The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 29

E2 THE COURIER-JOURNAL SPORTS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1997 COLLEGE BASKETBALL Bibby-led Arizona rolls, 99-69 FROM C-J AND WIRE DISPATCHES PEOPLE ment to the game." After the Silverswords tied the score at five, Brand highlighted runs of 17-4 and 17-6 with six points each time. Duke led 52-29 at halftime. Missouri 45, DePaul 42 Tyron Lee hit a three-pointer with 1-52 left to break a tie and added a free throw at 0:07 as the Tigers (2-0) outlasted the Blue Demons (1-1). Missouri trailed most of the way, including an 11-point deficit in the first half, and its biggest lead was four points with 29 seconds left. The loss offset a startling performance by Jermaine Watts, who scored 15 of DePaul's 19 second-half points.

He finished with 19. Neither team shot weli. DePaul hit 36.1 percent (17 of 47) from the field and Missouri 41.2 percent (14 of 34). Antonio Granger led the Eagles with 21 points, 15 in the first half. Duke 106, Chaminade 70 Freshman Elton Brand, who led Duke with 23 points, sparked two first-half runs as the No.

3 Blue Devils (3-0) overpowered the Silverswords in the tournament's opening game. Steve Wojciechowski had 11 assists and Shane Battier 14 rebounds for Duke, which had a 53-31 edge on the boards and forced 21 turnovers. Nevertheless, Mike Krzyzewski found room for improvement. "We let up defensively," the Duke said of a mild Chaminade run in the second half. "It seemed like they planned to penetrate, kick and shoot threes.

A lead evaporates that way. At times we didn't tighten it up. But overall, I'm pleased with the adjust Associated Press LAHAINA, Hawaii Mike Bibby hit five three-pointers, scored 22 points and made seven assists yesterday as No. 1-ranked Arizona beat Boston College 99-69 in the opening round of the Maui Invitational. "Mike did a great job," coach Lute Olson said.

"He controls the game." The defending national champion took a double-digit lead less than four minutes into the game. Boston College (1-1) pulled within four points midway through the second quarter, but that was as close as it got. Arizona (2-0) got 17 points from Michael Dickerson, who was 3 of 4 from three-point range. The Wildcats shot 62 percent (39 of 66) from the field and finished with a 38-28 rebound advantage. Norv might just try ramming these guys' heads together After his Washington Redskins had to settle for a 7-7 overtime tie with the New York Giants on Sunday night, coach Norv Turner spread the blame.

"Whether it be kicking a field goal, catching a ball, picking up a fumble, throwing it straight, avoiding an interception any one of those could have won the football game," he said. But the bonehead moves of quarterback Gus Frerotte and wide receiver Michael Westbrook ensured that Washington couldn't win it. Frerotte celebrated his 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter by butting his head into a padded concrete wall, resulting in a sprained neck that knocked him out of the game. "It was a stupid thing to do," Cats roar 70-55 in Maui, will face Arizona next LIL, Westbrook It he said. "You have to laugh about it and move on.

Chase Futrell, a point guard for the 21st century Coming soon to a basketball court near you (if he hasn't been there already), it's Chase Futrell, who has wowed 'em with his halftime act from the high school gyms of Murray, to Rupp Arena, Dallas, Philadelphia and many points in between, not to mention national television. It's a dribbling, juggling, ball-spinning, trick-shot routine, and Chase ought to be good at it, considering he's been doing it more than half his life. But then, he's only 11 years old. "It's wild how it's just grown," said Terl Futrell, Chase's mom. "When he was 6 I called (some colleges) and would tell them what kind of things he does.

We started locally, kind of explained what he did, and they just took a chance. Now I don't call anybody; they call me." Chase got his start as a preschooler when his dad, Tommy, a brick mason, would take him and a miniature goal to job sites and give the little guy some basketball drills to keep him busy. At 5 he was performing with the Marshall County Little Dribblers, which led to solo gigs at Murray State and other colleges. Tommy Futrell set the act to music, and a star was born. "Tommy has always told Chase if he doesn't want to do it, then they can go coon hunting or other things they enjoy doing together," Ten Futrell said.

"Chase has always been willing. I don't know if he's a natural at it because I know how much he practices." The Futrells aren't in it for the money. Although Chase gets his travel expenses paid, he won't accept fees for the act because it might cost him his college eligibility. Marino might cry but uncle still cries 'Marino' After returning an intercepted Dan Marino pass 100 yards for a touchdown, New England cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock couldn't wait to mention it to his uncle, Sheldon Parks. "Every time I talk to my uncle, that's all he wants to talk about: Dan Marino," Hitchcock said.

