Tournament tidbits: Smith bequeaths $200 to ex-players

Dean Smith is still giving to his North Carolina players — even after his death.

Tim Breedlove , the Charlotte-based trustee of the trust that bears the late coach's name, said letters were sent earlier this month to each of the players who lettered for Smith's Tar Heels teams — about 180 in all.

The letter says Smith directed that following his death, each letterman was to be sent a $200 check with the message "enjoy a dinner out compliments of Coach Dean Smith."

The checks were attached to the letters.

The Hall of Fame coach who died Feb. 7 at age 83 spent 36 seasons with the Tar Heels and retired in 1997 as the winningest men's coach in Division I history with 897 career victories.

N.C. State's Barber is cool with President

N.C. State's Cat Barber says things are square again with President Barack Obama.

Last Saturday night, Barber was caught by TV cameras saying "What … (is) wrong with Barack Obama" to his teammates in the locker room after N.C. State upset top-seeded Villanova to reach the Sweet 16.

Obama had picked Villanova to reach the NCAA Tournament championship game. But the Wolfpack busted the president's bracket with the 71-68 victory.

Barber said it wasn't personal, and the president responded back he understood the comment was made in the heat of the moment.

Coaching carousel

Charlotte officials hope Mark Price's NBA knowledge will pay off at the college level.

School officials introduced Price as their new men's coach. He replaces Alan Major, who left the program after five years.

... Dayton coach Archie Miller got three more years added to his contract after leading the Flyers to a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

The deal lasts through the 2012-22 season. The Flyers are 90-47 in Miller's four seasons.