OKLAHOMA CITY — When Brigham Young coach Dave Rose was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, he received phone calls from many coaches.
One of them was Frank Martin, whose second- seeded Kansas State Wildcats meet Rose’s seventh-seeded Cougars at 6 p.m. today in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
It wasn’t just to tell Rose to hang in there. He gave him advice. Four years ago, Martin contracted pancreatitis. Pancreatic cancer often follows.
“I found out, it’s 4 percent of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive it,” Martin said during Friday’s news conferences. “I lived with that fear for 10 days.”
Martin flew around seeking specialists, but the disease never came.
While heading to a family reunion in Las Vegas in early June, Rose began feeling severe pain in his abdomen and experienced internal bleeding. During emergency surgery, his spleen and a portion of his pancreas were removed.
“When I heard Coach was battling that, it kind of hits close to home, someone you know actually is going through it,” Martin said. “But God is good to good people. I’m sure he’s taking care of him.”
BESTS
Going above and beyond
Spartan effort.
Kalin Lucas, right, picked a good time to have a career day as the Michigan State junior had 25 points in beating N.M. State. The Spartans’ leading scorer (14.9 per game) hit three treys.
Swarming defense.
Missouri’s defense forced 20 turnovers and nabbed 15 steals. Everybody who played for Clemson had at least one turnover.
Nice start.
Cal connected on seven of its first 10 shots, including 4-of-6 treys, and opened an 18-point lead with 6 minutes gone vs. Louisville.
WORSTS
Futility Friday
Wasted rally.
Jamar Diggs scored 11 of his 13 points in the first 5 minutes after halftime, helping Wofford overcome an eight- point deficit. The Terriers made their first eight shots to start the half for a 38-37 lead but crumbled under Wisconsin’s defense.
Star burns out.
It was a disappointing finish for Oklahoma State’s James Anderson. The nation’s third-leading scorer, Anderson was just 3-of-12 for 11 points (including 0-for-6 from 3-point range) in a 64-59 loss to Georgia Tech.
Still winless.
Clemson coach Oliver Purnell is winless in six trips to the tournament with three schools.
Game of the day
No. 2 Kansas State vs. No. 7 BYU
6:10 p.m.: Both teams prefer a fast pace and want to run, though K-State is better-equipped to win a grind-it-out game. The Cougars’ frontcourt lacks athleticism, and that’s good news for K-State’s big guys. One thing to watch: K-State commits a lot of fouls, and putting BYU on the line is a dangerous thing.
Also
WEST REGIONAL
No. 5 Butler vs. No. 13 Murray State
1:20 p.m.: Murray State averages 10 steals per game, and Butler can be sloppy with the ball, so the Bulldogs need to control their turnovers and not allow the Racers to get going in transition.
EAST REGIONAL
No. 3 New Mexico vs. No. 11 Washington
3:50 p.m.: Just like New Mexico, Washington is a bit undersized but makes up for it by crashing the boards. New Mexico star swingman Darington Hobson injured his hand in the first round. If he’s not 100 percent, the Lobos will be in trouble.
No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 9 Wake Forest
6:15 p.m.: Wake prevailed in the first round despite being sloppy with the ball. If the Demon Deacons are that careless again, this could get ugly.
SOUTH REGIONAL
No. 2 Villanova vs. No. 10 Saint Mary’s
11:05 a.m.: The Wildcats certainly didn’t play like a No. 2 seed in the first round, and Saint Mary’s didn’t play like a No. 10 seed, beating Richmond decisively. Saint Mary’s lacks depth and it’s important to continue to put pressure on Gaels guards Mickey McConnell and Matthew Dellavedova.
No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 11 Old Dominion
3:45 p.m.: ODU would much prefer to score in the low post, but the presence of Baylor’s Ekpe Udoh will make that difficult. The key in this one is how effective ODU’s guards can be defensively against the Baylor backcourt of Tweety Carter and LaceDarius Dunn.
MIDWEST REGIONAL
No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 14 Ohio U.
1:35 p.m.: The key for the Vols is slowing Ohio guard Armon Bassett (below), who began his career at Indiana. If Tennessee puts the clamps on Bassett, Ohio will look more like the ninth-best team in the MAC than the team that ran past Georgetown. Vols Wayne Chism should have a big day in the low post.
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 9 Northern Iowa
3:40 p.m.: UNI needs a halfcourt, grind-it-out affair to have any shot at the upset. The Panthers have allowed more than 68 points just twice this season, but if the Panthers hold KU to 60 or fewer, it would be a monumental achievement.
