Final tourney run for UC seniors  |
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| UC coach Bob Huggins stops senior Tony Bobbitt on his last trip off the floor to share some parting words of encouragement. photos/Andrew Higley | |
March 19, 2004
It’s hard to get the last word with a guy like Tony Bobbitt.
In the words of Coach Bob Huggins, "He never shuts up.”
But that’s just Tony — on the court and off — he exudes
energy and confidence.
In postgame press conferences, UC’s senior mouthpiece often fielded
more questions than Huggins. Quote-hungry reporters flocked to him, and
as long as Tony was hitting clutch shots to win games, his coach would
happily defer.
Bobbitt and the Bearcats had no chance at heroics in their 92-68 second-round
loss to Illinois Sunday, March 21. Score-wise it was UC’s worst
ever NCAA Tournament performance. It was in the waning minutes of that
embarrassing loss, however, that Coach Huggins — after years of
battering Bobbitt’s ears with game-time basketball advice —
truly connected with what Bobbitt called “the best thing he ever
told me.”
The 6-foot-4-inch Daytona, Fla., native was trying to make his way off
the court for the last time as a Bearcat when his coach pulled him back
and mouthed, “T, you don’t have one father; you’ve got
two.”
“That made me feel special,” Bobbitt said. “I had my
ups and downs with Coach Huggs, but once I bought in, it was amazing what
he brought out. I thank the whole program in Cincinnati for what they’ve
done for me. I’ve enjoyed it, and I’m going to miss it. Me
and my little girl are going to come back and cheer the Bearcats on.”
Fans will certainly
miss Bobbitt's smooth outside shot, and many of his highlights will replay
for years. This one, for example: Tied at 77 with East Tennessee State
University in the first round of the tournament Friday, March 19, No.
15 stepped up and drained the game-winning 3-pointer.
Bobbitt was only outscored that game by UC's other outgoing senior guard,
Field Williams, who scored 19, including five 3s.
Williams finished his career as UC’s career leader in 3-point shooting percentage at 40 percent.
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| UC's James White is one of four core sophomores who will return for the Bearcats next year. | Jason Maxiell proves why his face graced the cover of TV Guide during the first week of the NCAA Tournament. |
CLICK
BELOW to revisit
the highlights from UC's postseason:
Illinois downs UC
UC advances to round of 32
President Zimpher helps rally the fans
Front page
Bearcats win C-USA Tournament
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