02/07/08: NCAA Basketball – USC Trojans @ Washington Huskies (Pac-10)
Bank of America Arena - Seattle, WA
I knew it would just be a matter of time before I had an off-night with one of these teams. I couldn't locate USC's hotel for the life of me, calling every downtown Seattle and Bellevue hotel I could think of that was feasible (I eventually learned they had stayed somewhere by the airport). My only chance would be after the game at the arena. I got there and saw that a good portion of the Seattle eBay contingent had gathered by the visitors' tunnel inside the arena, which surprised me because I thought they would all be trying to go for Hillary Clinton at her event downtown. I still had to get the entire team; hounding inside the arena is good for me if I've done the hotel before, because then it's more cleanup-style. The downside is players don't have to come back out onto the court. I figured Mayo would come out, but wasn't sure who else, so I went outside where only a few people were waiting, figuring I could just pick off the rest of the team and then hopefully get one or two from Mayo (guessing he would be in a hurry, etc).
It started off well enough; after hearing that I missed Dwight Lewis, I got some of the bench guys to sign my cards followed by USC's other freshman standout, Davon Jefferson. They were cool and asked where I got the cards. Taj Gibson walked out fast but stopped and took care of a couple of my items. Coach Floyd added his auto to my Pac 10 composite photo which is coming along quite nicely. After a few more minutes, O.J. Mayo came out with an arena security guard. He took a kid's black pen and signed a couple per since he was in a hurry. He did my SI in the black (which thankfully was still fresh) and then I asked him to sign my card after he handed back the pen, so I got him on blue but the autograph was more rushed. Then the real head-scratcher... Daniel Hackett was the last one out, surrounded by a red phalanx of assistant coaches/trainers, and they seemed in a hurry. Dan said something like "I can't do it now or I'll get in trouble." Gotta love college A.D.'s sometimes. A few eBay guys came out and said that Mayo racked inside, and that Sonic great Gus Williams was at the game somewhere. So I wasn't sure if I made the right call by going outside, because judging by how late Hackett left, he was probably out on the court for awhile as well.
Overall I guess I can't complain about getting Mayo, but missing Hackett and Lewis was not too fun. Now I have to look forward to Sunday when the Bruins visit.
Rousean Cromwell 1/1 card
Kasey Cunningham - didn't see
Taj Gibson 2/2 card/4x6
(luckydog 1)
Daniel Hackett 0/2 - rushed out by assistant coaches
Davon Jefferson 2/2 card, 4x6
(luckydog 1)
Angelo Johnson 1/1 card
Dwight Lewis - missed
O.J. Mayo - 2/4 SI, card
Keith Wilkinson 1/1 card
Tim Floyd 1/1 coaches 8x10
