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University Daily Kansan Wednesday, November 15, 1961
By Bill Sheldon
Kansas will face a tough Oklahoma team in the first round of the annual Big Eight pre-season basketball tournament in Kansas City, Dec. 27-30.
In other opening pairings, touted Kansas State meets a fine Nebraska team, Oklahoma State, a definite contender, plays weak Missouri and Colorado and Iowa State, both dark horses for conference laurels, play.
KU is in the same bracket with the winner of the CU-I-State tussle.
THUS, THE PICTURE is not too dim concerning the tournament, with the possibility of finishing as well as last season, second to the K-State Wildcats, not completely out of the question.
Of the play of the varsity in its slim win over the frosh Friday, there is obviously a long road to be traveled by Coach Dick Harp and his hardies before they can be considered as even a dark horse. But, there were bright spots, or evidences thereof, to provide basis for an opinion that the Hawkers will certainly be far from an embarrassing member of the Jayhawk athletic family.
The fshr provided excellent opposition in the game and will continue to do so in the weeks to come as the Crimson and the Blue prepare for the season tip-off against Arkansas here Dec. 1.
SUCH YEARLING STANDOUTS as Dave Brill, George Unseld, Ron Shanks, Kerry Bolton, Dick Ruggles and Jim Gough are all sound enough players even at this stage in their development to preview the type of competition which the Hawks may face this season.
Although the 65-63 score did not reveal that the varsity had much strength, it must be taken into consideration that whenever Coach Harp had his first five in action, there was no doubt of their superiority. Granted, the varsity showed a lack of depth and this will be one of the determining factors in many games this season, but there may be enough talent among the first five or six to carry KU to more wins than they are presently being given credit for.
The play of Nolen Ellison and Jerry Gardner at the guard slots was obviously good and despite showing a few loopholes, should be the backbone of the team.
THE MAIN PROBLEM facing Coach Harp at the beginning of the season and right now is the three front positions.
Footballers Lee Flachsbarth and Jay Roberts are scheduled to add talent, but their performance cannot be counted on at this time.
At center, long a stronghold of great Kansas basketball players, strong junior John Matt has inherited a difficult task of stepping into the starting role with little game experience.
SHOWING ONLY A REAL weakness on defense, the 6-7 205 pound maneuvered for 14 tallies against the frosh. Matt certainly will not perform in the same vein as Wayne Hightower or Bill Bridges, but, after gaining self-confidence and sufficient mechanical ability, he should be able to hold his own and provide the steady play under the boards and as a feeder which will be necessary to make the KU offense effective.
One thing is certain, KU basketball will be of a different type than has been seen in a long time in the "house that Wilt built." Play will not be based around the ability of the center as it has been in the past several seasons. This is not to say anything against Matt, for his worth will not be fully established until a few games have been played. But, with the emphasis on players and positions other than the center, the play of the Hawkers could actually become far more interesting and even more steady.
Fancy the rapture of being there when the world was made! —Earl Marlatt
Small (6-1) but aggressive Jim Dumas showed he has the fire and determination to play Big Eight ball. Last season in games against Missouri and Kansas State the Topeka jumper did a fine job and should be counted upon to come through in the same fashion again this winter.
DUMAS' FORTE is hustle, "guts" and jumping ability for his size.
KU had Dick Gisel playing the same forward just two seasons back and his lack of height (5-11) didn't prove to be a great detriment to the Hawkers who came from behind to tie for the league title.
At the other forward, Loye Sparks showed signs of developing into the type player liked by Coach Harp. Sparks has the power on the boards and the shot to become a threat. His main problem, along with Matt and Dumas, is experience.
Carl Detter and Terry Smith will battle for the intramural tennis singles title tomorrow afternoon.
IM Tennis Final Will Be Tomorrow
Detter, Hutchinson freshman, defeated Karl Kreutziger, Wichita senior, 7-5, 6-3, in the semi-finals.
Smith, Arkansas City junior and former national junior college singles champ, downed Stan Werner, Lawrence graduate student. Smith won with sets of 4-6, 6-4, 8-6.
Detter and Smith, who teamed up to win the doubles crown last week, represent Templin.
Hornung in Army
FORT RILEY - (UPI) - Paul Hornung will not be playing any more football this year.
The all-pro haliback from the Green Bay Packers reported for active duty with the U.S. army here yesterday. He will not receive any weekend passes to play football with the Packers, nor will he even have the opportunity to play for a team here.
Hornning expressed no bitterness or discontent upon reporting to Fort Riley. "I'm glad to be here," the curly-headed backfield ace grinned.
Gentlemen always seem to remember blonds. - Anita Loos
KANSAS CITY — (UPI)—Wichita's Bill Stangone, who gained 107 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns against Drake last week, has been named Missouri Valley Conference back of the week
Wichita Halfback Receives Honor
ries, completed four of seven passes for 38 yards, ran a kickoff back 20 yards, and scored touchdowns on runs of 77. one and six vards.
The 5-foot 10-inch 172-pound junior gained 107 yards on the 12 car-
Stangarone, of Turtle Creek, Pa., is tied with North Texas State's Bobby Smith for the conference scoring lead with 42 points apiece.
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