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Show The dlt Lake Tribune. Tbur d j Jjnu.m J,. v G7 I'i'3 Roberts Heart Remains in Coaching a Season Alter Dixies Title r. llusinossman Neil Roberts still talks like ketball coach a Although he's not bitter ' good choice. Roberts sas lu't spring after Guess why , Huberts. who guided Dixie College to a 'ii.il championship last March, stepped season and now ,,m')c after the Rebels 35-r,s a sporting goods store in St George s called Rebel Sports surprise Huberts' heart, however, remains in coach g You can tell when you visit with him There are parts of it coaching I miss and Roberts said Wednesday pets I don't miss." !ter ltj years. I miss the excitement. Its a .! of fun to be around the kids That's the part most I miss being around my players " e.i'-bus rides Then, there are the it.share of problems with the And Lewis probably tsn t the greatest bench coach around Remember, he took five teams to the Final Four and never won an more than .i junior college." Roberts laughed, "you pend your whole life on a bus. don't miss hose trips. Here to Rexburg Idaho). Here to phoenix. Here to California. That's l.;"-Still, it took a disappointing turn of events t j get Roberts out of coaching everybody." he said, "has certain goals, d'rlairi aspirations. Sometimes you reach tin m. Sometimes you don't. 1 reached one goal Dixie's national championship, but I didn't reach a personal goal ... a chance to roach at a major school." Huberts, you recall, talked to BYU about its reaching vacancy three years ago. Last year, lie was a finalist at Weber State, which gave its job to Larrv Farmer In 1 i y 'Auuld mji h again'' tie said repeating the question Well, so far there hjsnt been anybody standing in line outside my door Hut, yes. I probably would If the situation w as right, if it as at the right place. I could see myself " get'tng back into it Ir'il then, though, Roberts will run his successful sporting goods business and wonder when - or if his major college opportunity will come Tito and Guy: Talk about irony The same day Guy Lewis announces his retirement as the coach at Houston, nomadic Tito Horford enrolls at Miami Although Lewis denied "the Tito thing" had anything to do with his decision to step aside you've gotta wonder. center who Horford, you recall, is the originally signed to play at Houston. But the Cougars apparently broke several NCAA rules while recruiting the highly-touteHor d NCAA chamtuonship But Lew is also did something far more important than winning a national title He was one of the first mu jot college couches to re eruit bluek players ford. ,ind it subsequently ruled that Tito eouldn t pLy at Houston Sn he wont to LSI', where Couch Dale Brown booted him off the squad for missing several practices After that, Horford wanted to enroll at Coach Eddie Sutton said. "No Kentucky thanks " Louisville's Denny Crum and ITLA's Walt Hazzard also told Tito that he wasn't welcome at their respective schools In this age of that isn't the greeting a blue-chirecruit expects. Finally, though, Miami Coach Bill Foster deride J to take a chance on Horford. who enrolled in school Tuesday If you're Foster, you can only hope Tito is worth the gamble. If you're Guy Lewis, you say good bve And. realiv, that s too b ad Sure. Lewis' program ;t .uuston has had p . Morgan Returns: Frank Arnold's first rt one-tim- e leust teinpor.ini, Quote worthy: Couch lion Ifuskin.s recent recalled his decision in 1969 to ucrept the head coaching job at Detroit T wo days later, however. Haskins balked und returned to Texus-F- l Paso, where he's lived happily ever after "I found out what real life was like at that first press conference at Detroit) Talk about a country boy going to the big city " They ate me alive ly A Denver reporter noted lust week that Itah's Jerry Stroman was particularly effec- tive against Colorado State's one defense during the I'tes' victory at Fort Collins Replied Stroman, who has scored at least 23 points in each of the I'tes' lust five games. "We've been seeing a lot of zone lately because I've been destroying "... 59-5- man-tn-ma- BYUs Winning March May be Death March By Steve Luhm Tribune Sports Writer The outcome, perhaps, was expected not. Freshman point guard Tommy Connor, who had scored just two points in the last eight games, fired in a career-hig10 points and quarter-backe- d Utah to an easy 0 Western Athletic Conference victory over Air h 82-6- Force. lz Connor, averaging just points per game so far this season, sparked the Utes to their sixth win in their last seven meetings with the Falcons. This time, though,, something was tonight. from Connor finished hitting from the line in 24 minutes. In the process, he took advantage of playing time usually reserved for senior guards Manny Hendrix and Kelvin Upshaw. Connor, in fact, started the second half. The rhythm Tommy showed in the first half was the reason, Archibald explained. "And the way he played in the second half, well, it was obvious why he was in the game. from Boise, Said Connor, a "Sure, anybody would be happy about this. It was a good win. I think thats the most I ever shot and the most open I've ever been. Of course, I played a little more tonight than I usually do." Admitting he was a little surprised" to be starting the second half, Connor even drew praise from the guy he replaced. That was Hendrix. Tommy came in and did well," Hendrix said. "I take my hat off to him. He had the team playing