NCAA Basketball Tournament Continues Tonight; Friday Sports News And Notes

March Madness continues tonight; a former Gator has a new NFL team and some Gators teams are in action this weekend in our Friday Sports News And Notes…

** The NCAA men’s basketball tournament continues tonight with Sweet 16 action.   In the South Regional, Baylor faces Xavier and Kentucky plays Indiana in a rematch of a regular season game won by the Hoosiers.   In the Midwest Regional, North Carolina faces Ohio and North Carolina State takes on Kansas.

Last night, Syracuse nips Wisconsin 64-63 and Ohio State beat Cincinnati 81-66 to advance in the East Regional while Louisville beats Michigan State 57-44 and Florida beat Marquette 68-58 in the West Regional.

** Former Gators wide receiver Andre Caldwell has signed a deal with the Denver Broncos, leaving the Cincinnati Bengals.   In other NFL free agent signings, running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis signs with the Bengals, leaving New England and San Francisco signs wideout Mario Manningham from the New York Giants.

** Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has announced his retirement following this season.   Many believe Jones will be a first ballot Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible to be voted into the Hall; he has played nearly 20 years in the big leagues, all with the Atlanta Braves.

** Charlie Wi and Jason Duffner share the first round lead at the Bay Hill Classic in Florida after shooting opening round 66’s.   Tiger Woods is three shots back and former Gators Brian Gay and Camilo Villegas are also playing in the tournament; Gay is at even par and Villegas is one over.

** The Gators gymnastics team competes in the SEC Championships this weekend and the Gators softball team plays a series at Arkansas to highlight Gators sports activity for the weekend outside of the NCAA Tournament in basketball and baseball at South Carolina.