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Wednesday, January 14, 1998
Texas struggling with injuries, youth
By CHIP BROWN / AP Sports Writer
AUSTIN (AP) -- Texas coach Tom Penders is being tested.
First, he underwent surgery to have a pacemaker and defibrillator
placed in his chest to monitor an enlarged heart. His team opened
0-2 while he was recovering.
Then, as he struggled to find a consistent lineup -- namely
a point guard -- his star player and leading scorer, Kris Clack,
suffered a knee injury and will be out a month.
The Longhorns have lost four straight since Clack went down,
culminating with a 91-75 loss at Oklahoma Monday night.
After opening the season ranked No. 22, Texas has fallen to
6-9 and 0-4 in the Big 12, its worst start since 1993, when it
opened Southwest Conference play 0-4 and finished the season 11-17.
The Longhorns, who have lost four straight for the first time
since losing five in a row in 1993, also have suffered their worst
home loss in Penders' 10 years as coach -- a 102-72 defeat by
No. 3 Kansas Saturday.
"We're probably going to need Kris back a little bit sooner
than expected if we're going to have a chance at postseason play,"
Penders said.
"In the last 17 years, I've been really lucky and have
been able to coach in 15 postseason tournaments, and maybe that
will go down the tubes. But I'm not going to take that part personally.
"This is a special group that is going to be excellent,
and if people can't see it, I don't think they are looking at
it with a critical eye. We've got the makings of a fine basketball
team. With the schedule we play, it's hard to win if you don't
play great."
Penders, whose nonconference losses have come against Princeton,
Georgia (twice), Illinois and Arizona, says he has been forced
to be patient with this year's team because his primary rotation
includes three freshmen and two sophomores.
Luke Axtell, a 6-9 freshman guard, is averaging 14 points per
game, and 7-foot freshman center Chris Mihm, who has battled a
sprained thumb in his shooting (right) hand, is averaging nine
points and seven rebounds per game.
While it's clear that both will be cornerstones of the program
for the next four years, Axtell is still feeling his way on set
plays and Mihm has struggled with his shot inside, and his weakened
hand has allowed opponents to frequently strip the ball from him.
The Longhorns, who rely on the 3-pointer, have shot poorly,
and Penders is still trying to find a point guard.
It appeared that Ivan Wagner, a sophomore transfer from North
Carolina St., would play point. But his shot has been suspect
as has senior Brandy Perryman's.
Penders knows he has a point guard arriving next year in William
Clay of San Jacinto Junior College and possibly even Vaughn Hunter,
one of New York City's top high school players who has committed
to Texas.
But until someone emerges this year, players say it will be
difficult to get an offensive rhythm going.
"We need to develop a consistent ball handler, a consistent
shooter and a consistent rebounder," said junior guard Chico
Vazquez. "Right now everybody's up in the air."
"I think we are going to be really good at some point
this year," Penders said. "I hope we don't have to wait
until next year.
"I hate to lose, and with my ticker, I don't know how
much longer I'll be able to coach. I hate losing, that's all I
can say."
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