Self says team focused, ready for UNLV

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Tulsa coach Bill Self said Tuesday that his team's desire to prove itself might go a little way in the NCAA tournament but the real deciding factor will be its poise. <br><br>The

Tuesday, March 14th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Tulsa coach Bill Self said Tuesday that his team's desire to prove itself might go a little way in the NCAA tournament but the real deciding factor will be its poise.

The Golden Hurricane (29-4) dropped from No. 14 to No. 18 in the final Associated Press poll this week, following Saturday's loss to Fresno State in the Western Athletic Conference tournament. Tulsa, seeded No. 7, faces UNLV (23-7) in the opening NCAA tournament round Friday in Nashville, Tenn.

Self called it a "pretty even match up." "They're very, very athletic and fast, " he said. "They have the pieces obviously to play well."

He noted the Runnin' Rebels are coming off some of their best play of the season, including a blowout of Brigham Young in the Mountain West tournament final.

Self said his team may have drawn a tougher first round game than it wanted, but he said a slightly higher seeding would not have made a big difference.

"They're all tough," he said of the opening round games. The lower seed might offer a little motivation to the team to prove itself, but Self didn't see that it would be a huge factor in the Golden Hurricane's performance.

"It will still come down to the team that's the most poised," he said. "We'll try to keep everything in perspective."

Despite Tulsa's narrow loss to Fresno State, the third of the season, Self said his team was feeling confident and focused. He said the Golden Hurricane's performance on Fresno State's home court made him feel better about the team.

Self looked forward to Tuesday's practice, his first chance to talk at length with players since the defeat in Fresno. He said because half the team was stuck in an airport returning from California on Sunday, they didn't get to watch the NCAA selection show together.

He said he would urge players "to be themselves, be focused, be confident."

Self shrugged off one potential distraction -- a report in the Tulsa World saying he is rumored to be a top candidate for the head basketball coaching job at Nebraska.

The university fired Danny Neeon Monday, but athletic director Bill Byrne said he would not contact any coaches involved in the NCAA tournament.

"I don't want to talk about that," Self said. "I'm not even going to comment on anything other than preparation for UNLV and the NCAA tournament. There's nothing else on my plate or my agenda that concerns other people's speculation."