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Upsets Continue on the Runway
By Angela Lento
The talk of the day surrounded the withdrawal of Morehead State’s Kyle Macy from the field. Macy issued his own statement Monday morning explaining his reasons for dropping out.
Jackie Bracco caught up with Macy, via phone, around mid-day on Monday. He told Jackie that he was in good spirits and had plans to attend the action on the runway. He hinted that if he remained in the field that he would have given top-seed Sal Mentesana all he could handle. When Mentesana got wind of this he simply smiled and went about his business.
Macy’s replacement, Colorado’s Ricardo Patton would take the stage against Sal in the East’s final act of the day.
EAST SESSION I
The crowd was still buzzing over news of the upsets in the Midwest Region earlier in the day. As Fordham’s Bob Hill and Sam Houston State’s Bob Marlin took to the stage you could feel upset in the air.
Marlin’s assistant Darby Rich, who would compete on Tuesday for the right to advance to the ‘Fancy Four,’ was on hand to lend his support.
“Coach Marlin is awful sharp,” said Darby.
It didn’t take the crowd long to jump on the Marlin bandwagon. In fact, the Hampton band made the trek from the Midwest region to snap off some tunes for the Bearkat coach.
The Pirates’ band sent the crowd into a frenzy and Marlin into the second round.
“This is a great victory,” said Marlin. “I was disappointed when I didn’t make it out of the first round last year so I was determined to step it up this season. Beating a guy as sharp as Bob Hill is quite a feat. We’re feeling pretty good about this win.”
Marlin would get the winner of the ‘Dayton, Ohio’ clash, between Ed Schilling (Wright State) and Oliver Purnell (Dayton).
“I think it is a great match-up,” said Schilling. “We got some advance scouting reports on him so I feel very prepared.”
It helps to do your homework. Schilling got all A’s for his performance and advanced to the second round.
“I am very thankful,” said Schilling. “We feel very blessed. We knew he was a very formidable opponent. Oliver is very distinguish and has very good taste, but it was a total team effort from our designers and Price Stores was a big contributor to me. It’s a huge thing and we feel like we got the momentum going now. It’s always a big thing around here to beat Dayton.”
On the other side of the bracket, Copping State’s lovely Stephanie Ready watched with great interest as her head coach, the incomparable Fang Mitchell used his smooth style to notch a double-digit win over Maryland’s Gary Williams.
Fang retreated to the Coppin State camp to help Stephanie prepare for her ‘Elegant Eight’ contest on Tuesday so he wasn’t around to see his protégé Bruiser Flint hit the stage against former Louisville coach Denny Crum.
Bruiser, who flew in from Memphis for the event, knew he had a tough task ahead of him.
“It’s tough to beat a legend,” said Flint. “Coach Crum has always looked very stylish dressed in his red blazers. This won’t be easy.”
The crowd was uneasy unable to select a sentimental favorite. One unidentified man yelled out “Denny deserved better. He got screwed by Louisville.”
Another held up a sign that read ‘umASS’ and screamed out “Lets go Bruiser. You’re Fly!”
Chants of ‘Denny’ and ‘Bru’ filled the room and Cardinal fans sensed the upset, but it wasn’t meant to be. The former UMass coach had advanced to the round of 32 where he would meet Fang.
“It’ll be the teacher and the student,” said Bruiser. This pupil has learned well. I will be ready for my man Fang. I still have to get back at him for telling everyone how he drove me around because I didn’t have any wheels when I was on his staff. I got a little something for him.”
Good friend Ed Schilling, who could possibly face Bruiser down the road, was very complimentary.
“Bru has a tremendous mid-range game,” said Schilling. “He looks good when he is out raking leaves. Also, I want to say that this entire event is a lot of fun and we appreciate Angela doing this. I know a lot of people are getting a real charge out of it. Coaches in this business are so competitive and there is so many egos involved we don’t want to lose at anything. It’s hilarious to see how serious a lot of these guys are taking it. I’m all fired up now.”
EAST SESSION II
As the late session got underway, a former coach took the microphone to make an announcement.
“I am glad to see that this event has grown in popularity. The interest is tremendous and coaches are having a lot of fun. However, I am very disturbed to see that there are no Hispanic judges on this fashion panel. Angela is doing a tremendous job, but I think it’s important to have the Hispanic community represented. Therefore, I have decided to join the panel and offer up some runway analysis.”