"He doesn't even ask me about the Patriots. All he wants to talk about is Dan Marino. He just knows Dan Marino is the greatest quarterback ever to play football. My uncle loved Marino growing up. I loved him as well." "I'm going to talk to him as soon as I get out of here.

I'm going to try and say, 'I but then he'll come in and say the rest." Who's saying what Matthew Barnaby of the Buffalo Sabres, after being benched: "I don't know what's wrong. Lately I've had to psych myself up just to go out there and punch somebody in the face. That's not me." Time was called. The UK players greeted Bradley with pats on the head. The fans filled the place with noise.

This might be Hawaii, but the gym felt as if it could have been in some small town in Kentucky. Blue hats. Blue T-shirts. Smith said seeing all the UK fans in Maui brought back memories of Memphis and the Southeastern Conference Tournament last spring. His Georgia Bulldogs faced the Wildcats and got blown out in the championship game 95-68.

"It can be demoralizing for an opponent," Smith said of being in a supposedly neutral site filled with Big Blue fans. "I've been at the other end of that. So I know that for a fact." At least on this day, one student's sign might have summed it up: "Mom and Dad, send nothing. We got it all." Sun, sand and a rematch with Arizona what more could you ask for? PROBABLE LINEUPS Time: 9 p.m. EST.

Site: Lahaina Civic Center, Lahaini, Hawaii. Series: UK leads 2-1. Last meeting: Arizona won 84-79 on March 31 in the final game of the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis. Television: ESPN. Radio: WHAS-AM (840).

(Yesterday's statistics not Included) Kentucky (2-0) Pos. Player Ht. Wt. CI. Rb.

Pt. F-Scott Padgett 229 Jr. 6.0 2.0 F-Allen Edwards 200 Sr. 0.015.0 C-Jamaal Magloire 6-10 240 So. 8.0 8.0 G-Jeff Sheppard 190 Sr.

1.0 7.0 G-Wayne 6-2 187 Jr. 1.013.0 Reserves Nazr Mohammed, 6-10, 5.0 ppg; Cameron Mills, 6-3, 5.0: Heshimu Evans, 6-6, 10.0; Saul Smith, 6-2, 7.0; Myron Anthony, 6-7, 3.0; Michael Bradley, F-C, 6-10, 8.0.; Ryan Hogan, 6-3, 6.0; Steve Masiello, 6-2, 0.0. Arizona (2-0) Pos. Player Ht. Wt.

CI. Rb. Pt. F-Bennett Davison 212 Sr. 7.010.0 F-Michael Dickerson 6-5 195 Sr.

3.014.0 Bramlett 217 Jr. 11.0 8.0 G-Mike Bibby 6-1 192 So. 1.0 8.0 G-Miles Simon 6-5 202 Sr. 2.0 16.0 Reserves John Ash, 5-11, 0.0; Eugene Edgerson, fr6, 17.0; Donnell Harris, 6-11, 12.0; Josh Pastner, 5-11, 3.0; Jason Stewart, 5-11, 0.0; Quynn Tebbs, 6-1, 8.0; Jason Terry, 6-2, 16.0; Justin Wessel, 6-8, 3.0. might have cost us the game.

I was happy, excited. We had scored I'm embarrassed and mad at myself." Then there was Westbrook, who got anger counseling after beating up a teammate last summer but apparently needs a few more sessions. After his hobbling catch along the sideline was ruled an incompletion in the waning seconds of overtime, he removed his helmet and slammed it to the ground, drawing a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. That took the Skins out of reasonable field-goal range, and Scott Blanton missed a 54-yarder at 0:02. "They were both very critical mistakes," Turner said.

"It cost Gus the second half of the game, and obviously (Westbrook) cost our entire team field position. Neither one of them is excusable, and you can't have that happen if you expect to be a good football team." When Melancon's in the irons, there's some iron in Melancon Three months ago Larry Melancon was trampled into the mud at Ellis Park when his mount, Miss Go Go, stumbled and fell. Today, with a metal plate and seven screws in his ankle and five more screws in his arm, the 42-year-old jockey will ride again. Trainer Robert Holthus the same man who put him on Miss Go Go has tapped Melancon to ride Ultimate Score in the second race at Churchill Downs. Any jitters? "You can't let it bother you or you might as well quit, because if you're scared, the horse will know it," said Melancon, who also had serious injuries in 1981 and '93.

