Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 1975)
sports IlliillilllilSi .. . 1 5"' 1 '!'' Husker chances fade again In 1972 the UNL basketball team jumped out to an early lead of the Big 8 conference only to fade in the stretch and finish fourth. It's three years later, and again the Huskers took an early lead. But Saturday a 62-61 loss to Colorado, Nebraska's fourth loss in five games, all but put the conference title out of reach. The game featured cold shooting and windy referees who called 56 fouls, while the teams turned the ball over 32 times. The Huskers shot 26 per cent from the floor while Colorado managed only 30 per cent. Nebraska is still jinxed by the Colorado court, as they have lost 21 times in the last 22 years on the Boulder floor. Fort leader Jerry Jort led the Huskers with 26 points and Bob Siegel added 10. Gret Mueller scored Colorado's high of 20 points. In other weekend action the Husker gymnastics team beat Kansas 214-189.7 Saturday in Henzlik gym. The dual was sparked by Husker senior Jim Unger, who won the floor exercise, vaulting and tied for the high bar with teammate Gary Jeurink. Unger's performance, in the absence of junior all-arounder Gene Mackie, was his season's best. "He's reached a performance peak and should continue to score like this the rest of the way," said coach Francis AJlen, "Unger was bothered with a bad back in September and just got over it." In addition to Mackie, who missed the meet with a sprained back, Pete Studenski, still-rings expert, was out with a bad knee. Sophomore Kurt Mackie filled in to win the still rings with a 9.5 score. Gary Duff won the parallel bars with a 9.3, while freshman Larry Gerard won the all-around with a total of 53.05. Husker Invitational In track, Huskers Chuck Malito and Mike Thompson won the 440-and 60-yard events, respectively, during the Husker Invitational Saturday afternoon. Other Husker winneis were Steve Jepsen in the shot put, Keith Whitaker in the mile, Don Grow in the 600-yard run, Craig Grieb in the 880, Matt Reckmeyer in the 1000-yard run, Dave Green in the triple jump and Dean Herzogin the high jump. The invitational included Doane, Nebraska Wesleyan and Kearney State, but no team standings were kept. Wrestlers, swimmers lose The Husker wrestling and swimming teams didn't fare too well Friday. The swimming team lost to Oklahoma 74-39 in the Coliseum pool, while the wrestlers dropped a 29-10 decision at Oklahoma State. Paul Duxbury and freshman Bryan Moss won the 50-yard freestyle and 200-yard breaststroke events respectively. The Huskers' 440-yard freestyle relay team of Duxbury, Mark Adamson, Steve Raynor and Bill Davis also posted a winning 3.25 clocking. Tony Jennings (142 lbs.) and heavyweight Bruce Conger both kept undefeated dual records. Jennings won a 6-2 decision over Cowboy Roger Roberts, while Conger drew with Tim Jackson 1-1. The ichedule for Feb. 17-22: Men's basketball-Kansas State Wednesday, Missouri, Saturday in the Coliseum at 7:35 p.m. Men's swimming-Oklahoma State Friday in the Coliseum pool at 7 p.m. Wrestling-Drake Saturday in the Coliseum at 3 p.m. Men's gymnastics-Oklahoma Saturday in Henzlik gym at 2 p m. Track-Wyoming Saturday at the indoor track at 1 p.m. Big 8 broth spoiled by too few officials Too many cooks spoil the broth; or so Big 8 conference officials thought last season when they decided to discontinue the use of three referees for each basketball game. But this season, it seems conference refs were accustomed to the third man, or else there's something definitely wrong-the quality of officiating in the conference isn't what it should be. Don't think this is being written because there were some questionable calls during Saturday's 62-61 Husker loss to Colorado in Boulder. The fact is, officiating has been poor at every Big 8 game seen this season on television and at the NU Coliseum. Iowa State coach Ken Trickey complained to the Lincoln Journal after the Cyclones lost to the Huskers 75-62 in Lincoln Feb. 8. In the article, he said he was sending films of the contest to the Big 8 commissioner's office in Kansas City. "Coaches' input" "I'm not sending the films to be critical of the officials, just their style,v Trickey was quoted as saying. "I just think the coaches should provide some input into how we can improve officiating." Trickey's comment may be understated. Traditionally, coaches always say "the refs never beat you." No coach has yet to doubt the refs can't make a difference. Trickey's particular complaint is the "rough hand-checking style of defense used by most of the Big 8 teams." orry stunkel on record Of course, hand-checking, which occurs when a defensive player holds the offensive man when he moves toward the basket, is illegal according to the rules. It seems Trickey thinks somebody hasn't told the conference referees. But a more serious problem is a reluctance