Mike Pesca http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4142110&ft=1&f=4142110 Mike Pesca first reached the airwaves as a 10-year-old caller to a New York Jets-themed radio show and has since been able to parlay his interests in sports coverage as a National Desk correspondent  for NPR based in New York City. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Mike Pesca http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4142110&ft=1&f=4142110 Wrestlers Grapple To Save Sport From Olympic Chopping Block In New York's Grand Central Terminal Wednesday, wrestlers from Iran, Russia and the United States faced off in what was dubbed "Rumble on the Rails." This meet was more than just a show of diplomacy and sportsmanship. The athletes want to rally support for their sport which could be excluded from upcoming Olympic games. Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/16/184399434/wrestlers-grapple-to-save-sport-from-olympic-chopping-block?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/16/184399434/wrestlers-grapple-to-save-sport-from-olympic-chopping-block?ft=1&f=4142110 In New York's Grand Central Terminal Wednesday, wrestlers from Iran, Russia and the United States faced off in what was dubbed "Rumble on the Rails." This meet was more than just a show of diplomacy and sportsmanship. The athletes want to rally support for their sport which could be excluded from upcoming Olympic games.

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]]> Not Even Instant Replay Could Prevent These Bad Calls There have been a slew of bad calls in Major League Baseball recently, including one that was made despite the advantage of instant replay. Fri, 10 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182938662&ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182938662&ft=1&f=4142110 There have been a slew of bad calls in Major League Baseball recently, including one that was made despite the advantage of instant replay.

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]]> Broadcast Sports Pioneer Bob Wolff Shares His Archive Broadcaster Bob Wolff, 92, witnessed many historic moments in sports during his 74-year career. He has donated more than 1,000 hours of his broadcasts to the Library of Congress. Tue, 07 May 2013 02:30:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/07/181796138/broadcast-sports-pioneer-bob-wolff-shares-his-archive?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/07/181796138/broadcast-sports-pioneer-bob-wolff-shares-his-archive?ft=1&f=4142110 Broadcaster Bob Wolff, 92, witnessed many historic moments in sports during his 74-year career. He has donated more than 1,000 hours of his broadcasts to the Library of Congress.

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]]> Adding Security Along Marathons Would Be Herculean Task Marathons are among the most open sporting events. Crowds can press right up against the route as runners wind there way through city streets. But two explosions at the Boston Marathon have raised questions about whether that openness can last. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/17/177566621/marathons-are-soft-targets?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/17/177566621/marathons-are-soft-targets?ft=1&f=4142110 Marathons are among the most open sporting events. Crowds can press right up against the route as runners wind there way through city streets. But two explosions at the Boston Marathon have raised questions about whether that openness can last.

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]]> Louisville Triumphs Over Michigan 82-76 Louisville hasn't won the NCAA men's college basketball championship since 1986. They beat Michigan 82-76. Coach Rick Pitino added this title to the one he won at Kentucky in 1996. He's the first coach to win a championship at two schools. Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/09/176640355/louisville-triumphs-over-michigan-82-76?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/09/176640355/louisville-triumphs-over-michigan-82-76?ft=1&f=4142110 Louisville hasn't won the NCAA men's college basketball championship since 1986. They beat Michigan 82-76. Coach Rick Pitino added this title to the one he won at Kentucky in 1996. He's the first coach to win a championship at two schools.

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]]> Leading Through Tragedy, Louisville's Hancock Kept Team Together Louisville player Luke Hancock isn't the most talented on the team, but his leadership played a key role keeping everyone focused after a devastating injury to teammate Kevin Ware. The Louisville Cardinals play the Michigan Wolverines in Monday night's NCAA men's college basketball finals. Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/08/176597475/leading-through-tragedy-louisvilles-hancock-kept-team-together?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/08/176597475/leading-through-tragedy-louisvilles-hancock-kept-team-together?ft=1&f=4142110 Louisville player Luke Hancock isn't the most talented on the team, but his leadership played a key role keeping everyone focused after a devastating injury to teammate Kevin Ware. The Louisville Cardinals play the Michigan Wolverines in Monday night's NCAA men's college basketball finals.

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]]> Students Turn To Jumbotron To Watch Tourney In Georgia Dome Louisville and Michigan will face off Monday night for the men's NCAA basketball championship. The game will be played in Atlanta, where some of the best seats don't always have the best view. Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/08/176543520/previewing-mens-ncaa-basketball-championship?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/08/176543520/previewing-mens-ncaa-basketball-championship?ft=1&f=4142110 Louisville and Michigan will face off Monday night for the men's NCAA basketball championship. The game will be played in Atlanta, where some of the best seats don't always have the best view.

