ANSAN
2007
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007
SPORTS
5B
Smith
BASKETBALL
Preseason hype creates lofty expectations for Hawks
Anna Faltermier/KANSAN
Rodrick Stewart knows the hype surrounding the Jayhawks comes with playing for a successful basketball game. he and the team are trying to satisfy the high expectations of their fans.
BY THOR NYSTROM
tnystrom@kansan.com
On April 4, 1988, the Kansas Jayhawks commenced an unlikely run, from unranked at the start of the NCAA Tournament to its National Champion, with an 83-79 victory against Oklahoma in Kemper Arena. The team, dubbed "Danny and the Miracles," featured star Danny Manning and a host of role players that snuck up on college basketball.
If the Jayhawks are going to cap their 20th anniversary by cutting down the nets on April 7 in San Antonio, they will have to do so without the element of surprise. Every media publication or college basketball expert surveyed for this story picked Kansas No. 1 in the Big 12 Conference and no lower than No. 8 nationally.
This lajhawk team, like in 1988, has a large, mobile, multi-dimensional scoring threat at power forward. Sophomore Darrell Arthur, unlike Manning, has the aid of established college basketball stars such as juniors Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers, sophomore Sherron Collins and senior Russell Robinson.
Sporting News acknowledged the star power, placing Arthur and Rush on its preseason third team All-American squad, while tabbing Kansas the fourth best team in America.
"The Jahaywah could win it all if Darrell Arthur becomes their offensive focus," Sporting News wrote.
rankings
Publication Big 12 rank National rank
Sporting News 1 4
CBSsportsline 1 3
Athlon Sports 1 Elite 8
Lindy's 1 8
Dick Vitale 1* 6
Fox Sports Net 1 5
Big 12 Coaches 1 N/A
AP Top 25 1* 4
ESPN/USA Today Poll 1* 4
*Big 12 ranking based on highest ranked team in conference in national predictions
CBS SportsLine gave the Jayhawks the highest rating of any publication, pegging Kansas No. 3 in the nation. CBS also projected the 65-team NCAA field, with the Jayhawks as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest and a first-round date against Lamar.
Lindy's rated Kansas the lowest, No. 8, which is one spot below the Washington State Cougars. The publication may have docked Kansas for its affiliation with the Big 12, which Lindy's rated as only the fifth strongest in the country.
Lindy's, however, was not dismissive of Kansas' chances in the postseason.
"The lajhayws arguably are the nation's most talented team and capable of a deep run into the tournament," Lindy's wrote.
ESPN personalities Jay Bilas and Doug Gottlieb picked the Jawhacks
to reach the Final Four. Gottlieb was the only ESPN.com expert, out of 10, to predict a Jayhawk national championship.
Associate Athletics Director Jim Marchiony said the expectations were natural.
"It is not unlike most seasons here," Marchiony said. "Kansas basketball is one of the elite programs in the country. With that stature comes expectations. We're thrilled people think we can be that good."
Dick Vitale had Kansas sixth, writing: "Rock, chalk, Jayhawk will be celebrating another super season. This is a deep and talented Bill Selfled team. A key will be the health of Brandon Rush."
Vitale joined colleague Mark Schlabach in tabbing Rush a preseason first team All-American.
Fox Sports Net has Kansas fifth in the nation; "Kansas continues
》 BASEBALL
Construction companies to bid on clubhouse project soon
shroyer@kansan.com
BY SHAWN SHROYER
Like a pitcher working to perfect a new pitch before trying it in a game, the Athletics Department has fine-tuned its drawings for the baseball clubhouse at Hoglund Ballpark before allowing construction companies to bid on them.
But Sean Lester, associate athletics director of internal affairs, said Thursday evening that architectural drawings for the project would be sent to construction companies either Friday or Monday. From there, the companies will bid on the project, a process Lester expected to take two weeks.
"The drawings are all done," Lester said. "The whole building's designed, and the construction designs are out, which means architects have detailed all the drawings."
Originally, there was hope the project might start shortly after the end of last baseball season. Then,
Lester said in August that bidding on the project was expected to be completed in September. But bidding was put on hold as the project architects continued to work on the clubhouse's design.
Although it has taken a few extra months to complete the design, Lester said the scale of the project hadn't changed.
As Lester said in late August, the clubhouse will be 6,500 square feet and be built behind the bleachers down the first base line. It will feature a locker room and lounge for the players, game day offices for the coaches and a reception area for visitors, which will include Kansas baseball displays.
Most importantly, the cost for the project hasn't changed drastically since August, when Lester estimated the cost of the project at $1.7 million.
dred thousand dollars either way." Lester said. "You just don't know until the construction companies look at it."
Assuming a construction company is in place by the end of the month, the clubhouse could be completed early next summer. Lester
"We expect the cost to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $2 million, give or take a couple hun-
said the substantial completion date — the date a substantial amount of the construction should be finished — was June 15.
"We would like to have had it done sooner, but it's perfect and we're in great shape," Lester said. "We wanted to make sure what we were doing was
perfect and it is. Now were ready to move forward. When you're spending $2 million, you want to make sure everything you're doing is perfect. It's the future of Kansas baseball, so nothing short of perfection."
Edited by Matt Erickson
The single best way to avoid getting the flu is to get the flu vaccine. Student Health Services is holding flu clinics that are open to all KU students, faculty, staff and retirees (ages 18 and over).
Cost'：
Flu Shot - $15
Nasal Mist Flu Vaccine - $23
(Nasal mist for ages 4-49; subject to availability.)
Can't make it to a clinic? You can also get a flu shot or the nasal mist flu vaccine at Watkins Memorial Health Center by calling 864-9507 to make an appointment.
- Payable by check, cash or credit card at time of service. No insurance billing. Medicaid and Medicare are not accepted.
Date Time Location
Tuesday, Nov. 13 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Kansas Union 4th Floor
Wednesday, Nov. 14 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Watkins Health Center
Thursday, Nov. 15 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Watkins Health Center
Monday, Nov. 19 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Watkins Health Center
Tuesday, Nov. 20 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Watkins Health Center
DON'T GET THE FLU. DON'T SPREAD THE FLU. GET VACCINATED.
Rodrick Stewart understands the Jayhawks' fervent fan base and the national expectations.
to rule the Big 12, bidding for its fourth consecutive conference title and third consecutive tournament crown, but its fan base can only be satisfied with appearances in the Final Four. That's something Self hasvet to deliver."
STUDENT
HEALTH
SERVICES
The University of Michigan
Edited by Jeff Briscoe
Watkins Memorial Health Center 1202 Schweger Drive Lawrence, KA 60454 www.watkinshealth.edu/student@watkinshealthku.edu
The University of Kansas
NO HASSLE FOR YOUR TASSEL
"It it makes you play that much harder," Stewart said. "We're playing for ourselves but at the same time we're playing for our fans. It would be nice just to bring it back. I think Lawrence deserves another championship right now."
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