In case you didn’t recognize the candor, it is none other than the very tropical Shakey Rodriguez. The former coach at Florida International was first spotted laughing with the Editor & Chief, regarding someone’s apparel. It’s safe to say that we will be hearing a LOT out of Shakey.
First up on the stage were Marquette’s Tom Crean and Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Bo Ryan who stopped to chat with Jackie Bracco.
“I am honored being one of the more senior members of this field,” said Ryan. “I think it is a tribute to the over-fifty crowd. As a matter of fact, Angela needs to add a senior bracket. I get all my clothes from Harley’s and when pro teams come to town, this is where they shop.”
The people at Harley’s, in Milwaukee, had to be pleased to hear their client dropping endorsements, but they had to be tickled to death to see the final results.
“This is great,” said a victorious Ryan. “We don’t play Marquette so I don’t get a chance to see him up close, but I get to see him around town and at different golf outings and fundraisers and he always looks good. He has a great presence and he is much younger than I am, which made it a tougher challenge. Score one for the ‘senior’ guys.”
Ryan would next face Memphis coach John Calipari in round two, after Calipari survived a tough walk on the runway with Coastal Carolina’s Pete Strickland.
“This was a classic hair and tortoise contest,” said Strickland. “I gave him a lot of different looks in an attempt to throw him off his game, but I just came up a little short. I feel like I had a good showing. As many know I save the box tops from cereal boxes and send them in for free suits. That said it was quite a task to stay close.”
And of course Shakey offered some expert advice.
“He has to buy some better cereal,” said Shakey. “The generic brands didn’t cut it. He’ll need to step up to ‘Super Sugar Crisp’ or ‘Honey Combs’ if he wants to get back here next season.”
Shakey wasn’t the only one talking smack.
“He’s got no shot in this game,” said Vermont coach Tom Brennan. “He’s way too basic. If you’re at Duke you have to step out a little bit. He’s refused to take chances and I think that is going to hurt him.”
The young Robert Redford was talking about his first round opponent, Mike Krzyzewski.
“I am thrilled to be here,” Brennan said. “For my age to still be considered hip is a very fashionable thing. Angela saw me at a mid-week game in Boston. Had I known that, I would have dressed up more if I knew what the stakes were. I didn’t know I had to impress anybody. Now lets get this over with. I know I am moving on.”
Well, Brennan was right. He knocked off Coach K and was in to round two.
“I’m thrilled,” said Brennan. “That shows me how much taste Angela has.”
Once again, Shakey had something to add.
“This is a prime example of why my presence is needed on this panel,” he said. “That attire might look good in Vermont, but this is the big stage. I don’t expect to see him around too much longer.”
Brennan wasn’t fazed by Shakey. His focus was squarely on his second round opponent Sal Mentesana who got a battle from Colorado’s Ricardo Patton, but had more than enough depth in the closet to advance.
Kyle Macy still felt he would have given Sal a good run on the runway, had he not withdrawn, but Shakey quickly dismissed that theory.
“Kyle had no shot at all. It was a tremendous coaching move on his part to remove himself from the game. That was a great substitution.”
THE EAST RESULTS
No. 1 Sal Mentesana (Lehigh) defeated No. 16 Ricardo Patton (Colorado)
No. 9 Tom Brennan (Vermont) defeated No. 8 Mike Krzyzewski (Duke)
No. 5 Ed Schilling (Wright State) defeated No. 12 Oliver Purnell (Dayton)
No. 13 Bob Marlin (Sam Houston State) defeated No. 4 Bob Hill (Fordham)
No. 6 Fang Mitchell (Coppin State) defeated No. 11 Gary Williams (Maryland)
No. 3 Bruiser Flint (***) defeated No. 14 Denny Crum (***)
No. 7 Bo Ryan (UW-Milwaukee) defeated No. 10 Tom Crean (Marquette)
No. 2 John Calipari (Memphis) defeated No. 15 Pete Strickland (Coastal Carolina)
SOUTH SESSION I
First up, Dave Magarity (Marist) and Lorenzo Romar (Saint Louis).
“There is no question in my mind that I shall advance,” said the Marist coach. “I did not make this journey to lose. I came here to win. My size will be a major factor in deciding this contest.”
Our expert analyst disagreed.
“Coach Magarity shouldn’t expose himself to what looks to be an embarrassing loss. This contest should be over early.”
To the surprise of the audience and Rodriguez, Magarity took a slight advantage to the dressing room at the halfway point. Jackie Bracco caught up to dapper Dave as he stepped off the stage.
