Bucs
NFL rejects Bucs' deal for Rice
The structure of the 5-year, $34-million contract causes the problem. Also, Gooch trade is off after he fails Rams physical.

NCAA Tournament
Trojans show who is boss
USC nearly blows a 21-point lead but handles Kentucky's comeback 80-76.

Terps make the big jump
After years of missing out, Maryland breaks into Elite Eight.

Ex-MSU coach Heathcote has split loyalties tonight
ATLANTA -- Jud Heathcote is a Gonzaga season-ticket holder. Chances are, though, he'll be rooting for Michigan State.

Duke wins behind Williams' hot hand
Jason Williams scores a career-best 34 and the Blue Devils cruise past UCLA 76-63.

'Mid-major' schools shed minor image
PHILADELPHIA -- Don't be surprised if the unpredictability of this year's tournament, especially in the opening round, may lend some clarity in the future.

Women's road tournament games bring out the best of the best
No one will be playing at home. Everyone is traveling, everyone is living out of a suitcase. No one has a built-in advantage.

March sports traffic online: madness
The Academy Awards aren't until Sunday night, but it's easy to figure out the big picture the major sports sites have been promoting this week: Traffic.

Devil Rays
As ranks start thinning, Colome sent down for more seasoning
WINTER HAVEN -- Bobby Seay wasn't the only promising prospect farmed out Thursday. The Rays also sent down Jesus Colome, the hard-throwing right-hander acquired from Oakland, and catcher Toby Hall.

Seay, White not ready, but they are on schedule
Rays' first two "bonus babies" have not reached the majors, but the team still sees progress.

Spring Training 2001
Area camps roundup
Knoblauch's progress: 2 catches in LF

Baseball briefs
Smoltz preparing for stint on disabled list

Lightning
Atlanta ends Lightning's run with 2-0 road victory
Thrashers score twice in third to end best streak of Tampa Bay's season.

Khabibulin a Russian Olympian
TAMPA -- Nikolai Khabibulin had been talking to the Russian Federation about joining his country's Olympic team. Still, the Lightning goaltender said he was surprised when he was named Thursday to go to the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.

Golf
Putter puts Azinger alone atop TPC field
The 41-year-old from Bradenton has no top-10 finishes in 2001.

Pulls out with Masters on his mind
PONTE VEDRA BEACH -- David Duval's season of disappointment continued Thursday when he withdrew from the Players Championship because of tendinitis in his right wrist.

Sports TV/Radio
XFL only adds to the list of indignities for NBC
NBC Sports chief Dick Ebersol again is under fire.

College basketball
FSU forward considers plea
Florida State sophomore forward Rodney Tucker, who missed the season facing a first-degree felony charge of sexual battery on a physically helpless victim, is expected to accept a plea bargain on April 5.

Et cetera
Sports briefs
Gold-medal skier falls, is in coma

Preps
Bulldogs gain revenge on Wildcats
Zephyrhills defeats Wesley Chapel 5-2 a little more than a month after losing to the Wildcats.

Hernando routs Zephyrhills
ZEPHYRHILLS -- Hernando blew open Thursday's game at Zephyrhills with an eight-run third inning, going on to win 13-3 in six innings.

Cougars edge Hurricanes in 12
PALM HARBOR -- In this classic pitchers' duel, it somehow seemed appropriate that even in the end, it was not a bat that declared a victor.

Around the county

Rams dig hole early, lose big to Eagles
East Lake scores five runs in the first inning and goes on to beat Ridgewood 17-9.

Clearwater can prove itself this weekend
When Clearwater first-year coach Brian Mont looks at his schedule for the second half of the season, he will not find any gimmies, 10-run-rule walkovers or otherwise easy wins.

Hawks blank Cougars 5-0
Armwood wins the battle of undefeated pitchers and gives itself a chance to advance to the semfinals.

Terriers keep playing well, defeat Dragons
Hillsborough scores four in the fifth to beat Jefferson, its fourth win in six games.

Panthers hope victory can turn season around
Plant's offense comes to life in an 11-6 win over Leto, giving the Panthers their first win of the tournament.