BASKETBALL TIMES Visit: www.usbwa.com VOLUME 56, NO. 1 November 2018 Despite inroads, seating is our greatest issue Greetings from Virginia, home to ers this season, with more power outlets NCAA tournament anarchy. and better Wi-Fi. The first No. 15 seed to advance? Senior staffers from Virginia and Vir- Richmond over Syracuse in 1991. Hamp- ginia Tech assured me of improved access ton (2001) and Norfolk State (2012) fol- David Teel to players and coaches. lowed, upsetting Iowa State and Missouri, Not all was encouraging. Syracuse, respectively. Newport News Daily Press where baseline media seating is behind Two of the four No. 11s to reach the Fi- fans and offers no risers, said no changes nal Four, the lowest seeds ever to advance are planned. And North Carolina, singled that far, hail from the commonwealth, President out for praise in our member survey, is George Mason in 2006 and VCU in 2011. moving media this season from behind And the Rams remain the lone First Four the basket to an upper level. team to make the national semifinals. Indeed, seating is our greatest chal- Of the 44 at-large selections that fin- lenge. Even schools open to dialogue on ished below .500 in conference, one reached the Final Memo for Division I schools. other concerns – Clemson, Virginia and Virginia Tech Four: Virginia in 1984. A USBWA membership survey identified many – said their less-than-ideal locations won’t be changing. Speaking of the Cavaliers, perhaps you’ve heard programs that fall short of the suggested guidelines. The As since-retired Clemson legend Tim Bourret told that in March they became the first No. 1 to lose to a No. NCAA’s Dave Worlock re-sent the memo this year, and we DeCock, the NCAA’s slashing of courtside seats gave 16 as UMBC rolled by 20. reached out to the schools most mentioned in our survey. schools a green light to sell that real estate, and they’re Whether similar bracket wreckage will transpire this Moreover, DeCock (ACC), Wessler (Missouri Val- not about to stop. season is unknown. What is known is the USBWA’s con- ley) and Zeigler (Mountain West, Big 12, Pacific 12 and That said, please know that the NCAA’s Worlock tinuing advocacy for all who cover college basketball. American Athletic) attended spring meetings to huddle and Dan Gavitt have been beyond supportive in our striv- Access, game-day operations and seating have been with conference and school reps. Some results: ing to keep the media’s remaining courtside locations. our primary targets, and thanks to members such as Mark Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione, a for- “Overall, I think we made some inroads,” Zeigler Zeigler (San Diego Union-Tribune), Luke DeCock (Ra- mer selection committee chairman and long a media ad- said of our most recent efforts. “If nothing else, we raised leigh News & Observer), Kirk Wessler (Peoria Journal vocate, spoke with his Big 12 colleagues about the best awareness about the best practices and let folks know Star), Vahe Gregorian (Kansas City Star) and John Akers practices and afterward texted Zeigler that they had “a that we’re watching them.” (Basketball Times), we’re making progress. very good and lengthy discussion.” ***** Our efforts are rooted in the USBWA ad hoc com- Clemson associate athletic director Joe Galbraith As most of you are aware, Joe Mitch is retiring as mittee that DeCock (seating) and Wessler (access) wrote DeCock that the Tigers have expanded what was a the USBWA’s executive director after the Final Four in chaired. Gregorian and Akers took the group’s recom- limited postgame working space. Minneapolis. We hope to choose his successor ASAP, mendations last year to the NCAA’s Basketball Over- Florida State basketball SID Chuck Walsh told De- so I encourage anyone interested in the position to call/ sight Committee, which then produced a Best Practices Cock that media sitting behind fans will be placed on ris- email Joe or me. USBWA mourns passing of O’Connell, Guback By MALCOLM MORAN He would volunteer advice he received as a student The USBWA lost two of the most influential and at St. John’s University from his mentors, athletic director devoted leaders in its history with the passing of past Jack Kaiser and basketball coach Lou Carnesecca. His presidents and Hall of Fame members Jim O’Connell open casket revealed that he was wearing a Final Four and Steve Guback. credential and holding a pen, with his tape recorder nearby. O’Connell, the longtime basketball writer for the He covered 39 consecutive Final Fours, from 1979 Associated Press, died on July 2 at the age of 64. He at Salt Lake City through 2017 at Glendale, Ariz. His last joined the AP as a full-time staff member in 1978, three Final Fours took place after a leg was