BIG EAST NOTES : NIT Can’t Win With Phony Format

The just-completed Dodge NIT made a mockery of the word “tournament.” Shame on the selection committee for making the last-ditch switch in the matchups -- forcing the two strongest teams, Kansas and then-No. 1 UNLV, to meet in the semifinals so the home team, St. John’s, could reach the final.

If the NIT is so intent on getting specific teams to the title game for television and attendance purposes, then it should drop the phony “tournament” format and invite two biggies for a one-game showdown. Otherwise, play things straight. Seed teams, use a bracket system, be equitable about home and away games, and don’t change the rules in mid-tournament.

As it was, three of the four coaches who made it to the semis were clearly irked by the late-minute shenanigans. Nobody likes staying up all night scouting the wrong team.

The unranked Jayhawks -- who beat No. 2 LSU and UNLV -- got the last laugh. As winning Kansas Coach Roy Williams gleefully put it after defeating St. John’s, “They didn’t want us here. We spoiled their party and now we’re going to have one of our own.”

This marks the first week Syracuse ever has been ranked No. 1 in an in-season poll. The Orangemen began the 1987-88 season ranked No. 1 but lost their opener to North Carolina in the Tip-Off Classic in overtime. Should Syracuse maintain its ranking and win the NCAA title, Jim Boeheim might just lose underclassman Billy Owens to the NBA.

“If we go all the way, I think it’s a possibility,” Owens said. “I might put my name into it. It depends on how we do. It’s a consideration. I think about my parents cause they’re not getting any younger. I want them to start living a better life than they’re living right now.”

One consideration is whether Billy’s older brother Michael, a Syracuse running back, gets drafted by the NFL this spring. For now, Billy Sr., the father of this talented duo, says, “We’re still talking four years (at Syracuse) now. I’m sure Billy’s thinking about (the NBA), but we’ll have to be in that situation before we start talking about it.”

There’s motivation for Syracuse to finish second again.

Here’s nominating Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun for international ambassador for the Big East. When the Israeli National Team toured the conference earlier this month, Coach Ralph Klein begged Calhoun to let him borrow new Huskie Nadav Henefeld for one game. The catch? The game was in Tel Aviv, two nights before UConn was due to open at the Great Alaskan Shootout in Anchorage.

Softhearted Calhoun let Henefeld of Ramat-Hasharon go, because Israel is trying to qualify for the 1990 European Championships. Henefeld flew to Tel Aviv Nov. 18, scored 23 points as Israel defeated France, 99-93, Nov. 22, then flew 20 hours to Anchorage. He arrived in time for the Texas A&M; game, scoring five points in 20 minutes. But the Huskies lost, 92-81. Against Auburn, he scored 16 points in 26 minutes. Calhoun says the 6-7 Henefeld could be his best player by the time the Big East schedule starts.

“I’m very glad I went,” Henefeld said upon his return. “I’m here now and it’s finished. That’s it. They never tried to convince me to stay for the other two games (against the Soviets and the Czechs). They said a promise was a promise.”

Syracuse freshman Michael Edwards of Voorhees, N.J., was more surprised than anyone to see 24 minutes of action in the opener against Rutgers. “I thought I’d get 5 or 10 minutes,” the 5-11 guard said. “When I was still in there, I thought, ‘Oh, my God.”’ The only true point guard on the roster, Edwards had 5 points, 10 assists and only 2 turnovers.

“Mike’s a good playmaker. He’ll be a good shooter, too,” Coach Jim Boeheim said.

“If he continues to come off the bench, he’ll spoil the fact that me and Stevie (Thompson) are the best backcourt in the country,” said Billy Owens, who was only half-kidding. In their backcourt debut, Thompson and Owens combined for 62 points, 9 assists, 8 turnovers and 18 rebounds.