THE FASHIONABLE 4
Neither of the previous champions, Jay Wright (Hofstra) or Sal
Mentesana (Lehigh), advanced to the Fashionable 4 in 2001. UMass
head coach Bruiser Flint, making his first appearance in the
Fashionable 4, was crowned champion. Rice head coach Willis Wilson
made his second appearance, while Texas A&M’s Melvin Watkins and
Cincinnati’s Bob Huggins each appeared for the first time.
It was the appearance of Huggins, not normally regarded as a fashion
fanatic, which raised a lot of eyebrows. Flint called Huggins new
found fashion sense, “a joke.” Huggins quickly fired back telling
Bruiser, “you should worry more about winning basketball games” and
the fashion trash talking would add a new element to the event
moving forward.
2001 also marked the introduction on the Assistant Coach Tournament,
which Marist head coach Dave Magarity called, “The $1.98 Beauty
Show,” and scoffed at the idea of stylish assistants. But Magarity
was pleased that his own assistant (Steve Sauers) made to the
Fashionable 4. Magarity tabbed Sauers as the “George Hamilton of
fashion,” because of his outstanding winter tan. Wofford’s Mike
Young was the winner of the inaugural Assistant Coach event,
which consisted of 32 coaches.
THE 2001 FASHIONABLE 4
Head Coach Tournament
Bruiser Flint (Drexel)
Bob Huggins (Cincinnati)
Melvin Watkins (Texas A&M)
Willis Wilson (Rice)
Assistant Coach Tournament
Steve Sauers (Marist)
Tom Schuberth (Southwest Missouri State)
Ronny Thompson (Georgetown)
Mike Young (Wofford)
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