Notes on a Scorecard - Jan. 7, 1992

UCLA is 8-0 in basketball for the first time since last season. . . .

What happened to the 1990-91 team before, during, and after its next game is not something Coach Jim Harrick would care to see repeated. . . .

The plane that was supposed to take the Bruins to Iowa from Minneapolis was grounded because of a snowstorm. After a six-hour bus trip, they were beaten by Iowa, 88-71. After the game, they shivered in an unheated bus during the trip from Iowa City to the Cedar Rapids airport. . . .

There will not be a deep freeze in Arizona this week, but the hospitality may not be much better. First comes Arizona State, which has a five-game winning streak, Thursday night at Tempe. Then, sixth-ranked Arizona Saturday afternoon at Tucson, where the Wildcats have won 70 consecutive games. . . .

Harrick likes the chances of the second-ranked Bruins but would like them better if guard Gerald Madkins were available. . . .

“We miss Gerald’s leadership and defensive ability,” Harrick said after watching Georgia guard Litterial Green score 32 points in the second half Saturday night. . . .

The numerous NBA scouts at Pauley Pavilion were impressed by Green. But the Bruins’ M & M forwards, Tracy Murray and Don MacLean, also caught their eye. . . .

The improvement in the inside work of Murray, who used to be known primarily as an outside shooter, has made him one of the outstanding players in the nation. . . .

“Tracy has become a complete player,” Harrick said. “He’s a lot better rebounder now, and he has given us some tough defense.” . . .

Murray scored 24 points Saturday but late in the game told his coach during a timeout, “Let’s go to MacLean down the stretch. He’s hot. They can’t stop him.” . . .

MacLean and Murray can pull out games with their free-throw shooting. MacLean has made 41 of 44 and Murray 40 of 44. . . .

“Every guy on our team is better than last year,” Harrick said. “They’re a year older and smarter.” . . .

Also making this 8-0 team appear superior to last season’s is reserve freshman guard Tyus Edney, a little man with a big feel for the game. . . .

Among those making contributions in NFL playoff games over the weekend were former Rams Gaston Green and Michael Young of the Denver Broncos, Fred Stokes of the Washington Redskins, Clifford Hicks of the Buffalo Bills, William Fuller of the Houston Oilers and James Washington of the Dallas Cowboys. . . .

And, by the way, linebacker Cornelius Bennett, whom the Rams could have had in the Eric Dickerson trade, was the Bills’ best player on defense against Kansas City. . . .

Look-alikes Mark Rypien and Oliver Stone. . . .

In their last three playoff games at Rich Stadium, the Buffalo Bills have scored 132 points. . . .

Washington starts five Plan B free agents on defense. . . .

The Chiefs should try to trade for Phil Simms. . . .

The San Antonio Spurs outrebounded the Houston Rockets the other night, 75-42, and lost in overtime. . . .

Pat Riley can’t seem to get it right with the NBA office. Two seasons ago, he was fined for not using his players in the last game against Portland. This season, he was fined for using his players in a New Year’s Day practice. . . .

Massachusetts’ basketball program soon may be known for something more than producing Julius Erving. The Minutemen upset Oklahoma the other night. Forward Louis Roe is one of the best freshmen in the country and guard Jim McCoy one of the best little-known scorers. . . .

California will reap additional profits, but sacrifice some of its home-court advantage when it plays UCLA and Stanford at the Oakland Coliseum Arena instead of Harmon Gym. . . .

Former Arizona State coach Larry Marmie may become defensive coordinator at Notre Dame. . . .

Safest bet in horse racing is Itsallgreektome to place. . . .

Don Chargin, who promotes most of his fights in Sacramento these days, says 20-year-old Tijuana welterweight Yory Boy Campas “is the first guy I’ve seen in years who makes me want to promote in Los Angeles again.” . . .

Chargin and Dan Goossen will co-promote a fight between Campas, who is 39-0 with 35 knockouts, against Julian Samaha Jan. 18 at the Country Club in Reseda. . . .

One reason the Seattle Mariners traded for Kevin Mitchell is that their director of scouting and player personnel, Roger Jongewaad, signed the undrafted Mitchell to a New York Met free-agent contract in 1980. . . .

John Daly’s weight was listed at 175 pounds in the 1991 PGA Tour guide. . . .

I wonder if there is another free agent the Angels can’t sign. . . .

There is no truth to the rumor that the U.S. Olympic bobsled team will trade Herschel Walker to Italy for 10 brakemen.