Representatives and players from predominately white Florida State and historically black Florida A&M; met yesterday to try to put an ugly basketball court fight behind them.

"We've made this thing a bigger deal than what it is," Florida A&M; president Frederick Humphries said.

On Dec. 7, a shoving match between players from Florida State and Florida A&M; erupted into a full-scale fight just before the end of the first half.

When it ended, 10 Florida A&M; players and three Florida State players were ejected for fighting. Florida A&M; forfeited the game, since it had only three eligible players remaining.

One of the Florida State players ejected, Baltimore Dunbar graduate Sam Cassell, originally was suspended for one game but was reinstated in time for tomorrow's game against North Carolina.

* SYRACUSE: A federal judge yesterday said he had no authority to consider the lawsuit brought against the NCAA and Syracuse University by suspended basketball player Conrad McRae.

As a result, U.S. District Judge Neal McCurn said he could not grant the university's request to overturn a state court order that is permitting the 6-foot-10 junior center to play while he sues the NCAA and Syracuse to regain his eligibility.

McCurn's decision means McRae can play tonight in Syracuse's game against Texas Christian.