Section:
Section B
The University Daily Kansan
Today in sports history 1869 The Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first pro baseball team, was organized by George Ellard and Harry Wright.
Sports
Inside: Iowa State's Marcus Fizer was the second-leading vote-getter on the AP All-America team.
SEE PAGE 3B
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2000
Inside: Vote how far you think the Jayhawks will go in the NCAA Tournament on the Kansan online.
WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
SEE WWW.KANSAN.COM
London keeps drive, despite lackluster shooting
By Shawn Hutchinson sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportwriter
Talk about frustrating.
Kansas guard Marlon London has been struggling with his shot all season. His scoring average is down nearly a point from last year. His shooting percentage is down from 44 percent last year to 37 percent this year. His three-point shooting percentage? Down to an icy 28 percent.
Not exactly the great sophomore season that London had envisioned.
Then during practice on Sunday, London was taking a routine shot. He came down on teammate Eric Chenowith, and London ended up with a twisted left ankle. Now it is
questionable whether London will be able to play on Friday when Kansas faces DePaul in the first
round of the N C A A Tournament.
"I've been struggling through the whole season, and now this." London said, shaking his head. "I don't know...I guess it's just a process this year."
that becomes even more frustrating when Kansas' first-round opponent is added into the equation.
London: suffered ankle sprain Sunday
London has close ties with the DePaul program. He's friends with several of the DePaul players, and London went to high school in Broadview, Ill. — about 10 miles from the DePaul campus.
On a scale of one to 10, London said the probability that he would play on Friday was about a seven, although he won't be at 100 percent. But no matter the number, London is intent on playing.
"It it's just something that I want to do," London said. "I want to win." London would like nothing more than to play a dominant role in a Kansas win. The 6-foot-4 sophomore emerged late last year as one of Kansas' top reserves during the Big 12 Conference season. London's score average for the
"You can't really salvage the season with one or two games, but you sure can leave a bright spot at the end."
Marlon London
Kansas guard
year was just 4.1 per game, but he scored in double figures in three of four games during a key stretch in the Big 12 season. That included 10 points during a win at Missouri.
"Last year I just took a reckless approach," London said. "I was
young and I didn't know what to expect, so I went in headfirst and it came out pretty good for me."
So why has London landed headfirst this season by averaging only 3.3 points despite playing more minutes? London contributes his struggles to not having as much fun on the court this year, being too unselfish, thinking too much on the court and not finding his shot as often as he would like.
Kansas coach Roy Williams said just about the same thing.
"He's still doing a good job defensively, but I thought he would be more aggressive offensively." Williams said.
That lack of an offensive punch also has London puzzled.
"I expected to do a lot of good
things this year, but those things just didn't happen." London said. "That's something I have to deal with. I still have two years of college basketball left."
London also has at least one more game remaining in his sophomore season. If Kansas beats DePaul, a possible second-round matchup with No.1 seed Duke is on the horizon. Beat Duke, and it might not be too late for the Jayhawks to shake off some of the disappointment from a 23-9 season and a fifth-place finish in the Big 12 standings.
Sports Columnist
"I don't think it's too late," London said. "It's never too late. You can't really salvage the season with one or two games, but you sure can leave a bright spot at the end."
Seth Jones
sports@kansan.com
Blank bracket stumps even the psychics
Yeah, my editors want something new. Not the usual garbage of some schmuck sports columnist telling you how the dayhawks are going to lose in the first round. You've seen that column before.
I figure since it's the Kansan's dime, I might as well get you NCAA tournament predictions from a real professional.
Ring. Ring. Thank you for calling the Psychic Friends Hotline. If you'll please hold, our next available psychic will be right with you.
Hello. My name is Madame Pointshave. You have a problem, no?
Hmm. You woulda thought, being psychics and all, they would have been expecting my call. Two minutes pass by and the Kansan is already $12 in the hole before someone talks to me.
Your name is Madame Pointshave. You have a problem, no? Yeah. I need some questions answered about the Big Dance. First of all, Kansas or DePaul. Who should I take?
Paul. You should take Paul to the dance. He is trustworthy and likes you very much.
