Multi-sport athlete Liz Brenner has been named a finalist for Sports Illustrated College Athlete of the Year. The award is given to one male and one female athlete that excel in their sport and in the classroom.

Brenner is one of five finalists for the award. Other finalists for the award include, Kimberlyn Duncan (LSU – track & field), Brittney Griner (Baylor – women’s basketball), Loren Shealy (North Carolina – field hockey) and Taylor Thornton (Northwestern – lacrosse).

The finalists are chose by Sports Illustrated editors and the winner will be featured in the May 27 issue.

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Ken Goe of the Oregonian believes that the Oregon men’s track and field team will take its seventh consecutive Pac-12 title with ease, but the women will face more of a challenge.

The women’s team has won four consecutive titles and face serious competition in Arizona and Arizona State.

The Pac-12 Championships are this Saturday and Sunday in Los Angeles, Calif.

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In NBA news, Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl was named Coach of the Year.

The Nuggets were 57-25 this season and just recently lost as the No.3 seed to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.

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According to Nick Friedell of ESPN, Lebron James might defend 5-9 guard Nate Robinson in their next playoff match. Robinson scored 27 points in the Bulls’ Game 1 victory.