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A fast coming Marshall quintet is attracting attention. Although in
fifth place last year the Herd was just reaching.a winning stride when the
season. closed. With a bumper. crop from. the freshman ranks, several of whom
have elbowed out strong regulars, Mérshall becomes a real title threat.

Coach John Mauer, formerly at Kentucky, has had several lean years at
Miami but finally has a favorable. outlook for his. Redskins. Mauer's team
finished fourth last year but has available 3 veteran for every starting
position with some fine sophomores as reserves.

On a squad. of 16 men Coach Ray Holsinger at Dayton has three lettered
juniors and twelve sophomores. It is to the latter that the Flyer coach
looks for the strength to lift his team out of the cellar. There is little
doubt that Holsinger has a better team than one wiiich could win only one of
its ten conference starts last year. ,

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GIVE THE OFFENSE A BREAK

Addressing the Metropolitan Basketbell Writers’ Associetion in New York
City, Clair F. Bee, coach at Long Island University, is cuoted in the press:

‘ eo te
”

"Set blocks are outrageous. They have no place in basketball. Any-
body can pick up a pencil and a wad of paper and diagram blocks plays until
the cows come home, and blocks are easy to coach. _You will.find teams from
a territory where block piays are allowed all use the zone defense to protect
their players from. being hit from behind".

Continuing his comments, Mr. Bee defined "set blocks" as determined
efforts by the offense to jolt defensive players out of position by tactics
similar to clipping in football.

Coaches everywhere. recognize this tirade.as some more publicity in-
tended to force the New York interpretations on blocks and screens upon the
National Rules Committee and the rest of the country. "Teams from a territory
where block plays are allowed" refers, of course, to the part of the United
States outside of the Metropolitan area. That Mr. Bee is using an extreme to
prove his point is obvious, for the rules are specific regarding blocks;
officials universally call them; and coaches dar not teach them. - Coaches .
committed to zone defenses probably will be greatly surprised and somewhat
amused to know that they do.so because of a fear that their men will be
clipped from behind if they try a man-to-man style. A census of teams in any
section unquestionably will show as much use of man-to-man defenses as obtains
in New York City. Such veiled criticism ané exaggerated statements coming
from an area which legalizes flying tackles by its defensive players as does
New York leaves a bad taste in the mouths of everyone, and certainly won't
assist any in bridging the wide gap now existing between that area and the
rest of the basketball world regarding interpretations of screens and blocks.

Dr. H..C. Carlson, whose Pittsburgh U. teams play extensive inter-
sectional schedules, makes some pointed comments on the situation in a recent
letter:

" Basketball offenses would have further restrictions if some interests
are leeded. Ottrensive territory first was cut in half, then the heart of the