The Morning Dish – Friday, January 28th
Arizona Takes Command of Pac Ten:
In Tucson, No. 11 Arizona overcame a ten-point first-half deficit and rode a 38-of-40 team effort from the foul line to capture round one of its first place showdown with No. 10 Washington 91-82. Channing Frye scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half and Salim Stoudamire continued his hot streak by scoring 25 to lead the Wildcats. Brandon Roy led Washington with 15.
Georgia Tech Survives Wake:
In the only other action between ranked teams, No. 22 Georgia Tech was able to escape with a 102-101 overtime victory over No. 5 Wake Forest in Atlanta. After missing two free throws in regulation that would have iced the game for the Yellow Jackets, Jarrett Jack hit two freebies in the extra session to give Georgia Tech the lead with 4.4 second remaining. Chris Paul missed shots at the regulation and overtime buzzers that could have won the game for the Demon Deacons. Eric Williams led Wake with 27 points and 12 rebounds and Will Bynum had 30 for the Ramblin’ Wreck.
San Jose State’s Johnson Has No Plans to Move:
San Jose State coach Phil Johnson has no plans to join long time friend Tim Floyd at USC for next season. Johnson has a 17-56 record in the third season of his second stint in Silicon Valley. Johnson previously coached under Floyd at the University of New Orleans and with the Chicago Bulls. He left SJSU after one season in 1999 to join Floyd’s Bulls staff. The rumors have been persisting in large part because of San Jose’s interim president Don Kassing wanting stronger football and basketball teams as the Spartans attempt to maintain their Division I status.
Kentucky’s Hayes to Play Saturday Despite Broken Nose:
With a 93-game playing streak, Kentucky’s Chuck Hayes has no intention to sit out despite a broken nose. Hayes was injured when a Tennessee Volunteer inadvertently elbowed him with 6:30 remaining in the first half of Kentucky’s 84-62 victory on Tuesday. Hayes did not return. Hayes was examined by doctors and fitted with a protective mask. The 6-8 Senior is third on UK with 11.1 points per game and third in the SEC with 9.1 rebounds.
Xavier’s Doellman Also Will Be Wearing a Facemask:
Xavier’s Justin Doellman had successful surgery on his nose after having it broken by George Washington’s Omar Williams in the Musketeers 66-65 victory over the Colonials Tuesday. Doellman will wear a polymer facemask for an indefinite amount of time commencing with XU’s game on Saturday against St. Joseph.
San Diego’s State’s Hanour Forced to Retire:
San Diego State’s Travis Hanour, who came to San Diego State as a highly touted transfer from Arizona, has been forced to give up basketball because of injuries. Hanour has had surgery on both knees and missed last season with ankle, back and knee injuries. The 6-6 swingman has played just 22 minutes in three games this season and only 22 games total since he became an Aztec. His last game was Dec. 14 against St. Mary’s. He will be a student assistant for the remainder of the season. Florida transfer Mohamed Abukar will also miss practice time for the Aztecs with a shin injury.
Henson to Have Champaign Street Named for Him:
Retiring New Mexico State coach Lou Henson, who coached at Illinois for 21 seasons, will have a Champaign street named for him. Champaign mayor Jerry Schweighart proposed the idea to the Champaign city council after hearing the idea on a local radio show. A section of first street which runs by the Assembly Hall will be renamed Lou Henson Court. Henson retired on Saturday with a 779-413 record. Henson will be in Champaign on Saturday with 350 players, coaches, and associates as the Illini celebrate 100 years of basketball.
New Mexico Loses Collins:
New Mexico might have lost junior point guard Kris Collins for the season with a broken foot. Collins suffered the injury in practice on Tuesday. Collins is the Lobos’ leader with 56 assists and is averaging eight points per game. UNM has been without Danny Granger, their leading scorer and rebounder since Jan. 8 when he tore a cartilage in his knee against Wyoming. He had surgery Jan. 10. The Lobos have had a run of bad luck, as David Chiotti injured his hip in the Lobos game at BYU on Monday. Coach Richie McKay said Granger and Chiotti might return Saturday against UNLV.
Charges Filed In Beating of NAU’s Stevens:
James Runnels and Chauncey Craig have been charged with aggravated assault in the beating of Northern Arizona point guard DeJuan Stevens. Aggravated assault is a class four felony and can carry prison time. Stevens was beaten outside a Flagstaff bar Jan. 16. He is going to be out at least 4-5 weeks. He had surgery to place a steel plate into his head and braces in his mouth to stabilize his injuries. Stevens has been on a liquid diet since the assault and has lost 10 pounds. Stevens leads the Lumberjacks in scoring with 12.1 points per game.
CSTV and Sportsline Announce Multi-year NCAA Tournament Deal:
CBS Sportsline and College Sports Television have announced a multi-year deal for CSTV.com to stream out of market games on their Web site. On subscription basis, CSTV will charge $19.95 and provide a 50 percent discount for those signing up before Feb. 8. NCAA March Madness on Demand will offer streaming video, pre- and post-game interviews, press conferences and highlights through the regional semifinals. CSTV will also produce the official NCAA tournament DVD.
Pittsburgh to Sue Contractor of New Arena:
The University of Pittsburgh has announced a lawsuit against architects Apostolou Associates, Pittsburgh, and Rosser International, Atlanta. They have accused the firms with negligence related to numerous delays and extra costs that the suit claims were caused by deficient design of the Petersen Events Center. The suit alleges that there are more than 200 holes near the brace and edge trusses of the roof’s framing. The arena was already facing cost overruns after it was expanded from a $35 million arena project to a 440,000 square foot project that includes a student recreation center.
Mrs. Tark Becomes a Vegas City Councilwoman:
Lois Tarkanian, wife of former UNLV, Fresno State and Long Beach State coach Jerry Tarkanian, has been elected to the Las Vegas City Council. Tarkanian defeated Janet Moncrief, by garnering 42 percent of the vote compared with Moncrief’s 30 percent. Moncrief was recalled because she is facing campaign finance charges. Tarkanian, who is 70, will be sworn in Feb. 2 to fill the remaining two years of Moncrief’s term.
Tennessee Will Be Without Crump for 2-4 Weeks:
Tennessee forward Brandon Crump will miss up to a month after spraining his right foot in Saturday’s 85-62 loss to Louisville. Crump injured the foot early in the contest with the Cardnials and missed Tuesday 84-62 loss to Kentucky. He was averaging 11.6 points and 6.4 rebounds with 64 percent shooting for the 10-9 volunteers.
Illini Lose Randle for Remainder of the Season:
In a season that never got started because of a broken hand, Illinois reserve forward Brian Randle has decided to sit out the remainder of the season. Randle injured the right hand punching a wall in frustration during a pre-season practice. Randle is hoping to obtain a medical redshirt season. Randle and Illinois Coach Bruce Weber decided that it would take the sophomore too long to get back into game shape.
