After seven seasons, left-hander David Huff's career with the Indians could be coming to an end.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Left-hander David Huff's seven-year stay with the Indians is almost at an end.

Huff is out of options. GM Chris Antonetti and manager Terry Francona told him Monday that he did not make the big-league club and that they would try to trade him before opening day Tuesday in Toronto.

They gave outfielder Ezequiel Carrera the same news on the same day, but immediately designated him for assignment. Carrera left the club, but Huff is still working out at the team's Goodyear facility, throwing an extended bullpen session Friday. If the Indians can't trade him by the season opener, they must designate him. Once they do, Antonetti has 10 days to find a team that will take Huff. If not, he'll be released or put on waivers.

The Indians have found homes for players in similar situations. They traded Eddie Mujica to San Diego in the spring of 2009. Mujica has turned into a useful big-league reliever. Earlier this spring they didn't try to stop outfielder Ben Francisco from exercising an out clause in his contract. The Yankees quickly signed Francisco and he made their 25-man opening day roster.

• Tribe falls to Royals | Jimenez's good spring

Huff, the 39th player picked in the 2006 draft, had his best year in 2009 when he went 11-8 with a 5.61 ERA for former manager Eric Wedge. He's been bouncing between Cleveland and Class AAA Columbus ever since. His next bounce is getting closer, but where he lands is unknown.

The only way Huff could stay with the Indians is if he clears waiver and they outright him to the minors.

Cha-ching: The Indians will open the season with a 25-man payroll of $77,283,300 million. It includes four players on the disabled list: Jason Giambi, Blake Wood, Josh Tomlin and Frank Herrmann.

The top five salaries belong to Nick Swisher ($11 million), Chris Perez ($7.3m), Brett Myers ($7m), Michael Bourn ($7m) and Mark Reynolds ($6m). Sixteen of the 25 active players will make $1 million or more. Eight will make $5 million or more.

The Tribe's payroll at this time last year was just over $65 million.

Swing batter: Asdrubal Cabrera is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday. He has not played since Sunday with back spasms.

Cabrera, Giambi (back) and Reynolds went to the minors Friday to swing the bats.

"We want to get Cabrera some at-bats," said Francona. "For Reynolds and Giambi, spring training is winding down, but our season is winding up. I don't want guys to work hard all spring to lose a good edge just because we have a long layoff [two days] in Toronto."

Giambi is on the disabled list with a sore back. Francona said he would mostly track pitches instead of swinging them.

Come one, come all: The Indians break camp for Toronto after Saturday's game against the Reds. This spring they have drawn 62,135 in paid attendance with one game left, slightly below last year's total of 64,412.

The Indians did outdraw the Reds, 62,135 to 58,111, this spring. The total attendance at Goodyear for both teams with one game left is 138,792. They drew a combined 135,714 last year.

Catcher traded: The Indians traded catcher Brian Jeroloman, 27, late Friday night to Pittsburgh for cash. Jeroloman was in big league camp with the Indians as a spring training invitee, but did not make the 25-man roster.  

Finally: Swisher had the day off Friday. ... While Brett Myers makes the final Cactus League start on Saturday, No. 5 starter Scott Kazmir will pitch a Class AAA game. The Indians will add Kazmir to the 25-man roster on April 6 so he can start against Tampa Bay. ... No. 4 starter Zach McAllister will make a minor-league start Sunday in Goodyear before joining the Indians in Toronto. His first start will be at Tampa Bay on Friday.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

The Ohio State Buckeyes have used LaQuinton Ross and Deshaun Thomas as their big men in the NCAA Tournament.

View full size The ability of Deshaun Thomas (1) to play effectively close to the basket allows the Ohio State Buckeyes to use their small lineup for extended periods in the NCAA Tournament. Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register, MCT  

LOS ANGELES – The most amazing thing about the game-winning 3-pointer from LaQuinton Ross on Thursday wasn't how far he's come this season or that he's using Kobe Bryant's locker at the Staples Center or that Ohio State has won two straight NCAA Tournament games on last-second shots.

It's that when Ross took that smooth 22-footer to beat Arizona and send Ohio State into Saturday's West Region final against Wichita State, the 6-8 sophomore was basically the Buckeyes' center.

And he had been for the past 10 minutes.

For the past four games, since a eureka moment in the Big Ten Tournament championship against Wisconsin, the Buckeyes (29-7) have been dictating to opponents with a lineup featuring no true center and Ross and 6-foot-7 Deshaun Thomas as the biggest guys on the floor. Once a temporary solution against specific opponents that played without a big man, the Ross-Thomas-and-three-guards look has transformed the No. 2 seed Buckeyes and might take them all the way to the Final Four in Atlanta.

"That's been our go-to group," Ross said Friday, basking in his new-found West Coast fame.

In their past three tough games, beating Wisconsin, 50-43, in the Big Ten Tournament final, Iowa State, 78-75, in their second NCAA game in Dayton last Sunday and the Wildcats, 73-70, the Buckeyes have gone small at the game's biggest points.

Neither of the Buckeyes' true big men – 6-11 starter Amir Williams nor 6-8 beefy backup Evan Ravenel – played for the final 10:25 against Wisconsin, 12:20 against Iowa State or 9:59 against Arizona.

In three NCAA Tournament games, Williams is averaging 13 minutes and Ravenel 11 minutes. That leaves 16 minutes a game without them.

Expect more of it Saturday.

No. 9 seed Wichita State (29-8) starts 7-footer Ehimen Orukpe, but he averages just 16 minutes per game, and 6-8 Carl Hall and 6-8 Cleanthony Early are often the tallest Shockers on the court.

"I think it was always something we thought we would have a use for," assistant coach Chris Jent said. "Sometimes we waited for a matchup from the other team to kind of enable us to do it. But once we were productive with it, we said, 'Hey, let's figure out a way to use it no matter who the other team has on the floor.' We found other ways to make it work, and as we did it more, we got better at it."

Instead of matching up with the opposition, the Buckeyes are daring foes to match up with them.

"The fact that teams have to adjust to how we're playing puts us in control," guard Shannon Scott said, "and that makes us a scary team to beat."

Assistant Jeff Boals said coach Thad Matta often goes with the unit on gut instinct. Against Wisconsin 13 days ago, Matta briefly stuck with the smaller group after the Badgers reinserted 6-10 center Jared Berggren. He saw point guard Aaron Craft wind up guarding Berggren, the Badgers then throw it away and decided "this could be problematic on both ends."

It's easy to see how the lineup works on offense.

"We did it to put more scoring on the floor," Boals said. "It's no secret there were some games where we struggled to score."

Thomas and Ross are both shooters and scorers and in many ways the same player. With Thomas playing 35 minutes per game, Ross has to play with Thomas, not instead of him. By making one the de-facto center, the Buckeyes gain an edge in speed, scoring and athleticism inside.

"That's exactly why we do it," Ross said. "Either me or DT are able to take them off the drive or run them off screens and they can't keep up. And that's something we take pride doing."

The Buckeyes also like to get out in transition with the group.

"With our small lineup," guard Lenzelle Smith Jr. said, "if you've got bigs on the floor, we're going to run them."

And the look helps keep Thomas from floating on the perimeter, and sometimes forcing 3-pointers, and gets him working against the heart of the defense, moving in and around the lane where he has an array of moves. Jent said Thomas can duck inside, set a pick, pop out behind a teammate's pick, post up or attack off the dribble.

"It allows him to play in different areas in the same possession" Jent said. "He's done a great job understanding where he should be depending on where his teammates are on the floor with our small lineup."

But the real test is on the defensive end.

Boals said the Buckeyes like putting Thomas on the big man opponent who plays more on the outside, while making Ross guard the big guy in the post. Ross said he did the same in high school.

"I think guarding a big is easier because you know what they're going to do," Ross said. "If you can guard one big, you can guard them all."

But work is needed from the rest of the defenders, with the guards having to be ready to rebound and to help in the post. Each must leave his man to briefly double team and put extra pressure on the ball on the perimeter to make entry passes more difficult.

"More than ever we have to be connected on defense," swingman Sam Thompson said. "Nine times out of 10 we're smaller than the other team, so we have to box out and get in gaps and help each other to make up for the lack of size."

So far the Buckeyes haven't leaned on the lineup against a true center like Kansas 7-footer Jeff Withey or Duke's 6-11 Mason Plumlee. But with how well it's worked . . .?

"We can use it," Jent said. "We can use that lineup against anyone."

And then anyone else has to figure out how match up with the Buckeyes.

By NANCY ARMOUR | AP National Writer INDIANAPOLIS — Russ Smith matched his career high with 31 points to lead three Cardinals in double figures, and top-seeded Louisville overcame its toughest test yet in a 77-69 victory over Oregon on Friday night. Kevin Ware added 11 and Gorgui Dieng had 10 points and nine rebounds for Louisville, which has...

