I’ll be honest folks, I didn’t watch the NCAA title game, because if it doesn’t involve the Jayhawks I don’t care. However it was a fun story; the “football school” won a basketball title against UCLA of all teams. Joakim Noah dominated the Bruins on Monday night with 16 points, nine rebounds and a record six blocks to key a 73-57 blowout for Florida's first title in that other sport.

”It's like I'm in a cloud,” Noah said. “Not only does this feel good, but it smells good and it tastes good. I can't even describe it.”

Then for 40 lopsided minutes, the Gators (33-6) were too big, too long and too quick for the UCLA, which came up a win short of its 12th national title on a night when 95-year-old former coach John Wooden watched from a hospital bed in LA. Wooden  was admitted for an undisclosed illness that was said not to be serious, but the Bruins didn't try to use that distraction as an excuse.

“Our heart and everything we do on the floor is always a tribute to him, whether he's healthy or not,” UCLA guard Arron Afflalo said. Florida and Noah, voted most outstanding player in the Final Four, won by putting on a thorough display of versatility and unselfishness. Lee Humphrey added 15 points, Al Horford 14 and Corey Brewer 11 for Florida.

Fan Throws Syringe at Barry Bonds

Now, let me say this: I hate Barry Bonds and most of the time I don’t hide that. But what happened to him on opening day was wrong and should never happen to anyone. As Barry Bonds slouched in a chair in the middle of the visitors' clubhouse and spoke with reporters, 10 policemen and numerous security guards mustered outside to make sure the slugger had a safe exit from Petco Park.

This ended the first road trip of the season for Bonds and the San Francisco Giants, who beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 on Wednesday night as Matt Morris made a strong debut. This is only because some moron on opening day threw a syringe at Barry as he was coming off the diamond. Man that’s stupid.

A security guard stood on top of the Giants' dugout after each half-inning on a cold Wednesday night, when there were 20,000 fewer fans in the stands than on opening day. Even if you don’t like Bonds, just yell at him folks, don’t harm him. It’s stupid – he could motion to a guard and have you thrown in jail. The Padres closed a standing-room-only area just beyond the left-field corner because of what one team executive said was unruly fan behavior on Monday.

Seton Hall seeks Larranaga

Seton Hall was granted permission Wednesday to talk to George Mason coach Jim Larranaga, who led the Patriots to an improbable berth in last weekend's Final Four. But if he is hired, he’s only given five years.

Seton Hall contacted Mason athletic director Tom O'Connor, who gave the Pirates the go-ahead to speak to Larranaga as they seek a replacement for Louis Orr. Reached by telephone, Liz Larranaga said her husband was in New York for an unrelated event and was unsure whether any meetings with Seton Hall were scheduled. Yeah, sure.

Seton Hall officials did not return a call from the Associated Press seeking comment – because they can’t. George Mason had never won an NCAA tournament game until Larranaga led the school to upsets over Michigan State, North Carolina and Connecticut in less than two weeks.

The Patriots' charmed run ended on Saturday when they lost to eventual champion Florida in the national semifinals. Coach Larranaga's upbeat nature made him a media star and he was expected to attract coaching offers from major schools. Well that always happens. He said repeatedly he intended to stay at George Mason, but he didn't rule out moving elsewhere.