1. L.A. Clippers, Blake Griffin, f, Oklahoma.
2. Memphis, Hasheem Thabeet, c, Connecticut.
3. Oklahoma City, James Harden, g, Arizona State.
4. Sacramento, Tyreke Evans, g, Memphis.
5. Minnesota (from Washington), Ricky Rubio, g, DKV Joventut
(Spain).
6. Minnesota, Jonny Flynn, g, Syracuse.
7. Golden State, Stephen Curry, g, Davidson.
8. New York, Jordan Hill, f, Arizona.
9. Toronto, DeMar DeRozan, g, Southern California.
10. Milwaukee, Brandon Jennings, g, Lottomatica Roma (Italy).
11. New Jersey, Terrence Williams, g-f, Louisville.
12. Charlotte, Gerald Henderson, g-f, Duke.
13. Indiana, Tyler Hansbrough, f, North Carolina.
14. Phoenix, Earl Clark, f, Louisville.
15. Detroit, Austin Daye, f, Gonzaga.
16. Chicago, James Johnson, f, Wake Forest.
17. Philadelphia, Jrue Holiday, g, UCLA.
18. a-Minnesota (from Miami), Ty Lawson, g, North Carolina.
19. Atlanta, Jeff Teague, g, Wake Forest.
20. Utah, Eric Maynor, g, Virginia Commonwealth.
21. New Orleans, Darren Collison, g, UCLA.
22. Portland (from Dallas), Victor Claver, f, Pamesa Valencia
(Spain).
23. Sacramento (from Houston), Omri Casspi, f, Maccabi Electra
(Israel).
24. b-Dallas (from Portland), B.J. Mullens, c, Ohio State.
25. b-Oklahoma City (from San Antonio), Rodrigue Beaubois, g,
Cholet (France).
26. Chicago (from Denver through Oklahoma City), Taj Gibson, f,
Southern California.
27. Memphis (from Orlando), DeMarre Carroll, f, Missouri.
28. Minnesota (from Boston), Wayne Ellington, g, North Carolina.
29. c-L.A. Lakers, Toney Douglas, g, Florida State.
30. Cleveland, Christian Eyenga, g-f, DKV Joventut (Spain).

Second Round
31. d-Sacramento, Jeff Pendergraph, f, Arizona State.
32. e-Washington, Jermaine Taylor, g, UCF.
33. Portland (from L.A. Clippers), Dante Cunningham, f,
Villanova.
34. f-Denver (from Oklahoma City), Sergio Llull, g, Real Madrid
(Spain).
35. Detroit (from Minnesota), DaJuan Summers, f, Georgetown.
36. Memphis, Sam Young, f, Pittsburgh.
37. San Antonio (from Golden State through Phoenix), DeJuan
Blair, f, Pittsburgh.
38. d-Portland (from New York through Chicago), Jon Brockman, f,
Washington.
39. Detroit (from Toronto), Jonas Jerebko, f, Sweden.
40. Charlotte (from New Jersey through Oklahoma City), Derrick
Brown, f, Xavier.
41. Milwaukee, Jodie Meeks, g, Kentucky.
42. g-L.A. Lakers (from Charlotte), Patrick Beverley, g, BC
Dnipro (Ukraine).
43. h-Miami (from Indiana), Marcus Thornton, g, LSU.
44. i-Detroit, Chase Budinger, f, Arizona.
45. Minnesota (from Philadelphia through Miami), Nick Calathes,
g, Florida.
46. Phoenix from (from Chicago through Cleveland), Danny Green,
f, North Carolina.
47. Minnesota (from Miami), Henk Norel, f, DKV Joventut (Spain).
48. Phoenix, Taylor Griffin, f, Oklahoma.
49. Atlanta, Sergey Gladyr, g, Mykolaiv (Ukraine).
50. Utah, Goran Suton, c, Michigan State.
51. San Antonio (from New Orleans through Toronto), Jack
McClinton, g, Miami.
52. Indiana (from Dallas), A.J. Price, g, Connecticut.
53. San Antonio (from Houston), Nando De Colo, g, Cholet Basket
(France).
54. j-Charlotte (from San Antonio), Robert Vaden, g, UAB.
55. Portland (from Denver), Patrick Mills, g, St. Mary's, Calif.
56. Dallas (from Portland), Ahmad Nivins, f, Saint Josephs.
57. Phoenix (from Orlando through Oklahoma City), Emir Preldzic,
f, Fenerbahce Ulker (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
58. Boston, Lester Hudson, g, Tennessee-Martin.
59. L.A. Lakers, Chinemelu Elonu, F, Texas A&M.
60. Miami (from Cleveland), Robert Dozier, f, Memphis.
------
a-Traded the rights to Denver for a future first-round pick.
b-Traded the rights to Oklahoma City for the rights to Rodrigue
Beaubois.
c-Traded the rights to New York for a future second-round draft
pick and cash.
d-Traded the rights to Sacramento for the rights to Jeff
Pendergraph.
e-Traded the rights to Houston for cash.
f-Traded the rights to Houston for cash.
g-Traded the rights to to Miami for a future second-round draft
pick and cash considerations.
h-Traded the rights to New Orleans for two future second-round
draft choices.
i-Traded the rights to Houston for a future second-round draft
pick and cash considerations.
j-Traded the rights to Oklahoma City for cash.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Anthony Ranaudo's first pitch was 92 mph and a little up. It was hit for a single. His last pitch of the inning was 93 and struck out the batter, leaving the bases loaded. End of 1st - LSU 3, Texas 0

