Napier lands on Sports Illustrated Cover: What's Next for Kentucky?

Shabazz Napier lands UConn Huskies championship cover of Sports Illustrated

by SI.com Wire

On Monday night, the UConn Huskies defeated the +Kentucky Wildcats Athletics 60-54 to win the school’s fourth national championship. It was the end of a remarkable and improbable run for the Huskies, which were a No. 7 seed coming into the NCAA tournament and had to defeat the Nos. 2 (Villanova), 3 (+Iowa State Athletics) and 4 (+Michigan State Athletics) seeds in the East regional. In the national semifinal, they defeated the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, the +Florida Gators, before taking down the Gators’ SEC rivals for the title.

Shabazz Napier, who was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, averaged 26.2 points per game in the Huskies’ six-game stretch. For Napier, the title was a bookend of his freshman year national championship, in which the team was carried primarily by Kemba Walker.

In the cover story, senior writer Michael Rosenberg describes +UConn's journey “from the brink of the abyss to a fourth national title.” Indeed, the Huskies were not even eligible for last year’s tournament due to poor academic standing. But behind second-year coach Kevin Ollie, the Huskies are back on top of the college basketball world and on the cover of +Sports Illustrated again this week.
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UConn's Veterans Outlast Tough, Physical Title Game, top Kentucky

Veteran UConn beats Kentucky's youngsters for School's Fourth NCAA title

ARLINGTON, TEXAS —

Shabazz Napier scored 22 points and +UConn won its second NCAA title in four years, beating all those +Kentucky Wildcats Athletics freshmen 60-54 in the championship game Monday night.

Napier is among three UConn seniors who were part of the Huskies' 2011 title. That trio stayed after coach Jim Calhoun's retirement even when the Huskies were ineligible for the NCAA tournament last season.

They came back strong in coach Kevin Ollie's second season, and the Huskies (32-8) went all the way to their fourth overall title.

Kentucky (29-11), with five freshmen starters, never led in the championship game.

The Wildcats missed 11 of 24 free throws, while the Huskies were perfect on 10 tries.

The beginning of the game was marked by missed shots and turnovers, neither team seeming interested in taking control. That changed with little more than four minutes off the clock, when Napier stole the ball and was fouled, and UConn came out of a timeout on a 7-0 run that took less than two minutes.

From there, the Huskies built the lead to 17-8 before a Kentucky timeout, again got it up to 24-12 on a Napier 3 pointer with 8:33 to play in the half, then made it 30-15 with six minutes to go in the half.

However, Kentucky maintained its composure, began making baskets and outscored UConn 16-5 to end the half and trim the lead to just 35-31 at intermission.

During an on-air interview at halftime, Calipari said his team opened nervous, and that he stressed to his young squad that its late run kept the game well within reach.

“We could have been down 20. We have a chance to win this,” the Kentucky coach said he told his players.

Indeed, his team looked like it received the message, Aaron Harrison hitting a 3-pointer in the opening seconds of the second half to make it a one-point game.

Kentucky would climb within one on several other occasions, but would never take the lead in the game.

A thunderous dunk by Kentucky’s James Young looked like it could be the play that would finally kick the Wildcats into high gear, his throw-down over a pair of Connecticut defenders drawing Amida Brimah’s fourth foul and, with the free throw, making the score 48-42.

The energized ’Cats would draw within one at 48-47, but back-to-back 3’s by Napier and Niels Giffey quickly made it a seven-point game again.

Five Factors that Decided Outcome of UConn's Title

Eighth-seeded Kentucky vs. seventh-seeded UConn was the highest seed total to play for the title since they started putting numbers by the names back in 1979. The Wildcats, who missed March Madness last year, entered the game having not lost a tournament game since the 2011 semifinal against UConn — winning it all in 2012 and missing the tournament last season.

It's Kentucky going for its ninth national title and second in three years, with an almost completely rebuilt roster from 2012. It's the way coach John Calipari does it, like it or not, and it hasn't all been easy sailing. The team that was ranked first in the preseason poll fell out of it completely for the start of March Madness.

Only then, did the Wildcats start playing to their potential.

Kentucky reached the brink of an NCAA title with five freshman starters, including the cool right hand of Aaron Harrison and his decisive 3-pointers in three straight games.

Connecticut got to Monday night's championship game behind a pair of starters with Final Four experience, and a strong dose of defense.

''There's a lot of different ways to play this game and there's a lot of different ways to teach it and coach it and play it,'' Calipari said before the game. ''My whole thing is I'm coaching the hand that's dealt.''

Calipari's hand contained plenty of aces, and now he will once again face the annual question of how many will still be there after the NBA draft. Julius Randle, who played for the title in the Dallas area he calls home, seems the most likely to make the jump.

Aaron Harrison certainly received a lot of attention after last-second 3s to beat Michigan and Wisconsin and another late shot from long range that put the Wildcats in front of defending national champion Louisville.

