MIGUEL’S TOUGHEST FOES : Louisville’s Thompson Ranks at the Top of List

Nigel Miguel’s picks the toughest players he’s guarded, with their performance against him in parentheses:

1. Billy Thompson, Louisville, 6-7, 195, (22 points, 8 for 14 shooting).

Miguel: “He’s a pro. He knows how to play. And he’s an athlete . . . He called me up the night before and told me what he was going to do to us. That lob he got for a dunk? He said he was going to get some dunks on us. I was playing him tough. Then I looked up and he had 22 points. I was a little disappointed.”

2. Chris Mullin, St. John’s, 6-5, 185 (6 for 11, 16 points, 6 rebounds).

“I was real proud. (CBS’) Billy Packer made me player of the game for shutting him out for a half. I did a fine job on him but his shot wasn’t falling. When what I did was bothering him, he went to other parts of his game. He wasn’t really looking to score. He knows the game. And he has quick hands.”

3. Detlef Schrempf, Washington, 6-9 1/2, 210 (7 for 18, 18 points in two games):

“I like his game. The man does a lot of great things. I respect him for his ability and his know-how.”

4. Harold Keeling, Santa Clara, 6-3, 180 (10 for 17, 23 points):

“The player I’d like to guard again. I didn’t have much chance to get into him (Keeling scored a lot of points early, on fast breaks created by running through the Bruins’ full-court press). They came into Pauley and took one from us that we should have had.”