Uri’s Harrick May Get Bitter Last Laugh

Jim Harrick, discarded as damaged goods by UCLA less than 17 months ago, is one win away from the Final Four.

If his Rhode Island Rams can overcome the physical pounding they’ll take today from the brawny Stanford Cardinal in the Midwest Regional final in St. Louis, Harrick will have a shot at his second NCAA title in three years.

“The wounds heal, but the scars never go away. You carry that with you your whole life,” Harrick said of being fired by UCLA in November 1996 - just a year after leading the Bruins to the national championship. “In certain programs, there’s not a lot of loyalty or respect.”

Valpo’s bon voyage

Friday’s loss to Rhode Island in St. Louis ended Valparaiso’s season, but there was more in store for the team.

The Crusaders were sitting sadly in their locker room when word came that hundreds of Valparaiso fans were standing in the Kiel Center, chanting: “We want the team! We want the team!” and “Ho-mer! Ho-mer!”

And so the Crusaders returned to the court to even more cheers.

“It was just like a comforting hug that all of us needed at that time,” player Bill Jenkins said.

Six years in the making

Kentucky fans have waited six years for another shot at Duke.

But don’t think they are the only bunch deeply affected by Christian Laettner’s buzzer-beating shot that won the East Regional in 1992.

“We wouldn’t have won back-to-back championships, which left an unbelievable imprint on me and our entire team,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “What makes great games is not just the game itself, it’s what’s at stake.”

This and that

Kentucky has won 10 consecutive games, none by fewer than 11 points, and is generally regarded as the hottest team in the tournament. The Wildcats’ average margin of victory during the streak has been nearly 21 points. Still, the Wildcats can win the close one, having gone 6-1 in games decided by six or fewer points… . With seven wins in seven tries Duke coach Krzyzewski is one of three coaches who are undefeated in the Elite Eight (minimum four games). The others are former Houston coach Guy Lewis (5-0) and former Ohio State coach Harold Olsen (4-0). Others of note: John Wooden (12-1) and Denny Crum (6-1)… . When Arizona lost to Utah Saturday, it marked the first time one of the Bibbys - father Henry (UCLA 1970-72) and son Mike (Arizona 1997-98) - had lost a tournament game as a player. Henry Bibby is 0-1 as a coach (USC 1997).