Vanderbilt is in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2004 and for only the forth time in 20 years. The Commodores, who hit 10 shots beyond the arc, outlasted Washington State in double overtime as Derrick Byars scored 27 and Shan Foster added 20. Byars also keep the Commodores hopes alive at the end of the first overtime with a key blocked shot. Vandy Coach Kevin Stallings, who nearly left the school at the end of last season, is rumored to be on the short list for the vacant Minnesota job.

Tennessee lost a difficult game to Ohio State in the round of 16 after leading by as many as 20 points in the first half. Ohio State’s Greg Oden blocked Ramar Smith’s shot at the buzzer. The Buckeyes hit 23 of 35 free throws. Tennessee was 8 of 17. Chris Lofton didn’t shoot a single free throw. Lofton led the Vols with 24 points.

The Vols reached the round of 16 for the first time since the 2000 season. Fittingly, the Virginia win came on Vol coach Bruce Pearl’s 48th birthday. Pearl is no stranger to this rarified air. In the past three seasons, he has taken both Tennessee and Milwaukee-Wisconsin to the Sweet 16. In the Virginia win, Tennessee’s Chris Lofton was only 4 of 16 from the field, but he literally won the game hitting 9 of 10 free throws. Lofton also had five assists, two steals and three rebounds. Four Vols-JaJuan Smith, Ryan Childress, Wayne Chism and Lofton-- scored in double figures.

Tennessee’s schedule has prepared them for the postseason. They have played North Carolina and Florida, both No. 1 seeds, Memphis, a No. 2 seed, Texas, a No. 4 seed and Butler, a No. 5 seed.

Kentucky’s Tubby Smith has left for Minnesota. Among his reasons for leaving was he did not want to shake up his staff. Fans were fatigued by double digit losses, early exits in the NCAA Tournament and average recruiting. Some of the candidates for the job are: Florida’s Billy Donovan, Memphis’ John Calipari, Marquette’s Tom Crean, Gonzaga’s Mark Few, Villanova’s Jay Wright, Texas A & M’s Billy Gillispie, Texas’ Rick Barnes, UMASS Travis Ford, Oregon’s Ernie Kent and South Alabama’s John Pelphrey. For the second straight year, the Wildcats have ended their season in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky failed to beat any of the eight ranked teams it played this season.

Arkansas coach Stan Heath remains at his job despite questions about his future after the Razorbacks lost to Southern Cal by 17 points in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Heath, who has three years remaining on his contract at a cost of nearly $1 million, is 82-71 since replacing Nolan Richardson in 2002. Heath has taken the Hogs to consecutive NCAA Tournaments and coaching the Razorbacks to back to back 20 win seasons for the first time since 1998-99. The Detroit Free Press has linked Heath’s name has been linked with the Michigan job. If Heath is not retained, one of the rumored candidates is Texas A & M coach Billy Gillispie. Arkansas forced only 12 turnovers, made five assists and grabbed 13 less rebounds than USC. The Razorbacks have lost in the first round for two straight years.

Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury deserves his share of credit for producing winning seasons. After beating Bradley Tuesday night, Stansbury has led the Bulldogs to six 20-win seasons a trip to New York for the NIT Final Four.

LSU was one of the most disappointing teams in the SEC. The Tigers came up big in close games last season going 9-6 in two possession games. However this season, LSU was 2-7 in the same type games.

Florida assistant coach Donnie Jones is considered as a candidate for the head-coaching job at Marshall. He has West Virginia ties. Larry Shyatt could be a candidate for the Utah job.

SEC SPRING PRACTICE FOOTBALL SNIPPETS

Spring football on CSS: Tennessee on March 31 at 6 pm; Mississippi State tape delayed at 9 pm; Miami April 7 10 am; Georgia April 7 2 pm; Clemson April 14 at 1 pm and Alabama April 21 at 2 pm.

Texas led all state in Division-I signees with 374. California was second with 332 and Florida was third with 313. Ohio was fourth with 157 and Georgia was fifth with 151. Louisiana was seventh with 85. Alabama was ninth with 84. Illinois was tenth with 72.

Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox took most valuable player honors in the Tigers annual A-Day game last Saturday after completing15- of- 25 passes for 286 yards and three scores. The battle for the second team quarterback position among the trio of Steven Ensminger, Neil Caudle and Blake Field—was less than impressive. Tiger defensive coordinator Will Muschamp was not happy that the first team defense allowed 406 total yards to the first team offense. Defensive end Michael Goggans, who made five tackles, was named the defensive MVP. Goggans made the switch from tight end to defensive end only three weeks ago. Redshirt freshman defensive back Zac Etheridge had a game high 10 tackles.

The Tigers practiced Wednesday for the last time with a mini-scrimmage. Unlike the A-Day scrimmage, the defense was allowed to blitz and mix up coverages. After the A-Day game, Muschamp said the secondary was burned for 313 yards. He was the most disappointed in the coverage of the linebackers and safeties. Wednesday’s scrimmage was much as the same as Saturday’s with the offense scoring 10 touchdowns with 12 plays of 20 yards or more. Cox threw for 302 yards on just 14 completions that included three scores. Tailback Mario Fannin and Tristan Davis gained over 300 yards combined and six scores. Defensively, Craig Stevens had a scrimmage high six tackles and a sack.

LSU has its spring game Saturday. The Tiger offense made some progress in its second major scrimmage. Coach Les Miles praised the play of tailback Charles Scott and Keiland Williams on offense and defensive end Tyson Jackson and free safety Curtis Taylor on defensive. The defense, that returns seven starters, dominated the first scrimmage.

The Tigers are solid at linebacker with senior Ali Highsmith, Luke Sanders and junior Darry Beckwith but sophomore Jacob Cutrera is pushing hard for playing time.

Offensive coordinator Gary Crowton is taking advantage more of a quick-strike, pinpoint passing attack that complements the talents of Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux. The running backs are also expected to benefit from the new attack.

Georgia has a big battle looming at defensive end to replace Charles Johnson and Quentin Moses. Roderick Battle and Marcus Howard are the current starters, but four redshirt freshmen Michael Lemon, DeMarcus Dobbs, Kiante Tripp, Brandon Wood, and junior college transfer Jarius Wynn are vying for playing time.

Bulldog junior college offensive line transfer Vince Vance hurt his knee last week and will miss this week of spring practice. Coach Mark Richt called it a non-surgery sprain. Linebacker Darryl Gamble will miss the rest of spring with a foot injury. His absence reduces the linebacker depth to five healthy players. Akeem Dent (limited by a hamstring injury), Dannell Ellerbe and Brandon Miller are the current starting linebackers. Receivers Sean Bailey and Mikey Henderson lined up with the first team, A J Bryant and Kenneth Harris with the second team and starter Mohammed Massaquoi and Tony Wilson with the third. Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Josh Davis might have a cartilage injury in his knee during Wednesday’s practice. Georgia has a big scrimmage this Saturday.

Florida returned to practice Wednesday. Markus Monk and Joe Haden are experimenting at cornerback. Freshman quarterback Cam Newton looked good in early drills. In a recent speaking engagement, Coach Urban Meyer said he was going to send ESPN analyst a “bottle of whine and a ball cap” because his downgrading the Gators helped keep them motivated. Meyer is concerned about having only 10 seniors and 10 juniors. He believes the offensive line is the strength of the team especially the guards who he said were road graders. Meyer singled out Carlton Medder for doing a tremendous job. He is pleased with the receivers, especially the way they block. Meyer believes Kestahn Moore can be a 1,200-1,300 yard back. Former cornerback Avery Atkins’s comeback attempt is over. He will not return to the team.

South Carolina began spring drills Tuesday. Gamecock tailback Mike Davis (knee scoped) and middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley (shoulder surgery) will miss spring practice due to recent surgeries to correct injuries. Casper Brinkley, Jasper’s brother, has moved from defensive end to weakside linebacker. Junior college receiver Larry Freeman, who is from Pearl River Community College, is starting on the depth chart ahead of returning players Freddie Brown, Moe Brown and Mike West. Coach Steve Spurrier said Freeman had an impressive first practice. One of the big questions is who to replace Sidney Rice at receiver. The top candidate is Kenny McKinley. Sixteen returning starters (seven on offense and nine on defense) give the Gamecocks hope for a divisional title run.