well. I've got no complaints. "Hey, we have 12 Division I ballplayers on this team. That's the way I look at it. We are all capable and, when it's like that, it doesnt matter which five are playing." Upshaw, on the other hand, didn't want to talk about the game, his performance or his lack of playing time. When asked for an interview. Upshaw said quietly, "No." Archibald, however, said, "Hoy. we've gotta have those two guys Hendrix and Upshaw to be a good basketball team. But this game just shows what you can do. We beat a team that has come in soundly here ever year and given us trouble. The reason is because we played as a team. We played together. Everybody contributed." For the Utes, who are now in the WAC, Jerry overall and Stroman topped all scorers with 17 points. It was his 11th straight game in double figures. Mitch Smith, meanwhile, added 11 points and 11 rebounds in his best in several weeks. Said Stroman. "This is a good win because Air Force is so sound. They stay in their offense and they don't do anything to hurt themselves. They also playeu a good zone. They kept me from penetrating and getting that " eight or nine foot jump sliot For the Falcons, now 16 in the con- 65-5- the field and 12-- 6 3 - Column By Roger Graves Tribune Sports Writer PROVO Yes, BYU is weary. But not weary of winning. While embarking on a kamikaze schedule reminiscent of your favorite NBA team, the Cougars have played six games in four different cities during the last 12 days. And, somewhat surprisingly, theyve won all six to Coach Ladell Andergive third-yea- r sen his longest winning streak at Brigham Young. Yes, BYU is tired. But not tired of its recent tradition of shooting 50 percent. winning on the road, winning in the WAC, and shooting down Air Force Academy. Air Force Academy? Again? Yes, BYU's unusually congested schedule gets even more crazy Thursday at 7:35 p.m. in the Marriott Center when the Cougars confront Air Force for the second time in six days. BYU, which returned from Tulsa, Okla., and a victory over Oral Roberts University Wednesday, hosts the Falcons in Part II of their WAC series Thursday evening. Then, the Cougars roll out the red carpet for Utah Saturday afternoon, meaning BYU will play eight games in the space of 15 days. It's fatiguing just thinking about it. "Its a lot like a pro schedule, but were in pretty good shape physically and when youre winning maybe you dont mind playing so often, said BYU Coach Andersen, who was fighting the effects of the flu following the Cougars conquest of Oral Roberts Andersen was one of the few casualties of the arduous schedule. BYUs schedule becomes more unique when you consider the Cougars just disposed of Air Force last Saturday in Colorado Springs, Now, by playing the Falcons just six days later, BYU will e have completed its series with Air Force before opposing WAC rivals Wyoming or Utah even once this year. Its a different schedule than we've had in the past, acknowledges BYUs Andersen, "but you still have to be ready. We re going into the Air Force and Utah games with some momentum and confidence, and that has to help. Is BYU actually capable of falling to Air Force after shooting down the Falcons less than a week ago on the road? The Cougars own an impeccaWAC record ble regular-seaso67-6- 5 different. This time, the Utes blew away the methodical Falcons, who last year Inst three games to Utah by a total of seven points. Ute Coach Lynn Archibald said Connor was the reason why his team coasted, delighting the crowd of 9,973. "I thought Tommy played great, said Archibald. "But he always plays hard in practice and, hey, he won the game for us tonight. He played how you should play. Said Air Force Coach Reggie Minton, "He did a good job. He played well. Im sorry he decided to do it C-- e i gram again mands" before being allowed to return. Arnold said the demands were "extremely hard" and involved three areas: Morgan's perforlifctsyle. Morgan's mance and what the roach called Morgan's "ara integr it.. high school Morgan, a .ball-crazaver- bu. Indiana, from playpi off-cou- rnold '.Tug, in feud tie- Suvs Arnold "It he udhetes to these de rounds. Andre could bei nine a big time NBA guard If he docsn t. he won t ploy m mis pro 6-- 4 Utah Blows Past Air Force, 82-6- 0 See At cri- sis at Hawaii has apparently blown over. On Monday, Arnold reinstated senior had guard Andre Morgan after the been dropped from the squad. Arnold explained that Morgan agreed to a list of "de- Utes catalyst was Now. however over Certainly, Lewis motive was a little sell serving During his 30 years at Houston, Lew is integrated his program because black players helped him win basketball games Bui Lewis also opened a lot of doors for voung blacks who previously had been locked uut by society Thai's not a bad epitaph Rookie Lifts The In point u gone during the pieseuson Hut in W AC pluv hi number fell sharply So did his playing time Then, two week ugo il mist I tub. Arnold took him out of the storting lineup und Morgan ended Up plavmg ju-- t In minutes before fouling out aged NCAA Not vet s even-'uall- onee-in-- nude tt.r rejeition l.fetime sedsnn Wat enough I ve derided.' Roberts said, tti.it to get a major college Job, y ou've go' to be at the right e ever place at the right time I d ,n t think bi en there na-t.- I: a 'At Orr 1 home-and-hom- Tribune Staff Photo bv Rick Egan Utah forw ard Jerry Stroman goes over Forces Todd Beer for two of his 17 points in the Utes win over the Fal-Ai- r cons Wednesday at Special Events Center. 