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FanHouse Talks to Coach John Wooden
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John Wooden is, without question, one of the greatest college basketball coaches to ever set foot on the hardwood. A (seriously) spry 96 years old, Coach Wooden was kind of enough to take some time out of his Championship Monday to speak with FanHouse. From his upcoming Gatorade commercial (it debuts tonight, you can get a sneak preview of it here), to how he feels about the money and attention that college coaches receive, to who he has pegged to win Monday night's big game, Coach Wooden had plenty to say. Hit the jump to read the full interview.
Live Updates from Carolina Country
I'm here at a bar deep in Tar Heel country surrounded by powder blue and tangible energy. The packed masses here hope to see UNC defeat Villanova in this Final Four contest and advance to the NCAA tourney final. Win or lose, I'll be providing on-site updates and commentary. Join me after the jump.In Detroit, Question Is Who to Cry For?
DETROIT -- In an earlier journalistic life, Friday would've been a really big day for me. The reason: the government, each first Friday of the month, issued its most-important piece of economic news -- the unemployment report -- and I covered economics. The report it issued this Friday was an instant Page 1 story, which is what they called the first thing you saw on this thing I worked at forever called a newspaper. Friday's report revealed the recession we're in pushed the unemployment rate to its highest mark in a quarter century, 8.5 percent.Michigan State Fans Being Forced to Buy Lodging With Final Four Tickets
When the Michigan State Spartans clinched a Final Four berth -- the fifth in the already-storied career of Tom Izzo -- it was a source of joy in the state most drearily affected by the state of our nation's economy. What was once a sunny day in the midst of a gloomy month now has a large black cloud, because the Michigan State fans are being price-gouged by the NCAA and/or the University -- depending on your point of view. The basic gist of the situation is that the NCAA provides each of the four Final Four schools with 500 hotel rooms in the Detroit area, but it requires the schools to pay for them. Michigan State, in turn, is automatically charging people for a room when they buy a set of tickets.
On Campus With 'Cinderella' Arizona
After winning two tournaments in the NCAA and advancing to the school's first Sweet 16 since 2005, Tucson is buzzing with excitement for a super-size-d Cinderella. We talked with the Arizona Daily Wildcat's associate sports editor Lance Madden about the entire experience (and their cool video of the run).No Reason to Be Here?
It was pretty simple, actually. All Arizona had to do in the last seven days was get in a tournament they had no business being in, catch a lucky draw against a squad that couldn't handle the speed or pressure the Wildcats could bring and hope for the only 13-seed upset of the tournament to be their opponent in the second round. Pshhhh. That was simple.In the second-round meeting against 13th-seeded Cleveland State, the Wildcats did what they've done best all year: rely on the big three and hope the reserve players don't hack the opposition with two seconds left when the game is tied. Oh, and in related news, Jamelle Horne had 15 points.
First Round Observations
For the last two days, I have basically watched more television than any person should be legally able to do. I've watched basketball at my house, on a computer, at a bar, at a restaurant and even attempted to on my cell phone. Here are some observations from a guy who has watched too much basketball but still can't get enough.
Third Day Is a Charm
There's no rest for the weary in Bracketville. After a wild finish to the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Round of 32 gets under way Saturday, with plenty of juicy storylines to go with it. Click through the gallery to see what's on tap.
Day 3 at a Glance
3. Villanova vs. 6 UCLA | 1:05 PM Bring the Band-aids because this one will get physical. UCLA's pursuit of a fourth-straight Final Four was nearly derailed by VCU in the first round, while Villanova struggled with American for nearly 30 minutes. But Nova gets to play in front of its hometown crowd.
Carolyn Kaster, AP
2. Memphis vs. 10. Maryland | 3:20 PM The Tigers received a surprise 10 3-pointers from reserve Roburt Sallie to survive Cal State-Northridge in the opener. But John Calipari's team now has to deal with Maryland and bench boss Gary Williams, whose coached a turnaround season for the undersized but improving Terrapins.
G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images
1. Connecticut vs. 9. Texas A&M | 3:35 PM The biggest story here may be the return of UConn coach Jim Calhoun, who missed the Huskies' opening-round 56-point rout of Chattanooga while hospitalized. Both teams rebound well and create little pressure on the perimeter, but the Aggies will need a lot of calls in their favor. Nearly 25 percent of their points come from the charity stripe, more than any team in the field.
Carolyn Kaster, AP
4. Washington vs. 5. Purdue | 5:40 PM The Boilermakers are playing well with an apparently healthy Robbie Hummel, but will have to hit a high percentage of their shots. There will be no second chances against the Huskies and Jon Brockman, who ranks in the top 25 in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage.
Rick Bowmer, AP
1. North Carolina vs. 8.LSU | 5:45 Everyone will be focused on the toe of Tywon Lawson, who is a game-time decision to play. But the Heels focus should be on the Tigers, the SEC's best team in the regular season and a senior-led club.
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
2. Oklahoma vs. 10 Michigan | 5:50 PM Blake Griffin was flipped in the Sooners' opener, but it was Oklahoma that put Morgan State down for the count. Still, the Sooners slid to the finish in the Big 12 and they'll have to figure out Michigan's 1-3-1 zone in a hurry Saturday.
Orlin Wagner, AP
4. Gonzaga vs. 12. Western Kentucky | 8:10 PM The Hilltoppers are trying to become a more Midwestern answer to Gonzaga, a continuosly successful mid-major, following on the heels of last year's Sweet 16 run and a first-round upset of Illinois. And there's no shortcut to the top like knocking off the fourth-seeded Zags.
Rick Bowmer, AP
2. Duke vs. 10. Texas | 8:15 PM The Blue Devils actually looked impressive in the NCAA tournament for the first time in three years, albeit against an undersized Binghamton. We'll find out tonight what happens when they pick on someone their own size, or more aptly larger, against 6-foot-10 center Dexter Pittman and the Longhorns.
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
NCAA Tourney Live Chat
NCAA Tournament Live Chat
What else is there to say? It's March and there are 64 teams trying to cut down some nets without getting into trouble. Hoops fans have been tangoing with their brackets all week, but now it's time to sit back and enjoy the insanity that is March Madness.
This year's tournament is off to a fast start. Despite an early scare, Memphis has advanced to the second round, along with LSU and Texas A&M. So what's going down right now? Join our LIVE CHAT to stay on top of all of Thursday's action.
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