By NANCY ARMOUR | AP National Writer

Louisville forward Chane Behanan (21) reacts to a call during the first half of a regional semifinal against Oregon in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 29, 2013, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)





 

INDIANAPOLIS — Russ Smith matched his career high with 31 points to lead three Cardinals in double figures, and top-seeded Louisville overcame its toughest test yet in a 77-69 victory over Oregon on Friday night.

Kevin Ware added 11 and Gorgui Dieng had 10 points and nine rebounds for Louisville, which has won 13 straight. Coach Rick Pitino improved to 11-0 in the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament.

The 12th-seeded Ducks (28-9) managed to make a game of it late. After Louisville went up 66-48 with 9:01 left, Oregon made six straight field goals to close to 70-64 — the closest anyone's been to the Cardinals in a couple of weeks. But Kevin Ware scored on a layup and Chane Behanan threw down a monstrous dunk to put the game out of reach.

Still, Oregon is only the second team to be within single digits at the buzzer during Louisville's run.

» Complete Oregon basketball coverage from OregonLive.com

Kyle Singler's 15 points led five Ducks in double figures. But Oregon was hurt by foul trouble — Johnathan Loyd had three before halftime — and an off night by Damyean Dotson. The freshman was huge in Oregon's victory over Saint Louis, scoring a career-high 23. But he was 0 for 6 in the first half, and didn't make a field goal until midway through the second. He finished with 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting.

Louisville (32-5) plays the winner of Michigan State-Duke on Sunday.

The Cardinals were barely tested in either of their first two games, beating North Carolina A&T by 31 and Colorado State by 26. They set an NCAA record with 20 steals against A&T, outrebounded one of the country's best rebounding teams in Colorado State and left both teams with ugly shooting lines.

But the Cardinals got a couple of tests Friday night, one of their own doing and one very big one from the Ducks.

Peyton Siva spent the last 15:19 of the first half on the bench after picking up his second foul. But even without their floor general, the Cardinals didn't miss a beat thanks to Smith. He hit a 3 to spark a 14-3 run that put Louisville up 24-8, and the game seemed to be all but over.

Smith had seven points during the spurt. When he finished the run with a layup, it was Russ Smith 9, Oregon 8.

The Ducks weren't going away that easily, though. After Luke Hancock's 3 capped a 12-2 run that put Louisville up 66-48, the Ducks would make six straight field goals. When Dotson knocked down a jumper with 5:12 remaining, it got Oregon within six, the closest it had been since early in the first half.

Closest anyone had been to Louisville since the Big East tournament, actually.

But part of what makes the Cardinals so imposing is their maturity — and their options, which seem endless. Ware made a layup and Behanan scored on a thunderous jam and the Cardinals were cruising again.

Cavaliers assistant coach Joe Prunty is expected to coach the Great Britain senior men's national team.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cavaliers assistant coach Joe Prunty is expected to coach the Great Britain senior men's national team in the EuroBasket competition this summer, The Plain Dealer has confirmed.

The appointment was first reported by the website mvp247.com. Prunty declined to comment on his appointment before Friday's game against Philadelphia, but an NBA source confirmed it.

View full size Cavaliers assistant coach Joe Prunty. Lisa DeJong, PD  

Cavaliers coach Byron Scott declined to discuss the opportunity for Prunty, who is in charge of the Cavaliers' offense, but did praise his assistant coach.

"I just know Joe's one of the best coaches I've ever worked with," Scott said.

The job will keep Prunty occupied from August until mid-September, typically a slow time for NBA teams. It could lead to him coaching the Great Britain Olympic Team, should the squad qualify for the 2016 Summer Games.

Prunty, in his third season on Scott's staff, has been an NBA assistant for 17 years, including nine years with San Antonio, as well as stops in Dallas and Portland. But he was a surprise choice to coach Great Britain because his only head coaching experience has been in the NBA summer leagues, and has very little international experience. He has worked at NBA Basketball Without Borders camps in Turkey, development camps in Indonesia and NBA Fit Camps in China, but he has not coached an international squad.

He is expected to sign a contract next week to succeed Chris Finch, beating out such candidates as former Cav Paul Mokeski, a current assistant coach on the Great Britain team, and Maccabi Tel Aviv assistant Guy Goodes.

Getting old: On Thursday, Scott knew he was old when he turned 52. On Friday, Scott felt it.

Playing on the other side of the court at The Q was Jrue Holiday, the son of Scott's former backcourt mate at Arizona State, Shawn Holiday.

"When you start coaching against friends of yours that you played college and high school ball with, and you're coaching against their sons in the pros, you start to realize you're not a spring chicken anymore," Scott said.

Shawn Holiday played for Arizona State 1981-83 before transferring to Division-II Cal State Los Angeles. Scott also has coached against Klay Thompson, the Golden State player who is the son of Mychal Thompson, Scott's former teammate with the Lakers.

Collins on Turner: Now in his third year, Evan Turner is still adjusting to the NBA game. The Ohio State product has had his "ups and downs" this season, according to Sixers coach Doug Collins.

"He had a really, really good start," Collins said of Turner, averaging 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists. "Then he went through a period of time where he struggled a little bit. Then he played well. Then he struggled a little bit. That's still been something he has to continue to grow with."

Collins said part of Turner's growth has to do with adjusting to a longer NBA schedule. Some has to do with adjusted expectations this season.

"It's been a tough year for our whole franchise, a little bit like Cleveland," Collins said. "They had great expectations then Kyrie [Irving] gets hurt, [Anderson] Varejao gets hurt, [Dion] Waiters gets hurt. For us, we made the trade [for Andrew Bynum] to totally change our team and Jrue and Evan have been put in totally different situations. ... It's been a good growing year for both Evan and Jrue, and I expect them next year to be even better."

The last word: Goes to Collins, on the Miami Heat's 27-game winning streak: "I think guys start understanding, especially the younger players, the demand to play at a high level every single night in this league with all the travel.

"I talked about LeBron [James] and [Dwyane] Wade and these guys, every single night to keep the streak alive for 27 nights. The way they had to play, mentally they had to fight through fatigue."

Plain Dealer reporter Mary Schmitt Boyer contributed to this report.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' seven-game losing streak is the longest of the season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Officially, the season is now meaningless. The Cavaliers were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs one night before the Philadelphia 76ers came to Cleveland on Friday. Not that anyone had any hopes for miracles.

Officially devoid of any hope, the Cavaliers responded with a lifeless and uninspired performance against the Sixers in a 97-87 loss at The Q. The defeat came courtesy of a slew of the same old problems that have led to a seven-game losing streak, the longest of the season.

Another poor defensive showing. Another miserable third quarter in which they were outscored, 32-21. Another failure to find any kind of offensive spark when they needed it when surging in the final moments.

Afterward, as Cavaliers coach Byron Scott and players alike talked in hushed, disappointed tones, they denied that they have officially given up for the season.

"I really don't (think so)," Scott said. "(But) this is a big-time test. We're going through some adversity as far as losing. It's going to test the type of character we have in that locker room. We'll see if guys go south or north or whatever."

Against the Sixers, the Cavaliers went all separate directions near the end of the second quarter, as the 10-point lead they built with 3:49 left evaporated with Philadelphia's 14-4 run to intermission.

By the third quarter, Cleveland was back to its standard sluggish return from halftime. The Sixers outscored the Cavaliers, 32-21, in the quarter, as Ohio State product Evan Turner led the way with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Turner finished with a game-high 23 points, and added 13 rebounds and four assists.

"I've always felt like when Evan comes back here there is a little added pressure being (that he attended Ohio State)," Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. "Tonight might have been his best game that he has played in Cleveland, and we needed that."

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers shook their heads in frustration as the same issues they have struggled with all season returned. The Sixers shot 48.8 percent from the field, while Cleveland sank 43 percent. Too often, ball movement slowed or stopped offensively. Too many times, players' feet were stuck to the court when they should have rotated defensively.

Take the time Tyler Zeller attempted to inbound the ball after the Sixers made a basket in the third quarter ... and saw his lazy pass sail into the waiting hands of Philadelphia forward Thaddeus Young. He quickly passed to Turner for another easy basket that pushed the Sixers' lead to 64-54.

Or the time a few minutes later when Luke Walton attempted to lob a pass to Shaun Livingston near the low block ... and Livingston wasn't even looking as the ball sailed out of bounds for another turnover.

The same kind of foolish mistakes, over and over and over.

"We keep repeating it, and it's starting to become old news," Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson said. "I get tired of hearing it and I'm tired of saying it. We've got to man up and come together and just control these mistakes."

