Practice Day in the Big Easy

NEW ORLEANS -- Scenes from Wednesday's open practices, courtesy of SI photographer Bob Rosato: (Bob Rosato/SI) Kentucky was the only team that got standing

NEW ORLEANS -- Scenes from Wednesday's open practices, courtesy of SI photographer Bob Rosato:

(Bob Rosato/SI)

Kentucky was the only team that got standing ovations when it took the floor and when it left the floor. It was the only team, in fact, that had more than a handful of fans in the building. Reserve guard Mark Krebs told me that John Wall (shown above) had been mobbed for autographs even at the team's closed practice at Tulane earlier in the day.

(Bob Rosato/SI)

Sam Houston State coach Bob Marlin showed up in a St. Louis Cardinals batting practice pullover. Is he already contemplating a trip to spring training? That doesn't bode well for a first-round upset.

(Bob Rosato/SI)

Baylor's star center, Ekpe Udoh, was in a good mood on Thursday. He walked up to the photographers' row and said, "Lemme ask you guys a question. Are those seats comfortable?"

The answer from every photographer: No.

(Bob Rosato/SI)

Monarchs