Michigan State

Maryland's season-long hopes of advancing to its first Sweet Sixteen since 2003 rose with a stirring, late-game comeback and then – just like that – collapsed after a 3-pointer in the last second by a reserve Michigan State guard destined to live in Terrapins' basketball infamy. Korie Lucious, a career 32.7 percent shooter from beyond the arc, effectively ended the careers of Maryland's three starting seniors today by beating the buzzer for an 85-83 victory that sent the fifth-seeded Spartans to St. Louis for an NCAA tournament third-round meeting with Northern Iowa on Friday.

TODAY'S NCAA MEN ON TV Texas vs. Cincinnati 13, 9Noon N.C. State vs. San Diego State TRUTV12:30 Alabama vs. Creighton TBS1:30 Virginia vs. Florida TNT2 St. Bonaventure vs. Florida State 13, 92:30 Belmont vs. Georgetown TRUTV3 Vermont vs. North Carolina TBS4 Norfolk State vs. Missouri TNT4:30 St. Louis vs....

Tonight's game What: NCAA tournament South Regional semifinals. Site: Alamodome, San Antonio. Time: 9:57 approximately. TV/Radio: Chs. 13, 9/WBAL (1090 AM). Line: Maryland by 3 1/2 . The teams Maryland: No. 6 seed, 21-9; edged UNC-Wilmington, 75-73, then beat third-seeded Xavier, 77-64, in the first two rounds; 20th NCAA tournament appearance. Michigan State: No. 7 seed, 21-12; beat Colorado, 79-64, then crushed second-seeded Florida, 68-46, in the first two rounds; 17th NCAA tournament appearance.

You can try to plot a season out until you're Boise State blue in the face, but the joy is running smack-dab into things you never see coming. We offer this week No. 17 Michigan State (5-0) at No. 18 Michigan (5-0), a flower that sprouted from a dump. It would have been maize-boggling a month ago to think this Big Ten stinker in Ann Arbor would have implications beyond the campus police station or an NCAA appeals board. Michigan State started the year with seven players suspended for the Alamo Bowl in the aftermath of a brawl at a residence hall.

Founded: 1855 Location: East Lansing, Mich. Nickname: Spartans School colors: Green and white Enrollment: 34,089 undergraduates Tuition and fees: $5,174 for in state, $12,370 out of state Famous alumni: Former pro basketball player Magic Johnson; former baseball players Kirk Gibson and Steve Garvey; former NFL player and actor Bubba Smith; actors James Caan and Robert Urich; folk singer Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary; author Peter Gent ("North...

Michigan State forward Aisha Jefferson overcame a shaky stomach to score 17 points and lead fifth seed Michigan State to a 72-62 victory over 12th seed Bowling Green in the first round of the NCAA women's tournament Saturday in Louisville, Ky. "That just speaks to the kind of player that she is," coach Suzy Merchant said. Jefferson led four Spartans in double figures as Michigan State (23-9) improved to 8-1 all time in the first round of the NCAAs. Jasmine Thomas and Brittney Thomas added 11 points each for the Spartans, who will face fourth seed Kentucky in the second round of the Kansas City Regional on Monday night.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Jamie Archer scored all of his game-high six goals in the first half, as fifth-seeded Syracuse routed 12th-seeded Michigan State, 28-7, in the first round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's lacrosse tournament last night.The Orangemen (11-2) opened the game with four straight goals and led, 19-2, at halftime, outshooting the Spartans, 41-11.Archer led 13 Syracuse scorers, and Tom Marechek added four goals and two assists.Marc Saracene led Michigan State (10-5)

This Final Four has something for everyone. Duke became the only No. 1 seed to reach Indianapolis by beating Baylor, 78-71, on Sunday. Coach K returns to the Final Four for the first time in six years. West Virginia's Bob Huggins hasn't been there since 1992 with Cincinnati. WVU was last there in 1959, led by Jerry West. But Butler has the nation captivated. With its campus just five miles from Lucas Oil Stadium and its gym the setting for "Hoosiers," why would you root against the Bulldogs?

The Michigan State lacrosse team, granted the 12th seed in this year's NCAA lacrosse tournament as the Midwest representative, watched host Syracuse score 15 goals in the second period en route to a 28-7 rout in a first-round game last night.The Orangemen (11-2) were led by Jamie Archer, who scored all of his game-high six goals in the first half, and Tom Marechek, who added four goals and two assists. Syracuse, which had 13 players score, outshot the Spartans 41-11.The Orangemen, seeded fifth, will test No. 4 Johns Hopkins Sunday at Homewood Field in the quarterfinals.

