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The Sensational Sixteen
By Angela Lento
The opening round on the runway was littered with upsets. Would this fashion trend continue?
THE SOUTH
The day began with Campbell’s Billy Lee, a heavy underdog, matched up with Kentucky’s Tubby Smith.
Lee was still visibly excited about knocking off New Mexico’s Fran Fraschilla.
“I beat him in the post,” said Lee. My inseam was the difference.”
Coach Fraschilla wasn’t so upbeat. In an interview with the Albuquerque Tribune, Fraschilla told the reporter, “Do you think I care about that garbage?”
Gee coach!
“Well, obviously he is a little, no pun intended, bothered by the fact that he got an early exit,” said Marist coach Dave Magarity. “I’d be glad to give him some tips since I in fact won my opening round contest.”
Magarity would step onto the catwalk a little bit later on.
As the stage crew prepared for the first contest of the day, Billy Lee held court.
“I’m very excited to be here,” said Lee. “We have an interesting group scheduled to take to the stage today.”
“Do you think you have any chance against Tubby Smith,” a reporter asked.
“Tubby and I go way back. I was coaching at Pembroke when Tubby was a high school coach in the area. As for his wardrobe, his suits are so bad they’d make a train want to take a dirt road. There is no special formula to his success. I guarantee that his wife lays it on the bed and he puts it on. Tubby is just like the rest of us coaches, he couldn’t match two socks that were black.”
“Coach, any thoughts on the contest between Mark Gottfried (Alabama) and Quin Snyder (Missouri),” asked a reporter.
“That should be an interesting contest,” said Lee. “Quin needs to get a comb and do something with that hair. We need to get that boy a hat.”
“Anything grab your attention among the other matchups,” asked another reporter.
“Well, I saw where Dan Dakich (Bowling Green) made the field by wearing his sport coat backwards,” Lee replied. “He ought to be a referee because those guys are always backwards.”
“Billy, any thoughts on Steve Lavin (UCLA) not making the field,” asked College Insider.Com’s Jim Downs.
“A Hurricane would turn him upside down, but his hair wouldn’t move,” said Lee. “There’s an awful lot of gel happening there.”
“You don’t see any problems in beating Tubby Smith,” asked a reporter.
“Not at all,” said Lee. Tubby comes from North Carolina where he learned the fundamentals of good dress. It is clear to all that Tubby is ‘Buy and Fry’ while ‘I am ‘Shake and Bake.’ One of the real differences between him and I is that after the season is over he has to turn his suits back in, while I get to keep them for a lifetime. He is definitely in sword fight with a pocket knife when up against Campbell."
“We have time for one more question for coach Lee,” the moderator announced.
“Come on coach, do you really think this whole fashion thing is legit. It seems kind of stupid to me,” barked a ‘small-minded’ reporter.
“Well, let me tell you,” replied Lee. “College Insider.Com provides a great service. I enjoy following their coverage. ‘The Runway to the Fashionable Four’ has caught the interest of a lot of coaches. Angela Lento is doing a great job. She looks like a model.”
A model? That’s a little overboard, but it’s good enough to sway the judges. Billy Lee advances to the ‘Sensational Sixteen.’
Lee, with two huge upsets under his belt, would face Alabama’s Mark Gottfried in the ‘Sensational Sixteen.’ Gottfried beat Missouri’s Quin Snyder, buy a hair.
“Everyone is excited about making it to the ‘Sensational Sixteen,” said Lee. “I’ll be ready for coach Gottfried.
On the other side of the bracket, the very majestic Dave Magarity was in action with James Madison’s Sherman Dillard.
“I did not get a chance to really scout coach Magarity,” said Dillard. “Our video system broke down so I was unable to review tape. I would love to advance to the ‘Sensational Sixteen.’ Once you get there, anything can happen.”
At the half, Magarity found himself trailing big.
“My beauty will take over in the second half,” said Magarity. “Sherman is pretty fly, but I think I am also very fly for a big man.”
Coach Magarity did earn quite a few style points in the second half, but not enough to catch Dillard. Magarity’s march was over.
