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Men’s college basketball briefs

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 19, 2001

Confederate symbol could shift 2002 Final Four

ATLANTA -- The NCAA is making contingency plans to move the 2002 Final Four from Georgia because of the use of the Confederate battle symbol in the state flag.

"We have been developing contingency plans on a number of options. Obviously, one of the scenarios we have to keep open is an alternative site," NCAA spokesman Wally Renfro told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The newspaper reported Thursday that the Indianapolis-based NCAA has said it probably will decide in April, after the Georgia legislative session ends, whether to move the tournament and possibly the 2003 women's Final Four.

Changing the flag to eliminate the Confederate emblem is expected to be a heated issue in the Legislature. Martin Luther King III, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, asked the NCAA last year to relocate the tournaments unless the flag is changed by March 31.

The NCAA Executive Committee rejected the request in August. Kentucky president Charles Wethington, chairman of the executive committee, said the association would monitor activities concerning the Confederate symbol.

Renfro said the NCAA has talked to officials in several cities about staging the 2002 tournament, but he declined to identify them. Officials in St. Louis are prepared to make a bid.

MRI CONFIRMS TORN ACL: An MRI exam of Justin Hamilton's left knee confirmed that the Gators sophomore tore an anterior cruciate ligament on Wednesday.

In addition, Hamilton has two cartilage tears and a bone chip in his knee and he will not return for the rest of the season. Coach Billy Donovan expects freshman Orien Greene to start for Hamilton.

"Our system is in place," Donovan said. "We've got guys who are extremely young and fragile. They're going to have to step up and play above their heads."

SOUTH CAROLINA: Starter Chuck Eidson, one of the team's most versatile players, is out for the season with a torn knee ligament.

Top 25

NO. 17 ARIZONA 71, NO. 24 USC 58: Gilbert Arenas scored 18 as the host Wildcats welcomed coach Lute Olson back. Olson took an indefinite leave of absence Dec. 30, and two days later his wife of 47 years, Bobbi, died of ovarian cancer. He missed five games.

Conference USA

MEMPHIS 72, SAINT LOUIS 63 (OT): Earl Barron scored eight in overtime and host Memphis made 6 of 8 free throws in the final 46 seconds to win its fifth straight. A three-pointer by Memphis' Scooter McFadgon forced overtime.

SO. MISS. 76, LA.-LAFAYETTE 61: Vandarel Jones scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the host Golden Eagles.

Nation

UCLA 91, ARIZONA ST. 83: T.J. Cummings had 13 of his 18 points in the second half as the visiting Bruins improved to 4-0 in the Pac-10 for the first time in coach Steve Lavin's five seasons.

OHIO ST. 78, MICHIGAN 61: Brian Brown scored 18 points as the Buckeyes handed the Wolverines their 10th consecutive road loss.

State

FAU 71, JACKSONVILLE 62: Earnest Crumbley scored a game-best 23 and had six assists to lead the host Owls.

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