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]]> Always In The Zone, Syracuse Is Hard To Beat Syracuse is the only college team that relies exclusively on a 2-3 zone defense. They've been unstoppable so far in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, but on Saturday night, Michigan will try to break through Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim's winning strategy. Sat, 06 Apr 2013 02:37:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/06/176408777/in-the-zone-syracuse-aims-for-ncaa-title?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/06/176408777/in-the-zone-syracuse-aims-for-ncaa-title?ft=1&f=4142110 Syracuse is the only college team that relies exclusively on a 2-3 zone defense. They've been unstoppable so far in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, but on Saturday night, Michigan will try to break through Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim's winning strategy.

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]]> Why College Basketball So Celebrates The Semifinalists The NCAA men's basketball tournament is down to the Final Four. Louisville will play Wichita State and Syracuse faces Michigan. Why does college basketball celebrate the semifinalist teams almost as much as the finalists? Fri, 05 Apr 2013 06:40:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/05/176315281/why-college-basketball-celebrates-final-4-teams?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/05/176315281/why-college-basketball-celebrates-final-4-teams?ft=1&f=4142110 The NCAA men's basketball tournament is down to the Final Four. Louisville will play Wichita State and Syracuse faces Michigan. Why does college basketball celebrate the semifinalist teams almost as much as the finalists?

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]]> NCAA Men's Men's Basketball Tourney Down To 4 Top overall seed Louisville will face Wichita State at the Georgia Dome next Saturday, while Michigan takes on Syracuse in the other national semifinal. The winners advance to the April 8 championship. Mon, 01 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/01/175891888/ncaa-mens-mens-basketball-tourney-down-to-4?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/01/175891888/ncaa-mens-mens-basketball-tourney-down-to-4?ft=1&f=4142110 Top overall seed Louisville will face Wichita State at the Georgia Dome next Saturday, while Michigan takes on Syracuse in the other national semifinal. The winners advance to the April 8 championship.

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]]> Personality Of Each Coach Reflected In NCAA Men's Basketball Teams To achieve a deep run in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, players have to be skilled and well-trained but also well-motivated. Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/29/175722021/personality-of-each-coach-reflected-in-ncaa-mens-basketball-teams?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/29/175722021/personality-of-each-coach-reflected-in-ncaa-mens-basketball-teams?ft=1&f=4142110 To achieve a deep run in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, players have to be skilled and well-trained but also well-motivated.

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]]> Deflections: The Unofficial Stat That Measures Success The basketball tactic isn't officially tracked. There isn't even a universal definition (it can occur when a defensive player in any way redirects the intended flight of the ball). But University of Louisville coach Rick Pitino knows deflections are key to winning. Thu, 28 Mar 2013 03:43:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/28/175521651/deflections-the-unofficial-stat-that-measures-success?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/28/175521651/deflections-the-unofficial-stat-that-measures-success?ft=1&f=4142110 The basketball tactic isn't officially tracked. There isn't even a universal definition (it can occur when a defensive player in any way redirects the intended flight of the ball). But University of Louisville coach Rick Pitino knows deflections are key to winning.

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]]> Weekend Winners Move On To NCAA's Sweet 16 The weekend's NCAA men's college basketball tournament saw some close games. Top seeds Gonzaga and Georgetown lost. Florida Gulf Coast University became the first 15th seed to win two games in tournament history. Mon, 25 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/25/175234478/weekend-winners-move-on-to-ncaas-sweet-16?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/25/175234478/weekend-winners-move-on-to-ncaas-sweet-16?ft=1&f=4142110 The weekend's NCAA men's college basketball tournament saw some close games. Top seeds Gonzaga and Georgetown lost. Florida Gulf Coast University became the first 15th seed to win two games in tournament history.

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]]> Rhymed Wrap: NCAA So Far, In A Poem NPR's Mike Pesca rhymes his way through the 32 opening-round games of the NCAA basketball tournament. Sat, 23 Mar 2013 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/23/175119408/rhymed-wrap-ncaa-so-far-in-a-poem?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/23/175119408/rhymed-wrap-ncaa-so-far-in-a-poem?ft=1&f=4142110 NPR's Mike Pesca rhymes his way through the 32 opening-round games of the NCAA basketball tournament.

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]]> 'You Gotta See' Kentucky's Locker Room Lexington, Ky., is one of four sites where the NCAA men's basketball tournament is being played. The visiting teams have been amazed by the locker suite. The $3.1 million facility was paid for with private donations. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/22/175014376/march-madness-report-from-lexington-kentucky?ft=1&f=4142110 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/22/175014376/march-madness-report-from-lexington-kentucky?ft=1&f=4142110 Lexington, Ky., is one of four sites where the NCAA men's basketball tournament is being played. The visiting teams have been amazed by the locker suite. The $3.1 million facility was paid for with private donations.

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