“I have nothing bad to say about Sherman,” said Magarity. “He is a sharp guy.”
Enter our guest fashion analyst.
“Dave had no business even being in this field,” said former Florida International coach Shakey Rodriguez. “I really have to question the selection committee for letting him be a part of this field.”
“Tell Ricky Ricardo, I mean Shakey, that I will be at the Tropicana tonight to see him perform bob-a-loo,” said Magarity. “Since Ruland is also going down today, he will be joining me.”
Ruland would be up on the main stage, later against Providence coach Tim Welsh, in the West Region.
“I am really glad that Ruland got a big contract extension, which will keep him in our league for a while,” said Magarity. “It is just a shame that he is going to finish second to me, for the next eight years, as the MAAC’s best-dressed coach.”
While Magarity continued to entertain reporters, Rice coach Willis Wilson and Detroit’s Perry Watson prepared to step into the spotlight.
“Perry is a great guy,” said Wilson. “He is one of those slick Motor City dressers. His calling card are his vast collection of hats, but that won’t carry him on this stage.”
Wilson was right.
Watson was very chic, but Willis was a tad more elegant.
“Perry was a tough competitor,” said Wilson. “Going up against Sherman is going to be another tremendous challenge. “Sherman is a fashion mentor to me. He has been fly for a long time so it will be tough.”
THE SOUTH RESULTS:
No. 1 Mark Gottfried (Alabama) defeated
No. 8 Quin Snyder (Missouri)
No. 12 Billy Lee (Campbell) defeated
No. 4 Tubby Smith (Kentucky)No. 3 Sherman Dillard (James Madison) defeated
No. 11 Dave Magarity (Marist)
No. 2 Willis Wilson (Rice) defeated
No. 10 Perry Watson (Detroit)THE EAST
The defending National Champion Sal Mentesana strolled out his dressing room with a look of confidence as he prepared for his second round opponent, Vermont’s Tom Brennan.
“It is always tough to go against a good friend,” said Mentesana. “I felt very fortunate to get past Tom Brennan on the stage last season. Now we are meeting once again. It looks like ‘The Runway to the Fashionable Four’ goes through Burlington, Vermont.”
“Coach, it must have been tough on the regular season runway, being the defending champion,” asked fashion assistant Jackie Bracco.
“No question Jackie,” he replied. “I feel like I have a bull’s eye on my back and I don’t do ‘circles’ well. They don’t look nice on my suits.”
“What are your main concerns when facing coach Brennan,” Bracco asked.
“I am sure he will have some surprises for me,” said Sal. “I was really glad to see that he made the cut. In fact, you may want to ask him about ‘making the cut’ when he was at William & Mary. He showed up one day in a leisure suit and they literally cut it right off his body.”
Uncharacteristically, Brennan declined to do any pre-catwalk interviews. A spokesman from the Vermont camp said that coach Brennan wanted to be completely focused on Sal Mentesana.
Will check back in here shortly. Now lets make our way over to the other stage where Wright State’s Ed Schilling was in the process of finishing off a dazzling display on the runway.
It was close early, but Schilling’s elegance simply overwhelmed Sam Houston State coach Bob Marlin.
“This is huge for us,” said Schilling. “Everyone at Wright State is very excited. I want to congratulate coach Marlin on a terrific season. This was a very tough draw because I had not seen too much of him. I relied heavily on tape, which my staff rounded up. Preparing for coach Marlin was like preparing for John Chaney’s Temple zone. It is hard to matchup against something you cannot simulate in the dressing room. That’s why I feel very fortunate to be moving on. The ‘Sensational Sixteen’ is really huge.”
Schilling was now interested, as was everyone else, to see the final results in the other matchup.
The crowd was in a buzz because for the first time in ‘hip history’ a catwalk contest had ended in a photo finish.
“This is very intense,” said Mentesana. “I think I did enough to pull out the win, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
He didn’t have to wait long.
Pandemonium broke out and a sea of yellow and green charged the stage in celebration. Tom Brennan had knocked off Sal Mentesana.