Seniors Napier and Giffey also had roles on the Huskies' national title team in 2011.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW COLLEGE HOOPS FINAL - UCONN vs KENTUCKY

What you need to know for the Kentucky vs. UConn national championship game

By SCOTT GLEESON 8 hours ago

ARLINGTON, Texas – Bracket experts, media analysts and office pool juggernauts certainly didn’t expect these two teams to be in the national championship game. The players and coaches at Kentucky and UConn aren’t surprised much, go figure.

“I don’t think we were a No. 8 seed and I don’t think Connecticut was a No. 7 seed,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said.

These teams have had their inconsistencies, but their routes to Monday’s title game highlight the unexpectedness of the NCAA tournament and the maturation of two fiery teams. This game will come down to Xs and Os, sure, but the key to understanding these teams is simple: Resiliency and togetherness have got them here.

“I know we are fighters,” UConn coach Kevin Ollie said. “Dark times is what promotes you.”

Game Time: 9:10 p.m. ET

Location: Arlington, Texas

TV: CBS

Analysis: Who has the edge? Here’s a video breakdown and key factors for UConn and Kentucky.

How the Wildcats (29-10, 12-6) got here: Beat Kansas State, Wichita State, Louisville, Michigan, Wisconsin.

How the Huskies (21-8, 12-6) got here: Beat Saint Joseph’s, Villanova, Iowa State, Michigan State, Florida.

BACKCOURT

Key Kentucky players: Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, James Young

Key UConn players: Shabazz Napier, Ryan Boatright, Niels Giffey

Advantage goes to: UConn. Napier and Boatright are arguably the best backcourt tandem in the country, and they undoubtedly have been the best in this NCAA tournament. Napier has ability to take over games offensively, but it was the duo’s defense that made the difference in the Huskies’ victory against top-ranked Florida. They held SEC Player of the Year Scottie Wilbekin to four points — which caused the Gators to completely unravel offensively. If they can put a similar defensive lockdown on Andrew and Aaron Harrison — forcing turnovers and bad shots— that can be the ultimate edge. Young, who paced Kentucky with 17 points against Wisconsin, could be the X-Factor. His length and athleticism will be tough for even Napier and Boatright to guard. And Aaron Harrison obviously wins the clutch award for his back-to-back game-winners, but Napier has been the definition of clutch this season. Giffey is a big-time glue guy to keep an eye on for Connecticut.

FRONTCOURT

Key Kentucky players: Julius Randle, Dakari Johnson, Alex Poythress

Key UConn players: Phillip Nolan, DeAndre Daniels, Amida Brimah

Advantage goes to: Kentucky. For all of the love Aaron Harrison and James Young have been getting for their backcourt heroics, it’s important to remember Kentucky wouldn’t be positioned to win if it weren’t for Randle, the Wildcats’ most consistent offensive force all season. His pitbull-like aggressiveness could be tough for Connecticut to handle. Daniels was the Huskies’ best player against Florida, finishing with a double-double (20 points and 10 rebounds). He’ll need a similar performance to keep UConn in the mix. Nolan and Brimah both had four fouls against Florida, and they’ll need to stay out of foul trouble against an athletically gifted, deep Kentucky frontcourt that got huge contributions from Johnson and Poythress vs. Wisconsin.

BENCH

Advantage goes to: Kentucky. The Wildcats got a much-needed boost from Marcus Lee in the win against Michigan, but the freshman wasn’t as effective in 10 minutes against Wisconsin. Poythress is a great sixth man who plays starter minutes, doing the little things to help win games — evidenced by his eight points and seven boards in 29 minutes vs. Wisconsin. Terrence Samuel had some big buckets for UConn against Florida, but the Huskies aren’t particularly deep. That could be an area that gets exposed.

COACHING

Advantage goes to: Ollie. Surprised by that answer? Calipari has a ring and has done perhaps his best coaching job in getting this initially undisciplined team to the title game. But Ollie’s leadership is the reason this Connecticut team has defied even bigger odds in beating national title favorites Florida and Michigan State en route to the championship game. He’s instilled the same chip-on-the-shoulder mentality he had as a player within his players.

“A lot of it has come from coach,” Boatright said of the team’s extra gear. “He played 13 years in the NBA, and he’s worked extremely hard for everything that he has. He’d be the first one to tell you that he wasn’t the most talented player. He just worked extremely hard and took a lot of pride in himself, and he instills that in us every day.”

(Graphics by Tim McGarry.)

NCAA tournament refs made another bad call at end of Arizona-Wisconsin game

By CHRIS CHASE

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

Dear NCAA tournament referees,

Let ‘em play.

Sincerely,

All of us

For the second straight night, a classic +NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness game swung on the overeager whistle of a referee. With four seconds left in overtime of Saturday’s West regional final and his team trailing by one point, Arizona’s Nick Johnson was called for a charge on Wisconsin’s Josh Gasser. The Wildcats would go on to lose the game, 64-63.

Refs got the end of the +University of Michigan - +Tennessee Vols wrong

Was it a charge? Maybe. Johnson threw his body into Gasser and pushed off with his left forearm. There was certainly enough contact to blow a whistle.

