Saturday, April 01, 2000
NCAA NOTEBOOK
“Bracketville” revives painful memory
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
INDIANAPOLIS — The Nike “Bracketville” commercial featuring the Christian Laettner 17-foot jumper that allowed Duke to beat Kentucky in the 1992 East Regional championship brought back a memory for former Wildcat John Pelphrey that doesn't need to be revisited.
Pelphrey was the closest defender on the inbounds pass from Grant Hill to Laettner.
In the ad, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and former UK coach Rick Pitino are depicted watching that play at a drive-in.
“I was kind of disappointed Coach Pitino didn't kick the windshield in,” Pelphrey said with a smile.
As a Florida assistant, Pelphrey is part of a Final Four team, but he said this does not make up for the trip that was lost in 1992.
Nor does it carry great meaning to him to have been part of a game frequently labeled the greatest college game ever played.
“Not really. Because we lost,” Pelphrey said. “Greatest game ever? It's a loss.”
QUITE A RING: The Final Four teams went through several procedures Friday, including open practice sessions, gambling lectures and media interviews.
The best part? Being fitted for a Final Four ring.
NUMBERS GAME: Michigan State needs to beat Wisconsin for the fourth time to reach the NCAA championship game. Is it possible? In 1992, UC reached the Final Four by beating Memphis for the fourth time, in the Midwest Regional final at Kansas City.
• This is the 15th Final Four for North Carolina, which ties UCLA's record for most appearances.
• Wisconsin has one player averaging double-figure scoring for the season: forward Mark Vershaw (11.9). In the NCAA Tournament, Vershaw is scoring just 8.8 a game.
Associated Press Final Four Coverage: Men's •
Women's
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