Omar Samhan beer night

Those of us that follow college hoops religiously have known the name Omar Samhan for a while.

During this year's NCAA Tournament, Samhan became a household name, and it wasn't just because of the 30 and 10 he dropped in the first two rounds of the big dance.

It was more than just the numbers. Samhan is a chubby, 6'11" dude that slightly resembles Shrek. He also is one of the most outgoing players to ever set foot on a college campus, giving writers around the country quote after quote after quote. Hell, he even interviewed his own teammates for his blog during the Gaels tourney run.

Samhan may be the most hated man in Spokane, but in Moraga, CA, he may be the most loved.

Which brings me to my point -- Omar Samhan drink specials.

That's right.

He got his own drink special.

The owner of McCovey's Restaurant in Walnut Creek, CA, is a St. Mary's alum, and last night he retired Omar Samhan's jersey, as well as Patty Mills'. In honor of the Samhan, McCovey's offered a unique drink special -- if you buy a drink, you got another beer or rail drink for just $.50, Samhan's number.

Now, I don't know what beer prices are like in Walnut Creek, CA, but if this were to occur in a place like DC, or NYC, or LA, where $6 beer night specials are a common occurrence, McCovey's would have been over run with fans of booze, and not necessarily fans of the Gaels.

My biggest question: did Samhan have to pay for his own drinks?