Former Washington State Player Sues School, Coach
(Pullman, WA) — Former Washington State football player Zaire Webb is suing the university and head coach Mike Leach. Webb contends that he was kicked off the team without due process and alleges Leach didn’t handle punishments with all players fairly. Webb and receiver Anthony White were kicked off the team in October, a day after both were arrested for misdemeanor theft at a local Wal-Mart. Webb’s charges were dropped in December due to insufficient evidence but he hasn’t been reinstated to the team. He’s seeking unspecified damages.
Blues Clobber Kings
(Los Angeles, CA) — Jaden Schwartz had a goal and two assists as the Blues clobbered the Kings 7-2 in Los Angeles. Ivan Barbashev, Kyle Brodziak, Alex Pietrangelo, and Vladamir Tarasenko added a goal and an assist each in the winning effort. Robert Bortuzzo and Colton Parayko also lit the lamp for St. Louis. Jake Allen made 38 saves for the Blues as they moved within three-points of the final Western Conference wild card. Drew Doughty and Dustin Brown found the back of the net for the Kings. L.A. fell out of the final wild-card spot and is one-point back with 79.
Valspar Championship
Rookie Corey Conners still holds the lead through three rounds of the Valspar Championship, but Tiger Woods and a few other notables are lurking. Woods shot a 4-under 67 to move within one shot of Conners as the 14-time major winner aims for his first PGA Tour victory since 2013. Justin Rose and Brandt Snedeker are tied with Woods at 8-under par, with Rose to play with Conners in Sunday’s final group after carding a 66.
Kansas Drills West Virginia, Wins Big 12 Tournament
(Kansas City, MO) — Kansas got hot from beyond the arc as they drilled West Virginia 81-70 to win the Big 12 Tournament Championship in Kansas City. The Jayhawks shot 15-of-27 from deep, led by six threes from Malik Newman. He finished with a team-high 20 points. Devontae Graham poured in 18 points and 13 assists for Kansas, which improved to 27-and-7 and locked up an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Daxter Miles Junior led the Mountaineers with 25 points in defeat. Jevon Carter added 17 points and nine assists as West Virginia fell to 24-and-10. They have a good chance at an at-large bid into the Big Dance.
Villanova Tops Providence In OT To Win Big East Title
(New York, NY) — Jalen Brunson scored 31 points to lead Villanova past Providence 76-66 in overtime to win the Big East Tournament championship at Madison Square Garden. Nova squandered a 12-point second-half lead but outscored the Friars 16-6 in OT to secure the victory. Mikal Bridges was the only other Wildcat in double-figures with 25 points. Villanova improved to 30-and-4 and will likely earn a top-seed when the NCAA Tournament field is released on Sunday. Alpha Diallo led Providence with 22 points and 10 rebounds while Kyron Cartwright scored 19 in defeat. The Friars are 21-and-13 and will hope for an at-large bid into the “Big Dance.”
Arizona Clobbers USC To Win Pac-12 Title
(Las Vegas, NV) — Deandre Ayton dominated with 32 points and 18 rebounds as Arizona clobbered USC 75-61 to win the Pac-12 Conference Tournament in Las Vegas. The Wildcats trailed by three at the half but outscored the Trojans 45-28 in the second to secure the conference crown. Dusan Ristic pitched in with 16 points and Parker Jackson-Cartwright scored 10 in the winning effort. U-of-A heads into the NCAA Tournament at 27-and-7. Nick Rakocevic paced Southern Cal with 13 points as it fell to 23-and-11. The Trojans will hope for an at-large bid into the “Big Dance” on Selection Sunday.
Cavaliers Win ACC Tourney, Top Tar Heels
(Brooklyn, NY) — Number-one Virginia beat defending national champion North Carolina 71-63 in the ACC Tournament championship game at the Barclays Center. Tournament MVP Kyle Guy scored 16 points and Devon Hall 15 for the Cavaliers. Virginia will take a 31-and-2 record into the NCAA Tournament. Luke May led North Carolina with 20 points, while Joel Berry the Second finished with 17 points. The 11th-ranked Tar Heels dropped to 25-and-10 and await an at-large bid to the “Big Dance.”.