j r The Daily Utah Chronicle Wednesday, November 14, 1990 Page Fourteen - Sports Runnin' Utes meet Belgians Nugget's Westhead has a very red face By Loren Jorgensen Chronicle Sports Editor After its first exhibition game last week against Athletes in Action, the Runnin' Ute basketball team found out it had a few areas it needed to work on. Areas like outside shooting, Who is the most embarrassed man in professional basketball? Yes, it's the same man who was one of the proudest men in college basketball a year ago as his upstart squad, with its fast, break-nec- k style, almost took the NCAA title in amazing fashion. The man is Paul Westhead, f defensive rebounding, offensive rebounding, ballhandling, attacking a zone, transition defense . . . Well, you get the picture. Loyola-Maramou- the new coach of the Denver after his team lost 74-6- 6 top-calib- Denver's new d management and coach Doug Moe had their problems this summer, the Nuggets hired Westhead to help When to Athletes in Action. "But I'm not pushing the panic button yet," Majerus said. "I've said all along that it will take some time to rebuild this program." While Majerus' goal of building a team at the U. may be a couple of years away, tonight the Utes will get a chance to show if much they've improved in the past week. Utah will play the second of its two exhibition games, this time against a Belgium all-stteam. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 in the Huntsman Center. Utah's opponent is from Gent, Belgium, but two of its better players are from the United States. Butch Wade, a forward, played collegiate ball at Michigan, where he was named Academic All-Bi- g Carl 10. High-scorin- g a forward, played Henry, his college ball at Kansas and was an All-Bi- g Eight selection and the league's top scorer. Henry led all scorers in a game Monday night, with 34 points, but the Belgian team lost to Southern Utah State in Cedar City, 93-7anyway. In the loss to Athletes in Action, the Utes were led by junior forward Josh Grant. Grant, a forward, netted 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. free-spirite- Nugget fans forget the successful Moe, who's made the playoffs consistently. Moe ran a er "We'll have the fastest-pace- d game in basketball. It's going to knock your socks off. If you wear a neck brace, you won't last through any of our games." Unfortunately for the Nuggets, their fans haven't lasted through many of their games, while all six of their opponents have won handily. At the Denver-Seattl- e game I saw last Friday, the announced attendance of 10,162 fans consisted of only about 6,000 folks in the arena. And those fans llt ilia? -- ?f it- - iljL, Utah's M'Kay McGrath goes up for a jumper against Athletes in Action last week. The Utes will play the second of two exhibition games this team from season tonight in the Huntsman Center against an all-star 7, a redshirt sophomore, had a nice showing in his first game as a Ute, scoring 12 points on six of seven shooting and dishing out 10 assists. Guard Byron Wilson was the only other Ute to notch double figures in scoring, with 11 points. "I thought Jost Grant played hard against Athletes in Action and looked much better," Majerus said. "I also was pleased with some of the things I saw in Tyrone Tate and I think eventually he is going to be a good backcourt player." Majerus will likely start the offense leaders, but Westhead before the season promised even more. 0 same lineup he went with against AIA, with one exception Jimmy Soto is slated to start in the place of Wilson in the backcourt. Larry Cain is the probable starter at center with Grant and junior college transfer M'Kay McGrath the forwards. Walter Watts, Utah's starting a year ago, should see much action, along with junior center college guard. Anthony Williams. Soto, a sophomore from Salt Lake City's Judge High, didn't play in the Athletes in Action game, as Majerus was considering redshirting him. The second-yea- r Ute coach has since changed his mind, an Soto probably won't redshirt this season. One problem that has hampered the Utes thus far is injuries. Paul Afeaki, Craig Rydalch, Wilson and Phil Dixon have missed a great deal of practice due to injuries. "We are behind where I would like to be at this point because of the injuries," Majerus said. Runnin' Ute notes: The regular season will get underway Nov. 24 when Cal Davis comes to town to play the Utes. