« 'Horns, Mounties in classic rematch | Main | BC-Villanova is one to watch »

March 24, 2006

Tearful exits for two big stars

AP photo
Gonzaga's Adam Morrison hugs coach Mark Few after
the Zags' stunning loss to UCLA last night.

AP photo
Duke's senior star J.J. Redick is removed from his final game in the last minute
of the Blue Devils' loss to Louisiana State.

Television has always played into the emotions of college kids in the NCAA Tournament, and last night provided the cameras a double dose of sad footage. College basketball's two most heralded stars -- Duke's J.J. Redick and Gonzaga's Adam Morrison -- saw their seasons come to shocking ends within hours. First it was Redick's Blue Devils falling in a big upset to LSU. Then it was Morrison's Bulldogs, blowing a big lead in the second half against UCLA.

For Redick, it was the end of a remarkable career. He leaves as the top scorer in Duke's storied history, a guy who could be impossible to defend when his jump shot was on. But last night, it just wasn't. For Morrison, a 6-foot-8 junior who edged out Redick for the national scoring title, the speculation regarding his future plans begins now. The questions about his ability to make it in the NBA are likely to involve his ability to play defense against professional players. If he ends up returning, then Gonzaga -- long known as the little basketball program that could -- maintains big-time star power for one more year.

Unlike Redick, Morrison had his A game last night, contributing 24 points. In a classy move, UCLA's players helped Morrison, who had collapsed in emotional agony at the end of the game, off the court.

"He has no reason to cry," said Bruins guard Arron Afflalo, according to ESPN. "He's a great player and he's going to have a great career."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:40 AM | Permalink