Syracuse smothers Marquette with 2-3 zone, reaches Final Four

When played to perfection, there’s nothing quite like Syracuse’s aggressive, half-court 2-3 zone defense.

It’s 40 minutes of trapping and shot challenging, of closing off angles, of trusting teammates.

“We showed,” senior guard Brandon Triche said, “that defense wins games.”

Yes, the Orange D certainly does.

With a second suffocating performance at the East Regional, No. 4-seeded Syracuse shut down No. 3 Marquette 55-39 Saturday to earn coach Jim Boeheim his fourth trip to the Final Four — and first since a freshman named Carmelo Anthony helped win the 2003 NCAA …

Interpreters able to approach mound to help foreign-born pitchers

When the Texas Rangers decide this season that it’s time to go to the mound to talk with Yu Darvish, the manager or pitching coach won’t necessarily be trotting out there alone.

Baseball owners approved a rule change last week, several sources have told ESPN, that would allow coaches and managers to bring interpreters to the mound this season for conferences with foreign-born pitchers who don’t speak fluent English.

That was one of several rules changes that were voted on and tentatively approved at last week’s MLB owners meetings. …

Canucks fire coach Alain Vigneault

The Vancouver Canucks fired coach Alain Vigneault on Wednesday.

The Canucks also fired assistants Rick Bowness and Newell Brown.

Vigneault, the Canucks’ all-time leader in coaching wins, led the club to six Northwest Division titles, two Presidents’ Trophy titles and an appearance in the 2011 Stanley Cup final.

But Vancouver was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in the past two seasons, including getting swept by the San Jose Sharks this year.

It was the first time in 12 years that the Canucks were swept in the postseason.

Vigneault has …

Spurs hold off Warriors’ rally, advance to West finals with Game 6 win

Slow at the start of the series and strong at the end, the San Antonio Spurs wore out the Golden State Warriors the way they have so many other opponents.

Tim Duncan had 19 points and six rebounds, Kawhi Leonard added 16 points and 10 rebounds and the Spurs held off a furious final rally to beat the Warriors 94-82 in Game 6 on Thursday night and advance to the Western Conference finals.

“They’ve got great character. They’re competitive. They know there’s not a million chances to do this …