The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 40

Longshot Seton Hall Picked to Win NIT Title Ik Village Smithy By CHESTER I. SMITH Sports Editor By STEVE SNIDER United Press Staff Writer NEW YORK, March 7 (UP) It's murder on the favorites in the National Invitation Basketball Tournament so keep an eye on longshot, hotshot Seton Hall. Top-seeded Duquesne, beaten only once all season, is the chalkeater's dream and may have the staying power to lick the old curse on the favorites. But the longshot pick is Seton Hall to sweep it alL If all goes well, Duquesne and Seton Hall will clash in a semi-final showdown that likely will prove the key to the championship. A weaker Seton Hall team than this one reached the semis last year and went down before Brigham Young, the eventual winner.

The Setonians, coached by Honey Russell and starring 6-11 Walter Dukes, are unseeded among the 12 teams dominated in order by Duquesne, St. Louis, St Bona- venture and St. John's. But thafs no handicap in the NTT. San Francisco came out of nowhere to bag the crown in 1949 and City College was among the overlooked unseeded the next year when it scored its classic double in the NTT and NCAA.

West Virginia, a complete outsider, ran off with it during the war. So the annual look into the NTT's crystal ball shapes them up like this: First Round Seton Hall a deadly shot but lacks variety in his pivot play. While Duquesne ranks as the team to beat, the first rounder between Louisville and Western Kentucky might spring another darkhorse on its way. Seton Hall downed Louisville at Louisville and Western Kentucky lost to tournament teams LaSalle, St Bonaventure and Seton Hall on one road trip. Both, however, can be tough.

So can most of the others. That's why they're here. over LaSalle, Dayton over New York Western Kentucky over Louisville, Holy Cross over Seattle. Second Round Duquesne over Holy Cross, Seton Hall over St. John's, St Louis over Dayton, St.

Bonaventure over Western Kentucky. Semi-Finals Seton Hall over Duquesne, St Louis over St Bonaventure. And in the wind-up, Seton Hall over St Louis. Competitively, this tournament rates with one of the best in NTT history for only New York U. and Seattle are conceded little chance of winning at least one game.

Beyond those two teams, It. rests with the breaks and shooting form. Any team hot for a week can survive. Seton Hall's road is rocky but Russell's main worry is whether, as the tournament progresses, his foes will find a way to stop his big star. Dukes.

The towering Negro is fast, has IFSv GninlQJ)p Bucs Play Browns In First Exhibition Game Tomorrow FRIDAY. MARCH 7, 1952 PAGE 40 By LESTER J. BIEDEK3IAN, Pittsburgh Press Staff Writer SAN BERNARDINO, March 7 The Pirates are going into their first spring exhibition game against the St. Louis Browns at Burbank tomorrow with five rookies dotting the lmeup. Manager Bill Meyer will use Ron Kline and Jim Waugh on the mound, Dick Hallf at first base, Lee Walls at third Big Ten Urged and Bobby Del Greco in Dukes Best Of All Time, Davies Says Coach Dudey Moore I Honored at Banquet By CARL HUGHES Funny thing about the debate as to whether the current Duquesne basketball team is the greatest in the school's history: it's all pro.

Nobody has come forth with a negative view. As if that isn't enough to clinch the argument, the acknowledged No. 1 authority Chick Davies has cast his ballot for the affirmative. He says simply that it is the greatest no question about it. And the inimitable Welshman also weighs in with a vote for Dudey Moore, one of his many star pupils during a coaching reign that spanned more than 20 years at Duquesne.

'Greatest in History' "Dudey has everything I ever had," Chick insists, "plus a little more common sense." Which was the greatest tribute of many paid to the present Duquesne mentor at the testi 'These kids have been going To Support ACE like wild fire out here and we might as well take advantage of them," Meyer said. "If they can hold up against the big leaguers and don't develop stage Minnesota President Admits Reform Needed fright, they could well make this Pirate team." I MINNEAPOLIS, March 7 (UP) -President J. L. Morrill of the Rest of Lineup Johnny Merson at second and of University Minnesota, called today for Big George Strickland at short will fill out the infield for the Bucs tomorrow. Ralph Kiner in left and Gus Bell in right will flank Del Greco with Clyde McCul-lough catching.

