Beyond the Boxscore

Houston in line to get more Final Fours after 2016: NCAA officials expect it ... Houston in line to get more Final Fours after 2016: NCAA officials expect it to become a regular By Chris Baldwin

4.5.11  |  7:07 pm

When even NCAA officials are making jokes about the lowest-scoring NCAA Championship Game since 1949, you know they had a ...

Beyond the Boxscore

Houston gets the worst NCAA Championship in history: All clangs & a cheater's win ... Houston gets the worst NCAA Championship in history: All clangs & a cheater's win, but city shines By Chris Baldwin

4.5.11  |  2:28 am

A few streaks of blood are visible on Kemba Walker's white UConn shorts as he sits on a cushioned ...

Power Play

UConn shows NBA-level talent, not dreams, wins national titles UConn shows NBA-level talent, not dreams, wins national titles By Chris Baldwin

4.4.11  |  10:27 pm

In the end, it's about talent. It's not about power conference or mid-major, giant or Cinderella, Goliath or ...

Beyond the Boxscore

It's the Final Four of Jim Nantz's life: Puts Butler's story ... It's the Final Four of Jim Nantz's life: Puts Butler's story above 1985 Villanova; feels Houston's done itself proud By Chris Baldwin

4.4.11  |  6:42 pm

CBS puts its employees up at a plush hotel during Final Four week where everything is taken care of for ...

Celeb Spotting

From Bachelorette Ali to Ashley Judd to Arli$$, celebrity sightings are a Final Four ... From Bachelorette Ali to Ashley Judd to Arli$$, celebrity sightings are a Final Four weekend fixture By Sarah Rufca

4.4.11  |  1:02 pm

Basketball, golf, music — this weekend brought a national spotlight to Houston. So it's no surprise that a smattering of ...

More than a scorer

Kemba Walker knows he's far better than Jimmer Fredette: Now he has a ... Kemba Walker knows he's far better than Jimmer Fredette: Now he has a title game to prove it By Chris Baldwin

4.3.11  |  6:55 pm

Jimmer Mania should have been Kemba Mania. That much is already clear. UConn guard Kemba Walker has shown he can ...

Final Four Frenzy

MetroRail gives Final Four fans free rides; Houston's early bar closures draw groans MetroRail gives Final Four fans free rides; Houston's early bar closures draw groans By Caroline Gallay

4.3.11  |  10:58 am

It was a 15-minute wait for the MetroRail Saturday night after the Kentucky-Connecticut game ended as fans shuffled through tented ...

Beyond the Boxscore

Why losing Ashley Judd could kill Houston's Final Four: Pitiful UConn fans create ... Why losing Ashley Judd could kill Houston's Final Four: Pitiful UConn fans create title game worry By Chris Baldwin

4.3.11  |  1:57 am

With Houston's Final Four at its absolute loudest — with a crowd of 75,421 finally flexing its full power ...

The Big Dance Concert Series

No lack of oomph at mid-afternoon Kings of Leon concert No lack of oomph at mid-afternoon Kings of Leon concert By Sarah Rufca

4.2.11  |  10:53 pm

If there were any concern that Kings of Leon, the Saturday headliners of The Big Dance Concert Series, would lose ...

Court-side

Courtside at the Final Four: UK's No. 1 fan Ashley Judd & Butler backer ... Courtside at the Final Four: UK's No. 1 fan Ashley Judd & Butler backer George H.W. Bush By Caroline Gallay

4.2.11  |  10:33 pm

It's not the Super Bowl, but the NCAA Final Four brought its share of famous faces to Houston to ...

Largest crowd in Final Four history

UConn knocks out Kentucky, setting up championship 'Dog fight UConn knocks out Kentucky, setting up championship 'Dog fight By Chris Baldwin

4.2.11  |  10:17 pm

It fittingly came down to one last defensive stand, one more time when UConn needed to turn back the high-flying ...

Flipping the script

Butler emerges as national championship favorite after VCU beating: Unfamiliar position for Dogs Butler emerges as national championship favorite after VCU beating: Unfamiliar position for Dogs By Chris Baldwin

4.2.11  |  9:12 pm

Think Butler is still an underdog? Think again. The lovable team from the little school in America's heartland, March ...

Tougher Team Triumphs

Big Mack Tonight: Butler guts out Bush-endorsed win at Final Four behind guard Big Mack Tonight: Butler guts out Bush-endorsed win at Final Four behind guard By Chris Baldwin

4.2.11  |  7:27 pm

Shelvin Mack is Butler's most talented player, but for much of this NCAA Tournament he's almost been a ...

Wildcats on the web

From fan to accidental journalist: Kentucky Sports Radio's Matt Jones talks to CultureMap ... From fan to accidental journalist: Kentucky Sports Radio's Matt Jones talks to CultureMap about his first Final Four By Caroline Gallay

4.2.11  |  7:10 pm

Matt Jones used to be a lawyer. A Duke-educated one, at that. But he gave that all up to run ...

A new way to pour

56 beers in 60 seconds: Bottoms Up dispensers are turning the brew world upside ... 56 beers in 60 seconds: Bottoms Up dispensers are turning the brew world upside down By Marcy de Luna

4.2.11  |  1:00 pm

The perfect pint used to be all about the pour. Not anymore, thanks to Bottoms Up draft beer dispensers — and ...