What? I'm talking college ball here, Madame Pointshave. Kansas vs. DePaul, a No. 8 seed vs. a NO. 9 seed. I worried Quentin Richardson will be too much for the Jayhawks!
Do not fret, Jonesey.
How how'd you know my name?
I know all. Jayhawks by one. Solo home run, bottom of the ninth. Next question.
Uhm... I'm a little bummed out that three Big 12 teams will be playing at virtually the same time. Kansas and Missouri both tip on Friday at 6:40 while Oklahoma State faces Hofstra at 6:55. Which game will be the most entertaining for a Big 12 fan to watch?
Your wife is cheating on you. Next question.
See MARCH on page 2B
Kansas baseball splits doubleheader
Kansas pitcher Pete Smart throws to a Texas &M-Corp Christ batter in the first game of yesterday's doubleheader. Kansas won the first game 8-0. The second game was delayed an hour and half because of rain. Photo by Kate Levenson/KANSAN
Jayhawk bats cool down in second game
By Amanda Kaschube
Kansas (14-8) won the first of two seven-inning games convincingly, 8-0, against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (12-12) off a strong offensive outing from junior Brandon Smith.
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Two things stood between the Jayhawks and a doubleheader sweep yesterday — a lead-off walk and an error.
But in the second match-up, the 'Hawks lost their defense and hot bats in two crucial innings and lost 3-2.
In the second inning, pitcher Brandon O'Neal, making his first career start, gave up an early walk to the first batter and a base hit to the second. Then center fielder Brian Hoefer had the ball go through his legs, and two runs scored off the error.
"We played one bad inning," coach Bobby Randall said. "We played 14 innings, and they only scored in one, but that one inning beat us."
The runner who reached base off the error, Chad Gilpin, also scored off a late-inning single, and the Islanders took a 3-0 lead that they would not relinquish.
Kansas hits just did not come in the second game.
In the first game, the 'Hawks had nine hits — including three from Smith and two off the bat of junior John Nelson. But in the second game, Kansas produced just three hits.
"We couldn't get things started," Smith said. "We knew we couldn't take them lightly, and we didn't in the first game. We were overmatched in the second game. They played their hearts out."
See JAYHAWKS on page 2B
Freshman swimmer heads to Big Dance
By Brandon Krisztal sports@kansan.com
Kansas sportswriter
A Kansas freshman girls swimmer has a guaranteed ticket to the NCAA Championships.
Lyndsay DeVaney will compete in the championship in Indianapolis tomorrow through Saturday. She did not qualify automatically, but her personal best of 16:38.10 — third best in school history — qualified her for the nationals.
the national Junior Carolyn Grevers also will compete in the championship.
DeVaney realized the magnitude of qualifying for the NCAA
meet as a freshman.
"It's really exciting because not many people get a chance like this in their whole career," she said. "And being able to do it as a freshman, knowing that you have more chances throughout your college career is really exciting."
Her 10 event wins this year was second best on the team, just behind freshman Gwen Haley's 12. DeVaney established herself as the fastest swimmer on the team in four different events, the 200., 500., 1000. and 1650-meter freestyle.
Coach Gary Kempf said he was extremely proud of DeVaney but added that she would have her
endurance tested at the competition.
"Lyndsay has just got to be in good shape," he said. "I mean, the mile is one of the toughest events, and I think she looks better now than she did before conference."
She was not selected to compete in the 500-meter freestyle, but the NCAA allows swimmers with provisional times to compete in that event if they are qualified to be at the meet in another event. DeVaney will swim the 500-meter race tomorrow and get a day off before competing in the mile on Saturday.
DeVaney said she would benefit from going to such an elite meet as a freshman regardless of how
she placed.
"Knowing that I've competed will give me confidence for the next three years of my career and give me something to work toward because I don't want to only make it one year." she said.
"Seeing as how I made it my freshman year, it will give incoming freshmen each year something to look forward to and look up to."
More information For more coverage of the Kansas women heading to the NCAA Championships check out www.DigitalJayhawk.org after tonight's 5:30 newscast.
Carolyn Grevers practices her breaststroke. Grevers will be competing in her first NCAA Championships in the 100-meter breaststroke in Indianapolis. Photo by Kate Levenson/KANSAN
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