Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 7, 1994

Skategate is the least of my worries today. . . .

I’m more concerned with the plight of the UCLA Bruins, losers of two of their last three games, and the L.A. Kings, winners of one of their last nine. . . .

The Bruins’ 16-point loss to Notre Dame showed that their 15-point loss to California was no fluke. . . .

When their fast break isn’t clicking, they are in trouble. . . .

In the two losses, UCLA has made one of 35 three-point shots. Congratulations to Charles O’Bannon for hitting the bull’s-eye against Cal. . . .

A perimeter shooter in the tradition of Reggie Miller, Tracy Murray and Don MacLean is lacking. . . .

But the Bruins make it even harder on themselves by standing around when they go into their half-court offense. . . .

“Teams are starting to adjust to us,” Ed O’Bannon said. . . .

Then it must be time for the Bruins and Coach Jim Harrick to start making some adjustments themselves. . . .

UCLA can’t trade for an outside shooter, but the Kings can make a deal for a physical defenseman. . . .

In fact, they should have done it weeks ago. . . .

Will General Manager Nick Beverley wait until they are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs? . . .

At this stage last year, the Kings were in the midst of a stretch when they won only one of 10 games, but at least they were above .500 at 24-22-6. . . .

Coach Barry Melrose ought to show some confidence in reserve goaltender Robb Stauber and give Kelly Hrudey a little rest from the nightly bombardments. . . .

Most gory interview of the weekend: Al MacInnis of the Calgary Flames, blood trickling down his left cheek from a bandaged eye, talking to Paul Sunderland on Prime Ticket after scoring the winning goal against the Kings in overtime. . . .

UCLA’s upset loss wasn’t the biggest suffered by a Pacific 10 Conference team Saturday. Washington defeated Arizona in Seattle for the third time in four years. This might have been the most surprising. The Wildcats aren’t as strong as usual, but still figured to handle a team that was 2-15. . . .

Already two games behind UCLA and one behind Cal, Arizona could virtually be out of the conference race by the time it leaves the Bay Area Sunday. . . .

Loyola Marymount (4-15) has the longest winning streak of any Division I school in the Southland, two games. . . .

NBC did a poor job of updating Charles O’Bannon’s physical condition after he was sidelined because of a wrist injury in the first half against Notre Dame. . . .

The NCAA West Regional, March 24-26 at the Sports Arena, is sold out. . . .

USC was outmanned, even when it had six players on the court Thursday at Pauley Pavilion. . . .

Coach George Raveling should start freshman guard Stais Boseman and center Avondre Jones the rest of the season. . . .

Headlines in the Daily Trojan on Friday: “USC blows 2-0 lead, 101-72” and “Late 101-70 run propels UCLA to win.” . . .

Alumnus Jerry Buss has donated the use of the Forum for the inaugural USC Athletic Hall of Fame dinner May 21. . . .

Spud Webb weighs 133, two pounds under the lightweight limit. . . .

It will be Coach Doug Collins’ Phenoms against Coach K.C. Jones’ Sensations in the rookie game on NBA All-Star Saturday in Minneapolis. . . .

Super Prep rates USC’s football recruiting class as second best in the nation, behind Tennessee’s. We’ll be the judge of that in two or three years. . . .

I nominate Jody Reed, who signed a minor-league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers after turning down a $7.8-million, three-year offer from the Dodgers, for miscalculation-of-the-year honors. . . .

When two teams are tied in the NHL standings, the one with games in hand, and not necessarily the most victories, should be listed first. . . .

Thumbs up to Greg Foster, 36, who beat Olympic bronze medalist Jack Pierce in the 60-meter hurdles and was voted the outstanding athlete of the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden. . . .

It was refreshing to see Scott Simpson not take the stodgy PGA party line and, instead, defend the good, clean fun Bill Murray has had at Pebble Beach. . . .

Buddy Ryan reportedly has removed Kevin Gilbride from the list of Phoenix Cardinals’ offensive coordinator candidates.