Phoenix Characters PHOENIX, March 7 If you stand on the main stem here in Phoenix, almost any day you are practically sure to be helloed by the famed fictionist, Clarence Budington Kelland. Bud Kelland long ago deserted the East and took to the desert The last time around he was Republican state chairman for Arizona, and he may still be for all I know, but it doesn't matter. We don't talk politics. A game guy is Kelland, and his life has been as fascinat- lng as has been lived by any of the characters who have moved through his novels. Years ago he was editor of The American Boy, a magazine for teen-agers.

Later, as it was told me by Grantland Rice, one of Kelland's closest friends, he went broke. I remember him when he chronicled the haps and mishaps of one Marcus Aure-lius Portunatus Tidd, but once he got in debt, Bud Kelland vowed that he would write and write until he owed nobody a penny. It was this seeming disaster that made him the great novelist he is, one of the most able fashioners of conversational writing in the world. Kelland always talks about the many trips he used to make to Pittsburgh with Rice when the late Jock Sutherland was coaching at Pitt. Both men were admirers of the big Scot and no fall went by that they didn't watch the Panthers play a game or two.

When Sutherland left Pitt in 1938, Grant and Bud lost interest, They haven't been back since. Artie Nehf Had Hex Sign on Pirates At "the ballpark here there never fails to be another hand to be shaken. If belongs to Artie Nehf, one of the rnpst stylish southpaw pitchers of all time. Nehf, whose era was the 1920' came to the Southwest years ago to recover from an illness. Now he looks indestructible.

He is naturally delighted that his old team, the Giants, is back this winter to train. Practically a generation of Pittsburgh fans grew up learning to hate Nehf, because of all the pitchers who have had the hex sign on the Pirates, none held it over their heads longer or was more completely their master. There's the ancient wheeze about a pitcher being able to beat a club merely by throwing his glove out on the mound. Artie," it seemed, didn't even have to go to that trouble. One warm-up pitch, and the Pirates might as well have sent their bats back to the clubhouse.

TheNspell lasted season after season and came to an end suddenlyNone day at Forbes Field in a manner no old-timer will ever forget. With Nehf in action, the first Pirate batter stepped to the plate while the fans sat back, yawned, and reconciled themselves to the, usual beating. But the leadoff man tripled, and when the second batter drove a line drive to centerfield the customers came alive. On the bench, 3Ianager John McGraw stirred uneasily, and with a third hit the Giants' bullpen moved into action. But too late.

There were six straight hits off Nehf before a reliefer could get ready and the customers had the stands all but torn apart in their delight. That was the finish for Artie. He was never unusually effective against the Pittsburgh club for the rest of his career. Stay. Away From Horace Stoneham! Ever-pleasant company in any camp of the Giants is their president, Horace Stoneham.

But don't drop in on him after 9 p. m. Mr. Stoneham has a hobby. It is staying up late at night.

But he likes to talk baseball and since he doesn't fancy talking to himself he demands company. The more the merrier, but one companion will do in a pinch. And once he has you, Mr. Stoneham will go to almost any lengths to keep you. It was In St.

Louis a few years ago that Ken Smith, a New York reporter, made the mistake of calling on Horace in the nip of the evening. Came midnight, and Mr. Smith begged to be excused. Stoneham Tountered by phoning room service and ordering an elaborate spread of tasty snacks. A guest can't walk out on a host just sprung, so Mr.

Smith politely returned to his chair. -Two hours later he wds again insisting that he be allowed to escape. Mr. Stoneham locked the door and threw the key out the window. BQJ it was coming on dawn when Mr.

Stoneham dozed off. Now was Mr. Smith's chance. But the door was locked. isn't given to size, either lengthwise or as to breadth.

