JA WATCH
Murray State's Ja Morant (12) passes the ball under defensive pressure from Florida State's Christ Koumadje (21) during the first half of their second-round game in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday in Hartford, Connecticut. FSU pulled away to a 90-62 victory

Morant scores 28 points, but Florida State prevails 90-62

HARTFORD, Conn. - Former Crestwood High School standout Ja Morant and his Murray State Racers saw their season come to an end on Saturday with a 90-62 loss to Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Florida State was too much …

JA WATCH

Making Morant: Shooting Js, pumping iron, studying film

HARTFORD, Conn. — Murray State coaches knew they had something special with Ja Morant as a freshman. The athleticism, ball handling and court vision were exceptionally rare. Last offseason, …

Murray State's Ja Morant (12) reacts during the first half of the Racers' first round victory over 5th-seeded Marquette in the NCAA tournament on Thursday in Hartford, Connecticut.

Morant posts triple-double as Murray State wallops 5th-seeded Marquette 83-64

HARTFORD, Conn. - Ja Morant logged the ninth triple-double in NCAA Tournament history as Murray State trounced fifth-seeded Marquette 83-64 in the first round of the West Region. Murray State continued a trend of a No. 12 seed winning at least …

Murray State's Ja Morant (12), a former standout at Crestwood High School, moves the ball past Eastern Kentucky's Nick Mayo (10) during the second half of a January game between the teams in Murray, Kentucky. Morant is a future NBA lottery pick. Marquette point guard Markus Howard is the Big East player of the year. Two of the top-10 scorers in the country meet today in an NCAA Tournament game in the West Region.

Star guards Howard and Morant headline Marquette-Murray St

HARTFORD, Conn. - Murray State's Ja Morant and Marquette's Markus Howard have much in common: Point guards, prolific scorers, conference players of the year, All-America contenders. And, apparently, promptness. Morant and Howard struck up a …

Sam Owens / Evansville Courier & Press via APMurray State and former Crestwood High School standout Ja Morant will take on Marquette in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday in Hartford, Connecticut, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The Racers are the No. 12 seed in the West Regional, while Marquette is a No. 5 seed.

Morant, Murray State could provide patented NCAA upset against Marquette

LAS VEGAS - Picking a perfect bracket has become a nearly impossible act, the ritual of ripping up brackets an annual rite of the NCAA Tournament. UMBC proved the point early last year by beating Virginia to become the first No. 16 seed to topple …

Ja Watch

Former Crestwood High School standout Ja Morant has come out of nowhere this season to become one of the hottest commodities in college basketball and is predicted by most to be a top 5 pick in the NBA draft should he choose to declare himself …

Local Sports

PHOTO GALLERY: Duke rolls over North Dakota State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Columbia

Here are  some shots from Duke's  85-62 win over North Dakota State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament played at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia on Friday.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Central Florida center Tacko Fall (24) is fouled by VCU guard Mike'L Simms, right, during the second half of their first-round NCAA tournament game on Friday in Columbia. Central Florida won 73-58 and will face Duke today.

Zion-Tacko matchup highlights NCAA second round in East

COLUMBIA - Duke now has another challenge ahead of it after defeating No. 16 North Dakota State 85-62 on Friday at Colonial Life Arena in the first round of the NCAA Tournament: A big, big challenge. The Blue Devils, the overall No. 1 seed in the …

Duke's Zion Williamson dunks against North Dakota State during their first-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Columbia on Friday.

Zion living up to hype in Columbia regional

COLUMBIA - The crowd at Colonial Life Arena for the NCAA Tournament first-round game between No. 1 overall seed Duke and East Regional No. 16 seed North Dakota State was waiting for that one moment to explode. After all, the overwhelming majority …

Central Florida forward Chad Brown (21) blocks a shot by VCU guard Vince Williams (10) during the second half of their first-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Friday in Columbia. Central Florida won 73-58.

No. 8 VCU falls 73-58 to No. 9 Central Florida in Columbia

COLUMBIA – What started out as a close game between No. 8 Virginia Commonwealth and No. 9 Central Florida for the majority of the first half turned into a sound 73-58 Knights victory in the second …

Lakewood outlasts Crestwood for 3-2 boy's soccer win

It took two extra periods and finally penalty kicks on Friday before a winner could be decided between the varsity boys soccer teams of Lakewood and Crestwood high schools as the Gators rallied for a …

From the Wire

Ryan Preece is seen in the garage area during practice at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia, on Saturday.

Preece hopes his short track background helps at Martinsville

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Ryan Preece is a rookie struggling to find his rhythm at NASCAR's top level. But as the series shifts to Martinsville Speedway, the first short track on the schedule, Preece may have a slight advantage on some of his competition …

Maryland's Jalen Smith, left, fouls LSU's Emmitt Williams (24) as he goes up for a shot during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday.

LSU beats Maryland 69-67 to advance to Sweet 16; Michigan tops Florida

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Tremont Waters drove by three defenders and scooped in a banking layup with 1.6 seconds remaining to give third-seeded LSU a 69-67 victory over sixth-seeded Maryland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on …

Wofford's Fletcher Magee, left, passes the ball around Kentucky's Tyler Herro (14) during the first half of their second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday.

Kentucky ices cold Terriers 62-56

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Kentucky ended Wofford's season in the NCAA Tournament with a stifling defensive effort on Fletcher Magee, carrying the Wildcats to the regional semifinals with a 62-56 victory Saturday. Reid Travis scored 14 points, …

Central Florida center Tacko Fall (24) is fouled by VCU guard Mike'L Simms, right, during the second half of a first-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Friday, March 22, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. Central Florida won 73-58.

