From the K. U. Sports News Service, Lawrence, Kan-3 H.M. Mason, Director

For Immediate Release

LAWRENCE, Kan., Feb. ,---The most underrated factor in the
game of pasketball today is the matter of weight, in the opinion of Dr.
F.C. "Phog" Allen, dean of American basketball coaches.
tPpeople talk about how:.tall players are, as though that was
the only thing that matteredi Actually," says Dr. Allen, "weicht is
almost as important."

Gapecially does weight make a difference in the play under
the baskets. Holding a position favorable for taking the ball off the
packboard is greatly simplified if the player is heavy.
| What a huge ball player can do in the way of scoring was den
onstrated by Dale Sears, 210 pound U. S. C. center Jast year at the
NCAA tournament in Kansas City. Sears ia 6 feet 2 inches tall.

When the Trojans clashed WAR Benen the Jayhawks stopped
Ralph Vaughan, epreat U. S. C. forward, only to see Sears run wild.
There was simply no one big enough on the K. U. team to handle the pon-~
derous Sears, who dropped in 19 points from close around the basket.

The value of weight in pasketball makes Doctor Allen all the
more pleased with his brilliant freshman team. Lightest man on the
first yearling five scales in at 180 pounds.

2 The freshmen demonstrated vividly to the varsity last week
just what weight can meane Although the upperclassmen finally won 38—
37 in two overtime periods, they were bounced all over the court by the
yearlings in scrambles for the ball and in pattling for rebounds.

Three 190 pounders and two men scaling in at 180 make up the
starting freshman lineup. The heavier trio consis ts of Charles Black,
forward, Kansas City, Mo.; Jack Ballard, center, Kansas City, Mo.; and
Don Ettinger, Independence, 1 guard

The 180 pounders are Ray Ewans and Paul inspite: both of Kansas
City, Kan. All of these men, , with the single exception of Ballard,
played football in high school.

"Theoretically, basketball is not 4 contact sport," says Drs
Allen, "But anyone who has ever seen a game knowsdifferently. Particie-
larly is this true around the basket.

"Weight is played up strong in the dope on football games
and I would like to see height and weight given equal consideration in
similar ratings in basketball."

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