6B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2002
Players return home amidst scandal
The Associated Press
DETROIT — Chris Webber and Mateen Cleaves return today for what could be an uncomfortable homecoming.
The former state college stars come in with the Sacramento Kings to play the Detroit Pistons, and things are not as they would like them to be.
Webber will be pressed for answers about his alleged involvement with former Michigan booster Ed Martin, indicted in a loan scam, and some fans are expected to boo the one-time leader of the Wolverines! "Fab Five." He has been cheered in previous visits.
A local radio station is doingis part to fuel the ill feelings by handing out fake dollar bills with Webber's face printed on them.
Cleaves will watch much of the action from the end of the Kings' bench, just two years after leading
"This is a minor obstacle," Cleaves said. "Last year, my brother and cousin were murdered. And last week, I went to a funeral for (former Spartan and current Pittsburgh Steeler) Plaxico Burress' mother. I don't take life for granted. I'm blessed to be able to walk, talk, breathe and see.
Michigan State to the NCAA championship and being taken in the first round of the NBA draft by the Pistons.
The point guard is averaging less than two points and one assist when he plays, which isn't often.
"But I'd be lying if I said it doesn't bother me at all, because I'm such a competitor."
Webber's competitive nature has helped him average more than 24 points and 10 rebounds this season with the NBA-leading Kings. But the focus won't be on his improved mid-range jumper.
According to a federal indictment released two weeks ago, Martin loaned Webber about $280.000 from 1988-93 while in high school and college.
Webber, playing in his home state for the first time since the indictment was returned, called the situation "annoying."
"There's no way in the world that I took $280,000 from someone." Webber said last weekend in an interview with ESPN, saying he didn't want to "mess up the name of college basketball, especially my university, the University of Michigan, which is the greatest university ever in the world."
Martin, a retired Ford Motor Co. electrician, and his wife were arrested March 21 on charges of running an illegal gambling business, conspiracy and money laundering. They allegedly loaned former Michigan players Webber, Robert Traylor, Maurice Taylor and Louis Bullock more than $600,000.
Cleaves' name is nowhere in the indictment, but he is linked to the six-year scandal.
Martin's name first surfaced after Taylor lost control of his Ford Explorer on Feb. 17, 1996, as he was returning from Detroit where he entertained Cleaves and visited Martin during Cleaves' official visit to Michigan.
Cleaves said he and Webber didn't spend much time talking about the scandal.
"We laugh about it," Cleaves said. "But it's nothing we pay much attention to."
Some are still bitter that Webber chose to stay in Sacramento when he could've signed with Detroit last summer. Others blame him for playing a part in damaging Michigan's reputation.
"I can't speak for Chris, but I can't wait to get home," Cleaves said. "I wish I was playing, but I guess people will have to wait another year for a show."
Kent State finds new coach on its bench
The Associated Press
KENT, Ohio — Kent State decided it was time to put an end to all the surprises.
Less than two weeks after its improbable March tournament run concluded and just four days after coach Stan Heath left unexpectedly, Kent State found his replacement sitting right on its bench.
Jim Christian, an assistant under Heath this season when the Golden Flashes advanced to the NCAA tournament's round of eight, yesterday was named the school's 21st coach — and third in three years.
taking the iob at Arkansas.
Christian takes over for Heath, who in his first season led the Golden Flashes to a 30-6 record, the Mid-American Conference title and victories over Oklahoma State. Alabama and Pittsburgh in this year's NCAA tourney, before
The 37-year-old Christian received a five-year contract from athletic director Laing Kennedy, whose priority in finding Heath's successor was to bring stability and continuity to the program.
"Jim is the person we need to continue at the championship level," Kennedy said. "If we were conducting a national search, we would look at Elite Eight-type programs, and we have one right here. Jim is the right man at the right time for Kent State."
Christian's deal is similar to the one Heath got a year ago when he replaced Gary Waters, who left for Rutgers. Kennedy said Christian will make $120,000 per season with incentives.
But unlike Heath, Christian won't have the luxury of inheriting a group of seniors like Trevor Huffman, Andrew Mitchell or
Demetric Shaw, who led Kent State to 100 wins and three NCAA tournament appearances the past four years.
"Guess we'll have to find some guys just like them then," Christian joked. "But they were a very special group and they have laid a foundation here that we want to build upon. We have to continue the standard and work ethic that they set."
Kent State's returning players were thrilled with the decision to hire Christian, who has more than a decade of experience as an assistant.
"I just couldn't see a new coach coming in here now and not knowing the players," said junior forward Antonio Gates, who along with his teammates attended the news conference to announce Christian's hiring. "I thought coach Christian was the best person."
Gates knows that because of the magical tourney run, the days of Kent State — or any other MAC school — sneaking up on anyone are over.
"Now we've got to try and stay at the top," Gates said. "That might be the hardest thing to do."
Christian believes the Golden Flashes can remain among the nation's elite programs by keeping realistic expectations. He knows the newfound national respect and heightened profile Kent State is enjoying can vanish quickly.
Christian was an assistant coach at Pittsburgh, Western Kentucky, Miami of Ohio and St. Francis (Pa.) but dropped out of coaching for two years (1999-00) to work at a sports marketing firm before joining Heath's staff.
"We've got some work to do," he said. "But I think we have a nice group to start with."
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