MIAMI, Fla. - There were some strong statements.
“I think UConn is going to win it,” Washington (South Bend, Ind.) senior guard Skylar Diggins said when asked who will win the Women’s Final Four. “UConn is in a league of their own.”
There were some surprising responses.
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“That’s a funny question because I don’t even know whose in it,”Arlington Country Day (Fla.) senior Wally Judge said when asked about the Men’s Final Four, noting that when his future college team Kansas State entered the NIT he “tuned college basketball out.”
And then there was a combination of both.
Like when we asked Dullas (Sugarland, Texas) post player and McDonald’s National Player of the Year Kelsey Bone if she lends a helping hand after knocking someone down.
Bone, a sweetheart of a 6-foot-5, 210-pound bone crusher, knew her response wasn’t PC. She closed her eyes, smiled and gave an emphatic honest answer.
“I don’t,” she said. “Because I put you there for a reason. I want you to know that I put you there for a reason.”
Of course, Bone, who couldn’t be more eloquent or thoughtful, went on to say if she knocks someone down by accident, of course, she’ll throw out a paw.
“But if you get in the way and you get run over. …” Bone said shrugging her shoulders. “You should have moved.”
No mean spirit here folks. Bone was grinning ear-to-ear in a non-intimidating way.
Kelsey Bone accepting Wooten Award
Photo courtesy of Henny Ray Abrams (McDonalds).
Such was my favorite response to my most favorite 90 minutes of the school year – a fun question-and-answer period with the nation’s top basketball players.
This was the McDonald’s All-American Game’s Media Day and 48 of the most physically imposing and talented youth imaginable got to show off their mental and mirthful capacities.
We didn’t hit global warming or the world’s economy, but instead kept it light and largely hoop related.
Their answers on paper are good, but it’s much better in person. We’re talking lots of expressive faces here folks. Wide and twinkle-eyed. Look later today and throughout the rest of the week for the video packages.
For now, here’s a sampling of some of our favorite answers.
If you knock someone down, do you pick them up?
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Xavier Henry, 6-6, 225, Putnam City HS (Okla.): Memphis-bound
“Yes sir. I don’t do any of that scowling or yelling at other people. I’ve always been a happy kid. I love playing the game so there’s no reason to make it bad or seem like I’m mad at it.”
Michael Snaer, 6-5, 200, Rancho Verde HS (Calif.): Florida State
“Yes. You have to show good sportsman ship Instead of just being competitive ball players against each other, you can create a friendship between each other.”
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Renardo Sidney, 6-10, 250, Fairfax HS (Calif.): USC
“I mean, that’s a tough question. If I’m happy that day yes, but if I’m mad at that person and he’s been fouling me I might just leave him there.”
Joslyn Tinkle, 6-3, 190, Big Sky HS (Mont.): Stanford
“I do (nervous laughter). I mean I try to. Kind of depends on the mood or what’s going on.”
Diggins
“I don’t have enemies. Nobody in the opposite color is my enemy at any time. We’re opponents but when the play is over I definitely help them up.”
Who is going to win the Men’s Final Four and why?
Mason Plumlee 6-11, 220, Christ School (N.C.): Duke
“I think UConn. I played with Kemba Walker over the summer and I think he’s going to step up big, especially since they lost their other guard. I think they're too big inside and nobody can compete with them.”
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Peyton Siva, 6-0, 175, Franklin HS (Wash.), Louisville-bound
“Louisville’s not in so I don’t care who wins. But good luck to all those teams that are still in it. I don’t want any Big East team to win it because then I’ll have to hear all next year.”
Snaer
“I’ve got to go with North Carolina man. Or maybe. … Who else is in it? UConn? Whoever wins between those two, that’s who it’s going to be.”
Who is going to win the Women’s Final Four and why?
Bone
“I think UConn is going to be very hard to beat, but if Louisville gets to the championship and they play again it’s very hard to beat a team three times, especially a team that’s on a roll and has momentum (like Louisville).”
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Christina Marinacci, 6-2, 155, Foothill HS (Calif.), USC
“I don’t know. Louisville is looking good. Angel McCoughtry is tearing it up. But then you have UConn that is such a powerhouse. “
Monique Oliver, 6-2, 200, Long Beach Poly (Calif.): USC
“I know everyone is going for UConn. But I’m not going to say that because of what happened last year. “
Look for more questions and answers today and throughout the week.
