This One Wasn’t Even Much of a Horse Race

The UCLA Bruins had an easy time of it against the Belmont Bruins in the first round of the NCAA tournament. David Thomas of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram figured it would go that way.

“UCLA’s tradition includes Bill Walton, Lew Alcindor and Walt Hazzard,� Thomas wrote. “Belmont’s tradition includes Robert Barnes, Joe Behling and DaQuinn Goff.�

Trivia time: During the Walton era, UCLA surpassed the University of San Francisco’s record of 60 consecutive victories, set in the fall of 1956, by winning 88 games in a row. What school held the record before USF?

Father knew best: California sophomore guard Omar Wilkes is the son of former UCLA and Laker star Jamaal Wilkes.

Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote Friday that Jamaal Wilkes never whined at the referees. “When called for a foul, he raised his hand. Guilty as charged, Your Honor,� Ostler wrote. “You know what they say about the apple not falling far from the tree. As [teammate Leon] Powe notes, ‘Omar doesn’t complain about fouls either.’ �

Valid reason: Ohio State defeated Davidson, 70-62, Friday, which must have pleased Mike Downey of the Chicago Tribune, who says he is an Ohio State fan. And why is that? Wrote Downey: “I’m a fan of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ actress Patricia Heaton, an Ohio State grad, because her TV character had the good taste to marry a sportswriter.�

No hunger or pains: Retired Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who makes his debut as an ESPN analyst today, was asked what he missed most about riding, and what he missed the least.

“What I miss most is the feel of riding a really good race,� Bailey said. “What I miss the least is the missed meals and extended stays in hospitals.�

Name has a ring to it: AT&T; sent out a news release recently about an online contest via www.att.angelbaseball.com in which participants can win tickets to the Angels’ home opener April 7 against the New York Yankees.

AT&T; properly referred to the team as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, even though the release had an Anaheim dateline. But then AT&T;, a corporation that has been involved in several acquisitions, is pretty adept at handling name changes.

Looking back: On this day in 1990, Loyola Marymount, 14 days after the death of Hank Gathers, defeated defending national champion Michigan, 149-115, at Long Beach in the first round of the NCAA tournament. It was the highest-scoring game in NCAA tournament history. Loyola’s Jeff Fryer, making 11 of 15 three-point shots, had 41 points.

Trivia answer: Texas, winners of 44 in a row from 1913 to 1917.

And finally: The Star-Telegram’s Thomas, on why Duke would beat Southern in the first round: “Uncle Louis will stop wearing dress socks with his cut-off shorts before Mike Krzyzewski loses in the first round.�

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Larry Stewart can be reached at [email protected].