Lewis extends lead to hot tour at Kraft Nabisco (AP)

RANCHO MIRAGE, California – Stacy Lewis persevered with more desert heat to shoot a 3 - under 69 at Kraft Nabisco Championship Friday, an advance of three-stroke on Yani Tseng, Brittany Lincicome and Jane Park open.

Lewis was 9 - slot after several big rolls in the cool second round, meet halfway to first major position of the LPGA Tour to hunt for his first victory.

Michelle Wie shot a 67, matching best round of the day. She is six back shots in the running for his first major title.

Tseng, the title and player of head of the world champion, shot a 68.

All leaders can thrive dry, green fast for a day in the second place without wind in Mission Hills, with temperatures topping 100 degrees in the afternoon.

Get defensive of the target for the two Butler, VCU (AP)

HOUSTON - that Butler and VCU proudly wear the same small Conference, lovable underdog tag is easily recognizable.

Less clear is their dedication shared the non-sexy practice of ruthless, aggressive defence - since long a game trade mark Butler, but much more than a surprising end season of operation development, award of Rams.

"This is what has brought us here." For five consecutive matches, play great defense "LCA before Jamie Skeen said Friday." "" If we major defence against play Butler once more, we can probably come with victory. »

Eighth seed Butler (27-9) plays VCU, from "first four" Final oven national semifinal Saturday night.

"It is more challenging because you everyone looks their defence knows, although they are, said the leader of the LCA Joey Rodriguez." "" We want to come and try to prove to people that we can defend as they play.

Virginia Commonwealth (28-11) dream team is a shooter, a complete list of guys who think that they are in range which, once the bus approaching the arena. (It is no coincidence TV analyst Steve Kerr for the Rams for a competition of shooting during training last weekend southwest regional.)

The Rams this year 895 3-pointers were launched - no, this is not a fault of printing - and shot an incredible 44% of long distance only to the NCAA tournament. They have finished with 12 3 s on three of its five games, with Brandon Rozzell doing six on its own against Georgetown and Bradford Burgess is similarly against the State of Florida.

But not error LCA for the Globetrotters.

The Rams are available exactly of Wisconsin, ranking 238th (from 336 teams) in the defence field goal and 134e in defence scoring. They 298th in the margin to rebounds. They are still in the Final Four because they cut off the Southern California, Georgetown, Florida State and Purdue before carry Kansas seeded at the top of the page.

The Jayhawks, the head of the country team, once managed just 61 points during the filming of 35.5 General and 9.5% of 3 points throughout the season lows. After not by more than two points behind the whole tournament, abandoned Kansas with 17 for the rest.

Overall, Virginia Commonwealth is therefore an average of 62 points less than their season average in the tournament, almost five. They hold opponents to 39 percent shooting, well below their average season of 44%.

"They keep balance teams," said Matt Howard, Butler leading scorer and rebounder. "Need to prepare for the multiple looks." They will print. They play a little of the area. So, they have a good cyber war. I think that when you are really mark the ball really well, also, that gives you the defensive energy. I think that you can make an argument that they scored as well as anyone.

"When you are able to enter these different defenses and mark, I think that really helps their defence."

If anyone knows that it is Butler.

The Bulldogs are one of the fundamental teams healthier in the game - these are the guys in the gymnasium where "hoosiers play" was filmed, after all. They can learn, and they do very well. Howard shoot 49%, while Andrew Smith, a nearly 9 points a game average is 62% shooting.

But they came within 2 points of the Championship year last thanks to frankly unpleasant defence. Butler is closed off the coast of the K-State Jacob Pullen final regional, he questioned in 4-of-13 shooting and four turnovers. The State of Michigan in 16 turnovers in the final four harassed and zero allowed - nada zilch, zip, - fast break points.

And when the season Bulldogs was on the edge of this year with three straight and four or five games landslide losses, defence, not attack, these things turn around.

"We've really focused on the defensive end of the word," said Howard. "We were not guarding the way which us had normally, and I think it was really important for us to come back to that.".

Butler now has 13 best straight, one past four teams won. He was give a unfortunate points 59.6 during stretch, an average of almost eight points better than the average through the first 23 games of the season. Only two teams have obtained 70% or more from Butler, both in the NCAA tournament streak.

Also outrebounded the Bulldogs Old Dominion, best team of the nation on the glass, 32-29 in the second round.

"Butler is probably the defensive team more difficult we will give all year, said Burgess.".