On the bright side, rookie Zeller had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, and C.J. Miles had 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

However, with no news on when or if injured guards Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters might return, the Cavaliers see hope dwindling for the final 11 games.

"It's definitely frustrating," Thompson said. "But we've got to keep our heads up and we've got to stick together as a team because if guys go separate ways, this losing streak is going to continue."

Baseball Note: Games are subject to weather and field conditions. Contact the host school for updates.

Baseball

Note: Games are subject to weather and field conditions. Contact the host school for updates.

Black River at Mapleton, 2

Brookside at Vermilion, 11

Canton South at Revere, noon

Cardinal at Independence, 11 (DH)

Copley at Canton Central Catholic, 11

Cuyahoga Heights at Padua, 10

Firelands at Amherst, 4:30

Firestone at Stow 10

Lorain at Westlake, 7

Marlington at Garrettsville, 11

Padua at Kirtland, 12:30

Massillon Jackson at Tallmadge, 1

Normandy at Brecksville, 11 (DH)

Norton at Kenmore, 11

Olmsted Falls at Licking Valley, 11

Olmsted Falls at Watkins Memorial, 1

St. Edward at Archbishop Hoban, 11

St. Edward vs. Aurora at Archbishop Hoban, 1:30

Trinity at Clearview, 11 (DH)

Walsh Jesuit at Stow 12:30

Softball

Note: Games are subject to weather and field conditions. Contact the host school for updates.

Cardinal at Garrettsville Garfield, 11

Cloverleaf at Chippewa, 11 (DH)

Lakewood at North Olmsted, 11 (DH)

Lorain at Avon, 11 (DH)

Mapleton at Black River, 2:30

Massillon Perry at Field, 11

Olmsted Falls at Licking Valley, 11 (DH)

Our Lady of the Elms at Canfield, 11

Our Lady of the Elms vs. Berlin Center Western Reserve at Canfield, 3

Revere at Barberton, 1 (DH)

Rocky River at Brookside, 10 (DH)

Tallmadge at Berlin Hiland, 11 (DH)

Track

Archbishop Hoban Invitational (Archbishop Hoban, Buchtel, Firestone), 9

Elite Meet at Brunswick (Brunswick, Buckeye, Elyria, Medina, Normandy, Solon, St. Edward, St. Ignatius, Strongsville), 10

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin Meet (Berkshire, Hawken, NDCL), 10:30

Sanders Invitational at Olmsted Falls (Olmsted Falls, Padua), 9

Wolverine Invitational at West Geauga (Chardon, Euclid, Lake Catholic, Madison, West Geauga), 9

Sam Thompson, LaQuinton Ross, Shannon Scott and Amir Williams are at the heart of Ohio State's NCAA Tournament run, after mostly watching last year as freshmen. Watch video

LOS ANGELES -- LaQuinton Ross hit the game-winner among his 17 points, Sam Thompson scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Shannon Scott played his usual defensive role in the backcourt and even Amir Williams provided a jolt with a couple blocks and a big basket.

Thursday's win 73-70 win over Arizona was more proof that Ohio State's 2011 recruiting class had arrived.

With a win against No. 9 seed Wichita State on Saturday, No. 2 seed Ohio State would reach consecutive Final Fours for the first time since making three straight trips from 1960-62. All the sophomores have been through this before.

None have been through it like this.

In the Buckeyes' 11-game winning streak, the four sophomores are averaging 25.5 points per game and playing regular roles in Ohio State's eight-man rotation. Midway through the season, it was easy to wonder why the sophomores weren't doing more, but it was obvious that the Buckeyes needed them.

In their second NCAA go-round, they've gone from watching to doing.

“Last year most of our roles were more just getting people rest,” Thompson said, remembering tournament minutes he got while Lenzelle Smith got stitches or after William Buford turned an ankle. “But now I'm called upon to play big minutes in big games, and it's just fun to be out there and have trust from my teammates and coaches.”

Last year Ross didn't play a minute in five NCAA games. Scott averaged 10 minutes, Thompson eight minutes and Williams three minutes. Combined, the Class of 2011 scored a total of 11 points in the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

In three games this tournament, the class, which also includes No. 3 big man Trey McDonald, has scored 106 points.

“Those guys played spotty minutes last year, and it's tough to get in the flow and get any type of feel,” assistant Jeff Boals said. “We looked at some of these guys, especially LaQuinton, as freshmen this year.”

“That's basically what I looked at it as at the beginning the year. This is my freshman year all over again,” Ross said. “Let me see how I can start off new, start off doing everything I was supposed to do last year."

Coach Thad Matta has said that players all figure out the college game at different times. But if Thompson hadn't improved his 3-point shooting, if Ross hadn't blown up as an offensive threat, if Scott hadn't provided the ability for Ohio State to bother teams with their double-point guard look while teaming with Aaron Craft, the Buckeyes would be home already.

“We've become more important for this team and we know we have to make better decisions,” Scott said. “Basically we know the tricks of the trade now.”

Wichita history: Wichita State and Ohio State have played four times, with the Buckeyes holding a 3-1 edge in the games, which were played in four straight years from 1960-1963.

Wichita State's win came in 1962, 71-54. The Buckeyes won 93-82 in 1960, 85-62 in 1961 and 78-60 in 1963.

Ohio State, obviously, was pretty good back then. The Buckeyes were the defending national champs when they played Wichita State for the first time in December of 1960, and they were ranked No. 1 when they won that first game. But Wichita State was ranked No. 16.

The Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 for the second win as well, but in the 1962-63 season, when Wichita State won, the Shockers finished the year ranked No. 5 in the AP poll, while the Buckeyes went 20-4 and finished No. 7 in the AP poll.

So Wichita State has some solid basketball history, and the Shockers play in a tough Missouri Valley Conference. Coach Gregg Marshall was happy to offer that reminder on Friday.

'We have tradition. We have history. We have been to the Final Four (in 1965),” Marshall said. “Tremendous fan base, tremendous support. The administration loves it. We don't have football. They don't want football. They want us to be the best we can be.

“It's a tremendous athletic department. Great city. We're not named South Central Kansas State. We're Wichita State. Whether you're a (Kansas) Jayhawk or (Kansas State) Wildcat, there are a lot of folks that went to those schools. But they live in Wichita because that is the heartbeat of the state of Kansas. If you went to those schools and you live in Wichita, you still probably pull for the Shockers.”

By SCHUYLER DIXON | AP Sports Writer ARLINGTON, Texas — Trey Burke scored all 23 of his points after halftime, including a long, tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation, and Michigan rallied to beat Kansas 87-85 in the South Regional semifinals Friday night. The fourth-seeded Wolverines wiped out a 10-point Kansas lead in the last 3 minutes...

By SCHUYLER DIXON | AP Sports Writer

Michigan's Nik Stauskas (11), Trey Burke (3) and Corey Person celebrate after beating Kansas 87-85 in overtime of a regional semifinal game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 29, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)





 

ARLINGTON, Texas — Trey Burke scored all 23 of his points after halftime, including a long, tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation, and Michigan rallied to beat Kansas 87-85 in the South Regional semifinals Friday night.

The fourth-seeded Wolverines wiped out a 10-point Kansas lead in the last 3 minutes of regulation, and Burke gave them their first lead since early in the game with another long 3 to open Michigan's scoring in overtime.

Michigan (29-7) reached the regional finals for the first time since the Fab Five era 19 years ago, the last time they were in the round of 16.

» Complete Michigan basketball coverage from MLive.com

Ben McLemore had 20 points to lead the Jayhawks (31-6), who looked to be on their way to a third straight regional final before Michigan's improbable rally.

The Wolverines were down five when Tim Hardaway Jr. missed a 3-pointer with 35 seconds left, but Glenn Robinson III won a scramble for the ball and hit a reverse layup to force Kansas to win the game at the free throw line.

The Jayhawks couldn't do it. Burke's tying shot came after Elijah Johnson missed a free throw moments after hitting two to keep the Kansas lead at five. Burke hit a layup to get Michigan within three.

The lead changed hands five times in overtime — the first OT game of the tournament — the last when Mitch McGary, who led Michigan with 25 points and 14 rebounds, hit a short jumper with Johnson in his face to put Michigan ahead for good 83-82.

The Jayhawks got a stop and had about 9 seconds to tie or win, but a jumbled possession ended with Naadir Tharpe missing a running jumper at the buzzer.

The Wolverines wiped out a 10-point Kansas lead on a 14-4 run in the final 2:52 of regulation. Burke had eight points, including two 3-pointers, in the stretch.

Burke gave Michigan its first lead since early in the game with his long 3-pointer to make it 79-78 early in overtime.

Burke was scoreless in the first half for the Wolverines, then got his team going by scoring eight straight points early in the second half to momentarily cut the deficit to two.

