19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

?For a report on Duke's performance at UCLA, see p. 42.—ED.

Sirs:
We think you made a mistake in excluding Virginia Tech from your synopsis of major basketball independents. The Hokies startled Duke in an 85-71 upset on Dec. 2, and they gobbled up Purdue 79-63 in a repeat performance on the next night. Both of these opponents were nationally ranked. In the coming weeks the eyes of the entire nation (with the minor exception of yours) will be watching Tech. We will try to keep you posted, so that when Tech appears in the playoff's you will recognize the name.
ROBERT INSKEEP
A. G. STEINER JR.
Blacksburg, Va.

Sirs:
It is 10:25 p.m. in New York. I have just finished listening to the Vanderbilt-Western Kentucky game, won by Vanderbilt. I have also just finished reading page 60 of your Dec. 5 issue, which says that Western Kentucky has "a better chance of going through the regular season unbeaten than UCLA." Holy foot in the mouth!
JAMES P. LARKIN
Jackson Heights, N.Y.

Sirs:
The Mid-American Conference coverage was just excellent. All you wrote about was Bowling Green, Bowling Green and more Bowling Green. After all, Miami is the defending champion, and the Redskins are not going to roll over and play dead.
DICK HOWARD
SANDY WOLFE
ABE SHEAR
Dayton

Sirs:
I almost cried. You completely ignored St. Joseph's.
DOREEN MUTH
Philadelphia

Sirs:
Upon microscopic examination, I finally found the name of Providence College's Jimmy Walker in your article on college basketball. Does the finest basketball player in the country deserve such an accolade? Get on the ball, SI—the basketball, I mean.
BILLY LEVIN
Providence

NONHOCKEY
Sirs:
Gary Ronberg's article on the Red Wings' Bryan Watson (The Boy on Bobby's Back, Nov. 28) was very informative. But Ronberg was a little too easy on the only hockey player who doesn't play hockey. I am a Black Hawk fan and an admirer of Bobby Hull and I might be a little prejudiced, but hockey is a game of finesse—not fists—and something should be done about Watson.
TOM BROWN
Wheaton, Ill.