But was it a block first? Maybe. Gasser bodied Johnson as he started his drive. +SPORTS CR3W. That contact is what led to Johnson throwing the forearm.

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

When it’s up in the air like that, there’s only one call to make: Not making one at all. What had been a well-officiated and well-played +NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness Tournament has turned into an unfortunate zebra showcase over the past 26 hours. Part of that is because the competition is better, the stakes are higher and there are more eyes on the games. Part of it is officials who think they’re on display. Let the athletes settle it, not the refs. When there’s 10 seconds left in a game and one possession separates the teams, keep the whistle around the neck unless it’s something egregious.

But just like the previous night, one bad call led to another. On the inbound pass after the charge call, both teams slapped for the ball as it went out of bounds. Officials spent almost five minutes looking at the replay. Though the ball was initially awarded to +Wisconsin Badgers, the interminable review eventually gave +Arizona Wildcats the ball with 2.3 seconds left. This appeared to be the right decision, though it was far from conclusive.

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

But there was one thing officials missed before the ball was tapped out of bounds. Look how far Arizona’s Aaron Gordon was over the baseline.

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

They all even out.

Then again, it could be the NIT officials doing the games and that would be catastrophic, no doubt.

Early Games set for Sweet 16 - Quick Lookback

This is what the original post said but it would be an extremely long stretch to even say that the foul called on Johnson's drive was equivalent to a side out, in bounds pass with 2.3 seconds left to get 50% of as good of look as he had on the drive with 3 seconds left. Johnson's teammate was right there for the rebound if the shot did bounce as it did for essentially the putback winner like the +Texas Longhorns buzzer beater over the +Arizona State Sun Devils in the 2nd round. Not quite even there, especially when you consider the fact that Wisconsin got a favorable 1 and 1 call on a ball that Johnson was trying to tie up, got elbowed in the face and touched the player after the blow. Really not a foul at all and those 2 points were monumental. Called by the same official, we would add. 

Saturday's NCAA Tournament guide: Players to watch, keys to victory, more

Richard Mackson/Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona guard Nick Johnson celebrates during the Wildcats' win against San Diego State

CORBETT SMITH
Staff Writer
corbettsmith@dallasnews.com
Published: 28 March 2014

Eight teams are one step away in the +NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness — but how meaningful that a step is, depends, on the program.

For the bluebloods of college basketball, getting past the Elite Eight means another crack at an all-important title. Otherwise, it’s just another item to update in next year’s media guide. But for those getting a rare — or even first-time — Final Four opportunity, the experience is potentially program-changing.

Here are my highly arbitrary rankings – from a “Meh” 1 to “Holy Smokes!” 10 – on the importance of a trip to Arlington.

SOUTH REGION

11. +University of Dayton (26-10) vs. 1. +Florida Gators (35-2)
5:09 p.m. today (TBS)

DAYTON: 9 (“Is that tear gas?”) +SPORTS CR3W finds little reason to not put this at a "10" though?! First since '47, why would it not be?

(Associated Press)

Dayton coach Archie Miller is most famous for being the younger brother of Arizona coach Sean Miller. During a Sweet 16 news conference, someone even called him Sean, then quickly apologized. “You don’t have to worry about that,” Archie, 35, said. “Everyone calls me Sean.”

The elder brother by 10 years, Sean was the Big East freshman of the year, eventually setting the career assists record at Pitt. Archie was no slouch, a four-year letterman at +North Carolina State, but he could never get away from comparisons to his brother, who actually gave him the nickname “Archie.” His birth name is Ryan.

Sigmund Freud, go nuts with that.

The Flyers made the NCAA title game in 1967, led by Dayton native Don May (who later had a nine-year career in the NBA, winning a title with the Knicks in 1970). +UCLA Bruins beat the Flyers, 79-64, led by 20 points from sophomore Lew Alcindor.

FLORIDA: 3 (Gators’ spring football in two weeks!) Sorry buddy, +SPORTS CR3W will point out that the Gators have become much more of a basketball school to Donovan's credit and over a decade of perhaps the strongest run in all of college basketball regarding programs. Football prowess or lack thereof, does not diminish what Gators' hoops has become.

(Associated Press)

Want a gauge of how much basketball matters in the state of Florida? There was some concern this March that fans of the football-crazed Gators wouldn’t sell out its opening-round games in nearby Orlando.

“If it’s not, the iconic Billy Donovan should leave Florida for a fan base that appreciates the amazing job he’s done in building an elite basketball program where nobody thought it was possible,” +Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi wrote.

Florida is the only program in the country to make the Elite Eight in each of the past four seasons. With another title, Donovan would become the sixth coach to win at least three titles (Florida won back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007), better than Dean Smith, Roy Williams and Denny Crum. Gator fans would be proud of such an accomplishment. But would they rather have a football title, like rival +Florida State Seminoles? Absolutely.

WEST REGION

2. +Wisconsin Badgers (29-7) vs. 1. +Arizona Wildcats  (33-4)

7:49 p.m. today (+TBS)

WISCONSIN: 8 (“On, Wisconsin!”) Another undervalued meaning, this is a "9" or "10"

Photo Courtesy: Official +NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness 

When Wisconsin won its only basketball title, 1947, the NCAA Tournament played second-fiddle to the NIT. There’s been a lot of basketball talent roll through Madison since then, both players and coaches.