amputated as served as its national basketball writer since 1987 and a result of complications from diabetes. was USBWA president in 1997-98. He received the Curt For decades, O’Connell shaped the development Gowdy Print Media Award from the Naismith Memorial of young reporters at AP bureaus around the world and Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 and was inducted into college students at the annual “Full Court Press” seminar the USBWA Hall of Fame the same year. at the Final Four by emphasizing the importance of “He was the source on college basketball,” Terry accuracy, fairness and the development of relationships. Taylor, the AP sports editor from 1992 to 2013, said He attended every Big East tournament from 1980, in the AP obituary. “He knew coaches, players, games, Steve Guback Jim O’Connell the league’s first season, through 2017. The conference dates of games and final scores – all manner of factoids announced in October that the media area at future – off the top of his head. And when you looked it up, he as he was for his achievements. He was at the center tournaments will be called the Jim O’Connell Media Center. was always right.” of Final Four lunches and dinners at Steak ’n Shake His Olympic coverage extended from 1984 in O’Connell – “Oc” to generations of USBWA restaurants from Michigan to Texas. His description of Los Angeles to 2004 in Athens, Greece. According to members and AP colleagues – has been remembered as an armed robbery at a White Castle restaurant in Queens FIBA, O’Connell held the unofficial record for most much for his storytelling and presence in press rooms became a comedy routine that inspired annual requests. CONTINUED on Page 4 BASKETBALL TIMES The United States Basketball Writers Association 803 Wildview Lane; Manchester, Mo. Temple’s Dunphy epitomizes 63021. Visit us at: www.usbwa.com 314-795-6821; Fax: 314-444-4333 ideals of Dean Smith Award One of the real opportunities for USBWA PRESIDENT – Dave Teel, Newport News Daily members each year is Press; O: 757-247-4636; C: 757-897-2049; to witness the honoring Joe Mitch [email protected] of individuals for their FIRST VICE PRESIDENT – Mike Waters, service to the USBWA and to college basketball. USBWA Syracuse Post-Standard; C: 315-416-6031; Many of the awards [email protected] are presented at the men’s Executive Director SECOND VICE PRESIDENT – Seth Davis, The and women’s Final Four. Fieldhouse/CBS; C: 917-225-5788; They are given not just to [email protected] members but also to others THIRD VICE PRESIDENT – Shannon Ryan, in college basketball such as athletics directors, coaches, honor.” sports information directors and players. Dunphy entered his 30th season as a head coach this Chicago Tribune; 312-451-7692; Counting the hardware for player of the year, coach year, and 13th at Temple, compiling 557 career victories. [email protected] of the year and freshman of the year for men and women, He has guided his teams at Penn and Temple to 17 20- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Joe Mitch, the USBWA hands out 13 awards each year. Since I’ve win seasons, 16 NCAA tournament appearances and 14 H: 636-227-9113; C: 314-795-6821; been involved in the organization for the last 39 years, conference championships. [email protected] I’ve seen how much these awards mean to people. But it his tireless devotion to the national Coaches BOARD MEMBERS There’s usually not a dry eye in the house during the vs. Cancer charity over the past 23 years that has USBWA’s honors functions at either Final Four. earned him as much respect nationally as the number of DISTRICT I – Gavin Keefe, New London Day; C: The USBWA’s newest award is named in honor of championships and games he’s won in basketball. 401-527-8625; [email protected] the late legendary North Carolina coach Dean Smith. “Fran’s record as a coach speaks for itself, but it DISTRICT II – Joe Juliano, Philadelphia Inquirer; Past president and Hall of Fame member John doesn’t begin to make clear the lives he’s touched and C: 215-932-7413; [email protected] Feinstein created the award honoring Smith. It is given the remarkable work he’s done for charity,” Feinstein DISTRICT III – Luke DeCock, Raleigh News & annually to an individual in college basketball who said. “I know Coach Smith would applaud – no, cheer – Observer; C: 919-812-7195; embodies the spirit and values of Smith. Coaches are the USBWA for giving the award named for him to Fran recognized for their principles of honesty and integrity, Dunphy.” [email protected] for treating all people with courtesy and respect, for Dunphy currently is co-chair of the Philly 6 Coaches DISTRICT IV – Jeff Greer, The Athletic; accomplishments off the court and for the impact they have vs.