6
Wednesday, February 6, 1974
University Daily Kansan
Forgotten Man Smith Becomes Key
By MARK ZELIGMAN
Kananu Emerts Waller
It was only last December that Tommy Smith was the forgotten man on the University of Kansas basketball team. He wasn't obeying and he wasn't happy.
Just a little more than a month later, Snith, a foot-4 junior from Kewanee, III., has become a key member of the KU team. His explosive rebounding and streak shooting have helped the Jayhawks take sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.
What has happened since last December to cause the change in Smith's status?
According to Smith, he hasn't done anything differently from last year. As always, he just goes out on the court and plays basketball.
Head Coach Ted Owens, however, had a differing opinion.
TOMMY'S PLAYING BETTER, more
Tommie Smith
consistently, and because of this has earned more playing time," Owens said. "He's doing everything better than he was a year ago."
Smith began the season as a starter in the exhibition game with Yugoslavia but lost to England.
"In the Yugoslavia game, we were pressed into a couple of times guys got by me and said they wanted to win," said that he could depend on me to play hard. He said that he wanted to go with them. "But you never do."
Smith soon found himself playing on the junior varsity team for a few games.
"It bothers you--degrades you--to play on the JV team," Smith said, "or just let the team do it."
"If I quit, that would be saying that I give up. My high school coach told me to never be a quitter. He said to stick with the game. We don't need it better. And now I guess they did."
THE SEASON'S TURNING POINT for Smith and possibly the entire Jayhawk Big Eight Tournament in Kansas City, KU had lost to Colorado two days before and its record had dropped to 8-3. A loss to Colorado have killed all hopes for a successful season.
"Couch Owens calls me into his office before the game," Smith said, "and told me that he was going to put me into the game and we will be there all, I want you to do is play hard."
Smith followed Owens's instructions perfectly. His 24 points and 12 rebounds that day led KU to an 82-72 victory over Oklahoma, and except for a nonconference loss to Notre Dame, the Jayhawks haven't lost since.
SMITH CAME TO KU after a glittering high school career at Kawenee during the 1980s, where he played in both basketball and basketball. He also ran the high and low hurdles in state record times, ran the 106-yard dash in 9.9 seconds, high jumped 6-feet-4 and long jumped more
His coach at Kowanee, Em兰博背 said, that Smith was the finest all-round athlete in the league.
As a freshman at KU, Smith missed his first three games because of a foot injury but came back to finish as the team's No. 2 rebounder.
Smith said he was still bothered sometimes by the injury.
"AFTER THAT HAPPENED," he said,
"I began to get crampes easier. Maybe
it's because I tried to get back in shape too fast.
"Also, I had a quicker jump in high school or I do now. I used to be able to spring from standing still. Now I have to use more pressure to jump I used to."
"Everytime someone pushes off, the referee only sees the second guy pushing back. So, I try to be the first guy. In high school, we had the second guy pushing and I got caught."
Being only 6-foot-4, Smith has to compensate for his lack of height with his great jumping ability and physical play of play. He said that when he guarded Notre Dame's Adrian Dantley, there was constant shoving throughout the game.
IN THE PAST, SMITH has sometimes been criticized for not always giving 100 per cent. In sports, once someone gets a label it's tough for him to lose it.
"When you get out on the court," Smith said, "you have to establish yourself. Everybody shaves, so you have to try not to get caught. You have to make a natural move and not be sudden about it so the referee won't see it.
A recent Sports Illustrated article
"I don't know where they got that lackadaisical play" stuff," Smith said. "Maybe it's the way I play. If you get excited out there the refs will be looking for it and look at the floor. There's no use getting the ref's attention or he'll be watching you.
described Smith; “Heterofore noted
incrinally for his lackadares attitude.”
"I'm not emotional. When I run, they say I'm not running fast, but I go just being as fast as the other guys. The other guys just look like they're running faster."
SMITH'S RECENT PLAY may have put an end to his lackadaisical talent. Often he and Rick Suttle will come off the bench to unite KU rallies.
"I don't mind coming on the bench," Smith sand. "You're not going to win with just five guys. If you feel you're going to play, it doesn't make any difference."
LIBERAL ARTS SENIORS AND GRADS
PEACE CORPS AND VISTA need you for summer and fall festivals. You will be interested in the INTERVIEW WORKSHOP with an interviewer of THE LIBERAL ARTS PLACEMENT OFFICE at 1340 West 72nd Street, FY 12, IFRS 15, on an interview now!
Feb.13,14,15,16,at 8:00 p.m.
Feb.17,at 2:30 p.m.
KU Students admitted free with Certificate of Eligibility
This program partially funded by the Student Activity Fee
University Theatre — Murphy Hall Ticket Reservations: Tele: 864-3982
Mon.-Sat. 10-5
The University of Kansas Theatre
Oread Corner
THE BODEGA A Private Club
Like You Have Always Wanted in Lawrence
presents
THE PLAYBOY OF THE
WESTERN WORLD
by
J. M. Synge
-the story of someone who becomes himself
MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE
6& 1/2 E.7 St. 842-9549
--now has
JUNIOR WOMEN
You, as a student of the University of Kansas with 50 or more hours, are eligible for membership in Torch Chapter of Mortar Board, Inc. Mortar Board, Inc., is a senior women's honor society, which selects its members on the basis of scholarship, leadership, and service to the university and community.
So that Mortar Board might know you, please complete the information sheet you will receive in the mail, and return it to D.O.W. office. If we fail to reach you by mail, please pick up an information sheet in the D.O.W. office. These forms will be filed in your confidential folder for job references, etc. The deadline is Feb. 15, 1974.
Among Montar Board's service projects this year is sponsorship of a series of forums dealing with life after graduation. Included in the series is a multimedia presentation on women's self-defense which was prepared by students in Hashinger Hall in conjunction with the Dean of Women's office. It will be shown numerous times this semester and in the future for the benefit of K.U. women.
If you would like to recommend a junior woman for Mortar Board, please contact Judy Long, president, at 842-8072.
ALL Junior women are eligible
Torch Chapter Mortar Board, Inc.
THE BODY SHOP
DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS-VITAMINS HEALTH PRODUCTS
we carry
*•HOFFMAN PRODUCTS •WEIDER PRODUCTS
•NATURAL VITAMINS •FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
•REDUCING AIDS •HEALTH PRODUCTS
Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat. 9-1
843-9412
940 Mass.-Arcade Bldg. Lawrence, Ks.
Always in season and seasoned to please $ ^{4} $ .
Serving Lawrence . . . Since 1857
Shop Thursdays Til 8:30 p.m.
Permanent press polyester cotton in "You Turn Me On" pattern. Tailored construction with comfort waistband. Full proportioned seat. Gift boxed.
Kl Ov Be
"You Turn Me On" valentine
Jockey Valentine Boxers
The Hays S Fort H berth
Supe
aggress
women
win ov
Allen I
The start o quarte by one time t
$2.50 & $3.50
Durr
Washin
continu
lead to
third t
Jockey Valentine Briefs
Duria resu Debbi half t chara
Was the te be
Smooth, comfortable 100% nylon in the colorful "You Turn Me On" pattern, packaged in a special gift giving box. Plus, exclusive jockey tailoring for proper fit and support with the new Fashion-Knit waistband.
"We Wash
always,
but if
ball be
second
from a
more,
$3.00
"You Turn Me On" Bath Kills $4.00
Valentine Red Neck垫ts $5.00
Valentine Heart Embroidered
Socks $2.00
"Our
"Our
positiv
plan i
The
Pauls
contri
Men's Shop—Main Floor
Th
Use Kansan Classified