**10:45 p.m.: SAN ANTONIO, Texas -** This will be the one and only post for the day. Tomorrow we’ll get into the marathon-style stuff, as that’s when the interviews and mayhem begins…But, man, if you’re coming down to San Antonio this weekend and plan to spend any time on the Riverwalk, expect to feel completely out of place if you’re 6-foot-7 or shorter (Plus, I figured it’d be less humid than when we were last here in July – I was wrong, so be prepared).Everyone who is everyone in the world of college basketball is here this weekend. Aside from just about every hoops coach in NCAA land taking advantage of their tickets to the Final Four, there is also the NABC (Nationall Association of Basketball Coaches) convention taking place.**Spotted already today…**-Kansas State coach Frank Martin (on our flights down)-Michael Beasley’s mother, Fatima (we actually passed her on I-70 heading to the airport. She has one of my favorite license plates I’ve ever seen: ‘MA B EZ’)-Southern Illinois coach Chris Lowery (also on our flights…but not donning any SIU garb)-Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl (outside the hotel with his family, rockin’ the orange tie)-Texas A&M coach Mark Turgeon (on the Riverwalk with some dude who I couldn’t identify)-Michigan State coach Tom Izzo (at the 3-point/Dunk competition)There were also several coaches from schools of which I’ve never heard of. The 3-point/Dunk competition was a star-studded gala. That said, lets introduce a photo gallery which will be updated all weekend. I’m taking paparazzi photos with my trusty BlackBerry all weekend, and sharing them with you. [Here’s the link][1]. Please, no comments on the photography skills. I know they’re atrocious. Jared Soares and Nick Krug would both slap their foreheads in disgust…**But at the competitions tonight, there was a chance to catch up with [J.R. Giddens][2] and [David Padgett][3].**Giddens was taking part in his first dunk contest since the one he competed in at the 2003 McDonalds’ All-American game (remember, the one he got hosed in because LeBron got the hometown points?).The former KU guard (now also a former New Mexico guard, who blew apart the Mountain West conference this season) lasted until the semifinals of the showcase, ultimately won by Arkansas’ Sonny Weems.Afterwards, here’s what he had to say…**_On competing in a dunk contest for the first time since ’03:_** “I think my slam dunk contest days are done. I’m more of a ball player now, man. I don’t practice dunks anymore as y’all could see. I had a lot of fun today. I wouldn’t take it back for the world.”**_On his time so far in San Antonio:_** “I might have to reschedule my plane ticket, because I don’t want to go back Friday now, man. I’m having too much fun … I’ve seen a couple KU fans, and the ones I’ve seen have shown me love so far, thank the Lord.”**_On whether he still follows KU basketball:_** “Of course, it’s kinda hard not to follow when they play on ESPN every day.”**_When asked why KU has a chance to win it all … :_** “Because they have Darnell Jackson, and he’s from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Darnell Jackson’s my favorite college player.”**_On looking back at his now-completed college career:_** “I’ve had a lot of fun, played for three different coaches, played in two phenomenal buildings – Allen Fieldhouse and The Pit – and I couldn’t ask for a better career. I feel like I had a lot of growth and maturing. Went from a shooter to an all-around player, and that was the whole goal, just to try to get better, be a team leader, be a team captain, and just have fun playing basketball. I’ve never had so much fun playing basketball as I had this year playing for the Lobos.”**_On whether he’s pulling for KU in the Final Four:_** “I’m pulling for KU a little bit. I’m trying not to show too much favoritism since I used to play there, but they’ve got that Jackson kid, and I love him to death.”**_On his pro prospects:_** “I don’t know. DraftExpress, NBADraft.com, you really can’t go off anything until that day. So all I can do is just bust my butt and put myself in the best position to be successful and get drafted at the highest possible position, that’s all I can do. I’m a ball player, I can’t worry about what people say, all I can do is go out from there and work on my game, and make sure that when I do go out for a workout I’m in tip-top shape.”Then there was a chance to catch up with Padgett, whose season with Louisville ended last Saturday night with a loss in the Elite Eight to KU’s next foe – North Carolina. He’s in town to take part in the NABC All-Star game, featuring collegiate seniors, Friday afternoon. He said he’s not pulling either way in the KU-UNC game, but is simply gonna watch as a fan. Here’s some words from DP…**_On how to defend Tyler Hansbrough:_** “I think the best defense you can play is just to try to not let him get the ball. He works so hard and he’s such a good player that he’s gonna score, so you’ve got to work as hard as he does.”**_On looking back at his college career:_** “I have no regrets. I had a great career. Playing in I guess my last college game tomorrow and hopefully I can make the next level work out.”**_When asked why KU can win it all … :_** “They just have so many guys. It seems like they just have a lot of guys who can score, and they have a different weapon every night, so it helps when you have depth like that.”**_On seeing J.R. for the first time in a ‘couple of years’. The two talked briefly and man-hugged before the dunk competition:_** “That was the first time I’ve seen him in a couple years. I’ve been following him pretty closely. I know he had a good couple of years out there and it was good to see him again.”Both are still to this day good guys with the media, so best of luck to both of them in their future endeavors.That’s it for this evening. Gonna go see what I can get myself into on the Riverwalk. I’ll be talking to you periodically throughout the zoo tomorrow over at the Alamodome. Peace.[NCAA Home Page][4] [1]:
[2]: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/players/33772 [3]: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/players/33774 [4]: http://www.ncaasports.com
