Lavin can relate to Bayno

Steve Carp

Friday, Dec. 26, 1997 | 10:28 a.m.

It would be understandable if Bill Bayno looked in the mirror and saw Steve Lavin. Or vice versa. The parallels are that close.

They may be two of the youngest head coaches in America, but they share old-time values and philosophies which predicates success upon hard work, respect and loyalty. Both were thrust into difficult situations, though under different conditions. And both are trying to adjust daily while waiting for their rosters to become whole.

It makes for an interesting matchup within Saturday's UNLV-UCLA game at the Thomas & Mack Center. Neither knows the other well, but each has tremendous respect for the other.

"Yeah, I can see it," Lavin said of the comparison to Bayno, who at 35 is two years older than the second-year UCLA coach. "We both inherited crazy situations, though the circumstances are different. But I think we both have the same goals for our programs."

Lavin was already on the UCLA staff when the school let Jim Harrick go prior to last season. He had spent five seasons at Pauley Pavilion so he was familiar with the environment. Bayno, of course, was brought in from Massachusetts three years ago with only second-hand knowledge of UNLV and its problems.

"We're both faced with the same challenges," Bayno said of the comparison to Lavin. "I think Steve was in pretty good shape when he took over there. He inherited a good bunch of guys and I think he did the right thing.

"But when he went from assistant to head coach, he went from being a friend to being the boss and having to be tough. He made decisions that were tough in terms of laying down the law and letting the kids know that there was going to be discipline. And I really respect him for that."

The common thread between the two is a long one. Both come from athletic and education-driven families. Both coaches' fathers played, taught and coached. Both learned the game from some of the best -- Lavin from Bob Knight, Mike Krzyzewski, Gene Keady and Harrick, Bayno from Larry Brown, John Calipari and P.J. Carlesimo.

And both are energetic, enthusiastic and goal-driven and demand their players take something more from the basketball court than just winning and losing.

"When you're in the head chair, you have the hammer," Lavin said. "And sometimes, you have to use it."

It was used prior to the season when the school suspended starters Jelani McCoy and Kris Johnson for violation of team rules. Johnson was reinstated earlier this month and will play Saturday. McCoy makes his debut Tuesday against Illinois.

Lavin says the discipline is not a weapon, but a learning tool.

"My style (of coaching) is a young presentation with old-school values," he said. "I believe today's players want discipline. But it has to be done with respect. I think if your discipline is consistent and fair and you have their best interests in mind, the players will accept it."

And Lavin was tested early. If you were late to practice or study hall or the team bus, you sat. The message quickly got across to the Bruins and they rallied around their new coach to win the Pacific 10 title and advanced to the NCAA regional finals before losing to Minnesota and finishing 24-8. He is 31-9 at UCLA going into Saturday's nationally televised contest on ESPN.

"To me, great parents, great teachers and great coaches have a common thread," Lavin said. "They have a genuine best interest in the people they deal with.

"I have a saying on my desk that says 'People don't know how much you know until they know how much you care.' And to me, that means understanding and respect comes before x's and o's."

The Bruins, ranked No. 9 in this week's polls, come into the Thomas & Mack Saturday on a roll, having won seven straight following a season-opening 109-68 manhandling by North Carolina at the Great Alaska Shootout. They have found ways to win without Johnson and McCoy and the play of freshmen Baron Davis and Earl Watson have helped spark UCLA.

"For the players who've been playing, it's good for them to gain some confidence knowing they can win games with Jelani and Kris," Lavin said. "In my mind, I've looked at the season in phases, but with the players, we only work with the ones we have and just focus on that.

"We've got a very competitive group. They've worked very hard. Naturally, there are some things to clean up like our timing on offense and things like that. But we've been winning with defense."

And doesn't that sound like UNLV? Bayno has maintained his focus on the players he has available and while he'd love to have Keon Clark and Kevin Simmons on the floor Saturday, he knows they can't play, so he concentrates on the guys who are eligible.

"Hopefully, being shorthanded will not prevent us from competing," he said of his team, which sits at 5-4. "We're trying to get frame of mind and work on execution. UCLA has tremendous talent and it'll be a great test for our guys."

Hoop du jour

* WHAT'S BRUIN: While the play of its freshmen has been outstanding, UCLA's seniors have helped spur the Bruins to their seven-game win streak. J.R. Henderson is averaging 21.4 points and 8.9 rebounds and totally dominated New Mexico's Kenny Thomas in UCLA's 69-58 win over the Lobos earlier this month in the John Wooden Classic. Toby Bailey is averaging 19 points and 5.5 rebounds and the 6-foot-5 wing forward is getting the attention of the pro scouts as a legit NBA prospect. ... Saturday marks the third meeting between the two schools. UCLA holds a 2-0 edge. The teams last met on Dec. 23, 1995 at the Thomas & Mack with the Bruins defeating the Rebels 89-82.

* BARON VS. GREEDY: Two of the nation's most heralded freshman prospects go head-to-head Saturday at the point guard spot as UCLA's Baron Davis squares off against UNLV's Greedy Daniels. Davis, from Crossroads High in Santa Monica, is off to a great start, averaging 14.1 points and 4.6 assists. Daniels leads the Rebels in steals with 22 and assists (27) and is averaging eight points a game. ... Mark Dickel is nursing a slight groin pull on his left side and practiced Thursday with the injury. He is probable for Saturday though his condition will be monitored at today's practice and up until game time.