Sunday, December 21, 1997
One second after the Aggies wrapped up the Hamilton Classic championship two weeks ago, Dante Ross had one game on his mind.
Cal State Bakersfield. At Hamilton Court.
For two weeks, Ross talked about the matchup. Nothing on the record. Just bantering back and forth when we'd run into each other at a Davis High basketball game.
Let's just say he was supremely confident in his ability to lead the UC Davis men's basketball team over the defending Division II champions.
The 5-foot-9 point guard held up his end of the bargain. Man, did he ever.
Ross was not just hot. He was Dante's Inferno.
``Just watch him play, and you can see why he's the best player on the team and the heart of the team,'' Aggie center Jason Cox said.
As a result, the Aggies picked up their first win over the California Collegiate Athletic Association powerhouse Saturday in the eight-year Bob Williams era, 65-59.
``I believed that we were going to win this game,'' Ross said. ``It ain't happening this year. No one's coming in our house and whuppin' our butt.''
Some highlights from Saturday's game prove Ross' point:
Like the time he drove the lane and chest-bumped Roadrunners' 6-5 power forward George Crawford before laying the ball up off the glass for a basket, foul and three-point play.
Like the time Bakersfield guard Wendall Cooper had a sure layup before Ross jumped up behind him and patted the ball just enough to make the ball brick off the bottom of the rim.
Like the time he absolutely stripped guard Charles Woolfolk of the basketball right in front of the scorer's table. Not only did he fly to the other end for a layup, he was heads-up enough to wait for the defense to come back to him and draw the foul for a three-point play.
Like the time he didn't corral an offensive rebound, but still jumped up and harassed 6-8 center Toshiro Germany, who was holding the ball over his head. Ross didn't get the ball, but he reminded Germany that he was around.
The Roadrunners didn't need that much reminding.
``I think he did a really good job controlling the tempo,'' Bakersfield forward Reggie Malone said. ``He kept them cool.''
When it was all said and done, Ross had a game-high 18 points and seven assists.
About the only thing he did wrong was miss a couple free throws down the stretch, normally a sure thing with Ross at the line.
Maybe that's because he changed his outlook before this game. He said he usually gets really nervous thinking about who he has to guard, who he has to stop. Not Saturday.
``I'm tired of thinking I have to worry about them,'' Ross said. ``Let them worry about me for a change.''
Ross wanted the marquee matchup against Bakersfield point guard Marcus Moss. Moss just happened to be a transfer from Cincinnati, one of the best college basketball programs in the country.
Ross vs. Moss. Moss on Ross. It developed in the first half when Moss showed he could shoot from Dixon, burying four 3-pointers.
Unfortunately for the Roadrunners, Moss sprained his ankle one minute into the second half and did not return. He iced his ankle, put his shoe back on and tried to run. He couldn't go.
The marquee lost half its star power. But Ross wasn't disappointed. Not in the least.
``I'm taking the win,'' Ross said. ``I'm not gonna say we should play it over.''
They may yet play this one over. But it'll be in March in the West Region finals. Maybe even at Hamilton Court.
- Marc Erwin is sports editor of The Enterprise. Phone: 756-0800, ext. 256. Fax: 756-1668. Mail: 315 G Street, Davis, CA 95616. e-mail: marcjerwin@aol.com
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