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. . . . Majerus will team-u- p with Utah Jazz all-stpoint guard John Stockton to put on a basketball skill development clinic Tuesday from 9 p.m. in the Huntsman Center. Cost of the event is $3 per person with all proceeds going to the ar 7-- Marriott Library. For more information call the basketball office at 581-545- were sarcastic. When the Nuggets surrendered about five dunks and layups in a row in the second quarter, the fans started chanting, "Moe! Moe! Moe!" On one timeout in the first half, the crowd boisterously booed its team. But that was the last time. After that, each time the Nuggets or the Sonics called time, ten floozies in black tights ran onto the court and began to gyrate before the crowd had a chance to boo. The Nugget Dancers, who were close nowhere l Chronicle Assistant Sports Editor rebounds and blocked shots per game and darn near leads the league in those categories. But Rasmussen definitely is tops in the NBA in the unofficial statistic of getting dunked upon. Ball after ball has bounced off Blair's head as he's futilely tried to turn away relentless streams of k dunks. Denver Post columnist Woody Paige, the same guy who said the Jazz didn't have heart a few years ago, says Blair should wear a helmet and a chest protector. Blair's plight is symbolic of why Westhead's program is riot fast-brea- wide-ope- n and Denver has always been among the league team scoring ar Point guard Tyrone Tate, and his face is red. Nuggets "We have a lot of work to do," Ute coach Rick Majerus admitted KM nt Matthew Coles to being their in steps, were synchronized the highlight of the night and kept the crowd in control. That's unless you don't count the Red Blair. I mentioned that Westhead's face was red at the 6 start, but center Blair Rasmussen's whole body is red. Blair shouldn't be embarrassed. He has career numbers in 0-- working. Rasmussen, though he's a handsome man, looks awkward just walking down the street. Now put him in a game where he's to attempting block over 100 of his opponents' shots awkward seven-foot- er BYU-Uta- those challenge studentsfansgamblers h, University out there to experience an equally thrilling practice betting on the wacky world of the NFL. Want to try a new high? Imagine experiencing the draining, sickening, mind numbing, blood curdling, magraine causing, paranoia inducing, slightly psychotic feeling of wagering your much-neede- d, hard-earne- d wages on the unpredictable world of professional sports. To make your nerves a little bit more wired, try betting sums of money equivalent to, say, your car payment or light bill. Editor's note: The Chronicle sports staff would like to reiterate its stance on the nation's new number one pastime (forget baseball) gambling. Wagering, on the outcome of sporting events as well as the number of alcohol-relate- d beverages one can consume in a 30 minute period, is by law, illegal in the Land of Zion. We neither promote, condone or encourage anyone, especially young children (they're our future, you know) to become involved with gambling unless, of course, it's done town of in the classy, Wendover, Nevada. Experience the clean air, friendly, defense and you get a three-pointe- r, "Coop!" In Denver, there's a different call. After Rasmussen grabs a strong rebound and then haplessly watches the ball deflect out of his hands and the out-of-boun- crowd at McNichols Arena groans, "Oh, Blair!" When he does something well, the fans politely clap. The joke around Denver is: "Which team will win five games first, the Nuggets or the Broncos?" The answer: "Neither." .Before Phoenix scored a record 107 points in one half on the Nuggets, Westhead said, "It's coming. The system will work. Our pride isn't destroyed." I don't know if it was the