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Southern Cal forward Alex Stepheson cheered his former North Carolina teammates as they beat Michigan State for the national title last April. Watching from his California home, he said he knew he was still a part of that team - in spirit, at least.
"I felt like, after talking to the guys the day before, we were still brothers, and we still had that connection, that bond," said Stepheson, who averaged 4.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in his two seasons with the Tar Heels. He watched from his California home. "And even though I wasn't on their team, anymore, I could feel their struggles, their determination, and I was still with them, in a way."
Stepheson, who transferred after the 2007-08 season, said he has no regrets that he wasn't on the court with them when they cut down the nets - even though he had to sit out last season as required by NCAA transfer rules, and even though scandal and a mass exodus has significantly changed the Trojans team with which he'll begin practice Friday.
Stepheson said his father, Art, whose heart problems motivated the transfer, is feeling much better and taking care of himself. And with his campus now a mere 10-minute drive from his parents' house, "I'm able to get a home-cooked meal about every other day."
Stepheson said it was hard sitting out all year, but it gave him the opportunity to work on his whole game.
"I've been working hard on post moves, my 15-foot jump shot, I've gained about 15 pounds ... This year, I should have more of an offensive game, as well as playing better on defense."
Stepheson said he was never given an explanation as to why he wasn't granted an NCAA waiver to play immediately - unlike former Duke guard Elliot Williams, who got permission to play at Memphis this season after transferring this summer to be closer to his ailing mother.
"But I wasn't bummed, I wasn't upset. I knew it was a possibility,'' Stepheson said.
He also has taken a positive attitude as he has watched three of last year's Southern Cal starters - forward DeMar DeRozan, center Taj Gibson and guard Daniel Hackett - turn pro early, while coach Tim Floyd resigned in wake of a report that he had paid handlers of former guard O.J. Mayo.
Kevin O'Neill has since been hired to coach what's left of the team that lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season. The Trojans likely will be predicted to finish in the bottom half of the Pac-10.
"Through all of it, I've known that I can only control what I do,'' Stepheson said. "I know everyone here is still working hard, trying to take advantage of opportunities ... and we'll try to prove that we're still a really good team. We're not that experienced, and we'll go through some challenges, but I'm excited about the possibilities."
He's got a good shot for a starting role - something he didn't have when he left UNC. And watching his old team grab the national title has only whet his appetite.
"Watching them win that game just makes me more hungry,'' said Stepheson, adding what he misses most about Carolina is the barbecue, as well as the fans. "I can't wait to get back on the court, back in games, and win again, too."
Beyond Barnes
If Harrison Barnes, the top-ranked small forward recruit for 2010, chooses Duke or North Carolina, there's little doubt the team could make a national-title push. That's why Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams both traveled to Ames, Iowa, on Monday night for in-home visits.
But if the 6-foot-6 phenom picks Kansas, Oklahoma, UCLA or Iowa State, that won't put either Triangle school out of the hunt for a championship. Both Duke and UNC still have other major prospects.
The Blue Devils are still looking to officially land Kyrie Irving, a Jason-Williams-type point guard from New Jersey who is considered the No. 6 overall prospect by scout.com. They're also wooing Class of 2011 guard Austin Rivers, who has reportedly backed off his oral commitment to Florida. In addition, Duke has commitments from Virginia's Josh Hairston, ranked the No. 10 power forward prospect by scout.com, and Washington D.C.'s Tyler Thornton, the No. 20 point guard, for 2010.
UNC, which boasts one of the top incoming freshman classes this season, also has commitments from Kinston's Reggie Bullock, who is considered by scout.com to be the second-best shooting guard prospect, and Virginia's Kendall Marshall, ranked the fifth-best point guard in the 2010 class.
So while Barnes isn't the be-all end-all for either program - especially if he only stays in school a year or two - he could be a "win-all" puzzle piece. Especially at Duke, which has struggled to sign its top recruiting choices and hasn't made it to the Final Four since 2004. In that time frame, UNC has been to three Final Fours and claimed two national titles.
"You put Irving - who is maybe another Jason Williams, and an awfully good scoring point guard - you put him out there with Barnes and the other Duke guys, and it's easy to see how they could win national championships ," said PrepStars recruiting analyst Brick Oettinger, who called Barns the best high school forward prospect since LeBron James. "If you only have Irving and you don't have Barnes - especially if Barnes goes to Carolina, with what Carolina has, then you'd have to say Carolina has a better shot. It makes a huge difference where he goes between those two schools."
If he goes to either one.
Jersey retirements
North Carolina four-time All-America Tyler Hansbrough was already scheduled to have his jersey retired, and former teammate Ty Lawson, a first-team All-America, was already set to have his jersey honored.
But two additional jerseys -- those of Wayne Ellington and Donald Williams - will soon be hung in the Smith Center rafters, as well.
North Carolina officials recently decided to add "Final Four Most Outstanding Player" and "ACC Player of the Year" to the qualifications that allow numbers to be honored. Formerly, a player had to be a first- or second-team All-America, an Olympic gold medalist, or MVP of a national championship team (as voted on by the squad).
Ellington was the Most Outstanding Player of North Carolina's national title team last April; Williams was MOP in 1993.
Dates have not been set for the jersey-raising ceremonies.
Another tipoff
Duke's Krzyzewski, N.C. State's Sidney Lowe, UNC's Williams and N.C. Central's LeVelle Moton will take part in the inaugural Triangle Tip-Off Luncheon, sponsored by the Triangle Sports Commission on Oct. 29.
From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Durham's Sheraton Imperial Hotel, the four coaches will be on hand to speak in a moderated Q&A format.
Proceeds from the luncheon will go to local charities, including the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Emily Krzyzewski Center, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the N.C. Amateur Sports Foundation and the Triangle Sports Commission.
Staff writer Ken Tysiac contributed to this report.