"You've got to put it behind you." GEORGE WASHINGTON 55 ffga It rtareb to a pf tp Player mln Naonaba 20 a Continued from Page 1 They missed all six attempts in the first half and finished 4 of 13 from the line. "It's not an embarrassment to lose to Kentucky," George Washington coach Mike Jarvis said. "I just wish we would have finished a few shots early and made some free throws It should have been a much closer game." The first-half line that really jumped off the statistics page was next to Alexander Koul's name: l-of-5 shooting, two turnovers, two points. Koul, a 7-foot-l, 282-pound center from Belarus, had been one of UK's primary concerns. He entered the game having made 20 of 30 shots from the floor in three previous Colonials victories.

He finished yesterday's game 3 of 7 from the floor with eight points. "He's a pro prospect," Smith said yesterday morning. "We'll probably bring our two big guys (6-10 centers Jamaal Magloire and Nazr Mohammed) at them, make them run the court, hope to wear them down." The strategy worked. In the steamy Lahaini Civic Center, Alexander was not Koul. He was sweaty before the opening tip and seemingly tired before the first buzzer of the experimental four-quarter game.

This came shortly after Arizona wore down Boston College, cruising to a 99-69 victory. Arizona returns all five starters from last season's title team one of the reasons it is ranked No. 1. Kentucky lost four key players from last season's runner-up team one of the reasons it is No. 8.

There are reasons for UK fans to have hope. But there also are reasons to have doubts. Take the case of shooting guard Jeff Sheppard. He might be headed for the National Basketball Association next summer. Right now, though, he is a senior who redshirted last season and played 12.8 minutes a game the year before that.

6 1 Meschnakov 31 6 12 3 Koul 26 0 4 0 0 1 1 Green 1 5 Rogers 38 6 17 5 5 3 12 4 8 2 2 2 15 3 2 4 10 0 0 0 1 Brade 15 1 Iturbe 29 4 Miranda 4 0 2 2 0 0 3 10 2 1 1 1 Krivonos 11 1 1 8 1 Eyal 0 0 0 0 Camara 5 Hazzard 5 0 6 Team Totals 200 24 70 4 13 41 21 13 24 55 KENTUCKY 70 fg fga It Ha reb 7 3 6 1 2 6 11 Player mln 23 Padgett 23 Magloire 18 Turner 32 Sheppard 33 Mohammed. 14 Evans 25 Mills 11 Smith 8 Anthony Bradley 12 i earn Totals 200 22 61 21 30 54 19 15 16 70 READERS' CORNER Last night Sheppard made loflO shots, but he got plenty of help from those around him and, in the end, made 8 of 10 free throws to help seal the victory. "I guess there'll be nights like that," he said. "Got to just keep playing. We win as a team." That might be a cliche, but it could hold a lot of truth this season.

Take the 15-0 run. Six players scored during it. None had more than two baskets. And it ended with Michael Bradley, a freshman center, swinging from the rim after a dunk that gave UK a 31-12 lead with 2:21 remaining in the first half. Halftime Kentucky 33, George Washington 17.

3-polnt goals George Washington 3-12 (Mes-cheriakov 0-1, Rogers 3-7, Krivonos 0-1, Camara 0-3), Kentucky 5-14 (Edwards 1-3, Padgett 0-2, Turner 3-4, Sheppard 0-3, Evans 0-1, Mills 1-1). Snooting percentages George Washington 34.3, Kentucky 36.1. Steals George Washington 7 (Ngongba 1, Mes-cheriakov 2, Koul 1, Rogers 2, Iturbe 1), Kentucky 12 (Edwards 2, Turner 8, Evans 2). Blocked shots George Washington 1 (Koul), Kentucky 8 (Edwards 1, Magloire 3, Turner 1, Mohammed 3). Attendance 2,500.

the Miami Dolphins, and Steve Mariucci is now the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Bob Weber turned a program that was financially in the red into one that was securely in the black. He ran a decent program where education was important and was the type of man you would be proud to have your son play for. Although he should be recognized for these things, let's not forget it was the last time we beat a top-10 team as well. Joe Weber Louisville 40220 Joe Weber is the son of Bob Weber.

Appalachian State upsets UNCC indictments expected in point-shaving investigation Weber had positive influence on of football program I have grown tired of hearing the negative connotations used when referring to the Bob Weber era of University of Louisville football. One would think that no program existed before Howard Schnellenberger. I would like to point out some truths that should dispel this misguided impression. Yes, there were some lean years with few wins and little talent. Yet as few people seem to realize, the program was operating on only a fraction of the current budget that is now delegated to the football program.

