Imagine this.
Cinderella has been replaced at Valparaiso University by a fun-loving, guitar-playing and country-singing group of players who also know how to play some basketball.
It's not that the Cinderella tag of 1998 has grown old around the school.
It's just that Valparaiso coach Homer Drew wants the 1999 Crusaders, with nine new players, to establish a new identity.
"I don't wear any rings from last year or anything that identifies that team," Drew said. "That team provided enough fellowship for our family to last a lifetime. It was a great time for my wife, my son Scott [a Valparaiso assistant coach] and my son Bryce [who hit the last-second winning shot in a stunning upset of Mississippi].
The Bryce Drew shot was heard around the NCAA tournament world and sent Valparaiso on the way to an unlikely Sweet 16 appearance.
"They say fame is fleeting, but I'm not so sure," Homer Drew said yesterday. "I'm still amazed at all the attention our school continues to get. You do have your moment in time. We were the little engine that could.
"I think we helped to teach America about a school where students care about their grades and can still enjoy a lot of success in sports. They also learned where we were located and how to pronounce our name."
Homer Drew is the first to realize none of that fame will mean a thing Thursday afternoon at 12: 20 in Orlando when his 15th-seeded team (23-8) steps on the court against second-seeded Maryland (26-5) in the first round of the NCAA tournament South Regional.
Drew admitted yesterday that he has no idea how his team will stop Steve Francis.
"I know I'll be watching him in the NBA some time," Drew said. "I haven't seen anybody figure out a way to handle him. If you have any ideas, let me know.
"Sure, I'm concerned about our inexperience in the backcourt going against a great player like Francis and a smart guard like Terrell Stokes. We need to control the tempo and play our style. If we don't, and play their style, it will get ugly."
Valparaiso starts two freshmen in the backcourt, 6-foot-3 point guard Greg Tonagel and 6-4 Milo Stovall.
A third freshman, 6-7 swingman Lubos Barton, also starts and is the team's leading scorer with 14 points a game.
The other starters are 6-11 senior center Zoran Viskovic and 6-10 junior forward Ivan Vujic.
Barton is from the Czech Republic and Viskovic and Vujic are from Croatia.
Viskovic leads the team in rebounding with 6.9 a game and Vujic is next at 6.1.
Barton and Viskovic were chosen to the All-Mid Continent first team.
And what about the singing and guitar playing?
That is the primary role of three reserves on the team, Aaron Thomason, Marty Perry and Ryan Sexson.
The three of them combine to play just 14.1 minutes a game and score 4.9 points, but they have provided countless laughs throughout the season.
"We like to improvise with our singing and guitar playing," said Sexson. "We do a lot of country and other stuff. We do Garth Brooks and we also do imitations of our coaches. Some of the other guys join in the singing."
Sexson plays the guitar and Thomason and Perry sing.
Thomason was asked by Viskovic to sing the nation anthem at a home game and impressed Homer Drew.
"Aaron has a wonderful voice," said Drew. "He really can sing. Some day I believe I'll be seeing those guys in Las Vegas."
But first Drew must see Maryland in Orlando, thanks to a 15th seed he has been growling about for two days.
"I can't tell you all the negatives I feel about being No. 15," said Drew. "I just don't understand it. We beat two good teams in South Carolina and Seton Hall and had an outstanding season."
Next for Terps Opponent: Valparaiso
When: Thursday, 12: 20 p.m.
Where: Orlando (Fla.) Arena TV/Radio: Ch. 13/WBAL (1090 AM)
Seeds: Maryland No. 2, Valparaiso No. 15 in NCAA South Regional
Line: Maryland by 19
Pub Date: 3/09/99