Around the Nation

Almost every parent who coaches has moments where they coach their sons and daughters. Even if it's off the floor, one-on-one, or in grade school or during a summer camp, the urge to pass along knowledge and skills is irresistible.

Getting to coach a son or daughter at the collegiate level is another story. Getting to start your child as a freshman is even more unusual. And getting to do it without anyone questioning the coach's motives is even more unusual.

&&g-boxr&&But when your son averages 22.1 points and 4.3 assists per game, like Steve Djurickovic does, it leaves no doubt. Djurickovic, son of Carthage coach Bosko Djurickovic, has helped carry the Red Men to an 8-6 start and a 2-1 record in the CCIW after a win at Elmhurst on Wednesday night. How did he end up at Carthage and what has the relationship been like on both sides? Find out in this week's Around the Nation.

William Smith has made itself some headlines of late with a handful of wins against teams in the lower end of the Top 25. Turns out last year's trip to the ECAC Tournament was an effective wake-up call for the Herons, whose senior class wanted to get at least back to where they were as freshman (the Sweet 16) or sophomores (the second round). Who rose to the challenge?

Read about a candidate for the best little player in Division III, a pursuit of perfection and more in the Final Four. Plus, it's a big weekend on tap, with Top 25 games, Top 11 games and Top 2 games on the schedule. Get the lowdown on some of the key clashes in Around the Nation.