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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Melancholy mood


The late Ryan Francis (12) was Southern Cal's point guard last season.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the type of joyous occasion for the USC basketball team as it is for some.

That’s because March 17 is also the birthday of Ryan Francis. Francis, the Trojans’ point guard last season, was gunned down in May of last year while at home in New Orleans for Mother’s Day.

Francis would have turned 20 on Saturday with his teammates. Instead, his mother Paulette spent the day in Spokane with the USC “family” to help her through it.

“I think she’s having a good day,” said coach Tim Floyd. “She told me this day can’t be any tougher than the previous days she’s experienced.”

The day was, expectedly, bittersweet for the players.

“We’re doing alright, just trying to make it through the day. It’s better that we got the win and we’re able to enjoy the day, since it’s Ryan’s birthday,” said junior guard Nick Young.

Young and Francis were so close they joked about being cousins – even getting it into USC media materials. He tried to stay positive on Saturday.

“We’re looking at this as a celebration,” he said. “We don’t want to shed no tears or be too emotional. When you’re too emotional, it can break you down.”

Young said the grieving and recovery process has helped unite the team and continues to do so as they remember the player nicknamed “Franchise.”

“He was a great player. He did all he could for us and we’re trying to do the best we can for him, as far as dedicating everything we do to him,” said Young.

Francis’ death was deemed a random act of youth violence by police. An endowed scholarship has been started by USC; actor Tom Arnold has also created one. He was filming a movie in the area when the shooting occurred and grew close to the family.

Cutting up

The Texas players said coach Rick Barnes is a unique motivator, showing them brief clips from movies and TV to emphasize team-oriented concepts.

Barnes and his staff have used clips from over-the-top epics such as “Gladiator,” “Braveheart,” and “Any Given Sunday.” Barnes admitted a clip from “Chappelle’s Show” which features the catch-phrase “Shoot it!” wasn’t his idea.

“I knew nothing about that,” Barnes said, explaining he doesn’t watch the show. “When I saw that, it was really kind of funny.”

Players Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin said Chappelle has nothing on an unintentionally funny tape of strength and conditioning coach Todd Wright’s high school team playing.

“That was pretty funny. It loosened us up a little bit,” said Durant.

Overseas barbecue

You don’t need to join the military or win the “Showcase Showdown” on “The Price is Right” to travel overseas.

While those options would enhance your chances of visiting distant lands, it may be to your benefit to work on your jump shot instead.

The Winthrop men’s basketball team visited Australia and New Zealand in May 2006, offering the Eagles’ coaching staff and players an opportunity to view new cultures and landscapes. It also gave them a chance to eat barbecue New Zealand-style.

“It was a great place,” Winthrop guard Chris Gaynor said, noting the Eagles visited senior Craig Bradshaw’s hometown of Wellington, New Zealand. “To see Craig’s hometown, it was something wonderful. We might not ever get a chance to go overseas again. And the cookout and all the hospitality that the Bradshaws showed us was wonderful. It felt like we were really back in the States.”

When Gaynor was asked if the barbecue was like American food, Bradshaw intercepted the question.

“Better,” he said.

“Yeah,” added Gaynor, “Craig said it’s better, so I’m going to have to go with Craig. It was better. Don’t want to upset my big man.”