6
Tuesday, February 15, 1977
University Dally Kansan
Kansas didn't win, but it was a good game
Students were there at 9 a.m. (four and a half hours early) to get a good seat. A quick evaluation at 1:15 p.m. revealed only two students, and they were in the nosh reserved section.
You knew this was the Kansas-Kansas State game by the crowd size (16,138), its enthusiasm and friendly ambiosity and the feeling of specialness about the whole thing. It seems unnecessary to remind all brands of fans were present. It was and there were—KU students, many wearing some sort of clothing affirming allegiance to the Jayhawks, older men in business suits and ties (for a few), younger girls, double-blank shirt-waists with matching shoes, and kids starting the day's collection of plastic cups.
The teams went through the usual warm-up-to-do, fans roared, pompon girls cheered, muscled cavorted; and it does seem as if the excelsis could get their Wildcat a bottom part.
THE K-STATE contingent was there too, sprinkled liberally around the uppermost floor of the gymnasium, sports usually taken by little boys best exploring or by philosophical fans who basically loathe crowds. NBC sports was on TV every day, and the tennis, it was going to be a good game.
The national anthem was played, and that was the last time the crowd was silent for two hours. Player introductions were a formality because had you not known who was whom, you couldn't hear the announcer tell you.
THERE WERE no dyd animals (as in red and blue birds) present, which was
Each team gathered its last minute thoughts; the press poised its collective pens and alleged objectivity; NBC aired a final commercial. An enterprising KU group outlined a sign that read "Gong the Pussies," and which had red, white and blue balloons attached to it. Evidently the idea was to float this message in the flood of online views using images that nearly remove both student and sign. Soil sports.
There was the tip-off and the Jayhawks did good rights right off—eight points to zip in our favor within the first two minutes. K-State got into the act soon enough, but KU kept everything together and twice built up a 10-point lead early on.
TIME OUTS are always stretched a little when a game is televised, so the fans got a good chance to see the pompon girls perform. It seems they too had gone all out for this traditional encounter; their routines were at least partly new and were well done. And the yell leaders built still higher and shakier pyramids.
Everything went well in the first half. K-managed to hold onto the lead, albeit a narrowing one, both teams were shooting well, and the Jayhawks' flashy style was doing its thing. But K-State's Curds Reddings also was doing his thing, but it wasn't as good. The team made two field goals in the last 50 seconds to tie the score at 43 at the half.
The Wildcat rafter-dwellers were screeching, and the KU faithful were silent. With .03 to play the exodus began. That was it.
And at halftime there was the usual; the
The atmosphere outside KU coach Ted Owen's dressing room was numb. It had been a good game, but it was hard to lose to the rivalry is so intense—but friendly.
it seems somewhat superfluous to report
Fifth Quarter
Courtney Thompson
Associate Sports Editor
THERE WAS another effort at sign display ('Beat the fertilizer out of Silo Tech'), which also was summarily removed. Then it was back to business.
contested blue broom vs. red broom event, refreshment munching for those whose stomachs weren't too knotted to do so, and probably some clandestine friendly girlfriend (Gil) and Katele friends. And the unusual -balconies and frisbees floating through.
Wings went all right for the most part during the second half, too. KU stayed ahead almost all the time, including a nine-point advantage (68-59). Clint Johnson and Ken Koenis of KU and K-Larry Dassie and Riddling of K-Late each had scoring spores.
KU had a 77-70 lead with 4:33 to play, and the fans, whose lungs and feet were being taxed severely from shouting and stomping, were glad they came.
THERE WAS a questionable foul call by the referrer, with which players and both head coaches took issue. The crowd laughed and would develop. But this isn't the kind of atmosphere present at some games—the intensity at competition is there, but the pressure is not.
Then the Jayhawks had being four troubles, the score got uncomfortably close (one point), and the lead began to waver as they moved. The ball was dropped on a palet paper spontaneously descended.