He could crawl through the transom. Which he did, and straight into the arms of a prowling house detective. It was an embarrassing moment, but of course Mr. Stoneham was hastily awakened and made the proper explanations. If this space is vacant the next day or so, Horace has got me.

if Hall is the 21-year-old Swarth- Ten support of the "presidents' report" on college athletics. He said if such support means a set of rules which puts the Big Ten at a dis-adva nta ge competitively 7i-rtf if' i 1 frs'- I 1 I "ss 's- -r 's -'KS'' f' vl i 'tZ ill more College student who has yet to play an inning in or ganized ball. In the last two days, Hall has been holding dqwn first base for the rookies against Hollywood and has banged out seven hits. monial banquet given him and Walls is a 20-year-old Pasadena High School graduate of 1931 who batted .342 for Modesto in the Class California League last summer. his team in Hotel Webster Hall last night.

It was the top tribute because in any balloting Davies would rank among the outstanding basketball teachers of all time. As for the current Dukes, Chick elaborated that "it's 4he greatest team in Duquesne history because it has the height our great teams of the past never had. Tallest Was 6-2 'Pound for pound and inch for inch I don't think there ever was Kline Looks Like Find Del Greco is a 19-year-old Pittsburgh native who has'had two years in the minors but has shown exceptional ability in the CENTER OF ATTRACTION, even with his fellow coaches, these days is Dudey Moore. The Duquesne basketball mentor received a new car as well as the congratulations of Carnegie Tech's Mel Cratsley (left) and Pitt's Dr. H.

C. Carlson bright) last night at a testimonial banquet in the Webster Hall. rookie camp. Waugh is an 18-year-old strapping righthander from Lancaster, with only three months of professional experience. Kline is a 20-year-old righthander from Callery, who looks like one of the finds of the year.

In Sunday's game against the Browns here at San Bernardino, Meyer plans to use a couple more rookie hurlers, together with one of the veterans. Ron Necciai is due to get a shot Sunday. Meyer staged the first camp game of the spring training season- yesterday when the Joe Garagiolas won a 6-3 decision in six innings against the Clyde McCulloughs. Catfish Bags 3 Hits George Me'tkovich and Erv Morrill with other teams, "then let's play round-robins inside the Big Ten." Morrill said he wants the Western Conference to "regain its position as an island of good example and a lighthouse of leadership in the American intercollegiate athletic picture." "Here at Minnesota I want our university on the side of needed reform, the conduct of our athletic program consistent with educational policies elsewhere in the university, open and honest compliance with whatever rules and regulations we adopt and want others to observe," he said. Morrill added: "I want men on our athletic and coaching staffs of character as well as competence." Morrill said "there is no question but that American intercollegiate athletics have gotten out of hand and that the college presidents of the country are on the "hot seat'." Morrill said college athletics have "become infested with commercialization and professionali-zation, sapping in some degree the fine ideals they exemplify." He said no sudden set of recommendations by the American Council on Education "will bring about any millenium over night." "But," he said, "they can give us good guideposts and sound bench marks for a reform and a reversal of the trend." Commissioner Kenneth L.

Wilson of the Big Ten said today the conference has sought guidance from Big Ten presidents on its policy regarding the ACE report and will meet with the presidents soon.1 Nine Horses Die As Barn Burns PLEASANTON, March a better team than the Iron Dukes," he claimed. "But Lou Kasparik, who was only six-feet-two, was the tallest man. Our other fine teams, such as the one on which Dudey played with Paul Birch and others, had the same handicap. But it takes a really great team to be better than those." Chick strayed from the mutual admiration theme long enough to warn the current Dukes. "Duquesne never has won a tournament," he reminded, looking ahead to next week's National Invitation Tournament in which the Dukes will play.