strain of coaching, but as Westhead left the court for the locker room in Phoenix his face was red and so was Blair's body. 1. NFL PICKS one-of-a-ki- nd accommodating town folk and the luxurious casinos, from the Red Garter to the cozy Hideaway, and you'll know why Wendover is fast becoming known as the new lifestyle for the rich and famous. New Orleans (5-at Washington (5-Line: Washington by 5 12. The Redskins have not yet become as awful as the D.C. Bullets, but 4) 4) suddenly they're only mediocre. Washington's top two quarterback's are out and the Saints are starting to march towards a wild card spot. Saints 23, Redskins 21. New England (1-at Buffalo (8-Line: Buffalo by 14 12. The Patriots' eyes are on the future not this week, mind you. but rather Dan McGwire, 8) 1) Raghib Ismail, etc. In my Pick-Next-Ye- ar game, Bills 40, Patriots 3. Detroit ) at New York Giants (9-Line: N.Y. by 13. They say that (3-6- 0) former labor union leader Jimmy full-cou- rt clumsy Blair, which is why poor Rasmussen is so maligned by the Denver fans and media. When Michael Cooper with the Lakers would hit a the fans would collectively call, Experience a new high: wager on the wacky It's a week of Michael Jordan, high school playoffs and three events that are sure to offer plenty of excitement. Fine, but if you're unable to attend any of those happenings, I Add an and a Sunday at Arrowhead. Derrick Thomas, Mr. Sack Man, will cause havoc all day for Billy Joe(l) "The Piano Man".Tolliver. Chiefs 16, Chargers 7. Houston at Cleveland (2-) Line: Houston by 3 12. Carson watch update: Cleveland's Bud is gone, but T.V.'s Johnny is still heeerrrrreeee! Will a Browns team that's Bud lite come back this week? No. Oilers 24, Browns 17. (4-5- by Ty Bronicel Chronicle Sports Writer Hoffa is buried under the endzone of New York's Meadowlands Stadium. After Sunday, the Lions could find themselves there too. Detroit doesn't stand even Hoffa chance. Giants 31, Lions 13. Philadelphia (5-- at Atlanta (3-Line: Philadelphia by 1. The Battle of the Birds could easily turn into the Battle of the Words considering the charming demeanor of these two mouthy teams. The vogue term in the NFL these days is 'smash-mout- h football' and I'd like to try it out on both team's head coaches. Falcons 28, Eagles 24. San Diego (5-- at Kansas City (5-Line: Kansas City by 4. Coming off d loss to the a devastating K.C. and San last Seahawks week, do a gig Band will Sunshine Diego's 4) 5) last-secon- 6) 4) 7) at Seattle (4-12. Your guess, I assure you, is as good as mine. Minnesota (3-- 6) 5) Line: Seattle by 3 Vikings 30, Seahawks 23. at Denver Chicago (8-1) (3-- Line: 12. The Bears have Chicago by at Mile High, had trouble always while the Broncos look like they're playing that way. Are these stallion ponies stoned or what? On Sunday, the Broncos will say no to drugs and say yes to a victory. Broncos 24, Bears 23. Green Bay (4-at Phoenix (2-2 5) 7) Line: Green Bay by 4 12. Like Martin Luther King, Jr., the man whose accomplishments were once again deemed unimportant by Arizona votersbiggots last week, I too have a dream. That the Cardinals NFL and their pathetic fans forever remain losers. Packers 29, Cardinals 16. Dallas (3-- 6) (3-at Los Angeles Rams Line: L.A. by 9 12. Last week's 7) Giant romp (31-7- ) illustrated just how far down the NFL mountain the once mighty Rams have been butted. Rams 34, Cowboys 17. at San Francisco Tampa Bay (4-(9-Line: S.F. by 14. The Bucs are 4 the last four games, having been outscored 119-3The 49ers have won 18 straight games. With that in mind, I like Tampa Bay. not! 49ers 5) 0) 0-- 6. 38, Bucs 20. New York ) at Jets Indianapolis (3-- Line: N.Y. by 2. By (Jeff) George, the Colts could win their second straight game. Colts 28, (4-6- 6) Jets 21. at Cincinnati (5-Pittsburgh (5-Line: Cincinnati by 3. In Sunday's big AFC Central showdown look for the Steelers to get mowed down. Bengals 34, Steelers 21. Monday Night: Los Angeles Raiders (8-at Miami ) Line: Miami by 3 12. Possibly a preview of next January's AFC Championship game. A dandy matchup. Dolphins 24, Raiders 21 (OT). 4) 1) 4) (8-1-