"In the second half, coach told me to be more aggressive so I looked for my shot more," he said.

But Kansas restored a 10-point lead built on dominating inside in the first half, this time with a 3-pointer and a tomahawk dunk on a breakaway by McLemore and a three-point play from Johnson.

Johnson, who picked up three fouls in just three minutes of playing time in the first half, gave Kansas its biggest lead at 68-54 with a 3-pointer from the corner with just under 7 minutes left.

Travis Releford had 16 points for the Jayhawks, while Jeff Withey had 12 points and eight rebounds.

Kansas pushed out to a 10-point lead early by dominating around the basket. McLemore's first basket was the first outside the paint as the Jayhawks scored 34 of their 40 first-half points from inside while shooting 69 percent.

Withey put Kansas ahead 29-19 with a turnaround shot that had McGary shrugging at a teammate and saying, "I'm trying."

McGary wasn't having nearly as much trouble on the offensive end, leading the Wolverines with 11 points and five rebounds in the first half. He picked up where he left off in the third round against Virginia Commonwealth, when he had season highs of 21 points and 14 rebounds.

Michigan pulled within 40-34 at the half when Nik Stauskas hit a 3-pointer and had chance for a four-point play when McLemore bumped him on the shot. But he missed the free throw.

The game was stopped less than 2 minutes in so officials could go to video review to call a flagrant foul against Johnson for a hit below the waist on McGary.

The Buckeyes should make their second straight Final Four trip with a relatively easy win over the Shockers.

LOS ANGELES -- Four observations before Saturday's West Region final.

1. Ohio State doesn't lose these kinds of games. Not when the Buckeyes are good.

Look at the six seasons in which Ohio State has been a No. 1 or No. 2 seed under Thad Matta. It's not like Ohio State, or any major conference team, is in the habit of scheduling games against tough mid-majors. But the Buckeyes win the games they are supposed to win. Ohio State is 184-36 in the six best seasons under Matta – 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012 and this year. The only loss to a team outside the Big Ten, ACC, SEC, Big East or Big 12 was at Butler in 2010 – the first game after Evan Turner hurt his back.

The teams that knocked Ohio State out in those years were Georgetown, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky and Kansas. Wichita State is good, but not good enough to join that list. The Shockers are solid but they don't feature a transcendent player – like Gordon Hayward on that Butler team or Creighton's Doug McDermott this year. And a pretty good mid-major isn't enough to beat Matta.

Maybe that's because at Butler and Xavier he learned what it was like to coach those types of teams.

2. Wichita State goes 10 deep and no Shocker averages 30 minutes. They think they've stayed fresh because of their deep bench, and players said they really felt that Thursday against a tired La Salle team that had to play an extra tournament game. But this Ohio State team goes eight deep, and the Wichita State bench won't be an advantage.

3. Aaron Craft gets another interesting matchup in senior Malcolm Armstead, a senior transfer from Oregon who averages 11 points and four assists. But compared to Arizona's Mark Lyons, or even the Iona guards, the Buckeyes have seen better.

Armstead said the Shockers were inconsistent offensively early in the year because he was too passive on offense, but he'll have to attack against the Buckeyes.

4. Wichita State should keep it close for 10 minutes, but expect the Buckeyes, who are 4 ½-point favorites, to have the edge at halftime and gradually pull away. There won't be a third straight last-second game-winner.

Ohio State 77, Wichita State 65.

Saturday's game in Tampa Bay could not arrive fast enough for Thonn and his players, who have been itching to make amends for the mess of the previous Sunday.

View full size Dominick Goodman (16) and the Gladiators are hoping to get back on their feet after a season-opening thumping from Spokane. Lynn Ischay, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Gladiators coach Steve Thonn, while not guaranteeing victory Saturday in Tampa Bay, did promise this much:

"I know we're going to give a better performance this week than we did last week," he said.

Kickoff against the Storm is 7:30 p.m. in the Tampa Bay Times Forum. The game could not arrive fast enough for Thonn and his players, who have been itching to make amends for the mess of the previous Sunday.

In the season opener, the Gladiators lost to Spokane, 67-41, in front of 7,614 at The Q. The Shock, led by quarterback Erik Meyer, scored touchdowns on all 10 of its possessions. The Gladiators were stunned and embarrassed. Losses happen, but the manner in which they succumbed took the pain to another level.

Thonn had the unenviable task of breaking down the film.

"You know the old saying, 'It's never as bad, or good, as you thought it was?'" Thonn asked. "Well, it was as bad as we thought it was. I think it was an eye-opener for our young guys, and they will learn from it."

Meyer went 32-of-42 for 284 yards and eight touchdowns. He was not sacked.

"We didn't do a good job defensively in any area," Thonn said. "Our D-line didn't do much against their offensive line. We didn't pressure Meyer nearly enough. But you can't solely blame the lack of pass rush. We needed to cover better in order to give our line time to get to the quarterback."

Cleveland's new-look secondary never seemed to get comfortable. Shock receivers had a collective height advantage, and they maximized it in getting open regularly.

"Spokane's got an experienced, talented group of receivers," Thonn said. "But I think we helped them out by trying to mix things up too much. We went with a few too many coverages. Our DBs had played in Arena, but they hadn't played together. So I think we gave them too much to worry about for a first game.

"Against Tampa, we're going to simplify to ensure that everyone knows his responsibility. It's going to be straight zone or straight man, with not a lot of thinking."

The Gladiators' offense was better than the defense, but it left points on the field. Quarterback Brian Zbydniewski, making his team debut, was 25-of-38 for 297 yards and four touchdowns.

"'Z' was pretty critical of himself," Thonn said. "He missed some open guys, and he owned it. It was mostly a timing thing. I'd rather have that than making wrong reads and throwing interceptions."

The Storm is coming off a 64-55 home loss to Jacksonville in its season opener. Quarterback Adrian McPherson was 20-of-33 for 218 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 58 yards and five TDs.

"McPherson's ability to run is something we need to account for, especially in the red zone," Thonn said.

Tampa Bay receiver Greg Ellingson caught 15 passes for 159 yards. Michael Lindsey returned six kicks for 131 yards, including a 55-yard return for a touchdown.

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd

By MICHAEL MAROT | AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS — Seth Curry shot Duke right into the regional finals — and put Mike Krzyzewski on the verge of another milestone. Curry scored 29 points and the Blue Devils beat Michigan State 71-61 on Friday night to advance to the Midwest Regional final in the NCAA tournament. If No. 2 seed...

By MICHAEL MAROT | AP Sports Writer

Duke guard Seth Curry (30) reacts during the first half of a regional semifinal against Michigan State in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 29, 2013, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)





 

INDIANAPOLIS — Seth Curry shot Duke right into the regional finals — and put Mike Krzyzewski on the verge of another milestone.

Curry scored 29 points and the Blue Devils beat Michigan State 71-61 on Friday night to advance to the Midwest Regional final in the NCAA tournament.

If No. 2 seed Duke (30-5) beats top-seeded Louisville (32-5) in Sunday's regional final, Krzyzewski would tie John Wooden's record with 12 Final Four trips.

Third-seeded Michigan State (27-9) just couldn't keep up with Curry and Duke's shooters. Keith Appling had 16 points for the Spartans, and Adreian Payne finished with 14.

Curry's sixth 3-pointer of the game broke a 38-38 tie early in the second half, sending Duke on a 9-0 run. It also matched the school record for most 3s in an NCAA tourney game, most recently accomplished by Jason Williams on March 22, 2001, against UCLA.

The Blue Devils never trailed again.

Rasheed Sulaimon had 16 points and Mason Plumlee finished with 14 for Duke.

The win comes 16 months Duke beat Michigan State to give Krzyzewski the NCAA record for wins. Now, one year after falling to Lehigh in the second round of the tournament, Krzyzewski is on the verge of breaking a second-place tie with North Carolina's Dean Smith and tying Wooden's mark.

Louisville coach Rick Pitino has made six appearances in the Final Four. Another win would tie him for fourth with Roy Williams in a game that likely will be played in front of another highly partisan Cardinals crowd.

But this night belonged to Curry, who averaged 21.5 points in the Blue Devils' first two tourney games. He scored 14 in the first half and when he hit his third 3 of the second half with 17:10 left, Duke took off.

The Blue Devils finally broke open the back-and-forth game by scoring five straight points midway through the second half, extending the lead to 56-46. It never trailed again in an entertaining contest between two of college basketball's most successful coaches.

Unfortunately for the Spartans, coach Tom Izzo's son's prediction of a Duke victory proved to be correct, preventing a third Big Ten team from reaching the regional finals.

» Complete Michigan State basketball coverage from MLive.com

The first half was played to a near draw with four ties and eight lead changes.

