Tatum back, Gipson still with family as Alabama game looms

(Fayetteville-AP) -- Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson says it's hard to predict how the team will do against Alabama after the deaths of family members of two players. A cousin with whom

Tuesday, January 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Fayetteville-AP) -- Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson says it's hard to predict how the team will do against Alabama after the deaths of family members of two players. A cousin with whom Charles Tatum grew up was killed in a traffic accident in Dallas on January 12th. And Teddy Gipson lost his father in another traffic accident in Louisiana on Friday.

Tatum has returned and will play Wednesday at Alabama, but Gipson is on indefinite leave. Richardson says Brandon Dean is likely to replace Gipson in the starting lineup, despite a recent ankle injury. Richardson says last week's win on the road against Georgia has boosted the confidence of his players.