THE ELEVATOR

Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2006 | 7:38 a.m.

Who's headed toward the penthouse on the local sports scene - and who's getting the shaft.

The rims at the Orleans

Having once again changed the rules as it sees fit, the NCAA has lifted the ban on college basketball promoter Chris Spencer holding his annual tournaments in facilities that have betting windows. That means Kansas and Florida will be dunking on each other at the Orleans Arena instead of Sunset Park on Thanksgiving weekend.

Actually, the NCAA's dated views on legal sports betting forced Spencer to hold his hoopfests at Valley High. But now that these exempt events no longer require NCAA certification well, all bets are on.

Joe Bartoch

If you've never heard of Joe Bartoch, it's probably because he spends most of his time at UNLV swimming laps instead of shooting baskets or making touchdowns. But the senior butterfly specialist from London, Ontario, was named UNLV's Sportsman of the Year, anyway. Good for Bartoch. And good of UNLV to notice a guy who is wet behind the ears.

Da Sol Chung

If you've never heard of Da Sol Chung don't worry. You probably will. The freshman golfer from Seoul, South Korea, finished third in the NCAA Championships en route to qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open and being named UNLV's Sportswoman of the Year.

GOING DOWN

The price of Team USA basketball tickets

It's going to cost only $12 - roughly the price of taking the missis to see the new Will Farrell NASCAR movie - to watch some of the world's best basketball players hoop it up against Puerto Rico in Thursday's State Farm USA Basketball Challenge. If you live here and can't afford $600 for Stones tickets, the Thomas & Mack Center has a game for you.

Air-conditioned golf carts

If I'm going to play golf while riding in an air-conditioned cart, like you now can do at Badlands Golf Club, then I want one of those Al Czervik "Caddyshack" golf bags that plays REO Speedwagon tunes and a date with Lacey Underall, too.

Greg Maddux

I love Greg Maddux. I will always love Greg Maddux. But as a lifelong Cub fan, I would have loved him a little more had he invoked the no-trade clause in his contract and finished his career by throwing change-ups at Wrigley Field.