KU drops league opener
Free throw heroics by Don Tomlinson and Theo Frankis during the final two minutes checked a wild and determined KU comeback bid and preserved a 56-53 win for the Tigers Monday night in Columbia. The contest, held in Brewer Field House (which is actually a dimly-lit replica of an early- American gymnasium), opened Big Eight
Kansas takes own tourney
(Continued from page 6)
'Hawks held on in the second half and pounded out the 104-81 victory over a strong Western Kentucky team.
Stallworth topped KU in scoring with 27 points, Robisch canned 23, and Russell tabbed 20 points and pulled down a KU high of 12 rebounds. KU's front line production proved to be too much for the Hilltoppers, but McDaniels, lone standout for Western Kentucky in their opener, still turned in a creditable performance by scoring 28 points and nabbing a game high of 15 caroms.
All in all, the Classic turned out to be a successful replacement of the old Sunflower doubleheader, the annual two night affair hosted by KU and K-State. The young Classic has already gained the services of many top-notch basketball schools for future tourneys. Despite a poor combined attendance of 14,000 because of Christmas vacation, (a problem that will be remedied next year) it appears that the tournament will also be a financially sound replacement.
Jan. 6
1970 KANSAN 7
conference play for both Missouri and the Hawks.
The Jayhawks trailed Missouri by 13 points midway in the final period before 6-9 pivot man Dave Robisch suddenly caught fire and guided an ice-cold KU squad on a last ditch bid for victory. Robisch, limited to only three points in the first half, tossed in 12 during the closing three minute stretch run and pulled the 'Hawks within one point, 52-51, with 45 seconds remaining.
KU's hopes were as dim as the field house when Don Tomlinson, a thorn in the Jayhawks' side for the past two years, cashed in on two charity tosses to elevate the Bengals to a 54-51 margin at the 34 second mark. But the hectic conclusion had just begun when Robisch retaliated with a 10 foot baseline jumper to once again cut the margin to one with only six seconds remaining on the clock. An effort to steal the in-bounds pass backfired as KU's Bob Kavisto fouled Theo Franks, the conference's leading foul shooter with a 92 per cent mark. Frankis canned both free throws to conclude the contest.
Only a fine defensive performance kept KU in contention during a sluggish first half in which the Tigers often threatened to make it a one-sided affair. Missouri was unable to consistently penetrate the Jayhawks' switching defenses, but KU's cold shooting from the field enabled the Tigers to pull to a 29-22 half time advantage. The 'Hawks connected on only 28 per cent of their fielders (a miserable seven of 24) and fared no better from the free throw line where they managed [to hit only eight of 17, a cool 47 per cent.
Missouri collapsed on Robisch
throughout the game and held the all-conference selection's point production in check throughout the first half and most of the final stanza. The Tigers gave KU the outside shot but the 'Hawk's inexperienced backcourt personnel could not pick up the scoring slack and Missouri slowly crept to their 13 point lead and hung on for the victory, its fourth in the series' last five meetings.
With 5-13 remaining, and leading 48-41, Missouri went into its slow down game. KU coach Ted Owens used a bit of his own strategy and neutralized the stall game with a full court press that forced the Tigers into many costly turnovers. Owens also used a musical chair tactic as he substituted Fred Bosilivac for Robisch during pressing situations, and then returned Robisch to play on scoring opportunities. Once again the Jayhawks abandoned their free-wheeling and high-scoring offense that carried them to success during the early non-conference schedule. KU probably returned to the double post offense and a control game because of its inexperience on the road, but the change of style brought little results as the Missouri loss, coupled with the Nebraska setback in the conference tourney, produced the only back-to-back losses thus far.
Tomlinson netted 23 points for Missouri and Robisch tallied 22 points to pace the KU scoring attack. Missouri is now 9-4 and KU is 7-4.
A fine Missouri freshman team handed KU an 82-65 thrashing in the preliminary game. The loss was the first of the season and only the second in the past two years for Gail Catlett's crew—both were to the Tigers. Mark Williams led the freshmen with 25 points.
Robinson only casualty as champions head south
NEW ORLEANS (UPI)—Coach Hank Stram of the American Football League champion Kansas City Chiefs said Monday four-time all-league safety Johnny Robinson might miss the Super Bowl game against the National Football League champion Minnesota Vikings. "We'll know Wednesday," Stram said. The former Louisiana State star suffered torn cartilage in his rib cage Sunday when going for a pass in the third period of the Chiefs' 17-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders.
Robinson said he did not know exactly how he was injured.
Robinson said he would be checked by New Orleans doctors.
Stram talked little of strategy to be deployed against the Vikings in the world championship game Sunday. He said an exchange of game films would be
checked by New Orleans doctors.
Only about 35 persons—compared to 10,000 who saw the team off in Kansas City—turned out to greet the Chiefs in a downpour at Moisant Airport. At least 10 of those came to see Robinson, a Baton Rouge, La., native. One Robinson supporter was carrying a sign saying, "We don't need Eroadway Joe, we got Bourbon Street Johnny." Another said, "Welcome Home Johnny."
Vikings favored
STATELINE, Nev. (UPI) — Harrah's Tahoe race book Monday listed the Minnesota Vikings as 11 1/2 point favorites to beat Kansas City next Sunday in the Super Bowl. Minnesota whipped Cleveland in the National Football Championship, while Kansas City nipped Oakland Sunday in the American Football League title game.
made with Minnesota later in the evening.
"It will really be our first chance to see them," Stram said. The Chiefs scheduled their first workout Tuesday afternoon in Tad Gormley Stadium, Minnesota was to arrive Tuesday morning and work out in the afternoon at the New Orleans Saints' practice field.
"We don't worry about things we can't control." Stram said about the rainy New Orleans weather.
The Chiefs, cheered by a crowd that stormed into Kansas City Municipal Airport, were delayed in taking off when a service truck rammed their chartered jet. They arrived in New Orleans two hours late.
KU out early
(Continued from page 6) had kept the slow 'Pokes in the game until he was forced to sit out the first ten minutes of the final stanza.
In the consolation championship, KU's inexperience again proved costly with Nebraska the beneficiary, 78-73. The Cornhuskers used their traditional press to control the tempo of the game and eventually wear down the jittery Jayhawks. Missed free throws (KU suffered an 11 for 21 night from the line) and 23 turnovers sealed Kansas' fate. Leroy Chalk's fine defensive job on all-tournament choice Dave Robisch (holding him to 19 points, eight below his pre-game average) also stymied the Kansas attack which Coach Owens afterward called "impatient."
The sixth-place finish was Kansas' lowest since a seventh-place climax in 1958.
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