Kentucky, Kansas Advance to Championship

Kentucky 69, Louisville 61

Wildcats got 18 points and 14 rebounds from Anthony Davis (above with clinching dunk) and shot 57% from the field as a team to hold off in-state rival Louisville and advance to the national championship game Monday night. Louisville outrebounded Kentucky 40-33, but shot just 35% for the game. It will be Kentucky's first title game appearance since 1998.

Kansas 64, Ohio State 62

The Jayhawks fell behind by as many 13 points in the first half, but rode a dominating second half defensive effort, to shock the Buckeyes and advance to the national championship game. Ohio State's Jared Sullinger really struggled against the Kansas bigs, scoring just 13 points on 5 for 19 shooting, and Ohio State settled for jump shots as a result. They were 5 for 9 in the first half, but shot just 3 for 13 in the second half. As a result, Kansas rallied, getting 15 points from Travis Releford and 19 from All-America Thomas Robinson in the win.

Final Four Set

In regional final games over the weekend....

In the West Region, Louisville got 17 points and 7 rebounds from Chane Behanan, and closed the game on an incredible 18-3 run to shock the Florida Gators 72-68 and advance to New Orleans. The Gators led 65-54 with 8:16 left in the game, but for the second straight year blew a big lead one game away from the Final Four.

In the South Region, Kentucky showed why its the prohibitive favorite this year, as they just dominated Baylor, 82-70 in Atlanta Sunday. The Wildcats shot 53% from the field and Anthony Davis had 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Baylor shot just 39% and fell behind by double digits early and was never in the game.

In the East Region, Jared Sullinger had 19 points and 7 rebounds and overcame first half foul trouble to upset the top seeded Syracuse Orange 77-70 in Boston. Dashaun Thomas added 14 for the Buckeyes, who are returning to the Final Four for the first time since 2007. Syracuse got 14 points and 6 rebounds from Scoop Jardine, but was outshot from the free throw line 31-20.

In the Midwest Region, Tyshawn Taylor had 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists as #2 Kansas upset #1 North Carolina 80-67 in St. Louis to advance to their first Final Four since 2008. Thomas Robinson added 18 and 9 for the Jayhawks, who closed the game on a 12-0 run and frustrated a UNC team that was without its starting PG Kendall Marshall.

So it'll be Louisville vs. Kentucky (Saturday, 5:09 PM CT on CBS) and Ohio State vs. Kansas (Saturday, 7:49 PM CT on CBS) in the national semifinals in New Orleans.

My bracket record: 39-21

North Carolina Escapes

Survive and advance. That's what the Tar Heels did Friday night, as they escaped with a win over the Ohio Bobcats, 73-65 in OT. Tyler Zeller had 20 points, 22 rebounds, and 4 blocks in the win, yet Ohio had a free throw to take the lead with 25 seconds left in the game. Unfortunately, guard Walter Offutt missed, and UNC took control in OT. They will play #2 Kansas, which eliminated #11 NC State Friday, on Sunday in St. Louis.

Here is the Elite Eight Schedule, with winners going to New Orleans for the Final Four next weekend.
Today
West Region
3:30 PM CT #7 Florida vs. #4 Louisville
East Region
6:05 PM CT #2 Ohio State vs. #1 Syracuse
Sunday
South Region
1:20 PM CT #3 Baylor vs. #1 Kentucky
East Region
4:05 PM CT #2 Kansas vs. #1 North Carolina

My picks: Florida, Ohio State, Kentucky, North Carolina

All games on CBS.

Sweet Sixteen Schedule

Tonight
East Region
6:15 P.M. CT #4 Wisconsin vs. #1 Syracuse on CBS
8:45 P.M. CT #6 Cincinnati vs #2 Ohio State on CBS
West Region
6:27 P.M. CT #4 Louisville vs. #1 Michigan St. on TBS
8:57 P.M. CT #7 Florida vs. #3 Marquette on TBS
Friday
South Region
6:15 P.M. CT #10 Xavier vs. #3 Baylor on CBS
8:45 P.M. CT #4 Indiana vs #1 Kentucky on CBS
Midwest Region
6:27 P.M. CT #13 Ohio vs. #1 North Carolina on TBS
8:57 P.M. CT #11 North Carolina State vs. #2 Kansas on TBS

My bracket record: 31-17

Payton Suspended for 2012 Season

In an unprecedented punishment, the NFL has suspended New Orleans head coach Sean Payton for the entire upcoming 2012 season for the bounty program he and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams held during the last three seasons. The program, which would reward players for injuring opposing players, by paying players for so-called "knock-outs" or "cart-offs" was funded by players.

