IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FAIR

Well, we were treated to another fine showing of college basketball in yesterday's first day of Sweet 16 action. But as the field was reduced to 12 heading into tonight's regional semifinal action, I couldn't help thinking the right teams didn't necessarily win.
Let's start with Kansas over Southern Illinois. It's hard to argue the Jayhawks really deserved this one. They were outplayed most of the night — and SIU didn't even look that good, at least offensively — but their superior talent proved too much.
As for Ohio State, I'm starting to think more and more this team is going to win the national title. Why? Just look at how they've advanced.
One more late free throw by Xavier eliminates the Buckeyes in the second round — instead we saw a 3-pointer at the buzzer and an overwhelming overtime performance — and then last night they overcome the biggest halftime deficit in Sweet 16 history. Luck may be on their side, and that's a dangerous asset this time of year.

EAVES IS OUT

UConn announced that Ben Eaves would be transferring today. Not much of a surprise here.
The truth is, we'll never know how much of this decision is his. I'm not saying it happens at UConn, but I do know of other schools where players like Eaves get forced out, so hopefully that wasn't the case.
Truth be told, I didn't spend much time talking to Ben, and the same can be said for the other beat guys. I did sit down with him a few weeks ago for a feature on prep schools, and he once again struck me as very intelligent.
He's got some game, too, and should make for a good player somewhere else.

OFFICIALLY THE BEST

Even with a few games left to go, this goes down as one of the best NCAA tournament day I've ever seen. Granted, I would enjoy it a little bit more if my sleeper VCU was able to survive a little bit longer.
I mean, honestly, when's the last time you can remember this many close games after? I don't know that it's ever happened.
I hope you all enjoyed it, because I know I have.

GREAT DAY SO FAR

OK, so the first round of the NCAA tournament didn't have all the upsets we all probably wanted. But things have a way of evening out and Saturday's proving that so far.
After a great overtime turnaround helped Ohio State knock off state rival Xavier, it came down to the final seconds as Butler clinched the second Sweet 16 ticket over Maryland. Texas A&M — another of why somewhat wild Final Four picks — is in a dogfight with Louisville in a virtual road game, and the night is still to come.
So for everyone that wanted more excitement, it looks like we're getting it.

NCAA TOURNAMENT DAY 2

We're about to cross into the last batch of games here on the tournament's second day. I'm hoping for some excitement because so far we really haven't got too many crazy games.
Thankfully, my bracket doesn't have that many key blemishes, although I'll be sweating through VCU's game tomorrow since I've got the Rams going to the Final Four. My other picks of Florida, Georgetown and Texas A&M are a little bit safer.
I'm also curious to see how Arkansas fairs tonight. After Stanford was disappointing, as many the expected, the selection committee will likely draw additional criticism if the Razorbacks aren't at least close.

SOMETHING LEFTOVER

For those of you who are regulars to the Bulletin, you’ve gotten used to seeing notes from around the state every Sunday. The final installment of that came two days ago, but here’s something extra that didn’t get in the paper.
My original plan was to catch up with Hartford’s Dan Leibovitz to get some thoughts on his first season as a head coach. We spoke for a little bit and everything was set, but the story unfortunately had to be bumped because of Joe DeSantis’ firing at Quinnipiac and the fact two Connecticut schools just played for the NEC final, which meant we had to catch up with the winner.
But here’s what would have run on Leibovitz, an up-and-comer in the business:

Dan Leibovitz spent the previous decade as a Temple assistant under John Chaney, using the same zone defenses that worked so well in Philadelphia. It was only natural for Hartford’s first-year coach to be influenced by the man he worked with for so long, but Leibovitz also wanted to make sure he didn’t try to change who he was in this new position.
“I’m different than he is, so you wonder, as a head coach, do you need that kind of voice, do you need that kind of presence, would it work for me?” Leibovitz said. “And it was good to be yourself and demand things in your own way.”
He credits honesty with players as the easiest way to foster good relationships. It worked as he restored the program’s severed relationship with Bo Taylor and helped get a team picked to finish last in the America East to buy into a new system that yielded some success.
The Hawks finished 13-18, winning a first-round game in the conference tournament over Stony Brook before falling to regular-season champion Vermont in the quarterfinals.
“To win one game up there was significant,” Leibovitz said.
The Hawks are only losing two seniors and their performance should warrant more consideration from league coaches when next season begins. It’s all part of the process Leibovitz has envisioned in trying to make Hartford a winner.
“If you have higher expectations that means your getting better,” he said. “Some day, I hope to have expectations that we’re going to come in and win the league, but I’m more excited than anything just have guys returning and some depth.”

