Big 8 basketball on upswing now

By Gary Bedore     Nov 14, 1987

Move over ACC. Take the back seat Big Ten. The Big Eight is apologizing for its basketball no more.

“Our conference is exciting. We probably have the best small forward in the country,” Kansas coach Larry Brown said recently. “There’s Jeff Grayer, Mitch Richmond, Derrick Chievous and some say Danny (Manning, despite being 6-10) fits into that category.

“Really, the only one in our conference with the short end of the stick is Colorado. That’s only because they lost Matt Bullard (to Iowa). I don’t’ know if they can overcome that.

“The seven others should be great. Hopefully, seven will be in the race. It should be another exciting year.”

The Big Eight took a giant step toward national prominence last season. The league teams compiled an 81-45 record against non-conference competition. The NCAA computer rated the Big Eight’s slate the toughest in the land.

Last year, five Big Eight teams won 20 games. That was the first time that’s ever happened.

“Since I’ve been here,” said fifth-year KU coach Brown, “I’ve been impressed with everything about the league. When I came in, I had heard about coaches like Johnny Orr, Moe Iba, Paul Hansen, Jack Hartman and Norm (Stewart).

Now Billy (Tubbs) has come in. It’s obvious the job he’s done at Oklahoma.

“Danny Nee, Leonard Hamilton, Lon Kruger, they have been incredible. There are quality programs and coaches throughout this league.”

Here’s a quick preseason peek at the teams in the Big Eight.

Missouri

The Tigers, 24-10 a year ago, lost no players to graduation. Add 6-10 freshman Doug Smith of Detroit, plus transfers John McIntyre (6-4 sophomore from Detroit University) and Byron Irvin (6-5 junior from Arkansas), who are eligible after sitting out a year, and one has to like the Tigers’ chances of repeating.

The flashy 6-7 Derrick Chievous, the Big Eight’s No. 1 scorer (24.1 average), is back, along with Nathan Buntin, Lynn Hardy, Lee Coward and Gary Leonard.

The Tigers, who won the Big Eight regular-season title by two games and snatched the postseason crown, are loaded.

“When everyone returns off a championship year,” said coach Norm Stewart, “as a coach you do things differently. You show a lot of confidence in them at the start. It wouldn’t be fair if you didn’t. They proved themselves last year.

“My experience in athletics is it’s what you’ve done in the last 15 seconds. We have cautions optimism. It’s so hard to repeat. The more I look back on our teams that have won championships and repeated, the more I admire those who have concentrated on a single goal. This year we’d like to get back into position to get into the (NCAA) tournament again and do well. That would be a goal.”

Missouri was stunned by Xavier in the first round last season.

Kansas

The Jayhawks, 25-11 last year, are, of course, led by 6-10 phenom Danny Manning. Juco transfers Marvin Branch, Otis Livingston and Lincoln Minor loom as keys, along with Archie Marshall, making a comeback following major knee surgery.

“I like our team,” said KU coach Brown, who took the Jayhawks to the Sweet 16, where they fell to Georgetown. “The fact Archie is back…the whole team feels good about it. Nobody expected him to play and here he is 80 to 85 percent. It’s neat to go to practice and see him there every day.

“We need physical help for Danny inside. I hope Marvin Branch (6-10) and Mike Masucci (6-9 frosh) will help there. I hope our junior college point guards will come on strong. Lincoln and Otis need to show leadership.”

Oklahoma

The Sooners, 24-10 last year, lost starters Tim McCallister, David Johnson and Darryl Kennedy off the team that fell to Iowa in an NCAA Sweet 16 West Regional game.

Big Eight Newcomer of the Year Harvey Grant (16.7 scoring, 9.8 rebounding average) is back, along with smooth senior guard Ricky Grace.

Five juco transfers – including KU recruit Mookie Blaylock out of Midland Juco and former KU signee Tyrone Jones, out of Hutch Juco, are expected to contribute right away.

“We know Grant and Grace can play for us,” coach Billy Tubbs said. “WE’ll have several guys trying to fit in. I see us being 10 strong with possibly 12 contributing. People who have seen us are saying we’re creating more problems defensively than in the past.

“Mookie Blaylock (6-1) is the quickest defensive player on the ball we’ve had in a long time. He has great hands. We will probably again lead the nation in the distance shot,” Tubbs deadpanned.

Kansas State

The Wildcats, 20-11 last year, lost Norris Coleman to the NBA’s L.A. Clippers. But smooth-shooting 6-5 senior Mitch Richmond is back with his 18.6 scoring average.

Juco transfer Buster Glover is expected to battle incumbent point guard Steve Henson for playing time. Juco transfers Carlos Diggins and Fred McCoy are expected to make an immediate impact. Senior returnee Charles Bledsoe, who averaged just 8.5 points a year ago, is said to be much improved, along with center Ron Meyer who has yet to make an impact at KSU.

“Mitch Richmond is just a very good player. He’s getting the national attention he deserves,” coach Lon Kruger said. “McCoy and Meyer will take care of the pivot. Glover has come in and added quickness. Bledsoe is much more aggressive offensively. He led us (Big Eight Select Team) in scoring and rebounding in China. His confidence is up.”

Iowa State

The Cyclones were a disappointing 13-15 last season. Two-time All-Big Eight pick Jeff Grayer, a 6-4 senior, averaged 22.4 points last year. Gary Thompkins (5.9 assists) also looms as a key. Coach Johnny Orr, unexpectedly, is high on Lafester Rhoades, a 6-8 senior who averaged just 2.8 points last year.

“Offensively you’ll hear a lot about him,” Orr said. “He’ll be in the top 10 in the conference in scoring. He can really shoot the ball, but can he guard anybody?

“If Jeff Grayer can play like he did two years ago, he once again will be dominant. He is 100 percent now. Last year, he played with a chipped bone in his ankle and a bad knee. Gary Thompkins (6-3 senior) and Elmer Robinson (6-5 junior) must return to the form of two years ago.”

Nebraska

Danny Nee directed the Huskers to a 21-12 record and Final Four NIT berth last season. But he lost Brian Carr, Bernard Day, Anthony Bailous and Bill Jackman to graduation.

Derrick Vick, a 6-6 senior (11.1 average) does return, along with 6-0 senior guard Henry T. Buchanan (8.2 average). Seven freshmen will either contribute or be redshirted.

Beau Reid, a 6-7 transfer from Ohio, is expected to contribute as a frosh. He played on the Big Eight Select team in China.

Colorado

Tom Miller’s first CU squad went 9-19. The Buffs lost Bullard, but did sign four freshmen and two juco players. Senior center Scott Wilke, 6-9, averaged 16.0 points and 6.7 rebounds a year ago.

“Scott’s as fine a competitor I’ve coached,” Miller said. “He’s a diamond-in-the-rough guy. He’ll graduate in four years with a business degree. I know the Knicks scouts felt he developed his junior year. Hopefully he’ll be injury free. We’ll compete. We’re at the bottom of the heap now. I won’t be satisfied until we’re at the top.”

Oklahoma State

Leonard Hamilton’s first Cowboy team went 8-20. OSU does return 6-6 senior Todd Christian (13.7) and 6-10 senior Sylvester Kincheon (6.2 rebounds). Four juco signees should help, along with the state of Oklahoma’s top prep recruit, 6-7 Richard Dumas. Alan Bannister, the 7-4, red-shirt sophomore from England, is recovering slowly from leg and foot problems.

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