kwoxoes Tops -iur 41l honors if the rest of the pack keeps knocking each other off, and if someone (maybe the Wol- verines themselves) can stop the Spartans. Perigo's depth problem will be the big stumbling block. INDIANA is still a big question; mark as the loss of Bob Wilkinson due to academic troubles forces the Hoosiers to start a quintet in- cluding four sophomores. Wilkin- son was the only starter from last year's squad. However, a record shattering 122 points against -Ohio State showed that scoring punch is not lacking from Indiana's youngsters, as Wilkinson's replacement hit for 29. Upstart MINNESOTA has been having its days of glory, and even led the Conference at an early stage. But not even the scoring of Ron Johnson should be able to bring the Gophers to the top of the heap. PURDUE got off on the wrong foot with a loSs to Michigan, and has had a hard time getting back into winning habits. The Boiler- makers have begun to roll now, though, and could make it tough for any team in the Conference. With one of the highest team scoring averages in the country, ILLINOIS should be higher up the ladder than it is. But the defense of the Fighting Illini has been as porous as its offense has been sharp. Unless things change, Illi- nois will probably continue as an unranked crowd-pleaser. NORTHWESTERN, a pre- season favorite, lost starter Phil BEAT CONFERENCE SCORER-Iowa forward Dave Gunt one of the top scorers in the Big Ten, as he continually goe 20 points a game. His scoring has enabled the Hawkeyes to Michigan and Michigan State. Warren with a broken foot early in its hardwood wars and dropped three league games in his absence. Warren is back how and the Wild- cats may begin to live up to ,their early potential. Cast in the role of spoilers, IOWA has fit the casting perfect- ly. Dave Gunther has averaged over 20 points a game as the Hawkeyes periodically step in and wreck some other team's title as- pirations. OHIO STATE has a good tee built around Larry Siegfried E Larry Houston, but haven't clic often enough this season to s in contention. And WISCONSIN? Oh w 'nuff said. So the big show rolls into second part of its performar Who will be on top when the t is rolled up for the season? Pr ably no one will know until last act is over. COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL: Teams Battle for Tournament Bid f By CLIFF MARKS This year's basketball season is rapidly approaching the month of March, when the two big college tournaments-the NCAA and the NIT-take place. All the major college teams as- pire to play in one of these tour- naments. The NCAA is a 24-team affair which includes the champions of the major conferences plus teams at large which have had good sea- sons. Kentucky is the defending champion, having won its fourth crown last year. Xavier Falls On the other hand, the NIT is a 12-team tourney comprised of independents, second place teams in the big conferences, and usual- ly a liberal sprinkling of New York area teams. Last year's champ, Xavier (of Ohio), is having a poor year and it's unlikely that they will be back for another try this year.1 One interesting note about the two tourneys As that they some- times fight over teams, especially independents. It is debatable which of these championships is the biggest prestige factor, and both tournament committees want the top ranked clubs playihg in, their contests. NCAA Possibilities At the present time some of the best bets to play in the NCAA are Michigan State, Kentucky (again), Marquette, Cincinnati, the Univer- sity of Washington, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma City, ,and pos- sibly Notre Dame, which is recov- ering from a poor start. However, in the NTIT as well as the NCAA, it is very difficult noN to foresee the teams which wil play. Some possibilities are Day ton, Louisville, Bowling Greer Butler and several others, espe cially New York squads. Some Surprises Some of the teams striving fo tourney bids have been surprise this year while others have le down their supporters. Kentuck and San Francisco, two perennia powerhouses with young club; have come up with good squac as have Michigan, Indiana, an Butler in the Mid-West. Another surprise team has bee Texas Tech which beat a goo Iowa team earlier. Meanwhil( other Big Ten teams, Northwest ern and Purdue, along with Notr Dame, have not lived up to expec tations. ov NY co NCI I -A -1 1 r L V " Conducts Human Relations Board 0 Controls Student Book Exchange * Improves Student-Faculty Relations ow6mmom I J ME E T 'ago; ___ - - - . * - U I I 1 * I -~ - -~ L /~'~ - - - ___ . ___ .~ .1.