DEVELOPING: UConn Gets National Title

Steve Kerr punctuated the TNT crew's run on the national broadcast with the following line to Jim Nantz: "You sure this isn't Steelers-Ravens...?"

Kerr wasn't too far off as horrible shooting and good defense made for one of the ugliest national championships in recent memory.

UConn's Jim Calhoun, at age 68, gets a title by beating Butler who appeared in the last college game of the year for the second year in a row.

This out of focus bucket was, probably, the last good thing to happen to Butler from the field on Monday night in Houston...
((HT: youtube/NCAA on CBS))


Here's some Butler fans lamenting outside the arena...
((HT: Fox59 Indianapolis))
 

More when we know more...

BREAKING: Okay, How Many Of You Had Texas A&M and UConn

First, Texas A&M knocks off Stanford in a frantic last thirty seconds in one semifinal for the NCAA women's title, and then Notre Dame follows that up with a 72-63 upset of UConn in the other semi-final.

It's the Irish and the Aggies in Indy...

Three-time Wade Trophy winner Maya Moore ((That's the Heisman for women's hoops)) bows out with her fourth career collegiate loss...

South Bend, Indiana native Skylar Diggins had a season-high 28, and Natalie Novosel had 22 to pace the winners.

"I thought they did a smart thing and drove it at us really hard, and they forced the officials to make a call one way or another. All the credit to them, and they made some incredible jumpshots. They've been a great team all year. It's their turn," UConn head coach Geno Auriemma admitted after the game.

Here's Notre Dame coverage from our friends at WSBT-TV in South Bend
 

More when we know more...
Here's early, quick coverage from our friends at KBTX-TV in Waco...

UConn can...beat Kentucky that is, to go to the NCAA Finals

It wasn't pretty, but as they say "A Win is a Win". Particularly if it is in the national semi-finals and propels you into the NCAA Championship game.

And the Connecticut Huskies can say that's exactly what they did. They won, 56-55 over a Kentucky team that apparently couldn't hit the broad side of a barn...if they were standing next to it on Saturday night. The Wildcats shot a heart warming 9-32 in the 1st half, before getting a little better in half 2. Kemba Walker, as usual, led UConn with 18.

Your highlights from SI.com:




This sets up an interesting finals with UConn, a team that has had some issues this year and some issues with the NCAA. Issues that have yet to be fully addressed.

They'll play everyone's favorite Cinderella, Butler, who you really should probably stop calling "Cinderella", cause folks, they may not be the "Big Name" school, but those guys can play some hoops.

Tip off Monday is just after 9pm, for those looking to stay up late.

The March Through The Madness: It's Butler And UConn

((HT: CBSSports/NCAA))

Although they're not playing each other... yet...

Butler outlasted Florida in one national quarterfinal...
It was another Gus Alert...


And UConn survived Arizona in Anaheim as we sampled another one and done in Arizona's bench...

Plea Deal In Jasper Howard Stabbing

((HT: WTNH-TV New Haven))

John Lomax III appeared in Rockville ((CT)) Superior Court Friday morning. He pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of first-degree manslaughter and could have received up to 20 years in prison. Lomax, instead, gets 18 years.

"I know it hurts, I know you're suffering," Lomax said while addressing the court before his sentencing.

Authorities say Lomax, who had been charged with murder, stabbed Howard during a fight between a group of football players and another group that included Lomax. Investigators believe the fight started over a comment a football player made about a woman.

Here's WTNH's coverage at the time...

Remarks on woman led to UConn killing : wtnh.com

Cases remain pending against seven other men charged in connection with the fight.

The Politics Of Dancing: Utah State, Bucknell, Kansas, UConn

((HT: ABC4 Salt Lake City))

The HQ will warn you, as you fill out your brackets, not to overlook Utah State for a win or two...

They won the WAC tourney, surprising no one...


Bucknell won the Patriot League automatic bid for the first time since 2006...
They were so excited, the conference gave its own report...
((HT: PatriotVideo))


A lot of Big 12/10 fans are wondering how things are going to shake out after Texas is now oh-for-six in their quest for the conference automatic...
It went to Kansas again...
((HT: NBCActionNews/KSHB-TV Kansas City))


And UConn pulled off the near impossible ((unless you count the NAIA tourney where you play for a title within a week's time)) by winning five games in five days to take the Big East crown for the seventh time.

Kemba Walker was a beast at the right time...
Here's the end of the 69-66 win over Louisville...
((HT: ESPN/youtube))

Fiesta Bowl takes lots of Oklahoma and UConn money

((ht: wizard of odds/hartford courant))

If you ever wanted to know why we think BCS Bowl Games and Bowl Games in general are a sham, then continue reading this story.

