TU-SMU game reunites former Kansas players, coach
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Monday, January 07, 2013
1/07/13 at 4:56 AM
Related Story: Barely enough
Original Print Headline: Game reunites KU group
DALLAS - In 1983, Edison High School's Archie Marshall was the Tulsa World's All-Metro basketball player of the year.
In 1985 and again in 1986, Edison point guard Kevin Pritchard was the All-Metro player of the year.
Both Eagles went on to play college basketball at Kansas, and it was their connection to the Jayhawk program - and to Danny Manning and Larry Brown - that compelled them to attend Sunday night's Conference USA opener matching the University of Tulsa and SMU.
In 1983-88, Brown coached the Jayhawks. He now is SMU's first-year coach. In 1984-88, Manning was an All-American forward at Kansas. He now is the University of Tulsa's first-year coach. In the first of two Manning-Brown meetings during the regular season, Manning's Hurricane team recorded a 48-47 victory.
"We both knew at some point that we were going to play each other," Manning said. "It just so happens that it was set up to be the first game in conference play. There's a lot of hugs and love before and after the game, but during the game, your competitive juices flow."
Milt Newton, Greg Dreiling and Scooter Barry also were among the 15 former Kansas players who watched from courtside seats in Moody Coliseum. They all were coached by Brown and most were teammates of Manning.
"I want both of them to win," said Pritchard, now the general manager of the Indiana Pacers. "This feels like it's turning into a KU alumni game."
Said Brown: "It's pretty neat. That place (Kansas) is so rich in tradition. It's phenomenal."
When the 2012-13 Conference USA schedule was released, "I circled (the Tulsa-SMU date)," Pritchard said. "I knew a lot of guys would be here from my era. This is a unique situation.
"One thing I know is that Kansas basketball is incredibly important in my life. I learned so much from being there. It would be a travesty not to be here with these guys. We've been through some major wars together."
On April 4, 1988, at Kansas City's Kemper Arena, Brown's Jayhawks were matched with favored Oklahoma in the national championship game. Manning totaled 31 points and 18 rebounds as Kansas prevailed 83-79. Pritchard, as the sophomore starting point guard, contributed 13 points (on 6-of-7 shooting) and four assists. Marshall was unable to play because of a knee injury.
"Danny was always a coach on the floor," Pritchard recalled. "Danny had the locker room at all times."
Pritchard met with Manning for several minutes before Sunday's TU-SMU clash.
"Danny has that engaging personality," Pritchard said. "In two seconds, it feels like you saw him yesterday. He has a great way about him."
Associated Images:
Danny Manning hugs Archie Marshall after Manning led Kansas to the 1988 national championship over Oklahoma. AP file
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