Scheduling Conflict Adds Classic Touch

In its third season, the John R. Wooden Classic at the Pond of Anaheim is undergoing some self-examination. There is uncertainty about the event’s long-term status, if not its immediate viability.

What is certain is that for the first time, UCLA will not be a part of the event, though four basketball teams with high national profiles will be.

In today’s first game at 10:30 a.m., No. 3 Utah will play No. 15 Arizona. Louisiana State and Louisville will meet 30 minutes after the first game.

UCLA has made no commitment for the future. Because of a previous scheduling conflict, No. 17 UCLA will play No. 1 Kansas at 12:30 p.m. today in Pauley Pavilion.

“Going into this, it was never our intention of having UCLA in the Wooden Classic every year,” said Kent Atherton, Wooden Classic chairman. “We’ll always be excited to have UCLA in this event, but we couldn’t work around [the scheduling conflict]. Unfortunately, they’re playing the same day up the road.”

The UCLA-Kansas game is the national game on CBS; the Wooden Classic will be on NBC, beginning at 11 a.m., but this is the final year of NBC’s three-year contract with the event. Negotiations to continue the partnership will take place after this season’s event.

“UCLA obviously is a big national attraction, and you always like that,” said Jon Miller, senior vice president of programming for NBC Sports. “But as long as the field continues to be strong and the games are exciting, that’s what we’ll look at.”

Utah Coach Rick Majerus, whose school hasn’t been ranked so high since it was briefly No. 2 in 1954, couldn’t be happier with this year’s arrangement.

He loves coaching in a high-profile game with a national TV audience.

“This is a great event,” Majerus said. “We’re going to do the best we can to represent the university and make sure it’s a good game.”

Forward Keith Van Horn, a player-of-the-year candidate who chose to return for his senior season rather than run for NBA millions, is averaging 16.3 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Utes (4-0). Center Michael Doleac averages 13.3 points and 9.5 rebounds.

But Arizona (2-1) might have an edge in quickness, with a standout backcourt of Michael Dickerson and freshman point guard Mike Bibby, son of USC Coach Henry Bibby. Dickerson averages 27.3 points, Bibby 15 points and 6.3 assists.

Louisville Coach Denny Crum, a former player for and assistant to Wooden at UCLA, led the Cardinals to national titles in 1980 and ’86.

Point guard DeJuan Wheat is the top holdover from last season’s team, which reached the Sweet 16. Wheat, averaging 18.3 points and six assists, makes the Cardinals’ up-tempo offense go. Freshman forward Nate Johnson is averaging 13 points for Louisville (3-0).

Crum is 4-0 against LSU and today’s coaching counterpart, Dale Brown.

“The games haven’t been too good when we play,” Brown joked. “I’m hoping for a better outcome this time.”

Center Duane Spencer averages 16.5 points and 7.3 rebounds, and freshman forward Lester Earl is averaging 10.7 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Tigers (3-3).

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Wooden Classic at a Glance

at Pond of Anaheim

* No. 3 Utah vs. No. 15 Arizona, 10:30 a.m.

* Louisiana State vs. Louisville, 30 minutes after the first game

* TV: Channel 4, 11 a.m., joined in progress.