The Badgers have been a solid but not spectacular program in the basketball-crazy Big Ten for more than a decade, making 16 straight NCAA appearances. +University of Michigan, +Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan State, +Fighting Illini and +Indiana University Athletics have all had their time in the Final Four spotlight since Wisconsin’s last appearance. In 2000, former coach Dick Bennett led a workman-like No. 8 seed to the semifinals, beating No. 1 seed Arizona (with Gilbert Arenas) in the Round of 32 in the process. Wisconsin lost to Big Ten rival +Michigan State Athletics, 53-41, the year of Tom Izzo’s only national championship.

Current Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan is one of the best in basketball, but he also wears the badge of “best current coach to never reach a Final Four.” He does, however, have four Division III titles at Wisconsin-Platteville.

ARIZONA: 5 (“Bringing the dry heat.”)

(Associated Press)

When Lute Olson led Arizona to the 2001 Final Four, eventually losing to +Duke Athletics in the final, the Wildcats' were considered one of the preeminent basketball programs in the country. At that point, Arizona had the best winning percentage of any team over the previous 13 years. Well, it’s been 13 years since the Wildcats have played on the final weekend.

Current coach Sean Miller (see above) hasn’t made the Final Four in his career, despite making the Elite Eight twice before (with +Xavier University in 2008, and Arizona in 2011). But he’s probably not sweating it as much as his brother; after all, he has one of the nation’s premier jobs.

That said, this would be as good a time as any for a Final Four trip; star freshman forward Aaron Gordon isn’t likely to stick around. Gordon continues to boost his +NBA draft stock, going 7-for-9 from the field in a 15 point, six-rebound performance last round against +San Diego State Athletics.

D8ON!! Dayton High Life is Sixth 11 seed to make the Elite 8

D8TON! No. 11 Flyers beat No. 10 Stanford, 82-72, for first #Elite8 appearance since 1984. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/7NyeJfJftp
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 28, 2014

+University of Dayton takes down +Stanford Athletics men's hoops to advance to Elite 8. +Wisconsin Badgers made a statement by really never even giving the hot +Baylor Athletics a glimpse of hope. Badgers simply dominated to moe on to the Elite 8. Dayton will play the winner of the +Florida Gators - +UCLA Bruins and Wisconsin (2 seed) will play the winner of the +Arizona Wildcats - +San Diego State Athletics game. Both 1 seed vs 4 seed match ups.

HIGHLIGHT: Wisconsin wins the game to advance to the Elite Eight. (by @InfinitiUSA) #MarchMadness http://t.co/jvTnG7rEPK
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 28, 2014

We'll take the "smart" money on who we had in the national championship game for the last month or so and in a bracket. Gators vs Wildcats, but could it be a night for the 4 seed? Aztecs and UCLA could win these games indeed. Can't wait to see!

Early Games for Sweet 16 Tonight.

This is for Morgan Miller, of course, we are riding the Dayton High Life (+University of Dayton) Flyers, of course, although +Stanford Athletics might overwhelm with length. And as we have this bracket in tact, going with the +Baylor Athletics Bears, who are scorching hot, to take +Wisconsin Badgers in a high scoring game (not a lot of stiff defense with these two this year, normally, but nerves might affect that).

It's time for the #Sweet16! http://t.co/ZS4UtoNxux #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/3rIoudbfWi
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 27, 2014

.

USF Men's Basketball Coach Vacancy still vacant after Discovery that Masiello does not have College Degree

A walk on of 4 years under Pitino and he did not get his degree, in our opinion this is a black eye for all involved and a bit embarrassing. How can Coach Casiello think he has a degree? Only to find out he does not? Makes you wonder how many athletes with Pitino, scholastics was an emphasis or how much... I doubt we need to even touch on John Calipari work regarding this topic. +Kentucky Wildcats Athletics making me wonder right now... 

---------

Masiello's lack of degree costs him USF hoop job

AP - Sports 

+The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Steve Masiello's promising coaching career is in limbo after his deal with +USF Athletics fell apart because he doesn't have a college diploma.

+Manhattan College said Wednesday that it had placed him on leave while Masiello is ''reviewing his degree status.''

South Florida confirmed earlier Wednesday that the school had an agreement in principle to lure Masiello away from Manhattan, but that the contract was contingent on ''a verification of credentials.''

USF requires its basketball coach to have at least a bachelor's degree. The 39-year-old Masiello did not graduate after attending Kentucky, where he played for Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith from 1996-2000.

''Through the verification process it was determined the candidate's credentials could not be substantiated and therefore he did not meet the requirements for the position,'' the school said in a brief statement. ''The national search continues and USF looks forward to introducing a new coach at the appropriate time.''

Masiello has a 61-39 record in three seasons at Manhattan. The Jaspers went 28-5 this season, which ended with a close loss to Louisville in the +NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness.

