Published Every Day

 

 

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in New York and Paris New York

Sports Department,
February 27, 1939.

Dre FC. Allen,
Kansas University,
Lawrence, Kan.

Dear Phog:

This is my ennual letter. If you only knew how rarely a news-
pape rman writes letters youtd be flattered. But skip that. I
really an writing this because I want to do so. This is the
time of year when 1 begin to run in circles trying to arrange
the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Tournament. Before I be-
gin rotating too rapidly I want to talk tourmament to you.

At the risk of putting the jinx on your team, it looks to me

as though they were about to win the hottest Big Six race in
yearse In that event, would Kansas consider m invitation to
the writers' tournament on March 20-22? I don't know whether
the Big Six is definitely committed to the N-C.A.A. toairmament.e
If so, we do not wish to do a to interfere with such
plans. But if Kansas wins the Big “ix and is free to accept
invitations on its om responsibility, we would be interested
in having the Jayhawks play in New ‘ork.

I know that conference permission will have to be obtained, but
since Oklahoma got permission for the Orange Bowl football game
I don't see how any objections can be raised to your availing
yourselves of an opportunity to do something for Big Six basket-
ball and Kansas University. I don't know whether you realize
it or not, but the Big Six is virtually the only major confer-
ence or paske tbal 1 district in the country that never has been
represented on a New York court. I think that this state of
affairs should be remedied.

I am cognizant of the fact that early in the seaso your team
had its troubles, but it seems to have found itself lately.

And I am told , too, that this boy Ralph Miller is a worthy
successor to the fine players you have developed in recent years.

While I am at it. I am going to impose upon your good nature to
ask about other teams out your way. How does Oklahoma A. &M.
compare with its 1937-38 team? What sot of a record does War-
rensburg State Teachers of Vissouri have and is it a club that
could stand up in major competition? This may be out of your range
of vision and infomation, but do you know anything about Texas
University in the “outhwestern Conference?