Utah grad to root from air

Spencer Patterson

Friday, March 27, 1998 | 9:06 a.m.

When Utah takes the court tomorrow for its first Final Four appearance in 22 years, the Utes will have a strong supporter in a rather unlikely place.

Pace Mannion, a Chaparral High School graduate who starred for Utah from 1979-83, will tune in to see his alma mater battle North Carolina at 2:30.

That's 2:30 a.m. for Mannion, who plays for Fabriano of the Italian Basketball League.

Despite a rigorous schedule that had him playing in Japan for a year before joining his Italian club earlier this month, the one-time NBA player has followed the Utes' progress diligently from overseas.

"I watched the regular-season game against UNLV when I was in Japan, and I follow them on the Internet on my computer," Mannion said.

And Mannion's reaction to the team's stunning 76-51 victory over heavily favored Arizona last weekend?

"I was surprised they beat Arizona, especially by how handily they beat them," he said. "Being an alumni, it's really nice to see them get there. I don't know what it's like to get to the Final Four, but they've got to be enjoying life right now.

"For me, playing against Magic and Bird in the NBA was a thrill, and so was winning an Italian championship, but there's nothing like playing in the NCAA Tournament."

The Utes' 25-point win was especially sweet for Mannion because he had endured a week of trash talking from Georgetown graduate John Turner -- the only other American on his team -- about how badly the Utes would lose to the Wildcats.

"He was harassing me, saying how they were going to get crushed by Arizona," Mannion said. "My heart said they would win, but my head said they probably wouldn't," Mannion said.

For the team's next obstacle, Mannion can offer a bit of advice about playing a talented Tar Heels team based on personal experience. Back in 1981, the Utes fell 61-56 in the Sweet Sixteen to a North Carolina squad featuring Sam Perkins and James Worthy.

"It's tough going in to a game against North Carolina because of all the success they've had over the years," said the former All-American guard, who played in three NCAA Tournaments. "But I have the utmost respect for (Utah coach) Rick Majerus, and I know that they'll be prepared.

"People will tell them they have nothing to lose, but I disagree," he continued. "They're in the Final Four. But if they can handle all the stuff surrounding the Final Four, then it's just a basketball game."

As for his own playing career, which included six years in the NBA, an eight-year stint in Italy and his recent tour of Japan, the 37-year-old said he's close to hanging up his sneakers.

"Every year I say this is my last one," Mannion said. "If I can get a nice coaching job, I'll be ready to retire."