4
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday, November 30, 1967
Cowboys have experience
By Mike Jones Kansan Staff Reporter
Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles on the Big Eight basketball teams.
Oklahoma State's basketball coach Henry Iba, now in his 34th year at the Cowboy helm, feels his team will be much improved this season.
O-State returns nine lettermen and 65 per cent of its scoring punch from last year."
"I think our experience will make us a much better team," Iba said. "We will be able to do a lot of things we didn't do well last year."
Both Joe Smith and Bill Christopher, the Cowboys' regular forwards last year, return. Smith was the team's leading rebounder last year and the number two scorer on the squad, averaging 9.2 points a game. Christopher was the number three scorer and the second best rebounder. Jack Herron, 6-4 guard who led the team in scoring until illness decked him at mid-season last year, is also back.
Herron will be joined in the backcourt by 6-2 junior letterman Kenny O'Neal. O'Neal was a part-time starter last year and Iba feels that he could be one of the best guards in the conference.
Iba believes that his sophomore prospects will add to the team's quickness. Six-seven Paul Mullen is probably the best sophomore prospect. Iba said that Mullen could be a surprise because he moves well and jumps exceptionally well for his size. Rick Cooper, 6-4 forward, was the leading scorer on the freshman team and could be a good prospect with some experience.
The Cowboys' main problems are lack of a big scorer, poor offensive rebounding and faulty ball handling.
"We have been hurting for a good scorer the past two seasons," Iba said. "If we can't come up with one this year we will just have to overcome the problem with improved balance."
Cowboy Joe Smith
Rebounding is a big question mark. Six-nine junior letterman Charles Savell should help some. Iba is also counting on 6-5 sophomore Rick Prewitt.
"Prewitt was the leading rebounder on the freshman team last year," said Iba. "He is strong and we will work him inside to take advantage of his potential."
Iba feels that the poor ball handling will be less of a problem as the team becomes more experienced.
"Our ball handling was poor last year, mainly because we were inexperienced," Iba said. "We will work hard on our ball handling this year, awfully hard."
The Kansan sports staff predic tion for Oklahoma State; seventh.
Table Tops
AUTO GLASS Sudden Service East End of 9th St. VI 3-4416
AS ONLY WE CAN SAY- "I love you"
VI 3-6111
LAWRENCE
9th & Indiana
Want To Look Just Right For That Christmas Formal?
Let The Experts At
MARIMELLO BEAUTY SALON
Cut or Style Your Hair To Perfection
Make Your Appointment Now
1119 Mass S*. VI 3-3330
has the fabulous NEW ANDY WILLIAMS album featuring the Academy Award winner- 'BORN FREE"
GREAT MOVIE THEMES!
GREAT MOVIE THEMES!
"Alfie"
"Somewhere, My Love" (Doctor Zhivago)
"I Will Wait for You"
(The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) $
and his current smash "MUSIC TO WATCH GIRLS BY" 4-41085 plus seven other great hits on
COLUMBIA RECORDS
STEREO Limit 1 Per Customer
...where great hits are always in season.