In Birmingham, Ala., a city where some of the most violent and infamous events of the civil rights era occurred, Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel took a moment Saturday to talk about role models.
“I look at those people as the real heroes,” the coach said. “I look at people like my grandfather, who organized sit-ins in North Carolina and did different things like that, just so people could have basic freedom. I think now people take that for granted.”
Capel spoke just blocks from the 16th Street Baptist Church, where four black girls were killed in a 1963 Ku Klux Klan bombing.
Capel remembers criticism for not having “paid his dues” when he was named Virginia Commonwealth’s coach at 27. He said he credits his opportunities at an early age to pioneering figures in the black coaching community, including Ben Jobe, a former University of Denver coach.
“I would constantly say, ‘You know, Ben Jobe paid my dues, Coach (John) McLendon, (Clarence) “Big House” Gaines, those guys,’ because of what they had to go through and endure to allow myself or Tubby Smith or Paul Hewitt, guys like us to have an opportunity to be head coaches at major programs,” Capel said.
OU has struggled in Capel’s two years at the school, but rallied this season to make the NCAA Tournament.
During tough times Capel said he has taken solace in the path of Jackie Robinson. For Christmas, Capel’s wife bought him a poster of the man who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947. It hangs framed on his wall.
“It was in his contract that he couldn’t complain,” Capel said. “There’s no reason to ever complain. You have to find a way. That’s life.”
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Bests
Mazzulla peaks at right time
Out of nowhere.
West Virginia’s Joe Mazzulla averaging 5.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists, nearly became the 10th player to have a triple-double in the NCAA Tournament with 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in the Mountaineers’ 73-67 win over Duke.
Bruins rally.
Darren Collison’s one-handed layup with 9.5 seconds left helped UCLA, down by 10 points in the second half, earn a 53-49 win over Texas A&M.
Big shot.
Stanford’s Brook Lopez scored 30 points, including a baseline leaner with 1.3 seconds left, to advance the Cardinal.
The Associated Press
Worsts
Stanford coach ejected early
Two Ts for coach.
Stanford coach Trent Johnson was ejected in the first half of the Cardinal’s game against Marquette after getting two technical fouls. Johnson drew the technicals in quick succession after officials called Stanford’s Lawrence Hill for a foul on Marquette’s Lazar Hayward. The first technical was assessed as the teams went to a timeout. Johnson received the second technical when he walked toward the officials with his hands on his hips during the timeout.
Rebels routed.
UNLV needed a great game to have a chance against Kansas. Instead, the Rebels shot 27 percent (12-of-45) and were outrebounded 31-24.
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Double trouble
Double-digit matchups.
Today’s two 12-13 matchups bring the total of such meetings to seven since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985. No. 12 Villanova faces Siena; No. 12 Western Kentucky faces San Diego.
Brotherly love
Families apart.
Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina faces Arkansas in Raleigh, N.C., while brother Ben Hansbrough of Mississippi State plays Memphis in Little Rock, Ark.
Stephen Rossiter of Davidson faces Georgetown in Raleigh, and Ryan Rossiter of Siena plays Villanova in Tampa, Fla.
Musket control
Guards give mascot a close look.
How do you get a gun inside an arena in the nation’s capital? Not without difficulty, even if it’s part of your mascot costume.
Brady Campbell, a senior at West Virginia, attends every game dressed in buckskin clothes and a coonskin hat. In addition to sporting a very thick beard that is very much real, Campbell carries a gunpowder holder and a vintage rifle. Upon entering Verizon Center in D.C., Campbell received more than a cursory inspection from security guards.
“Funny, but the first time I went to Madison Square Garden for the Big East Tournament, they didn’t even look at it,” he said.
The Associated Press
Sunday’s games
East Regional
At Raleigh, N.C.
No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 9 Arkansas,
3:10 p.m. Arkansas has five guys at least 6-feet-8 who will see time, and those guys have to make sure North Carolina big man Tyler Hansbrough is surrounded, grabbed, held, pushed and beaten on for 40 minutes.
At Birmingham, Ala.
No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Butler, 12:30 p.m.Butler looked great in the first round, and if the teams repeat their performances, Butler wins — and wins easily. Butler lacks great athletes, but the Bulldogs are fundamentally sound, don’t make mistakes and are patient on offense.
No. 3 Louisville vs. No. 6 Oklahoma, 3 p.m. Louisville is active in its 2-3 zone. Oklahoma’s best chance to win is to hope its guards get hot from 3-point range. OU also needs a big game from Blake Griffin, one of the nation’s best freshmen.
South Regional
At North Little Rock, Ark.
No. 1 Memphis vs. No. 8 Mississippi State, 2:45 p.m. MSU is athletic and physical, but the Bulldogs’ lack of depth makes it tough to think they can win. They need a big game from point guard Jamont Gordon. Memphis needs to keep him out of the lane and on the perimeter.
No. 2 Texas vs. No. 7 Miami, 12:15 p.m.
Miami coach Frank Haith was once an assistant at Texas with Longhorns coach Rick Barnes. Miami’s only shot at an upset is another big game from guard Jack McClinton, who had 38 in the first round.
Midwest Regional
At Raleigh, N.C.
No. 2 Georgetown vs. No. 10 Davidson,
12:40 p.m.Georgetown’s defense is one of the best in the nation, and the Hoyas are at their best when the pace is slowed. Davidson, on the other hand, wants a fast pace and the game in the high 70s, at least.
At Tampa, Fla.
No. 12 Villanova vs. No. 13 Siena, 10:15 a.m. One of two 12-13 matchups at the same subregional. Unbelievable. Siena looked tremendous Friday in beating Vanderbilt, while Villanova rallied and took advantage of an unraveling Clemson team.
West Regional
At Tampa, Fla.
No. 12 Western Kentucky vs. No. 13
San Diego, 12:40 p.m.The other 12-13 game in Tampa. WKU got a lucky buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Drake, and almost blew a game it had led by 16. But Western matches up much better with San Diego.
Denver Post wire services