Some questionable base running costs LSU a run in the second. Micag Gibbs didn't tag on a fly ball to right by Austin Nola. Next batter, DJ LeMahieu had an infield single. Gibbs was able to advance to third. Didn't matter. Ryan Schimpf bounces a single that scores Gibbs anyway. Blake Dean couldn't duplicate. He looks anxious at the plate. Like he was to start the season. LSU gets a big run though to push the lead after 1 1/2 innings to 4-0.

Austin Nola's uncharacteristic error allows the leadoff hitter to reach base in the top of the 2nd. But Nola overpowers the next three batters and gets out unscathed. End of 2nd - LSU 4, Texas 0

Ochinko is now 2-for-2 after a single to left center. Mitchell skies one to the track in left. Mahtook strikes out for the 6th time against Texas. Gibbs whiffs at high fastball. Ochinko never moves. Middle of 3rd - LSU 4, Texas 0.

First sign of trouble for Ranaudo comes in the 3rd. Texas manufactures a run but it could've been much worse. Mikie Mahtook robs a double. And then it got worse. Ranaudo couldn't find the zone, Texas works three walk to load the bases and bring in another run. Ranaudo escapes. Texas chose to let him hurt himself rather than be aggressive. The Horns are the most patient team I've ever seen at the college level. End of 3 - LSU 4, Texas 2

LSU fails get a runner on in the 4th. Ranaudo gets little rest after throwing 43 pitches in the 3rd. He gives up a hit, but battles his way to retire the other three UT batters. End of 4 - LSU 4, Texas 2

Took a brief hiatus to watch the game from the field. LSU squeezed Texas for a five spot in the 6th inning. Chad Jones came in for 2 hitless innings of relief. LSU can put this thing away and get some seniors on the field for the end.
Top 8 - LSU 9, Texas 4

Schimpf brings home the Tigers 10th run of the game with a sac fly in the 8th. Middle of the 8th - LSU 10, Texas 4

LSU will be the visiting team in Game 3

The walk comes around to score. As most leadoff free passes do. The Tigers commit their first error of the CWS and trail after a half inning 1-0.

