Five to watch

Sporting News, The, Nov 24, 1997 by Anthony Gimino, Tim Peeler, Michael Bradley, Marc Hansen

Bibby: A Kidd with a jump shot

The easy explanation for Mike Bibby's skills is he inherited a basketball-playing gene from his father Henry, a former NBA guard. The better explanation is Mike Bibby is a self-made player, the kind of guy who begged off Arizona's visit to the White House, saying he would rather stay home and practice than meet President Clinton.

It's an odd arrangement of priorities, but that's why the Wildcats point guard is considered the best playmaker in the nation.

"I have been dribbling the ball since I was a one-digit number," Bibby says. "I am so used to being the guy with the ball."

Bibby, a sophomore, is in control of Arizona's speed game, combining with Miles Simon and backup Jason Terry to form one of the most dangerous backcourts in the country.

Bibby's brilliant play as a freshman was eclipsed only by his tremendous sense of timing. HighLights of Arizona's championship season include two 3-pointers by Bibby that fueled an 11-0 run late in a Sweet 16 game against Kansas and his three consecutive 3-pointers during a game-turning stretch against North Carolina in the NCAA semifinals.

In the title game against Kentucky Bibby not only scored 11 of Arizona's last 17 points in regulation, but his penetration and pass to Bennett Davison for a layup with 18.6 seconds remaining gave the Wildcats a much needed three-point lead.

"Bibby is unbelievable," forward Gene Edgerson says. "It is amazing how he runs the team. He makes the right play all the time."

"He is clutch," Simon says. "If you want to play in big games, you have to step up and get the job done. Mike does that. You can see the confidence he has on the court. He is never rushed and he never gets rattled by anybody. He doesn't get caught up in all the hype."

Regarding the hype, the 6-2 Bibby has been as advertised: The next Jason Kidd. Make it Kidd with a jump shot.

Bibby spent the offseason targeting his weaker areas. He has a visibly stronger up. per body and is more capable of a drive into the lane, a la Kidd. And the early reports are Bibby has turned a streaky shot into a consistent weapon.

"His shot is dropping," Simon says. "He has been working on his shot off the dribble. He is putting the ball in the hole. He is seeing people on the court who you don't think are open, but he gets the ball there in their hands anyway for a layup."

How to defend him? He can shoot He can penetrate. He can finish. His favorite thing is to pass; call him the king of the no-look assist. Most of all, he can win. He is cool under pressure, having prepared himself for those moments all his life.

"I have confidence in myself," Bibby says. "I'm not one of those guys who feels pressure."

TSN's 5 to watch: Rashid Bey, St. Joseph's * Mike Bibby, Arizona * Earl Boykins, Eastern Michigan * Anthony Carter, Hawaii Melvin Watson, South Carolina

Johnson: Fit to make a leap from obscurity

DeMarco Johnson came back for his senior season at UNC Charlotte because he thought the unappreciated 49ers would be strong this year.

Make that stronger.

Johnson, the Conference USA preseason player of the year who has toiled in relative obscurity in his three years with the 49ers, turned down an invitation to the World University Games so he could continue his offseason workout regimen to improve his strength, agility and vertical leap.

The results were astounding for a player whose skills in the post already had attracted the attention of NBA scouts. Wait until they see the new DeMarco, who at 6-8, 245 pounds is an inch taller and five pounds lighter.

"I really got into the weight training hard," Johnson says. "My bench press increased from 210 to 265 pounds. I was doing that, doing calisthenics, just things trying to make me better."

Jeff Watkinson, UNCC's first strength and conditioning coach, was hired in March about the time the 49ers were headed to the NCAA West Regional, where they beat Georgetown and lost to Utah. He began working with Johnson in April, and since then Johnson's vertical jump has improved more than six inches. He has increased his bench press significantly. He's reduced his time in the 25-yard sprint from 3.37 to 3.22 seconds.

"He spent the offseason improving his game mentally and physically as much as any player I have ever been associated with," UNCC coach Melvin Watkins says. "He dedicated himself this summer to saying, `Hey, I want to be one of the best in the country.'"

Can Conference USA contain him?

It didn't last year, when Johnson was a first-team All-C-USA selection (18.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg) for the 22-9 49ers. Against Cincinnati last year, the Bearcats tried four different defenders against Johnson. All four finished the game with four fouls; Johnson ended up with 21 points and five rebounds. Even so, Watkins knew Johnson wasn't ready for the NBA.

"What would happen was, he would wear down a little bit," Watkins says. "He wasn't as toned as he needed to be. This year, already I've noticed a big difference in his quickness on second effort and his confidence to go longer."