Notes and quotes gathered at Sunday’s Big Eight basketball media day. Teams are listed in order of the media’s preseason poll.
Missouri
Coach Norm Stewart on sophomore Lee Coward: “He beat Kansas University on last-second shots twice last year – at our place and in the (Big Eight postseason) tournament. I told him, ‘I don’t care if you do anything again. You can stay at my house.'”…On 6-10 freshman Doug Smith of Detroit: “I think he is an impact player. He has tremendous talent. We’ll let him jerk it off the boards and bring it.”…Colorfol senior Derrick Chievous on whether he’d ever challenge KU’s Danny Manning to a game of one-on-one. “It depends. If it’s for all the money, if it’s like Five Star (camp) where they say, ‘You play and the winner’s team goes to the Final Four,’ I’d do it.”
Kansas
Coach Larry Brown on KU’s most improved player: “To be honest, it’s Danny (Manning). He’s stronger physically. He’s such a hard worker. A common statement from pro scouts is he practices harder than anybody. He goes through every drill trying to be better.”…Senior forward Archie Marshall on his right knee, the one he tore two years ago at the Final Four: “I try not to think about it, but there are times I do. I won’t lie. Certain situations, making a cut or going up for a rebound. I do not favor my knee, but there are moments I see myself not going all out. It’s something I think will get better in time. It was a hell of an experience,” he said of last year’s rehabillitation. “I’d never want to be in that position again.”
Oklahoma
Coach Billy Tubbs on signing five junior college athletes: “Since Boby (Knight, Indiana) recruited two, everybody will do it. We got the blessing. It’s like the Pope said, ‘Do it.’ With Proposition 48, had we not picked up five, we’d not be practicing now. We couldn’t field a team. You gotta take what’s available.”
Kansas State
Coach Lon Kruger on the upcoming season – KSU’s last in Ahearn Fieldhouse: “We want to leave Ahearn with a proper farewell. I think our students recognize being part of history, to be the last team to play in Ahearn. We leave with mixed emotions, but it is time to move on. Bramlage Coliseum is a very nice building. This year we’d like to take care of business in Ahearn.”…Senior Mitch Richmond, who hails from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., had a rough time explaining his college choice to friends. “I told everybody I was going to Kansas State. They said, ‘youre going to play with Danny Manning?’ I said, ‘No, that’s Kansas.'”
Iowa State
Coach Johnny Orr hopes to avoid last year’s 13-15 disaster. “I’ve been coaching 36 years. In that period of time, I can think of three times teams didn’t play to their potential. Last year was one of those. That’s frustrating to not be able to get guys to play. We’re going to press, be up-tempo. It’s the fastest team I’ve had since the ’76 team at Michigan (Final Four squad).”
Oklahoma State
Renovation work at Gallagher Hall has forced the Cowboys to practice in OSU’s recreation center on campus. “We’ve had a couple guys run into walls,” said coach Leonard Hamilton. “The pains we’re going through now, having no regulation court to practice on, is something we’ll deal with. The renovation is right on schedule for our Dec. 10 game. The construction company has some pressure. There’s a nice penalty clause (for being late). I’ve been around construction before. I’ll take the key when they give it to me. I’m happy we’re improving it. Eighty percent of the seats will be cushion. It’ll be 8,000. There’s a good chance we’re selling out.”
Nebraska
Coach Danny Nee on building a basketball program at a football school. “We’re trying to build a hell of an Avis”…The former Ohio coach says the Big Eight is rugged. “It’s the year of the superstar in the Big Eight. You have five legitimate No. 1 picks in (Jeff) Grayer, (Mitch) Richmond, Danny (Manning) is the perimeter player in the country. Mr. (Harvey) Grant at Oklahoma is great and Mr. Chievous at Missouri.”
Colorado
Coach Tom Miller received a shock on Aug. 1 when 6-10 Matt Bullard decided to transfer to Iowa. “I never want a guy to stay at Colorado if he doesn’t want to be there. But if a guy leaves, let me help the rest of the team,” Miller said. “On Aug. 1, there’s not a lot I can do. My only complaint is I can’t help the 1987-88 Colorado team.”…On his team: “We’re at the bottom of the heap. The only time I’ll be content is at the top. The only poll that interests me is the end of the season. If the Minnesota Twins believed the preseason prognosticators, they would not be champions.”
