Notes on a Scorecard - March 28, 1995

Arkansas Coach Nolan Richardson says it is tougher to repeat as NCAA basketball champion now than during the UCLA dynasty because it takes six victories instead of four to win the tournament. . . .

Maybe, but it was more difficult to make the smaller tournament field in the 1960s and ‘70s, when John Wooden’s teams won seven titles in a row and 10 of 12. . . .

In fact, Arkansas might not have qualified to defend its title this year under the old rules. . . .

The Razorbacks shared the Southeastern Conference Western Division title with Mississippi State, but had a worse record than Eastern Division winner Kentucky and lost to the Wildcats in the conference tournament championship game. . . .

In 1970-71, USC was 24-2 and ranked fifth in the nation, but didn’t advance to the NCAA tournament because it finished second to UCLA in what was then the Pacific Eight Conference. . . .

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Early defections to the NBA work against the possibility of dynasties, but it should be noted that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton each played only three varsity seasons at UCLA because freshmen were ineligible. . . .

Look for quick-handed Bruin defender Cameron Dollar to get a lot of playing time against Oklahoma State guard Randy Rutherford, who ranks third in the NCAA in successful three-point shots in a single season. . . .

On the days they got eliminated, Kentucky shot 28% and Massachusetts 27.6%. . . .

Semifinal tickets for Saturday traditionally are hotter than those for the championship game Monday because losers leave town. . . . The tournament has been well officiated. . . . Before Arizona was eliminated, again, in the first round, Coach Lute Olson said, “The problem is that you don’t get to go out and play another game and turn your spirits around after you lose a tournament game.� . . .

UCLA recruit Jelani McCoy, a 6-foot-11, 225-pound center from San Diego St. Augustine High, will play in the McDonald’s All-American game Sunday at St. Louis. Also representing California on CBS’ 9:30 a.m. telecast will be Kansas recruit Paul Pierce, a 6-7 swingman from Inglewood. . . .

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The Lakers’ next victory, their 43rd, will match their total during Mike Dunleavy’s last season as coach in 1991-92. . . .

No, the Orlando Magic (35-2) isn’t in contention to set an NBA record for best home record. The champion Boston Celtics were 40-1 during the 1985-86 regular season and 10-0 in the playoffs. . . .

If the New York Knicks aren’t happy with Pat Riley, or vice versa, I’m sure there are a lot of other teams in the league that would like to have Riley’s services. . . .

The NBA ought to have a game-winning basket statistic. . . .

Gary Stevens will try to become the first jockey to win the Santa Anita Handicap and Santa Anita Derby in the same year twice when he rides Larry The Legend on April 8. Of course, Stevens would also be the first jockey to win both races in the same year while commuting from Hong Kong. . . .

ESPN’s Bob Ley is the best investigative sports reporter on television. . . .

Seven golfers earned at least $100,000 in the Players Championship last week. . . .

What makes the Andre Agassi-Pete Sampras rivalry different from so many in the history of tennis is that they like each other. . . .

It’s refreshing to hear the winner and loser trade compliments after a well-played match. . . .

Steve Young will be honored at the ninth annual Magic Johnson Sports Star award dinner and auction, a benefit for the Muscular Dystrophy Assn., on May 18 at the Universal City Hilton. . . .

Frank Reich was a splendid substitute quarterback for the powerful Buffalo Bills, but how he will fare as the probable starter for the expansion Carolina Panthers at 34 is an entirely different matter. . . .

Oscar De La Hoya is getting a kick out of training for his May 6 bout against Rafael Ruelas. De La Hoya is working out at a karate gym in Big Bear while his own gym is being built in the mountain town. . . .

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League will stage more than 50 promotions at the Epicenter this season, my favorite being Kazoo Night on June 30. . . .

If nothing else, the Kings are predictable, losing to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday at the Forum and then beating them Sunday on the road. . . .

Nearly every year during the 1980s, I would run into Jim Harrick and his wife, Sally, at LAX on their way to the Final Four. How wonderful it is that this nice couple will be taking a basketball team with it this year.