Sports Fan stories from WRAL.com

NIT Preview: UNC at Mississippi State

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:30:41 -0400

Mississippi State is considered by many to be the favorite to win the NIT, and the Bulldogs are hosting the Tar Heels in Saturday's second-round matchup. Tip-off in Starkville, Miss. is scheduled for noon (ET).

Previewing Carolina Hurricanes at Pittsburgh Penguins

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:04:58 -0400

The Hurricanes travel to western Pennsylvania for a Saturday matinee at Mellon Arena against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Catch the call of the game on 99.9 FM The Fan. Tune in early as Mike Maniscalco hosts Stormfront and Aftermath surrounding all broadcasts.

NIT Preview: N.C. State at UAB

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:42:54 -0400

No. 6 seed NC State hits the road tomorrow to face No. 2 seed UAB in the second round of the 2010 National Invitational Tournament. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU, and tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.

No. 1 seed Duke rolls in NCAA tournament opener

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:40:37 -0400

Duke's confident mascot wore a piece of tape across his forehead that read: "Played In, Blown Out."

Inside Duke's first-round win

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:39:29 -0400

Jacksonville, FL - Duke is moving on. The Blue Devils pounced on Arkansas-Pine Bluff by 29 points. They didn't let up. They didn't lose focus. There were no injuries. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski said his team played "very well".

AP source: MLS and union near 5-year deal

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:01:15 -0400

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Major League Soccer and its players are near agreement on a five-year contract that would avoid a strike scheduled for next week.

Maryland beats Houston 89-77 in first round

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:11:34 -0400

On a night when ACC player of the year Greivis Vasquez was having trouble scoring, Maryland turned to freshman forward Jordan Williams.

Harrington looking to end a drought

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:17:50 -0400

Padraig Harrington and Jim Furyk have played a lot of good golf over the last couple of years, which explains why they are among the top 10 in the world rankings.

Cal pulls away for 77-62 win over Louisville

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:18:21 -0400

California's distractions now seem about as distant as the Pacific Ocean.

Georgia Tech toes the line, moves on

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:03:19 -0400

The Georgia Tech players earned themselves some extra credit the next time coach Paul Hewitt holds one of his little free throw games.

Obama's bracket in good shape after first round

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:17:50 -0400

The presidential bracket is looking pretty good after the first round.

Bouldin leads 'Zags to 67-60 win over Seminoles

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:03:08 -0400

In his four seasons at Gonzaga, Matt Bouldin is familiar with what it takes to come through in the clutch.

Ohio State outlasts UC Santa Barbara 68-51

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:12:31 -0400

After making a late layup, Evan Turner turned to run back down the court, shaking his head.

Syracuse overwhelms Vermont 79-56

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:15:46 -0400

Five years ago Vermont shocked Syracuse in overtime in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Catamounts never had a chance to duplicate that amazing moment.

Lucas, Morgan save MSU in 70-67 win over NMSU

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:50:45 -0400

Thanks to Kalin Lucas' career night, Raymar Morgan's late help - and a huge assist from the officials - Michigan State is moving on in yet another NCAA tournament.

Williams College reaches Division III title game with win over Guilford

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:26:06 -0400

Blake Schultz scored 18 of his team-high 25 points in the second half to lift Williams College past Guilford College 97-88 in an NCAA Division III national semifinal on Friday.

Logano wins 1st pole of career at Bristol

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:08:18 -0400

Joey Logano backed up his fast showing in practice by winning the first pole of his career Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Missouri stifles Booker, beats Clemson 86-78

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:59:26 -0400

"The Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball" is still humming.

Texas A&M beats Utah State 69-53

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:26:44 -0400

When Texas A&M guard Derrick Roland broke his leg in December it forced some drastic lineup changes for the Aggies, including freshman Khris Middleton being moved into the starting lineup.

After slow start, Pittsburgh routs Oakland 89-66

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:20:33 -0400

Jermaine Dixon and Gilbert Brown scored 17 points apiece and Pittsburgh avoided becoming the latest Big East powerhouse to get knocked off in the first round of the NCAA tournament, overcoming a slow start to rout Oakland 89-66 on Friday in the West Regional.

Wisconsin avoids upset, beats Wofford 53-49

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:45:15 -0400

Slow and plodding early, fast and frantic late. No matter the tempo, Wisconsin stayed poised against pesky Wofford.

Grant, Johnson lead Purdue past Siena 72-64

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:14:13 -0400

Forgotten amid all that angst over Purdue's NCAA tournament chances without Robbie Hummel: The Boilermakers still have Keaton Grant.

No. 12 seed Cornell dominates Temple 78-65

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:37:48 -0400

Confident, relaxed and definitely on their game.

Crawford scores 28 to lift Xavier over Minnesota

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:59:15 -0400

Jordan Crawford made a strong return to the NCAA tournament.

Mountaineers beat Morgan St 77-50 after slow start

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:54:07 -0400

West Virginia overcame a miserable shooting start to avoid another Big East flameout in the NCAA tournament.