Sunday’s Regional Final at the Edward Jones Dome introduced St. Louis college basketball fans to big-time college basketball.
Both North Carolina fans and Kansas fans I spoke with were pleased with St. Louis as their host. The cheerleaders, the mascots, the celebrity alumni from the respective universities were all present and accounted for. The bands, oh the bands, were they great. Especially the Kansas band with the rendition of the CBS College Basketball theme song.
It was nice too see former Missouri State head coach Barry Hinson back home of sorts, in St. Louis. A great coach, but better person. Hinson is an assistant coach on Bill Self’s staff at KU.
Speaking of good people coming back, it was good to see Jamall Walker, the former SLU Billikens guard and Southwestern Conference coach, as an assistant to my friend coach Mike Brey, now a principal at Alton. Walker is an assistant coach at Ohio U., which nearly shocked the world with a near-upset of North Carolina in the regional semifinals last Friday night.
And while I’m saying good things, I want to give big UPS to the Saint Louis University athletic department and Athletic Director Chris May. Chris and his staff did an outstanding job hosting the Midwest Regional Finals this weekend. In addition, I saw some young new faces volunteering with the Billikens Athletic Department assisting with this year’s event. Young people of all races participating, and getting this valuable experience.
Great job by SLU, the law enforcement and medical personnel, Edward Jones Dome staff and area businesses. I was proud of you this weekend!
Scott’s Notes
The buzz around the Final Four this week was Shaka Smart turning down the Illinois job. A great move by the young coach. First, he has a great situation at VCU. And as his team this year demonstrated by their late NCAA run, he’s a good coach who proved that last year’s Final Four run was no fluke.
He will always have good offers. But timing is everything as a young coach, and getting in that Chicago recruiting fire ain’t easy, as others have found out when coaching at Illinois. Including my man Bill Self, and recently Bruce Webber. Not since Lou Henson and Jimmy Collins, it hasn’t been the same. Ask Lon Kruger …
Speaking of the Fighting Illini, the annual Orange and Blue game is on April 14. I’m hearing former East St. Louis Senior High All-American Terry “Black Kat” Harwthorne is having a great camp.
Also, former East St. Louis Sr. All- American Kraig Appleton is now playing at Lincoln University for former St. Louis Rams star Mike Jones.
Finally, congrats to my friend Cuonzo Martin and his Tennessee Vols hoops team. Picked to finish near the bottom on the SEC, Martin team finished among the leaders in the conference and earned a berth in the National Invitational Tournament.