Everything old is new again

Sublime with Rome gets first Big Dance Concert Series off to a raucous start Sublime with Rome gets first Big Dance Concert Series off to a raucous start By Fayza A. Elmostehi

4.2.11  |  10:35 am

No more writhing in jealousy over Austin City Limits or schlepping it up to Cynthia Mitchell Woods Pavilion. Houston, we ...

Saturday semifinals

The secret to cheap Final Four tickets: Wait for the losers The secret to cheap Final Four tickets: Wait for the losers By Chris Baldwin

4.2.11  |  3:25 am

Want to get tickets to the Final Four for a very reasonable price? Show up at Reliant Stadium near the ...

Spell Check

Antonio Gates squeezes past Vince Young in Bracket Town H-O-R-S-E shootout Antonio Gates squeezes past Vince Young in Bracket Town H-O-R-S-E shootout By Michelle Watson

4.2.11  |  12:13 am

Celebrity athletes played the classic schoolyard basketball game to launch Bracket Town and had a roaring good time.

Hoop Dreams

Bracket Town takes basketball fans from spectator to star Bracket Town takes basketball fans from spectator to star By Sarah Rufca

4.1.11  |  10:09 pm

There's been more than a little handwringing of late over the younger generation's technological addiction. Kids play Madden ...

Beyond the Boxscore

Jim Calhoun dubs the other Final Four coaches "My Three Sons": UConn goes Clint ... Jim Calhoun dubs the other Final Four coaches "My Three Sons": UConn goes Clint Eastwood at Final Four By Chris Baldwin

4.1.11  |  7:38 pm

The first few days of Final Four weekend have been more buttoned down than some of those old George W ...

Gym rats ... no mall rats

Mall ball: Want to see a Final Four star? Go to the Galleria Mall ball: Want to see a Final Four star? Go to the Galleria By Chris Baldwin

4.1.11  |  4:37 pm

Houston boasts some of the finest museums in the world, a powerhouse restaurant scene, distinctive night spots and quirky attractions ...

No ticket? No problem!

It's pure fandemonium during free Final Four practices: 16,000 show at Reliant It's pure fandemonium during free Final Four practices: 16,000 show at Reliant By Caroline Gallay

4.1.11  |  4:19 pm

As Reliant Stadium geared up Friday for its much-anticipated weekend games, fans watching practice got a taste of what it ...

Music Matters

Final Four brings varsity music talent to H-Town: Kings of Leon, Kenny Chesney and ... Final Four brings varsity music talent to H-Town: Kings of Leon, Kenny Chesney and more By Michael D. Clark

4.1.11  |  6:53 am

Alumni of Butler, Virginia Commonwealth, Kentucky and Connecticut aren't the only winners looking forward to a wild 2011 Final ...

We're at your service

From parking to purses: What you should expect at the Big Dance Concert Series From parking to purses: What you should expect at the Big Dance Concert Series By Caroline Gallay

4.1.11  |  5:30 am

If you're planning on taking in some of the free concerts organized this weekend in celebration of the men ...

A Very Personal Night

Jim Nantz hands Guy Lewis a Hall of Fame boost, brings Naismith brass to ... Jim Nantz hands Guy Lewis a Hall of Fame boost, brings Naismith brass to UH tribute dinner By Chris Baldwin

4.1.11  |  5:05 am

If any doubt existed about the strength of Jim Nantz's commitment to getting former University of Houston coach Guy ...

Bush & Butler

Former President kick starts the Final Four, gives Butler's Matt Howard a handshake ... Former President kick starts the Final Four, gives Butler's Matt Howard a handshake at star-studded Salute By Chris Baldwin

4.1.11  |  1:34 am

For an event to truly reach mega status in Houston, it needs to get George and Barbara Bush involved. Well ...

Beyond the Boxscore

Kemba Walker not wowed by Houston, Final Four MOP favorite knows it's his ... Kemba Walker not wowed by Houston, Final Four MOP favorite knows it's his time By Chris Baldwin

3.31.11  |  6:22 pm

As Reliant Stadium came into view and UConn coach Jim Calhoun played tour guide, Shabazz Napier did a double take ...

Pat down for Pat Green

Prepare for a pat down: Crowd control at The Big Dance is a matter ... Prepare for a pat down: Crowd control at The Big Dance is a matter of national security By Caroline Gallay

3.31.11  |  1:42 pm

Final Four weekend at Discovery Green will be like nothing the young park has ever seen. The 12-acre park, situated ...

Get a room - if you can

It's tough to find a hotel room in Houston this weekend, but here ... It's tough to find a hotel room in Houston this weekend, but here are some choices By Caroline Gallay

3.31.11  |  11:12 am

For those fans who're planning on trekking to Houston to see their teams in the NCAA men's Final ...

Fully booked

If you're planning dinner out this weekend, schedule it while the Final Four ... If you're planning dinner out this weekend, schedule it while the Final Four teams are on the court By Shelby Hodge

3.31.11  |  11:01 am

If you're looking for a good meal in downtown Houston this weekend, you'll have to book now and ...