“Well, it’s clear that my beauty is dominating today,” said Magarity. “If [Jeff] Ruland is around he should be taking notes. He could learn a few things from me.”
And Jackie interjected.
“Coach, Shakey Rodriguez said that you have no shot today. How do you respond?”
“Oh that’s Shakey? I saw the tropical shirt and the gold chains and I thought it was a pimp who wandered in here by accident.”
Back in the booth, Rodriguez provided some keys to victory for Magarity.
“Quit while he’s ahead,” said Shakey. “I saw where they had a nice buffet spread in the dressing room so I don’t expect him to come out for the second half.”
But Magarity did come out and he dazzled the crowd with his wide variety of styles. Romar called numerous ‘tailor timeouts,’ but it wasn’t enough.
“First let me say that this is not an upset,” explained Magarity. “There is no way that I should have been an 11 seed. How is it that Ruland is a three-seed? Your are not gonna find a prettier looking big man than me.”
Once again, Jackie had to pry.
“Coach, our fashion analyst said you had no chance today. What would you like to say to him?”
“Tell Ricky Ricardo that I am a handsome man.”
The flurry of dialogue calmed down as the next catwalk contest was set to begin.
The Southland Conference Champion Eddie McCarter stepped up to face the Colonial’s most stylish, Sherman Dillard.
“I am excited,” said McCarter. “I think it is a great complement to be voted the best dressed coach in the conference, but I am totally surprised and shocked. I take a little bit of pride in the way I dress and it’s a big honor. As for Sherman, the times that I have seen him he has been really well dressed. He is definitely going to be a tough guy to beat.”
The head coach at Texas-Arlington was right. James Madison’s Sherman Dillard was a little too much down the stretch.
Of course, there was some post runway analysis.
“Sherman is very sporty,” said Shakey. “He will have little trouble in beating Magarity in the next round.”
And Magarity’s response?
“I picked up these bongos and I was hoping to hear Shakey do a little bob-a-loo.”
While Magarity was working on some halftime entertainment, Detroit’s Perry Watson prepared to do battle with Illinois coach Bill Self.
“I am thrilled and honored to be selected,” said Watson. “My appearance has always been important to me and it is probably a credit to my designer, Everett Hall.”
“Coach, what about your opponent,” asked Bracco.
“I have known Bill for a long time and he’s a nice guy, but unfortunately he is going to lose.”
Self, who made the field after his daring display with the orange sport coat proved to be little competition for the dapper Detroit coach.
Watson would face Rice coach Willis Wilson who advanced past Dartmouth’s Dave Faucher.
“It was a battle of great academic institutions,” said Wilson. “It wasn’t a preppy playoff, by any stretch. We both came dressed for success. I feel fortunate to come away with the win.”
SOUTH SESSION II
The first two contests wrapped up early, with Alabama’s Mark Gottfried getting past his good friend Rob Spivery, from Alabama State. Gottfried would meet Missouri’s Quin Snyder in round two after Snyder ran past Tennessee Tech’s Jeff Lebo, much to the delight of Kyle Macy.
“He had no business being in the field to begin with,” said Macy.
Macy was on hand to see Kentucky coach Tubby Smith and Western Kentucky’s Dennis Felton sport their gear.
“If Tubby Smith is a 4 seed that is definitely going to be an upset,” said a confident Felton. “People like to stay away from guarantees, but I guarantee it. He only has one coat in his wardrobe and that’s blue. I’m cooler under fire because he’s always taking his jacket off and I have NEVER taken my jacket off.”
Point well taken. Coach Smith has had a habit of committing fashion fouls with early jacket removal.
This was shaping up as one of the best contests of the opening round. So what does our guest analyst think?
“Well, no question that I am more stylish than both of these guys put together,” said Shakey. “Although in ripped jeans and t-shirts both coaches would look better than Magarity.”
“Bob-a-loo,” screamed Magarity.
Much to the disappointment of the crowd and the Hilltopper faithful, Felton came up just short. Tubby had advanced to the second round to face either Fran Fraschilla (New Mexico) or the quotable Billy Lee (Campbell).
"Fran has some really nice suits,” said Lee. “It's just a shame that he has to go into the children's department to find them. I think I can take him in the post. My inseam is longer than his. Although he does have a little more fluff in his hair."
What started off as a promising year on the runway for Fraschilla ended with yet another jacket removal. The Campbell coach would march on.