"We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game. We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities," said Goodell, whose league faces more than 20 concussion-related lawsuits brought by hundreds of former players. "No one is above the game or the rules that govern it."

To me, although severe, this penalty definitely fits the magnitude of the crime. To overlook or not stop a program that would try to deliberately injure opposing players is just immoral and has no place in the NFL today. Payton has to take responsibility as head coach of the team, and ultimately, he'll pay the price with the season long suspension.

Indiana Sweet 16 Bound

This tourney is heating up. In yesterday's, Indiana overcame a nine-point 2nd half deficit to end #12 VCU's Cinderella journey (above). Other games had Kentucky, Ohio State, Syracuse, Marquette, Wisconsin, Baylor, and Louisville all advancing to the Sweet 16.

Today's Round 3 Schedule:
(All times eastern, games also available on March Madness on Demand)
12:15 PM CBS Midwest Region (11) NC State vs. (3) Georgetown
2:45 PM CBS West Region (9) St. Louis vs. (1) Michigan State
5:15 PM CBS Midwest Region (8) Creighton vs. (1) North Carolina
6:10 PM TNT West Region (15) Northfolk St. vs. (7) Florida
7:10 PM TBS Midwest Region (13) Ohio vs. (12) South Florida
7:45 PM truTV South Region (15) Lehigh vs. (10) Xavier
8:40 PM TNT Midwest Region (10) Purdue vs. (2) Kansas
9:40 PM TBS East Region (6) Cincinnati vs. (3) Florida St.

My bracket record: 27-13

Absolute Madness as Duke, Missouri Fall

Unbelievable day in the NCAA Tournament on Friday. After #2 Missouri falls to #15 Norfolk State in the West Region (above video), #2 Duke suffered the same fate to #15 Lehigh in the South Region. Absolutely stunning upsets, as there are no more perfect brackets on Yahoo or ESPN's tournament challenges. Other upsets included #13 Ohio shocking #4 Michigan and #12 South Florida beating #5 Temple in the Midwest Region.

Today's third round schedule
(All times eastern, games also available on March Madness on Demand)
12:15 PM CBS East Region (8) Kansas State vs (1) Syracuse
2:45 PM CBS East Region (7) Gonzaga vs. (2) Ohio State
5:15 PM CBS West Region (6) Murray State vs (3) Marquette
6:10 PM TNT East Region (5) Vanderbilt vs (4) Wisconsin
7:10 PM TBS South Region (12) Virginia Commonwealth vs (4) Indiana
7:45 PM CBS South Region (8) Iowa State vs (1) Kentucky
8:40 PM TNT South Region (11) Colorado vs (3) Baylor
9:40 PM TBS West Region (5) New Mexico vs (4) Louisville

My bracket record: 22-10

Day Two Schedule

Only two upsets on day one, with Colorado beating UNLV and VCU upsetting Wichita State. Here's to more today!

Day Two Schedule:
(All times U.S. Eastern, games also on March Madness Live)

12:15 p.m.: (11) Texas vs (6) Cincinnati on CBS
12:40 p.m.: (11) North Carolina State vs (6) San Diego State on truTV
1:40 p.m.: (9) Alabama vs (8) Creighton on TBS
2:10 p.m.: (10) Virginia vs (7) Florida on TNT
2:45 p.m.: (14) St. Bonaventure vs (3) Florida State on CBS
3:10 p.m.: (14) Belmont vs (3) Georgetown on truTV
4:10 p.m.: (16) Vermont vs (1) North Carolina on TBS
4:40 p.m.: (15) Norfolk State vs (2) Missouri on TNT

6:50 p.m.: (9) Saint Louis vs (8) Memphis on TBS
7:15 p.m.: (15) Lehigh vs (2) Duke on CBS
7:20 p.m.: (13) Ohio vs (4) Michigan on TNT
7:27 p.m.: (10) Purdue vs (7) Saint Mary's on truTV

9:20 p.m.: (16) LIU Brooklyn vs (1) Michigan State on TBS
9:45 p.m.: (10) Xavier vs (7) Notre Dame on CBS
9:50 p.m.: (12) South Florida vs (5) Temple on TNT
9:57 p.m.: (15) Detroit vs (2) Kansas on truTV

My bracket record after day one: 13-3

Day One Schedule

The 64-team field is set, and today, the real madness begins! Full day one schedule is below. Remember you can still sign up for only $3.99 to watch all games of the tournament live online at March Madness Live.

