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News Nuggets, 04.03.04
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Coach 'K' closes in on tournament milestones

SAN ANTONIO — Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski could assume a place in NCAA tournament history with a win against Connecticut on Saturday.

Krzyzewski has won 64 tournament games, one fewer than North Carolina's Dean Smith.

``You've just got to go about your business,'' he said. ``You're doing the moment, and that's what you owe your guys. If I'm starting to do something on a personal agenda, then I'm not a good coach. It's our agenda. ... By doing that, I've won more than I probably should.''

The Hall of Fame coach is in the Final Four for the 10th time. That ranks third in college basketball history, trailing UCLA's John Wooden with 12 and Smith with 11.

Final Four notebook

ELDER RETURNS: B.J. Elder returned to practice for Georgia Tech on Thursday, a promising sign for the Yellow Jackets' leading scorer.

Elder didn't score last weekend after spraining his right ankle early in the regional semifinals against Nevada. Even so, Georgia Tech won two games at St. Louis, advancing to its first Final Four since 1990.

``He's a little sore, but he's OK,'' school spokesman Mike Stamus said.

Elder wore a protective boot on his foot early in the week, but insisted that it was feeling a lot better and he would definitely play Saturday against Oklahoma State.

After practice, coach Paul Hewitt encouraged his players to check out the sights in San Antonio — including, of course, the Alamo, located near the team's downtown hotel.

``They should see what this whole thing is about,'' Hewitt said. ``We'll give them some time on their own. I trust them.''

LESSONS LEARNED: Duke junior Daniel Ewing is playing in his first Final Four — a little later than expected.

Ewing was a freshman on the Blue Devils' 2001-02 squad that featured Jay Williams, Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy. That talented trio helped lead the Blue Devils to the 2001 NCAA title, and the Blue Devils were a favorite to repeat.

But Indiana upset the Blue Devils 74-73 in the round of 16, ending their season at 31-4. Williams, Boozer and Dunleavy left school early for the NBA, and the Blue Devils lost in the round of 16 in 2003.

``I think we were just a little too relaxed and we let up a lot in the Sweet 16,'' Ewing said of the 2002 team. ``We've learned from it.''

RUPP AWARDS: Saint Joseph's didn't make the Final Four, but the Hawks swept the Rupp awards, announced by the Commonwealth Athletic Club of Kentucky.

Senior guard Jameer Nelson won the Rupp Trophy as the nation's best player after leading the Hawks to an undefeated regular season and into the East Rutherford Regional final.

``This is really a tribute to my team,'' Nelson said. ``I consider myself a better teammate than a player.''

Hawks coach Phil Martelli won the inaugural Rupp Cup.

The awards are named after celebrated Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp, who won 876 games and four national titles with the Wildcats.

COWBOY BROTHERS: Oklahoma State's lineup has a family flair.

Brothers Joey and Stephen Graham transferred to the school two years ago after starting their careers at Central Florida.

Stephen got the first scholarship, while Joey had to wait a year for his. But Joey emerged as a star for the Cowboys, averaging 12.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 26 starts.

Stephen averages 2.8 points, and has played in every game except the regional final win over Saint Joseph's.

C-USA's Bobbitt, Brown to face Globetrotters

Cincinnati's Tony Bobbitt and DePaul’s Andre Brown will be members of a collegiate team that will play in the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star game on Friday in San Antonio in conjunction with the Final Four.

The game will match a group of seniors against the Harlem Globetrotters at 7 p.m. (CST) Friday.

Bobbitt and Brown will be joined on the All-Star team by Kentucky’s Erik Daniels, Georgia's Rashad Wright, Dayton's Keith Waleskowski, Stanford's Matt Lottich, Texas-San Antonio's Leroy Hurd, Temple's David Hawkins, Texas Tech's Andre Emmett and Gonzaga's Cory Violette.

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News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2004 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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