Kentucky spokesman Jay Blanton verified Masiello was a student there from 1996-2000 in the college of communication, but did not graduate. Masiello's bio on Manhattan's web site says the coach graduated from Kentucky in 2000 with a degree in communications.

Manhattan said in a statement that it ''learned there is a question of the validity'' of Masiello's degree after South Florida commissioned a background check.

''Masiello is currently in the process of reviewing his degree status with the University of Kentucky,'' the statement said. ''Manhattan College has placed Masiello on leave while he completes this process with the university.''

Masiello, a former assistant under Pitino at Louisville, was going to replace former USF coach Stan Heath, who was fired this month.

A one-time ball boy for Pitino when his mentor was coach of the New York Knicks, Masiello was a walk-on at Kentucky and part of a team that made two trips to the Final Four and won one national championship. He was an assistant at Manhattan and +Tulane University before spending six seasons on Pitino's staff at +Louisville Cardinals Athletics.

USF fired Heath on March 14 after the Bulls finished 12-20, including 3-15 in their first season in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls appeared to be on the rise two years ago, when they tied a school record with 22 wins and made their first appearance in the NCAA tournament in two decades.

But Heath won just 24 games over his final two seasons.

Miller Brothers Must be Having a Sweet time - Both in Sweet 16

A sweet time for NCAA coaches Sean and Archie Miller

Nicole Auerbach, 
+USA TODAY Sports

35-year-old Archie Miller has led +University of Dayton to a surprise berth in the +NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness Sweet 16.

His older brother Sean, has No. 1 seed +Arizona Wildcats in the top spot in the West Region

Their father has split his time between the two programs this season

(Photo: Spruce Derden and Casey Sapio, USA TODAY Sports)

The Sweet 16 can mean different things to different programs. John Miller's two sons epitomize that.

Archie, the third-year coach at Dayton, has his 11th-seeded Flyers into the round of 16 for the first time in 30 years. This is a revelation.

Sean has No. 1 seed and title contender Arizona in the Sweet 16 for the third time in four years. This is expected.

BRACKET BRIEFING: Ranking the Sweet 16

Together, they're also historical. It's the first time two brothers have coached in the same Sweet 16. And the whole situation led to their father John experiencing some mixed emotions — beyond his overall excitement.

He's giddy when he's talking about Archie's surprising run at Dayton: "With Dayton right now, it's like icing on the cake every time he wins one. It's really fun, and the program is just exploding right now."

On the other hand, he's a bit stressed out when he's asked about Sean's postseason run and a team that was No. 1 in the polls for much of the year.

"It's almost like you're supposed to get there," John said in a phone interview Monday. "Watching the team right now, it's a lot more nerve-wracking with Arizona. They're a No. 1 seed. They've been doing pretty well. They're expected to get to the end. I think there's pressure."

SWEET 16: Game and TV schedule

Despite the differences — and their varying effect on their father watching the games – there's one thing that's undeniable about having two brothers in the same Sweet 16.

"It's very special," Sean said after beating Gonzaga on Sunday, a day after Archie punched his ticket. "We're both the product of a great family, but in particular our dad being who he is, not only a great high school coach, maybe one of the best, ever, at least in our opinion but also a great dad. It was that combination of so much time spent that you know he gave us an understanding of the game, a love of the game, and I think we're both probably coaches because of him.

"Today is a special day in my mind more for him."

John was a longtime and legendary high school coach in western Pennsylvania who won four state titles and more than 650 games at +Blackhawk High School school and +Riverside High School. At Blackhawk, he coached both sons, who each went on to have terrific college careers — Sean at Pittsburgh, and Archie at +North Carolina State University — before they followed their father's footsteps and picked up a whistle.

Looking back now, the sons aren't surprised.

"Five years old, six years old, he's teaching us how to play one-on-one, how to keep score when you're playing a pick-up game when you're seven years old," Archie, 35, said in a phone interview Monday. "He was always teaching us the game. Before you realize it, you're a coach, too. It's just a natural fit. It's what you talked about at the dinner table, what you talked on the car ride home, at camps, in the car heading to practice. There were no summer vacations for us. It was all basketball every day."

Day by day, practice by practice, John's boys tried to improve their game. They worked to work harder than everyone else, particularly when they didn't have the size or athleticism others had. They learned, as all of John's players did over the decades, that he required you to have a strong work ethic.

"My program was pretty much, 'We're going to outwork you,' " John said. " 'We're going to try to rack up extra hours on you and get an advantage by being flat-out more determined and passionate about the game.' I think those guys have picked that up and taken it into their own programs. There aren't too many people who can outwork them."

That is evident in everything from recruiting to scouting opponents. The two brothers haven't spoken on the phone since the NCAA tournament began; they're too busy preparing their own teams. Instead, they text.

Arizona coach Sean Miller instructs and manages his team in a style that was informed by his father John, a longtime successful high school coach in Pennsylvania.(Photo: Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)

Archie believes he runs his Dayton program similarly to how Sean does it in Tucson. It makes sense; Archie spent the final two seasons before he got the Dayton job as Sean's assistant at Arizona. Both sons still run a few set plays from their father's playbook, too.

