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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 22, 1982)
sports Battalion/Page 16 February 22 Lemons’ approach to UT slide hard to figure by Bill Robinson Battalion Staff The Texas Longhorn basket ball team did it again Saturday — they lost another Southwest Conference game by a large margin. That’s the way things have gone for the Horns since sopho more forward Mike Wacker went down with a knee injury Jan. 26 at Baylor. But Texas’junior center La Salle Thompson doesn’t believe the injury killed the Longhorns’ championship drive. “They shouldn’t have made Wacker such a big deal,” Thompson said. He said the press put a lot of pressure on the Horns by play ing up the injury. But the loss of Wacker’s height, if nothing else, slowed Analysis previously explosive Texas’ offense. “It is obvious we need some big guys,” Texas’ coach Abe Lemons said. “We got killed in side and the Aggie guards just killed us outside. ‘T was up complaining to the officials once about their big guys getting all over my little guys’ backs. The official told me the best advice he could give me was to get some big guys.” In truth, it’s not the Horns’ lack of size that has caused their demise. Texas, more than anything else, lacks the will and enthusiasm to play well. During the game, the Lon ghorns seemed almost lifeless as Lemons sat staring at the clock or the floor. Lemons seemed completely disinterested in the game’s out come. He arose from the bench only a few times, letting Assis tant Coach Barry Dowd direct the game. Thompson said: “He always expects the worst. Lemons told me once that he’s pessimistic so he won’t be disappointed. If we’re shooting a free-throw he'll say ‘He won’t make it;’ then if it goes in he was wrong, but if it misses he’s not disappointed. That attitude may have rub bed off on the Longhorn team. After a loss like that which the Horns suffered to the Aggies, one would expect a very quiet, solemn group of players in the locker room. But the Horns, with a few exceptions, weren’t really down after the loss. After losing eight of nine conference games its probably hard to do otherwise, though. “We were so nervous,” Lemons said. “There’s got to be somebody out there who wants to come to Texas who’s not nervous,” he said. “Somebody from the big city, I guess. Somebody used to standing on street corners and riding subways. “We had one young guy try to drink a cup of water and he spil led it out both sides. It was that kind of a day.” Although the Longhorns may have been intimidated by the Aggie crowd, it was also a lack of ability to perform basic basket ball skills that contributed to the loss. “We had 13 turnovers in the first half,” Lemons said. “That’s ridiculous, because they weren’t even pressing. “We worked hard but we just didn’t generate anything. We started out as the best, but we’ve lost it all. We play hard and work hard butjust are not getting any thing done.” With the SWC post-season tournament coming up, it would seem the Longhorns would be working rapidly to solve their problems. But followinj game Lemons gave the®; ion that the Longhorn; c have any chance inthetsj ment. “I don’t even care,"hes L never thought they shi the bottom teams in ment. . “They should let the® I play each other. 1 fekfc ' when we were on t^ the same way whenwearei bottom.” The Horns could still t a surprise if they get to [ the site of the 1982 SWCt ment. The only obstaclein4( is the no-care, indivii attitude of the team. “We have potential,” | man guard Jack Worth said. “If we get it together be awesome again. Wea tough team.” Baseball team to open season with St. Mary’s dyes, if lwewo\ I (41 OAf* BUTE' I /r s gee by Frank L. Christlieb Sports Editor The Texas A&M baseball team begins its season Tuesday by hosting St. Mary’s University in a 1 p.m. double-header at Olsen Field. Coach Tom Chandler, who returns 17 lettermen off last year’s 35-16-1 squad, enters his 24th year with the Aggies. Texas A&M starts the season ranked number 14 in the nation. Chandler says pitching and quickness will be the Aggies’ strong points this season. The Texas A&M coach will start the season with a four-man pitching rotation of senior Steve Davis and juniors Rick Luecken, Tom Chandler David Flores and Robert Slavens. Luecken, who had a 5-2 re- ‘We Need Your Head to Run Our Business!" BILL'S BARBER A* Roffler Style Shop flair Styling For Men St Women "A Great Cut at a Reasonable Price!" 215 University (next to Campus Theatre) 846-2228 Open Mon.-Sat. Appointments Available Rick Luecken cord in 1981 until susl groin injury in April, Tuesday’s opener i Mary’s. Chandler said not sure how the ratal look later in the season. Both of Tuesday’s last seven innings. Chandler said thatSt. coached by Elmer Ki been an NAIA powerfor: few years “Kosub is one of there R 1,417 j standing college ffl “had l,d Chandler said. “Thevli points. solid ball club.” Flores, who with the most victories 1 team while compilingm; : tne secom cord, will start t Tower Dining Room Air Force experience can get your career off the ground. If you’re in the market for a challenge, consider becoming an Air Force pilot, navigator or engineer. Top performance is a way of life in the Air Force. As an officer, you’ll be a vital part of the important role that the Air Force plays in world affairs. Find out how Air Force pilots, navigators and engineers enjoy a GREAT WAY OF LIFE by contacting: Serving Luncheon Buffet $ 4 50 + tax Sunday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Top Floor of Tower Dining Room Sandwich & Soup Mon. thru Fri. T2 19 + Drink and tax Open to the Public “Quality Oriented, Service Dedicated” against St. Mary’s. Here is the Aggies' starting lineup for T« season opener: — Ronnie Risinger (all-American junior from San Jacinto Juni lege) — Dave Kennard, s junior; 331 average — Grant Priess, uu senior; spot starter with erage in 1981 — Joe Szekely, junior; .279averages# in 1981 — Kevin Smith, hitter, sophomore; with .312 average ini* — Billy Cannon,®* 1 sophomore; shortstop in 1981 — Terry Lawrence, field, senior; startingct 1 der with .276 avera Titus Wells, The T< weeken al tours sity. Easte (the tou of Tex; fmishe< In tl compili Glenn Wooda and 1,< individ points Tex; finishei with 1, Of a sophomore; red-shirt _ Brad Hisle, seco® senior; red-shirted inj Students with an LD j sports pass will be a® the le games free. Interested in Photography? Develop that Interest through Tsgt. Ron Hamilton 707 University Dr. College Station (713) 846-5521 846-6790 or check with The Placement Center for recruiting dates. ALSG GAM*E e RA and I bet you thought we only flew airplanes! /a\TUJ1 mo. A great way of life. tZMONDAY ‘FEB. 22 7:00 601 ‘RUDDER 4 1