From First Four to Final Four: Virginia Commonwealth's Impossible Title Run

PG Joey Rodriguez and the VCU Rams have gone from cinderellas to contenders
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

On Selection Sunday,Virginia Commonwealth head coach Shaka Smart wasn't even watching the selection show, because he admitted he didn't even think they would even be considered for an NCAA Tournament bid. Needless to say when they were selected, Shaka was in shock. His 23-11 VCU Rams were in the tournament, but not without a challenge ahead of them. They had been selected as one of the inaugural First Four, the NCAA's new first round because of the reconfigured 68-team bracket. From there, they have gone on to playing spoiler in this year's NCAA Tournament, reaching the Final Four for the first time in school history.

Faced With a Lockout, Players and Owners Are at Odds

The owners and NFLPA aren't getting along in regards to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement

On April 6, a Minneapolis judge will decide the fate of the the season for the NFL in 2012. As of now, the NFL faces a lockout because there is no new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), since the owners and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) failed to reach a consensus on numerous issues that need fixing. Many suspected that the two sides were close to completing a deal at the March 11 deadline, but sources indicated that in reality, they weren't even close.

Many different issues were the cause of failure by the two sides in making a new CBA, including revenue sharing, retirement benefits, proposal of an 18 game season, and rookie wage scales. Part of the real problem is the complete lack of trust between both sides, especially suspicions by the players that the owners are not complying because in the players opinion, it doesn't matter to the owners if there will be a season in 2012- they are already rich and face no financial consequences if a lockout happens.

UW Season Over, Three Guard System Looking Forward

                     Isaiah Thomas (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

After Washington's heartbreaking loss to North Carolina in the round of 32 on Sunday, it was apparent that UW would be moving in a different direction. Freshman guard Terrence Ross dropped a team high 19 pts and also raked in six rebounds for the Huskies over 24 minutes. During these past five games, Ross has really become an integral part of the Husky offense, netting 65 points over their past five games, despite a zero point effort in ten minutes against Georgia in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. It has become apparent that Ross, one of the Huskies talented freshman, will inherit the starting role next year as the Huskies transition to what is anticipated to be a three guard system. If that is the case, there are a couple situations that the Huskies will have to find out quickly.

First, is Isaiah Thomas going to stay or leave for the NBA Draft? Many anticipate that he will stay, based on his own words that he will return. But who knows, money changes people. If that isn't the case, and Thomas leaves, then incoming Freshman Tony Wroten is likely to start along with Abdul Gaddy and Ross. This combo of young, athletic guards is a great combination for the Huskies. Before Gaddy injured his ACL, he was playing fairly well for the Huskies, and an even better junior year is anticipated for the #2 ranked point guard prospect out of high school.

Could the Miami Heat See an Early Exit in the Playoffs?

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami lost again Sunday night, and that brings up a lot of questions as to how they will be able to play this postseason. Miami has lost 5 of their last 6 games versus top 10 opponents, and this spawns doubt as to their maturity and ability to get it done in big games. Even more alarming is their complete lack of closing power to games. Their record in one point games is 5-13, one of the worst in the league. They can't close out teams, especially on the road. LeBron James can't seem to sink any clutch shots toward the end of games where Heat have a chance to win, and their defense has been a completely defunct late in tight contests.