Michigan State grabbed an 18-17 lead on Derrick Nix's tip-in with 9:52 left in the first half, but Curry then scored nine points in an 11-2 run for the Blue Devils. He was fouled by Travis Trice while attempting a 3-pointer and made all three free throws to make it 28-20 with 4:59 remaining.

Back came the Spartans, who clamped down on defense and closed to 32-31 at halftime.

The game remained close until Curry sparked a 9-0 spree in the second half that made it 47-38 with 13:47 remaining. Curry opened the run with a tiebreaking 3-pointer and Mason Plumlee had consecutive baskets before Curry scored again.

Michigan State closed to 65-58 with 1:32 to go, but couldn't get any closer.

Chicago ices the game with three goals in the third period.

-  

ROSEMONT, Illinois -- Chicago's Brett Sterling scored three third-period goals to lead the Wolves over the visiting Lake Erie Monsters, 5-2, on Friday.

The game was scoreless until 1:19 of the second period, when Chicago scored a power-play goal.

Lake Erie's Joey Hishon scored his first goal of the season at 9:08 of the second to tie the game at 1.

The Wolves (32-23-5-4) went back ahead four minutes later when Jim Vandermeer beat Monsters goalie Sami Aittokallio (27 shots, 22 saves).

After Sterling put Chicago ahead, 3-1, with the first of his three goals, Stefan Elliot scored for the Monsters (29-29-3-7) to make it 3-2 with 12:28 left in the third period.

But it was all Sterling after that, scoring at 10:50 and 17:13 to provide the final margin.

The Monsters play the Rivermen Saturday night in Peoria, Ill., at 8:05.

Lake Erie 0 1 1--2

Chicago 0 2 3--5

FIRST PERIOD: No Scoring.Penalties-Negrin Le (interference), 1:32; Beaupre Le (instigating, fighting, misconduct - instigating), 6:17; Kattelus Chi (fighting), 6:17; Haydar Chi (roughing), 15:46; van der Gulik Le (tripping), 19:31.

SECOND PERIOD: 1, Chicago, Davies 14 (Hunt), 1:19 (PP). 2, Lake Erie, Hishon 1 (Walker, Negrin), 9:08. 3, Chicago, Vandermeer 2 (Davies, Jensen), 13:07. Penalties-Maggio Le (fighting), 6:31; Archibald Chi (fighting), 6:31; Arseneau Le (charging), 10:56; Haydar Chi (elbowing), 14:57; Haydar Chi (tripping), 18:02.

THIRD PERIOD: 4, Chicago, Sterling 18 (Haydar, Kattelus), 0:25. 5, Lake Erie, Elliott 5 (Hishon, Walker), 7:32. 6, Chicago, Sterling 19 (Haydar, Blain), 10:50. 7, Chicago, Sterling 20 (Haydar), 17:13. Penalties-Arseneau Le (fighting), 1:54; Desbiens Chi (fighting), 1:54; Blain Chi (high-sticking), 4:09; Polasek Chi (boarding), 18:13.

Goalies: Lake Erie, Aittokallio (27 shots-22 saves); Chicago, Climie (28-26).Shots on goal: Lake Erie 6-9-13--28; Chicago 10-7-10--27. Power plays: Lake Erie 0-5; Chicago 1-4. Refs: Luxmore, McIsaac. Linesmen: Dineen, Spohn.

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | AP Basketball Writer ARLINGTON, Texas — SEC champion Florida is going to its third straight NCAA regional final, while the improbable tournament journey for Florida Gulf Coast is over. The Eagles, the No. 15 seed few people even knew of on Selection Sunday, had their season ended just before midnight Friday with a 62-50 loss...

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | AP Basketball Writer

From left, Florida Gulf Coast's Brett Comer, Sherwood Brown, Eddie Murray and Dajuan Graf react during the final minutes of a regional semifinal game against Florida in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 30, 2013, in Arlington, Texas (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)





 

ARLINGTON, Texas — SEC champion Florida is going to its third straight NCAA regional final, while the improbable tournament journey for Florida Gulf Coast is over.

The Eagles, the No. 15 seed few people even knew of on Selection Sunday, had their season ended just before midnight Friday with a 62-50 loss to one of the big schools from Florida.

The high-flying team from "Dunk City" jumped out to an early 11-point lead. But the No. 3 seed Gators (29-7) and their roster filled with NCAA tourney experience were just too strong and too good. FGCU matched its season low for points.

Michael Frazier made a pair of 3-pointers from the left side, in front of the Gulf Coast bench, to start a 16-0 run late in the first half. Those were Frazier's only baskets of the game, but they came during a 4½-minute span when the Eagles (26-11) suddenly couldn't even get off a shot. They missed their only field goal attempt while turning the ball over four times in that span.

That slump finally ended when Sherwood Brown, their dreadlocked senior showman, made a layup in the final minute to get Florida Gulf Coast back within 30-26 by halftime.

But FGCU players walked down the steps off the raised court at Cowboys Stadium at the break with their heads down — much different than the team that looked so loose and ready for a good time after an early 11-0 run — similar to extended spurts they had in upsetting No. 2 seed Georgetown and No. 7 seed San Diego State.

The Gators play Michigan in the South Regional final at Cowboys Stadium on Sunday. They are trying to get to their first NCAA Final Four since consecutive national championships in 2006 and 2007.

Michigan overcame a 14-point deficit earlier Friday and beat No. 1 seed Kansas 87-85 in overtime.

After the Gators turned up the defensive pressure, the most fun team this side of the Harlem Globetrotters was suddenly having a lot fewer laughs. Those high-flying dunks and alley-oops weren't there and Florida forced 20 turnovers.

FGCU heads back to Fort Myers (aka Dunk City), where they have man-made lakes and a beach on campus, having given the tournament a blast of fresh air while its players were just having a blast. The south Florida state school also got about the best free publicity its administrators could ever hope for.

Mike Rosario led the Gators with 15 points, while Scottie Wilbekin had 13 and Casey Prather 11.

Brown led FGCU with 14 points, and Chase Fieler had 12.

Fieler started the Eagles' big run, the only one they'd have, with a 3-pointer from the top of the key before the kind of plays that earned their "Dunk City" moniker.

After Brett Comer stole a pass, he ran down the court and threw up an alley-oop pass for the trailing Brown, delivering a slam that sent the announced crowd of more than 40,000 into a frenzy — except for those in Gator orange.

Comer then flipped another backward pass to Bernard Thompson for a 3-pointer. Then Fielder had another 3-pointer — less than 3 minutes after the first one — for a 15-4 lead only six minutes into the game.

Could the first No. 15 seed to make it into the round of 16 actually go further?

Not against Florida, the team that had been here so many times before. The FGCU run came too early, leaving the Gators plenty of time to recover.

After Frazier's second 3, Florida Gulf Coast coach Andy Enfield — the gap-toothed coach married to a former model — was angry when he called timeout and gathered his team together. The timeout and another attempted lob pass inside didn't stop the Gators surge.

Rosario knocked away the pass inside to Eric McKnight, sending the break the other way. Casey Prather grabbed an offensive rebound, and with his back to the basket, basically flipped the ball over his head and it went in.

McKnight missed two free throws after that, and Wilbekin penetrated for a short jumper to tie the game at 24. Rosario hit a go-ahead 3-pointer after a steal by Will Yeguete.

Eddie Murray had a steal for Florida Gulf Coast, but Patric Young took it right back and got it to Boynton. He made the layup while being fouled, and added the free throw for a 30-24 lead.

The Eagles has 12 turnovers in the first half — one less than they had in each of their first two NCAA tourney games. They took twice as many shots (32-16) as Florida, but that wasn't enough.

There was still 10 minutes left on the halftime clock when FGCU returned to the court, and players started taking shots even as their mascot was on the court doing a halftime routine.

But Florida scored the first seven points of the second half. Boynton drove for a layup and was fouled before making the free throw. Rosario then drove for a shot off the glass and after another FGCU turnover had a floater that rattled in before Enfield called timeout with his team suddenly down 37-26.

But they never threatened and soon their NCAA run was over.

Terry Francona has given Ubaldo Jimenez a clean slate -- now, he has to keep it that way.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- If Ubaldo Jimenez pitches as he has in spring training, the Indians will have a viable major-league starter.

The confident and controlled Jimenez that I've watched twice under the clear blue Arizona skies is real. He's the Jimenez who can win 12 to 15 games for the Tribe this season. He's definitely not the 100-mph flame-thrower who was 19-8 with Colorado in 2010. But can he be the Jimenez who was 15-12 (3.47) in 2009, or even 12-12 (3.99) with the Rockies in 2008?

I wondered that while watching Jimenez pitch for the second time this week, allowing three runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals.

