Kansas Honors Wilt, Almost Wilts
Top 25
Third-ranked Kansas honored one of its greatest players, Wilt Chamberlain, and then had just enough with one of its worst performances of the season to beat Kansas State 69-62 Saturday in Lawrence, Kan.
Ryan Robertson hit a 3-pointer with 1:12 to play to give Kansas (21-2, 5-0 Big 12) a 65-58 lead, and then made two free throws with 45 seconds left for a 67-61 lead after Aaron Swartzendruber had made a 3-pointer for the Wildcats (11-4, 2-3).
It was the Jayhawks’ 55th consecutive homecourt victory..
Chamberlain, ending a mysterious 40-year separation from the school where his basketball career took off, brought an overflow crowd to its feet when Kansas retired his No. 13 jersey.
It was the first time he had been back since 1975, and his only official appearance since he turned pro in 1958 following a bitter triple-overtime loss to North Carolina in the NCAA title game his junior year.
The sellout crowd of almost 17,000, many wearing “Wilt” shirts and holding signs welcoming him home, applauded for almost 60 seconds when Chamberlain walked onto the court wearing the Kansas letter jacket he won in 1957.
“Forty years ago I lost a heartbreaking battle, losing to North Carolina by one point in triple overtime,” he told the crowd. “It was a devastating thing for me because I felt like I let the university down, I let KU down.”
At that point the crowd interrupted him, yelling, “No, no,” then resumed another long, standing ovation.
“… But to come back here today and feel the appreciation and the love and the warmth… .”
He stopped again, drowned out by another loud burst of applause.
Chamberlain still holds several Kansas records, including the career and game scoring and rebounding marks. After a 14-year NBA career, he still holds 56 regular-season NBA records, including his 100-point game March 2, 1962.
(1) UNC 96, Appalachian St. 63
In Chapel Hill, N.C., Ed Cota had a career-high 14 assists and the Tar Heels (18-1) posted their largest rebounding edge of the season in a victory over the Mountaineers (10-5).
(2) Duke 81, Clemson 80
In Durham, N.C., the Blue Devils (16-1, 6-0) led by 24 points in the second half but had to hang on in the final seconds for their sixth straight Atlantic Coast Conference win, edging the Tigers (11-6, 2-3) behind 23 points from Trajan Langdon.
(4) Utah 75, Wyoming 58
In Salt Lake City, despite a limited contribution from flu-weakened star Michael Doleac, who scored just 10 points in 18 minutes, the Utes (15-0, 3-0 Western Athletic Conference) beat the Cowboys (12-4, 2-2) to continue their best start since 1913.
(6) Kentucky 80, (22) Ark. 77 (OT)
In Lexington, Ky., Heshimu Evans scored seven of his season-high 20 points in overtime as the Wildcats (16-2, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) snapped the Razorbacks’ (14-3, 3-1) six-game winning streak.
(10) Connecticut 86, Georgetown 72
In Hartford, Conn., Kevin Freeman had 21 points and 13 rebounds and the Huskies (16-2, 6-1 Big East) used a big run after halftime to beat the Hoyas (9-6, 3-5).
Tennessee 77, (11) Mississippi 67
In Knoxville, Tenn., Brandon Wharton scored 20 points and C.J. Black added 15 as the Volunteers (11-3, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) broke the Rebels’ (12-2, 3-1) eight-game winning streak.
(18) Xavier 77, Virginia Tech 66
In Cincinnati, Torraye Braggs matched his career high with 24 points to help the Musketeers (11-4, 3-2 Atlantic 10) beat the Hokies (6-8, 1-3).
(19) Michigan 79, Ohio St. 61
In Columbus, Ohio, Louis Bullock scored 28 points as the Wolverines (14-4, 4-1 Big Ten) beat the Buckeyes (7-10, 0-4).
St. Bonaventure 86, (20) URI 81
In Olean, N.Y., Caswell Cyrus had 17 points and 16 rebounds as the Bonnies (11-6, 2-3 Atlantic 10) ended the Rams’ (12-3, 4-1) six-game winning streak.
Boston Coll. 64, (23) Marquette 54
In Milwaukee, senior forward Antonio Granger made four 3-pointers and tied his career high with 22 points as the Eagles (10-8) handed the Golden Eagles (10-4) their fourth straight loss.
Baylor 97, (25) Okla. St. 95 (2 OT)
In Waco, Texas, Patrick Hunter dribbled the length of the floor and hit a running jumper with 0.4 seconds left in the second overtime, as the Bears (10-5, 5-0 Big 12) beat the Cowboys (12-3, 2-3).
Women’s Top 25
(19) Georgia 73, (21) Auburn 70
In Auburn, Ala., Coco Miller scored 23 points and Pam Irwin had 20 to lead the Bulldogs (11-5, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) over the Tigers (11-5, 1-5).