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Tie Talk - The Roundtable
By Angela Lento
Tie Talk did not even exist until two weeks ago. When Bob Huggins cracked into Fashion Power Index UMass Coach Bruiser Flint decided to offer some fashion advice.
“There are a lot of guys with nice suits. In fact, coach Huggins has some nice suits, but he needs to do something about those ugly ties!”
Well it did not take coach Huggins long to respond and the two mentors exchanged blows for a couple of weeks.
But when the latest FPI was released on Monday 'Tie Talk' went to another level.
During Monday’s Atlantic 10 coaches teleconference, media director Ray Cella asked the coaches for their thoughts on Bruiser falling to No. 5 and Huggins taking over the top spot.
Rhode Island’s Jerry DeGregorio was miffed that Huggins was No. 1 and questioned the FPI’s credibility with the addition of Jeff Ruland.
“How did Ruland get ranked in the top ten? I really have to question the judgment of the voters on that.”
The Rams’ coach was also amused that Huggins and his mock-turtlenecks were even ranked, as well.
“I have not even gotten a mention and now that I see guys like Ruland and Huggins are in there I don’t think I want to be a part of that group.”
Hmmm – I wonder if Huggins and Ruland will take exception to those remarks?
“You gotta be kidding me,” laughed Huggins. “I’ve seen people sleep in their suits for two or three days and look better than DeGregorio.”
When Huggins learned that he was ranked tenth, two weeks ago, he was quick to let me know that he should be higher on the list. This week, he was also quick to continue the assault on DeGregorio.
“I don’t know if he has bad clothes, if he buys clothes that don’t fit him or if he just has a bad body. I'm not sure what the reason is, but it’s bad!”
Once known for his Darth Vader mock turtleneck look, Huggins has really spiced up his wardrobe and was a little disturbed that anyone, especially coach DeGregorio, would have less than fashionable comments about him.
“I don’t think they can make clothes that’ll make Jerry look good. Maybe the dry cleaner shrinks his suits. That’s something you might want to look into.”
I was tied up when Iona’s Jeff Ruland called the office to express his thoughts so my assistant fielded the responses from the No. 8 coach in America.
And I am glad too. I don’t think he would have used that kind of verbiage with me. At least I hope not. To keep this a PG rating, I will let you fill in the blanks.
“DeGregorio has got a lot of ________ nerve. He looks like he just stepped off the boat and he’s got a bad ________ mustache.”
This was the first time that coach Ruland had broken into the top ten. Last season he was one of the 64 coaches who were a part of ‘The Runway to the Fashionable Four,’ but he was stunned in the second round by Marist coach Dave Magarity.
Ruland was not pleased about losing to his conference rival. But that was nothing compared to his distaste for the remarks of the URI coach and anyone else who dared challenge his FPI.
“Those guys don’t have $1800 custom fitted ________ suits like me. Bruiser looks pretty sharp, but DeGregorio shouldn’t be talking about anybody else’s clothes. My shirts cost more than his ________ suits. He’s got some brass basketballs.”
I am REALLY glad I did not have to get those quotes.
The quotable Ruland also got support from an unlikely source. Dave Magarity, who is still gloating about his ‘steel cage’ win over Ruland last season, wanted to be sure that he joined the fun.
“First of all, I know ‘Tie Talk’ began with just Huggins and Bruiser, but I have decided to use my girth to knock down the door and join this roundtable discussion. I thought it was time that I voiced some of my opinions.”
Anyone who knows coach Magarity knows that he is never at a lost for words. A ‘Sensational Sixteen’ participant in 2000, Magarity still thinks he can overtake Ruland again on the runway in March. But at least for a day he sided with the Iona coach.
“We’ve been very competitive on the runway, but when push comes to shove I am going to support my fellow MAAC coach. Even though he has beaten us twice this season.”
There is not a ‘tag-team’ duo in America that could tangle with these two. Poor coach DeGregorio.
“It’s mind boggling to me that Jerry would take shots at anybody’s wardrobe. I know that he is quite a coinsurer of Italian cuisine and I need to get the address of the restaurant that he dines at because it’s obvious that they are feeding him well.”
While Magarity referred to his majestic MAAC maven as an ‘opposing figure,’ he was a little reluctant to really attack the Rams’ coach, acknowledging that he also was carrying some excess weight.
But his assistant coach was not opposed to commenting. The new No. 1 in the assistant coach’s FPI, Steve Sauers added to the already mounting pile of trash-talk.
“The biggest difference between Dave and Jerry is that Dave carries his weight well.”
Magarity and Sauers promised to have more to say in next week’s roundtable discussion.
While the MAAC coaches stuck together so too did Bruiser Flint, offering no negative remarks for his fellow Atlantic-10 coach.
But he did not hold back on his original target, coach Huggins.
“He used intimidation to climb up the rankings. First he complained that he wasn’t ranked. Then he complained about only being ranked No. 10. Willis Wilson, Melvin Watkins and Gary Waters are all nice dressers so I don’t mind being ranked behind them. But no way Huggins should be ahead of me. Damn he’s got some ugly ties.”
Bruiser had been ranked No. 1 since December 15th. Amherst’s most-fashionable guy was confident that he would eventually overtake Huggins. His closing remarks said it all.
“I am not worried about Huggins. I saw him with his 3-piece suit when they played Charlotte. I was thinking that he might want to forget about going to all the summer basketball camps and moonlight as an umpire. When he takes of his jacket that vest looks like a chest protector.”
Huggins response was very simple.
“Tell Bruiser that instead of watching our game against Charlotte he should have spent more time watching tape of Dayton.”
Dayton defeated UMass, 89-76.
On Friday I will take a look at the weekends best, in my weekly ‘Wardrobe Watch,’ including a look at the ‘MAAC Daddy’ showdown at Midnight Saturday on ESPN (Iona vs. Niagara).
I will also shine the spotlight on Sal Mentesana. I had a chance to catch up with the defending fashion king Wednesday night at Holy Cross.
I want to thank my two tireless photographers, Chris Charbonneau and Ralph LoPriore. They have been emailing me a lot of digital photos.
Be sure to listen to Angela Lento talk fashion with Bruiser Flint, (ARCHIVED) on the 'Adam Paul Show.' Angela will be on again next Friday (Feb 16).
CLICK HERE TO SEND ANGELA YOUR COMMENTS
Angela will be a guest on Sports Talk 1360 AM, in Cincinnati, Ohio at 4:30 (EST) on Friday. And if you live in the Houston area, tune into KPRC 950 AM on Friday at 8:30 (EST). Angela will be on the air with Matt Thomas.
(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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