Welcome to Friday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WHAT’S HAPPENING LOCALLY FRIDAY:
NBA: Celtics at Rockets, 8:30 p.m. (CSNNE; WEEI)
MLB Preseason: Tigers at Red Sox SS, 1:05 p.m.
Red Sox SS at Rays, 7:05 p.m.

SATURDAY:
NHL: Bruins at Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. (NESN)
NBA: Celtics at Hornets, 8 p.m. (CSNNE; WEEI)
MLB Preseason: Red Sox at Pirates, 1:05 p.m. (NESN)

SUNDAY:
MLB Preseason: Red Sox at Orioles, 1:05 p.m. (NESN)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ GQ magazine has a piece on the worst fans in sports. Red Sox rooters, described as “insufferable hypocrites,” came in sixth. Holding the top two spots are Eagles and Phillies supporters, with the Philadelphia residents termed “the meanest fans in America.” Others of note: Yankees fans are ninth, Canadiens fans are 11th, and Lakers fans are 15th.

♦ With Tennessee set to begin play in the NCAA tournament, coach Bruce Pearl might be preparing for his final game with the Volunteers. In The Tennessean, David Climer looks at the predicament the Boston College product has gotten himself into.

♦ Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is being cast as a villain in the NFL lockout. In the Forth Worth Star-Telegram, Randy Galloway writes about Jones’ tough year and how he deals with the hits on his legacy.

♦ The New York Times has a piece on former racehorses that are starving to death because a charity designed to provide for them, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, has been slow or delinquent to pay for their upkeep.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On March 18, 2000, Bruins legend Ray Bourque became the first defenseman to reach which goal-scoring milestone?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This is as tough a loss as I’ve had in coaching, and I’ve been coaching a long time.” — Louisville coach Rick Pitino, after Thursday’s loss to 13th-seeded Morehead State

STAT OF THE DAY: 4 — Runs allowed by Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon in two-thirds of an inning Thursday against the Mets

‘NET RESULTS: A reporter doing a story on San Diego State’s NCAA tournament victory Thursday almost was run over by an SUV.

ESPN college basketball analyst Doug Gottlieb had rough show the other day.

TRIVIA ANSWER: 400 goals

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Adam Levine of Maroon 5 turns 33 Friday.

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