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Diamond has been one of our most versatile players

PORTLAND, Ore. Tony Gonzalez Womens Jersey . — Will Sheehey had two options when he grabbed the loose ball: back it out and play for the final shot of regulation, or take the open jumper. Indiana coach Tom Crean wanted the Hoosiers to be aggressive on Saturday, and Sheehey was paying attention. The sophomore forward made a 15-footer from the baseline with 12.7 seconds left after a shot was blocked right to him, and the fourth-seeded Hoosiers beat 12th-seeded VCU 63-61 on Saturday to reach the NCAA tournaments round of 16 for the first time in a decade. Welcome back Indiana. “Its been a constant grind for us ever since the end of last year,” Christian Watford said. “Weve been working hard and we did a great job with adversity, and it feels great to be in this position.” Indiana (27-8) trailed by as many as nine at 57-48 and held VCU to just four points the final 12 1/2 minutes. When Rob Brandenbergs open look at a potential winning 3 rimmed off, the Hoosiers were finally able to celebrate their first trip to the regional semifinals since 2002. Next up is a rematch with top-seeded Kentucky in Atlanta. The Hoosiers last-second win over the Wildcats back in December announced their return to the national stage. Saturdays victory and the trip to the round of 16 is another milestone in Creans rebuilding job from the decimated program he inherited four years ago. “All college basketball teams work really hard,” Crean said. “But these guys have had to come from a long way, a long way, and Im proud of them.” Watford and Cody Zeller had 16 points apiece for the Hoosiers. Watford was huge at the end of the first half, scoring the final eight points after VCU had threatened to run away during a frenetic first 20 minutes. Zeller stepped up late with his first field goal since the middle of the first half with 2:55 left. But while those two were the scoring leaders, they became secondary figures in the final seconds. The first star for Indiana was Victor Oladipo. After Bradford Burgess missed two foul shots that could have given VCU a five-point lead with about a minute left, Oladipo made an aggressive sprint to the basket and converted a tying three-point play with 46.5 seconds left. When Troy Daniels missed a 3 for VCU, Indiana had a chance at the lead. Instead of calling timeout, Oladipo tried to get to the rim, but was blocked by Darius Theus. The loose ball bounced to Sheehey and he knocked down his only basket of the second half. “I thought the momentum was on our side. We had made a little comeback there. And Im comfortable shooting at that range,” Sheehey said. “It was pretty open, so I decided to take it.” VCU (29-7) had one last chance. Theus drove aggressively into the lane and passed out to Brandenberg, but his 3 bounced on the rim and came off as the buzzer sounded. “The guys really executed the plan in that play,” VCU coach Shaka Smart said. “Rob got a wide open shot in front of our bench. Ill take that shot every day of the week.” Burgess led VCU (29-7) with 15 points, but he had just three in the second half. Brandenberg added 13 off the bench and Troy Daniels scored 10, only to be left crouched on the floor long after the buzzer in disbelief. VCU had seen that stunned reaction before, but it belonged to its opponents most of the time over the last two NCAA tournaments. And for most of Saturday it appeared Indiana was going to be the latest storied program to go down against the Rams. Indiana survived a season-high 22 turnovers. It shot just 36 per cent in the second half but was able to move on because of its own defensive effort that limited VCU to just seven second-half field goals and 30 3-point attempts. “Im sure it was a great basketball game for people to watch from the stands. It was really a great game for me, as well, because I got to see this game, the last six or seven minutes through our players eyes,” Crean said. “And they were so locked in and had such great resolve to never panic and to just truly believe that they were going to win.”Jason Pierre-Paul Jersey . Both clubs have long histories and rabid fan bases but the fortunes of both clubs have differed over the past 50 years. The pressure to perform in both markets is immense, so the question begs: Which job is tougher, general manager of the Canadiens or general manager of the Leafs? While the scrutiny on both jobs is constant, both teams have set conditions that make satisfying the teams fan-base more or less difficult than the other. Matthew Stafford Jersey . The veteran Ottawa Senators captain has committed to playing for Sweden at the IIHF World Hockey Championship, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation. Charles Woodson Jersey .C. — Christian Ouellet and Guillaume Asselin each scored twice as the Chicoutimi Sagueneens silenced the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 6-0 in Quebec Major Junior League Hockey action on Wednesday. Jared Allen Jersey . The star running back with the Patriots and Jets for 11 seasons was one of six players elected Saturday to the shrine. Steve Largent Jersey .ca is giving you complete coverage of UEFA EURO 2012. It all starts on TSN.MONTREAL — The remake of the Montreal Alouettes defence deepened Friday with the release of linebacker Diamond Ferri and safety Etienne Boulay. Boulay, who missed most of last season with a concussion, had been an Alouette since 2006 and was a particularly popular player with fans. The versatile Ferri, who also returned kicks and played special teams, spent five seasons in Montreal. “I am in very good shape, so the news took me by surprise. I am disappointed,” said Boulay in a statement. “I could see myself ending my career in Montreal. “Ill come to terms with it all and evaluate the opportunities that are offered to me. One thing for sure, I leave this organization with pride.” Despite being surprised by his release, Boulay still had positive things to say about the CFL club. “The Alouettes have always treated me with respect and they have allowed me to be the player that I am today,” said Boulay. “Jim Popp and I have always had a straightforward relationship and I appreciate the way they have done things. I am confident for the future.” The team had released veteran defensive linemen Anwar Stewart and Eric Wilson before training camp and opted not to re-sign defensive back Mark Estelle. All were members of Grey Cup teams from 2009 and 2010. “It is a tough business when you choose to release veteran players, especiallyy ones that have been major contributors in the community and in winning championships,” general manager Jim Popp said in a statement about the latest releases. Walter Payton ThrowBack Jersey. “It is a lot more fun to win Grey Cups with these players than to have to notify them that they are being released and that they will not have a job. Both will always be a big part of the Alouettes history.” It may be that the veterans did not fit into a system put in by new defensive co-ordinator Jeff Reinebold. The 28-year-old Boulay had 127 defensive tackles, 43 special teams tackles and 11 interceptions in six seasons. Ferri was fourth on the team in defensive tackles with 50 last season and had three sacks. He also led the team in kickoff return yards with 573. The 30-year-old had 240 tackles and five interceptions in five seasons “Diamond has been one of our most versatile players and most physical players over the last five years,” said Popp. “His style of play has allowed us to make many moves in a course of multiple seasons that gave us a chance to win championships.” Kyries Hebert is expected to take over at safety. The Alouettes had also released Ramon Guzman before camp, leaving Shea Emry and Chip Cox as the remaining regulars at linebacker. Daunte Akra, Bear Woods and off-season acquisition Rod Davis are likely to see action this season. ‘ ‘ ‘

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