"When (Sean) sent me off and I got the opportunity at Dayton, I really stuck to the blueprint that we created at Arizona," Archie said. "To watch it work here, it's kind of proof in the pudding. … We're very similar in our styles. We approach the game the same way — versatility, love offense, love to teach, all about toughness."

There are a few differences in their demeanor on the sidelines or in practice, but they're hard to detect because the brothers — though 10 years apart in age — look like each other, have similar mannerisms and speak with the same inflections.

"I think he probably rolls with the punches a little better right now," Archie said. "Being a little younger, I'm probably a little more antsy, ready to jump on things quicker, a little more aggressive with my players. I think he's more calm."

Said John: "Arch is a little more outgoing, wears his emotions on his sleeve a little more than Sean does."

And both ways work, apparently. John's seen it firsthand; he spent the season's first couple of months with Archie in Dayton, then the cold winter months in Arizona, and now he's back hanging around the Flyers.

Dayton will take on No. 10 seed +Stanford Athletics this Thursday at 7:15 p.m. ET in Memphis — John will be there — while Arizona is set to tip off later that same night against No. 4 +San Diego State University in Anaheim. Thursday will be a special night for one of western Pennsylvania's most famous coaching trees.

"Right now, we're benefactors of growing up in a world a lot of people probably couldn't imagine, being entrenched in the game of basketball," Archie said. "It's what we do."

A shirt that we can all Support, thanks to Morgan Miller, Dayton's Head Coach Archie Miller's Wife :D

Notice that even Morgan Miller, and her Dayton "CR3W" are wearing them too! :Dayton

Link available from Morgan herself to grab one also at the bottom of the article! Classics...

+Sports Illustrated | LADIES

BY GABRIEL BAUMGAERTNER

Morgan Miller captured the internet’s attention with her T-shirt. (h/t +Larry Brown Sports)

Last year, the Twitterati honed in on the candid shots of Amanda Enfield, wife of former Florida Gulf Coast head coach Andy Enfield, during the NCAA tournament. This year, there’s a strong likelihood the ogling will be directed at Morgan Miller, whose husband, Archie, just coached Dayton to its first Sweet 16 since 1984. But let’s celebrate that t-shirt before anybody moves to type “MORGAN MILLER FOTOS + MORGAN MILLER PICS + ARCHIE MILLER WIFE” into Google Images. For starters, just follow her on Twitter at @BballWife4Life. +University of Dayton 

We’re not trying to be lecherous here. It’s that shirt that we love so much. High Life is trustworthy and crisp, a relic of American taste as the craft beer snobs, excuse me “experts,” crowd our bar taps. Heck, High Life is a lot like Dayton itself. The Flyers lack pretention and are pretty unrefined (on offense, at least). Who knows where Morgan made that shirt, but it’s awesome nonetheless. She’s the champagne of basketball wives. 

This is after the Flyers beat the +Syracuse Orange to advance to Sweet 16 in the +NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness. 

Enniss misses 3 at buzzer as the Flyers advance to Sweet 16 since 1984.

But you probably want a GIF, so, a GIF you shall receive:

(h/t Larry Brown Sports)

AND, even better, Morgan Miller just let us know that the "Dayton High Life" Tees are available here! Thanks for the S/O Morgan - Gotta get these classics.

@SportsCR3W Here is a direct link to purchase #DaytonHighLife shirts. We crashed their system! 😉😁 http://t.co/zVrbyq962E
— Morgan Miller (@BballWife4Life) March 23, 2014

Dayton, 11 seed, Dance on to Sweet 16, Beat Syracuse, 3 seed, 55 - 53

No. 11 Dayton dances on, sinking No. 3 Syracuse, 55-53

BY ZAC ELLIS

Dayton stifled Syracuse’s offense, including on the last possession, when the Flyers
prevented Tyler Ennis from getting a clean look at a game winner. (Elsa/Getty)

Tyler Ennis missed a potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, and No. 11 Dayton survived No. 3-seed Syracuse 55-53 in the South Regional on Saturday. The victory sends the Flyers to their first Sweet 16 after two straight upsets in the NCAA tournament.

After Ennis missed an earlier jumper that would have given the Orange the lead with 11 seconds to play, Syracuse fouled Dyshawn Pierre who stepped to the free-throw line with a chance to put the Flyers ahead by three. He knocked down the first shot but missed the second, and Syracuse — with no timeouts — streaked down the court as Ennis advanced the ball and hoisted a trey. Dayton’s Vee Sanford rebounded the miss just before the clock struck zero.

The Flyers’ victory capped a wild second half after a slow-moving first half. Dayton held a slim 20-18 lead at the break, when neither team was hitting shots during the first 20 minutes. But Dayton made a real push after intermission when Khari Price nailed a triple to give his team a 32-26 lead and force a Syracuse timeout with just under 13 minutes to play.

Syracuse kept it close, however, and an Ennis layup with 18 seconds left push the Orange to within one. But his missed jumper on the ensuing possession led to Pierre’s free throws, and Ennis’ winning trey then clanked off the rim.