(All times ET)
12:15 p.m. -- (11) Colorado State vs (6) Murray State on CBS
12:40 p.m. -- (9) Southern Miss vs (8) Kansas State on truTV
1:40 p.m. --(13) Davidson vs (4) Louisville on TBS
2:10 p.m. -- (13) Montana vs (4) Wisconsin on TNT
2:45 p.m. -- (14) Brigham Young vs (3) Marquette on CBS
3:10 p.m. -- (16) UNC-Asheville vs (1) Syracuse on truTV
4:10 p.m. -- (12) Long Beach State vs (5) New Mexico on TBS
4:40 p.m. -- (12) Harvard vs (5) Vanderbilt on TNT
6:50 p.m. -- (16) Western Kentucky vs (1) Kentucky on TBS
7:15 p.m. -- (12) Virginia Commonwealth vs (5) Wichita State on CBS
7:20 p.m. -- (10) West Virginia vs (7) Gonzaga on TNT
7:27 p.m. -- (14) South Dakota State vs (3) Baylor on truTV
9:20 p.m. -- (9) Connecticut vs (8) Iowa State on TBS
9:45 p.m. -- (13) New Mexico State vs (4) Indiana on CBS
9:50 p.m. -- (15) Loyola (MD) vs (2) Ohio State on TNT
9:57 p.m. -- (11) Colorado vs (6) UNLV on truTV

Enjoy the games today and good luck in your brackets! My bracket

Western Kentucky, BYU Comeback and Advance

In the opening game of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, Western Kentucky overcame a 16-point deficit with five minutes remaining to shock Mississippi Valley State 59-58 in Dayton, Ohio. The Hilltoppers closed the game on a 22-5 run, an incredible win considering they are the only losing team (win puts their record at 16-18) in the tournament field, and they shot 30% from the field and committed 28 turnovers. But they found a way to advance to play #1 Kentucky Thursday in Louisville.

In the nightcap, an even more amazing comeback occured, as BYU rallied from a 25-point deficit (25?!?) to beat Iona 78-72. The largest comeback in tournament history, BYU outscored Iona 38-17 in the second half to pull off the shocking result. Noah Hartsock scored 23 to lead the Cougars in scoring, as they advance to play #3 Marquette in Louisville on Thursday.

Tonight, it's a pair of Midwest Region matchups with #16 Vermont playing Lamar at 5:30 PM CT while #12 Cal plays #12 South Florida at 8 PM CT on truTV.

NBA Trade Deadline Central

Lakers Get Sessions

LA gets the point guard it was looking for, in acquiring Ramon Sessions and SG Christian Eyanga from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for SF Luke Walton, SG Jason Kapono, and a first round pick. Cleveland, meanwhile, gets a bunch of expiring contracts as well as a draft pick as they continue to build around Kyrie Irving.

Pacers Get Barbosa

Indiana adds veteran PG/SG Leandro Barbosa for the playoff run in exchange for a second-round pick. Great pick for Indy, as Barbosa is a great off-the-bench scorer, while Toronto restocks more draft picks for the future.

Nets Acquire Wallace

Portland's firesale continues, as they trade SF Gerald Wallace to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for C Mehmet Okur, SF Shawne Williams, and a first round pick.

Spurs Reaquire Captain Jack

San Antonio acquires Stephen Jackson, member of the Spurs 2003 NBA Championship team, in exchange for SF Richard Jefferson, and a first round pick. Trade definitely helps give SA another perimeter player (in addition to Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili) who can create his own shot and put up a bunch of points, as the Spurs make one last push for another title run.

