Roundup: Stanford women, Oregon men set for Final Four

The Final Four fun begins on the women’s side Friday in Dallas, and Stanford will take on South Carolina in one semi (UConn-Mississippi State in the other). Michelle Smith has this story on South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley learning from Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer. Staley was Tara’s point guard on the 1996 Olympic team that won gold and has looked to her as a mentor over the course of her career.

The Ducks will make their first Final Four appearance since 1939 on the men’s side Saturday in Phoenix, and Henry Bushnell of Yahoo Sports breaks down the most important matchup in the Oregon-North Carolina game. Oh and check this out – Kobe Bryant visited the Ducks, and our cameras were there to catch the response.

Shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but Washington’s Kelsey Plum was named Associated Press women’s basketball Player of the Year Thursday in Dallas. UConn’s Geno Auriemma was named Coach of the Year.

UCLA forward T.J. Leaf declared for the NBA Draft on Thursday, following the footsteps of fellow Bruin Lonzo Ball (CBS Sports).

Arizona basketball freshman Lauri Markkanen declared for the NBA Draft on Thursday after averaging 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in his lone Tucson campaign (Sporting News).

Rusty Simmons writes that Wyking Jones is creating excitement as the new Cal men’s basketball coach. How much excitement? Forward Marcus Lee says the Golden Bears are going to win the national title next year.

From Wednesday – Oregon State women’s basketball guard Sydney Wiese was named a USBWA All-American. She was also named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press.

With the 2017 MLB season right around the corner, Jeremy Cluff of The Arizona Republic updates the info on the Arizona State baseball alums who have MLB experience. More than 100 in all.

Holli Joyce of KSL.com writes about the seven Utah gymnasts who were named to the Pac-12 All-Academic teams.

Colorado defensive end Chris Mulumba is happy with his performance during spring practice, notes Brian Howell in this blog. Mulumba is from Finland and a transfer from Diablo Valley College.

Zach Helfand takes a look at USC’s deeper defensive line this season and who may play a key role there this year, including guys like Marlon Tuipulotu and Josh Fatu.

Jacob Thorpe features the early enrollees for Washington State football – Anthony White, Zaire Webb, Sean Harper, Easop Winston (go Padres) and Robert Valencia.