FINAL FOUR !!!!

Stanford Returns to Final Four with 98-87 Win Against Maryland from the Associated Press

BREAKTHROUGH: Wiggins' 41 put Cardinal in Final 4 by Michelle Smith (San Francisco Chronicle)

Terrapins Stopped Short by Kathy Orton (Washington Post)

C-Dub comes up huge for Cardinal by Scott Ostler (San Francisco Chronicle)

Tara regains her touch by Ann Killion (Mercury News)

Stanford shows 'em; on to the Final Four by Elliott Almond (Mercury News)

Stanford women reach the NCAA Final Four by Keith Peters (Palo Alto Online)

Box score and play-by-play

Who wants it more?

Terrapins, Cardinal clash tonight at Arena by Dave Trimmer (Spokesman-Review)

The matchup: Stanford vs Maryland by Elliott Almond (Mercury News)

Stanford women bid for ticket to Final Four by Ann Killion (Mercury News)

Stanford, Maryland each seek validation by Michelle Smith (San Francisco Chronicle)

Whether the slights are real, Terps, Cardinal have plenty to prove by Ted Miller (ESPN)

Wiggins draws lots of attention by Elliott Almond (Mercury News)

Unbroken bond: Daughter of late Oriole uses his story as inspiration by Rick Maese (Baltimore Sun)

Gold-Onwude emerges from the other side by Scott Ostler (San Francisco Chronicle)

Photos of Stanford/Pitt game

Audio slideshow from Mercury News
Photo gallery from Stanford Photo
AP photo gallery

And then there were eight

Gold-Onwude comes through as Stanford pulls away at finish by Michelle Smith (San Francisco Chronicle)

Stanford Advances to Elite Eight With 72-53 Win Over Pitt from the Associated Press

Stanford advances to Elite Eight by Elliott Almond (Mercury News)

Pitt's Cinderella postseason ends with loss to Stanford by Ray Fittipaldo (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Stanford's depth sends Pitt packing by Greg Lee ( Spokane Spokesman-Review)

Cardinal Moving Closer To Tampa by Katherine Smith (Tampa Tribune)

Stanford women are ready for their close-up by Scott Ostler (San Francisco Chronicle)

Box score and play-by-play

More stories from Spokane

We arrived in Spokane about an hour ago. Lots of signs at the airport and all over town about the tournament. There are only about 1100 tickets still available (of 11,000), so tonight should be really exciting!

In the meantime, we're in our hotel room watching the LSU / OK State game on TV and reading the Spokane Spokesman Review, which has all these stories about the tournament:

• Check out Cardinal star -- Wiggins has it all
• Numbers add up to greatness (Boos & hisses to the proofreader of this article.)
• Pittsburgh no longer the pits
• Terrapins ready to set the pace
• Langhorne legend in her own time
• Coach Mom
• Vandy just dandy on defense

Stories from Spokane

The matchup: Stanford vs. Pittsburgh by Elliott Almond (Mercury News)

Tourney neophyte Pitt brings court cred by Michelle Smith (San Franciso Chronicle)

Pitt women's defense must focus to stop Stanford by Kevin Gorman (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Stopping Wiggins big test for Pitt by Ray Fittipaldo (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Stanford's fate may rest in strong hands of Appel by Elliott Almond (Mercury News)

It's more fun to deal with women's coaches by Scott Ostler (San Francisco Chronicle)

Ready for more

The Cardinal is ready to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Wiggins infuses Cardinal with will and determination day in and day out by Michelle Smith (San Francisco Chronicle)

With end in sight, she's not blinking by Nicole Vargas (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Confident Stanford hits Sweet 16 on a 20-game roll by Ray Fittipaldo (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Stanford enjoying men's, women's success Ann Killion (Mercury News)

Candice is finalist for Wade Trophy

Candice has been named as one of the twelve finalists for the State Farm Wade Trophy, as reported in stanford.com.

Next up, the Pittsburgh Panthers

So who is this team that we're going to play in Spokane instead of the expected Baylor?

• The Panthers got to the Sweet Sixteen with this 67-59 win over Baylor.
  
  
• Two of their key players are Marcedes Walker & Shavonte Zellous, respectively a fantastic offensive rebounder and a dynamic offensive player, according to ESPN's Take on Pittsburgh
  
  
• Here is the Panthers' view of their being in the Sweet Sixteen: Berenato savoring uncharted territory, Paul Zeiss (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
  
  
• And Stanford can't wait to get out of town, Janie McCauley (AP)
  
  
• Although he may have confused Ros and JJ, Charlie Creme (ESPN) thinks Pitt will have its hands full against Stanford.
  
  
• Here is the team website

Strange Magic

By Sue Bair (The Bootleg)

Candice Wiggins made some magic in her last game at Maples Pavilion on Monday. Wiggins tied the school single-game scoring record of 44 points and Stanford trounced UTEP 88-54. Jayne Appel added 20 points and Kayla Pedersen had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Read more...