Thursday, March 12, 1998 | 12:22 p.m.
HARTFORD, Conn. -- The well-wishers keep calling. Or showing up in person. Or both.
The award for Most Popular Person at the Hartford Civic Center? It's not even close. UNLV coach Bill Bayno.
Whether it was coaches and former players or friends of coaches or former players, or old buddies in the media or old chums from his college days at Sacred Heart, Bayno found himself constantly stopping to chat and hug and acknowledge.
It's a wonder he got through Wednesday's open workout as the Rebels made their final preparations for today's opening-round NCAA Tournament game against Princeton.
"I'd rather be in Boise so I wouldn't have to deal with the ticket nightmare," he said.
Before the team even left Las Vegas for Connecticut, Bayno needed at least 50 tickets. That request netted him less than half of what was required. Now that he has been in town a couple of days, the number needed has more than doubled.
But he knew this was coming.
"Anytime you're in this situation, you're going to have people calling you," he said. "You just try and deal with it the best you can and not let it distract you.
"I've got to say no to some people and hope they understand. I've already bought $600 worth of tickets."
To that end, his calls are screened and office manager Annette Fazio is here in Hartford to help him sort through the other demands on his time.
"It's pretty hectic," Bayno admitted. "But it beats being in the NIT."
Needed break
When Princeton plays today, it will be the team's first game in nine days. The Tigers last played March 3 at Pennsylvania. But coach Bill Carmody isn't too concerned about the long layoff.
"We needed a little blow," he said. "We were banged up at the end of the season. (Steve) Goodrich's knee was banged up and (Mitch) Henderson's back was bothering him.
"Taking the time off gave those guys a chance to heal. We've had some spiritied practices this week so I don't think it'll affect us."
Well adjusted
He always has been the guy in the seat next to the hot seat. But if what his team has accomplished is any indication, the move over didn't bother Bill Guthridge one bit.
The longtime assistant coach to Dean Smith had to take over at North Carolina when Smith decided to retire prior to the start of fall practice. But the Tar Heels didn't miss a beat as they went 30-3 overall, won the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament and are the nation's No. 1 team as well as being the top seed here at the East Regional.
For Guthridge, who has been to many NCAA tourneys with Smith, being at the Hartford Civic Center without him is sitting well with him.
"I enjoyed my time with Dean," he said. "But I am not looking to be another Dean Smith. I'm just trying to be the first Bill Guthridge.
"I know he was a good coach, he knows that he was a good coach. He didn't let people bother him and I'll try and do the same."
Guthridge said not much has changed this week as he prepares the Tar Heels to make a run at the national title.
"I've delegated a lot of different things to a lot of people," he said. "The thing that has been most different from the past is I have dealt with the media a lot more. That's the best part."
Flame on
Another longtime assistant, Illinois-Chicago's Jimmy Collins, has also made a quick transition to the hot seat. Lou Henson's right-hand man from his days at Illinois is fanning the Flames' run into the NCAAs after a strong 22-5 season in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference.
In just two years, Collins has not only gotten the Flames into the NCAAs, attendance at UIC games has jumped from 500 a game last season to over 5,000 per contest this year.
Hoop du jour
* SAVE THE WHALE: These Hartford fans sure have a tough time letting go. During Princeton's Wednesday practice at the Civic Center, a couple of disenfranchised fans sitting at the top of the balcony started chanting "Let's Go Whalers!" for the city's former NHL team, which became Carolina Hurricanes. A few others picked up on it and it went on for a few minutes. The Princeton players found that sort of amusing.
* NO LOGOS ALLOWED: UNLV announcer Ken Korach is working his first NCAA Tournament and naturally, he's excited to be here. So imagine his surprise Wednesday when Korach carried a glass of juice out to the court to watch the team practices only to be told by an NCAA official he had to pour the contents into an official NCAA plastic cup. Coroporate logos are not permitted at courtside according to the NCAA.
* THE GANG'S ALL HERE: It took several different flights and it was a travel agent's nightmare, but UNLV's official travel party has arrived intact. President Dr. Carol Harter, athletic director Charlie Cavagnaro, associate A.D. David Chambers along with the cheerleaders and UNLV pep band are here.
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