University of Virginia Library

Writers Tap Gregor, Grubar, Miller
Harlicka, Thompson As Tourney Stars

The final announcement of the
tourney came over the loud
speaker: "And now, we would
like to present the Everett Case
Memorial Award for the most
valuable player of the tournament:
for the second straight
year, to All-America LARRY
MILLER of North Carolina."

No one questioned the choice.
The coaches voted unanimously.
There was, and could be, no runner
up. His 76 point three game
performance and 49,2 shooting
percentage only tell a part of
the story. If Carolina called All-America
Billy Cunningham "instant
offense," Miller would have
to be termed "instant team." Under
the boards, outside, anywhere
—Miller spearheaded his team's
defensive and offensive effort. Set
him free in the corner, and you
needn't watch his shot, just the
scoreboard racking up another
two for the Heels. As Dean
Smith commented. "Larry Miller.
What more can I say?"

Down the court he'd race with
the ball, and not a single blond
hair would fall out of place on
the head of JACK THOMPSON.
Control was the name of the
game for the playmaker of the
South Carolina Gamecocks. Impossible
passes his speciality,
Thompson directed his team's attack
as no other man controlled
a team in the tourney. His deft
outside touch yielded a 16 point
average (55%), and his adroit
ball handling netted six assists
per game with only four turnovers
in his 83 minutes of play.

A sigh from the crowd; another
long bomb arched over the
opposing defense; swish: "Field
goal, SKIP HARLICKA." South
Carolina's swarthy little guard
was the tournament's hottest outside
shot, popping jumpers that
seemed like they were coming
from the press row at a 53.2%
clip.

After the Virginia game, USC
coach Frank McGuire was exuberant
over Harlicka's 31 point
exhibition. "Sensational—I could
see Red Auerbach (Boston Celtics
scout) across the way, and that
old, bald head was bobbing up
and down every time Skip hit a
long one." Harlicka's 27 points
per game topped the scoring list.

The opposition rated him as an

Just about all the Tar Heel
publicity this season that wasn't
on Larry Miller was on Charlie
Scott, the sophomore sensation.
Yet during the tourney, he ran into
trouble as he was usually cold when
the Heels needed a lift, hot when
they were already ahead. Another
man filled Scott's usual role. The
opposition rated him as an
excellent defender and playmaker—bat
not as a scorer.
North Carolina's spunky back-court
ace, DICK GRUBAR,
proved them wrong.

Not only did he excel in his
specialities, but he scored—big—
when his team really needed it.
Averaging 13 points per game,
six above his season's average,
Grubar popped in 20 for the
Tar Heels in their critical victory
over South Carolina. And his
shooting percentage, 61.4, is
nothing short of remarkable.

Against the Gamecocks, with
Miller having a cold second half,
Grubar kept the Heels on top
by virtue of his twisting drives
and accurate jumpers from above
the key. As for defense, his opponents
must have felt like flies
trying to avoid fly paper.

Very seldom did one see a
smile on the face of GARY
GREGOR. The usual expression
on the face of the 6′7″, 215
pound South Carolina star was
one of semi-pain with a half-open
mouth. Gary Gregor was the very
picture of emotionless, quiet efficiency.
Averaging 22 points a
game, he moved with unusual
mobility for such a big man,
hitting on both inside and outside
shots. Although spotting them
five inches, Gregor did an outstanding
defensive job on both
Norm Carmichael and Rusty
Clark. The pro scouts took notice.