University Daily Kansan, November 30,1984
Page 8
FAST BREAK
Sooners. Tisdale to lead conference title race
By GREG DAMMAN
Sports Editor
The race for the Eight Eight Conference basketball crown appears to be one in which last year's regular season champ, Oklahoma, will ride the searing of All-American teams in second consecutive championship.
Kansas will lead the rest of the conference in the scramble for second place and might even challenge for the title. The only two teams that appear to have no chance at the place are Kansas State and Alabama.
Here is a look at each team, its key players and its predicted conference finish:
1. OKLAHOMA — The Sooners entered last season having lost several key players from their 1982-83 team. It seemed that Wayman Tisdale, a freshman sensation the season before, couldn't possibly carry the entire load on his shoulders.
Game after game, Wayman proved 'em wrong.
He scored 30 or more points 15 times last season, and finished the year with an average of 27 points a
game and first-team All-America honors.
Tisdale received an assist from freshman Tim McCallister, who averaged more than 16 points a game in the last six his points coming from the outside.
The Sooners will have to overcome an off-season knee injury to McCallister, who takes the pressure off of Tisdale inside with his shooting, and the turn 'em loose coaching philosophy of Billy Tubbs.
2. KANSAS — Last year, the Jayhawks were the pre-season favorite to win the conference. But the emergency coach needed to settle for (or place)开战.
This year, the Jayhawks might pull the same type of surprise the Sooners pulled last year. Danny Manning is expected to be one of the top players in the conference, but no one expects him to lead the Jayhawks to the title.
Don't be surprised if he does. Manning's presence, along with that of a freshman class that adds the speed and quickness that Coach Larry Brown wants, will make Kansas a much better team this
Greg Dreiling, a 7-foot-1 center,
will benefit from Manning's
presence, and forwards Ran Kellogg
and Calvin Thompson should add the outside shooting necessary to keep opponents honest.
3. IOWA STATE — This is a bit of a long shot, but a chance worth taking.
Even though the Cyclones finished in a tie for fourth place in the conference last season and lost key players Ron Harris and Terrence Allen, they will be a much stronger team.
Coach Johnny Orr has Barry Stevens, the second-leading scorer in
GREG DAMMAN
the conference last season, back along with guard Jeff Hornacek, who averaged 10 points a game last year.
Sports Editor
The Cyclones also had a good recruiting year, landing three of the top high school players from Michigan, Jeff Grayer, Eli Parker and Gary Thompkins.
4. MISSOURI — The Tigers, who entered last season having won four consecutive Big Eight titles, fell to fifth place last year, mostly because of their inability to play well against a zone defense.
The Tigers have leading scorer Malcolm Thomas returning, along with 6-foot-10 Greg Cavenger and 6-foot-10 Blake Wortham. Missouri needs to find a replacement for point guard Prince Bridges, who graduated
The leading candidate for Bridges' position is junior college transfer Jeff Strong, who was considered one of the college guards in the country last year.
5. NEBRASKA — The Cornhuskers finished third last year, and have the Big Eight's best true center Dave Rieger in the top-20 with 20 points at 20 games last year.
The 'Huskers will be hard pressed to repeat last year's performance, especially in the case of No. 2 Stan Claude, Stan Cloud of the David Ponce and Eric Williams.
The Cornhuskers have Bill Jackman, a transfer from Duke, this season, and Harvey Marshall, who played a game in junior college last year.
The key to Nebraska's season is the
6. COLORADO — The Buffaloes tied for fourth in the Big Eight last year and could probably challenge for the same position this year except for the loss of one of the best players in Colorado history. Jay Humphries.
development of a supporting cast for Hoppen, who is one of the most under-rated players in the conference.
Besides losing Humphries, the Buffaloes lost forward Vince Kelley, who averaged more than 10 points a game last year.
Hartman has had severe recruiting problems the past few years, and has been unable to come up with players who the talent needed. Milt Wilson and Chuckie Williams.
8. OKLAHOMA STATE — The Cowbirds finished tied for fifth in the Big Eight last year and lost Raymond Crenshaw.
One of the few bright spots on the team this year will be Joe Atkinson, who averaged 18 points a game last year. Guard Winfried Case, forward and center Shaun Baker will also be key players for Oklahoma State.
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Solid players such as forward Alex Stivirins, center Randy Downs and guard Mike Reid return, but three players do not make a team.
If Kansas State finishes higher than seventh place, it will be purely on the coaching of Hartman. The Wildcats' top returning players are 6-foot-7 Altofaro, 6-foot-9 Eddie Elder and 6-foot-8 Ben Mitchell.
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The Buffalofoes will have trouble finding anyone to come close to filling Humphries' shoes and will also suffer from a lack of height.
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Adding to the Cowboys' woes was a poor recruiting year. However, they did land on promising player, guard Junior College from Seminole Junior College.
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K. KANSAS STATE — If the Wildcats finish in seventh place, it could be curtains for one of the best teams in college basketball, Jack Hartman.
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