Even before big upset, Virginia has history of NCAA flops

COLUMBIA (AP) - Last year Virginia became the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed. But the Cavaliers' recent history, even when they make it past the first round of the NCAA Tournament, isn't all that good. Coach Tony Bennett has made the …

Wofford guard Fletcher Magee (3) celebrates with teammates after hitting a 3-point basket during the final moments of the second half against Seton Hall in a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament in Jacksonville, Florida, on Thursday.

Quite a contrast: Kentucky vs Wofford at NCAA Tournament

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — They are the bluebloods of the Bluegrass, a storied program loaded with future NBA players, who come to Kentucky with the very reasonable expectation of contending for a …

CLEMSON

Clemson guard Aliyah Collier (12) attempts a shot while South Dakota guard Chloe Lamb (22) tries to block during a first round women's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Starkville, Miss., Friday, March 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi State expects tough 2nd-round battle from Clemson

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State's NCAA Tournament opener was the typical No. 1 seed vs. No. 16 seed romp. The Bulldogs scored 37 points in the first quarter, 6-foot-7 Teaira McCowan attempted her first career 3-pointer (she missed) and …

Clemson guard Danielle Edwards (5) attempts a layup while South Dakota guard Madison McKeever (23) defends during their first-round game in the NCAA Women's Tournament in Starkville, Mississippi, on Friday.

Edwards' 3s lead Clemson over South Dakota 79-66 in NCAAs

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Danielle Edwards endured three straight years of a lot of losses before finally getting a chance to play in the Big Dance. With every 3-pointer that splashed through the net in …

Reed scores 24 to lead Clemson over Wright St. 75-69 in NIT

CLEMSON (AP) — Marcquise Reed had 24 points as Clemson defeated Wright State 75-69 in the first round of the NIT on Tuesday night. Elijah Thomas had 17 points and three blocks for Clemson …

STALEY

USC, Clemson women open NCAA tourney on Friday

South Carolina and Clemson both earned berths in the women's NCAA basketball tournament released on Monday. South Carolina earned a No. 4 seed in the Greensboro Regional and will host first- and second-round games on Friday and Sunday at UNC …

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Clemson's Marcquise Reed (2) and the Tigers will play host to Wright State today at 7 p.m. in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Clemson, Furman in NIT field; South Carolina left out

It's not quite the Big Dance, but it's better than staying home. This is the boat both Clemson (19-13) and Furman (25-7) are in after not hearing their names called during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday. However, both the Tigers …

More Clemson sports

USC

South Carolina, Florida State renew rivalry

CHARLOTTE - South Carolina and Florida State will meet for the third time in the past five seasons in the NCAA Tournament - only this one is a couple of rounds earlier. The Gamecocks defeated the Seminoles in the Elite Eight in 2015 and 2017 in …

South Carolina guard Te'a Cooper (2) drives upcourt after stealing the ball from Belmont's Conley Chinn, right, during their first-round game in the NCAA women's basketball tournament in Charlotte on Friday.

South Carolina regains swagger in 74-52 win over Belmont

CHARLOTTE — Dawn Staley is feeling a whole lot better about her team than she was two weeks ago. South Carolina returned to playing with the swagger and defensive intensity that she's come …

Arkansas' Malica Monk, center, drives in for a layup while being defended by South Carolina's Tyasha Harris during the Razorbacks' upset win in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament on March 8 in Greenville. South Carolina will try to rebound in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Belmont today in Charlotte.

South Carolina looks to erase SEC disappointment in NCAAs

CHARLOTTE - South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is confident the fourth-seeded Gamecocks "can beat anybody" in the NCAA Tournament - if they figure out a way to play defense. That didn't happen in a stunning 95-89 loss to Arkansas in the …

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, right, directs her players during the first half of a March 3 game against Mississippi State in Columbia. Staley hopes her so-so season takes a final upward swing in the NCAA Tournament.

Sluggish Carolina looks for strong showing in tourney

COLUMBIA - South Carolina coach Dawn Staley hopes her Gamecocks can cap off a somewhat disappointing season with a strong performance in the NCAA Tournament. While the Gamecocks have 21 wins are ranked 15th in the country, it's still not what …

Georgia completes sweep of USC

COLUMBIA - The South Carolina baseball team fell out of the Collegiate Baseball Poll after falling to No. 8 Georgia 4-2 on Sunday at Founders Park and being swept in the 3-game Southeastern Conference series. The Gamecocks, who were ranked No. …

More USC Sports

Outdoors

Roosted ain't roasted

It was dark, with a cold northwest wind whipping across the open fields. There was just the hint of a lighter-colored sky in the east. I left the truck parked behind a thick hedge of mock orange bushes and started down the side of the field. I …

Help SCDNR find ruffed grouse in S.C. with app

Outdoor enthusiasts can download a free app (Survey123) for their smartphone that will help them document sightings of ruffed grouse in the Palmetto State for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Ruffed grouse is a chicken-like …

The lichen-covered rock and water-filled depressions make for a unique setting atop the SCDNR's Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve.

Standing on the Moon

If wildflowers and rare plants are your bag, then early spring is a fantastic time to pay a visit to the SCDNR's Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, but the spectacular views and varied hiking options make this a popular spot during any …

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Extras
TV SCHEDULE, STANDINGS & MORE - MARCH 24

TV, RADIO TODAY Noon - NHL Hockey: Philadelphia at Washington (WIS 10). Noon - College Softball: Louisiana State at Georgia (SEC NETWORK). Noon - College Basketball: National invitation Tournament Second-Round Game - Wichita State at …

MEN'S NCAA TOURNAMENT

TV SCHEDULE, STANDINGS & MORE - MARCH 22

NCAA TOURNAMENT TV SCHEDULE

PREP SCHEDULE

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