Monday, April 2, 2001
[AT THE FINAL FOUR]
Editor's note: University of Hawaii basketball coaches Riley Wallace, Bob Nash and Scott Rigot were at the Final Four in Minneapolis. They agreed to provide the Star-Bulletin with their insights from one of the biggest spectacles in sports. Togetherness
goes a long way
for Blue DevilsRiley Wallace
Today, Wallace reflects on Duke's victory over Arizona in last night's championship game:
"I thought it was a great game. When (Mike) Dunleavy got hot, it made the difference. Duke is a team that once they're up on you late they're awfully hard to beat because they won't make mistakes. They're a very smart team. When Dunleavy hit that first 3-pointer, they got him the ball the next two times down the court and he got hot. I know his dad (Mike Dunleavy Sr.) a little bit from the Lakers. He's a quiet guy, but I'm sure he's proud.
"Duke won not only because of their talent, but because they're a tight unit. They don't shoot bad shots. They're patient.
"This will help us reinforce what we've already drilled into our guys this year, that togetherness goes a long way.
"Then again, Duke's got all that talent. But everybody feels if they can recruit a couple of good guys and get everyone to play together they can get to that next level that Duke is at.
"When you've got Shane Battier and Jason Williams, it's easy, because they do the right thing.
"I never say a kid should or shouldn't come out (for the draft). But I would guess Williams might, unless he's into the great education that Duke has to offer. The riches will be hard to turn down.
"If he does leave, (Chris) Duhon could be the best guard in the country. They've got super talent to go with super coaching, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them here again next year."