Syracuse couldn’t buy a bucket for much of the evening. It finished shooting 39 percent from the field — including 0-of-10 on three-pointers — and couldn’t take advantage of 14 Dayton turnovers. This program had national title aspirations when the season began, and those hopes continued as it started the season 25-0 and climbed to No. 1 in the AP poll. But the wheels came off for the Orange, losing five of their last seven games entering the big dance. Coach Jim Boeheim can blame a poor offensive effort for his team’s ultimate demise in the tournament.

Dayton, meanwhile, moves forward after two unlikely upsets. Most fans would blame Dayton for the first bracket-busting win of the postseason: Its 60-59 upset of 6-seed Ohio State on Thursday. Now the Flyers have guaranteed that the Sweet 16 will include two double-digit seeded teams: Dayton and the winner of Sunday’s meeting between 11-seed Tennessee and 14-seed Mercer. The Flyers will have to shoot a little better for 40 minutes to hang with the winner of Kansas and Stanford in the next round, but Dayton may finally have some fans rooting for the underdog.

------------------------------

Morgain Miller, the wife of the Flyers Heach Coach, Archie Manning wears a shirt that we all can support 

 Other Memorable 11 Seeds in +NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness History: 2006 - +George Mason University

First shot that made some Thunder at NCAA by North Dakota State Bison, followed by Longhorns Buzzer Beater, 4 OT's Set Record

A recap of +North Dakota State Bison thrilling end to topple +The University of Oklahoma squad on the first day of the NCAA tournament otherwise known as, "March Madness."

HIGHLIGHT: @NDSUmbb hits a 3-pointer to tie it up late. (by @InfinitiUSA) #MarchMadness http://t.co/551iECjW01
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 21, 2014

Party time in the @NDSUathletics locker room. Ooh kill 'em. http://t.co/CsbLMNyIxM by @ATT https://t.co/tZAZ3AtYNS
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 21, 2014

We'll gladly be your Cinderella, America.
— NDSU Basketball (@NDSUmbb) March 21, 2014

Elation. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/QGjzKIYHh0
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 21, 2014

BISON STAMPEDE THROUGH OKLAHOMA! North Dakota State upsets Oklahoma, 80-75 in OT. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/M8IeG1nAge
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 21, 2014

==================

Here is the dagger to +Arizona State Sun Devils as the +Texas Longhorns knock em off at the buzzer. On a night of the first 4 OT day/night round in +NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness history. What a day for college basketball!!

TEXAS MOVES ON! No. 7 Longhorns edge No. 10 Arizona State, 87-85, on Cameron Ridley's putback at the buzzer! #MarchMadness
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 21, 2014

HIGHLIGHT: @TexasMBB with a game-winning putback basket to knock off Arizona St. (by @InfinitiUSA) #MarchMadness http://t.co/dPcDfwAkdP

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 21, 2014

Billickens Overcome big odds, 16 pt deficity, OT Victory vs N.C. State and Missed Free Throws

HIGHLIGHT: St. Louis survives to advance after N.C. State misses at the buzzer. (by @CokeZero) #MarchMadness http://t.co/TC6yYhyvmX

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 21, 2014

NCAA Tourney Starting Schedule and Slate of Match ups: Printable Bracket

Florida is the overall top seed in the NCAA tournament, and will be joined on the '1' line by Arizona, +University of Virginia, and Wichita State.

The selection committee released its pairings Sunday, not long after the Gators defeated Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference tournament final to bring their winning streak to 26 games.

Fifth-seeded +University of Cincinnati Bearcats takes on No. 12 +Harvard University in Spokane, Wash. on Thursday.

On Tuesday, Xavier will play fellow 12 seed North Carolina State in a First Four game in Dayton. The winner advances to play St. Louis in Orlando.

The Kentucky Wildcats opens up against +Kansas State University, in an 8-9 matchup. That game will be played in St. Louis. Meanwhile rival +Louisville Cardinals, a surprising No. 4 seed, opens up action against Manhattan.

Both Commonwealth schools are in the Midwest Region.

In an all-Ohio battle, the sixth-seeded +Ohio State Buckeyes take on the 11 seed, +Dayton Flyers, in Buffalo, N.Y. on Thursday.

+Florida Gators is seeded first (number one overall seed) in the South Region. On Thursday, the Gators play the winner of a First Four game between +Albany Devils and St. Mary's.

+Arizona Wildcats got top billing in the West Region despite losing to +UCLA Bruins in the +Pac-12 Conference final Saturday. The Wildcats will open Friday against +Weber State University.

+Wichita State is the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region — that includes Big Ten regular season champs, +University of Michigan and AAC regular season and tournament champs, Louisville, who joined the Shockers in the Final Four last year. The reigning NCAA Div. 1 Champions are seeded fourth. The Wolverines are seeded second.

+Kansas Jayhawks earned the No. 2 seed in the South Region and +Wisconsin Badgers are No. 2 in the West.

