Just happened to be standing outside the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center when Oklahoma and Louisville arrived for Sunday’s NCAA tournament game.
Rick Pitino strode off the bus and was walking right at me. I politely said, “Hello, coach.”
He responded, “What’s up, boss?”
That was just the beginning of the spectacle. Junior Terrance Williams appeared in team-issued gear, hat to the back complete with pressed bill. (I prefer a slight bend to the bill and will have to wait for that to come back in style).
Style runs deep in Terrance Williams. He danced his way into the arena, never breaking stride, with some kind of robot-on-steroid moves I wish that I could summon on demand. He stopped to wait for security to screen his teammates and admired himself in the glass doors.
By this time, Jeff Capel and the Sooners had arrived and were enjoying the spectacle as much as me. Williams was jammin’ to “The Boss,” by Rick Ross — making the second time in 45 seconds for the word “boss” to enter my thought process.
Williams plays with the same kind of enthusiasm and style on the floor as off. His stat line against the Sooners was in great contrast to his arena entrance yet equally effective: 7 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. No fouls in 31 minutes. Nothing flashy; all substance.
This Louisville team is not all flash, and it’s not all substance. It’s a great mixture of both. And, it’s one reason why the Cardinals just might run the show that is March Madness. Make way for Pitino and the pinstripes and his under-boss, Terrance Williams.
Louisville is a force to reckon with in the super-tough East regional.
Don’t sweat it OU fans. Logic dictates that both Blake Griffin and Jeff Capel will return for at least one more season.
