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Tampa subregional
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 18, 2003
Auburn
Commentator Dick Vitale:
"I don't know what the selection committee was thinking in inviting the Tigers. Their preconference schedule was a joke, facing the likes of Wofford, Georgia State and North Texas. Plus, Auburn lost to Western Kentucky by 19 points and to Western Michigan by 18 at home. And the Tigers head into the tourney in a 5-9 slump over their past 14 games."
Kevin Scarbinsky, Birmingham News:
"Vitale spent more time Sunday night ranting about Auburn's at-large invitation than ESPN spent this season televising the Tigers. Which the network that airs a jillion college games a year didn't. Not once. ... Vitale screamed out the names of some of Auburn's nonconference opponents as if they came from Class 1A. Granted, the Tigers didn't overtax themselves before SEC play, but a respected neutral observer wasn't offended. According to Jerry Palm of CollegeRPI.com, Auburn's overall schedule was the 27th toughest in the nation. According to Palm's sophisticated statistical formula, 50 of the other 64 teams that made the NCAA Tournament field played weaker schedules than the Tigers did. Including such Dickie V. faves as Duke and Maryland."
St. Joseph's
Coach Phil Martelli:
"I think college basketball is really about opportunity. And to see these players rewarded with this opportunity, it makes this special. It really makes it worth all the hard work to get to this point. ... These kids got here by giving every ounce of energy and passion they had. Having our name called is one level of excitement. Now it's about winning games, not about the sunshine."
Guard Jameer Nelson:
"I'm sure some of the younger guys will be a little nervous. But I'll just try to be a leader and pick everyone up."
Auburn coach Cliff Ellis:
"(Martelli) has had a good run. He's a good coach. I've always admired his teams."