COLLEGE HOOPS EVOLVING INTO NBA-TYPE GAME
indianapolis» Rick Pitino watched in amazement as the Michigan Wolverines made 11 second-half 3-pointers, many from well beyond the arc.
The first comparison that came to mind was the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.
“I made a concentrated effort this past year in our recruiting to recruit bigs who could shoot,” Pitino said, “because we don’t have bigs who can shoot now.”
The NBA’s influence can be found in about any college game.
The shot clock has been shortened, the 3-pointer has been embraced and everyone from 5foot-6 Keon Johnson of Winthrop to 6-foot-10 Moe Wagner of Michigan seems comfortable shooting from long range.
Scoring is up, defenses are being stretched thin and coaches are trying to adapt to change by recruiting bigger, better shooters and fewer true centers.
Casino owner eyes $1M win
B atlantic city, n.j.» A bet between two Las Vegas casino owners will cost one of them $1 million if the University of Michigan wins the NCAA mens’ basketball tournament.
Derek Stevens, who owns The D casino, put down $12,500 on Michigan at the Golden Nugget at 80-to-1 odds.
Now the Wolverines have advanced to the Sweet 16, bringing Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta closer to making a payout 10 times larger than any his casino’s sports book has ever made.
Women
south bend, ind.» Notre Dame junior forward Brianna Turner will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, a major blow to the NCAA Tournament hopes of the top-seeded Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame said Turner tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee Sunday night during a second-round win over Purdue. She leads the team this season with 15.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, and has 86 blocks — sixth-best for a single season in Notre Dame history.
The Fighting Irish (32-3) face fifth-seeded Ohio State (28-6) on Friday night in the Sweet 16.
Pac-12 makes statement
B seattle» A year ago was thought to be an anomaly for the Pac-12, advancing four teams to the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament with Washington and Oregon State making the Final Four.
Based on what the Pac-12 did in the first week of the NCAAs this year, maybe last year’s performance might become the norm.
Stanford, Oregon State, Washington, UCLA and Oregon will be playing during the second weekend of the tournament after advancing to the Sweet 16.
Seven Pac-12 teams made the NCAA Tournament and went 7-0 in the first round. Through two rounds, the conference is a combined 12-2, the only losses coming by Arizona State and California to No. 1 seeds.