Omar's Loyalty

"You wouldn't have thought this would be what he would turn out to be," said Bennett, whose Gaels won their first-round game against Richmond on Thursday. "That's why it is a good lesson for young players -- to see how much you can improve if you commit and have a good work ethic."

But it's the loyalty that Bennett had no idea existed within Samhan. Sure, Samhan, who had 29 points and 12 boards in Thursday's win, let himself be coached, prodded and pushed to become a post-up player with soft hands and a sweet touch near the basket. But the passion he exudes for his school is unmatched. So many players have their sights set on the NBA and, understandably, use a college as a steppingstone to a secure financial future. They might be cheering their school, but they aren't as invested as Samhan is at this juncture.