Cast adrift, Newbill thrives at S. Miss.

Marquette coach Buzz Williams has used this week to appear on countless television outlets in praise of his underdog NCAA tournament team. All the while, Strawberry Mansion product D.J. Newbill has been heading to class and hitting the gym in Hattiesburg, Miss.

When 11th-seeded Marquette faces second-seeded North Carolina in Friday's East Regional semifinals in Newark, N.J., Newbill will be tuned in. The Southern Mississippi freshman will try to avoid contemplation, but it will be difficult.

"I'll always think about what could have happened," Newbill said Thursday in a phone interview. "I watch them play all the time."

One wonders if Marquette watched Newbill play this past season. Starting all 32 games at Southern Miss, the former Marquette recruit was third on the team in points (9.2 per game) and second in rebounds (6.2) as the other Golden Eagles went 22-10.

It's a sordid tale, what occurred between Newbill and Williams.

In April of last year, Newbill signed his national letter of intent, a legal contract, to play for Marquette. The 6-foot-4 combo guard from 33d and Cumberland was leaving North Philadelphia and heading to Milwaukee.

Just three months later, however, Newbill learned that his services were no longer needed. In late June, Marquette released Newbill from his commitment. Williams told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "Through a culmination of several things, we have decided to give D.J. Newbill his release."

A phone call from a Marquette assistant coach to Newbill's high school coach, Stan Laws, broke the news.

"They told me I still had to fill out the [entrance] application, but I feel there was more to it than that," Newbill said. "I think it was [Marquette] trying to find a reason to let me go."

Coincidently, Marquette signed Oregon transfer Jamil Wilson, a former top-100 recruit, immediately after tearing up Newbill's letter of intent.

"I haven't spoken to Coach Buzz since everything happened, so I don't know what he was thinking or the reason why he did it," Newbill said. "Basketball is a business. He made a business decision for his basketball team."

After being released by Marquette, Newbill was a ghost ship. Most of his previous suitors didn't have an available scholarship. Newbill settled on Southern Miss of Conference USA, a far cry from the mighty Big East.

"All this made me a stronger person and a better player," said Newbill, a Conference USA all-rookie team selection. "Adversity builds character. It made me want to work harder to prove that I could have been there and played at that level."

Added Southern Miss coach Larry Eustachy, "I don't know if I've ever had a freshman that has all the qualities he has. Not just as a player - and he's the best freshman I've ever had - but more so as a person and a leader."

Newbill said time has extinguished lingering bitterness between himself and Marquette. He'll watch the Sweet 16 Friday, and next year he will start at point guard for his Golden Eagles.

"I can't dwell on the past," Newbill said. "I've got to make sure I focus on what's in front of me right now."