Rockets Acquire Camby, Fisher

My hometown Rockets got older and more experienced, acquiring PG Derek Fisher and a first-round pick from the Lakers in exchange for PF Jordan Hill, and C Marcus Camby from the Portland Trailblazers for C Hasheem Thabeet, PG Jonny Flynn, and a future second-round pick. Trades definitely give Houston much more experience, as they try to make a run this year, but no long-term impact of this trade.

Wizards Acquire Nene

Washington gets the Brazilian center from the Denver Nuggets as well as PF Brian Cook and a second round pick from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange C Javale McGee and PF Ronny Turiaf, who go to Denver, while SG Nick Young goes to LA.

For the Wizards, they simply had enough with McGee and Young's immaturity, and we rebuild around Nene and John Wall. Shocking trade for Denver, as they dump Nene, who they signed to a long-term deal in the offseason, for an expiring contract in McGee. GREAT trade for Clippers, they give up virtually nothing for a pretty good scoring SG in Young.

Bucks Acquire Ellis

Milwaukee acquires SG Monta Ellis, PF Ekpe Udoh, and the expiring contract of Kwame Brown from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for C Andrew Bogut and SF Stephen Jackson. I don't understand this trade for Golden State, as they get an injury prone Bogut and the volatile Jackson for the very young Udoh and a scoring machine in Ellis. Also, it will be interesting to see how Ellis and PG Brandon Jennings mesh in Milwaukee with Scott Skiles, since both players need the ball to be effective.

NFL Free Agency Frenzy

UPDATE 3/20/2012 10:06 AM CT

Manning Picks Broncos

Free agent QB Peyton Manning has selected to sign with the Denver Broncos, joining a team which made it to the AFC Divisional Round last year with Tim Tebow at QB. Expect Tebow to be on the move now. The deal is five years, $96 million.

Bills Land Mario

Typical athlete. DE Mario Williams leaves Houston, where he had chance to help Texans compete in playoffs year after year, to sign with the Buffalo Bills for six years, $100 million.

Buccaneers Sign Jackson

Tampa Bay boosts its receiving core, signing two-time Pro Bowl WR Vincent Jackson to a five year, $55 million deal.

Bears Acquire Marshall

Chicago finally acquires a Pro-Bowl caliber WR for QB Jay Cutler, getting the three-time Pro Bowler from the Miami Dolphins for two third-round draft picks.

Panthers Add Tolbert

Carolina adds another good running to its stable, signing RB Mike Tolbert to a four year deal.

49ers Sign Moss

San Francisco signs seven-time Pro Bowl WR Randy Moss to a one-year contract.

First Four Tonight

Tonight, the tournament begins with two of the "First Four" games in Dayton, Ohio.

In the first game at 5:40 PM CT on truTV, #16 seed Western Kentucky (15-18), champions of the Sunbelt conference tournament, will play #16 SWAC champion Mississippi Valley State (21-12) for the right to advance in the South region to play #1 Kentucky on Thursday.

In the second game, two teams that, two mid-major at larges will go head to head with Iona and BYU battling as #14 seeds for the right to play #3 Marquette in the West region. Tip-off of the game will be about 8 PM CT on truTV.

Bracket Released

The NCAA tournament matchups are set (click under "favorites" to the right for printable version), and unlikely last year, I don't have that many issues with this year's bracket. The #1 seeds are Kentucky in the South Region, Syracuse in the East, North Carolina in the Midwest, and Michigan State in the West.

Only real shock was including Iona in the field over Drexel, which had a 19 game winning streak during the season, and won the Colonial Athletic Association's regular season title, before falling to VCU in Richmond in the CAA Tournament Finals. Their 248th strength of schedule didn't help them, though, and a 27-win team will have to be relegated to the NIT.

Washington also became the first ever team to win regular season title in "Power Six" conference and not make the tournament field, as the Huskies fell horribly to Oregon State in the Pac-12 tournament and was hurt by a Pac-12 which was ranked 9th in RPI this year.

Anyway, all debate aside, the tourney begins Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio with the First Four, and remember to stick here throughout the month as we cover the Madness!

Selection Sunday

Today is the big day. 27 teams have already punched their ticket to the Big Dance by winning their conference tournament (listed below). Only four conference championships remain (SEC, ACC, Atlantic-10, Big 10) today with potential #1 seeds on the line. For teams like Washington, Seton Hall, Drexel, and NC State, who are all on the bubble, today is going to be a day of waiting and hoping to get a chance in the NCAA Tournament.