Taylor Jungmann has some great stuff and is finding the strike zone. He made Ryan Schimpf and Blake Dean look very medicore in their first at bat. After 1 inning - Texas 1, LSU 0

Another solo home run for Texas. Austin Ross will have to start throwing more consitently or Paul Mainieri will have a tough decision to make. He talked about "piecing together" a rotation today. He may have to start figuring out the pieces soon. Mid 2nd - Texas 2, LSU 0

LSU gets yet another 2-out run thanks to a Texas error. Still Jungmann looks good. End of 2 - Texas 2, LSU 1.

Ryan Byrd will start the 3rd for LSU... He gets roughed up. Allows two runs on a solo shot and an rbi double. Nolan Cain in as the third LSU pitcher. He gives up a single to his first batter... 5-1 UT... and the hits just keep on comin'. LSU gets out of the inning without giving up anymore runs. But have they aleardy given up too many? Thru 2 and a half innings - Texas 5, LSU 1

LSU treatens with a leadoff triple. But can't get LeMahieu home. Paul Mainieri went for the bigg inning as he should have, but Jungmann held off the Tigers to Maintain Texas' 5-1 lead heading into the 4th Inning.

Nolan Cain is throwing very well. If LSU could hit half as well as he is pitching it wouldn't be 5-1 after 4

Pitching and defense keeping LSU within four. Leon Landry with the best catch of the college world series thus far. Not as spectacular as his home run-robbing snag last season in the super regional... but spectacular none the less. LSU seems to finally have some fire... will it carry over to the bottom of the 5th?

Nope. Jungmann made good pitches for the most part. When he made mistakes, LSU didn't hit them. End of 5,score remains Texas 5, LSU 1

Nolan Cain worked himself into a jam... worked himself out of a jam. If LSU comes back, he deserves most of the credit. Middle of the 6th - Texas 5, LSU 1

Daniel Bradshaw continued where Cain left off... pitching his way in and out of trouble. But the gutsy performances on the mound couldn't translate to any offensive momentum. Last chance for LSU they trail 5-1.

LSU never had a chance with Jungmann on the mound. He throws a copmplete game, 4-hitter. Final score: Texas 5, LSU 1.

Watch how patient the LSU hitters will be. Paul Mainieri has said he doesn't like his team to take strikes, but every arm on the Texas staff can put tons of movement on every pitch, especially Chance Ruffin. The first time through the lineup, LSU could watch several called strikes.

Texas starter Chance Ruffin said in yesterday press conference, he noticed that LSU "smashes the ball." He saw first hand just how much. Ryan Schimpf blasts the fourth pitch of the game over the right field wall. Middle of 1st - LSU 1, Texas 0

The humid conditions seemed to add a little extra something to Louis Coleman's fastball. He was hitting 93 mph on the gun. End of 1: LSU 1, Texas 0

Coleman allows a leadoff hit... but then gets a line out, a pop out and strikeout to end the inning. After 2 - LSU 1, Texas 0

LSU wastes another leadoff single. But Coleman keeps Texas off the bases completely. End of 3 - LSU 1, Texas 0

Coleman leaves one out and a dude who had just two home runs all season goes deep. That's what makes Texas scary. They just chip away and stick around. Texas adds two more solo shots in the inning. It's the first crooked number of the game. But LSU only trails 3-1 heading into the 5th.

LSU strands another base runner. Coleman spins his way out the 5th with a great slider. End of 5 - Texas 3 LSU 1

Texas head coach Augie Garrido pulls his starter, brings in lefty specialist Austin Wood. This is the same guy who threw 13 1/3 hitless innings back in the regional against Wake Forest. Mitchell has been popping Ruffin pretty good. The move makes a little more sense now. I still don't agree with it. But what do I know? Garrido has won more than 1700 career games.