“I’m stunned,” said a gracious Mentesana. “I knew this was going to be a tough contest, but I thought my depth would overcome anything he broke out of his closet. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
Brennan’s win meant that a new champion would be crowned on the runway in 2001.
The majestic upset seemed to fill Schilling with confidence.
“That’s a huge win for coach Brennan,” Schilling said. “If he can beat Sal than he can beat anybody. Now we will have to see how he responds. It’s tough to come off such an emotional high and it looks like he broke out all of his best attire. Hopefully he won’t have much left in the tank and in his closet, but when you get to this point, your third and fourth options are still high quality cotton.”
Joining Schilling and Brennan, in the ‘Sensational Sixteen’ were former UMass coach Bruiser Flint and Memphis coach John Calipari. The Memphis mentor edged UW-Milwaukee’s Bo Ryan.
Bruiser used he fly gear and that terrific smile to edge out Coppin State’s Fang Mitchell.
“He was a great teacher, but the pupil learned well,” laughed Flint. “He had some fresh duds, but my stuff was just too much.”
And as for meeting coach Cal?
“It is another mentor and student contest,” said Flint. “Coach Cal is a close friend, but all that will be forgotten on the runway.”
THE EAST RESULTS:
No. 9 Tom Brennan (Vermont) defeated
No. 1 Sal Mentesana (Lehigh)
No. 5 Ed Schilling (Wright State) defeated
No. 13 Bob Marlin (Sam Houston State)No. 3 Bruiser Flint (***) defeated
No. 6 Fang Mitchell (Coppin State)
No. 2 John Calipari (Memphis) defeated
No. 7 Bo Ryan (UW-Milwaukee)THE MIDWEST
As expected, Kent State’s Gary Waters opened the action by advancing past Purdue’s Gene Keady.
Waters, who has done a tremendous job on the basketball court, would face St. John’s style guru Mike Jarvis in the round of 16.
“He’ll be a tough one,” said Waters. “He is a very stylish guy. I am going to have my work cut out for me.”
Jarvis senior scurried off the runway and back to the recruiting trail, but his son, ‘Deuce’ had this to say.
“My dad is the most polished coach,” said Mike Jarvis II, “Ricky Stokes is a newcomer so it is going to take him a few years to reach that level. He is a classy guy and an excellent coach, but today dad was just more stylish.”
The Joel Sobotka (Portland State) vs. Riley Wallace (Hawaii) contest guaranteed that a chic Cinderella would be dancing into the ‘Sensational Sixteen.’ Sobotka, the 11th seed, felt pretty good about his chances against 14th seeded Wallace.
“If I can get past Ernie Kent than I have a real chance to knock off coach Wallace,” he said. “It’s never easy in the tournament and you never want to take anything for granted so I will be on top of my wardrobe.”
Sobotka surely was on top of his attire. The poised Portland State coach advanced.
Next up for Sobotka was the three-point play of Cincinnati’s Bob Huggins. This bold Bearcat, used his three-piece suit to get past South Carolina State’s Cy Alexander.
“I don’t know too much about Joel Sobotka,” said Huggins. “I do know he has done a nice job with his program, but I am not up to speed on his attire. I am going to have Keith LeGree get a hold of some video. By the way, I am still looking for an answer as to how Keith got beat in that assistant’s tournament.”
In case you missed it, coach LeGree was knocked off in the opening round of the ‘Fashion Fair’ by Xavier’s Jeff Battle.
THE MIDWEST RESULTS:
No. 1 Gary Waters (Kent State) defeated
No. 9 Gene Keady (Purdue)
No. 4 Mike Jarvis (St. John's) defeated
No. 5 Ricky Stokes (Virginia Tech)No. 11 Joel Sobotka (Portland State) defeated
No. 14 Riley Wallace (Hawaii)
No. 2 Bob Huggins (Cincinnati) defeated
No. 7 Cy Alexander (South Carolina State)THE WEST
The catwalk action began with UL-Lafayette’s Jessie Evans claiming victory over his mentor and the very classy Lute Olson.
For Evans, it was a big win, after being knocked off of last year’s runway very early.
