WEST NOTES
DENVER – After 13 seasons at Iowa, Tom Davis is being forced out, and the next loss for the Hawkeyes in the NCAA Tournament could bring to a close a 28-year college head-coaching career that started in 1971 at Lafayette.
Heading into today’s West Regional first-round game against Alabama-Birmingham, Davis has a record of 267-139 at Iowa and an overall record of 541-289, covering stops at Lafayette, Boston College and Stanford before moving to Iowa City in 1986. And yet, because the Iowa program wants a younger, more charismatic coach, Davis is a goner once the Hawkeyes are eliminated.
Davis, 60, says he’s not through with coaching and makes it clear he’ll seek another job.
“I’ve enjoyed this team a great deal,” Davis said, “despite the difficult situations this season.”
*UConn practiced yesterday at the Air Force Academy, which is up in the mountains at an altitude of 7,000 feet. While at the academy, the Huskies went to the chapel on campus and participated in a service for Joe McGinn, a former manager of the basketball program who passed away on Tuesday.
It looks as if the Huskies will be without reserve guard Albert Mouring in tonight’s first-round game against Texas-San Antonio. Mouring did not play in the Big East Tournament because of a sprained ankle but was supposed to be available for the NCAAs.
Coach Jim Calhoun said Mouring – who averaged 7.8 points in 20.7 minutes a game this season – re-injured his ankle during yesterday’s practice and is “very doubtful.”
Calhoun said he’d like to get about 20 minutes out of center Jake Voskuhl, who is playing through a left foot injury. If it’s a blowout, Voskuhl will get extra rest.