DICK'S TIDBITS | Dec. 12

Louisville coach Rick Pitino is doing something special to honor his late brother-in-law, Billy Minardi, who died in last year's tragic 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.

How close were the two? Pitino and Minardi spoke on the phone every day since their friendship began on Long Island.

	Pitino

Pitino's Cardinals will host a tournament now known as the Billy Minardi Classic on Dec. 17-18. Louisville will open against Eastern Kentucky, while Manhattan faces Wright State in the other first-round game (featuring two former counselors from the Five-Star camp, up-and-coming coaches Bobby Gonzalez and Ed Schilling).

Pitino's first coaching opportunity was at Five-Star when he came from Massachusetts. Louisville is scheduled to get back Marvin Stone for the second night of the Minardi Classic (he'll regain his eligibility).

SUPER MARIO RETURNS
The Mississippi State Bulldogs got some great news this week -- junior forward Mario Austin has been cleared to play! Questions had been raised about his eligibility, and the NCAA investigated whether an error had been made by allowing him to play initially as a freshman. But it became clear that Austin has progressed academically and has met his necessary requirements as a college student.

Good sense was utilized in not taking away a year of his eligibility. It's good news for Austin and Mississippi State, but not for the opposition. He brings a special talent, with the ability to score inside and outside, and his presence should push the Bulldogs into serious-contender status in the SEC.

Austin's first test will come against All-Rolls Royce center David West and Xavier on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

NINE AT HALF DIDN'T MATTER
Wow, a top-10 team scoring nine points in the first half and still winning the basketball game! How amazing was that -- I was absolutely stunned! That's right, Connecticut trailed Massachusetts 30-9 at halftime Tuesday night.

Would you have wanted to be in Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun's locker room at intermission of that game? Would you have wanted to hear that motivational speech after shooting 4-of-26 from the field? Just four field goals in 20 minutes, baby!

But when all was said and done, Connecticut used it as a growing experience. Pity UMass coach Steve Lappas. He must have been devastated after the Minutemen built a 34-9 lead early in the second half, only to watch it slip away. UConn outscored UMass 50-18 in the second half to win 59-48.

FIND FOR FIGHTING IRISH
Torin Francis has been a find for Notre Dame early this season. Plenty of diaper dandies have contributed early, guys like Carmelo Anthony, J.J. Redick, Rashad McCants, Sean May and more.

How about some love for Mr. Francis?

He had two solid performances in wins over Maryland (20 points, eight rebounds) and Texas (21 points, 10 rebounds). His play has been a major factor why the Irish haven't missed Ryan Humphrey on the interior. Francis is doing some special things for the Irish.

HOT STARTS
Two teams that haven't received much publicity are DePaul and Saint Joseph's. I know the Blue Demons haven't played many outstanding teams, but their new coach, Dave Leitao, has put a positive stamp on the program after coming from Jim Calhoun's Connecticut staff. DePaul (4-0) is already off to its best start since 1990-91.

Leitao has his kids hustling and scrapping. If Mr. Leitao wants to make some big news, all his team has to do is beat Notre Dame in South Bend on Saturday.

Coach Phil Martelli's Hawks have Jameer Nelson, one of the best point guards in America. Martelli sings Nelson's praises, and maybe it isn't coaching hype. Saint Joseph's (6-0) is off to its best start since 1980-81. The Hawks posted a huge 85-58 win in their season opener over Boston College.

GEORGIA ON MY MIND
Georgia coach Jim Harrick has had a crazy start to this season. Think about some of his recent close calls.

The Bulldogs lost to Minnesota on a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Georgia came back and rallied from a four-point deficit with 11 seconds left to edge Colorado. Then Jarvis Hayes and company rallied to beat California in Anaheim.