Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 11, 1991

The five most impressive basketball teams I saw on television Sunday: 1. Nevada Las Vegas. 2. NBA Eastern Conference All-Stars. 3. NBA Western Conference All-Stars. 4. Duke. 5. Arizona. . . .

UCLA might have cracked the list except for the college bonehead play of the day, Don MacLean’s ball toss at a fallen Brian Williams, which cost the Bruins a technical foul and gave Arizona a point. . . .

The pro bonehead play of the day, of course, was Karl Malone’s interference on teammate Kevin Johnson’s three-point shot that otherwise might have gone in and given the Western Conference the victory. . . .

Actually, I don’t think UNLV is quite ready for the NBA, but it would be competitive against any of the great teams in NCAA history. . . .

Interviewed during the UCLA-Arizona telecast on ABC, John Wooden understandably remained partial to his national championship teams that were led by Lew Alcindor and then Bill Walton. . . .

“I think Vegas is the best ever,” hoops guru Sonny Vaccaro said. “The game is being played on a higher level now than it was in the days of Alcindor and Walton.” . . .

Bobby Knight probably won’t be getting any calls from members of the 1976 Indiana team, who phone him every year after the last of the previously unbeaten teams loses. . . .

Now Las Vegas can concentrate on its next tough assignment--Feb. 25 at New Mexico State. . . .

Ohio State, which will be the new No. 2 in the polls, and UNLV played the same day in the Duel in the Desert at the Thomas & Mack Center in December. Ohio State handled a tougher opponent, Georgetown without Alonzo Mourning, but couldn’t compare to UNLV, which blasted Florida State in the second game of the doubleheader. . . .

Those who thought Arkansas could do to UNLV in Fayetteville what Houston once did to UCLA in the Astrodome forgot that the Razorbacks don’t have Elvin Hayes. . . .

Last season, UNLV beat Arkansas by eight points after trailing by four at halftime. This season, the Rebels won by seven after trailing by four. . . .

Stacey Augmon will be the next Dennis Rodman in the NBA, but better offensively. . . .

UCLA has developed a bad habit--losing close games. . . .

Dick Vitale on USC guard Harold Miner: “He played horribly against Arizona State, but I left the Sports Arena impressed. There’s something special about that kid.” . . .

Billy Packer should know that officials almost never call intentional fouls, no matter how intentional they are. . . .

If the Pacific 10 Conference ever needed a tournament, it’s this year. Before it was canceled, the event was scheduled for the Tacoma Dome. . . .

A deep team like Duke usually will beat a one-man team like LSU. . . .

ESPN should do more Pac-10 games and fewer Big East games. . . .

Most remarkable achievement of All-Star weekend was Craig Hodges’ 19 consecutive three-point shots. . . .

The three-point and slam-dunk competitions are more entertaining than the game. . . .

Coach Rick Adelman should have allowed Magic Johnson to play all five positions. The only one he didn’t play was center. Ask the 1979-80 Philadelphia 76ers how well Magic can operate in the pivot. . . .

Thumbs up to KMPC for bringing back Bob Costas’ terrific sports talk show, “Costas, Coast to Coast” Sundays at 6 p.m. . . .

The worst thing about the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers combining for 294 penalty minutes is that the victorious Caps bragged about it. . . .

If the Boston Red Sox can give Matt Young $2 million a year, then they certainly can give Roger Clemens $5 million a year. . . .

Orel Hershiser may be ready to pitch some innings in spring training. . . .

Lee Trevino shooting a triple bogey on the 17th hole to blow the senior tournament in Tampa was not something I expected. . . .

Let’s hope that Sugar Ray Leonard’s fifth retirement is the charm. . . .

However, Leonard has had only 39 fights. The original Sugar Ray--Robinson--had 202. . . .

Tonight, we might get a hint about whether Leonard’s old foe, Thomas Hearns has anything left. Hearns will box Kemper Morton--or is it Morton Kemper?--at the Forum. Among those providing commentary for the Prime Ticket telecast will be Virgil Hill, who is scheduled to defend his World Boxing Assn. light-heavyweight championship against Hearns May 17 at Caesars Palace. . . .

Once again, college and pro basketball broadcasters and graphics people kept forgetting to give us something Sunday--the score.