8B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
GAMEDAY
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2006
KU can't lose focus against Texas Tech
KU Tip-off
LAST TIME OUT
Kansas used a 17-3 run in the second half to win its third straight game, defeating Iowa State 95-85 in Ames, Iowa. Five players scored in double figures and the team's three startin guards combined for 59 points.
76. 8 — Kansas' free throw percentage in its past two games.
PLAYER TO WATCH
35. 8 — Field goal percentage the Jayhawks have allowed this season - best in the nation.
Darnell Jackson. The sophomore forward has provided an offensive presence in the paint for the Jayhawks in recent weeks, scoring in double figures in the past three games. Jackson will not have to guard taller players tonight because Texas Tech's tallest player reaches just 6 feet 9 inches.
14. 5 — Points per game for sophomore guard Russell Robinson.
KEY TO VICTORY
3 QUICK FACTS
Keep up the guard production. Freshman guards Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers and sophomore guard Russell Robinson have been productive in Big 12 Conference play and will need to continue their strong offensive and defensive production for the Jayhawks to win tonight.
Kansas vs. Texas Tech, ESPN 8 p.m., Monday, Allen Fieldhouse
Kansas
OFFENSE
What more could the offense ask for than four straight games of shooting better than 50 percent from the field?The past few weeks sophomore guard Russell Robinson has emerged as a scoring point guard, and freshman guard Mario Chalmers has become comfortable playing at the Big 12 Conference level. The guard production will need to continue tonight and the rest of the season. Kansas has had limited inside scoring options.
DEFENSE
The KU defensive pressure has ignited its three straight victories. Robinson and Chalmers have been solid defenders and have created crucial turnovers. Freshman forward Julian Wright has picked up his game on the defensive end. He blocked four shots against Iowa State. The Jayhawks will need to continue their solid defensive play against the Red Raiders, who have one of the most prominent in-game coaches in America, Bobby Knight.
Texas Tech OFFENSE
Jarrius Jackson and Martin Zeno lead Texas Tech on offense. Jackson comes into tonight's game averaging 19.5 points per game and is shooting 45 percent from three-point distance. Jackson is a big reason why Texas Tech leads the conference in three-point shooting, hitting 39 percent of its attempts. Zeno comes into the game averaging 16.5 points per game and shoots over 50 percent from the field this season.
Ryan Colaianni
DEFENSE
Texas Tech is in the middle of most defensive categories in the Big 12 Conference. The Red Raiders come into the game allowing an average of 68.2 points per game, which is ninth in the conference. Opponents are shooting 42 percent from the field, which is sixth best in the conference. Zeno is the team's leading rebounder at 5.5 rebounds per game. As a team, Texas Tech's 5.75 steals per game are lowest in the conference.
Tech Tip-off
Daniel Berk
LAST TIME OUT
PLAYER TO WATCH
Texas Tech returned to its winning ways Saturday, defeating Oklahoma State 92-90 in overtime. Jarrus Jackson led the team with 26 points and hit a three-point shot near the end of regulation to send the game into overtime. Texas Tech had five players score in double figures.
Jackson. He leads the conference in minutes played and is in the top 10 in scoring. Jackson has probably been coach Bobby Knight's best recruit since coming to Texas Tech. Jackson has yet to face Kansas' guards Russell Robinson and Mario Chalmers this season, and that will be a key match up in determining the winner of the game.
3 QUICK FACTS
833 — The number of victories Knight has compiled in his coaching tenure.
99 — Texas Tech's three-point shots made on the season out of 253 attempts. Tech's 39 percent in three-point shots lead the conference.
307 — The Red Raiders' turnovers this season. They are averaging 15.4 per game.
KEY TO VICTORY
Jackson will have to play a great game for Texas Tech. He will be a load to guard for sophomore guard Russell Robinson and freshman guard Mario Chalmers.
Players
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
"It's going to raise the bar," Parzyk said about competing with Afenir for the starting spot. "It'll raise our level of play, going back and forth. See who wants it more."
Although Afenir is younger, he is already following the example of his major league uncle, former catcher Troy Afenir. Price said Afenir would get the nod for opening day in Hawaii, but that does not mean the starting spot is his.
"It's a lot of pressure, but I think I've learned a lot just being around these guys and coach," Afenir said.
Afenir also was recruited by
Stanford and Arizona before signing with the Jawhaws.
In no way, though, are the coaches counting him out.
"He's been very impressive the last two weeks," Price said. "He's a high profile guy out of high school and he has been well-prepared to play in this conference."
Price said he was happy with both of his prospective catchers, but that the bruise on Parzyk's thigh had set him back a little.
"We like him as well." Price said of Parzyk. "We feel like we have two guys capable of filling that hole."
▼ NFL
Edited by Hayley Travis
Bettis hopes to cap off season with win
LARRY LAGE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
"That's what we call him now to this day," his mother, Gladys Bettis, said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I never call him Jerome."
To those in his hometown, the Pittsburgh Steelers' running back still is.
DETROIT — Before Jerome Bettis was The Bus, he was Roney.
The NFL's fifth-leading career rusher will be among the brightest stars in the days leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl because the charismatic, 13-year veteran likely will end his career at Ford Field, eight miles from his childhood home.
Sitting in a beautiful house Bettis bought for his parents on Detroit's west side — with a golf course in the backyard and limos in a neighbor's driveway —
Gladys Bettis shared stories and showed pictures of the youngest of her three children.
While Jerome Bettis is the face of this year's Super Bowl, his mother still can envision him scurrying off to school with glasses, a white dress shirt and
The new house looks far better than the place where those childhood scenes took place that old house now sits abandoned and charred.
a broken briefcase his dad discarded. When he was picked up for school, papers would fly out of the briefcase with broken clasps.
Bettis returned to play this season hoping to cap it back in his hometown. "I think he will retire, and I hope he does. It's time." Gladys said, sporting a "The Bus Stops Here" T-shirt. "What else could he do to top this?"