Let's start with the NCAA tournament, where we finally got an exciting regional final in the fourth and final game of the weekend. Georgetown closed the game with a 31-9 run (including overtime), erasing a 10 point deficit and holding the Tar Heels to just two made field goals in their final 23 attempts. What changed? Three things, really. First, Georgetown started guarding star forward Tyler Hansbrough with Big East Player of the Year Jeff Green. A tremendous athlete and supremely controlled defender, Green held his ground against Hasbrough, didn't allow him to make any double moves, and forced him to operate farther from the basket. Second, after Hansbrough's production slowed, the Tar Heels inexplicably started launching a steady stream of deep shots. In doing so, they went away from the interior-oriented attack that had built their ten point lead in the first place. And third, the Hoyas started controlling the defensive boards, limiting UNC to one-and-done possessions. Add it all up, and Roy Williams must be kicking himself for not getting his team to refocus their attack on the interior. It likely cost the Tar Heels the game. Big congratulations to all my Hoya friends. See you in Atlanta?

Turning now to the baseball diamond, where Texas took two out of three from Kansas State over the weekend to improve their record to 22-8 overall and 5-1 in Big 12 play. On Friday, Texas banged out 10 runs on 12 hits - including home runs from Bradley Suttle, Kyle Russell, and Preston Clark - to beat the Wildcats 10-3. Big lefty James Russell continued to pitch outstandingly for the 'Horns, picking up the win with eight strong innings of pitching. On Saturday, Texas erupted for season highs in hits (17) and runs (14) - including Kyle Russell's 15th bomb of the season - to blow out Kansas State 14-3. Adrian Alaniz improved to 7-1 with seven impressive shut out innings. On Sunday, Texas' bullpen stumbled, with Randy Boone allowing five runs and taking the loss, helping Kansas State avoid the sweep with a 11-9 victory. The 'Horns will play Rice on Tuesday night at 6:05 p.m.

If you're not attending next Saturday's spring football scrimmage, may I encourage you to join the Gregory Gazelles at Zilker Park for their intra-squad round robin doubles tournament on the sand volleyball courts? From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., tall college girls in bikinis will entertain the masses. Should be fun times.

The lead from this story got my attention:

For one thing, that's bad news for Tarell Brown, who was arrested last Thursday for the second time in seven months on marijuana possession. Brown reportedly ran a 40 in the 4.3s during UT's pro timing day last week, so he'll still get drafted, but two arrests in a calendar year will scare off a number of potential suitors. Just dumb.

Goodell's decision to prioritize players who get in trouble with the law probably shouldn't surprise us, and I'd guess that Goodell likely will push a "clean up the league's image" campaign much the same way David Stern has for the last two years. Players would be wise to take note.

--PB--