By Joel Flom
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 4, 1998

A tale of 2 Bibbys

Southern Cal was not a friendly place for Arizona's sophomore point guard last season.

Amidst taunts and boos, along with all that was discussed about his relationship with his estranged father, Trojan coach Henry Bibby, Mike Bibby managed just four points and two assists in 25 minutes.

That performance, however, was just a fluke, according to Arizona head coach Lute Olson.

"That was a one-time thing," Olson said. "(The outside pressures) had no effect."

Bibby is not talking to the media this week and Henry Bibby did not field any questions about the situation during yesterday's Pacific 10 Conference teleconference. Earlier this season, Bibby scored just nine points and dished out four assists in the 91-72 Arizona victory over USC at McKale Center.

With a return trip to Los Angeles Sports Arena scheduled for tomorrow, Bibby's teammates know it will be a different Mike against Southern Cal this time.

"I don't know what is going on in Mike's head," senior guard Miles Simon said. "I do know he is a better player (from last year). I don't think he lets the little things bother him anymore."

Making the trip?

Donnell Harris may be practicing but that could be it.

The junior reserve center, back from a two game suspension for missing practice, was absent from yesterday's weekly press conference where head coach Lute Olson said the decision to allow Harris to travel to the L.A. area for games with Southern Cal and UCLA was up to the team.

"The team will decide after (today's) practice," Olson said.

If the feelings expressed by senior forward Michael Dickerson are any indication, Harris will make the trip.

"I think Donnell Harris is very good player. He's part of our team and I'd love to have him with us," Dickerson said.

Award season begins

Arizona guards Miles Simon and Mike Bibby were named finalists yesterday for the prestigious Wooden Award for college basketball's player of the year. The award will be presented at the Final Four in San Antonio on March 28.

In All-America news, Bibby picked up his first two awards this year and will likely have to make room for more.

He was named to the Basketball Times First-Team All-American squad. Kansas' Paul Pierce and Raef LaFrentz, as well as North Carolina's Antawn Jamison and Texas Christian's Lee Nailon were also on the team.

Arizona senior forward Michael Dickerson was named to the third team and Lute Olson was named Coach of the Year for the West.

The only other representatives from the Pac-10 was UCLA's Baron Davis, who was named to the All-Freshman First Team.

Bibby, Dickerson and Simon were named to the 1998 National Association of Basketball Coaches/General Motors Division I All District 15 first team. Arizona was the only team in the nation to have three players on the roster. UCLA's J.R. Henderson and Toby Bailey were also named to the squad.