Kentucky Has the Depth, but UCLA Had the Stars

Where does this Kentucky team rank among NCAA basketball champions? . . .

It didn’t have a first-team All-American, senior guard Tony Delk having been selected to the Associated Press second team. . . .

However, no college team ever has been as deep as the Wildcats, whose 12th man could start most places, and not many have been so well balanced. . . .

I would give the edge over Kentucky to any of the UCLA powers that were only seven deep, but featured Lew Alcindor or Bill Walton. . . .

A dream matchup would be Kentucky against the 1990 national champions, the Runnin’ Rebels of Nevada Las Vegas. Talk about fast tempo. . . .

Coach Rick Pitino did a masterful job of substituting and keeping egos under control. . . .

If he can continue to convince all his talented young players that team play wins championships, there could be a repeat next season. . . .

The women’s champion, Tennessee, didn’t have a first- or second-team All-American. Freshman forward Chamique Holdsclaw made the Associated Press’ third team. . . .

For the second time in the last seven years, the women’s Final Four outdrew the men’s. . . .

But this probably was the last time because future men’s Final Fours will be played in buildings seating at least 30,000. . . .

Kentucky was 12 for 27 in three-point shots against Syracuse, but only 16 for 46 in two-point shots. . . .

The Wildcats’ reserves outscored the Orangemen’s, 26-0. . . .

The Michigan State-Indiana State game in 1979, Magic Johnson against Larry Bird, remains the highest-rated televised college game. . . .

Marcus Camby of Massachusetts, Tim Duncan of Wake Forest, Ray Allen of Connecticut, Allen Iverson of Georgetown and Kerry Kittles of Villanova are the finalists for the John R. Wooden Award that will be announced Thursday at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. . . .

Thumbs up on the decision by Cincinnati and Montreal players not to continue after umpire John McSherry was stricken with a heart attack that proved fatal. . . .

Ozzie Smith on New York Met rookie shortstop Rey Ordonez: “It’s safe to say he’s the second coming of me.” . . .

“SportsCenter” anchor Charley Steiner was excellent as the play-by-play announcer for ESPN’s telecast of the Atlanta-San Francisco game Monday. He used to do New York Jet games on radio. . . .

Look-alikes: The Angels’ and Texas Rangers’ home uniforms. . . .

The new hero of chalk players is trainer Ron Ellis, who has won with nine of the 10 favorites he has saddled during the Santa Anita meeting. . . .

On Santa Anita Derby day Saturday, Eddie Delahoussaye will be in Hot Springs, Ark., to ride Big Cap winner Mr. Purple in the $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap. . . .

At the three-month mark, $100,000 in earnings on the PGA Tour isn’t good enough for a spot in the top 50. . . .

If you want to see an exciting hockey team, catch the Detroit Red Wings against the Kings tonight at the Forum. . . .

The difficulties of the NFL salary cap were demonstrated when the San Francisco 49ers had to waive starting defensive end Dennis Brown to make room for running back Johnny Johnson. . . .

UCLA Coach Bob Toledo is inviting fans to attend spring football practice sessions at Spaulding Field. . . .

Karim Abdul-Jabbar’s successor at tailback, Skip Hicks, is listed as a senior, but UCLA has petitioned the NCAA to grant him another year of eligibility because injuries limited him to three games last season. . . .

One of the great student-athletes in the nation is Bruin senior Annette Salmeen, who has qualified for the U.S. Olympic swim team in the 200-meter butterfly and the 800-meter freestyle relay and has a 3.94 grade-point average in chemistry. . . .

On Championship Saturday in Westwood, defending NCAA tennis champion Keri Phebus will play her final home match against California, the defending champion softball team will play third-ranked Washington and the defending champion men’s volleyball team will be host to the UCLA/Big Dog Classic. . . .

Several USC athletes will participate in “Pride & Pizazz,” a benefit fashion show Friday night at Town and Gown on campus. . . .

Ulis Williams, who has been named acting president of Compton College, ran on the U.S. gold-medal 1,600-meter relay team in the 1964 Olympics. . . .

Who is your favorite Robinson on the Portland Trail Blazers, Cliff, Rumeal or James?