Final Four field closes to two

Per the MLive.com, the North Carolina Tar Heels will meet the Michigan State Spartans Monday night in the NCAA men's basketball national title game. Each team earned a berth by beating the two remaining Big East contenders, Villanova and Connecticut, respectively.

Coincidentally, the Spartans and Tar Heels met earlier in the season at Ford Field on Dec. 3 when North Carolina handily defeated Michigan State 98-63.

Fans from the final four teams react:

1. 
   uconndirk Thank you for a great season, UConn men! A trip to the Final 4 is special and doesn't happen every year. Still rooting on our women! 05 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   samriddle Boy what a game! MSU trounces UConn - Atmosphere @ Ford Field something else - Can't sleep- mapping fan strategy for Monday's walk to Ford 05 Apr 2009 from web
3. 
   travisthepinata is stoked that the UNC Tarheels are one game away from their GOAL this year... monday night hopefully they'll be NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ! 05 Apr 2009 from web
4. 
   syuengling Well, it was a nice run 'Nova. Time to start cheering for the Phillies! 05 Apr 2009 from TwitterBerry

Charlie Villanueva, former UCONN forward and member of the 2004 national champion Huskies, shared his thoughts after the game:

CV31 I got no words for tonight, first the UConn lost, now our Memphis lost extends our playoff run to a far reach: disappointment, anger, upset. about 2 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Celebrations in East Lansing, Mich., and Chapel Hill, N.C., were under way as soon as the final buzzer sounded.

East Lansing, Mich.:


"This is the current scene here at MSU"

(Posted by johnticer of East Lansing, Mich. on April 5, 2009)

Chapel Hill, N.C.:

"UNC going to National Championship!! Franklin Street rush"

(Posted by uncnyc on April 5, 2009)

The scene from inside Ford Field after the MSU-UCONN matchup:

"Game 1 in the books, MSU 82 UCONN 73"

(Posted by YoungRubs on April 5, 2009)

Final Four field closes to two

Favorites win big in key Derby preps

With four weeks to go until the Kentucky Derby, 3-year-old colts Pioneerof The Nile and I Want Revenge moved to the head of the class with victories in key prep races.

Per the Blood Horse, the favored Pioneerof The Nile took the Santa Anita Derby in California. The colt stalked the pace, then took over turning for home and held off late bids from Chocolate Candy and Mr. Hot Stuff. Pioneerof The Nile, trained by three-time Derby winner Bob Baffert, was expected to be strongly challenged by dual stakeswinner The Pamplemousse, but the highly-regarded colt was scratched with a tendon problem the morning of the race. His Derby status is in question.

Racing fans reacted shortly after the race.

1. 
   raceday360 The Turk is checking in from Santa Anita: http://is.gd/qLEo. Reports "loud moans" rolled through grandstand at news of Pamplemousse scratch. 04 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   bloodstock They are going to have to get PON to settle. If not. kiss the derby goodbye. Very nice run from Eon's colt 04 Apr 2009 from twhirl
3. 
   raceday360 Nice show of versatility from Pioneerof the Nile. I'm feeling very good about my top three KYD prospects right now. 04 Apr 2009 from web
4. 
   EJXD2 If Pioneerof is 10-1 or better on Derby day I might have to pawn something. 04 Apr 2009 from Splitweet

Also on the Blood Horse, I Want Revenge won the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, just outside of New York City, despite a troubled trip. The colt broke poorly from the starting gate, then was caught in traffic turning for home. He bulled his way between horses with a gritty late run to take command late. I Want Revenge made it back-to-back stakes wins after taking the Gotham last month and is headed to Kentucky as one of the Derby favorites.

His strong performance was discussed on Twitter shortly afterward.

1. 
   raceday360 Oh! I Want Revenge surprised by the start ... trails after :24.50 first quarter ... trapped around the turn ... GETS THE WIN! Wow. 04 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   JimTheTolerable What in the world did we just see?? I am breathless... 04 Apr 2009 from web
3. 
   raceday360 @JimTheTolerable We just saw a true Derby horse. 04 Apr 2009 from web in reply to JimTheTolerable
4. 
   AlexBrownRacing @joedrape yes, nice win from I Want Revenge despite a very poor ride. would be surprised if talamo keeps the mount for the Derby. 04 Apr 2009 from web in reply to joedrape

Favorites win big in key Derby preps

Yankees win final tune-up at new stadium

Per the New Jersey Star-Ledger, Mark Teixeira hit two home runs as the New York Yankees defeated the Chicago Cubs 10-1 in the Yankees' final exhibition game at the new Yankee Stadium. The first regular season game at the stadium will take place April 16 when New York faces the Cleveland Indians.

Twitterers at the game posted TwitPics, tweeted about the game, and gave their opinions of the new stadium.

1. 
   mikelectic http://twitpic.com/2tjww Yankees vs cubs -- behind home base 04 Apr 2009 from TwitterBerry
2. 
   TheRealAdrianC At the new Yankee Stadium. 8-1 Yankees in the 5th. Tex 2 home runs and 5 rbis. Beast! 04 Apr 2009 from TwitterBerry
3. 
   davidsess Yankees pnwed the Cubs 10-1. Four home runs, good fries, and lots of wind. 04 Apr 2009 from web
4. 
   chesterleung Just got from the Yankees game. Had a great time watching a bunch in home runs :-) 04 Apr 2009 from txt
5. 
   DLatino 1st take; new Yankees Stadium is great, and like Ball Park/Arlington, Nats Park, PNC, Citizens Bank, Coors. Old mojo was special. Gone now? 04 Apr 2009 from txt
6. 
   michaelrad Enjoyed true Yankee game exp in new stadium w @mikegermano (u have redic seats- thx u) @AngryGirlfriend & @daverad http://twitpic.com/2u1hd 04 Apr 2009 from TwitterFon

Yankees win final tune-up at new stadium