This is a different Jimenez, a pitcher who works quickly and generally throws strikes. As manager Terry Francona has said several times this spring, "His stuff is good enough."

Jimenez has a fastball in the 92 mph range. His slider is sharp, his curve is mean enough to make the front knee of any right-hander buckle a bit as it starts at the hitter's head and breaks over the plate.

Jimenez was shelled for five runs in two innings on March 2. Since then, he's thrown 26 innings, striking out 18 and walking five with a 3.86 ERA. Solid numbers in the desert where the dry air flattens out breaking balls and the wild winds give fly balls a boost.

"He feels good about himself and he should," said Francona, who with pitching coach Mickey Callaway has been preaching the gospel of the fresh start to Jimenez and others.

"He has a clean slate," said Francona. "But he has to make sure the slate stays clean." He meant that you can't pitch staring into the rear-view mirror of past defeats and frustrations.

"It's a lot easier said than done," Francona said. "You can see it with hitters. [Early in the season], a guy makes an out and throws a helmet after his first at-bat."

"I know what he means," said Jimenez. "I'm a human being. This team traded for me (on July 31, 2011). They expected me to help them, and I wasn't able to do it."

Jimenez speaks excellent English and is remarkably candid.

"I had (games) where I didn't know what to do with the ball or where it would go," he said. "I spent so much time thinking about how to throw the ball that ... it was just real bad. And when they trade for you and you want to help and you don't, you feel bad."

Jimenez led the American League in losses (17), wild pitches (16) and was second in walks (95). The man who was 19-10 with a 2.88 ERA and started the All-Star Game for the National League was 9-17 with a 5.40 ERA for the Tribe last year.

He's only 29. He's never had a serious arm injury. He's in excellent physical condition.

"When you start pitching bad like that, you take it with you," he said. "You wonder when it will end. You are human."

Jimenez has been with the Tribe for only 1 1/2 seasons, but he's already on his fourth pitching coach. That's not a great way for a pitcher to regain his consistency.

"I like Mickey [Callaway] a lot," referring to the coach who twice this winter went to see Jimenez in the Dominican Republic.

"[Francona] came, too," said Jimenez. "That builds up trust," said Francona.

When it comes to the four pitching coaches, Francona said it's easy to become confused. "And when you're in a slump, it's even worse," he said. "I remember listening to the batboy [for advice]. It can spin out of control."

The Indians want only Callaway working with Jimenez, and the emphasis is on pitching quicker, not stopping his delivery when he brings his arm behind his back. And yes, throw strikes.

"He doesn't have to [throw 100 mph]," said Francona. "We never talk to him about velocity. I really think he's going to do a good job for us."

If he does, it will be a fun summer for the Tribe.

Hey, Mary Kay: I'm constantly hearing it's Brandon Weeden job to lose as if Jason Campbell is nothing. I feel Campbell can beat Weeden out for the starting job and bring more to the table than Weeden in athleticism. Do you have the same opinion as most media personalities viewing the competition? -- James Williams, Cleveland Hey, James: I...

Hey, Mary Kay: I'm constantly hearing it's Brandon Weeden job to lose as if Jason Campbell is nothing. I feel Campbell can beat Weeden out for the starting job and bring more to the table than Weeden in athleticism. Do you have the same opinion as most media personalities viewing the competition? -- James Williams, Cleveland

Hey, James: I actually do believe it's Brandon Weeden's job to lose and that Campbell is coming in to press and mentor him. Campbell has spent four seasons in a similar system and can help Weeden learn it. I believe Rob Chudzinski and Norv Turner think Weeden has good potential and can thrive in their downfield scheme.

Hey, Mary Kay: After free agency the Browns are a lot more solid all over the field, especially on defense. I would love the Browns to use the sixth pick in either a trade down or a luxury type pick i.e. Dee Milliner or Chance Warmack. Do you think these are the Browns' top targets this April? -- Ryan Woodruff, Mansfield

Hey, Ryan: The Browns just lost free-agent cornerback Brent Grimes to the Dolphins, so I think that increases the likelihood of them targeting Dee Milliner. I know they're bringing in North Carolina guard Jonathan Cooper for a visit, so they're likely studying Warmack as well. But I also think a pass-rusher is very much in play at No. 6 too, and there are plenty of good ones from which to choose.

Hey, Mary Kay: No matter who is on the board at six, don't you think it would be a good idea to trade back a few spots? That way we could replace the second-round pick we lost when we picked up Gordon in the supplemental draft. The first round seems to be pretty deep with talented players. -- Steve Rexroad, Akron

Hey, Steve: If three or four players the Browns like are there for them at No. 6, I'd trade back a few notches and pick up that extra second-round pick. There are plenty of top-rated players that will still be available in the second round, including some good developmental quarterbacks.

Hey, Mary Kay: How come the Browns or any other teams aren't interested in Vince Young? He has a better skill set than any QB on our roster and he can use his legs to move the chains. He is the dual threat guy that teams seem to be looking for and I think he deserves another shot. Why no love for Vince? -- James Nolan, Lorain

Hey, James: Browns CEO Joe Banner was part of the crew that signed Young for the Eagles in 2011, when Young dubbed Philly the "Dream Team." Things didn't work out so well for Young in Philly, and I doubt Banner would go to that well again. But I believe someone will sign Young and give him another shot.

Hey, Mary Kay: Now that the Browns have a QB with proven NFL starting experience in Jason Campbell on the roster, is it possible that they draft West Virginia's Geno Smith, cut Colt and dangle Weeden as trade bait? -- John The Trucker, East Cleveland

Hey, John: I wouldn't rule out anything at quarterback at this point. Currently, they have two former first-round picks who will be 30 and 31 this season. It's obvious they need a good, young quarterback. I doubt Smith will be available to them at No. 6, but if he is, they'd have to at least consider it. They're studying others in the draft, including E.J. Manuel, who will have a private workout April 5.

Hey, Mary Kay: What are the Browns doing in an effort to upgrade the safety position? Is this probably something they are looking/seeking to address in the draft? If so, any idea who they are looking at? -- Mitch Brown, Kannapolis, N.C.

Hey, Mitch: The Browns are looking at a lot of safeties in the draft, including South Carolina's D.J. Swearinger, who will make a pre-draft visit. I believe they will draft a safety somewhere in the middle rounds. Again, it would help to get that second-rounder back.

Hey, Mary Kay: Now that we have signed Jason Campbell, who do you think is going to get the short end of the stick? McCoy? Lewis? Weeden maybe? Do you see this signing as a backup to Weeden or did this staff bring him in to start until they find their quarterback of the future? -- Tim Ross, Dayton

Hey, Tim: It seems that McCoy and maybe even Lewis will be the odd men out, especially if the Browns draft a young quarterback. Joe Banner also mentioned the possibility of the Browns only keeping two QBs on the roster, although I don't really see that happening in the final analysis. I'm guessing it will be Weeden, Campbell and a rookie.

Hey, Mary Kay: Does trading down and possibly getting a second-round pick make more sense than passing up Milliner if he is available? Seems the tandem of Haden and Milliner will have a great impact on the whole defense improving the front seven as well. Your thoughts? -- Phil Engle, Stow

Hey, Phil: If the Browns are truly sold on Milliner, then they should stay at No. 6 and take him. If he's equal on their board to a few other players, they should get out of the pick and get the No. 2 back. They still have a lot of holes to fill -- with their own people.

-- Mary Kay

Kyrie Irving, who practiced with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, has missed eight games with a sprained left shoulder.

View full size Kyrie Irving has missed the past eight games for the Cleveland Cavaliers with a shoulder injury. Lonnie Timmons III, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers have not said anything officially, but forward Luke Walton might have accidentally let slip the best plan Cleveland has for breaking a seven-game losing streak: Kyrie Irving.

Speaking after practice Saturday, Walton talked of why the 22-49 Cavaliers still have hope in the remaining three weeks of the season.

"I still believe that we're all in this together and we're going to play better basketball these last 11 games. Hopefully with Kyrie coming back, that can give us that spark needed to get us going in the right direction again," he said.

Uh, what? Minutes earlier, coach Byron Scott had said there were no updates on Irving's status, that the second-year guard "was just out there getting some shots up."

When Walton was asked if Irving was coming back in time for today's game in New Orleans, he chuckled.

"He practiced today, so I hope that means he's coming back," Walton said. "What's more important for Kyrie is to make sure his shoulder's healthy at this point. We can keep working to get better, but you've got to think about what's best for his future and the team's future, and that's him being healthy. We joke and kid about wanting him back, but we've also told him to make sure he's healthy because we don't want him to re-injure that shoulder, as young as he is."

The Cavaliers' point guard has missed the past eight games with a sprained left shoulder. On Monday, Irving will have missed three weeks of playing time. The original timetable for his return was 3-4 weeks.

