Top Stories Today: 4.22.2013

The top 5 stories on Statesman.com at 5 p.m.

1. Judge finds that Anderson hid evidence in Morton murder trial: The story from Friday was the most popular story starting off the week. Former Williamson County district attorney Ken Anderson was arrested and booked into jail on Friday - and then released on bail - after a specially convened court found that he intentionally hid evidence to secure Michael Morton’s 1987 conviction for murder.
   
   
2. Longhorns hire Bob Shipley as football analyst: The veteran high school coach has sent two wide receivers to the University of Texas — former Longhorn Jordan Shipley and current player Jaxon Shipley, who will be a junior this fall.
   
   
3. Officials: Man who hijacked bus was a suspended bus driver
   
   
4. 4 more first responders killed in Texas blast ID’d: Officials continue to identify those who died in last week’s deadly fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.
   
   
5. 7-11 clerk’s tip leads officers to $10,000 drug cache: Officers found 3.6 ounces of methamphetamine, a pound and a half of marijuana and 5.4 grams of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in two vehicles,

Bad news for UT basketball and the NCAA Tournament tips off

Horns lose opening CBI game, coveted recruit: After an embarrassing relegation to the third-tier postseason tournament, UT gets bounced from the CBI just a few hours after a top-five high school recruit spurned them for Kentucky. 

So Austin, who do you cheer for in the NCAA Tournament?: With no Texas teams in the entire tournament, let alone the Austin regional, we take a deeper look at the teams headed to the Erwin Center

NCAA in Austin: Regional notebook: A player with revenge in his blood, Nate Silver’s analysis of the Austin region and the president teaches Baracketology. 

Round Rock’s Sborov will represent Austin-area schools in NCAA tournament play: The sophomore guard on Colorado’s women’s team is the only Austin-area alum playing in either NCAA Tournament. 

High-scoring Demons looking for more madness in March: Northwestern St. looks to recreate their Cinderella 2006 season where they beat third-seed Iowa in the first round of the tournament. 

NCAA in Austin: Regional notes: Take a look at some of the logistics for the Austin regional.

Austin’s lack of regional anchor hurting ticket sales: Despite having some hot teams, fans aren’t coming from out of state.

Bohls: Drumming up support for Erwin Center hoops: Kirk shares the greatest Erwin Center moments.

All Longhorn assistant coaches receive salary bumps

Mack Brown’s assistant football coaches at Texas are receiving a total of about $300,000 in extra salary from their 2011 salaries, according to figures received today by the American-Statesman from the university.

Photo: Ricardo Brazziell/American-Statesman

Former Horn Ricky Williams announces retirement

Former Longhorn Ricky Williams, the record-setting running back who won the 1998 Heisman Trophy, has announced his retirement from professional football after 11 seasons.

Photo: Winslow Townson ASSOCIATED PRESS

For UT’s Barnes, no sadness for the end of A&M rivalry

As Texas coach Rick Barnes walks through the door to Texas A&M’s Reed Arena tonight, he will bring a healthy measure of respect for the Aggies but no sadness for the end of a rivalry.

This game is the last scheduled between Texas and Texas A&M — they could meet in the Big 12 tournament next month — before the Aggies leave for the Southeastern Conference.

Vince Young on Dancing with the Stars? Bad idea.

Vince Young made a name for himself at Texas by dancing past would-be tacklers in the open field. Now he’s talking about taking his act to the ballroom.

Young tweeted that he has been invited to participate in the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars, which would make him the latest NFL player to trade in cleats for tights.

The players who were a part of the legendary 1941 Longhorn football team are gone, but their legend lives on.

Image courtesy of George Strock TIME, INC.

Longhorns Coach Mack Brown sums up the season so far, explains why the A&M win was a big deal, and how he wants the season to end.

(Source: statesman.com)