COLLEGE BASKETBALL / NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENT UPDATE : WEST : Missouri Suspends O’Liney One Game

Guard Paul O’Liney was suspended for Missouri’s first-round game against Navy at Ogden, Utah, after pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault and paying a $100 fine, his lawyer said.

O’Liney, who is averaging 9.4 points in a reserve role, was arrested early Tuesday outside a downtown Columbia nightclub for allegedly punching a woman in the face.

Hawaii (18-14) is in its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1972, playing tournament-tested Syracuse (21-6), and the islanders are demanding.

They want to make it through the two games at Ogden, Utah, and descend on the Sports Arena for the regional semifinals.

“There’s a lot of excitement in Hawaii,” Hawaii Coach Riley Wallace said. “I understand there’s a tidal wave heading to Los Angeles because of all the rocking on the island.”

If so, it probably was caused by a Syracuse fan, Trevor Ruffin, a shooting guard from Buffalo, N.Y., who averages nearly 21 points for the Rainbows.

Wisconsin Green Bay Coach Dick Bennett, on dealing with California’s Jason Kidd, an All-American: “I think what will probably happen is I’ll say, ‘Who wants to guard him?’ and the guy who doesn’t step back fast enough will get stuck.”