* Once the lineups changed with the start of the second game, the night's most pleasant surprise -- Earl Clark -- began to shine. He rebounded well. He got fouled inside and scored on an and-one transition play early that seemed to get him going.
"I'm feeling more comfortable and learning the plays more," Clark said. "I know I'm going to play straight four (power forward) this year."
Those two things could be major steps for Clark, who had trouble remembering plays last season when he was trying to learn small forward and power forward. And as strictly a power forward, his chance at playing time increases.
One of the best things he did Wednesday night was play decisively offensively, making quick passes or moves rather than his past characteristic of letting the back stick in his hands to freeze the offense and let the defense key in.
"I know that gets Coach ticked off so I've got to make sure I don't do it," said Clark, whose play is pleasing his coach so far.