The participants in January's Fiesta Bowl, we'll they didn't exactly have as fun of a trip as they probably would've liked to. The University of Oklahoma made money. $9,350 to be exact and they only made it because their conference picked up the other $1,884,250 of their tab.

As for the other participant, UConn, they weren't so lucky. They owe the Arizona bowl game $1,663,580. And no, the Big East isn't bailing them out.

Read the excellent story from the Hartford Courant RIGHT HERE

If you ever want to argue why the whole College Football Bowl system needs to be revamped, ratings non-withstanding, you can start here.

The reason both schools were so indebted to the bowl game, they didn't sell their allotment of tickets. While we certainly understand that the bowl games would like all of their tickets sold, it should not UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE be on the school to foot the bill if they don't. The Bowl Games, particularly the BCS Games make more in sponsorship money than god. Why do they have to bill the schools for it?

For UConn to sell all their tickets to a game in Tempe, Arizona, would've taken a miracle. And hey, with the current economic situation for most people, it was a trip they probably couldn't afford.

So instead the taxpayers of Connecticut got to pay for it.

For the Fiesta Bowl, because it's our example here, they pay their "Executive Director" John Junker--at least when he's not suspended, well over $600,000 a year and pay more than that for lobbyists. But they can't afford to foot the bill for their own tickets? No, we don't buy that...at all.

This goes back to the argument that many are making about the BCS and Bowl Games. That argument is the system in place benefits the people aligned with the bowl games, not the participants and certainly not the schools...unless you are playing for the championship.

So we would argue it's time for change. It's time for the greed and sloth that the "Bowl Executives" are living on and off of needs to stop. It's time to play the games for the right reason. Not for the profit of a select few....

Here are some highlights from an Oklahoma fan with too much time on his hands:

Kemba Walker breaks Pitts ankles and wins game at buzzer

If you ever want to look up the term "Ankle-Breaker" in the basketball dictionary, this will be the associated video.

One of the sickest crossovers you'll ever see, followed by a stop and pop buzzer beater to win the game 76-74 over 3rd ranked and Big East Tourney favorite Pittsburgh.

All in a day's work for UConn guard Kemba Walker.



And for Walker's reaction...CBSSports caught up with him:

DEVELOPING: No Postseason Ban For UConn--Updated 3:10pm

Jim Calhoun/Courtesy: technorati.com

**Updated at the bottom of this story**

Looks like UConn's men's basketball team won't be banned from the postseason by the NCAA. Instead, the NCAA cited coach Jim Calhoun...

That never sounds good...

The NCAA has scheduled an afternoon conference call to discuss the findings of an investigation that began almost two seasons ago. The fireworks started from a Yahoo!Sports report saying a former team manager helped get highly-sought after recruit Nate Miles to Connecticut. Miles enrolled but never played there.

The school self-imposed sanctions, including reducing scholarships from 13 to 12 for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 academic years while also putting itself on probation for two years...

Sounded good to the folks in Indianapolis...

More when we know more...

We know more.

*We know that Coach Calhoun will be sitting out the 1st 3 games of next year.
*The team will be on probation for the next 3 seasons
*The booster involved in the recruitment of Miles will be disassociated with.
*Various other restrictions which will slow the ability for UConn to recruit.

For a full explanation, read the NCAA's Press Release RIGHT HERE

This, is kinda lame. There are some appropriate penalties here in our opinion, but Calhoun is essentially getting off with a slap on the wrist. We suspect it would've been more severe for a smaller school.

It appears, on the surface that there was a blatant flaunting or ignoring of the rules, something the NCAA should be sticklers on. They aren't.

So, we are quite sure that UConn will behave for awhile, but we wonder who will be next?

Oh, Well... Never Mind... Keep The Money

The University of Connecticut says the guy who "demanded" the return of his US$3 million because he was not consulted in the hiring of new UConn football coach Paul Pasqualoni has agreed to let the school keep the money.

UConn Board of Trustees Chairman Larry McHugh says in a news release that the university and Robert Burton agreed to move past their differences after senior university officials met with the donor and his family.

WTNH-TV's Bob Wilson has a look at the original furor...

UConn donor demands return of $3M donation: wtnh.com

But Burton is now quoted in a university release as saying he decided not to let one experience change his longstanding relationship with the university.

Makes you wonder what the deal behind the door was...

Upset Saturday In NCAA's... How Many Ranked Teams Fell...???

((HT: KSL-TV))

First off, BYU couldn't keep their momentum after knocking off San Diego State as they lost to New Mexico at The Pit...

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Louisville got a hold of UConn, but it took double overtime to do it...
((HT: WHAS-TV))


Arkansas, somewhat inexplicably, knocked off Vandy in Nashville, thanks KARK-TV...

Penn State surprised 17th-ranked Wisconsin, thanks WISC-TV in Madison...

Nebraska upsets Texas A&M...


