Notebook: Spanarkel knows what it’s all about
CBS color commentator Jim Spanarkel is in Spokane for the subregional broadcast.
The former Duke standout and NBA player knows firsthand about “March Madness.”
He said all the talk of pressure during the NCAA tournament is real, but none of top teams in the early rounds is looking forward to Atlanta. But he said the amped-up hype around today’s tournament doesn’t compare to his day.
“From a player’s perspective, remembering how it was for me back in ‘78, we actually went to the finals against Kentucky and lost.
“I don’t think you think about what’s ahead of you. I think you think about, really, what you’re doing on a day-to-day basis. I think it’s exciting for these kids. I think there’s more pressure on them than there was for us because of the media exposure and the build-up.”
His Duke team was nearly an upset victim to Rhode Island in the subregional, winning only by a point over an underdog opponent.
This year, teams like Winthrop are the Rhode Islands of the field. He said there’s a big difference, however.
“Winthrop, for example, is a team that’s not below the radar coming here, they’re like the darlings. With that, they may be the underdogs, but they’re still the darlings. So, everybody knows who they are.”
Spanarkel is also one of the fans of Texas standout Kevin Durant and feels the brighter spotlight is justified for him.
“Durant is a special person,” he said. “I think he almost demands the media attention – and I don’t mean that as an individual. He’s just that good. I think it’s a real test to kids like that who have to deal with it.”
He feels that Durant’s training this year for off-court issues will serve him well in the future – which will include the NBA at some point.
“You can use that same skill level no matter where you go, but the whole media thing is valuable training.”
‘Junkyard dogs’
The chants started late in Winthrop’s upset of Notre Dame.
“Junkyard dogs. Junkyard dogs,” the Eagles faithful shouted with 3:58 remaining as the Eagles were trying to hold off an Irish run in which a 20-point Winthrop lead would dissipate.
The term of affection has been given to Winthrop as a compliment about its strong work ethic on defense.
It was particularly appropriate in the second half of the Notre Dame game, when the Irish started playing with a desperation that dictated a response.
Trying to get back in the game, Notre Dame started playing a more physical brand of ball in which fights for loose balls got downright dirty at times.
But it wasn’t anything that fazes a junkyard dog.