TROY CLINCHES PAC-10 TIE!
65-62 win gives USC first hoop title in 24 years
By Scott Wolf
Assistant Sports Editor
One down, one to go.
That was the predominant theme in the USC locker room following Thursday night's 65-62 victory over Oregon at the Sports Arena, which clinched the Trojans at least a share of the conference title for the first time since 1961.
It was only fitting that John Rudometkin, a member of the 1961 Trojan team, be on hand Thursday to witness the occasion and to honor current Trojan Wayne Carlander, who broke Rudometkin's all-time scoring record in Texas last Sunday.
Despite the magnitude of the win, which assures Troy (19-8, 13-4 in the Pacific 10) an NCAA Tournament berth, most players took a subdued approach toward the game, with an outright championship lurking ahead.
"We've got half a ring and we want to get the other half Saturday," USC Coach Stan Morrison said.
"This is what we've all been waiting for (Saturday)," forward Derrick Dowell said. "We won't experience any emotion until we win it (Pac-10 title)."
Dowell, Who spent most of Thursday icing his right index finger, which he fractured in practice, showed no ill effects against the Ducks as he swiped six steals, most of which led to Trojan baskets.
He also grabbed 11 rebounds and contended with 7-0 center Blair Rasmussen much of the night.
"I was always reaching with my left hand," Dowell said of his six steals. "I couldn't shoot the ball correctly and I was in a lot of pain."
So was Oregon Coach Don Monson, who watched helplessly as the Trojans unleashed a fatal 12-2 spurt midway into the second half, which turned a 36-30 lead into a 47-32 bulge with 11:05 left.
Every Trojan starter scored in the run, which allowed USC to dictate the tempo for the remainder of the game.
USC utilized a spread court offense, only settling for easy shots or forcing the Ducks to foul during the final 10 minutes.
By holding onto the ball, Morrison also kept it out of the hands of Rasmussen, who poured in a season-high 27 points. After a slow conference start, the Oregon center has turned things around, earning Pac-10 player of the week awards two of the past three weeks.
"Trying to guard Blair Rasmussen was like guarding Von KleinSmid Center tower," Morrison joked.
"We just tried to contain him, everyone helped inside on him," Dowell said.
Oregon spent the final 10 minutes trying to whittle away at the lead, but could never get closer than the three point margin at the end.
In the final minute, Carlander hit six straight free throws to ice the game for the Trojans.
(Continued on page 24)
MIKE MELSON DAILY TROJAN
BRIDGING THE GAP — USC’s last conference basketball championship came in 1961, when John Rudometkin, left, led the Trojans to a 21-8 record. Wayne Carlander, Pac-10 Player of the Year, broke the “Reckless Russian's” all-time scoring record Sunday, and his 16 points against Oregon Thursday increased his new USC career record to 1,501 as Rudometkin watched his alma mater clinch a tie for the league title.
Volume XCVttl, Number 39
University of Soumern California
Friday, March 8, 1985
Nicaragua forum opens debate over U.S. assistance to contras
By Owen Gross
Staff Writer
Tempers flared as arguments were presented to defend the actions taken by U.S.-supported contra rebels in Nicaragua, during an open forum discussion at Hancock Auditorium Thursday.
Thursday's discussion by four authorities on Nicaragua, including university international relations professor Abraham Lowenthal, was the second in two days that was designed to present a point of view similar to that held by the contra forces.
Lowenthal opened the discussion with his presentation on U.S. foreign policy toward Nicaragua.
He said the policy of aggressive U.S. intervention in Latin America is a radical policy and a serious departure from norms developed over the past few years. "The policy is one of adventure and risk and not that of conservatism," he added.
"Central America is simply not a region that should engage us in military intervention," said Lowenthal, who teaches a course in Latin American international relations.
Lowenthal believes that what is really at stake in Central America is "not national security but national insecurity, . . . psychic discomfort from having lost control of something that we used to control.
(Continued on page 6)
EO BATT"DAILY TROJAN
Umberto Belli (left) and Antonio Farach (right) discussed the future of Nicaragua at a public forum Thursday.
Wally George to speak; stirs campus protests
By Carol Ann Coates
Assistant Gty Editor
Wally George, the ineffable host of the controversial talkshow "Hot Seat," has been offered $1,300 by the Program Board to speak on campus March 25, and this has stirred a small controversy among several members of the university community.
"He is a well-known biggot" said Geyla Frank, associate professor of occupational therapy and anthropology. Frank wrote a letter of protest to the Program Board because she does not believe George will make a quality contribution to the university.
Although George has a right to free speech, Frank objects to using student money to pay him because he is not representative of the students, she said.
Paul Ballard, chairman of the Gay and Lesbian Student Union, said George is using the university as a forum to spew his opinions and is using the "USC" name to gain publicity.
Ballard said the university is not aware of the hassles and implications of George speaking on campus. He added he did not think that it is proper for the university to be paying George with student money because he will damage the university's reputation.
When he met with members of the speakers committee of the Program Board, Ballard said he was told that the show was going on as planned, in spite of the protests.
The Frogram Board received two other letters — one from the USC Feminist Forum and another from a university student — protesting George's appearance on campus.
Scott Evers, chairman of the Program Board, said there have not been enough complaints against George to strike the project, but if the protests increase, the Program Board will cancel the engagement.
Although George is committed by contract to do the show, university officials have not yet signed the contract, said Carlos Sanchez, booking director of the speakers committee.
George will also be paid an additional $600 by the Drugs and Utopian Revolution religion to debate one of their members when he appears on campus.
Evers said he anticpates the possibility of some protesting in front of Bovard when George appears, but not any major disturbance.
The number of people who are interested in George's speech surpasses those who are not, Evers said.
Evers said he and Michael Frese, speakers committee director, feel the Program Board should sponsor diverse events.
For example, Evers said that just because G. Gordon Liddy was asked to speak on campus two years ago does not mean the Program Board or the university supports criminals.