COLLEGE BASKETBALL / NCAA MEN’S REPORT : Father of UCLA Assistant Romar Is in Serious Condition After Surgeries

Davis Romar, father of UCLA assistant Lorenzo Romar, was listed in serious condition in an intensive-care unit after undergoing two surgeries for a brain aneurysm Sunday at Harborview Hospital.

The elder Romar, 61, of Ponca City, Okla., left the Kingdome in the second half of the Bruins’ semifinal victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday.

“He had a high blood-pressure situation which caused him to bleed in his head,” a nursing supervisor said. “He’s been to surgery twice, so he’s pretty sick.”

Lorenzo Romar was not informed about his father’s condition until after the game and was not at Sunday’s news conference at the Kingdome.

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Arkansas senior Elmer Martin played only five minutes and scored three points against North Carolina in the semifinals, but he kept his winning streak alive as a starter. Since Martin replaced Dwight Stewart late in the regular season in the starting lineup, Arkansas has won 14 consecutive games. Martin, who is averaging 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds a game this season, did not play in last year’s title game but will start tonight.

“I’m proud that I will get to start the final game of my career,” said Martin, who has only seven points and eight rebounds in five tournament games. “I really didn’t feel that I played a significant role in last year’s championship, but this year it’s a different story.”

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After playing against Bryant (Big Country) Reeves, Oklahoma State’s 7-foot, 292-pound center, UCLA’s George Zidek expects a different challenge from Arkansas’ Corlis Williamson.

“Against North Carolina, (Tar Heel center Rasheed) Wallace let him catch the ball too close to the basket,” Zidek said about Williamson’s 19 second-half points in Arkansas’ semifinal victory Saturday. “I’m just going to try and keep him as far from the paint as I can.

“I expect to see more power and more agility from Williamson than I did against Big Country. Williamson is probably the strongest player in the NCAA who can run. It’s going to be a challenge just to keep up with him.”

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In 38 games this season, Arkansas has attempted 889 three-point shots--including 137 in five tournament games. In their victory over North Carolina, the Razorbacks made 12 of 34.

“We never go into a game worried about a team stopping our (three-point shooting),” Arkansas’ Scotty Thurman said. “I know with me, getting my shot off has never been a concern of mine. The bottom line is winning and you do that by doing what you do best.”

Tonight’s matchup might come down to a battle of whether Arkansas can continue to have success with its outside game and whether the Razorbacks can force UCLA into trying to do the same. In 32 games this season, UCLA has taken only 339 three-point shots--including 52 in the tournament.

“In its game Saturday, North Carolina seemed to settle for the three-point shot too much,” UCLA Coach Jim Harrick said. “All I will say is that we’re different. We will try to work it around more and not get caught up with what they like to do.”

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If UCLA wins tonight, it would give the Bruins 31 victories, which would set a school record for the most in a single season.

UCLA’s 30-2 record already is its best since the 1972-73 team went 30-0 in winning the Bruins’ ninth NCAA title. . . . Tyus Edney has 38 assists and only nine turnovers in five tournament games. . . In winning last year’s tournament, Arkansas averaged a 10.7-point victory margin. This year, the Razorbacks are winning by an average of four points.