Tampa subregional

Great eight

There are plenty of compelling stories among the schools playing their NCAA Tournament openers in Tampa.

By PETE YOUNG, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 17, 2003

This week, eight giddy teams will arrive in Tampa.

This weekend, six devastated teams will depart.

It is the exhilarating and unforgiving symmetry of the NCAA Tournament. Two play, one wins (elation) and one loses (agony). We watch, with goose bumps, clutching our brackets.

This season, March Madness has pulled up a chair at our kitchen table. Friday and Sunday at the St. Pete Times Forum, eight will be carved to two. The lucky pair move on to the Sweet 16, perhaps with a newborn legend among them, dreams intact for at least a few more days.

Whom do you root for this weekend? Besides the obvious -- pulling for or against Florida -- it depends on what you're looking for:

A lovable coach? Auburn's Cliff Ellis does little yelling on the sideline, perhaps to save the vocal cords for his side gig. Ellis has sung on several albums, including Cliff Ellis and Friends. He also has the best-named fan group: Cliff Dwellers.

Toughness? Wake Forest point guard Justin Gray made do on milkshakes and soup for a few weeks after breaking his jaw Jan. 12 vs. Duke. The freshman returned to help the Demon Deacons to the ACC regular-season title.

An outlandish personality? St. Joseph's coach Phil Martelli will keep you in stitches. His television show, HawkTalk, is legendary in Philadelphia.

A legitimate big man? Colorado's David Harrison, a 7-foot sophomore, is destined for the NBA. He averages more than three blocks.

The best point guard in America not named T.J. Ford? Try Jameer Nelson. The St. Joseph's junior is the complete package, averaging 19 points, five assists and five rebounds.

A lovable underdog? East Tennessee State has two top players, Tiras Wade (Tampa Bay Tech) and James Anthony (Armwood), from area high schools, and ETSU's nickname resonates in these parts: Buccaneers.

It's all here. Break out the brackets and revel in the madness.

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