Clark looking for last year’s numbers

Steve Carp

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 1998 | 6:35 a.m.

If he is to hold true to his aspirations of being a high lottery pick in the NBA draft come June, Keon Clark has a lot of work to do.

The talented 6-foot-11 senior center is struggling big-time and so is UNLV. And it's no coincidence that when Clark plays poorly, the Rebels lose.

Since coming back to the floor from an 11-game NCAA-imposed suspension Jan. 4, Clark has seen his numbers drop. He went from a career-high 28 points Jan. 10 vs. Air Force to a career-low three points in Saturday's 73-62 loss at Wyoming.

UNLV, which was 6-5 prior to Clark's return, is 10-10. The first go-round in the WAC Mountain Division resulted in a 2-5 showing.

Offensively, Clark is averaging 14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds. But he's not playing with his usual confidence. He even has missed easy alley-oop slam dunks, his bread-and-butter, in consecutive games at Colorado State and Wyoming.

He's getting pushed off the block in the lane too easily and finds himself farther from the basket. He has been unable to overcome the double- and sometimes triple-team efforts of the opposition. He's not getting enough offensive touches, as witnessed by the fact he took just four shots at Wyoming.

Defensively, he has been too passive at times. He is not contesting shots as aggressively as he has in the past. A year ago, he averaged just under four blocks a game. Through nine games this year, he is averaging just over half that many.

Clark, who is not talking to the print media, would not comment for this story. That left it to coach Bill Bayno to try to dissect what's wrong.

"Maybe he's putting too much pressure on himself," Bayno said. "It's normal to be frustrated when you're not playing well."

However, Bayno doesn't think Clark is being distracted at this point about his NBA future.

"I think it may have been earlier, but I don't think it is now," Bayno said. "When we had the (four-hour) meeting, he said all the right things about how we had to work hard and play together and he's tried to be a leader for us."

Make no mistake about it, Clark still is going to get drafted. His upside is too strong. But if the draft were held today, his goal of going in the upper echelon would not be met.

"Our projections have him in the middle of the first round, but that was 10 days ago," said Scotty Sterling, the Sacramento Kings' chief scout. "I personally have him going in the first round. Whether it's the high lottery or not, I don't know yet."

Dave Fredman of the Utah Jazz has heard mixed comments about Clark and has yet to see him play this year. But he can't get those 112 blocked shots from a year ago out of his mind.

"Some are saying his stock has dropped recently," Fredman said. "But one thing he can do is block shots. And over the years, the Utah Jazz has always put an emphasis on blocking shots with Mark Eaton, and now, with Greg Ostertag.

"At this point, it may be too early to tell where he fits in as far as the draft goes. I'm going to see him in person a couple of times this month and I'll have a better feel for it after I've seen him."

Mike D'Antoni of the Denver Nuggets said he has seen Clark a couple of times and he likes his quick jumping ability. He's concerned about his strength and his overall versatility.

"He's ultra-thin," D'Antoni said. "You worry if he has a good enough feel for the game to step out and play outside.

"I don't know where he'll eventually wind up, but he's a top-15 pick for sure."

The lottery involves the 13 teams that don't make the NBA playoffs. So technically, if Clark is picked, say, 12th or 13th, he can claim to be a lottery pick, which would likely net him more money.

But from Bayno's perspective, the present is where Clark's focus needs to be. With the second half of WAC play starting Thursday at Air Force, now is the time for Clark to pick up the pace and hope his teammates follow suit.

"He needs to be more aggressive," Bayno said. "He's got to get back to getting the ball inside and attacking the basket."

Bayno said the idea of bringing Clark off the bench as he did last year has crossed his mind. But at this point, Clark will start Thursday at Clune Arena against the 8-9 Falcons.

"We'll see how he competes in practice," Bayno said.

With Kevin Simmons having come out of his offensive funk with a strong 20-point second half against Wyoming, Bayno only can hope Clark does likewise.

"Keon's been very unselfish," Bayno said. "That's the one thing you can say in his defense. I just think he needs something to get his confidence going."

Hoop du jour

* NO SUSPENSIONS: Unless WAC commissioner Karl Benson calls with news to the contrary, look for Kaspars Kambala and Mark Dickel to be in the starting lineup Thursday against Air Force. Both were ejected after being whistled for flagrant fouls in the second half of the 73-62 loss at Wyoming. "It's been quiet at this end," UNLV coach Bill Bayno said of communications with the conference office.

* MORE CHANGES?: Right now, he's leaning toward keeping things status quo. But that doesn't mean Bayno may not shake things up come Thursday. He did say he will continue to bring Tyrone Nesby off the bench and will keep Dickel and Brian Keefe in the backcourt, using Greedy Daniels as the third guard. That means few, if any, minutes for senior G Corky Ausborne, who's the odd man out. "It's a tough situation for Cork," Bayno said. "But Brian's played well and good things have happened when Mark and Greedy have played together." Bayno said he will try to get Kevin Simmons more minutes and that may mean Donovan Stewart going back to the bench after starting the last three games. Stewart has not seen significant time as the freshman forward has played just 27 minutes.