SOUTHEAST REGIONAL : As Nonconference Game, It’s Easier for Cowboys

Coach Eddie Sutton of Oklahoma State has to like his team’s chances in the NCAA tournament, now that there are no Big Eight teams to push his Cowboys around.

Second-seeded Oklahoma State (28-7), which plays sixth-seeded Michigan (22-8) tonight in the Southeast Regional semifinals in Rupp Arena, has a 16-0 record against nonconference foes.

“The team is probably playing very close to where we were playing in the early part of the season,” said Sutton, whose Cowboys won 20 games before losing their first game.

Oklahoma State is coming off an 87-71 second-round victory over Tulane in which it shot an NCAA-record 80% from the field.

Sutton’s concern against Michigan is rebounding. The Wolverines have a height advantage at four positions.

“We’re giving away a lot of size,” Sutton said. “We’ve got to keep them off the offensive boards.”

Perhaps another of Sutton’s concerns is the reception he will get in Rupp Arena. The coach at Kentucky for four seasons, he left in disgrace after the 1989 season, the program headed for NCAA probation in the wake of recruiting scandals during his stewardship.

“The last year I coached was a difficult one for all of us,” Sutton said. “I think all of us have been able to pick up the pieces and go on with our lives. Rick (Pitino, now the Kentucky coach) and what they’ve been able to do here is outstanding. So Kentucky has it back on track. Those young men who went through what we had to go through are tougher people for it. I have no bitterness toward anybody here.

“I hope the focus here is on the regional tournament. It would be unfair to the other teams and to our ballclub to talk about Eddie Sutton and Kentucky.”

Michigan is on the same road it took during its national championship season in 1989. This year’s team and the 1989 squad finished third in the Big Ten, played the first two rounds in Atlanta and then proceeded to Lexington for the regional semifinals.

The only difference is that the road to the Final Four ends in Minneapolis this year instead of Seattle.

Michigan, which starts five freshmen, defeated Temple and East Tennessee State to reach the semifinal round.

“We’ve had a pretty good little run here the last six games, five of which we won,” Michigan Coach Steve Fisher said.

Top-seeded Ohio State (25-5) plays fourth-seeded North Carolina (23-9) in the other semifinal.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure on us, none at all,” said Jamaal Brown, Ohio State guard. “Last year we were sort of getting by, and deep down we knew it. This year we have a lot of confidence because we know we’re playing good ball.”

North Carolina hopes to contain All-American guard Jim Jackson, who averages 22.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and four assists.

“My greatest concern is Jimmy Jackson taking over the game,” said North Carolina’s George Lynch, who probably will guard Jackson. “I think he’s a great player, and his teammates feed off his play.”