Irving has been working out hard before games recently, even working up a sweat on the court at The Q. The Cavs are 1-7 without the All-Star point guard during his current injury absence. He missed 11 games earlier this season with a fractured left index finger and three more with a hyperextended knee. On the seven-game losing streak -- the longest of the season -- the Cavaliers have allowed opponents to shoot 49.6 percent and score an average of 104.3 points while they have managed just 42.9 percent shooting and scored 91.6 points.

Despite a series of bad losses that have included the Miami Heat charging back from a 27-point deficit, Boston erasing the Cavaliers' 14-point lead in the final 8:08 and a particularly lackluster appearance in a loss to Philadelphia on Friday, Scott believes his players still are invested in the remainder of the season -- with or without Irving.

"I hate the word quit," Scott said. "The one thing I do know for sure and for certain in that locker room, that's the one thing they haven't done. Right now, our margin for error is so small that it's tough. That's the realization of where we are at this particular point. We'll find out what type of guys we have."

After stumbling against the Sixers, Scott spoke of how he simply needs five or six guys on his team to play together for the Cavaliers to succeed. Without Irving and shooting guard Dion Waiters -- who continues to sit out with loose cartilage in his left knee -- the Cavaliers do not have dangerous playmakers on the court.

"We have to be more connected as a team, move the ball even moreso and play as a unit more than we ever have," Scott said. "Because as individuals, we're not going to be able to get it done by ourselves. That's just a fact. We've got to use each other and play together to be successful."

The Cavaliers hope to find improvement in the final games of this season.

"There's frustration, but it's not affecting the overall work ethic or even now we're already talking about next season and building habits toward next season," Walton said. "It's not like we're just in here wasting time and trying to finish the season out. We're moving in the right direction."

Especially if Irving returns soon.

Walton a good guy: Walton was named the recipient of the eighth annual Austin Carr Good Guy Award on Saturday, presented by the local chapter of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Daniel Gibson, C.J. Miles and Tristan Thompson also were nominated. The award is given to the Cavaliers player who is cooperative and understanding of the media, community and public.

"It means the media doesn't know me well," Walton joked upon hearing of the honor.

Scott on Riley: Scott, for one, was not surprised to hear that Miami Heat President Pat Riley issued a harshly worded statement to Boston Celtics President Danny Ainge after the Celtics exec criticized LeBron James for complaining about officiating.

"Danny Ainge needs to shut the [expletive] up and manage his own team," Riley said through a Heat spokesman. "He was the biggest whiner going when he was playing and I know that because I coached against him."

Scott played for Riley and the Los Angeles Lakers for 10 years.

"That's Riles," Scott said. "You attack one of his players or somebody in his organization, that's like family. That's how we feel here. You attack one of ours, we're going to attack one of yours. Plus, it's a Lakers-Celtics thing, also. That goes way back."

Right-hander Brett Myers, recovering from a dreadful start against the Rockies, allowed one run on three hits in five innings Saturday against a team of Cincinnati minor leaguers in his final tune up before the regular season.

Brett Myers went five innings against the Reds Class AAA team Friday in his final start before the regular season. Chuck Crow, Plain Dealer  

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Indians ended their Cactus League season Saturday with a 9-1 victory over the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark.

Brett Myers, facing Cincinnati's Class AAA team, allowed one earned run on three hits in five innings for the win. Myers (2-3, 9.00 ERA) struck out three and didn't walk a batter.

"I felt pretty good today," said Myers. "It was time to bear down a little bit. It was the last start before the regular season. I had to make sure everything was right."

Myers will face Toronto on Thursday at Rogers Centre in the third game of the season.

"I'm ready to go," said Myers. "It's been a long spring training (because of the World Baseball Class). It wears you down mentally, not physically."

Myers was coming off a rocky start against Colorado in which he allowed 10 runs on 14 hits in 3 1/3 innings in an 18-4 loss.

"People kept asking me if I was worried about him," said manager Terry Francona. "I wasn't worried, but it was good to see him pitch well."

As for his start against Colorado, Myers said: "I think I had too good of stuff, actually. I felt much better than I did today. They just hit every hole that was out there. I couldn't do anything to stop it.

"I wasn't happy that it happened to our relievers, too, but it just went to show you it was one of those games."

Francona started his Opening Day lineup Saturday, but each players was restricted to one or two at-bats. Catcher Carlos Santana took two at-bats, doubling in his first and homering in the fourth off Armando Galarraga to tie the score at 1. It was Santana's second homer of the spring.

Three batters later Matt Carson beat out an infield single to drive in a run for a 2-1. lead. In the sixth, Carson hit a two-run homer for a 6-1 lead. Carson, who will start the season at Class AAA Columbus, led the Indians with five homers this spring.

The Indians added three more runs in the eighth, two of them coming on a double by outfielder Bryson Myles. Dorssys Paulino, regarded as the Indians' top hitting prospect, appeared in his first Cactus League game and reached base three straight times. Paulino, 19, singled twice and reached on an error in the eighth.

The Indians finished the spring at 17-16-2.

By HOWARD FENDRICH | AP Sports Writer WASHINGTON — Jim Boeheim calls this year's Syracuse team his best defensive group ever. Hard to argue, based on the suffocating performances that put the Orange in the Final Four. Using its trapping, shot-challenging 2-3 zone to perfect effect for 40 minutes, No. 4-seeded Syracuse shut down No. 3 Marquette 55-39 in...

By HOWARD FENDRICH | AP Sports Writer

Marquette forward Steve Taylor Jr., (25) and Syracuse guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) reach for a loose ball during the first half of the East Regional final in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 30, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)





 

WASHINGTON — Jim Boeheim calls this year's Syracuse team his best defensive group ever. Hard to argue, based on the suffocating performances that put the Orange in the Final Four.

Using its trapping, shot-challenging 2-3 zone to perfect effect for 40 minutes, No. 4-seeded Syracuse shut down No. 3 Marquette 55-39 in the East Regional final Saturday to earn Boeheim his first trip to the national semis since a freshman named Carmelo Anthony helped win the 2003 NCAA title.

"It's a great thing," Boeheim joked afterward. "We go once every 10 years."

» Complete Syracuse basketball coverage from syracuse.com

Fittingly, a matchup between schools from the soon-to-break-apart, rough-and-tumble Big East became quite a struggle on the offensive end. Syracuse (30-9) was led by senior forward James Southerland's 16 points. Michael Carter-Williams, a 6-foot-6 guard who is out front in the zone, was named the regional's top player after having 12 points and eight rebounds Saturday.

Marquette (26-9) hadn't scored fewer than 47 points this season — and, indeed, put up 74 in a victory over Syracuse on Feb. 25. But this time, Marquette kept turning the ball over, seeing its shots blocked or just plain missing.

It was much like what happened Thursday in the regional semifinals, when Syracuse knocked off top-seeded Indiana by holding it to a season-low output, too.

All told, Marquette made only 12 of 53 shots — 23 percent — and was 3 for 24 on 3-pointers. Vander Blue, who carried Marquette to the round of eight, was held to 14 points on 3-for-15 shooting.

In the national semifinals at Atlanta next week, Syracuse will face the winner of Sunday's South Regional final between Florida and Michigan.

The Big East is transforming radically before next season. Syracuse is heading to the Atlantic Coast Conference, while Marquette is one of seven basketball-centric schools departing the conference to form a new league that is taking the Big East name with it.

But talk about a last hurrah.

Not only is Syracuse on its way to the Final Four, but the league also could have a second representative because Louisville is in the Midwest Regional final Sunday against Duke.

In this very same building, exactly three weeks ago, Syracuse wrapped up its final Big East regular-season schedule with a bad-as-can-be performance in a lopsided loss to Georgetown, scoring 39 points — the Orange's tiniest total in a half-century.

Thanking fans after Saturday's victory, Boeheim said: "I'm sure some of you were here, three weeks ago today, when it didn't turn out so good."

That was Syracuse's fourth loss in a span of five games, a stumbling way to head into tournament play. Since then, though, Boeheim's team has won seven of eight games.

And the secret to success? Defense, naturally.

Syracuse really needed only one run on offense in the second half, making five shots in a row during a spurt that gave it a 41-28 lead with 9½ minutes left.

With President Barack Obama — a basketball enthusiast who picked Indiana to win the title — and NFL Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins sitting in the crowd, Syracuse harassed Marquette into missing 14 of its first 15 tries from beyond the 3-point arc.

Marquette started 1 for 10 overall on field-goal tries, with Blue's 3-pointer about 1½ minutes in the only make. He celebrated as though it came at the end of the game, not the outset, punching the air and tapping Syracuse defender Brandon Triche on the back while heading to the other end of the court.

After Blue's 3, Marquette missed its next seven shots.