82-6- 0 Aggies Eye Visit to Grants Tomb By Dick Rosetta Tribune Sports Writer Calif. It is probably the most inhospitable stop on the Pacific Coast Athletic Association basketball tour. Come on now, what other place in the league is called a "tomb?" It's "Grant's Tomb" the Utah State Aggies visit Thursday for an 8:30 p.m. (MST) PCAA tipoff against Fresno State University. Sclland Arena a joint where USU has lust seven straight and a place where Coach Boyd Grant's Bulldogs win six times for every one they lose. "We feci comfortable about coming back to Sclland for a couple of games. It has to be a plus for us," Grant confirmed Wednesday after the Bulldogs lost a tough decision to New Mexico State at Las Cruces over the weekend. "Yet. I don't know how we could have played any better than we did at Las Cruces. If we had won that one, it FRESNO, ... could have turned our season around," said Grant whose team is in the ICAA overall and The Aggies come into the game their third on the ICAA road this seawith a overall mark and son 10-- 7 ICAA log It's a road trip that Ag Coach Rod Tucllor hopes will produce at least a split. There will he two ICAA teams which won't make the post season t Utah St. at Fresno State At the Selland Arena, 8:30 p.m. (MST) (1390 AM, 9? FM Probable Starters tournament in Anaheim in early March and the Ags are one of the teams hanging on the ropes "We recognize this as a very important and challenging road trip for us, Tueller confirmed. "We re certainly hoping to go out and carry our win Saturday night game the over San Jose State in Logan with us to Fresno and Pacific Saturday night, "I think we've played well on the road in the PCAA with the loss at Las Vegas and 30 minutes of solid ball at Tueller addl'd It's a cinch the Aggies will find out Thursday just how proficient their freshnew offensive attack is with man Gilbert Pete hav mg been inserted into the post position and sophomore Nathan Grant now playing alongside his brother Greg at a forward spot "We re just trying to play the best 80-6- double-overtim- 7 e players for the situation and that's why Bill Floyd was moved back to a guard in the lineup and that's why Pete and Scooter Nathan Grant arc starting now. We were looking for some aggressiveness and quickness and that's what we got in the San Jose game," Tueller added. The Ags will need offense Thursday night. Fresno gives up just 58 points a game which ranks them 8th in the nation in that category. The Bulldogs have been in the top 10 in defensive average five years running. But Grant is having problems with his team scoring points (55.6 per outing) and that has prompted him to inject senior Marvin Carter into a starting guard spot. "We're going with Marvin knowing we're giving up some height and defense in the starting lineup, but we need offense and Carter is one of our bona fide three-poin- t shooters, Grant confirmed. The Bulldogs have had 92 straight sellouts in Sclland Arena and Thursday is expected to be 93, USUs brilliant Greg Grant is ranked third in the nation in scoring at 25 points per outing. Grant is within mere points and a few rebounds of moving into the top three in both scoring and rebounding in the PCAA With a split, the Ags would come hack to Logan in great shape for a homestand, starling with a Jan 30 date with Irvine in Logan n Air Force at BYU Tonight ot the Marriott Center, 7:35 o m. KSL Radio tl 160) ProboDle Starters in the Maragainst the flyboys at the Academy s riott Center and Cadet Fieldhouse. The important phrase there is regulaj season. The Falcons still cannot be taken for granted, as evidenced by the Cougars' upset loss to Air Force stunning n in the WAC tournament last season in Provo. Air Force is a solid team, and if you don't play hard against them, they can beat you very easily, noted BYU guard Richie Webb, who comes into Thursday's rematch after a performance against the Falcons last Saturday and another game at Oral Roberts Tuesday. "Air Force isn't a bad team They play hard and they're almost always in the game near the end. They're a little like us. We've been winning the close games recently and they've been losing them. Air Force Coach Reggie Minton had a pretty good idea why the Falcons were playing just well enough to lose following the Flyboys' loss to BYU in Colorado Springs dfter Air Force was within two at 4 with 1:47 left last weekend. 0 6-- 0 82-7- 9 post-seaso- 56-5- You just cant expect to win when you shoot 39 percent," analyzed Minton, noting that Air Force had shot under 40 percent in six of its previous seven games prior to Wednesday night's WAC encounter at Utah. "I wish I knew .exactly how to make us shoot better. Obviously, it comes down to execution and getting the ball inside. We need to do a better job of getting the ball inside to create some easy baskets." BYU-Ai- r Force Notes: Sophomore Jetl Chatman, who has led the Cougars in scoring throughout the season, sow his streak of scoring in double figures stopped at 17 games against Oral Roberts Tuesday. The Titans held Chatman to two points in 26 minutes, but guards Bob Copener (20 points) and Richie Webb (12) combined for 32 points. . . . BYU, which can climb above .500 tor the first time this seoson with a victory Thursday, has now shot better than 50 percent in consecutive games for the first time fhis seoson. BYU MEETS NO. 1 RANKED TEXAS Womens Basketball FRIDAY, JANUARY 24TH 7:30 PM at the Marriott Center FREE ADMISSION |