There were back-to-back plays in which neither team could inbound the ball within 30 seconds of the ball. KU's turn to inbound the ball with 33 left, Koenigs couldn't find a receiver, so he called time out. A technical foul was assessed because KU had no turn out left
that Owens was obviously glum when he came out of the training room. Players came out of there sooner than usual, too, and headed for the locker room. Heads were down, some conseling was being done, and one could hide inside the door a sound whack as they passed
K-STATE MADE the awarded free throw, to go one point ahead, then made two more free throws to win by three points. 86-83. That was their largest lead of the game.
there. but, unfortunately, sympathetic feelings don't make facts disappear.
ONE PLAYER tried, without success,
to get a drink from a malfunctioning water
cup.
It seemed natural to experience a gut reaction of sympathy for Koenigs—and most did. Almost anyone who has participated in any sport has been in the position of making a mistake that lost the game.
Being in that lonely situation can be appreciated only by those who have been
And now an official has admitted making an incorrect ruling in the whole sequence of plays during that chaotic 33 seconds that determined the outcome of the game.
A TV CREW busied themselves outside Owen's conference room. Owen faced reporters who also were subdued. It seemed to be a good time to shut up.
He was quick to defend Koenigs' mistake.
"In my 17 years of coaching, I've had no greater respect for any player than Ken. So don't label him the goat of this game. Say that he had a super effort—because he did.
If you must call someone the goat, it should
tucked under the windshield wipers urging
"removal of Owens as coach if you are a
coach"
A few other questions were asked, but with little enthusiasm, and the reporters drifted out quietly, notuttering their thanks to the staff. The crew still patterned, now with bright lights.
THE KU LOCKER room was now a quiet, lonely place. Many players had speeded up the post-game locker room to do. There wasn't much to reminisce about, and at any one time only two or three players were around.
No one was blaming anybody for the last 35 seconds—the grumbling was about the seven-point lead (77-70 at 4:33) that went kaput.
Usually by this time (about 30 minutes after the game) the field house is deserted and still, except for miscellaneous peckings of typewriters in the press area. Clean-up
people are beginning the collection of assorted remnants of fans' refreshments.
BUT SATURDAY at this time, several groups lingered. Maybe they were KU-KState friends getting together, or maybe they were all KU fans grumbling, tuming or collecting their stuff. And collectors were still seeking one last addition to their tail, swaying plastic array.
The 182nd meeting between the two schools was frustrating to most, heartbreaking to some, intensely irritating to others. But it was a good game.
Fans returning to their cars found leaflets
Regardless of the final score, there is something about a KUK-slate game that makes it worthless.
Soccer club wins opener
started, but we played well considering it was our first game."
KU's Soccer Club got through the opening game jitters and came on to defeat the Wichita Wheathawks, 3-1, Sunday in Wichita
Hammed Alt-Ameur scored the Jayhawks' first goal on an own-goal, which is a shot that is turned into the goal by the defender.
Wichita came back to the game at 1-1, but just before half, Paul Addison gave KU another goal. German Paz scored KU's last goal right after halftime.
Mullin said that Kess Veraa played an outstanding game for KU at his backlift position. He also said that the rest of the squad turned in good performances.
The soccer club will play a home match at 11 a.m. Saturday against Kansas United, which is a squid made up of former KU players. The team will be playing Kansas United advanced to the quarterfinals of the National Amateur Cup competition last year before dropping out. That game will be played on the fields at 2:30 and then meet KState in Manhattan on Sunday.
"We won going away even though we didn't score any more," coach Bernie Mullen said yesterday. "We made a lot of mistakes, and it took us a long time to get
DISCO DANCE
By Gay Services of Kansas LAWRENCE
K. U. Union — Feb. 19, 8 p.m.
Beer Sold with I.D.
No Alcoholic Beverages Brought In
$1.75
The Commission on the Status of Women and Accent the Arts present:
"Faces of the American Eve"
A one- woman show featuring Maureen Hawley Tonight
8 p.m.
Jayhawk Room
Union
Admission Free
ELECTION RETURNS
PRESIDENT
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Issues of the upcoming term will affect every student in some way, through Activity Fee distribution, quality of teaching, or any variety of concerns. You are no exception. You, too, will be affected. That is why your vote counts.
STUDENT ELECTIONS FEB.16-17
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