FRIDAY, MARCH 10. 1950
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
PAGE FIVF
By BOB NELSON
The Jayhawkers' clash with the Oklahoma Sooners tomorrow night at Norman is one of Kansas' most important basketball games since 1940.
By defeating the Sooners, Coach F. C. Allen's fighting Jayhawkers can assure themselves of at least a tie and an undisputed championship if our good cousins up the Kaw cooperate in defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Since Kansas State must win to keep alive any title hopes, we look for the Aggies to roll over Nebraska by at least 15 points, probably by as great a margin as possible, in hopes of getting the nod from the fifth district selection committee in case of a tie in the final conference standings.
The Jayhawkers' high scoring machine seems to improve with each game. Kansas, in winning ten out of their last 13 games, presents one of the best offenses in collegiate ranks. Kansas has averaged 69.4 points in winning the last five contests.
Kansas State seems to lack the fire and fight that has been a deciding factor in the play of Coach Allen's young club.
After seeing Kansas roll over Kansas State, 79 to 68, we believe the strongest team in the Big Seven could also could rog, furthest in N.C.A. A-play.
In conference play, Kansas definitely has been the most consistent on offense and defense. Coach Allen's cagers have lost three games by a mere total of eight points, Kansas State has dropped four games by a 32-point total, and Nebraska has lost three games by a 42-point total.
This year's K.U. team ranks tops for their ability to overcome tremendous odds and for a terrific team spirit that has brought them along the championship trail at a fast clip during the last 13 games.
For seniors Harold England, Gene Petersen, Guy Mabry, and Claude Houchin, what could be more appropriate than to win their last conference game and return to Mr. Oread with the 1950 Big Seven basketball crown. Such a championship and N.C.A.A. play to follow would place their names alongside many former Jayhawker cage greats and rank this year's club one of the finest of all-time.
To Coach Allen, a championship this year would rank as one of his greatest coaching jobs in 33 years at Kansas. Bringing a green sophomoric team from last place to the championship in a single season is almost unbelievable.
If you've got a few minutes free time about 10 p.m. tonight, why not drop by the Santa Fe R.R. station and offer a few words of encouragement to this fine young team. Coach Allen and his title hungry Jayhawks entrain at 10:08 p.m. for Norman. They will arrive back in Lawrence, at 1:12 p.m., Sunday, at the same station.
Be seeing you in Norman.
3 Babies Named Reid
Cause Hospital Confusion
Fortworth, Tex. — (U.P.) — Things were confusing for a time at Harris Hospital here when three babies, all girls, were born within a 24-hour period to parents all having the same last name. The babies were daughters of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Reid of Cleburne, Tex.; and Mr. and Mrs. Jack D. Reid and Mr. and Mrs. Loyd G. Reid, all of Fort Worth. None of the Reids is related.
Toy Bank Blames Governor For Tax He Didn't Sponsor
Sebring, Fla.—(U.R.)-Gov. Fuller Warren didn't sponsor the state's new sales tax. In fact, he approved the levy only after the legislature had turned down his tax program.
But he's getting full credit in one Sebring, Fla. store.
The owner puts each tax penny in a separate toy bank with the announcement: Here's where I put Fuller's pennies."
G. J. Bill benefits, barring Congressal changes, expire July 25, 1957.
Captain Houchin's Cool Play Steers KU In Title Surge
The "Iron Man" of Kansas basketball is Claude Houchin. Big Claude, a 6-foot 5-inch 185-pounder, can be counted on for a fine all-around performance game after game, usually going the full route with little or no rest. Much of the credit for the Jayhawkers' success must go to him.
Claude. a 24-year-old business
Claude, a 24-year-old business senior, was elected captain of this year's cage squad during the Big Seven pre-season tournament. He has proved himself to be a valuable leader among his sophomore teammates through his excellent all around play and fine competitive spirit.
Houchin played four years of prep basketball at Turner (Kan.) High school under Coach Merten Fetty.
After graduation, Claude enlisted in the army air corps. He spent 18 months overseas in the Pacific theater based in the Mariana islands. As a navigator in the B-29 squadron, Claude made 20 missions over Japan. It was while in the service that Houchin received his n i c k n a m e "Hooch." He held a captain's rank when he was discharged.
While still on terminal leave, Houchin decided to enroll at KU. in September 1946, and play basketball under Coach F. C. "Phog" Allen.
Claude started his 4-year cage term against Oklahoma at Norman the same night that Howard "Rope" Engleman made his debut as Kansas cage mentor, replacing the injured Coach Allen. Both men were moved up from the "B" team ranks. Houchin finished the 1947 season scoring 40 points in 14 contests.
In 1948, while scoring 174 points in 24 games, "Hooch" received some of his biggest thrills. When asked about his greatest cage thrill at K.U., he said, "Well, I guess it would be the winning goal I scored on a 47-foot desperation shot just before the final gun that gave us a 39 to 38 overtime victory over Oklahoma in the opening conference game here in 1948."
Houchin scored 248 points for a 10.3 average over a 24-game schedule in 1949 with his high looping long shots featuring his scoring from the outside. His ten field goals against Iowa State last year for 20 points is his highest single game total.
Claude's 19 points plus his fine all-around play against Kansas State March 7, of this year, is probably the greatest single game performance turned in by this tireless battler. Big Claude's rebounding has been outstanding all year as he consistently has cleared both backboards against taller opponents by out hustling them.
At the free throw line, Claude is among the best in the Big Seven. Against Kansas State, he hit nine out of 11 free throw attempts.
CLAUDE HOUCHIN
Houchin is one of the fastest men in the conference being able to dribble faster than most players can run. Claude is a "dead-eye-shot" on anything resembling a drive-in lay-up shot and almost unstoppable down the middle on a fast break. "Hooch's" defensive play often finds him stealing the ball in mid-court to drive in for lay-ups.
In 23 games this year, Claude has scored 181 points for an average of 7.9 points per game. Many of his points are scored when most needed to help make Claude rank high among the finest guards ever to play for Kansas.
If Captain Houchin comes through with another fine performance against Oklahoma at Norman Saturday night, Bruce Drake's Sooners will be in for a long hard night.
THE BEST IN '48 & '49
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Claude is one of the most likeable cagers in the Kansas camp, and is often found clowning with big Clyde Lovelette and his sophomore teammates. Houchin's sincerity and responsible attitude toward his teammates as their captain is best shown by his statement, "I've really enjoyed playing with my teammates this year and think the sophomores will really be great the next two years."
BIGGER, EVEN BETTER FOR '50
Houchin is a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity and also secretary of the senior class. -Bob Nelson.
More than 9 of every 10 World War II veterans studying on-farm training under the G.I. bill own their own farms or have direct control over them.
31 Evade Tram Fares But All Have Excuses
Sydney, Australia. (U.P.)-When 31 persons were brought into court for evading payment of tram fares, they said:
They hadn't seen the conductor. They were in a hurry and couldn't chase the conductor.
They were day-dreaming.
They were day-dreaming.
One man said he didn't pay his fare because he just had two teeth pulled out.
Wildlife On The Increase
You Can Buy
Nashville, Tenn.—(U.P.) —A check by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service showed a count of an estimated 400,000 ducks and geese in Tennessee. The service said the estimate was "at least 50 per cent higher than last year."
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Two things every college man should know!
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CAMPUS FAVORITE
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Copr. 1950, The Manhattan Shirt Co*