What can I say something, consider that the LCA Florida State, leave the country in field goal defense, in the South West regional semi-finals played.

"Butler is much more healthy. "They are going to each type of defensive mistakes," said coach Shaka Smart LCA. "We have to get in the paint and not always to turn the ball." We came to touch the paint. We need the additional password on the circumference. We should use shot fakes. You end up with force.

"Something that large defensive teams all have in common is that they are very physical, they aggressively." If you are not the fight to take, then you'll be in for a long night. »

The first one to 60 get to play for the title.

Calhoun, Calipari has never really see eye to eye (AP)

HOUSTON person-will dispute that they are great coaches and the most recent evidence is located in the teams that they have led to the Final Four this year.

No one will argue that John Calipari and Jim Calhoun Saints, either.

Men on the sidelines for the Final Four of Kentucky-Connecticut confrontation have had their share of problems - with others, the programs they run and the NCAA.

They are a microcosm of what is right and wrong in NCAA - a game based on the coach where good leaders programs and players to a new level may raise, but road to product success often its just part of the cringeworthy deal.

Calipari leads the fourth seeded Wildcats (29-8) against Calhoun and third-seeded Huskies (30-9) in the second semifinal Saturday. The two coaches convinced a reversal of their teams of young people, who have difficulties in unexpected trip to the biggest stage of the game, the third and fourth for Calipari for Calhoun.

On the eve of the game have their history as dynamic a topic as the success of their teams.

One of the first questions that Calipari fielded was the Friday or it is the former coach Jerry Tarkanian UNLV 2000 version, a coach which many win at his time, but he made with his phone number is firmly anchored on the dial of the speed of the NCAA.

The question dragged the Wildcats bus also gently as good Kentucky bourbon.

"I respect all Jerry done - his children, how they played, all these things," Calipari said. "But, no, I think that I 2011 John Calipari.". I don't know what that means, and I hate to speak in the third. "But I am who I am."

Unlike Calhoun Calipari has no qualms about how many of its players were surprisingly short career and, indeed, to see that somehow a feather in his Cap. Recruits there best players, just as quickly - replaces goodbye John Wall, Hello Brandon Knight - and gets to accept different roles, sometimes uncomfortable work in a team.

He is back in Houston, where three years ago, he won two races on the Memphis regional lead to the Final Four, only to leave school a year later, just as the program was conducted in the problems of NCAA relating to the recruitment of Derrick Rose.

First visit Final Four of the Calipari, with Massachusetts in 1996, was also washed by the NCAA. That led to another ironic question: How does it feel to be coaches in your first Final Four?

"I deal with that," said coach of 52 years, who four years in the NBA between UMass and Memphis stays. "We are here three times." These players play played and did what they should. I am so proud of what they have done.

He says that without excuse. Its schools suffering, Calipari was not found on the debt to one of the probes of the NCAA.

The so-called problems between Cal and Cal began in this UMass days, while at the top of the other coaches were in neighbouring States - one trying to protect its turf and the other trying to cut its own. Things are are strained during the recruitment of Marcus Camby, UMass wound up choosing and issues of school which eventually landed at his trial.

Both coaches agreed that the relationship had a difficult start.

"I want to say, Northeast, you are so tight, you are right at the top of the other, that there is a competitive environment," said Calipari. "Our emissions of radio and tv-shows are in the other country, in our cities." That is how it is there. »

The 68-year Calhoun airy resumed the complaints he raised more than a decade ago on Calipari - a Pittsburgh native, trying to muscle its way through the New England - but made clear hostility calmed as the year passed.

"The generational perspective on the fact that John was really trying to claim new England,"said Calhoun with its counterpart in the absence of a genuine friendship. "

Then, he influenced his Boston accent better: "he could never say it pahked in Casa Hahvahd Yahd, he did not know what was really the clam chowder." I took (shading) to it, but I take (shading) many things. »

As magic this season has been - Kemba Walker the emergence as a star of the NBA-bound, five victories as five nights in the Big East tournament, then four wins more and unexpected Final Four travel - it is also a drain on Calhoun.

UConn Huskies this season has been played in the shadow of an NCAA investigation into the recruitment of Nate miles, a player of liquidation have expelled from the school before never play a game with the name.

The probe - ugly, but the first 25 years at Calhoun of UConn Huskies - led sanctions which Calhoun of suspension for the first three games of next season. If, that is to say, the coach decided to return. He has a lot of health problems in the past eight years and now enjoys spending time with his grandchildren as much as the players that he coaches.