He would meet the winner of the matchup between Bob McKillop (Davidson) and Melvin Watkins (Texas A&M). Watkins was the top seed in the entire field.
“I have been out running and doing sit ups to ensure that I am in tip-top shape for this matchup,” said McKillop. “I have known Melvin for many years, as a player and as an opposing coach. He’s a tremendous competitor, but I am in better shape than him.”
McKillop’s workout routine paid dividends early as he stepped into the lead. It was apparent that this would be no easy match for Watkins.
The two mentors went suit for suit, but the Davidson coach held the advantage as the two took their final steps down the runway.
McKillop looked poised for victory. But, with time running out, Watkins pulled up and connected on a four-point play. The handkerchief was the difference and Watkins narrowly escaped.
“I am expecting a win today,” said Iona’s Jeff Ruland. “Tim [Welsh] is like a brother to me, but I have to put all that aside now.”
“I thought I was his big brother,” Magarity barked to reporters. “I am getting tired of the act. He has created this great myth that he has expensive clothes. We all know who is the more stylish and the better looking.”
“I am the better looking,” Ruland yelled at Magarity. “You’re just angry because you lost and I am going to be moving on.”
College Insider.Com’s George Rodecker was called upon to defuse the situation.
After the two exchanged stares, Ruland took to the stage. Magarity heckled and hollered, but Ruland was unfazed. Much to the surprise of Magarity, Ruland stepped off the catwalk victorious.
“I deserved this win,” said Ruland. “I think it’s great that I am still dancing and Dave isn’t advancing.”
And as for Magarity?
“He hasn’t heard the last of me,” said Dave. “I am outraged that Ruland is moving on and I am not.”
Everything pointed to Ruland meeting Hofstra’s Jay Wright in the ‘Sensational Sixteen,’ but first Wright has to deal with the challenge of St. Francis (PA) coach Bobby Jones.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to compete against Jay,” said Jones. “I have observed him from a far and he is definitely very sharp. He is from the fashion capital of the world so this is the fashion equivalent of meeting Duke. In the NCAA tournament there have been quite a few upsets so hopefully that ‘trend’ will carry over to the fashion field.”
Fashion color analyst Shakey Rodriguez offered up some analysis.
“I feel an upset in the air,” said Shakey. “Jay Wright is a sharp guy, but Bobby Jones looks primed for an upset. Magarity should take a few notes from Jones. He could definitely learn a few things.”
Magarity was seated near by banging on bongos and giving his rendition of ‘bob-a-loo.’
“Not only am I good looking, but I have an outstanding voice,” sang Magarity.
Magarity’s bongo playing got the crowd into a frenzy and it seemed to inspire Jones on the stage. At one point in the contest, Jones was synchronized with Magarity’s beat.
Hard to say if it was the bongos or simply Jones’ extreme confidence, but whatever it was it was good enough for another stylish stunner.
“This is great,” said a jubilant Jones. “This is a major victory for St. Francis and the Northeast Conference.”
How about that? The ‘Sensational Sixteen' would be minus the two mavens who had claimed the last three fashion crowns (Jay Wright won back-to-back titles in 1998 and ’99).
The 2001 crown was up for grabs.
THE WEST RESULTS
No. 1 Melvin Watkins (Texas A&M) defeated
No. 8 Bob McKillop (Davidson)
No. 5 Jessie Evans (UL-Lafayette) defeated
No. 4 Lute Olson (Arizona)No. 3 Jeff Ruland (Iona) defeated
No. 6 Tim Welsh (Providence)
No. 10 Bobby Jones (St. Francis-PA) defeated
No. 2 Jay Wright (Hofstra)
Be sure to listen to Angela Lento talk fashion on the 'Adam Paul Show' at 2:30 (EST) every Friday.
CLICK HERE TO SEND ANGELA YOUR COMMENTS
(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
The Captivating Conference Champions
Coach Brent Encourages Players to Build Professional Look
The Renaissance Man and Wrestling Alligators
Coaches Give Fashion Statements on Coaches
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
In Search of Bigfoot with Dale Brown
Auctioning off Auburn coach Cliff Ellis
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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