Round One in the books

Today’s Starting Lineup:
The Auburn men blew UT Martin out early in the first half of yesterday’s first-round NIT game and held on in the second half for the win. Quantez Robertson and DeWayne Reed both scored career-highs of 19 and 23 points, respectively. The Tigers take to the floor again Friday when they will host Tulsa.
The women left at 6:30 a.m. this morning for Piscataway, N.J. More on that on Saturday.
Baseball hit six more home runs in a win over Charleston Southern. I’ll be there for part of this weekend’s set with Arkansas, which just swept Florida.
Five days remaining until football practice begins. FYI, media availability will be minimal at best. We got official word today. Media will be allowed to watch approximately an hour per week with no access to scrimmages.


Double Down on National Sports:
Surprising news here: Bobby Bowden thinks the NCAA is being too harsh on Florida State.
In a game with just seeding ramifications, the United States fell to Venezuela.
The biggest news of the day, though, is that the NCAA Tournament starts today. Enjoy the games.

Around the League:
Tim Floyd has emerged as a candidate for Alabama's basketball coaching position. Ian R. Rappaport
Feel free to hope this is a joke, but it isn't. Tim Tebow's postgame speech from the Ole Miss game that has been played ad nauseum is now on a plaque at Florida. The Gainesville Sun
The Billy Gillispie wait continues at Kentucky. CBS/Sports Illustrated's Seth Davis thinks a move might be eminent. Brett Dawson
Ole Miss finally put the finishing touches on its 2009 football schedule. Finishing the schedule, however, was a mess. The Clarion-Ledger
South Carolina's Dion LeCorn is hoping to become a threat at receiver for the Gamecocks after playing defense last year. The State

Today's News
The Good:
Budget travelers, you know I've got your back. Here are six tips from CNN:

The Bad:
Natasha Richardson's horrifying death from a skiing accident. CNN

The Absurd:
Lack of productivity created by March Madness cost employers $3.8 billion last year. Wouldn't it just make more sense to close up shop on this Thursday and Friday? Just sayin'. The Big Money

Ending on a High Note:
This bad economy means owning a house can be more affordable than renting. CNN