Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 19, 1992 TAG: 9203190157
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GARY McCANN LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: GREENSBORO, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
"We've enjoyed the year," Duke's Mike Krzyzewski said. "It's been an incredible year. I didn't think we'd be number one all year. What we've done makes this the best year I've had coaching by far. It's not even close."
But all that could come crashing down for the 28-2 Blue Devils if they lose.
The Blue Devils begin defense of their national title tonight at 7:40 against 19-11 Campbell, the Big South Conference champion.
Duke should win easily. But Krzyzewski doesn't want a half-hearted effort because the stakes have changed.
"During the regular season," he said, "teams gave us their best shot because they had nothing to lose. Now, they have something to lose.
"We just want to win. This game presents no dilemma. I'll be upset if our team isn't diving for loose balls and playing hard to the last minute. That's the best way to approach it."
In the afternoon session, No. 4 seed Seton Hall (21-8) plays No. 13 La Salle (20-10) at 12:25 and No. 5 Missouri (20-8) faces No. 12 West Virginia (20-11) at 2:55.
Tonight, following Duke-Campbell, No. 8 Texas (23-11) plays No. 9 Iowa (18-10).
For the fourth time since 1988, Seton Hall is in the same regional as the No. 1 ranked team (Duke) in the country. And coach P.J. Carlesimo wouldn't mind swapping first-round opponents with someone.
La Salle shoots 3-pointers at will - 804 so far - and the Explorers have made 285 (35.4 percent). Their 9.5 3-pointers per game lead the nation.
Hurd, a 6-6 senior guard, averages 18.2 points and has launched 275 3-pointers, making 111 (40.4 percent). His 3.7 per game average is fifth nationally.
Woods, a 6-foot, 185-pound combination of muscle, speed and finesse, averages 27.1 points. Woods has taken 326 3-pointers, making 117 (35.9 percent). His 3.9 per game average ranks No. 5 nationally.
Seton Hall wants more of a half-court game. La Salle wants it up-tempo.
Seton Hall's top scorer is 6-4 guard Terry Dehere (19.1), while 6-7 Jerry Walker (13.7 points, 7.5 rebounds) is the man inside. Gordon Winchester, 6-7, will draw the defensive assignment against Hurd, and he may even play Woods, if, as Carlesimo said, "he's lighting everyone else up."
Missouri, loser of four straight games, will be trying to reverse a nasty NCAA trend. Last year NCAA sanctions left the Tigers on the sidelines. The year before Northern Iowa took them out in the first round. The Tigers have lost in the first round five of the past six tournaments in which they've appeared.
The Tigers' best player is All-America guard Anthony Peeler, who averages 23.2 points and 5.6 rebounds.
Missouri does not have much depth, and that could be a problem against a West Virginia team that can go 10 deep.
The Mountaineers have 11 players who have played in at least 27 games, led by the scoring of Chris Leonard (16.9).
The Texas-Iowa game may be the day's most intriguing matchup. Both teams love an up-tempo game.
Iowa likes full-court pressure defense and can use 11 players liberally. Acie Earl, 6-10, leads the Hawkeyes in scoring (19.4) and rebounding (7.8).
The Longhorns average 90.7 points, led by Dexter Cambridge (22.1), Terrence Rencher (18.8) and B.J. Tyler (18.1).
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB