Backcourt

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Virginia Tech point guard Jamon Gordon looked at the ceiling and ran though Maryland's starting lineup, as if it were written there. He paused when he got to junior forward James Gist and smiled. "Gist, man, he's the one who scares me," said Gordon, who has joked with Gist about transferring to Virginia Tech. Maryland@Virginia Tech Tonight, 7:30, Comcast SportsNet, 1300 AM, 105.7 FM Line: Virginia Tech by 3 1/2

The Washington Bullets added to their already congested backcourt last night by obtaining injured guard Rex Chapman from the Charlotte Hornets for forward Tom Hammonds.The trade of former first-round draft picks gives the Bullets five shooting guards -- Chapman, David Wingate, A.J. English, Ledell Eackles and 1991 first-round draft pick LaBradford Smith -- but general manager John Nash said "the up side was so great, it was significant enough to warrant the deal."Chapman, 24, has missed the last 30 games because of a bruised left heel.

Before Saturday night's game against the New Jersey Nets at the Baltimore Arena, Washington Bullets assistant coach Jeff Bzdelik was watching reserve guard Brent Price, who repeatedly hit 20-foot jump shots in practice."

LANDOVER -- The Washington Bullets' losing streak has hit four games, and it's becoming clear that the team needs help with its outside offense.In a hurry.The Bullets seem to be on the verge of correcting their problems on the inside, as Chris Webber and Juwan Howard keep improving. But with no consistent outside game, Washington lost to the Utah Jazz, 95-85, last night before a sellout crowd of 18,756 at USAir Arena.This game was lost in the backcourt. Utah's starting tandem of John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek outscored Scott Skiles and Calbert Cheaney, 34-26.

Drew Nicholas capped a whirlwind courtship by Maryland, announcing yesterday that he would give a national letter of intent to the Terps when the early signing period begins in November.A 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Hempstead, N.Y., he hadn't been mentioned as a target of the Terps by recruiting analysts.But he performed well for the Long Island Panthers in the Charlie Weber Adidas Invitational in College Park last weekend -- and jumped at the chance to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference when Maryland staff made a visit to his home Monday night.

With Magic Johnson's high level of performance since returning, it's no surprise he intends to play at least another season. But with Johnson joining a long list of top-notch players who will become free agents, the question is where?Johnson said that he would like to play another season with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he has played his entire career. But he also has dropped hints about playing in New York, Detroit and Miami, where he would be reunited with Pat Riley."Right now I'm with the Lakers and I'll wait until after the season to take care of things like that," Johnson said.

Washington -- There are names that keep coming up when people around here start talking about Johnny Rhodes. Some with longer memories say Charlie Scott. Others mention Johnny Dawkins.There are catchwords that keep popping up when people who have watched Rhodes talk about the way he plays. Some say effortless. Others say smart. Most say wait until you see him.There are questions that keep being asked as Rhodes' circuitous journey from Washington's Dunbar High School to the University of Maryland is about to end.Is he as good as everybody says?

1988-91 Rodney Monroe and Chris Corchiani, North Carolina State1984-86 Johnny Dawkins and Tommy Amaker, Duke1975-76 John Lucas, Mo Howard and Brad Davis, Maryland1979-81 Jeff Jones and Jeff Lamp, Virginia1965-66 Steve Vacendak and Bob Verga, Duke

College Park -- Adrian Bowie has been around the Maryland men's basketball program for more than a decade and has made the kind of transition that few, if any, can claim. He has gone from being a ballboy for the Terps to becoming one of their players. Another transformation is now taking place for the freshman point guard. Maryland@North Carolina Saturday, 3:30 p.m., chs. 2, 7, 1300 AM, 105.7 FM Records: Maryland (11-7, 1-2 ACC); No. 1 North Carolina (18-0, 3-0 ACC)

Ralph Blalock was drawn to Towson State by two legacies: the NCAA tournament berths the Tigers earned in 1990 and '91, and the prominent roles backcourt players have had there.Because there won't be an NCAA berth in March, Blalock will inherit Towson State's mantle of shooting star from Scooter Alexander a year earlier than anticipated. A 6-foot-2 junior with a manner as soft as his shooting touch, Blalock will have to usher a young team and persuade the players that, appearances aside, it's not a lost season.