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A Lesson From SpongeBob

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 29, 2008

Oklahoma State sophomore guard Andrea Riley is accustomed to being sized up and having her skills doubted, especially in a setting like today's NCAA Tournament South Region semifinal against No. 2-seeded LSU at the New Orleans Arena.

But Riley said she learned self-confidence and unshakeable belief from an unlikely source.

SpongeBob Square Pants.

"He's my favorite," said Riley, who averages 23 points per game and has helped the Cowgirls (27-7) go from 0-16 in the Big 12 to the Sweet 16 in just two seasons. "SpongeBob gives me so much joy, especially in his movie."

That's when SpongeBob and Patrick, against all odds, reach Shell City, grab the crown and return to rescue Mr. Krabs.

(Note to adults: You had to be there).

"Some of my teammates say, 'Oh, Andrea, you're such a little kid,' but SpongeBob helped me figure out something important," Riley said. "It doesn't matter how you look or how old you are. You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it."

OSU coach Kurt Budke, who watched Riley put up 45 points (with zero turnovers) against Oklahoma, isn't quarreling.

"Hey, whatever works," Budke said.

TAMPA OR BUST

For two LSU seniors - center Sylvia Fowles (Miami) and guard Erica White (Jacksonville) - along with North Carolina senior forward Erlana Larkins (Riviera Beach), the possibility of a Women's Final Four appearance provides tremendous incentive.

"Our family - all of our family - would be able to experience the Final Four," White said. "And that wasn't necessarily the case in Indianapolis, Boston or Cleveland. We can't look that far ahead. But we want to go there - really bad."

"We can't look past today against Louisville," Larkins said. "If we don't win that one, there's no way we can make it to Tampa."

FOURTH TIME THE CHARM?

North Carolina is a No. 1 seed for the fourth straight season. But in the previous three, it never reached the title game, losing each time to the eventual national champion (2005 to Baylor 72-63 in the region final, 2006 to Maryland 81-70 in the national semifinal and 2007 to Tennessee 56-50 in the national semifinal).

Ouch!

"It has been really frustrating, watching those teams cut down the nets and thinking it could have been us," UNC senior center LaToya Pringle said. "We've been close. We want this to be our time."

CARDS-HEELS: DOUBLE PLAY

Today, the North Carolina and Louisville women meet in the South Region semifinal. Tonight, the North Carolina and Louisville men meet in the East Region final.

"We are very close with our men's team, and they support us, too," Louisville forward Angel McCoughtry said. "We just hope we can make history by both beating North Carolina."

In a day-night doubleheader, no less.

Joey Johnston

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