Grip on Sports: Gonzaga’s Karnowski is officially the center of attention in college hoops

A GRIP ON SPORTS • It’s appropriate the award for the best center in college basketball is named after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. After all, he is the best center in college basketball. Ever. And the best center in college basketball this past season? That would be Gonzaga’s Przemek Karnowski. Read on.

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• The college basketball season ended last Monday night with North Carolina taking down Gonzaga in the championship game. So Friday night the basketball glitterati got together in Los Angeles and handed out awards.

Kansas’ Frank Mason won the Wooden Award, also named after the best there ever was, UCLA coach John Wooden. It is given to the best player. Washington’s Kelsey Plum won the women’s version of the award, which, all things being equal, should probably be named after Pat Summittt, but isn’t.

And Karnowski picked up the biggest award. No, that’s not right. He picked up the award given to the biggest guy.

It’s ironic the award for the best center is named after a guy who had no peer playing with his back to the basket. And was won, this year at least, by a guy was the best in the nation playing with his back to the basket.

Those type of guys are extremely rare these days. Most big guys that grow up in America would rather be Steph Curry than Kareem. That’s OK, because the game has morphed into a more outside-oriented one since the advent of the 3-point line.

But there is still a spot, in college at least, for a guy who can plant his butt at the block and control the action from there. Especially if he can pass like Curry, if not shoot like him.

Karnowski is perfect at it. And he’s a big – literally – reason why the Zags finished as the nation’s second-best team. He got them there, and his eye injury may have cost them the title.

It was obvious Monday that Karnowski’s vision wasn’t fully recovered from getting raked in the eye Saturday against South Carolina. He missed way too many easy looks he usually makes. Enough, in fact to be the difference between winning or losing.

Which is ironic in a way, since he accepted his award last night from former UCLA star Abdul-Jabbar.

Abdul-Jabbar, then Lew Alcindor, was involved in the “Game of the Century,” the 1968 showdown with Houston in the Astrodome. The first game played in a football arena – like Monday – and the first in front of a national television audience – like Monday. It pitted the two best teams in the nation – again, like Monday.

And Abdul-Jabbar was coming off an eye injury suffered the week before against California. He wasn’t his usual self. He was 4-of-18 from the floor, the only time in his collegiate career he shot less than 50 percent. No. 2 Houston won, 71-69, snapping UCLA’s 47-game winning streak.

(By the way, the first game in the domed stadium set a precedent that is still talked about today. No, not that college hoops can attract a huge audience, but that too. We’re talking about bad shooting. The Bruins were 26 of 77 from the floor, Houston 30 of 66. That’s 39 percent for the teams combined. Monday night, North Carolina and Gonzaga, both good shooting teams, were 34.8 percent combined.)

The Bruins, unlike the Zags, got a do-over that year. They faced the Cougars in the NCAA semifinals. A healthy Abdul-Jabbar scored 19 points and UCLA won, 101-69.

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WSU: With next year’s team prepping for the fall, Jacob Thorpe caught up with one of last year’s stars, River Cracraft, to talk about the prep work Cracraft is doing prior to the NFL draft. Turns out Cracraft has been working with some Mike Leach alums – and Russell Wilson (pictured). … It’s Mom’s Weekend in Pullman and the Times’ Stefanie Loh joined in by taking part in a football clinic. … The baseball team ran into a hot Arizona team that won despite losing its best pitcher. … Spring football is all the rage around the Pac-12, with Oregon’s new regime trying to improve a defense that was not all that good. The Ducks’ offensive line is also under reconstruction. … If a team scrimmages and no one is there to observe it, did it really happen? … It’s Saturday morning, so we can pass along ESPN’s mailbag from Ted Miller. … LaVar Ball walked back his comments from the other day. … Washington picked up a basketball recruit.

Gonzaga: Jim Meehan talked with Karnowski after the award ceremony and has this story. Jim also spoke with Nigel Williams-Goss about his future and mentions the conversation as well. … There is another coveted transfer eyeing Gonzaga. Jim has that story. … Portland is losing one player and adding another.

EWU: It’s been a long journey, but Fred Salanoa is back in Cheney, this time as a coach. Jim Allen draws us the road map followed by Eastern’s new offensive coordinator.

Chiefs: Josh Horton continue his series of stories on the Chiefs, today looking at the prospects who may make an impact soon.

Preps: The North Idaho sports awards banquet will hand out honors to college and high school athletes next week. The finalists were announced.

Mariners: After one win, the M’s offense went back to sleep. Dave Nichols has his daily Mariner log for you, and you’ll find the links there as well.

Seahawks: So what is really behind the Richard Sherman talk? … This Times story is pretty interesting. And relevant.

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• It’s moving day around here. Nope, we’re not going anywhere. Just down to the TV room to watch the Masters. But as you know, Saturday is the day someone usually shoots a low number and makes a move on the scoreboard. My hope is it’s either Phil Mickelson or Jordan Spieth. That would set up an epic Sunday. Until later …