MEMBER OF KU’s “IRON FIVE” DIES AT 80

John “The Thin Man” Buescher, captain of the 1942-43 Kansas University men's basketball team that won the Big Six Conference title with a 10-0 record, died March 28 in Midland, Mich.

The 1943 KU Basketball  Media Guide had this to say about Buescher:  “John is one of three out-of-state men on the squad and the only two-letterman available.  He graduated from Beardstown High (IL) where his coach was Clyde McQueen.  He was the outstanding member of the 1940 K.U. freshman quintet.  As a sophomore he played forward and started several games, averaging 3.5 points.  Last year he was the regular center or “quarterback.” He is a wonderful ball-handler and surprisingly adept at rebound work despite his unusually thin build.  Is the key-man in the attack as he sets up plays, calls signals, and settles the team down.  During Big Six play he averaged 9.8 points a game and for the entire season made 8.4 points.  He gained a few nominations for first all-Big Six last year and on all others was unanimous second team choice.  Has a great variety of shots and is exceptionally smooth on the court.  John is majoring in Physical Education, has been turned down and classified 4-F by the Army for having “spots” on his lungs, and has got a ‘steady’ girl friend who keeps him out of mischief.”

During Buescher’s tenure in Lawrence, 1941-43, KU won the Big Six conference title all three years, compiling a 51-17 record (75%).  In 1942, KU won 2 of 3 games in the NCAA tournament.  In 1943, the Jayhawkers compiled a 22-6 record, and held the No. 2 spot in the AP poll at the end of the regular season.  They were scheduled to play in the NCAA, but the other four starters were inducted in the Army, so coach Phog Allen declined the tourney invitation. 

The 1943 starters were dubbed the “Iron Five”, as they played almost all of the minutes.  Included were All-American Charlie Black, Ray Evans (who was an All-American quarterback), Otto Schnellbacher (who caught Evan’s passes on the gridiron), and Armand Dixon.  At 6’2, Buescher was the center, which on Allen’s team meant that he was the point man, feeding the ball to the scorers.  Buescher was the second leading scorer on the team with 9.9ppg, and landed a spot on the All-Big Six first team.

 Ken Johnson