ATLANTA - B.J. Elder walked into the room with a very ominous-looking protective device on his right foot. Not to worry.
Georgia Tech's leading scorer insisted Tuesday that his sore foot was feeling much better and shouldn't keep him from playing against Oklahoma State.
"No doubt," Elder said. "I'm definitely going to be ready. It's a lot better. A lot of the soreness is gone."
The Yellow Jackets (27-9) showed they could win without Elder, beating Nevada and Kansas last weekend despite a single point from him. Even so, coach Paul Hewitt would prefer not to face that predicament in San Antonio, where Georgia Tech will be facing one of the nation's most rugged defensive teams.
"When you're playing a team like Oklahoma State, you need everybody," Hewitt said. "I'm not saying we can't overcome it. But it sure would be an advantage to have Elder. When you're playing a team that's so strong defensively, you need all your options on offense."
Elder was injured less than two minutes into the region semifinal against Nevada, when Kirk Snyder landed on the back of his ankle. He tried to come back but lasted only a minute - the pain was too intense at the base of his Achilles' tendon.
Two days later, Elder tried to give it a go with a heavily taped ankle in the final. He wasn't much of a factor, lasting only 12 minutes and missing his only two shots.
MORE THAN NUMBERS: Sometimes statistics don't reflect how a player has elevated his game from the previous season. That's the case with Oklahoma State senior Tony Allen.
The 6-foot-4 guard's scoring average has increased from 14.4 to 16.1. His rebounds are up from 5.4 to 5.6. His assists are up from 2.7 to 3.1.
Better statistics, yes, but not a true gauge of the difference between this year's Allen and last year's.
"Tony was a good player last year, but as a person he's more focused and more of a team player," junior guard Daniel Bobik said. "He's more of a friend with everyone on the team. Last year there wasn't the same camaraderie that there is this year.
"He did a real good job adjusting," Bobik said. "This year he's a little more outgoing and take-charge, and more of a leader than he was last year, definitely."
Allen credits coach Eddie Sutton for the turnaround.
"He's kind of like a father to us, because he just keeps us together," he said. "He helps us. He talks to us about a lot of stuff not pertaining to basketball. A lot of coaches don't even have to do that. They don't have to talk to you about nothing but about running plays. He's a wonderful coach. I love him."
Elsewhere: Utes make hire
SALT LAKE CITY - Eastern Washington coach Ray Giacoletti was hired by Utah to replace the most successful coach in school history, Rick Majerus.
Giacoletti takes over a program that, under Majerus, made 10 NCAA Tournaments and the 1998 national title game. He resigned in January because of poor health.
Giacoletti led Eastern Washington to its first NCAA Tournament this season.
"I didn't have to think very long about it to decide that I wanted it," he said. "I'm just excited."
ARKANSAS: A federal judge denied Arkansas' request that it be declared the winner in a discrimination lawsuit brought by fired coach Nolan Richardson. U.S. District Judge William R. Wilson Jr. had previously denied a similar request by the private Razorback Foundation, also named as a defendant. Both the university and the foundation have additional motions for summary judgment pending. Richardson was fired two years ago.
AUBURN: The Tigers received permission to interview UAB coach Mike Anderson, who led the Blazers to the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament. "We're delighted with the Blazers' season, and the progress this team has made under coach Anderson's leadership," UAB athletic director Watson Brown said. "We've made it clear that we want him to stay."
CAL NORTHRIDGE: The NCAA placed Cal State Northridge on probation for three years for ethical and academic violations. A report by the NCAA's infractions committee detailed the efforts of an assistant coach to protect the eligibility of a player during the 2002-03 season by persuading one instructor to give the student an "A" in a course he never attended.
MARIST: Dave Magarity stepped down after 18 years and took a job in the athletic department. Magarity, 53, was 253-259, but the Red Foxes went 6-22 this season.
MISS. STATE: Lawrence Roberts was named to the John R. Wooden All-American Team. Roberts, a 6-foot-9 junior averaged 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds.
NEVADA: Coach Trent Johnson signed a five-year contract worth $2.25-million after the Wolf Pack advanced to the Sweet 16.
