page 10
daily nebraskan
Wednesday, february 18, 1981
Iba: Teaman't afford
too many more injuries
By Larry Sparks
Nebraska will face a much tougher Iowa
State team tonight than it faced in the
Husker's 61-56 win at Ames last month,
Husker Coach Moe Iba said at his Monday
press luncheon.
The Cyclones were playing without
their top two centers, 6-1 1 Ron Falenschek
and 6-6 John Kunnert, in the Jan. 28 Ne
braska win. Kunnert is expected to start to
night with Falenschek providing back up
services.
"Probably the only reason we beat them
the first time was because they were
playing with a center who hadn't played
before," Iba said.
Nebraska will be the team with injury
problems this time. Ray Collins is out for
the remainder of the season with a broken
left foot and Jack Moore bruised his knee
in the Kansas State game. Moore was held
out of practice Sunday and Monday but is
expected to be back in the line-up tonight.
"We have to do the best we can with
what we've got," Iba said, "but I can tell
you one thing-we can't afford many more
injuries."
Despite having an 8-14 record, Iba said
the Cyclones can play good ball. Iowa
State had a IS point lead against Kansas
Saturday before losing by two.
"That might hurt them a little, but you
never know, it may help their confidence,"
Iba said.
"Iowa State has good quickness. They
can shoot the ball well," he added.
With a televised clash against Missouri
coming up on Saturday, Iba said it is
important not to overlook Iowa State,
which is in last place of the Big Eight.
"Iowa State always plays well in
Lincoln," Iba said. The Cyclones have won
two of the last three games at the Bob
Devaney Sports Center.
Iba said the battle for the conference
championship should be exciting for the
fans.
"The last two weeks (of the season)
should be very interesting," Iba said.
"You just have to not worry what
everybody else is doing and worry about
yourself," he added.
Tipoff for tonight's game is set for 7:35
p.m. in the sports center.
O o
Conference Basketball Standings
Nebraska 7-3
Kansas State 7-3
Kansas 6-4
Oklahoma State 64
Missouri 6-4
Colorado 4-6
Oklahoma 3-7
Iowa State 1-9
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ffJ yy r, ,. , ,
Photo by Jon Natvig
Nebraska's Andre Smith (40) shoots over Randy Reed (52) and Ed Galvao (34) of
Kansas State
Basketball recruit looks past surgery to future
By Charles Vaughn
Nebraska's basketball team has tapped a large resource
for high school talent in recent years. Indiana has provid
ed the Husker basketball team with a starting guard in
Jack Moore, a sixth man in Jerry Shoecraft and next
season, a potential center in 6-10 Tom Drake from York
town, Ind.
Potential is the key word here. Because of knee injuries
Drake feels his full potential has never been utilized.
"I had a bad career in high school," Drake said. In his
senior year at Yorktown, Drake averaged 14 points and 1 1
rebounds a game.
"I feel that playing here will bring out my potential
and I will play a lot better ball," he said.
Despite feeling that he had a poor high school career,
Drake said playing in Indiana helped him develop into a
better ball player.
"Basketball was always a big thing at my high school.
We had an enrollment of about 800 through four grades.
We were the smallest in our conference, but Indiana is a
single-class basketball state so everyone plays in the same
tournament. You got to play against some pretty good
ball players. Playing in Indiana was an asset, there's no
doubt about that," Drake said.
Academy prospect
Originally, Drake had no interest in Nebraska. His
sights were set on one of the three military academies
then.
He changed his" mind during a visit to the Air Force
Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
j . - y
Photo by Jon Natvig
Nebraska wrestler Johnnie Selmon grapples Rick Morkcl of Northern Iowa. The 20-th rated Iluskers upset
12th ranked Northern Iowa in the dual meet Monday night at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Huskers
w2l host Utah State Friday.
While on his way there, Drake ran into Bill Herald,
Moore and Shoecraft's former high school coach. Herald
asked Drake to consider Nebraska if he was not satisfied
with the academies. Drake took Herald's advice. Soon, he
was invited to visit the Nebraska campus.
"I was very pleased with the facilities, coaching staff,
people and the school itself. Things then developed from
there," Drake said.
Right now Drake is concentrating on recovering from
his second knee operation.
"Everything is going pretty good at the moment. I
think since I've had my first operation in high school,
my knee is probably better than it's ever been. It's still
healing up and getting stronger all the time. I've been
working out a lot," he said.
Drake had surgery Nov. 20, just before the season
started. He said that despite the seriousness of a knee
operation, it may have been a blessing in disguise.
"At the first of the season I had an infection and
that put me three or four weeks behind. I wasn't even
practicing at that time, so it was rather difficult trying
to learn the system we run. I think it worked out for the
best. Not that it's a good thing to have happen, but this
way I will get a fresh start next season and will still have
my freshman eligibility," Drake said.
Possible replacement
Coach Moe Iba said Drake is one of the possible re
placements for senior center Andre Smith next year.
'Our biggest concern for Tom Drake right now is
his recovery from surgery," Iba said. "We have no idea
if he will be able to contribute next season. He did have
good mobility when his knee was all right. If his leg is
all right next year, he will be a possible replacement "
Drake said he is confident that his knee will be all right
next year and he will be among the top contenders for
replacing Smith.
"I feel optimistic about it. The spot (center) will be
open with Andre leaving and 1 think I have as good as a
chance as anyone out there to fill the position," he said.
"After Andre is gone he will leave some pretty big
shoes to fill. I think I can step in the position. I may not
fill his shoes exactly, but I will work at it," he added.
Drake said he realizes he has his work cut out for him.
Tm going to have to learn an awful lot; that's all there
is to it," Drake admitted. "The program is no, easy to
pick up. You have to work outside of practice. It's some
thing you have to go home and work out on paper to get
dear jn your mind what everybody dees.
"I'm going to have to work real hard to learn the sys
tem the best I can, do whatever the coach says and give
it my best shot." '