Upset stomach shouldn't slow Rose
SAN ANTONIO - Memphis freshman guard Derrick Rose missed yesterday's media session because of an upset stomach. "He said his stomach was bothering him," said coach John Calipari. "I told him to go back and see the trainer."
Rose's teammates didn't offer much sympathy.
"He eats Gummy Bears and Starburst for breakfast, and Twizzlers and Honey Buns for dinner. That's why his stomach hurts," said Memphis guard Chris Douglas-Roberts. "We tell Derrick the whole year, 'Stop eating so many Gummy Bears and Sour Straws.' But he can't . . . Nobody eats Gummy Bears more than him."
Rose is expected to be fine for tonight's game.
Chosen one
ESPN analyst Dick Vitale can label this Final Four as his most memorable after yesterday's announcement of his selection to the College Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor to the sport.
"I can't begin to describe how honored I am to be included with the greatest minds and athletes of this sport," said Vitale, who has been with ESPN for 29 years. "College basketball has given me a life I didn't dream was possible. After nearly 30 years at ESPN I still can't believe I'm getting paid to be a part of this game I love. I just wish my mom and dad were here to share in this accomplishment with me."
Vitale is also a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2008 as a contributor to the sport. Those inductees will be announced today.
Looking ahead
After their losses Saturday night, North Carolina and UCLA were left to answer plenty of questions, not only about what went wrong, but also about next season. Both teams are loaded with underclassmen with NBA potential. "If some guys leave, good luck to them. I'm going to miss them," said UNC's Danny Green. "But for the most part, I think most guys are going to be back next year looking to take that next step again." UCLA's Josh Shipp was optimistic as well. "I think that the majority of the guys will be back," he said. "We're definitely thinking about another try." . . . Texas assistant Ken McDonald was hired as coach at Western Kentucky, replacing Darrin Horn, who bolted for South Carolina last week. McDonald was an assistant at Western Kentucky from 1998-2003 . . . Jim Engles, an assistant coach at Columbia, Rider, and Wagner the last 18 years, will take over the winless New Jersey Institute of Technology program this week.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