Michigan State 1. Stress patience on shot selection. Knocking down first shots will be at a premium against Wisconsin, which prides itself on shortening games. 2. Get Morris Peterson involved early. The Spartans' leading scorer admits being distracted after attending his grandmother's funeral two days ago. 3. Shake its overconfidence. State has beaten Wisconsin three times, and maintaining an edge may be the toughest obstacle. 4. Step on the accelerator. The Spartans enjoy life in the fast lane, and running eliminates breaking down the Badgers' pesky half-court harassment.

Commissioner Jim Delany expects the Big Ten to hold a championship game next season, when Nebraska joins and brings the league to 12 teams. He also says teams likely will play nine conference games instead of eight in the future to help preserve rivalries. Ohio State is the media's pick to win the Big Ten and Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor is the offensive player of the year for the second straight season. Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones was tabbed the top defensive player again, making it the first time in 12 years that both preseason player of the year picks were repeat selections.

In their minds, it's still unfolding. Korie Lucious is making his 3-pointer and slowly turning to run down court, his mouth guard dangling from his lips, as green-clad Michigan State teammates rush from the bench to greet him. For Maryland's three starting seniors, the last moments of their 85-83 NCAA tournament loss are like a ringing in their ears that won't quite be silenced. "I see it all the time," said forward Landon Milbourne, one of the three starting Terrapins for whom the Lucious shot on March 21 is the final memory of otherwise bright college careers.

Here's an early look at next season's top 10 college basketball teams, with last season's record in parenthesis. 1. Michigan State (28-9) The Spartans only major loss is Raymar Morgan. They will go to their third straight Final Four with healthy point guard Kalin Lucas. 2. Butler (33-5) If F Gordon Hayward and coach Brad Stevens stay, the Bulldogs are golden. 3. Purdue (29-6) The Boilermakers' big three will be back - including a healed Robbie Hummel. 4. Georgetown (23-11)

Hoyas have horses Shannon Ryan Chicago Tribune That stunning loss to 14th-seeded Ohio in the first round of the NCAA tournament is going to stick with Georgetown. And nothing will make it seem less significant than an NCAA championship in 2011. That could be very possible if 6-11 center Greg Monroe comes back for his junior season. After an up-and-down season with no seniors, the Hoyas will be a steadier group, especially with one of the nation's best backcourts of Chris Wright and Austin Freeman.

INDIANAPOLIS - Duke and Butler ended an NCAA tournament to remember with a championship game you'll never forget. Butler almost did it, but Duke was just a little bit better Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Not by much - but enough. There was no Hollywood ending. Butler star Gordon Hayward missed two shots to win in the last 3.6 seconds, one a baseline jumper and then a 3-point attempt from near midcourt that nearly made it. The Big Dog won, not the underdog The final score was 61-59, but that will never be the end of it. Duke won its fourth national title and its coach Mike Krzyzewski moved his program into the upper tier of the upper echelon.

OK, wait, maybe this is a movie script. Duke beat West Virginia 78-57 in the second NCAA national semifinal game Saturday night, and Butler somehow did it against Michigan State 52-50 in the first game at Lucas Oil Stadium. And that sets up Butler vs. Duke for the NCAA championship in Butler's hometown. Wow. This isn't good vs. evil - it's good vs. Devil. Duke is 93-30 all-time in the tournament, and its coach is so famous he goes by Coach K. Mike Krzyzewski has 867 career victories to 88 for Butler coach Brad Stevens, who has been alive only three years longer (33)

The Bulldogs edge Michigan State, 52-50, and will try to complete their improbable run to the championship on Monday night in their Indianapolis backyard when they play the Blue Devils, who routed West Virginia, 78-57 PG 8

Butler vs. Michigan State 6:07 p.m., on chs. 13, 9 Expect a low-scoring, half-court game. The Spartans should own the glass, but the Bulldogs will force turnovers, which could make the hometown crowd a factor. Duke vs. West Virginia 40 minutes after first game Both teams are especially dangerous on the offensive boards. The Blue Devils are the better shooting team, and the Mountaineers are relentless on defense. Butler vs. Michigan State Duke vs. West Virginia