There were no late-game thrills this time for Scottie Reynolds. There won't be again for Villanova in this NCAA tournament. Villanova's 3-pointers fell short — a dreadful 5-for-27 — and clanged off the rim, yet kept getting tossed up.

ST. LOUIS - This is the way it's supposed to be: the two best teams in the country playing for the national championship. Rarely does it work out, of course. There's usually those annoying little upsets along the way in the NCAA tournament, messing up the No. 1-vs.-No. 2 matchup.

As Matt Spencer drove across the country during the winter to a new chapter in his baseball life, he could have looked out at the highway and wondered where exactly it was leading him.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Bobby Frasor found himself 30 feet from the basket with time running out in the first half. No one on his team — most of all Frasor — seemed surprised when what looked like a desperation heave rattled in.

ST. LOUIS - Finally, Roy Williams had a good reason to cry. Stymied so many times before in his pursuit of a title, the longtime coach broke through Monday night.

April 12, 2005

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Regis Crawford said it seemed like an eternity before an official decided whether Skyler Fulton had indeed caught the winning touchdown for Arizona State on the final play of the game.

NEW YORK — North Carolina and UConn are lending some serious star power to the NIT.

DETROIT — Michigan State has been itching for this do-over since December. Not only is the NCAA title at stake when the Spartans play North Carolina on Monday night, Michigan State will try to avenge that 35-point beatdown the Tar Heels laid on them four months ago.