12/3/1960

Same Script Hinders New UA Troupe

By CARL PORTER

Arizona's 1960-61 basketball troupe today finds itself stuck with the same script—even if it does have a improved cast of players.

For after a pair of season-opening losses to capable Colorado, 82-72 and 83-60 Friday and Saturday, the Wildcats find themselves greatly in danger of being billed as "Joe Skaisgir and Co." this campaign.

Last year, it was "Ernie McCray and Friends."

And unless Assistant Coach Bruce Larson can find some one to share top scoring billing with Skaisgir before long, the Wildcats may be destined for another season of nothing better than hardwood handouts (ASC at Flagstaff, Eastern New Mexico, Santa Barbara, Regis, etc.).

SATURDAY NIGHT’S loss to the towering Buffaloes was perfect proof of the point in question as Skaisgir, who must inevitably be tagged Jumpin’ Joe threaded the nets for 23 points to match Colorados top scorer, giant 6-8 center Reger Voss.

The Buffs, however, came up with a secondary scoring effort of 20 points by 6-7 forward Ken Chariton. That was the difference as not another Wildcat was able to break into double figures.

Outside of Skaisgir, who hit 40 per cent of his shots to go with a torrid 5 per cent percentage on Friday night when he hit 29 points. Arizona’s shooting was anemic. Despite Skaisgirs reasonable showing, the team as a whole connected on 26 per cent of its shots — compared to 51 percent for the Buffs.

“It was just one of those nights” bemoaned Larson who has had a free reign with the Wildcats the last several weeks while Head Coach Fred Enke recuperated from the removal of a kidney stone. “We couldn’t hit and they’re a big, tough ball club.”

CRIP SHOTS—Enke is expected to be back for Thursday’s contest with flashy Los Angeles State although he will probably miss tomorrow night’s tussle with ASC at Flagstaff (at Bear Down Gym) . . . Both Colorado and Arizona have a unique situation in that their highest jumpers are forwards (Skaisgir and CU’s Wilky Gilmore): and jump center on the opening tips . . . Arizona managed to lead Colorado after the first 10 minutes once again, 16-13 thanks mainly to a zone defense and early scoring help from guarda Bill Weese and Wes Flynn, the team’s top performers (other than Skaisgir) in the two contests . . . Weese even scored one basket after losing a lowcut sneaker in a scramble . . . The Buffs opened up their big edge in the third quarter of the contest against the Wildcat reserves, who were unsuccessful with full-court man-to-man and zone presses . . . A crowd of 1,163 turned out Saturday night . . . Some consolation for UA’s low 60-point total is the fact virtually these same fluff players held opponents to an average Of but 61.5 points a game last year, including wins over Kansas and Mansas State.