"I am comfortable with my University, how they dealt with is, how the NCAA treated," said Calhoun. "I did not say that I agree with everything." But I was responsible for the program, program errors made, and I think that everyone had their chance to speak of a period of two years. When it was evaluated, it was assessed, and it is on for me. »

Always at the same time, the saga of Cal vs Cal hang, although in a light much less angry now 15 years ago.

Earlier in the week, Calhoun referred to its three final four homologous coaches and it was called, "my three sons - my two sons over my problem child," in reference to the years 1960 Classic TV show that Fred MacMurray played.

Calipari picked which one Friday: "I told him that I knew Fred MacMurray," he said, "and Mr. Calhoun, you are not a" Fred MacMurray.

Nadal beats Federer in Key Biscayne, Florida (AP)

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. - Rafael Nadal usually obtain a trophy when he defeated Roger Federer. This time, is pay a chance to play Novak Djokovic in the final Sunday at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Advanced Nadal Friday evening, with an incredible ease before an arbitrary Federer 6 - 3, 6-2.

Spanish has never lost serve, four of five break point opportunities and non-forced errors committed only 10 to 31 for Federer.

The first clash of the United States in six years between Rafa and Roger was a clapped-out instead of a classic, a capacity crowd who tried in vain to inspire a comeback Federer singing his disappointing name. They met before the final of the tower for the first time since 2007 because Federer has recently slipped from second to third in the standings and landed at Nadal half of the draw.

Now, no. ranked 1 Nadal and not. Djokovic 2 will play for the Championship. Djokovic won the tournament in 2007, while Nadal is looking for his first Key Biscayne title.

Djokovic extended his series of victories in 25 consecutive matches by Mardy Fish in the other semi-final, 6-3, 6-1 defeat. Three-time champion Grand Slam Maria Sharapova tries his first title in Key Biscayne Saturday when they play Victoria Azarenka 2009 champion.

Nadal vs Federer generated the vortex of a final, with tickets shortly before the game to recover hundreds of dollars. But Federer came out flat, committing four errors not forced to lose serve and scramblers 2-1.

That was part of a room in which Nadal won 13 of 15 points to take control. He lost two only of 18 points on his service in the first series.

The agitated crowd began chanting "ro - ger!" in the second series, but some fans would answer with a competition "Ra - fa! Din do not change the course of the game.

Federer had problems of adaptation with the speed of Nadal of features of soil, shanking of half a dozen photos, including a match point to reach. Federer then put a prudent forehand in the net, and it was completed after only 75 minutes.

Improved Nadal, 15-8 against Federer. Nadal is 16-8 against Djokovic but lost when she was two weeks ago in the final at Indian Wells.

It is one of the three titles that Djokovic won this year, including the Open of Australia. His 23-0 record in 2011 is the best record to start a year since Ivan Lendl 25-0 has begun in 1986.

Despite this, Djokovic says the role of underdog Sunday.

He said "I obviously wouldn't can't feel like a favorite". "For me to win, I'll be should be at the top of my game."

Fish, who received the No. 1 ranking in the United States its run this week, suspended with Djokovic for a time, but he was 0 for 6 break points. Djokovic erased three ACEs and one with a service winner.

The Serbian service is its greatest weakness, only a year ago, but it is much improved since. It must be still 40 service games at Key Biscayne, erase all 15 break points he faced to be broken.

"I don't feel invincible," Djokovic said. "I don't feel that I can't lose on the right." What I feel, is the great confidence. What I feel is that I am playing the best tennis of my life. »

Djokovic also dominates long events, another reason, it has only 18 games in five lost rounds.

"It will be better than now, no doubt about it, the hard court," said Fish "it is now his playground."

Rain stopped the match 2 - all 54 minutes and Djokovic said that it is less windy conditions more favourable to the game resumed. He thrust his chest after winning a grueling basis of rallies to break a 4-2 lead.

Fish the best chance to return to the game came three games later, but he did not put away a volley to break point station and Djokovic served to all.

It was a runaway from there.

"I win one of the big points," said Fish "none of them." I left many shots here today. That is what is disappointing.

His consolation: he'll be ahead of fellow American Andy Roddick uphill to a career-best 11th in the rankings next week.

Trainer Gil Clancy, dies at 88 (AP)

LYNBROOK, n.y. - trainer Gil Clancy, who helped lead weights welterweight Emile Griffith and Middleweight titles, died. He was 88.