Jared Mitchell doubles home two off of Wood. Garrido's move backfires. He has also lost more than 780 games. Middle of the 6th - LSU 3, Texas 3

Huge inning for Texas in the 6th. They take out their starter who was mowing down LSU, give up the lead, take the lead back and LSU up against the ropes heading into the 7th. When trailing after 6 innings this year, LSU is 5-14. End of 6th Texas 5, LSU 3

DJ LeMahieu flips his wrists and puts one out to get LSU to within one, 5-4. Coleman back on teh mound for the 7th. He needs a quick inning and some more run support.

Instead, Coleman quickly gave up another jack and is pulled for Chad Jones. The LSU safety/lefty specialist goes three up, three down. But another answer for Texas. End of 7 - Texas 6, LSU 4

LSU is down to one more at bat. They get a walk in the top fo the 8th... but then nothing else. Chad Jones will stay on to pitch the 8th. Jones was pulled, however, before he made a pitch. Paul Bertuccini is now in. He keeps Texas off the board. End of 8th - Texas 6, LSU 4

LSU gets the go-ahead run to the plate in the top of the 9th. DJ LeMahieu ties the game with a two-out, 2 RBI double. Augie Garrido then elected to walk Ryan Schimpf to get to one of the most clutch hitters in LSU history, Blake Dean. The gamble worked. Mid 9th - Texas 6, LSU 6

Texas has had an answer every time LSU had gained the momentum. Not this time. Matty Ott hits a batter but then shuts UT down. End of 9th - tied at 6

LSU has now left nine runners on base. The three biggest came in the top of the 10th. Bases loaded, 1 out... no runs for the Tigers. Advantage: Texas

Matty Ott shuts down UT in the 10th. Mike Mahtook singles home DJ LeMahieu to give LSU a 7-6 lead heading into the bottom of the 11th.

Matty Ott threw like a big leaguer that final inning. Confident and sharp. LSU is one winaway from the program's 6th national title.

In the media workroom here at Rosenblatt Stadium, Paul Mainieri showed up early this morning. We wished each other a Happy Father's Day. Being the father of two daughters himself, I thought the head coach would enjoy the picture of my daughter eating my present. I proudly showed it to him and relayed my wife's plea (who happens to a huge LSU fan). If I was going to miss my 1st Father's Day because of the College World Series, the Tigers better win it all. Mainieri smiled and said simply, "Tell her I'll do my best."

Today is a defining moment for Anthony Ranaudo. A bad outing to open the CWS, soured his first ever start at Rosenblatt (although an LSU win didn't make it all lemons). Today he has two motivating factors going: The bad start vs. UVA and a bad outing against Arkansas back in the regular season. He starts off the 1st inning establishing his breaking pitch. It works. 1-2-3. After 1 - LSU 1, Ark. 0

Ranaudo gives up his first hit. It was a high fast ball that the hitter had to be sitting on in order to make good contact. Still, he was left stranded. End of 2 - LSU 1, Ark. 0

Arkansas' pitcher can't go much longer you would think. His longest outing all season was just three innings. Austin Nola singles, now Richards (Ark LHP) issues a four pitch walk to DJ LeMahieu. Ark. head coach Dave Van Horne has to have a quick leash today. He pulls his starting pitcher with the bases loaded and Blake Dean at the plate.
An error, a K, a sac fly, a passed ball and another K later and the Tigers get three runs in teh frame, but ot could've been a lot more. In this tournament, a four run lead and a quarter will buy you a paper. Midway thru 3 - LSU 4, Ark. 0

Ranaudo is fired up. That'll add a few for MPH's to his fastball and a few more innings as well. Although if this lead holds or LSU can extend it, Paul Mainieri could pull him early to bring him back for Game 2 of the championship series on Tuesday. End of 3 - LSU 4, Ark. 0

Blake Dean builds his resume for tournament MVP with a shot to right-center. The lead continues to grow while Ranaudo continues to overpower the Hog hitters. Even when they do make good contact, LSU is playing perfect defense. End of 5 - LSU 5, Ark. 0

