MIDWEST REGIONAL / AT WICHITA, KAN. : Freshman Conquers St. Louis

As freshmen go, there are not many college basketball players with more glowing reputations than 6-foot-9 center Joe Smith of Maryland.

He certainly left an indelible impression on St. Louis Coach Charlie Spoonhour in the Terrapins’ 74-66 victory in the first round of the NCAA Midwest Regional at the Kansas Coliseum.

Smith scored 29 points and grabbed 15 rebounds against a team seeded seventh in the region and ranked in the top 25 most of the season. He made 10 of 15 shots and nine of 10 free throws.

“He’s quite a player,” Spoonhour said. “If there’s a better player in this tournament, I don’t want to see him.”

Fortunately for Spoonhour, whose team was making its first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 1957, that will not be necessary.

The 10th-seeded Terrapins (17-11) saw to that, breaking out front early on and leading most of the way against St. Louis (23-6).

Massachusetts 78, Southwest Texas State 60--After a slow start, the second-seeded Minutemen had little difficulty in winning their opener.

The Minutemen (28-6) shot only 34.3% in the first half but still managed to open a 39-25 lead by the break.

Southwest Texas (25-7), making its first tournament appearance, stayed close until Massachusetts guard Mike Williams hit consecutive three-pointers in the final minute of the half.

But the Bobcats never got their offense on track, making only 38.9% of their shots in the game.

The victory sets up a rematch between Massachusetts and Maryland. The Minutemen won the first meeting in December at Springfield, Mass., 94-80.

Texas 91, Western Kentucky 74--The Longhorns advanced past the Hilltoppers (20-11) to the second round on the strength of sizzling second-half shooting performance.

Texas (26-7) made 65.6% of its shots in the half to overcome a 40-36 halftime deficit.

It was the 19th victory in the last 20 games for the Longhorns, who tied a school record for victories in a season.

The Longhorns, who will play Michigan in the second round Saturday, were sparked by forward Albert Burditt with 26 points. Reserve guard Roderick Anderson had 25 points.