"A little jealousy cost the Iron Dukes a championship. Don't let anything like that creep into your team." Moore Given Auto Moore, who was given a new automobile by the 540 fans and alumni attending the testimonial repaid Davies' compliments. "Believe me," the present Duquesne mentor stressed, "there's still nobody who knows basketball like Chick does." Assistant Coach Jim Farrell was presented with a $500 War Bond. The 22 members of the squad were given sports jackets bearing the school emblem. 7 (UP) About 150 thorough breds ranged across the country side today alter tnoy were turned loose when fire destroyed a stable at Pleasantcn Race Track.

Nine horses died in-the blaze. Amout 20 other valuable SAN BERNARDINO, March 7 Young Bill tfoski, who was plagued with wildness when he was a Pirate last season, had more of the same trouble yesterday in the first camp game here but he did have a high spot in his performance. He struck out Ralph Kiner Dusak were the hitting stars for the losers but Ted Beard's three-run double during a five-run fourth inning won the game for the Garagiolas. Metkovich rapped out three straight hits, two singles and a double and Dusak contributed the only home run of 'the day, with one aboard. horses, all scheduled to race at Golden Gate Fields' meeting next week, were injured when the fire razed a 300-foot barn yester day.

Six thoroughbreds were burned to death in the barn Basketball Roundup Kansas-K. State Showdown; Bonnies, St. Louis Upset By THE UNITED TRESS The long-awaited showdown battle between Kansas and Kansas State comes up tonight with the Big Seven championship, a berth in the NCAA tournament, and a high national ranking R. H. inn nn a when the flames drove back Mccuiiough 300 000 3 uniilH Vio roconorc Pettit.

Stroble and CraElola; Main. Koakl WOUld-De reSCUerS. lnd McCullougn and Mangan. hanging in the balance. The two mighty basketball machines enter tonight's fray on 'Kansas home court at Law 14 Schools Drop VPIAL Baseball The WPIAL Baseball Committee, meeting forthe first time with its new chairman Mike When it comes to High Quality at a Reasonable Price cIal Wight is a Man who Cares ss a uniform yesterday.

He visited a dentist to have a tooth extracted. Pitcher Jim Suchecki, whom the Pirates bought from the Brownf on waivers, reported yesterday. Johnny Merson, Jack Phillips and George Strickland each collected two singles yesterday and Frank Thomas had a single and a double. Danny Montgomery, the bonus shortstop signed out of Narbonne High School here, was a teammate of Paul Pettit for two years. Montgomery had quite an unusual record in high school as a senior, batting .506 and hitting three homers, three triples, 30 doubles and only four singles.

He says Pettit threw so hard In high school he simply overpowered all the teams. two years, I had only two assists and one pop fly playing behind him," Montgomery added. "Paul usually struck out everybody. I can't understand why he isn't throwing hard in the majors." AUie Reynolds of the Yankees teas married at the tender age of IS and when he was a senior at Oklahoma A. he already was the father of two children.

Oriss of North Braddock Sqott High, yesterday established 23 sections of competition for this Sr rence, with identical Big Seven league records of nine victories and one defeat An NCAA berth will be decided tonight at Las Cruces, N. when West Texas State and New Mexico A. M. play for the Border Conference championship. Two more startling upsets last night saw teams already selected for the National Invitation Tournament go down in defeat St.

Louis, the only team so far Sports on the Air What's on the Radio TONIGHT Paddy Young vs. Ernie Durando (boxing). New York, 10 p. m. WCAE.

Golden Gloves. Chicago, 10 p. la. m. KQV.

SATURDAY Hornets vs. Buffalo (hockey), The Gardens, 8:25 p. m. WWSW. What's on TV TONIGHT Paddy Young vs.

Ernie Durando (boxing). New York, 10 p. m. with the bases filled. Kiner had gone down to the batting cage to take an hour's drill when the Joe Garagiolas filled the bases with one out and Paul Pettit was due to hit.

A hurry up call was put in for Kiner and he came on the run. The few fans in the stands thought Umpire Bill Posedel missed a third strike on Kiner a moment earlier but Koski then broke off a curve and Kiner swung and missed. Koski had just walked three men to load the bases. Ted Wilks started umpiring behind the pitcher but was a first-inning casualty. A line drive off the bat of Joe Garagiola caught Wilks on the left shin and he-danced off the field for treatment.