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Two college campuses in cities 45 minutes apart were caught up in different types of emotions last night. Selection Sunday has long been a staple of Connecticut basketball behind the success of UConn, but it was another program that gathered to celebrate as the Huskies waited a few extra hours to be told they would have no postseason — a first after 19 straight seasons.
I was fortunate enough to have an eye on both these circumstances, so here’s a rundown of some thoughts:
First off, good for the NIT in keeping to its plan. Since being taken over by the NCAA, March’s second tournament said it wouldn’t pass up deserving programs for big names, and that was the case.
Like Jim Calhoun said, the Huskies had a good idea they weren’t going to the postseason, a product of missed opportunities contributed to by youth. It was an obvious disappointment, but hearing Calhoun talk on a conference call last night, there didn’t appear to be any inkling of surprise.
For a while I thought getting into any postseason would help UConn; give it’s young team a chance to maybe win a few games and gain some confidence. But if the Huskies were to exit early in the NIT, that probably would have been even worse and potentially more embarrassing.
The other side is that by staying home this March, the stage is set for the ultimate motivator this offseason.

On the other side of things in New Britain, Central Connecticut was thrilled to know it’s playing Ohio State as a decided underdog — more importantly not going to the play-in game.
Coach Howie Dickenman, a Norwich native, spoke briefly at a pep-rally event — his two captains did the same — and then led his team into its locker room to watch the selection show. There was an obvious buzz as the players waited to see their name on CBS, a moment that probably goes underappreciated at bigger programs.
Waiting for the players afterward to do interviews, I chatted with another writer from the state and we talked about how great of a story Central has been. The best thing is how winning a game isn’t what’s going to make this season a great one for the Blue Devils. Getting to the tournament is the ultimate goal and they’ve already accomplished that.
Like I said in our conversation, these are the stories you get into this business for.

NO SURPRISE

Even Jim Calhoun wasn't shy about saying he didn't think UConn was going to the NIT. He spoke with us for about 20 minutes tonight, which is why I'm posting so late.
Check back tomorrow for a full report.

SAME STUFF, DIFFERENT DAY

Forgive me for complaining here for a second, but with the way this UConn season ended, it feels I'm writing the same story with a different twist every day. It's not as if the Huskies are losing for different reasons — they're just very young and without experience they crack in many key situations.
As for the NIT, it's still very much up in the air. Again, I do think UConn is in, but I won't be surprised if the school doesn't get called.

In other news, I caught up with Joe DeSantis on the phone yesterday. It's not my place to say whether or not he should have been fired, but I'll say this — not a lot of guys would return a phone call, so I'll give him credit for that.
DeSantis sounded like he still has an interest iot be in the game. Now it's a matter of what level and what capacity he pursues.

