Grgurich Thought to Be UNLV’s Choice

Only two years after Jerry Tarkanian was forced out as Nevada Las Vegas basketball coach, his former top assistant might be brought back as head coach.

Tim Grgurich, a former UNLV assistant, appeared closer Tuesday to replacing lame-duck Rollie Massimino by the time the Runnin’ Rebels open practice Saturday for the upcoming season.

Massimino was still officially the coach pending a meeting today with the university’s interim president. But he sounded like he was awaiting only the completion of a buyout deal offered by the university.

“I thought this was a really great experience,” Massimino said Tuesday of his short reign in one of college basketball’s most visible positions.

Kenny Guinn, UNLV interim president, was to meet for a second time with Massimino today. An agreement was expected on a reported $1.5-million buyout of his contract.

Grgurich is a Seattle SuperSonic assistant who spent 12 years helping Tarkanian build UNLV into a national power.

Jurisprudence

Olympic sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner’s emotional testimony that her husband’s “happy-go-lucky” demeanor changed for the worse after an incident with Los Angeles police brought to a close Al Joyner’s week-long trial for damages.

The jury of five men and three women began deliberations after earlier hearing from Griffith Joyner that the May 8, 1992, incident caused her husband to withdraw from family life and abandon his bid to qualify for the 1992 Olympic Games.

The four officers have already been found to have violated Joyner’s civil rights when they misread his car’s license plates and ordered him out of the car at gunpoint.

Baseball

Outfielder Cory Snyder and pitcher Roger McDowell have informed the Dodgers that they have chosen free agency rather than accept minor league assignments.

Baltimore Oriole right fielder Jeffrey Hammonds underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery in Birmingham, Ala., and is expected to be ready to play by spring, the team said. But a slower recovery could result in Hammonds missing up to half of the season. . . . George Genovese, 72, Southern California scout for the San Francisco Giants, said he has been fired--the apparent victim of strike-related cuts.

Tennis

The U.S. Davis Cup team, which lost to France in the final three years ago, will get a chance to avenge the defeat when the teams meet in the first round of the 1995 tournament. The Americans will play a home match against the French Feb. 3-5.

Martina Hingis, 14, needed only 45 minutes to rout Helena Sukova, 6-2, 6-1, in the opening round of the Porsche Grand Prix at Filderstadt, Germany. Her next opponent will be Christina Singer of Germany, who upset fourth-seeded Gabriela Sabatini of Argentina, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.

UCLA’s new health center will be named in honor of the late Arthur Ashe, who led the Bruins to the 1965 NCAA title before becoming a professional player.

Miscellany

The Milwaukee Bucks, still negotiating with No. 1 draft pick Glenn Robinson, signed 6-foot-11 center Eric Mobley, the 18th pick in the draft, to a four-year contract worth $4.64 million. . . . Carl Gehlhausen, a race car owner whose drivers included A.J. Foyt and Tom Sneva, died Friday after a heart attack and a stroke in Indianapolis. He was 67. . . . New York Ranger left wing Adam Graves underwent back surgery and will be unable to play for at least eight weeks, the team said. . . . The NCAA Council is expected to push for continued use of SAT and ACT scores as part of the requirements for freshmen eligibility at a news conference today. . . . Earle Bruce resigned as coach of the Cleveland Thunderbolt arena football team, citing personal reasons. . . . The Cal State Bakersfield women’s volleyball team, the top-ranked team in Division II, defeated No. 2 Cal State Los Angeles, 7-15, 15-8, 15-11, 15-11.