The Week

EAST

The Atlantic Coast Conference's schedulemakers made North Carolina face the music last week. By the time the Tar Heels were finished what might be called a Carolina Reel, they had shown they are tough, but maybe not tough enough. With Charlie Scott scoring four consecutive 20-foot jump shots in the closing minutes, the Tar Heels defeated previously unbeaten North Carolina State 78-69. Then Scott's 11 points late in the second half whirled UNC past Duke, which had lost only once, 86-78. But these wins came after a sour start at South Carolina, where the Gamecocks held Scott to nine points. Tar Heel Coach Dean Smith figured to slow down methodical South Carolina and slough off 6'8" John Ribock, who is reputed to be a weak outside shooter. The slower tempo disrupted Scott's quick game, and Ribock lived down his reputation by hitting seven jump shots as South Carolina won 65-52. The Gamecocks added to their ACC lead with a 55-44 victory over disciplined Maryland.

Discipline is a word that had new meaning this week for Florida State Coach Hugh Durham. His Seminoles played their usual high-geared style of game in beating Arizona 87-78 and Miami 104-63, but College President Stanley Marshall was in high dudgeon. Durham, he decided before facing the NCAA Council in Washington, D.C., was not keeping his house clean despite already being on NCAA probation for recruiting irregularities. Marshall ordered his coach to stop recruiting for one year, to drop his radio and TV shows, to give up plans for a summer basketball camp and to make no appearances at banquets or clinics. For the NCAA, Marshall's disciplinary action was too little, too late. After its meeting with the FSU president the council ordered two more years' probation.

New England's best teams, Rhode Island and Holy Cross, battled into overtime before Rhody won 88-87. Bob Kissane led the Crusaders with 40 points, and Dwight Tolliver, the Rams' big guard at 5'10", scored 24. Rhody's other backcourt starter is 5'5" Ed (The Flea) Molloy.

Davidson was making a laugher, as expected, of the Southern Conference race with wins of 112-88 over George Washington and 95-52 over VMI. Along with St. Bonaventure (page 16), Niagara and Jacksonville, with 11-0 and 12-0 records, remained undefeated. The Purple Eagles ripped Canisius 101-75, and the Dolphins beat Hawaii 63-58, Richmond 113-77 and Miami 121-87.

1. S. CAROLINA (10-1)
2. ST. BONA (10-0)

MIDEAST

"We need a guy to take charge on top, a complete player," said Illinois Coach Harv Schmidt. "If we find him, we have the ingredients to be a fine team." Last week Schmidt found his missing man in 6'2" junior Guard Rick Howat, and his team looked just fine, winning twice to take over as the Big Ten favorite. Howat came off the bench and scored eight consecutive baskets as the Illini wrecked Indiana 94-74. Overall, Illinois hit 40 of 59 shots for 69%. Assigned a starting job against Ohio State, another Big Ten favorite, Howat poured in 10 of his 11 field-goal attempts, and the Illini defense forced 23 Buckeye turnovers on the way to a 77-59 victory.

Iowa kept pace with Illinois by winning twice on the road. The Hawkeyes defeated Michigan 107-99, then Wisconsin 92-74. Junior college transfers John Johnson, who scored more than 30 points in each game, and Fred Brown, who topped 20 in each, led the Iowa offense.

Southeastern Conference leader Kentucky had an easy time with Mississippi State (111-76) and Florida (88-69), while receiving an unexpected boost from Mississippi and Georgia. The Rebs and the Bulldogs both defeated Tennessee, heralded as the Wildcats' toughest SEC rival. Bruce Rich's jumper in the last five seconds of a second overtime won for Mississippi 59-57, and Lanny Taylor's 16 points led Georgia to a 61-56 victory.