Miss State beat Florida, thanks to MyFoxMemphis

And Marquette upset Syracuse ((but isn't everyone these days)), thanks cbs58...

Broseph's Bits And The Weekend Gospel

Another full weekend of college basketball is almost upon us. Time to alert the reader of the games to pay attention to and the potential upset specials.

Saturday:
#23 Louisville @ #5 UConn, Noon -- This one's intriguing because Louisville's got the pieces to make it interesting. Rakeem Buckles will be out for at least three more weeks making the Cardinals a more perimeter oriented team.

#21 Georgetown @ #8 Villanova, Noon -- The Hoyas are such a sketchy team. They are talented with Austin Freeman and Chris Wright but they have struggled from time to time. Last year, Georgetown beat then #2 Villanova 103-90 in DC.

Xavier @ Richmond, Noon -- Atlantic 10 supremacy is at stake in this one. I think the Spiders flex their muscles and defeat the Muskies. Justin Harper and Kevin Anderson are two players you are going to want to know about in March.

#16 Minnesota @ #12 Purdue, 1pm -- I had to include this game even though Big 10 basketball bores me for the most part. Purdue is probably going to win because they are real tough at home.

#9 Syracuse @ Marquette, 3pm -- Can the Orange stop their slide against a Marquette team that plays pretty much all close games against the better competition. They have lost by eight to UConn, five to Notre Dame, one to Louisville, one to Vanderbilt and eight at Pittsburgh.

UConn Booster Gets P.O'd At School's AD

Burton Football Complex//Courtesy: cbssports.com

And Robert Burton is pissed off enough, that he wants his $3 million that he donated for the "Burton Family Football Complex" on campus, back.

The main reason. The schools Athletic Director Jeff Hathaway didn't seek his input before making the un-inspired coaching hire of Paul Pasqualoni.

Read more from CBSSports.com RIGHT HERE

Burton swears he just wanted to be in the loop, that he didn't want "Veto Power" over the decision. Hathaway told him about it, but not until the hire had been made.

Burton says he's also canceling his luxury suite at the football stadium and other contributions he makes to the schools teams as well.

While this is pretty funny on one level. It's kind of scary on the other. Are there really that many strings attached to donations these days. If boosters want a say on a coaching hire, something done already in many places, then why have an Athletic Director?

No, I'm not stupid and fully realize the "Big Business" that NCAA sports are require lots of donations and fundraising. And no, I'm not naive enough to think there aren't strings attached. It is just disappointing that whiny bitches like Robert Burton can decide that if he's not treated as the all knowing, he'll just grab his pail and move on to another sandbox.

For those who didn't see it, here's the Paul Pasqualoni Presser from January 14th. Sorry the audio ain't great:



And here's the letter from Burton, thanks to ctnow.com...
It's a piece of work...

And here's coverage from Bob Wilson and our friends at WTNH-TV

UConn donor demands return of $3M donation: wtnh.com

Here's the UConn letter in response...

Coaching Carousel: Friday Edition

UConn now has Paul Pasqualoni as their new head coach
"The University of Connecticut has hired a quality man of great integrity--and a wonderful football coach. He is a leader, a great communicator, and a dedicated professional and a winner," said Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones. "We are grateful to Paul for his contributions to the Dallas Cowboys and we wish him the very best with this new challenge."

Stanford gives David Shaw a battlefield promotion to take over for Jim Harbaugh
((HT: KPIX-TV San Francisco))


And, in the pros, John Fox takes over in Denver for the Broncos

Pressers for Pasqualoni and Fox are scheduled for Friday afternoon in the afternoon

Dave Wannstedt may land on his stache in Buffalo with the Bills as some kind of defensive coach- linebackers, maybe... according to Adam Schefter...

More when we know more...

UConn Knocked Off The Top Of The Women's Basketball Perch

Those of us in the OSG HQ are not that big of women's basketball fans because... well we're just not. Stanford defeating Connecticut and ending the Huskies 90 game winning streak got our attention. This did too, for the first time since February of 2008 UConn is not #1 in the AP women's college basketball poll.

The Baylor Bears have that honor this week. Below is the latest AP women's college basketball poll:

1. Baylor (23) 13-1 978
2. Connecticut (14) 12-1 967
3. Duke (1) 13-0 911
4. Stanford (2) 10-2 881
5. Tennessee 13-2 827
6. West Virginia 14-0 789
7. Texas A&M 11-1 778
8. North Carolina 13-0 703
9. Xavier 10-2 670
10. Kentucky 11-1 633
11. Michigan St. 13-1 598
12. UCLA 12-1 565
13. Notre Dame 12-3 486
14. Maryland 13-1 470
15. Georgetown 12-3 360
16. DePaul 13-2 300
17. Iowa St. 11-2 297
18. St. John's 12-2 287
19. Oklahoma 10-3 279
20. Ohio St. 9-4 191
21. Iowa 12-3 189
22. Texas 11-3 162
23. Syracuse 12-1 122
24. Florida St. 12-3 107
25. Arkansas 12-1 72

BREAKING: Randy Edsall To Maryland...Now with official confirmation

Randy Edsall//Courtesy: AP-umterps.com

((HT: CSNWashington))

From Chick Hernandez and his Twitter feed- barring something unforseen, UConn head coach Randy Edsall is meeting with the Maryland search committee, and the job vacancy would be his to fill if he wants it.