Automatic Bids Secured

America East		Vermont
Atlantic Sun		Belmont
Big 12		Missouri
Big East		Louisville
Big Sky		Montana
Big South		UNC-Asheville
Big West		Long Beach State
Colonial		VCU
Conference USA		Memphis
Horizon		Detroit
Ivy League		Harvard
MAAC		Loyola
MAC		Akron
MEAC		Norfolk State
Missouri Valley		Creighton
Mountain West		New Mexico
Northeast		LIU Brooklyn
Ohio Valley		Murray State
Pac-10		Colorado
Patriot		Lehigh
Southern		Davidson
Southland		Lamar
Summit		South Dakota State
Sun Belt		Western Kentucky
SWAC		Mississippi Valley State

For all the matchups and to find out which teams get the 37 at-large bids and which do not, be sure to watch the NCAA Tournament Selection Show tonight at 6 PM ET (5 CT) on CBS, and then come back here for a printable bracket/analysis.

Conference Tourney Update

SEC Tournament

#1 Kentucky 74, #19 Florida 71

In an outstanding semifinal game, #19 Florida came up just against #1 Kentucky, as player of the year candidate Anthony Davis had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the top-seeded 'Cats, which still has not lost a conference game all season long. Guard Bradley Beal had 20 for the Gators, which came much closer to pulling off the upset than in their earlier season meetings with Kentucky. In the other semifinal, Vanderbilt eliminates Ole Miss (likely sending them NIT bound) 65-53.

ACC Tournament

#4 North Carolina 69, NC State 67

In another nailbiter, Kendall Marshall hits a leaner with 11 seconds to go to give the Tar Heels a semifinal win over the on-the-bubble Wolfpack, and advance to the ACC Tournament final. Meanwhile, NC State, which is among the Last Four In, according to ESPN's Joe Lunardi, will have to sweat it out tomorrow on Selection Sunday.

#17 Florida State 62, #6 Duke 59

The Blue Devils lose any hope of getting a #1 seed in tournament, falling to the Seminoles for the second time this season. Florida State was led by Michael Snaer, again, who had 16 points and 6 assists, as the Seminoles advance to play Carolina in the final tomorrow.

Big 12 Tournament

#5 Missouri 90, #11 Baylor 75

The Tigers win the Big 12 championship in their Big 12 finale, beating the Bears for the third time this year. Senior guard Kim English, who was named tournament MVP had 19 points in Missouri's second Big 12 championship in four seasons over Baylor. The win gives Mizzou are good chance of getting a #1 seed in the tournament when the seedings come out tomorrow.

Pac-12 Tournament

Colorado 53, Arizona 51

Snubbed out of last year's tournament field, this year's Buffalo team left no doubt, as they won the Pac-12 Championship in LA to earn an automatic bid. The loss leaves Arizona precariously on the bubble, along with fellow Pac-12 bubble teams, Cal and Washington.

Conference Tourney Upsets

Looking for #1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, and conference tournament championships, both #2 Syracuse and #3 Kansas fell Friday in the semifinals of the Big East and Big 12 Tournaments, respectively.

First at Madison Square Garden, Cincinnati used 10 three-pointers and got 18 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals from Sean Kilpatrick, as the Bearcats withstood 28 points from Deion Waiters and upset top-seeded Syracuse in the Big East Tournament, 71-68, and advance to their first ever Big East tournament Final, where they will play Louisville tonight at 8 PM on ESPN.

Next, from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Baylor's Perry Jones III was an absolute monster for the second straight night, helping #11 Baylor knock off #3 Kansas for the first time this season, 81-72. Full highlights of the game are below. Tonight, at 5 PM on ESPN, Baylor will face #5 Missouri, which will be looking to win the Big 12 Conference tournament in its final season before moving on to the SEC. Baylor, meanwhile, will try to become the first team from Texas in 16 years to win the Big 12 Tournament.

Buford Hits Game-Winner for Ohio State

Let the madness of March begin. Ohio State's last second win today forces a three-way tie for Big 10 Regular Season title, between the Buckeyes, Michigan State, and Michigan. It is Ohio State's third straight season finishing at the top of the Big 10 in the regular season.