Clark leaves team with hole to fill

Steve Carp

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 1998 | 10:03 a.m.

They've been through the drill before, so it's not like they're venturing into uncharted waters.

And while they're disappointed their co-captain is being sidelined indefinitely, Keon Clark's UNLV teammates vow to forge ahead.

Clark, who did not play in Saturday's 79-52 win over Wofford because of conjunctivitis (pinkeye), was suspended indefinitely Monday by the school for violation of team rules and athletic department policy.

The school would not say what Clark was suspended for. It is expected that if Clark takes care of business off the court, he could be back for the Feb. 26 game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center.

A UNLV official said Clark's suspension would amount to roughly 20 percent of the team's schedule. He didn't play against Wofford and is expected to be out for the next four games, beginning Saturday against Texas-El Paso.

"His return lies with me and Keon fulfilling his responsibilities," coach Bill Bayno said at a press conference which Clark did not attend. "He's got some things he needs to work on."

Bayno would not be specific regarding what got Clark suspended or what he needs to work on. Nor would athletic director Charles Cavagnaro, who said, "The rules must be enforced for everyone, regardless of who the student-athlete is."

In a brief prepared statement, Clark apologized for his actions which led to his suspension.

"I am sorry this situation has happened," the statement read. "I violated team rules and I must face the consequences. I respect Coach Bayno's decision.

"Obviously, I never anticipated my senior season to turn out like this. I love UNLV and the Las Vegas community."

Clark is being grounded for the second time this year. He was sidelined for the first 11 games by the NCAA for accepting a free trip to Orlando late last March from Florida sports agents.

He has played in 10 games, averaging 14.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots. He scored a career-high 28 points Jan. 10 against Air Force.

The 12-10 Rebels, who have gone 7-5 without Clark, are ready to move on without him.

"It won't be as tough an adjustment as people think," senior forward Tyrone Nesby said. "We've played well without him. You just have to turn it into a positive.

"People look at it like it's bad, but when you narrow it down, we just have to stick together and keep working. All we gotta do is keep playing hard."

Forward Kevin Simmons, who had to sit out the first 14 games for taking the same trip to Florida with Clark, said it won't be easy.

"It's a different ballgame when Keon's in there," he said. "He can do so many things to affect the game. But he's not here so we have to cope and find a way to win."

Simmons, who is starting to find his stride and has played well the last three games, said with Clark out, he needs to contribute more.

"I've got an opportunity and I've got to step it up," he said.

With Clark out, freshman center Kaspars Kambala likely will become more of a focal point in the offense beginning with Saturday's game against UTEP.

"If my teammates need to depend on me more, that's fine," Kambala said. "I think we all have to pick up the slack."

Bayno said Clark is sorry about what happened.

"He has accepted it," he said. "By his statement, he has been a man about it and he'll do what he has to do."

Bayno said the option of Clark leaving school altogether never came up.

"He has got an opportunity to get back on track," Bayno said. "But we have a week to prepare for our first game without him. Everyone's got to step up."

When asked if Clark had let the team down, Bayno said: "I don't have time to feel let down. My focus is on helping this team and helping these kids."