Last Saturday was a bummer for Kansas State basketball supporters when their amazing Wildcats fell victim to upstart Florida Atlantic in the game to determine who was going to the coveted NCAA Final Four.
I too was disappointed as the K-State men had earned my respect with their talent and determination. If they had qualified would have been their first time to do so in 59 years and eight tries!
I was prepared to tell you all about the Tex Winter coached Wildcats in the 1964 NCAA Tournament that featured 25 teams and the Final 4 that was played in Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium.
K-State’s NCAA run in ‘64 started with a 4-point victory over Texas Western in the Regional Semis played in Wichita. That was followed by an 8-point win over the host Wichita State Shockers led by legendary Dave Stallworth.
In Kansas City, the Cats lost to UCLA (84-90) who then defeated Duke to win their first of 11 NCAA championships. UCLA’s MVP was Walt Hazzard.
K-State would then lose to Michigan and Cazzy Russell in the third-place game 90-100.
I would also have told you about how in addition to Willie Murell and Ron Paradise a local guy, Dick Barnard was on the Cats team. Dick still resides in Madison and has some interesting stories to share about his career at K-State.
But, since the Cats lost a heartbreaker on Saturday let me share my 1964 basketball story. It actually happened in January of 1965 when I was a freshman at KU. Too also a freshman, but at K-State was my friend, classmate, and teammate Alan Robinson.
Many will remember Robinson as a high school All-American from EHS who was recruited by schools like Duke and Michigan State but chose K-State. Alan and I combined for 54 points one night at White Auditorium. Robby was 15 of 20 from the field, had no 3 pointers yet, and 22 of 22 from the charity stripe! I scored all my points on free throws.
In January of ’65 Robinson was playing in the KU-K-State freshman game at Allen Field house and was open on a fast break. He went up for a 15-foot jump shot like I’d seen him do a thousand times but this time with his shot about 3 feet out of his hand it was swatted into the bleachers by high-flying KU player.
Amazed, I turned to my friend and asked “who was that?”
He responded, “a new kid name Jo Jo I think.”
Indeed it was Jo Jo White who became a KU legend – 2 time All-American, First Round NBA pick, and ten-year Celtic career.
Robinson fell victim to bad knees and saw his basketball career end, but living in Texas he has been very successful in business and has a neat family.
Basketball memories are great and even the disappointing ones like this past Saturday’s for Cat fans soften with time.
K-State did our state proud last week!
I’m Steve Sauder
