Notes on a Scorecard - April 1, 1991

Again we are reminded how remarkable UCLA’s streak of seven consecutive NCAA basketball championships from 1967 to 1973 was. . . .

Not even Nevada Las Vegas has been able to win as many as two in a row since. . . .

So much for the notion that UNLV could hold its own against some NBA teams. I mean, do you think Duke could beat the Denver Nuggets? . . .

Jerry Tarkanian, a good winner all season, was a good loser, too. . . .

Where was Stacey Augmon when Larry Johnson really needed him? . . .

How refreshing not to have somebody screaming in your ear as Duke pulled off the most shocking upset since Buster Douglas knocked the invincibility out of Mike Tyson. Jim Nantz and Billy Packer of CBS let the pictures and crowd noise tell most of the story. . . .

There’s less pressure on Kansas than Duke tonight. If Duke comes home without the trophy again, people are still going to ask why Mike Krzyzewski can’t win the big one. . . .

It’s a wonder that a well-drilled, fundamentally sound team such as Kansas can’t shoot free throws. . . .

Pete Pavia gave the hook to Dean Smith quicker--and with less reason--than Richard Steele did to Razor Ruddock. . . .

Smith congratulating the Kansas players and coaches on his way out of the Hoosier Dome with 35 seconds left brought back memories of the 1976 Rose Bowl, when Woody Hayes ran over to shake hands with Dick Vermeil in the closing moments of Ohio State’s defeat to UCLA. . . .

Smith, who isn’t the coach that Krzyzewski is, turned basketball into a two-platoon sport Saturday. . . .

With his name, King Rice should become a lobbyist for the American Rice Assn. . . .

How come nobody ever asks Duke’s terrific junior center, Christian Laettner, whether he is coming out early for the NBA draft? . . .

Thumbs down on the skeptics who thought Edmonton would simply go through the motions against Calgary because the Oilers wanted to open the playoffs against the Kings instead of the Flames. . . .

Dave Taylor dedicated the Smythe Division championship to every player who has worn the King uniform. . . .

When Taylor joined the club in the 1977-78 season, his teammates included Syl Apps Jr., Larry Brown, Gene Carr, Marcel Dionne, Darryl Edestrand, Glenn Goldup, Butch Goring, Danny Grant, Ernie Hicke, Dave Hutchison, Randy Manery, Hartland Monohan, Bob Murdoch, Mike Murphy, Rob Palmer, Gary Sargent, Dave Schultz, Steve Short, Dave Simmons, Charlie Simmer, Lorne Stamler, Pete Stemkowski, Vic Venasky, Rogie Vachon, Tommy Williams and Bert Wilson. . . .

Duke-Vegas might not have been the most exciting college game played Saturday. In the NCAA Division I hockey championship game, Boston College took a 3-0 lead over Northern Michigan. Then Northern Michigan led, 7-4, before the teams tied, 7-7, at the end of regulation. In the first overtime, Boston College hit goal posts with two shots in a row and Northern Michigan hit the crossbar with the next shot. Finally, Northern Michigan won, 8-7, in the third overtime. . . .

I’m sure there will be some objections raised in The Times’ letters department Saturday, but I don’t hear too many complaints about the Dodgers releasing Fernando Valenzuela. It’s a case of what have you done for us lately. . . .

Of all the great pitchers, two Dodger southpaws, Valenzuela and Sandy Koufax, probably were responsible for the biggest increases in gate receipts on days when they worked. . . .

Don’t ask me why, but the Dodgers and Angels both are opening on the road this season. . . .

Among those in good shape at Angels Stadium in Palm Springs is KMPC play-by-play man Al Conin, who has shed 40 pounds. . . .

Somehow, I don’t think St. Louis and Houston are going to continue to win when the games count. . . .

Apollo’s fourth-place finish behind Hansel in the Jim Beam Stakes at Turfway Park Saturday didn’t exactly flatter the local 3-year-old crop. Fly So Free whipped Hansel in Florida. Then again, most in the Santa Anita press box didn’t think speedball Apollo could handle the 1 1/8-mile distance in the Beam. . . .

There should be a recall vote if the NBA most valuable player award doesn’t go to Michael Jordan. . . .

Good Guy: Laker forward Sam Perkins will be honored for his work with the Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles at a media reception Wednesday at the Forum. . . .

Olden Polynice isn’t the only new starter who has given the Clippers a lift. They’ve played much better since Winston Garland replaced the injured Gary Grant at point guard. . . .

Stat of the day: If Wayne Gretzky hadn’t scored a goal all season, he still would have finished second in the NHL scoring race.