First Four matchups involving bubble teams are +Iowa Hawkeyes against +Tennessee Vols, as well as the previously stated XU and N.C. State contest.

Free Fillable Online Brackets Found Here and Printable Brackets Linked to Bracket:

NCAA Tournament 2014: Bracket reactions, instant analysis

Original by Ryan Fagan (Slight changes by +Marleigh Crews) 
+Sporting News 

East Region

Yes, +University of Virginia, there is a No. 1 seed. The committee clearly rewarded the accomplishment of winning the ACC in the regular season and the tournament. And it seems the loss to Seton Hall was very damaging to Villanova.

But, of course, the big news here was the reveal of the final at-large teams. +SMU Mustangs, +Florida State Seminoles, +UWGB (Green Bay at Wisconsin) and +Georgetown University, were the first four teams out. 

The lowest at-large team in this region is, in fact, ninth-seeded +George Washington University Colonials, which seems odd. You have auto bids at 10 (St. Joe's) , 11 (+Providence Friars), 12 (+Harvard University) and 13 (+University of Delaware).

Big East member, Villanova, their Head Coach, Jay Wright on readying up for +NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness 

MORE: Interactive bracket | Printable | Should you bet against the top seeds?

Seed-wise, I thought +North Carolina Tar Heels would get a 5 and +University of Cincinnati Bearcats, +UConn, and +Michigan State Athletics might be a line up, but that’s not a big deal.

Midwest Region

The stunner in most folks’ minds will be +Louisville Cardinals Athletics as a No. 4 seed. I had them as a No. 3 seed because of their awful, awful non-conference schedule, but there’s no way I thought they would be down as far as a fourth seed, not with the way they blew through the AAC Tournament. That’s surprising. Very surprising, Sports CR3W felt along with Michigan State as a 4. No #1 seed should face those two teams who look to be at full strength currently in the sweet 16 / Regional Finals. Both won their perspective conference tournaments as evidenced.

Speaking of surprisingly low seeds … +Kentucky Wildcats Athletics as an 8 seed? That’s unexpected. It’s a brutal bracket for No. 1 seed +Wichita State, with those two on the top half of the bracket, not to mention +Duke Basketball as a No. 3 seed and +Michigan Wolverines as a 2.

Final Four Seeds (Paul Nisely/SN Illustration)(AP Photos)

PHOTOS: Biggest NCAA Tournament first-round upsets

The crushing reveal in this bracket was when +North Carolina State University got a surprising bid over other potential at-large candidates. The Wolfpack clearly punched their ticket with their ACC Tournament victory against +Syracuse Orange.

West Region

Where to start? A handful of surprising seeds handed out in this region. +BYU, whom +SPORTS CR3W had as "out" to surely +SMU Mustangs, even Green Bay or the Seminoles. The WCC is a one bid conference this year. Very surprising that they got in, let alone as a 10 seed. They had one good win versus the +Texas Longhorns (a 7 seed). Win you look at good wins and then bad losses. BYU played 5 games, all losses, but one, against teams with an RPI of 135 or worse. +San Diego State Athletics was given a No. 4 seed, which is almost stunning considering +UNM (New Mexico) — which beat the Aztecs twice this year — was a 7 seed in the South. Befuddling.

And we have a couple of thoroughly entertaining potential matchups with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line. +Oklahoma State Athletics winds up as a No. 9 seed, and if the Cowboys get past the overseeded +Gonzaga Bulldogs — hint, they will — they’ll face top seed Arizona. That will be a fantastic matchup, or at least a very entertaining matchup.

Then, maybe 11th-seeded +Nebraska Cornhuskers  against third-seeded +Creighton University? Of course, the Cornhuskers — the most out-of-nowhere success story this year — first have to play Baylor in the opener. And nobody wants to play the red-hot Bears right about now.

Here Nebraska's Head Coach Tim Miles Touching on the match up versus the +Baylor Athletics Basketball Team

South Region

Honestly, I was a little surprised +Virginia Commonwealth University was as high as a No. 5 seed, but I was a lot surprised that New Mexico wound up as a No. 7 seed. The Lobos beat San Diego State twice — once during the regular season and then again in the Mountain West championship game. Add in a win against Cincinnati — the top seed in the American tournament — and solid computer numbers — the Lobos were 13th in the RPI and 28th in the Pomeroy ratings, and I thought they deserved a seed as high as five.

Also, love the fact that +Ohio State Buckeyes has to play in-state foe +University of Dayton Flyers Flyers. That’ll be intense. Zero surprise about Florida as the top overall seed, or Kansas as a No. 2. The +Kansas Jayhawks struggled, at times, without Joel Embiid, but their resume is beyond reproach, despite the nine losses. Have noticed that Kansas has been able to play in the states of Kansas or Missouri in their last three NCAA Tournaments of the top of our heads'. It might even be more. We understand that they're a locale ideal for the Midwest area of the country but it is a trend we've noticed as the Tar Heels have fallen victim to it the last couple match ups vs the Jayhawks.


+Brought to you by +CBS Sports, Kansas Head Coach Bill Self