by referees to call fouls on the break away lay-up, (when a player steals the ball and tries to go all the way-in for a lay-up). Nebraska fans will remember Steve Erwin being bothered at Kansas. Husker coach Joe Cipriano must have thought something wasn't kosher as he complained so violently that the ref assessed three consecutive technical fouls on him, consequently earning Cip an early ticket to the locker room.i Then on Saturday, Steve Willis was injured when a Colorado player made a "good play" on a Willis break-away late in the game. But there was no whistle. Break-away dangerous It seems the break-away is becoming a dangerous play. The fast break is also becoming a risk. But Trickey carries it further. "With that type of defense, you're going to have nothing but low scoring games, and will lose fan support," he said. "If it isn't changed, I may get me some rugged kids so I can play this style of defense." Tough physical style defenses shouldn't completely be eliminated, but the referees have to come up with a consistant, fair method of deciding which contact should be considered a foul. Something should be done to prevent the potential danger and preserve the skill and finesse of the game. Contact is one thing, but being mugged on the court is something else. At least one hopes basketball doesn't become a game that requires helmets and shoulder pads. SpOitS SftOfCS Swimmers sixth in Big 8 meet Women gymnasts, cagers win Practice tor the UNL rugby club will begin Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Schulte Field House. Anyone interested should call Jim Cunningham, 477-1609. The UNL intramural office is still looking for women to officiate women's intramural games. Contact the recreation office, 1740 Vine St., or call 472-3467. Women's intramural basketball will begin Tuesday night. Schedules are at the intramural office, 1740 Vine St., 472-3467. Lntries are due Friday for anyone interested in participating in the UNL intramural basketball-golf tourney. For further information contact the intramural office 1740 Vine St. 472-3467. UNL's basketball team ranks fourth in the Big 8 after a 62-61 loss to Colorado Saturday. Leading the league are Kansas and Kansas State with 7-2 records. Missouri is third with 6-3, then the Huskers at 6-4, Oklahoma with 4-5, Oklahoma State 3-6 and Iowa State and Colorado with 2-7 records. Al Under, billed as one of the top walleye fishermen in America, will be the guest speaker tonight for the third Lincoln Park and Recreation Dept. Surplus Center fishing class at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln High School Auditorium. Admission is free to the class. By Becky Morgan A sixth-place finish went to the UNL women's swim team in their debut in the second annual Big 8 Swimming and Diving Championships. The meet was held last Friday and Saturday in Beyer Hall pool at Iowa State University. Lincoln senior Ginny Kincade was the only UNL swimmer to win an event. She won the one-meter ancTihree-meter diving competitions. Ruth Spencer was second in the 50-yard and 100-yard breaststroke. Mikki Crosby placed third in the 100-yard individual medley, third in the l00-yrd butterfly and second in the 50-yard butterfly. Kansas won the championship, surprising favored Iowa State which finished second. Kansas scored 412 points compared to Iowa State'g 331. Nebraska finished the meet with 180 points. Peggy Newport and Peg Van Beek were named fust and second all around performers as the UNL women gymnasts defeated Kansas University here Saturday, 67.5-45.35. Newport was first in the bars and beams, second in vaulting and third in floor competition. Van Beek finished first in floor competition, third in bars and vaulting and fourth in beams. daily nebraskan Carol Lundeen was named third all around performer and Anita Saase war. fourth all around performer in the meet. The UNL women cagers added another win to their record Friday night as they defeated the University of South Dakota, 98-35. All three UNL women's teams will be in action this week with tournaments starting in two sports. The basketball team will compete in the state tournament Thursday through Saturday at Midland College in Fremont. UNL coach Jan Callahan said the pairings will be released Tuesday morning. The gymnasts will travel to Kansas University in Lawrence for the Big 8 Invitational on Saturday. The Huskers will host South Dakota State, Chadron State and Northwest Missouri State at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the Women's Physical fiducation Bldg. The swimmers will host Okalhoma State at 7 p.m. Friday in their final home meet of the season. An aquathon to raise money for national qualifiers is set for Saturday by swim team members. AH swimmers and divers will swim from 8 a.m. to noon in their pool in the Women's Physical Education Bldg. monday, february 17, 1975 pagu 12