When Weber inherited the program from Vince Gibson, there was a hug deficit and no lure of mythical national championships or new stadiums to boost recruiting efforts. Under these circumstances, the accomplishments of this tenure are truly impressive, and there were many. A few of the significant wins against ranked opponents include Oklahoma State (coached by Jimmy Johnson), Southern Mississippi (ranked ninth in the nation at the time) and Houston (which won the Southwest Conference that year). There was life in this program that had limited but talented players and coaches, many of whom went on to play or coach in the National Football League. Some of those players are Joe Jacoby, Mark Clayton, Frank Minnifield, Ron Davenport, Bruce Armstrong and Ernest Givins.

Coach Kippy Brown went on to LETTERS POLICY Letters to Readers' Corner must be original and contain the name, address and daytime and evening telephone numbers of the writer. Editors reserve the right to condense or reject any letter and to limit frequent writers. Send them to: Readers' Corner Courier-Journal Sports P.O. Box 740031 Louisville, Ky. 40201-7431 Letters also can be faxed to 582-7186.

Or send them to our e-mail address: cjsportslouisvil.gannett.com Associated Press PHOENIX Indictments are expected as early as next month against players and gamblers in a federal grand jury investigation of point-shaving allegations involving the 1993-94 Arizona State basketball team, according to broadcast reports yesterday. Dan Drake, the assistant U.S. attorney in charge of the investigation, declined comment. ABC News and CNNSI reported that Stevin "Hedake" Smith, who is second on the school's career scoring list, and another player CNNSI said it is Isaac Burton are expected to be indicted. ABC said the two players had received tens of thousands of dollars from Joseph Gagliano a Phoenix-based investment adviser who allegedly won more than $1 million betting against Arizona State in four games in 1994.

The Associated Press was unable to locate telephone numbers for Smith, Burton and Gagliano, but Smith previously denied any wrongdoing. ABC said Gagliano declined to be interviewed. CNNSI said Burton's agent had told it that Burton is cooperating with authorities and would not comment. Smith was among four Sun Devils sentenced in April 1992 to two years' probation and 100 hours of community service for fraudulent use of a telephone card. ON THE AIR TODAY Associated Press Appalachian State didn't really know how good it was after season-opening victories over Division II schools Limestone and Anderson.

The Mountaineers learned last night, however, with a 66-60 upset victory over visiting No. 25 North Carolina Charlotte, which lost for the second time in as many games. "This really should give us a lift," said second-year coach Buzz Peterson said. We've got to go to Tennessee and Virginia next, but this really should show that we can play with a lot of people." Tyson Patterson scored a career-high 23 points, and Kareem Livingston added 18 points and eight rebounds for the Mountaineers, who scored their first victory over a ranked opponent since 1993, when they beat No. 23 Nebraska.

DeMarco Johnson led UNCC with 15 points and eight rebounds. The 49ers shot just 39 percent and were outrebounded 44-33. Sean Colson, the 49ers' point guard who missed the team's opener for breaking a team rule, scored 12 points in the second half as the 49ers closed within 60-57 with 1:30 left. The Mountaineers then hit 6 of 8 free throws. S.

Florida 69, Jacksonville 57 Shaddrick Jenkins scored 13 points and South Florida (2-0) turned back a late rally by host Jacksonville (1-1), which suffered its first loss under new coach Hugh Durham from Louisville. Top 25 Mississippi 81, Ark. Pine Bluff 36 Jason Smith had his third straight double-double (14 points, 11 re TOMORROW Television 2:30 p.m. Soccer: UFEA Champions League. (ESPN2) 6 p.m.

College basketball: Preseason NIT Semifinal, Connecticut vs. Florida State. (ESPN) 7:30 p.m. Hockey: New York Rangers at New York Islanders. (ESPN2) 8 p.m.

Pro basketball: Miami at Orlando. (WTBS) 8 p.m. College basketball: Preseason NIT Semifinal, Kansas vs. Arizona State. (ESPN) 10 p.m.

College basketball: Great Alaska Shootout, Alabama-Birmingham vs. Purdue. (WTTV) 10:30 p.m. Pro basketball: Sacramento at Los Angeles Clippers. (WTBS) 10:30 p.m.

College basketball: Maui Invitational Championship. (ESPN) Television 7 p.m. College basketball: Maui Invitional semifinal, Duke vs. Missouri. (ESPN) 7:30 p.m.

Hockey: Vancouver at New York. (ESPN2) 8 p.m. Pro basketball: Los Angeles Lakers at Miami. (TNT) 9 p.m. College basketball: Maui Invitational semifinal, Kentucky vs.

Arizona. (ESPN) 9 p.m. Boxing: Manuel Gomez vs. Shane Mosley; Danny Romero vs. Narcisco Rodriguez.