THE WAITING GAME

Talking to a few reporters last night after UConn's loss, we were trying to figure out why the Huskies would and wouldn't be a good fit for the NIT.
With an RPI of 103 and four straight losses to end the season, there's plenty of evidence they don't deserve a spot in the 32-team field. The argument for inclusion goes a little something like this:
Forgetting the numbers — also, keep in mind those last four losses were all to NCAA tournament teams, which UConn most certainly is not — the Huskies can definitely compete and win against most teams in the NIT. With conference champions that didn't win their league's automatic bid getting into the field no matter what, those are opponents UConn could certainly knock off.
Also, like when Air Force got into the NCAAs last season because the committee felt it would be a tough out, the same could be said for the Huskies in the NIT. Regardless of its record, few teams of lesser talent level, on paper, would want to face this group.
Lastly, it's not as if the NIT committee has to give UConn any help. The Huskies would likely receive a low seed in whatever of the four, eight-team regions they got placed in, so losing in the first round would be expected by the numbers. But if they made a run of two or three wins, to argue they shouldn't have gotten in becomes nonexistent.
The most remarkable part of this whole thing is how little control UConn has down the stretch. The real determining factor, in my opinion, on whether the Huskies get in is based on how many of these conference champs don't win their tournaments.
Unlikely Wright State, seeded first in the Horizon, upset Butler to win the league, although Butler is going to the NCAA tournament anyway. Central Connecticut beating Sacred Heart also means anthor NIT spot still remains.
When second-seed Albany faces No. 1 Vermont in the America East final, it could give the Great Danes a chance for revenge after falling just short in last season's first round of the NCAA tournament. An Albany win sends Vermont to the NIT and maybe that takes away the final spot, keeping UConn in Storrs for the first time in two decades.

NEW YORK IS A WRAP

Well, I can't say I'm surprised my New York stay was cut so short. Now it's a waiting game for the NIT.
More games would certainly help this team and I do believe this UConn team could win against that competition. But getting there doesn't figure to be an easy task.

WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT

If that's the last time UConn plays this season, which is a very real possibility, what a way to go out.
The Huskies lacked everything that made theem good in the first half after the break and rarely challenged in the second half. More to follow.

THREE HALFTIME THOUGHTS

UConn is up 38-36 at halftime against Syracuse after leading the way almost the entire way.
First of all, give A.J. Price his due. He's running the offense with supreme confidence, getting to the basket, doing some scoring and also keeping everyone else involved.
Second, everything looks better because of Jerome Dyson. He's got 12 at the half, and although he didn't score in the final eight minutes, his presence as a threat gives teammates more room to operate and they're taking advantage of that.
And third, how about Marcus Johnson? The sophomore has experienced well-documented struggles, at times becoming nothing more than a bench player. But he's responded with the start today, scoring six points highlighted by his alley-oop from Price.

Well, as has been the case of late, my next update will come after the game is over.

HUSKIES HOLDING ON

Despite Doug Wiggins throwing the ball away to take us to the media timeout with 3:36 left until halftime, UConn is up against Syracuse, 32-31.
Demetris Nichols has helped the Orange close the gap with consecutive 3-pointers and A.J. Price, who is playing one of his better games, only went 1-for-3 after being fouled on a 3-pointer a few minutes ago.

DIFFERENT HUSKIES

The fast break Jim Calhoun has been waiting for all season has shown up a few times so far as UConn leads Syracuse 25-23 here at the media timeout with 7:27 left in the first half.
After A.j. Price broke up court and hit a layup off Jeff Adrien's pass in the early minutes, Price just lofted an alley-opp for Marcis Johnson's transition dunk a few possessions ago. The easy points are something the Huskies have lacked much of this season.
Also, Jerome Dyson has stayed hot with 12 points so far.

TIGHT AS EXPECTED

UConn is up 15-14 here at the media timeout with 11:31 left before halftime. The game has a similar feel to the previous two against Syracuse.
Jerome Dyson already has eight points for the Huskies, including two 3-pointers from NBA range.

COUNTDOWN TO UCONN

Villanova is about to knock off DePaul in the day's first game here at the Big East tournament, so UConn and Syracuse should tip at around 2:45 p.m.
I just commented to another reporter how it's great that the Garden is around 75-80 percent capacity even though it's the middle of the afternoon on a work day. Fans always come out for the Big East tournament, no matter what, which is why this is among the most successful events of its kind.

HERE IN NEW YORK

I just arrived on Long Island and now I've got to catch a train into the city for tonight's Big East awards press conference.
I have to admit that I'm really looking forward to covering this tournament, even though the experience could be short lived if UConn doesn't change its way. Growing up, I remember reading the New York Post and Daily News when the Big East tournament was going on and wondering how the same person wrote so many articles. I now know how the work is accomplished, but it will be cool to be part of an event I followed closely when I was younger.

