This is an alleged season of miracles with rebirths of faith, hope and love, Santa Claus visitations and other wondrous happenings. I’m going to wait before I put a guy named Bill Walker in such a category.

The young 6-foot-6 newcomer has made his debut with the Kansas State basketball team and the evidence is that he’ll do a lot to make an already good collection of people better. But a high-leaping messiah who will lead the Wildcats of Bob Huggins to immediate Big 12 and national glory? He’s labeled as something of that nature by a number of observers. Let’s hold off on a coronation.

It’s easier for one man to jazz up a basketball team than a 22-man football lineup or a nine-man baseball alignment (anybody remember Alex Rodriguez?). But look at all the sensational, even immortal, court performers who never could quite spark their teams to collegiate crowns. Oscar Robertson at Cincinnati, Jerry West at West Virginia and Wilt Chamberlain at Kansas come readily to mind. John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas won only once at Ohio State in three tries.

One guy doesn’t guarantee a brass ring. Even KU’s Clyde Lovellette and Danny Manning could bat only one for four.

Bill Russell at San Francisco (two national titles) and Lew Alcindor a la Kareem Abdul-

Jabbar at UCLA (three trophies) are among the untouchables as mainstays for championship programs. Michael Jordan hubbed six professional title teams, but got only one college win at North Carolina. Russell is the top winner of them all – two NCAA titles, an Olympic crown and 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, two of those as player-coach for Boston.

Remember when Brandon Rush was flagellating about whether to go pro or try a college? When he committed to Bill Self and Co., how many were raving and frothing about immediate top-echelon success the same as KSU people about Walker. Still waiting.

Then a 6-9 Texas wonder named Darrell Arthur committed to Kansas, and earlier a touted Chicago waterbug, Sherron Collins, had done likewise. You combine these two with Rush as a sophomore and all the other noteworthy kids on the KU roster, and the world would be their oyster. So far, not so great, though we can hope for a Yuletide miracle to blossom soon.

It’s my guess the personnel augmenting Bill Walker at K-State is not as good as what Bill Self has at KU. Walker can run, jump, shoot, orchestrate, inspire and might even play a little defense. But while it appeared Rush and Arthur would put Kansas beyond reach, the jury is still out. Right now I’d take Texas rookie Kevin Durant and KU’s Arthur ahead of Walker.

Could be wrong, but not many of even the greatest recruits has been as phenomenal as K-State followers want to believe Bill Walker will be.

¢ My note last week that North Carolina’s Dean Smith would return for a Feb. 17 reunion of KU’s ’52 NCAA title team caused a stir. There may be a group introduction (rather than individually) to prevent ugliness from the local crowd. Amazing how many write that they’ll boo. Others suggest total silence if Dean is singled out. Signs? Please, no! Hope KU people can regenerate the class they’ve shown so many other times, and be decent to a native son who’s cascaded massive credit on his alma mater.

¢ Hell, folks, it’s Christmas – may yours be the merriest! Then let’s strive for a miracle of proper respect for the Dean Smith return.