(USA) 11 p.m. Thoroughbred racing: Churchill Downs recap. (TKR-8) Radio Noon Thoroughbred racing: Churchill Downs scratches and changes. (WTMT-620) 9 p.m. College basketball: Maui Invitational semifinal, Kentucky vs.

Arizona. (WHAS-840). bounds) as No. 17 Mississippi (3-0) walloped visiting Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-3). The Rebels led 27-12 midway through the first half, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-3) didn't score again until the second half.

The Rebels led 50-12 at halftime. UConn 72, Coppin State 50 Richard Hamilton scored 20 points as No. 11 Connecticut (4-0) rolled over visiting Coppin State (0-1). Antoine Brockington had 18 points for Coppin State, which shocked South Carolina in the opening round of last season's NCAA tourney. Xavier 118, NE Louisiana 61 No.

9 Xavier (3-0) forced a school-record 38 turnovers and blitzed visiting Northeast Louisiana (1-4). Darnell Williams had 21 points to lead Xavier, which had six players in double figures and topped 100 with five backups in and 4:52 left. Ohio Valley Miami 86, E. Kentucky 64 Lucas Barnes scored 19 points and Mario Bland 15, both career highs, as Miami (4-0) overcame a sluggish start to defeat the visiting Colonels (0-3). EKU was led by Mark Williams with 15 points.

Second-leading scorer Marty Thomas was suspended for the game for failure to comply with the team's academic-attendance policy. Murray 79, Belmont 59 Isaac Spencer and DeTeri Mayes scored 14 points each as host Murray State (2-0) beat Belmont (0-3), which shot just 31 percent (20 of 56). THE WEEK AHEAD Cards' new guards will have to learn on the job TODAY Maui Invitational: Kentucky vs. Arizona, 9 p.m. (ESPN) Thoroughbred racing: Churchill Downs, first post 1 p.m.

TOMORROW Maui Invitational: Kentucky vs. TBA. RiverFrogs at Peoria, 8:05 p.m. Thoroughbred racing: Churchill Downs, first post 1 p.m. THURSDAY Puerto Rico Shootout: Louisville vs.

Hofstra, 5 p.m. NFL: Chicago at Detroit, 12:30 p.m. (Fox-41) NFL: Tennessee at Dallas, 4 p.m. (WAVE-3) Thoroughbred racing: Churchill Downs, first post 11:30 a.m. FRIDAY Puerto Rico Shootout: Louisville vs.

TBA, 1 p.m. or 6 p.m. United Airlines Classic: Indiana at Hawaii, midnight. High school football playoff game at Cardi Frogs, 7:05 p.m. Thoroughbred racing: Churchill Downs, first post 11:30 a.m.

SUNDAY United Airlines Classic: Indiana vs. TBA. Joe Reibel Invitational: Bellarmine vs. TBA, 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.

Bengals at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. Colts at New England, 1 p.m. Peoria at RiverFrogs, 2 p.m. Thoroughbred racing: Turfway Park, first post 1 p.m. nal Stadium: Trinity vs.

Boone County, 7:30 p.m. RiverFrogs at Huntington, 7 p.m. Thoroughbred racing: Churchill Downs, first post 11:30 a.m. SATURDAY Puerto Rico Shootout: Louisville vs. TBA.

Phoenix Premier Classic: Kentucky vs. Clem-son, 7:30 p.m. Joe Reibel Invitational. Spalding at Bellar-mine, 6 p.m. Huntington at River Continued from Page 1 three years to learn to play at this level.

I hope it doesn't take that long." A soaring Murray came to an abrupt halt when he flew into 370-pound teammate Troy Jackson and fell to the floor on his shoulder and neck during practice last week. "I've got a slight whiplash," Murray said yesterday. "It's sore, but I'm basically OK." He had two points and three assists in IS minutes against Hungary. 'it was a good experience to play them," Murray said. "But 1 was al ways flinching when I'd bump someone, and I didn't go hard.

The tough thing was missing the last two practices last week." Murray predicted the new guard tandem will prove itself. "I think the backcourt's a lot better than people expected us to be," he said. "People are curious about it, but I was really proud of the guys Saturday." He wasn't the only man who made a wrong turn into of L's icebox last week. Nate Johnson tried to take a charge from Jackson and wound up with a bruised right hip. Cards meet new coach John L.

Smith stopped by the Student Activities Center to meet the basketball players yesterday before being introduced as football coacl Someone saw Jackson talking with him and immediately wondered whether Jackson would revisit his attempt to play football for deposed coach Ron Cooper this "Don't start that," Jackson said. "I just introduced myself." Impressions? "It was as good a one as you can get in two minutes or so," he said. "Nice smile. Firm handshake.".