The bubble just burst for Lafayette, which made an improbable run to the Patriot League final as the No. 7 seed. Had the Leopards defeated top-seeded Lehigh, they certainly would have drawn UConn in the first round of the NCAA tournament courtesy of their 11-21 record and RPI hovering between 240-250.

However, with Lehigh holding off Lafayette for a 64-56 victory, it is looking more like Ivy League champion Dartmouth could be the No. 16 seed sent to play the Huskies on Mar. 22 at Gampel Pavilion barring unforeseen circumstances in some of the other mid-major tournaments yet to be completed.

Among those on the NCAA tournament bound Lehigh team is former Choate star Claire Sullivan, a senior point guard from Wallingford.

JOHNSON HEADS TO STORRS
As previously reported, highly-touted 6-foot-3 junior Michala Johnson of Montini Catholic in Lombard, Ill. will be headed to UConn this weekend for her unofficial visit.

I just got off the phone with Jason Nichols, the high school coach of the 6-foot-3 Johnson who said Michala, her younger sister Malayna (an eighth grader who already stands 6-4 and will join her sister at Montini Catholic in the fall) and mom are leaving for Connecticut on Saturday. Nichols said they are planning to be in Connecticut Saturday, Sunday and Monday. They will take in UConn practices over the weekend. It isn't a given since I am not sure whether they are planning to fly home on Monday or Tuesday but it won't be a surprise if the Johnsons are on hand when the NCAA pairings are announced Monday night. In the past UConn has invited recruits to be in the house when the pairings are revealed on ESPN. By the way, ESPN sending a camera crew to film the Huskies as well as Tennessee and South Dakota State as part of the selection show coverage.

Nichols said there isn't anything new on the recruiting front with Johnson. He said the family is extremely excited about the trip to UConn. Among the other schools in the hunt are Georgia and Vanderbilt although Nichols said Maryland is trying to set up a visit in the next couple of weeks. Of course all of this could be irrelevant if Johnson has a good visit to UConn.

"Who knows, UConn could wow her like they did with (Stefanie) Dolson and (Samarie Walker)," Nichols said.

Johnson played only one game as a junior before reinjuring her knee. She had successful surgery and should be back in time for preseason drills leading into her senior season at Montini.

DIGGINS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Notre Dame signee Skylar Diggins of South Bend, Ind. has been named the Naismith High School Player of the Year.

UConn signees Elena Delle Donne in 2008 and Maya Moore in 2007 were the last two winners of the prestigious award.