The photographers missed the excitement but Wilks refused to come back and have Garagiola try it again. The girls from a nearby office drive to the field each day and tcatch the Pirates work out as thep eat their lunch. Bucs have had only one good day of sunshine since they arrived on here is cool and cloudy. Erv Dusak's homer over the left field fence came off the delivery of Paul Pettit, who seems to be throwing harder this spring than he did a year ago. Mel Queen didn't don season.

The league will have 112 teams in action. A new entry is Fair-chance High. But the circuit lost 14 schools, sl which decided not to sponsor St H4 baseball this season. They are Peters East Washington, Midway, Freedom, Sharon, Mars, H't ay to that Hal is a man who cares. Particularly these days, he wants high quality at a reasonable price.

Hi suit, a two-button Glen plaid, is made by Lebow famous for fine tailoring. Hi hirf, a rich broadcloth, is form-fashioned by Excello, noted for high quality. Hi drink is made with Carstairs. He's found that it tastes extra-smooth and it gives him premium taste at a budget-balancing price. His tip to you is to try Carstairs yoursell You'll find it a better drink for your money, so ask for it today AspinwalL Hampton, Washing ton Mt.

Lebanon, Point Marion, Ligonier, Georges Twp. and Richhill Twp. WJAC-TV. Golden Gloves. Chicago, 11 p.

m. to 2 a. m. WDTV. SATURDAY Wrestling.

Islam Grotto, 2 p. m. WDTV. Wrestling. Chicago, 11 p.

m. WJAC-TV. Since many, schools will be picked for both NIT and NCAA tourneys, was soundly whipped by the Oklahoma Aggies, 62-45, on the Aggies court The Aggies, leading by 33-31 at the end of the third quarter, ran St Louis off its feet in the fourth period. And St. Bonaventure was upset by Siena.

61-59, although it had beaten Siena by 25 points three weeks ago. However. Holv Cross alcn in closed Easter Monday, April 14, the league, season will begin Tuesday, April 15. The commit tee announced games must be Bucs Sign Pitcher re-scheduled in the order they were postponed. Tbt name Hal Wright if not that tf a sptcifu person, but msUad stands for a t)pi tbt Ms ubt Cares, $I00 BUFFALO, N.

March 7 Franklin Twp. of Murrysville the NIT. won over Dartmouth, is the defending WPIAL cham Hornets Lose Boivin to Leafs 47-40. pion. 45 QT.

FAN FARE The Hornets today lost De- By Walt Ditzen fenseman Leo Boivin to the par Ray Kruszynski, a 20-year-old Amherst N. righthanded pitcher, was signed today by the Pirates and will be assigned to the Batavia Clippers of the Class Pony League. Ski Races Tomorrow Skiing is reported good at Laurel Mountain ski slope, Ligonier, with three to nine inches of hard base and four ent Toronto Maple Leafs, but he is expected to rejoin the Wasps fiwcii I THOUGHT IT I wfeVA YOZ GONNA BE A' The Man who Cares says: CARSTAIRS inches new powder snow. Officials will stage the Tri-State in a few days.v Boivin was called up because three Leaf players Gus Mort-son. Bill Juzda and Fernie Fla-mon were injured in the Toronto-Montreal game Wednesday.

Juzda is expected back in a few days. When he returns, Boivin will rejoin the Wasps, probably at Syracuse next Wednesday. John Ashley will take over Boivrn's spot in the Hornets final since 1788 ski races tomorrow and Sunday. Kiesling Sick Walt Kiesling, Steeler line 1 coach, is convalescing from a heavy cold at St John's Hospital 1 home game of the regular sched-L 7 BLENDED WHISKEY. 86 PROOF, 72 GRAIN NEUTRAL SPIRITS CARSTAIRS BROS.

DISTILLING CO. NEW YORK. N. Y. uled against, Buffalo tomorrow,.