top outside threat is shooting guard Derrick Bird, who has 50 in 132 attempts. The Tigers make 34 percent as a team. Wake Forest keys to victory 1. DON'T PEEK AHEAD: The Demon Deacons can't afford to overlook anyone. They don't often get on long runs, so they rely on a consistently ferocious defense and relentless rebounding. Get complacent and defense and rebounding usually suffer. Saint Joseph's keys to victory 1. A HEALTHY DELONTE WEST: The 6-foot-4 sophomore shooting guard averages 17.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He can hit longe-range jumpers or drive to the basket, which makes him tough to defend. He also is one of the better rebounders. With West in the lineup, Saint Joseph's is capable of playing with just about anybody. Wake needs veteran to lead way to win Only four No. 2 seeds have lost in the opening round since the NCAA Tournament field expanded in 1985, but the Demon Deacons are far from a lock to advance. They commit too many turnovers, an average of 15, and they are exceptionally young. Senior Josh Howard is the lone upperclassman accustomed to being in a lead role. Different team, different NCAAs The Gators say their bad experience in last year's tournament will not be a factor. Security levels already high The advent of war in Iraq should not have any tangible impact on security at the St. Pete Times Forum for this weekend's games, in part because of high safety measures established since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Carrolls have to scramble to give sons equal attention It gets hectic as parents try to keep up with sons playing at different sites. NIT: Cowboys win delayed game LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Donta Richardson scored 24 and Uche Nsonwu-Amadi added 14 and 12 rebounds to lead Wyoming past Eastern Washington 78-71 in the first round Thursday night. College football: Plea may enable Dockett to rejoin the Seminoles Florida State defensive tackle Darnell Dockett took a big step toward returning to the team Thursday by pleading guilty to misdemeanor petty theft for his role in a shopping scam. Baseball: Torre: Camps judged tougher TAMPA -- He doesn't view spring training standings as seriously as owner George Steinbrenner does, but Yankees manager Joe Torre realizes that results are being scrutinized more intensely. Nomo, Johnson to pitch opener VERO BEACH -- Hideo Nomo will pitch the season opener for the Dodgers against four-time defending NL Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson. In brief: Three sentenced in Breeders' Cup scam WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- The mastermind behind the betting scam that nearly produced a $3-million payoff at the Breeders' Cup ended up with the least amount of jail time possible -- a year and a day. NHL: Yashin leads Islanders MONTREAL -- Alexei Yashin's biggest game this season firmed up the Islanders' playoff drive and all but ended Montreal's. Kickin' back with Phil Martelli: Saint Joseph's coach lives on edge Phil Martelli compares himself to the Energizer Bunny, but when the season ends he likes to wind down with a Robert Ludlum novel. Snapshots: It's all about fun and games I guess it all started with Fran Drescher and Beck. Internet: Site helps fans stay up to date Online coverage of the NCAA Tournament is intended to supplement a television broadcast, but the decision by CBS to cover the war in Iraq and move first-round games to ESPN could change that for a decent number of basketball fans. TV/Radio: Be ready to change channels CBS began coverage of the NCAA Tournament it paid $6-billion for (over 11 years) with a request for viewers: turn to ESPN to watch. NBA: Former star pleads innocent again FLEMINGTON, N.J. -- Jayson Williams pleaded innocent again in the shooting death of a limousine driver. Motorsports: Engineers lower level of carbon monoxide BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Carbon monoxide poisoning is something you're going to hear a lot about this weekend. What you aren't going to hear a lot about is what NASCAR has done to try to eliminate an old problem. Golf: Sorenstam put on notice by Pak, Webb PHOENIX -- Annika Sorenstam wanted to play with the men so she could raise the level of her game. She may need to if her start to the LPGA season is any indication. Bay Hill's tough conditions test world's best golfers Six at 3 under matches highest opening-round score to lead PGA event. Duval's view of game altered since diagnosis ORLANDO -- The number looked a lot worse than what really transpired. Preps: 6A-5 teams don't lose very often Venice, the state's top-ranked Class 6A team, is scheduled to play at Bloomingdale at 7 p.m. tonight. Durant builds up its confidence DURANT -- Durant put together effective pitching and timely hitting to beat East Bay 3-0 on Thursday and move into sole possession of first place in Class 5A, District 7. Ace does everything for Cougars Bree Spence allows five hits and triples in two runs in Countryside's 5-1 victory against East Lake. Tarpon earns big district win TARPON SPRINGS -- Tarpon Springs coach Craig Drake wanted to go into spring break with a positive feeling. A home victory against 2002 state finalist River Ridge should help. Hernando and Central pull away Leopards boys, Bears girls stock up on points to win county meet. Lecanto cruises past Crystal River The Panthers sweep the Pirates to remain undefeated.
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