Fake 4 University Dilly Kansas Thursday, March 21, 1952
—(Daily Kansan photo)
IT'S TOUCHDOWN TIME AGAIN—Coach Chuck Mather sends the players through a tough drill in preparation for the game scrimmage at 2 p.m. Saturday during the Coaches Clinic.
Harp Says Jayhawkers To Run Against Dons
"I always feel we have a good chance to win — no matter who our opponent is." These were the words of basketball Coach Dick Harp last night when asked about his team's chances for the NCAA title in Kansas City, Friday and Saturday.
Friday night the Jayhawkers will take on the University of San Francisco Dons, winners of the Far Western regional. The Dons edged California in the regional finals, 50-46, and will be shooting for their third consecutive NCAA championship.
Coach Harp stated that he had done no scouting on the Dons, but added. "They aren't known as a running team. Although they may run more this year than last, their attack shouldn't be the same, as that of Southern Methodist."
Pointing out the KU tactics, Harp said, "We'll try to run against San Francisco the same way we did against Oklahoma City in the second half at Dallas."
In that game the Jayhawkers didn't use the real fast break style of offense, but did step up the pace just enough that they were getting off their shots before the Oklahoma City defense was completely set up.
When this offense was employed Kansas stretched its lead from 3 points to 20 points in 10 minutes.
As for defense Harp said that "the pattern of the game will dictate what we do defensively." The Jay-hawks have used both a man-form defense and a zone defense to good advantage this year.
Defense Undecided
The Jayhawkers have taken things pretty easy this week as far as practice is concerned. There was no practice at all Monday; Tuesday and Wednesday there were 1-hour workouts.
"We divided our time equally be-
tween offense and defense. We just
worked on some of our weaker
points," Harp said.
Well Off Mentally
"We didn't want to dull the boy, physically or take any chances with injuries. They are well off mentally," he said.
The team will arrive in Kansas City around 2:15 p.m. today, and will set up headquarters at the Hotel Muehlbach. At 4 p. m. there will be a workout in Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium.
"We'll probably practice for about an hour and then go back around noon on Friday and do some shooting just to pass the time of day. This is our usual custom," Coach Harp said.
An important factor in the team's overall play will be its bench strength. Senior Lew Johnson and sophomore Bob Billings are greatly responsible for this.
Pleased With Bench Strength
"We're quite pleased with their play, and it is just as important to us as that of any of the other boys," Harp said.
An interesting feature of the game will see San Francisco's starting guard Al Dunbar, who visited Mount Oread last spring, but ended up on the West coast. He is a junior college transfer from Hannibal-La Grange, Mo.
Dons Tougher Than Many Think
KANSAS CITY, Mo.-UP-California basketball Coach Pete Newell, whose team lost close games this season to both Kansas and San Francisco, said today their clash in the NCAA semifinals here "will be a lot closer than a lot of people think."
Newell believes Art Day, the Don's 6-9 sophomore center, will be a big factor in which way the game goes.
"Day is capable of extending Wilt and he's a great jumper for rebounds. If he doesn't get the first tournament jitters and plays well, it should be a whale of a game."
Stressing that Kansas has Wilt Chamberlain and "He's the outstanding player of the season," the California coach said:
Newell described the Dons as a "real good club and they don't make any mistakes."
His team faced Kansas at Berkeley in Wilt's fifth game Dec. 18 and lost 66-56 as the towering Jayhawker hit 23 points.
Newell expressed the view San Francisco might attempt to draw Wilt out from the basket to guard Day, and let 6-7 Mike Farmer go in close for rebounds.
The flashing, golden-throated canary is a native of the Canary Islands.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG
And All Stars CONCERT
March 23 -- Hoch Auditorium 7-9 p.m.
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