Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Houston s offense sob By DOUG WILLIAMS Asst. Sports Editor The University of Houston brings its high gear offense into Carolina Coliseum tonight for a 9:00 game. The Cougars, fresh from a close 99-93 victory over the University of Miami, Fla., are currently rated among the top teams in the nation, have apparently solved.a problem that head coach Guy Lewis felt might hinder his powerful cagers. Prior, to the season, Lewis stated, "We will have a rough time matching the 25-5 record we had last season. We lack a proven pivot man." The Houston mentor's fears were well founded. All-America forward Ollie Taylor, who had averaged 24.4 points per qame and 11.5 rebounds, is gone. He was the key to Houston's attack. But the addition of a junior college transfer and some fine sophomores to a group of talented returnees may have solved Lewis' case of the pre-season. blues. Among the seven returnees, Houston sports two All-Southwest performers in Dwight Davis and Poo Welch. Davis is a 6-7, 210 pound for ward who has a knack for blocking shots with his great leaping ability. He paces the Cougars in rebounds, pulling down 13 a game, and scoring, hitting at a 19.6 clip. Davis is supported amply by 6-3 guard, Welch. Welch, who averaged 13.3 points per R oche, tou guns USC By TEDDY HEFFNER Sports Editor USC's John Roche continued to give fans glimpses into the past and Roche's antics have sparked the Gamecocks to five straight wins including a 72-66 win over UNC Saturday af ternoon. Roche and his teammates went back to the old pick-and-roll offense that sparked USC to 21-7 and 25-3 seasons the past two years. Roche is averaging 33.7 points a game in the last five games. But Roche's scoring (32 points) was not the big thing against North Carolina. The 6-3 All America went into a one-man a ball-handling exibition late in the game. With USC ahead Roche dribbled all over the court, attracting as many as three Tar Heels at a time, and forcing them to foul. "' rh'at Roche is a magician will the ball," USC head coach Frank McGu Ire said. "It was a good win. They're tough. They have the fastest team in the conference. Roche was beating some good ones. "We had some real aggressive defense. Roche and Tommy Owens played real well, it was a real tough game to officiate. Fellows were on top of each other all the time. "Of course, we have another Roche sitting out with a bad leg. The doctors said it would be about three weeks before Kevin (Joyce) would be able to play." Dr. Emmet Lunceford, team physcian, verified that statement. "It'll be about three weeks," Lunceford said. He's doing real well. I think he'll be okay by then." Joyce attended the game on crutches but had to report back,to the hospital when it was over. *Owens was the number two scorer and .the only other Gamecock in double figures. Owens hit 14 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Bob Carver had nine points, 3 of 4 from the floor. Rick Aydlett had eight. Dennis Wuycik led the Tar Heels with 21 points, 15 from the foul line. Wuycik, a 63 per cent shooter coming into the game, was 3 of 7 from* the .floor aalnst. the tall Gamecocks. high- gear res proble game last season, Is currently putting In 18.1 markers per contest. .In addition to his scoring ability, he Is also Houston's leading playmaker. Only one other Houston player Is hitting .in double figures, junior forward Jeff Hickman, with a 13.6 mark. Backing up the top three are sophomore Steve Newsome, who hits for 9.9 points per game, while grabbing eight stray shots, Jerry Bonney, a 6-4 guard, at 9.2, and junior college transfer Larry Brown, who is averaging 7.4. Brown was a junior college All America, scoring 35.1 points a game. Houston's offense, characterized by a fast break if the Cougars can effectively control the boards, is scoring 83.8 points per game. Their opponents have seen the fast break often, as the Cougars are picking off 51.7 stray shots per outing. A 1-3-1 defense is imposed on enemy teams, In an attempt to dominate the game so Houston can go into its run and shoot offense. The Cougars are sporting an 18.4 record, but still have to face one of the nation's best teams in the University of Southern California. "Even though three of our top four scorers are back, the lack of a proven pivot man will be a problem," Lewis said before this campaign began. "The pivot man has always-been the back bone of our offense. But only time will tell.'" Time has told, and Guy Lewis is just wallowing in all sorts of grief...like an 18-4 record. gh de ense by UNC Carolina's aggressive man-to-man and later zone defense held the Heels to only three field goals in the first half. But the aggressiveness cost in fouls as UNC went to the line and con verted 36 of 42 attempts. USC had 42 attempts and canned 30. The two teams broke the record for combined team fouls that was set last week against N.C. State. The two had 57 fouls. "I thought we played the best collapsing defense I've ever seen," McGuire said. "To hold a team like North Carolina to three field goals in one half is unbelievable." McGuire, long time critic of the ACC tour nameni, again voiced his objections, even though USC is almost out of the running for an ACC regular season title. "If North Carolina can go through the regular season on a home and-away basis with the best record, then they should represent the conference in the NCAAs. I don't believe in the tournament and never will. I know it makes a lot of money and it's a heck of a three day show but it's awful tough for the team that has to go throught three days of it." Sullivan keys team to win Gymnastic The Women's Varsity Gymnastics Team, in their first meet of the season, defeated Furman University 63.50-57.90. Mary Sullivan took floor exercises with a score of 8.2 and Qebbie Taylor took second. in Vaulting, Miss Sullivan took second with a 7.4 and Nancy Finch finished third. Miss Sullivan dominated the entire 'meet, also winning the uneven parallel bars with a 5.9. Miss Finch once again finished third. The one two punch of Miss Sullivan and Miss Finchalso swept the beam competition. Other performers for USC were l,inda Scott, Carolyn Coleman, and Debbie Gorforth. The next meet will be at home on February 27th, at 10:00 a.m. in Peabody Gym against Western Carolina. There is no admission. Hoso'4 wih Dul I |4 Whatever Yoi CLEAN ING"N rely on SHIRTS Profeussioly cleaned, buttons and put on hangers at no additio, CLOTHES car Gvnthat extra special cr o TEN LOC ATIn, i. - .0 6A -Danger' Davis leaps high rlier Cougar contest. Davis rt In game toniight at the "SPECIAL ted....a - . FOR replaced, atchrge.,uOI IttlnCLEANING ox iettnced craf tan. .x..c. ALL LAUNDRY & DRY CLEANING LAUNDRY & CLEANERS vs TO SERVE YOU ................9 ..... ee gg g gg