USC’s Jared Cook, who has moved from tight end to receiver, is the fastest of the players with a time of 4.37. Sophomore Captain Munnerlyn had the fastest 40 time among the defensive players. Backup quarterback Chris Smelley expects to be given a medical redshirt from last year. He sustained a heel injury early in the season and appeared in two games before the injury prevented him from continuing. The first scrimmage will be Saturday morning. Starting right tackle Justin Sorensen was held out after being involved in a spring break incident of being hit with a bottle that required him to wear a bandage at the base of his skull. Spurrier told the media if they had heard about the incident and encouraged them to go talk to him about hit. Sorensen told the media on Thursday that he received 44 stitches on his right shoulder. He said he tried to walk away from a fight. Freshman defensive end Clifton Geathers drew praise from Spurrier.

Alabama begins spring football practice Saturday. Teaching new schemes will be instrumental for Coach Nick Saban’s staff. Improving the pass rush is a priority after collecting only 13 sacks last season. There is much speculation that Saban might move several players to new positions. There is a hole in the secondary with safety Jeffrey Duke and cornerback Ramzee Robinson gone. Rashad Johnson is a possibility at safety since he has the most experience. Justin Woodall and Corey Reamer can provide depth. Several redshirt defensive players such as end Milton Talbert, linebacker Charlie Higginbotham and defensive back Tremayne Coger.

Former Tide offensive coordinator Dave Rader is a finalist for the head-coaching job at Austin Peay University. Rader was Tulsa’s head coach from 1989-92. Alabama will collect donations at the annual A-Day game for victims of a tornado in Enterprise, Ala. Several questions remain for the start of spring practice including what kind of attack will offensive coordinator Major Applewhite employ—either a one back, three receiver set or more of a spread and pro-I variety.

Arkansas practiced twice last week before taking off until March 26. Defensive end Antwain Robinson, who started 13 games last year, was charged with shoplifting at a department store in a Fayetteville Mall. Robinson was fifth on the team in tackles last year. He returned an interception for a touchdown in the SEC title game.

Other Hog receivers need to step up to help senior Marcus Monk. The possibilities are senior Robert Johnson (6-2), who is lighter and faster after moving from quarterback, sophomore London Crawford (6-3), who is one of the most muscular receivers, freshman Marques Wade (6-4), who is coming back from an injury.

Tennessee football coach Phil Fulmer has announced Bruce Warwick, who has had stints with Duke and the Green Bay Packers, as the new director of football operations. He replaces Gerry Dickey, who left last month for another business opportunity.

Quarterback Erik Ainge was scheduled to have surgery Monday to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Ainge will be facing a three to six week recovery period since the meniscus was removed. Fulmer was very pleased with the results of the surgery. Tennessee’s defense worked on the 3-4 formations in case the line doesn’t work out well. Fulmer has used the 4-3 for most of his career except for 2002 when the defensive line had a rash of injuries.

Vanderbilt has its spring game next Saturday, March 31. The Commodores lost to Alabama, Arkansas and Florida by a combined 12 points last year. Seventeen starters including quarterback Chris Nickson and receiver Earl Bennett return for what could be Coach Bobby Johnson’s best team. Running back Jeff Jennings, who returns after a knee injury caused him to miss most of the 2006 season, joins Cassen Jackson-Garrison to form a potent tandem.

Mississippi State returned to practice this week. Linebacker Jamar Chaney and defensive end Cortez McCraney returned from hamstring injuries. Junior tight end Jeremy Jones was moved from tight end to fullback.

Ole Miss is back from spring break. Freshman offensive lineman Reid Neely is close to a starting position at guard. The Rebels are preparing for a full scrimmage on Friday. Defensive players Chris Bowers, Jamarca Sanford and freshman Daverin Geralds drew praise from coach Ed Orgeron. On offense, Jason Cook, Bruce Hall, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Michael Oher are some of the names that Orgeron highlighted. As a group, Orgeron said the offensive line has stood out. Orgeron is reluctant to give out any information on who is winning the quarterback battle between Seth Adams and Brent Schaeffer.

