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Friday, February 6, 1976
University Daily Kansan
KU championship chances fading
Associate Sports Editor
By STEVEN SCHOENFELD
Ted Owens knows exactly what his team needs to win the Big East must do; it's still gone to win the Big East.
"The only possibility of our having a part of the championship is with an 11-3 record." Owens said. "That means we have to win this season, even for a tie for first."
Only eight in a row. Doesn't sound too tough, does it?
First, the Jayhawks must get by Oklahoma, whom they meet at 2:10 tomorrow afternoon in Allen Field House. The game will be televised by Channel 4, and John Wooden, former UCLA head coach, will serve as guest commentator.
KU IS SITTING in fourth place with a 3-3 mark. But of all the contending teams, the Jayhawks' may have played the most formidable schedule.
"We've gone through the real tough part of our schedule." Owens said. "A win at Nebraska Wednesday would have put us in as good, a shine as anybody."
KU has already met two of the three
teams, teams-Nebraska and
Michigan. The Wolverines and
Michigan have won each game.
Clint Johnson
played at Colorado, which Owens said is one of the toughest places in the conference to play. Five of their eight remaining games are at home.
Herb Nobles
But that will mean nothing if Kansas loses to the Sooners.
OLHAMOA 12-4 in league play and 5-13 overall, but, Owens warned that OU's
"They lost in overtime against Colorado," he said. "And they lost a one-pointer at Nebraska. They are awfully close to being 4-2."
Oklahoma has a new head coach this
year. Her former was Bobby
King's top assistant at USC.
The Sooners may be burglaring at the Jayhawks, however. Forward Kevin Jones, the team's leading score with a 8.8 scoring ankle from a sprained ankle and may not play.
"We have some idea about Dave's style of play," Owens said. "Because his team is young, they have really worked hard on moving the ball and playing for the high percentage shot. They've been real patient with shooting over 50 per cent from the field."
THAT LEAVES OU with a front line of 6-8 Billy Graham and 6-9 Randy Gentry at forwards and 6-7 Rick McNell at center. They'll be giving up quite a few inches to KU forwards Norm Cook, 6-8, and Ken Coenig, 6-10, and center Paul Mokenkoi, 7-1.
"We need to use our strength and that mears going inside," Owens said. "We were there."
Donnie fights back after illness
Donnie Von Moore has had more than his share of heartbreak this season.
The University of Kansas basketball player came into the year with high expectations. He had been moved to center, supposedly his natural position, after playing forward his first two years here.
He was being counted on to provide leadership on this year's young basketball team. Along with Norm Cook
sidelines and watch while is teammates are on the floor. It's the first time for many years that he hasn't been on the court himself.
Donnie grew up playing the game on the playgrounds in Chicago. He was a star at Kenwood High School, and he readily admitted that it had not been for his basketball ability, he would probably still be on the streets of Chicago.
"Basketball has been my life." Von
By Allen Quakenbusb Sports Editor
and Clint Johnson, Von Moore was one of the few KU players with any varsity experience.
THEN, KU COACH Ted Owens announced that Von Moore had been sent to Watkins Hospital with a slight case of pneumonia. He was expected to miss a couple of games at the beginning of the year.
But his world began to collapse in the middle of November. It started innocently enough. He spent a couple of days on the sidelines in sweat clothes watching his teammates work out after suffering minor chest pains.
That disappointed a lot of KU fans. But it was nothing compared to the way they felt when they found out Von Moore had been in the medical Center because of complications.
And Von Moore's dream of having a good season had turned into a nightmare.
Von Moore spent the next month in the Med Center underwent surgery to relieve the congestion in his lungs. What began as a mild illness had developed into a major illness.
"ALWAYS THOUGH I'd play again until the doctor told me I couldn't play." Von Moore said. "I knew I was really sick, but I also figured I would be back."
It isn't easy for Von Moore to sit on the
Moore said. "You know how I missed it when I was sick. If it wasn't for basketball, I wouldn't be where I am today. It's what got me to college."
VON MOORE DOESN't want anybody to feel sorry for him. In fact, he would prefer that everybody forget about his existence, and even it like to talk about it anymore.
But during his stay in the hospital, he was more than glad for all the attention he received.
"People were so nice to me that it really got my spirits up." Von Moore said, "I really took my mind off the situation. I might have been pretty depressed."
"I always had somebody to talk to.
They were always so many people to see.
For a time, Von Moore's basketball future was in doubt. But he is certain he will be able to play.
After the disappointments of this year, Von Moore seems to have a right to feel a little bit down on the world. But that's not his attitude at all.
"After everything that has happened," Van Moore said, "I'm just glad to be out and around. I'm just thankful that I'm safe and can be around people again."
Staff photo by DON PIERCE
Von Moore mans basketball phones
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