1415 UPDATE: Joe Schad is reporting that Maryland is having a team meeting tonight and that Edsall has, in fact, been chosen as head coach

More when we know more...

Well, we now know more. It's official per the Maryland Athletics website:

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Randy Edsall, who spent the last 12 years taking the University of Connecticut from Division I-AA status (now FCS) to five bowl games, including a BCS contest, has been named Maryland's head football coach, director of athletics Kevin Anderson announced Sunday evening.

Edsall, who will be introduced Monday during a news conference, guided the Huskies to a pair of BIG EAST Conference titles (2007, 2010) and postseason appearances in each of the last four seasons, including the 2011 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

The 2010 BIG EAST Coach of the Year has led the Huskies to eight or more wins in each of the last four seasons as the Huskies successfully made the ascent from Division I-AA.

Prior to his stint in Storrs, Conn., Edsall, a native of Glen Rock, Pa., spent one season (1998) as the defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech and four years (1994-97) as a defensive backs coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars who went from expansion team to the AFC Championship game during his tenure.

UConn Breaks Consecutive Wins Record

((HT: WTNH-TV New Haven))

Maya Moore had a double-double with a career-high 41 points and 10 rebounds and Bria Hartley added 21 points for the UConn Huskies, who have not lost since April 6, 2008. That loss came in the NCAA tournament semifinals.

Only twice during the record run has a team come within single digits of UConn — Stanford in the NCAA championship game last season and Baylor in early November.

They now have the record all to themselves- breaking UCLA's 88-game streak from 1971-1974...

Here's a fan piece in lieu of highlights of Moore's 41-point performance...
Bob Wilson tried to hear himself think...

Fans react to UConn record: wtnh.com

UConn Trying To Minimize Damage, Self Imposes Sanctions...

Like this will keep the NCAA from dropping some kind of hammer, anyway...

The men's basketball program committed "major" recruiting violations and has imposed its own sanctions, including two years' probation and a loss of one scholarship for the next two seasons.

As Count Floyd would say...


But UConn is stomping up and down and screaming from the heavens to anyone that will listen that the evidence does not support the allegation that Jim Calhoun "failed to promote an atmosphere for compliance."

Here's their proof (from UConn their ownselves and the Hartford Courant)... all four-bazillion pages of it...

Here's the story from our friends at WTNH-TV...


All this Nate Miles stuff is coming to bite them in their Huskie butt...
Not entirely shocking...

UConn placekicker and linebacker get into fight...get arrested

The offending parties-Taggart on the left/Courtesy: nbcconnecticut

How often do we hear about a placekicker getting into it with a linebacker? Well, it happened. It happened early Tuesday morning.

Connecticut kicker Dave Teggart and linebacker Jerome Williams got into it in the parking lot of a campus apartment complex and yes, they were arrested.

More from Boston.com RIGHT HERE

Strangely, neither will be suspended, both are due in court October 12th.

This is funny and yet stupid at the same time. Yeah, we know things like this happen, but why would the kicker be taking on a linebacker? The starting kicker at that.

Here's the update from our friends at WTNH-TV...

So You Can Lose Money Playing D1 Football...

((HT: Hartford Courant/Boyer))

Zac Boyer's piece in the Courant actually shows, through government figures that a few schools actually lost money playing in the money pit that is Division 1 football, at least according to a U.S. Department of Education's Equity in Athletics report...

UConn lost almost $280,000 during the 2008-09 academic year. Three BCS football programs lost more money than UConn — Syracuse, which lost $835,000, Wake Forest ($3.07 million) and Duke ($6.72 million).

The HQ thinks Duke and Wake may not necessarily care... basketball balances them out- as will the new television deal with the four-letter.

Here's the flip side, from Boyer:

The report showed Texas made the most money off its football program, pulling in a profit of just over $65 million while spending $22.5 million. Ohio State spent the most on its football program, over $32.3 million, and was second with a profit of nearly $35.9 million.

Only 17 of 51 non-BCS schools made a profit, with Utah, headed to the Pac-10, pulling in a profit of over $6.5 million.

And schools want to actually start these kinds of programs...???

Selah...

Let's show you some of the output from UConn...
((HT: NBC/Notre Dame/JB5GoIrish))