
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 27, 1995                   TAG: 9503270104
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: ATLANTA                                 LENGTH: Short

SMITH, LOBO RECEIVE NATIONAL ATTENTION

Joe Smith of Maryland and Rebecca Lobo of Connecticut are the winners of the Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year awards.

UCLA's Jim Harrick was chosen men's Coach of the Year and Geno Auriemma of Connecticut was selected the top women's coach in a poll of the media by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

Smith, a 6-foot-10 sophomore, averaged 20.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game as Maryland went 24-7

Lobo, a 6-4 senior, averaged 17.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots for the Huskies.

Harrick has guided the Bruins to a 29-2 record and a trip to the Final Four. Auriemma's Huskies are 33-0 heading into the women's Final Four.

Ron Mercer of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., and Chamique Holdsclaw of Christ the King in Middle Village, N.Y., were chosen as the respective prep players of the year.

by CNB