Notes on a Scorecard - March 16, 1995

Some people think Jim Harrick is overdue to win his first NCAA tournament championship in his seventh season at UCLA. . . .

John Wooden didn’t win the first of his 10 national titles until his 16th season at UCLA. . . .

Long Beach State can take heart that its first-round opponent, Utah, was hard pressed to beat USC by two points in December at the Sports Arena. . . .

Here are a few NCAA tournament single-game records that figure to survive another year: Most points--61 by Austin Carr of Notre Dame against Ohio State, 1970. Most rebounds--34 by Fred Cohen of Temple against Connecticut, 1956. Most assists--18 by Mark Wade of Nevada Las Vegas against Indiana, 1987. Most blocked shots--11 by Shaquille O’Neal of Louisiana State against Brigham Young, 1992. . . .

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Magic Johnson’s All-Stars, who are 39-0, will resume their exhibition tour next month in Japan, where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will join them. . . .

I realize the late start to the NHL season threw everything out of whack, but why are the Kings playing the St. Louis Blues, who aren’t even in their division, both tonight and next Monday at the Forum? . . .

Marty McSorley regained some of his aggressiveness during the Kings’ successful trip. . . .

The Mighty Ducks will play only six of their remaining 24 games, which make up the second half of the season, outside California. . . .

Trainer Wayne Lukas says juvenile champion Timber Country will be at a “tremendous disadvantage” if the San Felipe Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita becomes a match race with unbeaten Afternoon Deelites. . . .

“In a match race, speed and turn of foot are everything,” Lukas said. “With no pressure, Afternoon Deelites is virtually home free.” . . .

However, Lukas doesn’t seem too concerned about losing Sunday’s 1 1/16-mile race, the first showdown between the two early favorites for the Kentucky Derby. . . .

“Our main objective always has been May 6, not March 16,” he said. “When we get to a mile and an eighth and a mile and a quarter, the pendulum begins to swing back our way.” . . . UCLA’s Terry Donahue made three excellent choices when he added former Arizona State head coach Larry Marmie, former Bruin star Terry Tumey and former Bruin assistant coach Don Riley to his staff. . . .

When Oscar De La Hoya heard that Rafael Ruelas was opening training at Big Bear Monday, De La Hoya promptly canceled what was supposed to be a week of promotional obligations so he could open his camp the day before Ruelas. . . .

The HBO ratings for De La Hoya’s fight against John John Molina were higher than those for Riddick Bowe-Herbie Hide and Pernell Whitaker-Julio Cesar Vasquez. . . .

One of the most exciting fighters in any division is punching machine Wayne McCullough. . . .

A 1992 Olympic Games silver medalist from Ireland, McCullough has relocated to Las Vegas, is 16-0 with 13 knockouts, has gained the No. 1 spot in the World Boxing Council bantamweight rankings and, bulking up to 126 pounds, stopped Geronimo Cardoz on Tuesday. . . .

“His style reminds me of Henry Armstrong,” said Eddie Futch, who works McCullough’s corner with trainer Thell Torrance. . . .

Baseball fever: Fifteen fans camped out all night and long lines began forming at 5 a.m. Wednesday for tickets to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes games that went on sale at 7:30 a.m. . . .

It’s always bad news when a young pitcher has to undergo elbow surgery, especially when it’s a prospect as good as Darren Dreifort, who will miss the entire Dodger season, no matter what the labor situation. . . .

A 2-year-old full sister to Holy Bull was sold for $60,000 at the Barretts Sale in Pomona last week. Her name? Holy Cow.