Bolstered by seven returning letterman, one of the best recruiting classes in the country, and an outstanding transfer (Carl Henry), the Jayhawks appear to be a team ready to atone for last year's 13-14 record.

Two of last year's outstanding players have graduated and their loss will be felt.  KU's leading returning scorer is center Kelly Knight.  Also returning at center are junior Brian Martin, who started in three games, and Mark Ewing.  At forward, KU returns seniors Jeff Dishman and Mark Summers.  At guard, Ku returns sophomore Tad Boyle who started 21 games, and senior Lance Hill, who had orthoscopic surgery over the summer.

The Jayhawks should get a big boost from guard Carl Henry, a transfer from Oklahoma City University, where he finished seventh in the nation in rebounding and 30th in scoring two years ago.  Topping the list of recruits are a pair of high school All-Americans, 6'9 forward Kerry Boagni and 6'5 F/G Ron Kellogg. All-state players, Calvin Thompson and Jeff Guiot could also press for starting positions.

Heading into the 1982-83 season, KU was coming off of a 13-14 finish, its first losing record in nine years, and a seventh-place finish in the Big Eight, its lowest in 20 years.  But things were looking up for the Jayhawks.  Carl Henry was eligible after sitting out a year following his transfer from Oklahoma City University.  And a strong recruiting class, which included Ron Kellogg, Calvin Thompson, Kerry Boagni and Jeff Guiot, would help.  Owens said he saw better days ahead in 1982-83: “This may sound a little crazy,” he said, “but I feel better about the program than I have in a long time.  I’m optimistic about the future, I don’t feel down at all.”

It was all wishful thinking.  The Jayhawks ended that season tied for last place in the conference at 4-10 and 13-16 overall.  (Actually, they tied for 6th place). The back-to-back losing seasons and an average of 5,500 empty seats for every game meant the end for Owens.  He was fired March 21, 1983, after 19 years as head coach, becoming the only basketball coach ever fired by the university.  Monte Johnson, KU’s new athletic director, said the move was made to remove the inconsistency that had plagued the program dating to about 1970 and to return it to being a national power.

Owens did not speak publicly about his firing until that year’s basketball banquet.  It became an emotional good-bye, the Wichita Eagle reported on April 6, 1983:  “I won’t say I don’t have anger and bitterness,  it comes and goes.  I am so disappointed I won’t have a chance to work with this bunch next year.”  Then the tears began to come in his eyes.  “Only history will determine what kind of career we had here”, he said.  “I don’t know who will be the new coach here, but no one could love this place more than me.”  His voice broke.  He reached for his napkin and wiped his eyes.  He had said his farewell.

U.S. International

W

91-74

Nov. 27

at Lawrence

Bowling Green

W

97-68

Nov. 29

at Lawrence

Mississippi Valley

W

63-51

Dec. 2

at Lawrence

St. Louis

W

83-69

Dec. 4

at Lawrence

Michigan

L

74-86

Dec. 6

at Ann Arbor, Mich.

Southern Methodist

W

62-60

Dec. 11

at Dallas, Texas

Memphis State

L

58-64

Dec. 18

at Lawrence

Alcorn State

W

86-74

Dec. 20

at Lawrence

Kentucky

L

62-83

Dec. 29

at Louisville, Ky.

Ohio State

L

61-64

Jan. 2

at Kansas City, Mo.

Oral Roberts

L

71-73

*

Jan. 6

at Tulsa, Okla.

Evansville

W

59-54

Jan. 8

at Evansville, Ind.

Maine

W

79-68

Jan. 15

at Lawrence

Oklahoma

L

72-95

Jan. 19

at Norman, Okla.

Oklahoma State

L

74-85

Jan. 22

at Stillwater, Okla.

Missouri

L

63-76

Jan. 26

at Lawrence

Kansas State

L

57-58

Jan. 29

at Manhattan, Kan.

Iowa State

W

75-69

Feb. 2

at Lawrence

Nebraska

L

61-68

Feb. 5

at Lincoln, Neb.

Colorado

L

74-75

Feb. 10

at Lawrence

Oklahoma State

L

69-75

Feb. 12

at Lawrence

Missouri

L

69-74

Feb. 17

at Columbia, Mo.

Oklahoma

W

55-53

Feb. 19

at Lawrence

Iowa State

W

74-60

Feb. 23

at Ames, Iowa

Kansas State

L

63-70

Feb. 26

at Lawrence

Nebraska

L

58-60

Mar. 2

at Lawrence

Colorado

W

74-63

Mar. 5

at Boulder, Colo.

Oklahoma

W

87-77

Mar. 8

at Norman, Okla.

Oklahoma State

L

83-90

Mar. 11

at Kansas City, Mo