Stoudamire Silent Over Suspension
Arizona’s Damon Stoudamire still isn’t saying anything about what led to his one-game suspension for a violation of NCAA rules.
“After these first two (tournament) games, I’ll have something else to say,” he said Wednesday. “Right now, I’m playing. I’m not going to answer any questions about my status.”
Teammate Ben Davis must sit out three NCAA Tournament games for receiving improper benefits in an unrelated incident, the NCAA announced Wednesday. Davis can rejoin the Wildcats if they reach the Midwest regional finals.
After hearing an appeal by phone, the committee upheld a staff decision Tuesday that Davis, a junior center, must repay some $3,300 in impermissible benefits before the start of the next school year, said Carrie Doyle, the NCAA’s director of eligibility.
By repaying the benefits, Davis avoided being banned for the entire tournament, she said.
No. 15 Arizona (23-7) plays Miami of Ohio (22-6) in the first round of the Midwest Regional today at the University of Dayton Arena.
Stoudamire, who led the Pac-10 in scoring (23 points per game) and assists, was benched after the school learned his father accepted an airline ticket from an agent. It was considered a violation of NCAA rules even if Stoudamire didn’t know about the ticket.
The NCAA concluded his onegame suspension last Saturday - a 103-98 loss to Arizona State in double overtime - was enough punishment and reinstated him for the NCAA tournament.
“This whole thing has made me think about everything in a different light,” Stoudamire said. “I’m kind of reborn. I’ve played harder in practice than I have in a long time. I’m even hungrier.
“Sitting on the bench Saturday, I finally realized how much I love basketball. When you see how the sport you love so much can be taken away so fast, it’s a great relief to be back.”
Secret weapon
Oklahoma State’s Randy Rutherford hasn’t been hyped as one of the NCAA Tournament’s great guards. The 6-foot-3 senior, who faces Drexel in the opening round of the East Regionals tonight at Baltimore Arena, has been overshadowed by his mammoth teammate - 7-0, 290-pound Bryant “Big Country” Reeves.
But Rutherford, an All-Big Eight choice, was instrumental in leading the Cowboys to a 23-9 record. He averaged 19.8 points and 6.2 rebounds, but his forte is 3-point shooting. He converted 129 of 308 3-pointers, including 11 against Kansas two weeks ago, when he scored a career-high 45 points.
“I’ve had as many quality guards play for me as anyone in the country in my 25 years of coaching,” said Eddie Sutton, who also took Creighton and Kentucky to the NCAA Tournament. “But Randy’s performance against Kansas was the greatest of any guard who’s played for me. If he played in the East, they’d all be raving about him.”
Running for cover
Bettors beware. Wake Forest coach Dave Odom and his star player, Randolph Childress, said the team will not cover the 23-point spread against North Carolina A&T.
“I don’t think we’ve beat a team by over 20 points all year, and I’m quite confident that won’t happen tomorrow,” Childress said.
The Demon Deacons beat UNCGreensboro by 20, the Citadel by 23 and Marshall by 36. But Wake’s ACC contests have been tight. Odom said that’s his team’s style.
“They cannot beat us in 10 minutes, and we cannot beat them in 10 minutes,” he said.