The word everyone uses with Jared Mitchell when talking about the draft is potential. I agree that he some room to improve, but the swing he made in the 6th inning to put a ball over the left-center field wall was pure big league. Mid 6th - LSU 6, Ark. 0

Ranaudo with another 1-2-3. He's thowing any pitch at any time and the Arkansas hitters are left guessing. They can't settle in and look uncomfortable. End of the 6th - LSU 6, Ark 0

Paul Mainier has gracefully dodged "Gorilla Ball" questions this week. He says he loves his team is hitting the ball well, but relying onthe long ball can hurt a team as well. When Ryan Schimpf's home run finally lands, the "Gorilla Ball" question will certainly again come up. After the game he said that might have been the furthest bomb he'd ever hit.

Not to worry, says Paul Mainieri. The 3-run jack Matty Ott gave up in the 9th is concerning him. Ott was in the game to get a little work and was probably trying to throw pitches to get the ball in play and end the game quickly as opposed to trying to make guys miss.

Ranaudo threw just 77 pitches today, which was the best case scanario. Mainieri said after the game, 75 pitches would leave Ranaudo available for Tuesday's Game 2 of the championship series. Coleman in game 1, Ranaudo in Game 2. Looks good for the Tigers, regardless of who they play.

Quote of the night -
Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn on if he thinks LSU will win the national championship:
"They've got some really good baseball players and a couple of good football players."

Diehard fans in the aluminum bleachers of the Rosenblatt outfield were politely urged to leave the stadium because of lightening. A few took heed. Most began booing and chanting "L-S-U!" Those in the outfield at Rosenblatt are seated on a first come basis. Many begin standing in line hours before the gates open, to ensure a spot in the first row. A little rain and the threat of electrocution, not enough to give up those prime, home run grabbing seats.

So to pass time... How many songs about rain can you name? I'll go first. "Who'll Stop the Rain". Credence Clearwater Revival

Check back

Dallas Keuchel threw 8 1/3 innings against LSU in the regular season. He allowed just five hits. But he threw the final four innings last night for Dave Van Horne meaning the most he could contribute on Friday would be an inning or two. Keeping the tall left-hander off the mound is a huge advantage for LSU.

Van Horne said today he has narrowed Friday's starter down to Zack Cox or Stephen Richards. Cox has worked in relief all season. He has no starts and the longest he's gone is three innings. Richards, too, has yet to make a start this season. He threw one inning against LSU in the regular season, striking out the side. Arkansas isn't looking for a complete gameout of anyone Friday. They are in survival mode right now. Even if Van Horne decides to stretch Keuchel out, he won't have much in the tank after last night's performance.

Listening to the LSU coach talk of his father and the admiration is immediately clear. When given the opportunity, the LSU coach will gladly tell a story of watching his father coach. Paul basically grew up in the dugout of the Miami-Dade North Community College baseball team. The younger Mainieri recalled the time his mother him to stay next to his father the whole time during one of his many afternoons in the dugout during a game. Paul took his mother's words to heart, even following his dad out to mound when he went to talk to the pitcher.

Paul Mainieri is giving the same opportunity to his two sons this year in Omaha. Tommy and Nick are both in the dugout for LSU's games. But Paul is having to be more creative than his father was. The NCAA only allows certified team personnel in the dugout during games. So, Mainieri has an 'SC' designated beside each of his sons' names on the official roster. When asked what "SC' stood for, Mainieri said, "Special Consultant." And he's not lying either. His youngest son, Tommy, according to Mainieri, gives advice until the game gets close. "Then he gets a little nervous," said Mainieri.

Demie Mainieri won a national championship as coach at Miami Dade, Paul Mainieri hopes he can cap off this run by matching that feat and having his father in Omaha to see it.

Paul Mainieri made it official today: Anthony Renaudo will start Friday. Speaking of the zoo... Mainieri said his 6-7 right-hander is pacing like a caged lion waiting to get back onto the mound after Saturday's disappointment.

