NCAA Tournament Notes : Illinois Player Jumps to the Defense of Henson

Illinois Coach Lou Henson has been criticized for his mediocre record in the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. tournament, but at least one of his players think it is unjust.

At Friday’s practice, Nick Anderson wore a T-shirt inscribed “Lou Can Do!” in support of Henson.

“People have been down on him for so long, but Lou can do it,” Anderson said. “I think he’s a good coach. I don’t care what anybody else says.”

Duke guard Quin Snyder signed autographs for 10 minutes as he was leaving the Kingdome.

A hometown hero who grew up on Mercer Island, Snyder would have gotten writer’s cramp if a Duke official hadn’t hurried him off.

The Blue Devils practiced at Mercer Island High, Snyder’s old school, on Thursday.

“Quin showed us his old locker and his prom pictures,” quipped Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Michigan forward Sean Higgins, a sophomore from Los Angeles, is an aspiring sportscaster.

“I want to be another Dick Vitale,” Higgins said. “Most games are boring unless you have an exciting commentator. And maybe I could add some excitement to the games.”

Higgins was a no-show at a Dick Vitale sound-a-like contest held at a local bar.

USC Coach George Raveling reportedly was contacted for the vacant head coaching job at Washington, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported. Raveling, who has two years remaining on his USC contract, was not interested.

Paul Westhead, Loyola Marymount coach, also was contacted by Washington, the newspaper reported.

Injured Clipper rookie Danny Manning, who led Kansas to the 1988 NCAA title, is here as a fan.

“Last year I didn’t have much fun because we had a job to do.” Manning said. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

Who dies Manning pick?

“I like Duke,” said Manning, who scored 25 points as Kansas eliminated Duke, 66-59, in a semifinal game last season. “I think Duke has the experience because they’ve been (in the Final Four) three of the last four years.”

Danny Ferry, the Duke center, has grown tired of being compared to Manning.

“People have asked me if I’m this year’s Danny Manning,” Ferry said. “No, I’m not Danny Manning. I’m Danny Ferry.”