A QUICK UPDATE

One final quick blog entry on today's UConn loss. From talking to A.J.Price and some others, you get the sense this one was tougher than some of the other losses. it's not panic mode, but there seems to be plenty of uncertainty heading into the Big East tournament.
I'm going to get back to work now because there's an NHL game here tonight and who knows if they're going to try to kick out the basketball media. Till then ...

KEEPING IT UGLY

You've got to give UConn credit. Even though the losses have been piling up, the Huskies manage to make almost every game an ugly one in the sense that they always make the opponent struggle offensively.
If only there was a little offense to go with this defense and UConn might have a decent record.
It's 30-26 Georgetown on top at the half. Check in after the game for a wrap on what happened here in DC.

ALL-NBA TEAM

Georgetown's roster isn't short on brand names, starting with Patrick Ewing Jr. He wears 33 like his dad, who is here today, but Junior has a bit more range, already knocking down a 3-pointer. Doc Rivers' son, Jeremiah, also plys from the Hoyas and of course there's coach John Thompson III following in father here.

NOTHING NEW HERE

Marcus Johnson stepped to the line a few minutes ago, missing both his free throws. UConn's troubles from the stripe are well documented, so let's see what Doug Wiggins does coming out of the media timeout with 11:39 left in the first half.

OFFENSE NOT LOOKING GOOD

Between A.J. Price having his 3-pointer bocked out of bounds by Georgetown's Jeff Green and Stanley Robinson shooting an air ball by a few feet, UConn's offense is off to another slow start. The Hoyas haven't been much better, up 6-4 here at the first media timeout, but eventual some of those shots are going to fall.

PREVIEWING GEORGETOWN

This is not an ideal game for UConn to close out the regular season with. Georgetown is still playing for a share of the Big East title and is arguably the conference's best team.
Look for A.J. Price to continue to recent string of success if the Huskies have a chance and, as always Jerome Dyson will be relied upon for offense.

MORE DELAYS

For the second straight road trip, UConn was delayed in arriving to the hotel, which pushed back our media availability. The team had to fly into Dulles International Airport because private planes cannot go into Reagan National, which is closer to downtown, and then there was traffic but the usual setbacks associated with getting out of an airport.
Not much out of the ordinary came during our time with Jim Calhoun and the we talked with Jerome Dyson about this being a homecoming for him. For more info be sure to read tomorrow's Bulletin.

FINALLY IN DC

Thanks to flooding in Connecticut, my drive to Washington took a bit longer than expected. I just checked in at the hotel a few minutes ago after 6 hours and 45 minutes in the car.
The good news is the weather here is great — sunny and mid-60s — and I'm not late for UConn media access. We're scheduled to catch up with Jim Calhoun and the players at around 5:30, so I've got just enough time to unpack and maybe grab something to eat.
I'll check in after going through my quotes to let you know if anything interesting came up.

A BATTLE OF WORDS

When Jim Calhoun and Jeff Jacobs of the Hartford Courant clashed with a war of words last year — both written and spoken — it made for big news. But when Calhoun and columnist Randy Smith of the Manchester Journal Inquirer go at each other, it's more like old hat.
Another such meeting took place after Wednesday's loss to Villanova.
Smith, who is amusing in the sense that you get the feeling his sole purpose for going to UConn games and writing about them is to bother Calhoun, had written UConn was a bad team. Calhoun, obviously, didn't agree.
So in between rants about poor free throw shooting and how good Scottie Reynolds was — 40 points is good for anyone, let alone an opposing freshman coming into Gampel — Calhoun also took shots at what he'd read and the one who wrote the article, of course never actually mentioning Smith's name.
I guess it's all part of covering this beat, which continues to prove it is unlike so many in America. Whether that's a good or bad thing is certainly open to debate.

WRAPPING UP VILLANOVA

Beyond free throws and Scottie Reynolds, what else is there left to say? Those two themes decided this one, another difficult and potentially harmful loss for UConn.
The NIT is certainly not assured, which means Jim Cahloun's streak of 19 straight postseason appearances at UConn is in trouble.

Also, be sure to read tomorrow's Bulletin for some interesting info on A.J. Price.