THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 23, 1995 TAG: 9503230705
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: OAKLAND LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Both teams are from power conferences, like to run and press, boast five players in double figures and have a marquee sophomore.
The West Regional semifinal at approximately 10:30 tonight between Maryland (26-7) and Connecticut (27-4) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum also pits two schools that made the Sweet 16 last year but have never appeared in the Final Four.
``As we break down Maryland (films), I think the thing I realize is that it won't be as much a battle of styles as much as it will be a battle of wills,'' UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. ``Both teams want to play very similar - fast break, trap, press, run the ball up the court and try to create opportunities off defense.
``I think the only difference is the way they get it done. Maryland is obviously going to go to Joe Smith. When it's all said and done, we're going to our perimeter people and Donny Marshall - he can get it done inside and outside.''
Smith (20.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.9 blocks) is Maryland's first-team All-American center. Ray Allen (20.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 45 percent 3-point shooter) is the Huskies' talented third-team All-American swing player.
``Connecticut is one of the quicker teams you will see with their perimeter people,'' Maryland coach Gary Williams said. ``Four of their starters can come out and handle the ball.''
WELCOME BACK: Williams on his return from the pneumonia that caused him to miss two weeks of practice and games, including the ACC tournament: ``I was worried that I wouldn't be able to coach any more this year. So this is all great to me to be back here coaching. I appreciate my health, and I had a scare.''
``He does look a lot healthier than when he first came back,'' Smith said. ``He's got a nice fresh haircut.''
IS WEST BEST? Of the remaining teams in the tournament, the West bracket may be the toughest.
Oakland is the only regional site hosting three of the top 10 in the final Associated Press poll - including No. 1 UCLA - and four of the top 20. UCLA (27-2) has the nation's best record. Of the five remaining players in the tournament among the top 50 scorers in the regular season, three - Smith, Allen and UCLA's Ed O'Bannon - are playing in the West. by CNB