The blue T-shirt was pulled up to his hairline — covering watery eyes — yet Dedric Lawson still was able to reach blindly under his chair to grab what was needed.
With his right hand, he pulled a brown towel up to his face, wiping away tears.
It was less than a half-hour after Saturday’s 89-75 loss to Auburn in the round of 32, and Lawson showed uncharacteristic emotion while seated in front of his locker. Remember, this a man nicknamed “Smoove” for his always laid-back and even demeanor.
He shifted the towel to his left hand, then grasped as his eyes to dry them, breathing between a few sobs.