Mainieri also told a great story about he and Skip Bertman. Skip came to visit the Mainieri's back in Miami when Paul was a youngster. They lived on about an acre of land and Paul's dad, who was also a college baseball coach, had built his son a batting cage. During Skip's visit he got out with the younger Mainieri and worked with him on his batting. Paul Mainieri, in his own words, was never great with the bat. Even after the instruction from Skip. Joked Mainieri, "Maybe he wasn't as great a coach as you all make him out to be!"

Check back later

This bodes well for LSU and the winner of Tuesday night's Texas-Arizona State game.

Part of the reason this stat is so, is that it is so daunting to come out of the loser's bracket. If you lose the first game, you have to win two elimination games and then beat the unbeaten team in your half - twice - before advancing to the finals where you have to win two more.

This makes what LSU did in the SEC tournament all the more impressive.

LSU played Saturday and then Monday, which is fine, but now they are off until Friday! If they win that game, they don't play again until Monday!

Is there a less pocketbook-friendly event for fans? How do LSU fans - since so many of them congregate in Omaha every time the Tigers get there - afford to spend two weeks away from home - and work?

Not to mention that the time off is a momentum killer.

Baseball is less strenuous than the other two major sports, so they can play more often.

LSU played three games in less than 24 hours to win the SEC title.

Does it make sense that LSU could win this thing in 5 games and have one pitcher start three of those games? In the SEC tournament or regional, you usually can't use a starter more than once.

Anyway, it's just a rant on the setup of the deal.

From this perspective LSU has more depth all around than any other team and should win the title - especially since the finals are not one game take all. LSU might lose one game, but I don't see a team in the group that would be favored to take two out of three against them.

Patience is a virtue... LSU forced Eibner to throw a lot of pitches. That's a lot of pitches for batters to see. Mikie Mahtook adjusted to curve ball and sent a three-run shot over the left field wall. 3-0 LSU.

Coleman gets out with just one run. But he gives up as many hits in the first as he did through nine innings last time out vs. Arkansas... end of 1st LSU 3, Ark. 1

Ryan Schimpf doesn't just hit. He hits the ball far. This postseason, he has 18 hits. 11 of those have been for extra bases. His double in the 2nd scored DJ Lemahieu. Middle of 2nd... LSU 4, Ark. 1

Louis Coleman is simply challenging Arkansas with fastballs and winning. He stikes out two Hogs on high, hard fastballs. They only got up 91 miles per hour, but hislocation and ability to put the fastball anywhere he wants keeps the hitters on their toes. End of 2... LSU 4, Ark. 1

Coleman runs into real trouble in the 3rd. He throws 36 pitches. Issues a few walks, but comes up with a two huge strikeouts. End of 3... LSU 4, Ark. 1

DJ Lemahieu was moved from short to second back on April 21st. Paul Mainieri taking a big leap of faith with the move because DJ had never played second base before. Now, on college baseball's biggest stage, he's made two big league plays in back-to-back games. Seems Mainieri, yet again, has made the right move. Thru 5: LSU 4, Ark. 1

Top 6 - Austin Nola hits his first home run in exactly one month. His last blast came May 15th in Starkville. LSU leads 5-1. Home runs are a disease. As contagious as the bubonic plague (name that movie)... Blake Dean launches one into right field bleachers to make the score 7-1. Arkansas moves on to their third pitcher of the game

Louis Coleman closes out the 6th with his signature pitch: a 90 mph fastball on the outside corner. His 7th strikeout of the day came on his 107th pitch. End of 6 - LSU 9, ARK 1

Coleman gives way to Daniel Bradshaw. He calmly disposes of the hogs almost in order. Derek Helenihi made a diving stab at third... his throw was tough to handel for Sean Ochinko at first. Ruled a hit. Still, Arkansas held scoreless for the sixth straight frame. End of 7 - LSU 9, ARK 1