Sports

George Mason stuns Connecticut

WASHINGTON -- George Mason's players stood on the press table, waving their jerseys to the crowd. Coach Jim Larranaga walked around with the nylon net around his neck. It won't be the same old schools from the same old conferences at this year's Final Four -- certainly not top-seeded Connecticut.

Seniors break school records at NCAA's

Seniors Sergiy Fesenko and Kevin Swander eclipsed their own school records as the IU men's swimming and diving team concluded its season with a 12th-place finish at the 2006 NCAA Championships in Atlanta this weekend. The Hoosiers tallied 115.5 points, the most since the 1977 NCAA Championships, when IU scored 173 points for a fourth-place finish. Additionally, the 12th-place finish ties IU's best since the 1989 NCAA Championships. Overall, the University of Auburn scored 480.5 points to hold off the University of Arizona(440.5) en route to its fourth consecutive NCAA championship.

IU's WNIT run ends

MILWAUKEE -- In the closing seconds of Friday night's WNIT matchup with Marquette, senior guard Cyndi Valentin found herself in a position most players can only dream of. With 11 seconds remaining in the game and the IU women's basketball team down three points, Valentin had the ball in her hands with the chance to send the game into overtime.

IU's WNIT run ends

MILWAUKEE -- In the closing seconds of Friday night's WNIT match-up with Marquette, senior guard Cyndi Valentin found herself in a position most players can only dream of. With 11 seconds remaining in the game and the IU women's basketball team down three points, Valentin had the ball in her hands with the chance to send the game into overtime.

UPDATE: Cutters, Kappa Delta take poles for Little 500

Kappa Delta rider Lauren Ziemba's Little 500 wasn't supposed to be like this. Due to an injury to teammate Mary Gaz suffered Thursday night, Ziemba doubled her workload and peddled two laps during Saturday's qualifications. "I'm a senior this year and I thought this isn't how my senior year is supposed to be," she said. "I'm not supposed to ride two laps. It's supposed to go perfect -- perfect weather, perfect track, perfect quals."

Pom squad gathers to rally support

Two weeks ago, members of the IU pom squad received e-mails notifying them that their 40-year-old organization would cease to exist at the end of the year, but Thursday night, the women said they plan to fight the decision. Eight of the 14 members of the squad gathered in the Alpha Omicron Pi living room Thursday night, piecing together a plan of action.

Gearing up

After weather conditions forced Little 500 teams to practice away from Bill Armstrong Stadium this week, riders are anxious to get back on the right track, even if that track is a bit sludgy. Qualifications for the men's and women's fields are all day Saturday, where teams compete to determine the racing order for the April event.

Bonds plans law suit over 'Game of Shadows' book

SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds plans to sue the authors and publisher of a book that alleges the San Francisco Giants' slugger used steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

Hoosiers return from spring break success

While most students in Florida were thinking about beaches and fun, the members of the IU softball team won six games and took home a tournament title. The team looks to carry that momentum into this weekend's IU Classic when it takes on Western Kentucky and Wright State.

Colts on for Mississippi's first NFL exhibition

JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi's first NFL exhibition game in a decade will feature some significant ties to the Magnolia State.

Hoosiers return from spring break success

While most students in Florida were thinking about beaches and fun, the members of the IU softball team won six games and took home a tournament title. The team looks to carry that momentum into this weekend's IU Classic when it takes on Western Kentucky and Wright State.

IU hopes weather permits home game

The IU baseball team hopes the third time proves to be the charm, as it attempts to play its first home game of the season. The first two scheduled home games were cancelled because of inclement weather.

IU to face off against Boilermakers, Illini

When it comes to women's tennis, the recent IU-Purdue rivalry has been about as one-sided as a fight between a polar bear and a pussycat -- and at 35-2 all-time over their rivals, IU coach Lin Loring isn't leading the pussycat. Friday afternoon, the No. 35 Hoosiers will look to improve their conference record to 2-0 against the visiting Boilermakers, who come into the contest ranked No. 33. IU will also face Illinois on Sunday.

Uncharted Waters

For the IU women's basketball team, the postseason is uncharted waters. The last Hoosier team to make a postseason tournament was the 2001-02 squad that steam-rolled its way through the Big Ten Tournament and into the NCAA Tournament.

Student response mixed on departure

Junior Matt Conroy is embarrassed to be a Hoosier fan right now.

Search for replacement as up in the air as ever

After two conflicting reports in as many days from www.ESPN.com, more questions than answers surround IU's search for its next men's basketball coach. Tuesday night, ESPN columnist Andy Katz reported that Iowa coach Steve Alford was expected to interview with the University of Missouri today.

END OF THE ROAD

Portland woman planning 56th straight state tourney finals

PORTLAND, Ind. -- Doris Northam hadn't planned to attend the Indiana high school boys' basketball finals this year. After all, she's 87 years old, climbing stairs is difficult and, frankly, her interest just wasn't there anymore. But when her hometown team Jay County advanced to the Class 3A championship game, Northam decided to make the trek to Indianapolis one more time -- her 56th finals tourney in a row. "When I was a kid, you know, you went to church and you went to ball games. And that was your entertainment. It was just natural to me," said Northam, who has tickets for all four games at Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday. "I would have been so disappointed if I had given up on going," she told The Commercial Review.

Oden named Naismith award winner

INDIANAPOLIS -- Greg Oden of Lawrence North High School was named Naismith high school player of the year Wednesday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. The award, given each year to the top male and female high school players in the nation, will be presented March 29 at the McDonald's All-American Game in San Diego.

Soriano finally agrees to move to left field for Nationals

JUPITER, Fla. -- Alfonso Soriano's only chance in left field Wednesday was a reminder of the good old days, before the Washington Nationals finally persuaded him to change positions. Soriano jogged in a few steps to catch a routine fly ball by Albert Pujols, then threw to second base to double off David Eckstein. "I never think I'm going to make a double play in the outfield," Soriano said. "But I did it." Soriano agreed to make the move from second base only two days after refusing to take his new spot in the outfield. The Nationals had a day off Tuesday, giving him time to accept the switch.