SLCC basketball: Kansas trip excites Salt Lake Community College

GAME 1 NOTES: SLCC starting power forward Andy Palmer didn't practice last week because of injured knee ligaments, but coaches say he should play this week. ... Vincennes, the only junior college basketball program in Indiana, beat Globe Technical Institute (N.Y.), 98-67, to win the District 3 championship. ... The Trailblazers only have nine players on their roster, but six average 9.9 points or higher, topped by Devon Dumes' 16.7 ppg. ... SLCC's leading scorer, DaVell Jackson, also averages 16.7 ppg, but Brian Green is the only other Bruin in double figures at 12.9 ppg. ... SLCC, which has three wins in a row after back-to-back losses to CSI and CEU, averages 81.5 points and holds opponents to a NJCAA-best 57.9 ppg. ... Vincennes, winner of six straight and 16 of 17, averages 85.5 points while giving up 65.1 ppg. ... Tuesday's winner plays either Paris Junior College or Southeastern Illinois College on Wednesday night. ... The loser plays Wednesday morning and can only finish as high as seventh.

NJCAA tournament

March 18-22

At the Hutchinson (Kan.) Sports Arena

Tuesday's first round

Vincennes U. (28-4) vs. Salt Lake CC (29-3)

NJCAA Div. I Men's National Basketball Championship
March 18-22
Hutchinson, Kan.

First-round bracket

Tuesday's games
Vincennes U. (28-4) vs. Salt Lake CC (29-3), 9 a.m.
Paris JC (29-5) vs. SE Illinois Coll. (27-6), 11 a.m.
Three Rivers CC (27-6) vs. E. Wyo. Coll. (23-11), 1 p.m.
E. Ariz. Coll. (27-5) vs. Walters St. (31-1), 3:30 p.m.
Shelton St. CC (24-10) vs. NE Okla. A&M (26-7), 5:30 p.m.
Seward Co. CC (29-5) vs. Chipola Coll. (32-1), 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday's games
S. Plains Coll. (26-5) vs. Ga. Perimeter (23-10), 10 a.m.
Indian Hills CC (26-8) vs Itawamba CC (29-2), noon

FISTS OF FURY: SLCC volleyball coach Shay Goulding, who's headed to coach the BYU women, got the Bruin basketball team pumped up for the tournament with a confidence-building exercise before Saturday's practice. The players and coaches had to write fears and hopes on each side of a 5/8-inch thick piece of wood. Somebody then firmly held the 9-inch-by-12-inch boards — with the fears facing out — and they punched through the wood.

"It was loud and crazy," SLCC assistant coach Russell Beck said.

Green wrote "regret" on his fear side.

"If I don't play my hardest, I'll regret it," said Green, who called it a "sick" emotional experience. "I want to go out, win or lose, and play my hardest."

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