NCAA TOURNAMENT

An upset-filled NCAA men’s basketball tournament still will send three of its four No. 1 seeds to the Sweet 16.

The East bracket, however, saw its top seed (Villanova) and No. 2 seed (Virginia) eliminated.

The round of 16 takes place on Thursday and Friday, leaving us with the Elite Eight to compete on Saturday and Sunday. The championship game is April 6 in Indianapolis.

Perhaps the most heart-wrenching story took place in Pittsburgh. Notre Dame outlasted Butler 67-64 in overtime but its joy was tempered shortly thereafter. Irish coach Mike Brey’s 84-year-old mother had died that morning. His brother and sister had encouraged him to coach. The players knew nothing of it until athletic director Jack Swarbrick told them in the postgame locker room.

Brey headed to Orlando, Fla., to be with his family on Sunday. His team plays in Cleveland on Thursday against Wichita State, which upset Kansas.

NASCAR

Brad Keselowski took the lead late in the race and won the Auto Club 400 in Fontana, California, on Sunday. Kevin Harvick was second, marking his eighth consecutive finish in the top two.

NBA

The Atlanta Hawks have already won their division and have their sights set on the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but they’re suddenly struggling. They lost their third consecutive game – their longest losing streak of the season – 114-95 at home to the San Antonio Spurs. Atlanta guard Kyle Korver returned after a three-game absence with a broken nose, wearing a protective mask. He had five turnovers.

NFL

The league’s annual meeting takes place this week in Phoenix. A number of rules changes will be considered, along with expanding the playoffs, but major changes seem unlikely.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .