Friday, March 12, 1999
MIAMI NOTEBOOK
Coles reminded of cardiac arrest
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEW ORLEANS — Sometimes things happen that remind Miami coach Charlie Coles of the episode that ended his season last year.
Like Thursday morning. Coles was readingthe paper in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel here when:
“Not more than 15 feet away from me one of the hotel workers fell out,” he said.
The man was the victim of an apparent heart attack.
Coles, of course, suffered a cardiac arrest while coaching the RedHawks in Mid-American Tournament Feb. 28 of last year.
Coles later found out the man died.
“When you see something happen like that, it really affects you,” Coles said. “You become so much more caring. I was rooting, praying for the guy.”
Coles told the story after someone asked him if he had changed after what happened to him.
“Only off the court,” he said. “On the court, I'm worse than ever. I tried. But once that game starts, it's the most important in the world.”
Grunkemeyer update
Jason Grunkemeyer took part in Miami's practice on a limited basis Thursday and pronounced himself ready to play.
Grunkemeyer has missed the last three games after suffering back spasms.
“I'm going to be available,” he said. “It's up to coach whether I play.”
Grunkemeyer hit several threes in drills.
“I can still do that a little bit,” he said. “It's a defense and cutting (that are harder).”
Have fouls, will hack
Six-foot-11 Jay Locklier would like to get his chance against Washington's 7-foot Todd MacCulloch.
“I hope to get in the game,” Locklier said. “You don't see centers like him in the MAC. Rich (Allendorf), Refiloe (Lethunya), Mike (Ensminger) and I are ready. That's 25 fouls. We can go in and bang on him.”
That's what MacCulloch, who weighs 280, expects.
“Teams are going to use physicality on me,” he said.
Same lineup
Coles considered starting Ensminger and Mike Estick together for only the second time this year to counter MacCulloch. But he'll start either 6-5 Jason Stewart or 6-2 Anthony Taylor instead of 6-6 Ensminger.
“Washington really isn't extemely huge other than MacCulloch,” Coles said. “The joy of basketball is if it's wrong for two minutes, I can sub someone else in.”
It's Wal-ly
Washington's Donald Watts said all the right things when asked about Miami. He even pronounced Szczerbiak right.
MARCH MADNESS PAGE
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Twins 5, Reds 2