Jackie Bracco caught up with Lee afterwards.
“Coach, tell us about your approach.”
“It’s pretty simple,” said Lee. “My wife puts it on the bed and I put it on.”
So the curtain had closed on the first day on the runway. So what do coaches do in the interim?
“I think I am going to go home and see if I can catch a little ‘I Love Lucy’ on Nick at Night,” said Magarity.
THE SOUTH RESULTS
No. 1 Mark Gottfried (Alabama) defeated No. 16 Rob Spivery (Alabama State)
No. 8 Quin Snyder (Missouri) defeated No. 9 Jeff Lebo (Tennessee Tech)
No. 12 Billy Lee (Campbell) defeated No. 5 Fran Fraschilla (New Mexico)
No. 4 Tubby Smith (Kentucky) defeated No. 13 Dennis Felton (Western Kentucky)
No. 11 Dave Magarity (Marist) defeated No. 6 Lorenzo Romar (Saint Louis)
No. 3 Sherman Dillard (James Madison) defeated No. 14 Eddie McCarter (Texas-Arlington)
No. 10 Perry Watson (Detroit) defeated No. 7 Bill Self (Illinois)
No. 2 Willis Wilson (Rice) defeated No. 15 Dave Faucher (Dartmouth)
Be sure to listen to Angela Lento talk fashion on the 'Adam Paul Show' at 2:30 (EST) every Friday.
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(Head Coach: 3-8-2002) 1. Bruiser Flint
2. John Calipari
3. Gary Waters
4. Willis Wilson
5. Jay Wright
6. Paul Graham
7. Tubby Smith
8. Rick Pitino
9. Melvin Watkins
10.Mike JarvisPlaying Catch with Satchel Paige
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A Look at New Jersey's Stylish Coaches
Feb 4 FPI: John Calipari Remains No. 1
Sideline Style Poll is Clothes Call
Being No. 1 Suits Rutgers' Gary Waters Just Fine
Jan 21 FPI: John Calipari Tops Fashion Power Index
Carter, Felton, Lutz and Scruggs Combine Coaching and Style
Terry Gets Rave Reviews in North Carolina
Jan 7 FPI: Gary Waters Tops Fashion Power Index
Though Styles Differ, Smith and Pitino at Top of Their Game
December FPI: Georgetown and Drexel Top The Lists
Jesse "The Body" Ventura and a Kid at Delaware
Musical Talent in Kansas and Wyoming
The FPI, The Natural and a 7-Footer from Wal-Mart
Pennsylvania: America’s Most Stylish State
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UCLA's Steve Lavin Talks Fashion
John Feinstein Plugs Fashionable Four
(Assistant: 3-8-2002) 1. Wayne Brent
2. Gary Stewart
3. Steve Sauers
4. Ronny Thompson
5. Tony Jones
6. Patrick Sellers
7. Reggie Hanson
8. Lew Hill
9. Tom Schuberth
10.Jennifer Johnston
AMERICA EAST:
Tom Brennan
ATLANTIC COAST:
Skip Prosser
ATLANTIC SUN:
Don Maestri
ATLANTIC 10:
Bob Hill
BIG EAST:
Gary Waters
BIG SKY:
Joel Sobotka
BIG SOUTH:
Pete Strickland
BIG TEN:
Jerry Dunn
BIG 12:
Melvin Watkins
BIG WEST:
Kevin Bromley
COLONIAL:
Bruiser Flint
CONFERENCE-USA:
John Calipari
HORIZON:
Ed Schilling
IVY LEAGUE:
James Jones
METRO ATLANTIC:
Don Harnum
MID-AMERICAN:
Stan Joplin
MID-CONTINENT:
Homer Drew
MID-EASTERN:
Cy Alexander
MISSOURI VALLEY:
Barry Hinson
MOUNTAIN WEST:
Charlie Spoonhour
NORTHEAST:
Bobby Jones
OHIO VALLEY:
Kyle Macy
PACIFIC-10:
Paul Graham
PATRIOT LEAGUE:
Sal Mentesana
SOUTHEASTERN:
Tubby Smith
SOUTHERN:
Bob McKillop
SOUHTLAND:
Mike Deane
SOUTHWESTERN:
Lafayette Stribbling
SUN BELT:
Dennis Felton
WEST COAST:
Michael Holton
WESTERN ATHLETIC
Willis Wilson
Take a stroll down last season's Runway to the Fashionable Four
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