Davante Gardner ended that drought by scoring inside. Still, four of Marquette's next five possessions ended with turnovers: Gardner couldn't handle a teammate's pass, and the ball bounced off his face; Blue was called for traveling; C.J. Fair drew a charge from Blue; Junior Cadougan lost control of his dribble on a wild foray into the lane with the shot clock expiring.

That was part of a stretch — disappointing for Marquette, delightful for Syracuse — in which the Golden Eagles went nearly 6½ minutes without a single field-goal attempt. Forget about putting the basketball through the net; Syracuse was so smothering, Marquette did not even manage to shoot.

That helped Syracuse build a 19-7 lead.

Enter Gardner, a 290-pound reserve forward.

He scored a career-high 26 points in Marquette's 74-71 regular-season victory over Syracuse on Feb. 25, and he went right to work Saturday.

A 7-minute gap between baskets for Marquette was snapped by Gardner, who grabbed the rebound of his own missed free throw and sank a jumper, beginning a bunch of highlights for him.

Another jumper was followed by a defensive rebound, then an assist on Chris Otule's bucket. Gardner high-stepped back down the court, yelling and punching a fist, before chest-bumping Otule.

It was part of a run in which Marquette cut its deficit to 21-18 on yet another jumper in the lane by Gardner.

The thing is, the Golden Eagles can play defense, too — what Big East team can't? — and the teams combined for four turnovers, two blocks and 3-for-16 shooting in the early minutes. For the first half, Marquette shot 27 percent — take away Gardner's 4 for 5, and his teammates were under 15 percent — while Syracuse was at 36 percent.

Indeed, as Gardner almost single-handedly got his team back in the game with half of Marquette's initial 18 points, Syracuse went through an 0-for-6 blip.

But Southerland hit a 3, off a pass and screen by Michael Carter-Williams, to put the Orange ahead 24-18 at halftime.

There was a scary moment when Cadougan crashed to the floor while missing a layup and a Syracuse player landed on top of him. Cadougan stayed down for a couple of minutes, before Williams helped him up. Cadougan headed to the locker room, but returned to action before the end of the half.

Manager Terry Francona unveiled the lineup he will use on Tuesday against the Blue Jays during the Cleveland Indians' 9-1 win over the Reds on Saturday.

View full size Nick Swisher will bat cleanup for the Cleveland Indians. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer  

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The roster is set. The Cactus League schedule is complete. The Indians even held a players-only meeting Saturday morning.

"They're rebelling already," said manager Terry Francona with a laugh.

Not quite. Nick Swisher and Chris Perez wouldn't say what the meeting was about, but rebellion isn't in the air. It's more like the season opens Tuesday night against Toronto and priorities had to be set.

The one thing that had been missing was the Indians' starting lineup, but no more. Francona unveiled it Saturday for the Tribe's final Cactus League game of the spring: CF Michael Bourn, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B Jason Kipnis, 1B Nick Swisher, LF Michael Brantley, C Carlos Santana, DH Mark Reynolds, 3B Lonnie Chisenhall and RF Drew Stubbs. Brett Myers started against Cincinnati's Class AAA team, but Justin Masterson will face the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Tuesday.

"We have balance, speed and some length to the lineup," said Francona. "We have switch-hitters, we've got left-handed hitters, we've got right-handed power. We've got switch-hitters or righties hitting between our lefties.

"Now we have to go see how this lineup is going to do."

The lineup has three switch-hitters (Cabrera, Swisher and Santana), four left-handed hitters (Bourn, Kipnis, Brantley and Chisenhall) and two right-handers (Reynolds and Stubbs).

Reynolds is the right-handed power Francona referred to. He hit 23 homers last year for Baltimore and has averaged 30 homers per season over the past six years. With the power comes strikeouts, 1,122 to be exact. That's an average of 187 a year.

"I like a guy like Mark Reynolds sitting down there in the No. 7 hole," said Francona. "If he goes through periods where he's missing (striking out), he's not hitting cleanup.

"He's going to have so many opportunities to drive in runs with Brantley and Santana hitting in front of him. I think that puts him in a good position."

Chisenhall hit .400 (24-for-60) with four homers and 12 RBI this spring, but Francona chose to hit him eighth behind Reynolds and in front of Stubbs.

"His day will come when he's up in the order," said Francona. "I told him that. I think this fits right now."

Kipnis will be in the No. 3 spot, despite an unimpressive spring. Last season he started 63 games in the No. 2 spot and 53 in the No. 3 spot.

Francona didn't want to hit Kipnis second because he'd follow Bourn, another left-handed hitter. The switch-hitting Cabrera separates the two lefties in the second spot.

"Cabrera was a definite option to hit third, but by doing that then you have lefties batting back to back," said Francona. "I also wanted to break Kipnis and Brantley up. In my opinion those two could flip flop.

"This sets it up to where we're not forcing Kipnis and Brantley to face another lefty. That doesn't help them."

Kipnis hit .215 (45-for-209) against lefties last season, while Brantley hit .265 (48-for-181).

Last year Santana hit cleanup 81 times and fifth 41 times. This year he could be seeing a lot more time in the sixth spot.

"The idea is to take some pressure off him because there's so much asked of a catcher during a game," said Francona.

Francona likes speed at the top and the bottom of the order and Bourn and Stubbs give him that. Bourn stole 42 bases last year and has averaged 51 steals per season over the past five years. Stubbs stole 30 bases last year and has averaged 33 steals a year over the past three seasons.

Swisher hit .389 (21-for-54) with three homers and 11 RBI this spring, but he's never spent an extended period of time hitting in the middle of the lineup.

"He's going to hit there against lefties and righties," said Francona. "He's comfortable there. I just told him, 'Be yourself. That's what we got your for.' I think the fact that Chris Antonetti (general manager) signed other guys helps that."

Some managers spend the winter months writing lineup after lineup. Francona doesn't work that way.

"I could have spent all winter thinking about our lineup and then we sign Michael Bourn in February and everything goes out the window," said Francona. "I think I've been doing it long enough. It will take its own shape.

"Things will come into focus and make sense as you watch guys play. It doesn't mean I don't care because I love it, but it's just a waste of time. I'd rather find out as much about the player as I can rather than molding him into a spot in the lineup."

Northward bound: The Indians left the desert following their 9-1 victory over the Reds on Saturday and flew to Toronto. Sunday is a "mandatory" day off for the team, but they will hold a workout Monday at 3 p.m. at the Rogers Centre.

Final touches: Brett Myers allowed one run on three hits in five innings Saturday in the Tribe's victory over the Reds. It was much better than his previous start when he allowed 10 runs on 14 hits in 3 1/3 innings in an 18-4 loss to Colorado on March 25.

"People kept asking me if I was worried," said Francona. "I wasn't worried, but I was happy to see him pitch well."

Said Myers: "It was time to bear down. This was my last start before the regular season. I'm ready."

No. 5 starter Scott Kazmir made his final Arizona start as well. He allowed two runs on four hits in four innings pitching for Class AAA Columbus against Class AA Akron on Saturday. Kazmir, who will start against Tampa Bay on Saturday, walked three and struck out five in 84 pitches.

Yan Gomes homered twice and drove in five runs for Columbus.

Finally: Zach McAllister will make a minor league start Sunday in Goodyear before joining the Indians in Toronto. His first regular season start will be Friday against Tampa Bay. ... The Indians were going to send catcher Brian Jeroloman to Class AA Akron because Omir Santos beat him out for the backup job at Columbus. When the Pirates had an opening at Class AAA, the Indians traded him there.

Shortstop Dorssys Paulino, viewed by the Cleveland Indians as their top hitting prospect, reached base three straight times.

View full size Brett Myers looked sharp Saturday in his final spring training start for the Cleveland Indians. Mark Duncan, Associated Press  

Here's a look at the highlights and lowlights from the Indians Cactus League game against the Reds on Saturday.

Score: Indians 9, Reds (Class AAA team) 1.

Attendance: 7,022 Goodyear Ballpark.

Indians record: 17-16-2.

Start me up: Brett Myers allowed one run on three hits in five innings. He struck out three and didn't walk a batter. Myers' next start will be Thursday against Toronto in the Rogers Centre.

In the pen: Chris Perez relieved Myers and pitched a trouble-free sixth. Joe Smith, Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen didn't allow a run over the next three innings. Allen struck out two.

In the pipeline: Shortstop Dorssys Paulino, viewed by the Indians as their top hitting prospect, reached base three straight times after replacing Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop. The 18-years-old right-handed hitter singled twice and reached on an error.

Crash Carson: Matt Carson went 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBI. Carson's two-run homer gave him the Tribe's home-run title for the spring with five.

Next: The Indians are off Sunday, work out Monday and open the regular season Tuesday night in Toronto.