1999 Runway to the Fashionable 4

Hofstra’s Jay Wright entered the tournament as the champion of the inaugural Fashionable 4. Tabbed college basketball’s Elvis by then Wagner head coach Tim Capstraw, spent the entire season ranked No. 1 and was the heavily favored to retain his title. None of Wright’s first four opponents proved worthy of his New York style, as he easily advanced to the Fashionable 4. After his first-round win, then Marist coach Dave Magarity said of Wright, “I’m handsome, but Jay is the prettiest guy in college basketball.” Magarity was being beat so soundly by Wright that he didn’t come out for the second half. Wright continued to roll through the competition in the Fashionable 4 although he was tested by Lehigh’s Sal Mentesana in the final. Mentesana used a variety of iron-pressing moves to stay close, but in the end it was not enough to knock off the king. Fashionable Four (Head Coaches): Steve Lavin (UCLA), Sal Mentesana (Lehigh), Willis Wilson (Rice), Jay Wright (Hofstra) Champion Best-Dressed Head Coach: Jay Wright (Hofstra)