Wednesday, 4/9/97
What’s happening in the wide world of sports
Bruins prepare for next season, pros keep up excitement
From the deepest depths of the Daily Bruin Sports department,
news and notes from the world of sports:
* * *
Coach Steve Lavin should be eagerly awaiting high school
sensation Baron Davis’ press conference on April 13, when he will
announce where he will attend school next year. Davis participated
in the Magic Johnson high school All-Star game where he went
13-of-16 from the field and finished with 26 points and four
rebounds.
With Lavin as the full-time head coach, the addition of Earl
Watson, Rico Hines, Kevin Daley, the return of key underclassmen
and the probable signing of Baron Davis, Westwood should be buzzing
again next season.
Start camping out now: the Bruins are tentatively scheduled to
meet the national champion Arizona Wildcats in the final regular
season game of next season at Pauley Pavilion.
* * *
With spring football practice under way, our focus shifts from
roundball to pigskin. Both the USC and UCLA football teams will be
tested early as the Florida State Seminoles open their season at
the Coliseum, while the University of Tennessee Volunteers make a
early season visit to the Rose Bowl.
UCLA’s schedule figures to be one of the toughest in the nation,
with non-conference games against Tennessee, Texas, Houston and
league games with Pac-10 rivals Washington and USC.
* * *
I thought that the Anaheim Angels were supposed to have problems
with their starting pitching … It’s Angel closer Troy Percival
who has been lit up lately – he has already blown two saves, after
only four all last season.
Not even the Dodgers’ sixth National League Rookie of the Year
in a row will win them an NL West title this year. … It’s the
Padres who will repeat their miracle run of last season.
So much for Sports Illustrated’s prediction of Jim Abbott as
Comeback Player of the Year.
Chicago’s 3-4 combination of Frank Thomas and Albert Belle is
one of the scariest in recent history.
* * *
If the New York Jets select USC defensive tackle Darrell Russell
with the first pick in the draft, nothing short of a riot will
break out at the draft headquarters in New York.
At least they’ll get the first crack at Peyton Manning next
year.
Ohio State offensive lineman Orlando Pace will make an immediate
impact on whichever team selects him in the draft.
* * *
The Dallas Mavericks’ offensive clinic in the third quarter
against the Lakers last Sunday was not even worthy of the Cleveland
Cavilers – at least the Cavs have never scored less than three
points in a quarter.
Allen Iverson vs. the Bulls is a good matchup – the 76ers vs.
the Bulls is not.
Iverson poured in 44 points against Chicago last night, but the
Bulls got the last laugh as they defeated the 76ers for the 15th
straight time.
As for the NBA rookie of the year, Shareef Abdur-Rahim wins it
in a close race over Iverson.
With the Celtics having a chance to get Tim Duncan, Ron Mercer
and Rick Pitino, the Beantown faithful should scrap this season and
look forward to 1998.
Yun is a Daily Bruin sports writer and columnist. He can be
reached by e-mail at tyun@media.ucla.edu.Tim Yun