10
Thursday, March 20, 1980
University Daily Kansan
Kansas won't crumble even if Ross wanders off
Call it immaturity or ego, but Ross 'public statements that he might pump his jumps at either Wichita State or Georgia show a lack of character. It's almost not even true.'
Allen Field House won't crumble if Ricky Ross decides to transfer to another school. KU will still field a basketball team next season.
Lawrence, stay off your knees. No one is indispensable. Ross came to KU with glossy statistics and fans expected spectacular things from him. He had several bright moments this season and undoubtedly will have many more in the future, wherever he ends us.
Ricky Ross . . . destination unknown
out on a limb Mike earle
But coming from a winning high school program evidently has spoiled Roes. This season was a ledowd for him. The boat has slowed and he apparently will have to wait longer.
ROSS MADSE ALMOST every prep All-America team his senior year at Wichita High School High and was subsequently wooed by almost every major college in the nation. But those prep awards and attention don't measure a player's character. A true measure of a player's character is his reaction to adversity.
Perhaps the 1974 rulong allowing freshman to play on the varsity level has had an adverse effect on young players. People expect too much, too soon from 18-
The pressure of being away from home and keeping up with school work, combined with the expectation of performing on the basketball court, could overburden anyone. There's no doubt that Ross has an abundance of talent. he is also surrounded by an abundance of confusion, as are many freshmen.
"This is like a big mystery," Ross said this week. "I just can't say exactly what brought all of this along." It's a combination of all different things.
"IHOPE I'LL be able to set everybody straight by the end of the school year, but it might take longer. This is a tough decision and it will take a lot of considered thought."
If Ross decides to transfer, he should remember the grass isn't always greener in other conferences. Quick, name three players who have transferred after their freshman year and have gone on to make it big. There isn't many. It's apparent that Ross is looking gut for his own welfare only.
"This (the speculation of his transfer) might make some high school players want to come to KU, but that's life." Ross said. "I'm not here please and I won't."
CATHY KREBS/Kansen staff
THAT ATTITUDE has no room on any team. Ironically, in 1978, when KU compiled a 24-5 record by bowing out to UCLA in the first round of the NCAA tournament, the Jayhawks had only one high school All-American on the roster - Darren Valentine. And Valentine was only a freshman at the time.
Perhaps the attitude of "me first, I get my points and worry about the team later" has undermined KU's wealth of talent. Maybe it would be better to recruit non-All-Americans out of high school - players who don't have to worry about living up to expectations. This season, Kansas State had one high school All-American on its squad - Rolando Blackman. Nebraska had none. Both the Wildcats and Cornhuskers went to post-season tournaments.
In addition to Ross' threat of transferring, he said the KU coaching staff was sent to blame for KU's record this season.
"THERE NEEDS to be a lot of adjusting in the system here." Ross said. "Changing offense and that kind of stuff. We've got all these talented players and they deserve a wide-open offense. We set so many picks that we ended up running into each other."
Whatever his beef about KU basketball, Ross isn't doing himself any favors by throwing comments like that around. It won't help his chances of playing for another school if he defects. As for transferring, Ross has mentioned Wichita as a possibility. But Ross said that he has not talked to the coaches of either school.
"Wichita State's and Georgia's guard spots are weak," Ross said. "I think I play for either team. I have Antoine Carson in Wichita, and Larry Gay and I would like to play."
Whatever his decision, Rim isn't doing KU and the basketball program any good by publicizing his intentions. If he's going to transfer, he should have worked it out himself and not mentioned his intention to the media. His remarks could easily get blown out of proportion.
IN OTTER WORDS, Ross should have kept his mouth shut. He not making an ackward friends or fans around campus by threatening transfer. One no one likes a backer.
It is hoped that three seasons from now, Ross will still be at KU and look back on this incident and laugh about it.
Cardinals cruise 14-4 to snap Royals streak
FORT MERVS, Fla. (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals scored seven runs in the ninth yesterday to put the finishing touches on a 144 exhibition baseball game.
The Cardinals, raising their exhibition season record to 24, scored the seven runs on hits off Renie Martin, the fifth Kansas City pitcher.
St. Louis cuffed Royals pitching for 17 hits on the way to stop Kansas C1s five-game winning streak. The Royals have a 7-3 record in exhibition play.
The Cardinals scored three runs, two of them meened, off Denis Leonard in second inning. Leonard's first exhibition start after a bout with non-titular partner, Mike Trout, was toppled.
The Cards were litterless against Craig Eaton and Randy McGilberry, but scored four runs on six hits off Bill Paschal, the second Kansas City pitcher.
The Cardinal assault was led by Leon Durham, who had a double and a triple to drive in three runs.
Kansas City's scoring output came on two-run homers by George Brett and Omar Otis. Brett connected off Bob Forsch, the cards starter. Otis found the ball from Derek Mason.
Kansas City touched Forsch for six hits and Eduardo gave up three. Dod Hoo and John Littlefield did not permit a hit in an inning apiece for the Cardinals.
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