They Said It

? Bill Fitch, coach of the hapless Cleveland Cavaliers: "Going into a game against Lew Alcindor is like going into a knife fight and finding there's no blade in your handle."

? Marv Harshman, Washington State University basketball coach: "If the Cougars have one outstanding trait this season, it's mediocrity."

?Billy Ray Smith, Baltimore Colt defensive tackle, asked if it is becoming harder to get to the quarterbacks because offensive linemen are bigger and better: "No, they're not getting any bigger or better. Their hands are getting better. They're holding, that's all. It's the reason passers are getting such good protection this year."

? John Brodie, asked why a million-dollar quarterback has to hold the ball for field goals and extra points: "Well, if I didn't, it would fall over."