IN BRIEF : Missouri Coach’s Future in Doubt

Whether Norm Stewart can return this season to his third-ranked Missouri team remained unknown today as the 53-year-old coach began recovering from cancer surgery.

The beleaguered Tigers, 21-5, meanwhile, were given a day off after their 82-75 loss Tuesday night to Iowa State, their second setback in three games since Stewart fell ill.

Just hours before the game, the team learned that doctors Tuesday morning removed a cancerous tumor from Stewart’s colon and took out his diseased gallbladder.

“The doctors said they cleaned (the cancer) all out,” said Bob Sundvold, an assistant basketball coach suspended with pay last week by the school while it investigates his involvement in alleged NCAA violations.

Hospital officials said Stewart remained in satisfactory condition this morning and would be hospitalized at least a week.

The Big Eight Conference spent Tuesday checking with the NCAA about an emergency fill-in coach. Dan Dutcher of the NCAA legislative services department said that no official request had been made but that one might be granted.