Cincinnati mourning ‘Black Sunday’

They’re commiserating about “Black Sunday” in the chili parlors around Cincinnati. And there’s plenty of company in the city’s latest sports misery.

They’ve seen this ohso-many times.

No other city went into the NCAA Tournament with such pride and expectations. Xavier had the first No. 1 seed in its history. Cincinnati was a No. 2 with aspirations of a long-awaited run deep into March. They’d spent the last half of the season shoulder-to-shoulder in the AP Top 25 , finishing at No. 3 and No. 6.

Surely this would be a March to remember around town, right?

Instead, it added two more breathtaking meltdowns to the city’s recent history of them.

Cincinnati matched the second-biggest collapse in NCAA Tournament history on Sunday, blowing a 22-point lead — 22 points! — in the last 11 minutes for a 75-73 loss to Nevada in Nashville. A few minutes later, Xavier took to the same court and blew a 12-point lead in the second half while losing to Florida State 75-70.

Purdue center likely to miss rest of tourney

Purdue center Isaac Haas appears to be done for the season even if Purdue’s medical team or its crack engineering department can create an elbow brace that allows him to play in the NCAA Tournament.

Even if the NCAA approves a protective device for Haas’ fractured right elbow, coach Matt Painter said, there are still limitations and it wouldn’t be beneficial for Haas’ health.

“He had the best brace you can have and he couldn’t shoot right-handed free throws with it,” Painter said Monday. “He wants to play. But at the end of the day, you have to put people out there who can help you.”

The 7-foot-2, 290-pound Haas was injured during the second half of last Friday’s win over Cal State Fullerton when he crashed hard to the floor while fighting for a rebound.

49ers hire Virginia assistant as head coach

The Charlotte 49ers have hired Virginia associate head coach Ron Sanchez as their new coach following a 13-17 season.

Sanchez will be introduced at a news conference next week.

Sanchez has been an integral part of two-time national coach of the year Tony Bennett’s staff for the last 12 years, helping build Washington State and Virginia into national powers.

Virginia finished the regular season as the nation’s top-ranked team, but became the first No. 1 seed to get upset by a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament when the Cavaliers fell to UMBC.