Miami quarterback signee Robert Marve said he weighs 195 pounds and has 5% body fat. He added that he could bench press 295 pounds and throw a football 70 yards. The Canes will have a few changes to the uniforms this season in terms of striping. Shoes change from white to black. Helmets remain the same. Offensive line signee Orlando Franklin has been told to drop 10 pounds. He currently weighs 330. Receiver DeMarcus VanDyke is up to 174 pounds after gaining 10 pounds. Freshman signee Jermaine McKenzie has gained five pounds and is up to 175. He said he wants to play at 185 pounds to go along with the sub 4.4 speed. Offensive coordinator Patrick Nix said his offense would run from I-formation to spread and even some option. He added that running backs Javarris James and Graig Cooper would play at the same time.

Cane center Derrick Morse is out temporarily with a leg injury. Mat Pipho has taken most of the snaps. Freshman tailback Graig Cooper took a pitch reversed field and outran the entire defense for a 60-yard score. Jerrell Mabry is playing fullback, similar to the H-back position. Mabry said he has lost 12 pounds and is down to 278 pounds. Three practices remain that are all scrimmages starting with Saturday morning.

Florida State had its first day of practice last Friday. The pace of practice was much quicker than before. Each unit ran to the line of scrimmage for each play. The receivers are working on blocking more than running routes and catching the ball. Sophomore receiver Rod Owens and running back Russell Ball are back from injuries. Seminole offensive coaches said they have thrown everything at the offense including terminology, strategy and basic fundamentals on lining up differently, etc. Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said he gives the players the works in order for them to get comfortable with it over the summer.

Seminole offensive line coach Rick Trickett is cross-training all his offensive linemen. Three players are adjusting to new positions—Caz Piurowski moves from tight end to offensive tackle, Dumaka Atkins from center to guard and Ryan McMahon from defensive tackle to guard. McMahon has looked good in the early going. D’Vontrey Richardson is playing baseball for FSU so his time at quarterback could be limited. He was hitting .439 coming into the Wake Forest series. Kenny Ingram is set to rejoin the team in the summer. He spent last fall at East Central (Miss.) Community College after being ruled academically ineligible. Former tight end Brandon Warren has not appealed Bobby Bowden’s decision to deny his transfer request.

Ron Dugans, former FSU receiver and graduate assistant last season, has landed on the Georgia Southern staff. Offensive line coach Rick Trickett said his unit has lost a combined 176 pounds. Redshirt freshman Charlie Graham has been the constant at tight end. Freshman defensive end Kevin McNeil was watching practice on Monday. He has various injuries including a broken foot from a car wreck several weeks ago but he is hopeful to be healthy by two-a-days. Geno Hayes has moved from weakside linebacker to middle linebacker. He started 10 games last year at weakside linebacker. Tailback Jamaal Edwards, who has lost eight pounds, is hoping he can contribute more this season after gained 28 yards on eight carries in three seasons. Receiver Preston Parker has caught the coach’s eye in the early going. The pads went on Wednesday. Myron Rolle had two big hits and forced a fumble in 11- on- 11 work.

North Carolina tailback Barrington Edwards has been suspended indefinitely for violation on team rules. Joe Dailey will get time at receiver this spring, which might mean his last time at quarterback. Incoming freshman Mike Paulus will compete with sophomore Cam Sexton for the starting job. Coach Butch Davis is taking chemo for a small, cancerous growth that was removed from his gum in February.

Clemson is on spring break this week. They had a scrimmage Thursday night for the coaches to take a look at freshmen quarterback Willy Korn and starter Cullen Harper.

Tailback C J Spiller is spending spring break with the family in Florida. He left no doubt that he would return to school afterwards.

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE CLAY COUNTY LINE IN ORANGE PARK, FLA., HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON ESPN 1460 ON MONDAY AND THURSDAY AFTERNOONS ON THE RUMBLE WITH MIKE DEMPSEY AND TOM MCMANUS.