Nathan Fenno

VCU’s run ends in Final Four semifinal

Up the tunnel they trudged, without a word or sound. The bright lights of Reliant Stadium faded. So did noise from the celebration that raged on the court. Published April 3, 2011

Unlikely walk-on finds home at VCU

HOUSTON -- Fifty strong, the swarm of media surged into the locker room and past the unlikeliest player on the unlikeliest team at the Final Four. Published April 1, 2011

Skeen’s vision helps lift VCU to next level of competition

A hand descending from heaven as it clutches a basketball is tattooed on Jamie Skeen's right arm. Another hand reaches up for the basketball. Between them is a gap. Published March 31, 2011

VCU ready to win ‘whole thing’

Back on March 13, Virginia Commonwealth University's basketball team didn't gather to watch the NCAA tournament selection show. Published March 28, 2011

VCU punches ticket to Final Four

The video played over and over on the big-screen television in the center of the locker room, telling Virginia Commonwealth University's basketball team they weren't good enough to be here. One minute and 30 seconds of everyone from President Obama to Dick Vitale picking Kansas. Published March 27, 2011

VCU looks to create ‘havoc’ against Kansas

After Virginia Commonwealth University captured the College Basketball Invitational last year, the team's strength and conditioning coach made a startling discovery. Published March 26, 2011

VCU stuns FSU in overtime

Joey Rodriguez counted off the seconds in his head. Published March 26, 2011

Kansas stops Richmond in Sweet 16

A day before the game, Chris Mooney let the doubt slip out. Published March 25, 2011

Assistants at VCU, Richmond have a lasting bond

Jamal Brunt sat alone in the cavernous Alamodome. Published March 24, 2011

VCU glad spark plug Rodriguez stayed put

Late Sunday night, Joey Rodriguez sat on a plane from Chicago to Richmond, Va. He couldn't sleep. Rapper Wiz Khalifa's anthem "The Race" pounded through his headphones. The song turned Rodriguez's thoughts from the win over Purdue that propelled Virginia Commonwealth University into the Sweet 16 to one choice that changed the course of his life. Published March 24, 2011

For Georgetown seniors, an inexplicable end

Early Saturday morning, not a trace of the Georgetown basketball team remained at the United Center. The locker room sat empty under fluorescent lights. Even the security guards had left. Everything was gone, not so much as a scrap of tape on the floor, like the Hoyas had never been here. Published March 21, 2011

VCU shocks Georgetown, ends season

CHICAGO -- Ten seconds passed as the question hung in the air. Published March 19, 2011

Wright’s hand is ‘back to normal’

CHICAGO -- Twenty questions were asked during Georgetown's press conference Thursday at the United Center. Half concerned Chris Wright's infamous left hand. Published March 18, 2011

Georgetown, Vaughn hope to end slumps

CHICAGO -- In a corner of the Georgetown basketball team's locker room, Julian Vaughn sat next to two bottles of juice and a banana Thursday afternoon. Camera crews passed by in search of bigger names. Vaughn didn't mind. Published March 18, 2011

Basketball has bounced right for Mike Brey

Friday, Mike Brey coaches Notre Dame, a No. 2 seed, against Akron to open the NCAA tournament at Chicago's United Center. Despite an unheralded roster, Brey led Notre Dame to 26 wins and its seventh appearance in the tournament in his 11 seasons as coach. Last week, he was voted the Big East coach of the year. Published March 17, 2011

Hoyas land No. 6 seed, face USC-VCU winner

With each minute that dribbled away, Chris Wright became more nervous. Published March 13, 2011

Georgetown falls to UConn

As the final seconds drained away, Jason Clark's head hung low as he bit his jersey near center court at Madison Square Garden. On the bench, Julian Vaughn stared straight ahead, a white towel draped over his lap. And John Thompson III, the Georgetown basketball coach, thrust his hands deep into his pockets and didn't move. Published March 9, 2011