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Sunday, March 23, 1997

Penders could get new contract after latest NCAA appearance

By SARAH HORNADAY

Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN (AP) - A tough schedule got Tom Penders' Texas Longhorns into the NCAA Tournament again this year, and that could land Penders a new contract.

Penders, who took the Longhorns to the Sweet 16 round of the tournament for the second time in seven years, has five years remaining on his current contract. But informal talks have begun on updating the pact.

Many Longhorns' backers say he deserves it. Penders teams have been to the tourney in eight of his nine seasons at Texas.

No. 6 seed Louisville beat Texas 78-63 in the NCAA Tournament East Regional semifinal Friday, ending what was at times a rocky season for the Longhorns.

"I felt we could of gone farther, but the ball didn't bounce our way," said senior Reggie Freeman. "We played as hard as we could."

It was Texas' best tournament performance since the 1990 team lost in the regional finals 88-85 to former Southwest Conference foe Arkansas.

The Longhorns finished the season with a 16-11 record and became the first 16-victory team to get an at-large bid to the tournament. NCAA officials credited a tough schedule, including losses to Arizona and Utah, for awarding Penders' teams a bid.

Freeman said the team's performance showed the decision was warranted.

"I think we deserved it because of the schedule," Freeman said. "People noticed that we did well. We accomplished something. Once we got there and played there, people understood.

The Longhorns handily beat Wisconsin 71-58 in the first round before showing glimpses of their late-season collapse - five losses in their last 11 games - in an 82-81 win over 11-point underdog Coppin State.

The Longhorns led by up to 10 against the team that upset second-seeded South Carolina in the first round. Against Louisville, Texas again lost momentum in the second half.

The game that the Longhorns hoped would avenge a 85-78 overtime loss to Louisville in the regular season fell apart in the game's final nine minutes. The Cardinals went on a 25-7 run without leading scorer DeJuan Wheat, who was nursing a sprained left ankle.

Freeman finished his college career with a season-low six points after averaging 22.3 points per game all year. Freeman scored 34 points in the first Louisville game.

"It was tough," Freeman said. "The shots weren't falling. It wasn't bad shots."

In addition to losing Freeman next year, the Longhorns also must replace guard Al Coleman and forwards Dennis Jordan and forward Sheldon Quarles.

Returning players included freshman Gabe Muoneke, who scored a team-high 19 against Louisville, sophomores Chris Clack and Chico Vazquez and three-point specialist Brandy Perryman.

"They have a good nucleus coming back," Freeman said. "They should be able to do it again." Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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