Notes on a Scorecard - March 24, 1992

Those who believed the Clippers should have traded for Charles Barkley argued that an NBA team needs a superstar to win a championship. . . .

It develops that the Clippers may have had that superstar right under their noses. . . .

His name is Danny Manning, and he has become, at least, the best basketball player in the city of Los Angeles. . . .

Manning can shoot, pass and rebound, and he makes his teammates look better. . . .

Kind of like Magic without the smile. . . .

Maybe UCLA fans shouldn’t be so worried about the home-state advantage New Mexico State will have Thursday. In 1968, the Bruins defeated the Aggies at Albuquerque in the NCAA West Regional semifinals, 58-49. Of course, UCLA had a center named Lew Alcindor. . . .

UCLA is the only school represented in both the men’s and women’s Sweet 16. . . .

Wonder how Eddie Sutton, the former Kentucky coach, will be greeted in Lexington, Ky., when his Oklahoma State team plays Michigan Friday. . . .

It will be an upset if Michigan’s freshman class doesn’t win an NCAA title in the next couple of years. . . .

The new sleeper is Cincinnati, which has a chance to win a championship without Oscar Robertson. . . .

Sign of the tournament: “Geaux Cajuns,” held by a fan of the Southwest Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. . . .

March swoon honors go to Arizona. After soaring to No. 2 in the polls, the Wildcats lost their final three games, including an embarrassment to East Tennessee State in the first round. . . .

USC’s last-second victory over Arizona at the Sports Arena was the first college basketball game actress Lolita Davidovich ever attended. She thinks it is a pretty neat sport. . . .

The Pacific 10 Conference has three teams left in the women’s tournament: Stanford, USC and UCLA. Only the SEC has as many. . . .

Tammy Story, the USC guard who scored 26 points against Montana in a second-round West Regional game Sunday, has a 3.5 grade-point average in accounting and already has accepted a position with a prestigious Atlanta firm. . . .

A few hours after the Trojans arrived home from their defeat by Georgia Tech, Coach George Raveling attended the women’s game on campus and did commentary on the Prime Ticket telecast during the second half. . . .

When the Lakers play Portland April 18, Cliff Robinson may guard Cliff Robinson. . . .

The Indiana Pacers lead the NBA in one category--illegal defense violations, with 32. . . .

Larry Johnson of Charlotte has overtaken Dikembe Mutombo of Denver in many rookie-of-the-year rankings. . . .

Utah guard John Stockton could equal his 1989 feat of winning the league assist and steal titles. . . .

Evander Holyfield won’t fight Larry Holmes at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas until June 19, but they will hold a news conference today in L.A. . . .

Mark Messier has provided the New York Rangers with a lot more than leadership. His 103 points are only six fewer than the club record set by Jean Ratelle in 1972-73. . . .

I will miss instant replay next season, especially when officials’ errors are shown on TV replay. . . .

No team in Arena Football will have a more enthusiastic coach than Joe Kapp of the Los Angeles Wings. . . .

USC will not be hurting at tailback next season despite Mazio Royster’s decision to skip his senior season and make himself available for the NFL draft. . . .

Redshirt freshman tailback Dwight McFadden of Lawton, Okla., was outstanding during the Trojan scrimmage Saturday. Two experienced tailbacks who had some big moments last season are senior Estrus Crayton and junior Deon Strother. . . .

Versatile owner Dr. Ed Allred, who already has thoroughbred and quarter horse stables, has bought several New Zealand harness horses. . . .

The newest jockey at Santa Anita, John Atherton, is married to the granddaughter of Hall of Fame rider John Longden. . . .

According to the Santa Anita mutuel department, the trifecta has become the most popular exotic wager at the track. The least popular is the quinella. . . .

General Manager Ted Simmons of the Pittsburgh Pirates, whose team is the target of a grievance case filed by the Major League Players Assn. on behalf of Bill Landrum, was a strong union man during his playing days. . . .

I like the Pac-10 teams in the World Cup games that will be played at the Rose Bowl.