Onward to the NIT quarterfinals

Today's Starting Lineup:
Korvotney Barber found himself saddled with foul trouble throughout last night's game against Tulsa. It didn't matter. The Tigers' guards found a way to guide Auburn past the Golden Hurricane and into the NIT quarterfinals. Auburn hosts Baylor on Tuesday with a trip to New York City for the NIT semifinals on the line.

The women opened their NCAA Tournament play today with an 85-49 win over Lehigh.

This blog is coming live to you from Plainsman Park, where the Tigers are set to battle Arkansas in the second of a three-game set. Arkansas won yesterday's game 3-2 thanks to a ninth-inning home run from Ryan Cisterna. Any time Auburn loses with Grant Dayton on the bump, it's bad news. The Tigers are hoping to bounce back behind today's starter Jon Luke Jacobs.

Double Down on National Sports:
If March Madness doesn't officially begin until the upsets start, then it began last night. How about USC, Arizona, Wisconsin and Cleveland State last night?
The night also featured a pair of overtime games, including a Siena win in double-OT.
Friday also included Pittsburgh's narrow escape of 16-seed East Tennessee State.

Florida State will not have any say in its penalty appeal, apparently.

As my colleague Andy Bitter said, this is not good news for the Minnesota Twins: Catcher Joe Mauer is unsure of when he will return to the lineup and opening day is out.

Kevin Garnett is back, and that's a good thing for a Celtics team that has fallen 4.5 games behind the Cavaliers for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference.

Around the League:
Florida's more basic approach to NIT games has helped the Gators reach the quarterfinals. The Gainesville Sun
At least one person is convinced Georgia should hire VCU coach Anthony Grant. Mark Bradley
LSU's men's basketball team is preparing for its battle with No. 1-seed North Carolina. The Times-Picayune
More details have surfaced about South Carolina defensive lineman Ladi Ajiboye's suspension. The State
The Gamecocks offense shined in Saturday's scrimmage. The State

Today's News
The Good:
Barack Obama has a chance to put an end to the bad publicity from his Special Olympics gaffe. MSNBC

The Bad:
More sickening news about CEOs of companies continuing to enjoy life at the expense of employees: Gannett has gone through many rounds of layoffs and buyouts and has introduced furloughs. Still, Craig Dubow was paid $3.1 million and received an $875,000 bonus in 2008 despite Gannett's 79 percent stock drop. Gannett Blog

The Absurd:
This man believes his family's pig predicts his wife's seizures. CNN
Speaking of animals, it's good to know Alaska and Florida are finally coming around on the idea of banning bestiality: MSNBC

Ending on a High Note:
Jorge Munoz doesn't make much money, but he's finding a way to make a difference. CNN