SDSU, Arkansas Similar--Except for Early Records

Nolan Richardson, Arkansas basketball coach, sees a little bit of his team in San Diego State.

The Razorbacks and Aztecs, who meet at 5 p.m. (PST) today, both have young teams building toward the future.

However, there is one big difference between the teams. Arkansas has won all three of its games, while SDSU has lost both of its games.

Since Arkansas beat Southern Illinois in its opener, 86-72, the Razorbacks have had one-point victories over Southern, 76-75, and Southwest Missouri State, 68-67. SDSU opened its season last weekend in the Sun-Met tournament at Fresno by losing to Louisiana Tech, 74-72, and Eastern Washington, 81-79, in double overtime.

“It’s no fun winning by one point,” Richardson said. “But I’d hate to be (SDSU Coach) Smokey Gaines every day explaining how we lost by two points.”

Both SDSU losses have come on shots in the final three seconds. The Aztecs led each game before having problems down the stretch.

Gaines said he expected such problems. Six of his 11 players are freshmen, including two starters.

However, Richardson also has a young team in his first year as Eddie Sutton’s replacement. The Razorbacks have been starting four sophomores and one junior.

“One of the biggest problems we have had is that our players don’t understand the up-tempo game yet,” Richardson said. “They are the type you would like to have get up and down the floor better. When we get in trouble, they revert to the way they have played before.”

The Razorbacks’ top player figured to be William Mills, a 6-foot 7-inch junior forward. But Mills has only one rebound in two games and has had problems off the court. He was suspended one game last week for missing practice.

“I call him a Harlem Globetrotter spectacular,” Richardson said. “He has the dunks and the high fives. He has the ability. If he could start doing other things on the court that he’s capable of, he could become like the Michael Jordans and Larry Birds.”

SDSU’s biggest concern is the condition of 6-8 center Steffond Johnson, who was limited to 11 minutes against Eastern Washington with muscle spasms in his lower back. Johnson is expected to see extensive action tonight, but the Aztecs are more concerned with how he’ll play on back-to-back days.

The answer to that question will come when SDSU plays Oral Roberts Wednesday night in Tulsa, Okla.