Tampa Bay enters its fourth season striving to erase past failures and become a winning franchise. To achieve this goal, it must improve from top to bottom. These are four of the Rays who face critical junctures in their careers.
Special Section

NCAA Tournament Final clash: Duke-Arizona [AP photo] • Arizona 80, Michigan State 61. A 25-3 run to start the second half propels the Wildcats and ends the Spartans' bid for a repeat. Game 1 • Duke 95, Maryland 84. The Blue Devils stun the Terps with a 33-point turnaround. Game 2 NCAA chief fearful as sports swallow revenue MINNEAPOLIS -- Against a backdrop of a $6-billion television contract about to kick in, NCAA president Cedric Dempsey incongruously but ominously invoked a Cold War phrase to describe the financial situation of intercollegiate sports: Final: Notre Dame (33-2) vs. Purdue (31-6) COACHES: Notre Dame -- Muffet McGraw (321-117, 14th season; 409-158 overall). Purdue -- Kristy Curry (54-14, second season). State, women win in any outcome ST. LOUIS -- The all-Indiana final is the first in NCAA history, and it's an even bigger deal to the six players who are Indiana natives. Who has the edge? THREE-POINT SHOOTING: Alicia Ratay led the nation this season at 55 percent, and with four Friday night set the NCAA single-season mark for three-point field-goal percentage. From grief, strength emerges For inspiration, Purdue looks to senior Katie Douglas, who lost both parents to cancer.

Gary Shelton
For 7-1 Woods, win was measure of the man
MINNEAPOLIS -- The world does not ask much of men such as Loren Woods. Just be a giant. That's all.

Readers forum
Now King can return to learning
Perhaps Tony Dungy and Bucs management could be criticized for failing to acquire a viable seasoned starting quarterback before the start of last season.

Devil Rays
Smith wins shot at second
The Rays send Brent Abernathy to Durham, enabling them to keep both talented infielders.

Despite an impressive record, Meacham is sent to Durham
LAKELAND -- Rusty Meacham was hoping to pitch effectively, look impressive and win a job this spring. He managed two of the three.

Rays tales
DEAR SIR: Ex-Ray Roberto Hernandez enjoys keeping in touch with several of his former teammates. It's the letters from the Tampa Bay front office trying to get him to renew his seven season tickets he can do without. "Still, after the trade, they want me to renew my tickets," Hernandez said. "Are they crazy?"

Baseball
Yankees put Jeter on 15-day disabled list
TAMPA -- Shortstop Derek Jeter will get to spent a few extra days at his bay area home. The Yankees, as expected, placed the World Series MVP on the 15-day disabled list with a right quadriceps strain.

Miller Park wows commissioner
MILWAUKEE -- When commissioner Bud Selig entered Miller Park to a packed house for the first time, he was so moved he didn't say a word for several minutes.

Golf
Tiger's streak begs major question
With three straight major titles, Woods has a grand opportunity this week. But would it be a Grand Slam?

Long day awaits at BellSouth
DULUTH, Ga. -- The BellSouth Classic has become survival of the fittest.

Lightning/NHL
Barnaby: fighting Lightning
He is the Lightning's designated bruiser, who fights well above his 5-foot-10, 185-pound weight class. Matthew Barnaby on Eric Lindros, the art of war, big brother Brent and the state of mankind.

Tonight: Lightning vs. Sabres
WHEN/WHERE: 6; Ice Palace, Tampa.

No words for Lightning LW
All-Star Fredrik Modin lets his play do the talking and inspire his teammates.

Slap shots
FRIENDLY EMBRACE: Teemu Selanne scored his first three goals Thursday since being traded from the Mighty Ducks to the Sharks, and he did it, of course, against Anaheim. The first goal, which came in Selanne's seventh game with San Jose, was a one-timer from below the faceoff circle that former teammate Paul Kariya was late in defending.

Don't expect Hasek to skip out on Sabres
It is becoming more and more likely Sabres goaltender Dominik Hasek will be back next season -- if Buffalo does not win the Stanley Cup. If it does, Hasek likely will hang it up.

Outdoors
Captain's corner
Properly icing your catch is essential to enjoying fresh fish. The quality of fillets is determined when a fish is landed.

Basic Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations (PDF)
Properly icing your catch is essential to enjoying fresh fish. The quality of fillets is determined when a fish is landed. You will need the free Acrobat Reader from Adobe for viewing.

College football
Hawaii poised to lose Aloha, Oahu bowls
The operator of the Aloha and Oahu bowls said it is all but certain the college football games will be relocated to the West Coast.

NBA
Rockets draw closer in West race
WASHINGTON -- On the night Maryland played its first Final Four game, Steve Francis outdueled former Terrapins teammate Laron Profit. Just barely.

College basketball
Knight, Texas Tech silent after three are kicked off team
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech officials had little to say about Bob Knight's decision to kick three players off the team.

Et cetera
Week in sports

Highs and lows

Pistons make Suhr consultant
TODAY ON TV/RADIO: Magic at Raptors, 12:30, WWBA-AM 1040 (9 taped, Sunshine); Pacers at 76ers, 12:30, Ch. 8; Knicks at Lakers, 5:30, Ch. 8.

For first time, mare takes jumping title
Molly Ashe guides Kroon Gravin to the best jump-off performance in winning the American Invitational.

This week on TV

Preps
Stars' injuries leave teams aching
ST. PETERSBURG -- The 2001 season is off and running today. Or, as the case may be, off and hobbling.

PCAC girls title still undecided
The Pinellas County Athletic Conference Championship is strickly for bragging rights. It doesn't earn a team an automatic district title. It doesn't mean a free pass to the state tournament.

CCC's Zumwalt not modest on the court
Marauder's all-around play led team to a 26-6 season, district title.

Morrison's growth was key to season
Lakewood junior Marcus Morrison went from role player to co-Player of the Year.

Wharton's success continues at Florida Relays
GAINESVILLE -- Wharton continued its success at the Florida Relays on Saturday, proving that its preliminary results on Friday weren't a fluke.