Clancy died Thursday at the start to an installation of assisted living on Long Island, according to his daughter, Patricia Houlahan.

"He lived a good life," said Houlahan. "I'll take it."

Born in Rockaway Beach, N.Y., boxed Clancy to the College and the army. He holds a Masters degree in education at the University of New York and tuition fees paid by fighters of the training.

Finally, Clancy fame as a man has increased and has also worked with corner Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Oscar De La Hoya and Ken Buchanan. But he is best known for his 20 years with Griffith association.

Griffith has captured the world weight welterweight title from Benny "The Kid" Paret in April 1961 with a series of 13 knock out. Six months later Griffith lost the title to Paret, in a narrow split decision, in a match controversial with Paret in 1962.

With Clancy shouting encouragement to the corner, Griffith hit Paret unconscious and Paret is remained consolidated against the ropes while Griffith struck repeatedly during a few seconds before referee Ruby Goldstein stopped the fight. Paret never repeated consciousness and died 10 days later.

It was my birthday, "said Houlahan." "" It was obviously a really difficult thing they went through. It was very bad, a tragedy. Papa do not talk that much because it was so bad. "My father was the kind of guy who likes it inside".

Clancy, chosen in 1993 to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, was also a matchmaker for Madison Square Garden 1978-81 and 1988 to 2006's award-winning boxing analyst.

"Today we are deeply saddened by the death of our friend,", said Dan Ronayne, executive vice president and general manager, MSG networks. "His death leaves a hole in the community of boxing, and with the family of the Madison Square Garden.". Our thoughts and our prayers are with his family. »

The Hall of Fame on the road, N.Y., lowered its flag at half-mast in honor of Clancy's.

"Gil Clancy was one of the great minds of boxing," said the Director-General of the International Boxing Hall of Fame Edward Brophy.

Clancy is survived by five children and grandchildren of great 19 18 grandchildren. His wife, Nancy, died 16 months ago. Funeral arrangements were incomplete, said of the family.

Donations can be in honour of Clancy for boxers veteran Association of New York, Inc. in Long Island City, New York (http://www.ring8ny.com).

Name of Kansas City Stadium Livestrong (AFP)

Paris (AFP) - American football team based in Kansas City will call their Stadium, the Livestrong Foundation against cancer, founded by seven times winner of the Tour of France Lance Armstrong merchandising company this sponsorship .fr said Friday.

A six-year contract agreed, including Livestrong pay anything to have capacity of 18 500 not his name, then that the Foundation a part of the revenue of door a whopping 10 million (EUR 7.2 million receiving) in the period in question.

Armstrong, 39, is finally stopped running after the Tour Down Under in January.

Beside psychological Derby of Leonardo (AFP)

ROME (AFP) - Inter coach Milan Leonardo Friday dismissed talk of having something to prove to the former employer for derby on Saturday AC Milan - but he admitted the game between the two rivals would require psychological toughness.

Inter Milan by two points in Serie A with only eight games go and Leonardo, what company with the side red and black of the city, divorced last summer before implementing foot Rafa Benitez on Inter replaced midseasonnothing better than a on his old side would keep.

But "this is not"my"contest." It is Inter and players - I am not looking for revenge, "the State insisted."

Given the proximity of the title race Leonardo said that it would be a test of the nerve for the two teams.

There is a lot riding on this derby-psychological, but speak the decisive mathematical may not if there are seven games left and 21 points to pick up, "he noted."

In tactics, he noticed that the players would be first of all focus after the international break, but which in all cases, a derby is an extraordinary match that goes beyond questions of tactics. Know us each other too well, so I don't think there is much to discover or invent will be. "

Former striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic Inter will miss the game through suspension but Leonardo believed that AC Milan would have enough firepower to watch while his own side hoped having Argentine forward Diego Milito, out with injury for nearly two monthsback in his group.

Coach of the AC Milan Massimiliano Allegri insisted until the derby "is a very important game - but the most important for them than for us."

"Milan will begin for them and if we win we'll be five clear points with seven games to go is not bad.".

However, Milan have a single point from their last two trips to lose some of their momentum and Allegri admitted that "is the major topic of soccer-everything can change very quickly."

Despite this, "we are top of 21 shots of games and we knew that we would not win the Championship with a month to spare, the only Scudetto victory if you four points clear with a game to go"said Allegri.

"Are they optimistic." We are more so, "he insisted".