Keep your eyes on the ball...team

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MINNEAPOLIS -- My colleague Chris Foster, dispatched here to chronicle USC’s first- (and second-?) round NCAA tournament games in the Midwest Regional, wondered out loud if he should wander over 100 feet or so and watch the Trojans go through the motions of Thursday’s practice.

My calm, professional, one-word answer: YES!!!!!

The practice floor and media work room here is separated by blue drapes. You can hear everything going from your seat. Nothing much ever happens at these practices anyway. They are more for getting acquainted to the environment of these huge cavernous, NCAA venues.

But every once in a while ...

I’ll never forget the Friday before last year’s Final Four at the Alamodome in San Antonio, when Kansas reserve guard Rodrick Stewart, a transfer from USC, slipped on a wet spot while attempting a practice-ending slam dunk.

Stewart broke his kneecap and missed Kansas’ final two victories en route to the national championship.

I remember rushing to the Kansas locker room and hearing Brandon Rush, Stewart’s teammate, saying ‘I’m heartbroken right now.’

So, reminded about what happened to a former USC player, Foster disappeared behind the blue curtain to watch the current Trojans practice.

Nothing happened.

-- Chris Dufresne