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'Mid-major' schools shed minor image

By BRIAN LANDMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 23, 2001

PHILADELPHIA -- Don't be surprised if the unpredictability of this year's tournament, especially in the opening round, may lend some clarity in the future.

Upsets by Gonzaga (West Coast Conference), Utah State (Big West), Indiana State (Missouri Valley) and Georgia State (Trans America Athletic) may affect the perception of those "mid-major" leagues.

In a good way.

"We don't say, "Boy. That team was great last year, so they should be in this year,' " said North Carolina State athletic director Lee Fowler, a member of the NCAA men's basketball committee the past four years and its chairman next year. "But that conference may be better than we think it is because this (particular) team's played in it (the NCAA) a couple years and done well. "Unfortunately for us, sometimes, the one thing I think is unfair about the RPI is that when those teams get into their conference season, it hurts them because most of the teams in their conferences are lower numbered. So it's hard for us to judge sometimes how really good they are. It's wonderful to see some of those teams stepping up and winning. I think future committees will take harder and harder looks at those teams."

FAMILIAR TERRITORY I: USC coach Henry Bibby can tell you first-hand how tough the Philadelphia fans can be.

"I know the latter part of my career, I got booed here a lot; that I do remember," said Bibby, who played for the 76ers from 1977-80 and twice helped them to the NBA Finals. "No. I had some very, very good years in Philadelphia. Other than New York City, it's probably one of the most knowledgeable cities of basketball.... The only thing is I hope the people of Philadelphia don't think that I owe them one because Dr. J made that promise to Philadelphia (about winning the title in 1977), not me."

Portland, led by Bibby's former UCLA teammate, Bill Walton, beat the 76ers that year.

IT'S GOTTA BE THE SHOES: Not all the Bruins dare to wear them, but then not everyone can look good in canary-yellow sneakers.

"They are bright and not the cutest shoes you'll ever see," UCLA sophomore forward Jason Kapono said.

But senior guard Jason Flowers likes the idea of being different, perhaps being a fashion trend-setter like Michigan's Fab Five were in the early 1990s.

"On the road, some people joke about them, some people like them," he said. "I had a band member at Washington State ask me for my shoes after the game."

FAMILIAR TERRITORY II: Duke played at the First Union Center this season against Temple and enjoyed a banner day. The Blue Devils hit a season-best 17 of 30 three-pointers.

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