Matthew Kredell broke into the Daily News in 1998, working part time
at the paper while going to USC. The basketball team’s Elite Eight
run in 2000-01 was USC’s athletic highlight in his time at the
school, when the football team was stuck in the Paul Hackett-era.
After graduating in 2001, he started writing for the Daily News full
time. He’s in his second year covering USC, which coincides with the
rise of the program. He’ll take credit for the success, though Tim
Floyd may have more to do with it. A third-generation Los Angelean,
he grew up reading the Daily News while at El Camino Real High School
in Woodland Hills.
Paulette Francis in Spokane for game
Ryan Francis' mother hates to fly. But with Tim Floyd calling to tell her she's part of the Trojans family and they needed her at the team's first NCAA Tournament game in five years, it was hard for her to say no.
``It's special to me that they remember him by keeping in contact,'' Paulette said. ``Most teams, if a tragedy happens, they'll pay respect for a short time but that's it.''
Francis, USC's starting point guard last season, always talked about making the NCAA Tournament. He was killed in a drive-by shooting when he returned home to Baton Rouge, La., for Mothers' Day last May.
``I can see him up there watching and yelling at them,'' Paulette said. `` ` Get your man!' `Hit the floor!' `Play defense!' ''
Paulette said it is difficult for her to watch USC games because she's always looking for Ryan on the floor. She made the trip to Spokane but said she won't go to New Jersey if USC advances to the Sweet 16.
The players feel Ryan remains with them, if only in spirit.
``I got his shirt on right now,'' Lodrick Stewart said Thursday of his undershirt. ``I wore it to warm-ups just so everyone knows that he is here with us and is going to help us get however far is meant to be.
``He's here with us always, so he made it. We still all made it together.''