AT FINAL FOUR, LITTLE NAMES A BIG HELP.

Byline: JON WILNER College Basketball 

Enough Elton. Too much Trajan. No more Mateen, Khalid, Rip and Scoonie. Everyone knows the marquee names at the Final Four. ``The games might be decided by the `other guys,''' Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun said.

Just who are those guys? Here's a few to watch:

Ohio State center Ken Johnson. He averages 6.4 points and 5.7 rebounds - unimpressive numbers, for sure. But Johnson, a 6-foot-11 junior, is improving by the week. He's a shot blocker with athleticism and a soft touch. He showed his potential during a 12-point, seven-block performance against St. John's in the South Regional final.

``If we get the same kind of performance, we'll be doing very, very well,'' Buckeyes coach Jim O'Brien said. ``I hope he has another game like that in him.''

If he does, Ohio State wins.

Duke forward Chris Carrawell. He's the least-publicized of the Blue Devils - even freshman reserve Corey Maggette gets more press - but there's no doubt he's one of the most important. A solid defender who runs the floor well, Carrawell's slashing style is the perfect complement to Trajan Langdon's jump shooting.

Carrawell, who averages 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds, is also Duke's backup point guard. If starter William Avery gets in foul trouble - the same fate that claimed Nevada-Las Vegas point guard Greg Anthony in 1991 - then Carrawell must run the team.

``He's gotten us over some of the humps,'' Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said of Carrawell's season-long role as the backup point.

Connecticut guard Ricky Moore. He lacks the offensive skills and flash of fellow guards Richard Hamilton and Khalid El-Amin, but Moore is essential to Connecticut's success.

He leads the team in minutes played, he splits time at point guard - two fewer assists than El-Amin - and he may be the best defensive player in the Final Four. Moore's assignment Saturday: Ohio State wing guard Michael Redd.

Michigan State forwards Jason Klein and A.J. Granger. Combined, they average 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds and they're usually content to watch Mateen Cleaves and super-sub Morris Peterson do their thing.

But their 3-point efficiency - Granger shoots 52.4 percent behind the line; Klein, 33.8 percent - will be crucial against Duke. The Blue Devils will smother Peterson and clog Cleaves' penetration lanes unless they're forced to spread their defense and guard Klein and Granger.

Quote of the day: Krzyzewski, when asked if a national title would secure Duke's place as one of the greatest teams of all time: ``It would be really dumb of me to be thinking about those things.''

High and mighty: How's this for a twist: a college rejected Rick Majerus, Utah's fabulous coach who has turned down myriad job offers in recent years.

Tuesday, Notre Dame questioned Majerus' character and decided he wasn't the right fit for its vacancy. Notre Dame reportedly based its evaluation on Majerus' recent book, ``My Life on a Napkin.'' In it, Majerus said it would be hypocritical to punish an athlete for academic fraud because he cheated as a student at Marquette.

At least Majerus was honest. Notre Dame continues to hide behind its veil of infallibility. It seems everyone knows the veil is ripped and ratty except those living behind it.

It's official: The NCAA has started a formal investigation into possible rules violations at UNLV.

The process could take six months and will examine several charges, including former student manager Mike Viellion's claim that he made car payments on behalf of assistant Glenn Cyprien for former player Tyrone Nesby. The NCAA also warned that it may uncover other violations.

It's no surprise. Coach Bill Bayno is neither well-liked nor well-regarded in the business, and many coaches were stunned when UNLV hired him four years ago. Previously, he was John Calipari's top assistant at Massachusetts.

Odds and Ends: Now that Greg Lakey and Quincy Wilder have left USC, it may be time for several UCLA Bruins to do the same. Don't be surprised if Matt Barnes or JaRon Rush transfer, depending on which recruits UCLA signs. . . .

Pepperdine coach Lorenzo Romar is interviewing for the St. Louis job, although it would take very specific circumstances for Romar to uproot his family. . . .

Word out of Tucson is Loren Woods, a 7-foot transfer from Wake Forest who is eligible next season, is better than departing all-conference center A.J. Bramlett. . . .

Houston coach and former NBA all-star Clyde Drexler refuted recent reports that he's considering a comeback. If he does, it would serve the Cougars right for hiring him in the first place. . . .

Sure, Iowa hired a superb young coach in Steve Alford, but Alford has his work cut out: you can't win in the Big Ten relying solely on Iowa talent; but with Northwestern, DePaul and Illinois on the rise, it won't be easy luring the best Chicago players. . . .

Artesia High senior Jason Kapono - a sensational player and a fine student who could have gone anywhere - has narrowed his choices to Utah, UNLV, Missouri and Rhode Island. Perhaps it's his father, perhaps it's Artesia coach Wayne Merino, but someone is giving this kid terrible advice.