Section:
B
The University Daily Kansan
Pepto Bismol anyone?
Advertisers pay $3 million for 30 seconds of airtime during the Super Bowl. That's 400,000 quarter hot dogs per second at a Kansas baseball game.
Sports
Inside: Titans wide-receiver Issac Byrd will be the 25th former Jayhawk to play in the Super Bowl. Check the scoreboard for the other 24.
SEE PAGE 6B
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2000
Inside: The Kansas track team plays host to K-State and Mizzou tomorrow at Anschutz Sports Pavilion.
SEE PAGE 4B
WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
Solid Cyclone shooting a threat
By Chris Fickett sports@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
A cyclone is a violent, rotating windstorm. The way Iowa State's shots hit the nets causes a similar effect.
The No. 6 Cyclones, who play the Kansas women's basketball team at 1 p.m. tomorrow in Allen Fieldhouse, are first in the Big 12 Conference in scoring. They get most of their 80.2 points per game from the perimeter, hitting 36.6 percent from three-point range and making more than eight threes per game.
"They shoot the three so well from all five positions," said Kansas coach Marian Washington. "You're going to give up something, so you have to decide what to give up."
The Jayhawks, 13-5 and 4-2 in the league, certainly don't want to give up shots from the Cyclones' Stacy Frese. Frese, a senior guard and All-American candidate, is more accurate from three-point range than someone shooting a layup at a pickup game in Robinson Center.
She leads the league in three-point field goal percentage, 48 percent, and threepointers made. 49. Her teamhigh 81 assists poses another problem for the Jayhawks defense. If Kansas has to double-team a lane-driving Frese, an Iowa State gunner likely will be open on the perimeter.
"We have to work better on the drive," Washington said, "and not pull off the post so quickly."
Despite the league-leading credentials of the Cyclones, 15-2 and 6-0, the Jayhawks aren't fazed. Kansas and Iowa State are neck-and-neck in scoring defense, giving up 62.2 points per game. And Kansas State, which the 'Hawks beat 70-54 on Jan. 8, held the Cyclones' three-point shooting to 24.1 percent and only lost by 3 points on Wednesday.
Plus, the Jayhawks have risen to the level of their opponents earlier this season. They beat No. 17 California-Santa Barbara 76-73 and lost to No. 13 Illinois by 1 point on the road.
"I like playing against quality opponents, and it doesn't get much more quality than Iowa State," said junior point guard Jennifer Jackson.
"I felt like a third-grader out there." Jackson said.
Don't expect another meltdown from Jackson against a ranked team — such as her seven turnovers in Saturday's 76-56 loss at No. 14 Texas Tech.
She promoted herself back into college Wednesday night in a 90-71 win against Missouri. Jackson dished eight assists and returned to intimidating form on defense, making three steals. Expect the same attitude from
Jackson tomorrow.
"Let's get our defense rolling and see where our offense takes us," she said.
Kansas will need to stay patient if it has to withstand a flurry of threes from Iowa State. Patience was lacking when the Raiders forced turnovers and ran away with a 14-point haftime lead — and the game — in Lubbock.
"We have to be able to fight through that and maintain our composition," Washington said.
After Wednesday night's win against the Tigers, most of the team felt the game was a good starting point to prepare for Iowa State.
"We were patient with our offense," said junior guard Brooke Reves. "I think we're where we need to be at this point to get ready for Iowa State."
Who: Kansas women vs. No. 6 Iowa State.
TOMORROW'S GAME
When, Where: 1. p.m. tomorrow in Allen Fieldhouse.
Fieldhouse.
Radio/TV: 1320 AM; Fox Sports Net
(Channel 45)
Durable hardware
Kansas (13-5; 4-2 Big 12)
No. Player Ht. PPG
F 34 Lynn Pride 6.2 18.2
F 42 Jackyn Johnson 6.1 10.3
G 5 Brooke Reves 6.0 13.0
G 11 Suzi Raymant 5-11 14.4
G 11 Jennifer Jackson 5-11 8.4
Iowa State (15-2: 6-0)
F 42 Desirée Francis 6-0 12.6
F 51 Megan Taylor 5-11 12.9
F 32 Angie Welle 4-12 15.1
G 22 Angela Welle 5-8 15.1
G 22 Tracey Gaughan 6-1 15.1
Focused on the basket, Nikki White prepare to shoot over Missouri defender Ekpe Akpaffiong. The Jayhawks will battle Iowa State at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Allen Fieldhouse. The Cyclones, who average more than 80 points a game, are ranked sixth in the nation and first in the Big 12 Conference. Photo by Baj Sheerdy/KANSAN
Iowa State women powerful from perimeter
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
As a result, when one of his players wants to take a shot from behind the three-point strip, he never objects.
When Iowa State women's basketball coach Bill Fennelly was in high school, his coach never would let him shoot the perimeter shot.
By Melinda Weaver
This has worked well for his team that has shot 36.6 percent from the perimeter
this season, a mark that is first in the Big 12, while averaging a school record 30.2 points per game.
"It makes the game more exciting and interesting," Fennelly said. "I'm not used to having such a good post game, so our perimeter evolved while we were trying to find creative ways to shoot. It has really helped because it has opened up our post offense and allowed us to have a more balanced offense."
The Cyclones, 15-2 overall, 6-0 Big 12.
are in the midst of an 11-game winning streak fueled by the perimeter games of senior guard Stacy Frese and junior guard Megan Taylor who have hit 49 and 34 threes respectively this season.
Possibly the best advantage to having such a potent perimeter game is the room it allows for the post players inside.
Sophomore senior Angie Welles ranks third nationally with her 62.1 field goal percentage and averages 18 points and 10 rebounds in conference play. Senior
forward Desiree Francis adds another 12.6 points per game and spurred her team to a 64-61 victory over Kansas State Tuesday night with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Cyclones' worse shooting performance of the season.
"For about the last month, our perimeter game has really opened things up for Angie and Des," Fennell said. "To be a good team, you have to have options,
See JAYHAWKS on page 2B
Jayhawks won't be blurred by Cyclones' 17-3 record
Win against Iowa State could push Kansas to top of Big 12 pile
By Shawn Hutchinson
By Shawn Hutchins
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
No. 12 Kansas will try not to get caught up in the whirlwind tomorrow.
up in the Iowa State Cyclones at 3 p.m. at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. The bottom line — both teams are in a three-way tie with Texas for first place in the Big 12 Conference standings, with five wins and one loss.
The Jayhawks' effort on Monday night produced an 89-74 victory against the Colorado Buffaloos, which improved Kansas' overall record to 16-3 and 5-1.
"We have to give our best effort of the year to be successful up there," said Kansas coach Roy Williams.
See COLLISON on page 2B
TOMORROW'S GAMI
Radio/TV: 1320 AM, 105.9FM; ESPN+, Channel 4)
probable starters:
Who: Rohi 22 Kkai Narasimha
When/Where: 3 p.m. tomorrow in Hilton Coliseum
Kansas (16-3, 5-1 in Big 12 play)
Pos. No. Player Ht. PP
F 4 Nick Collison 6-9 10.1
F 21 Nick Bradford 6-7 7.7
C 44 Eric Chenowith 7-1 10.5
G 20 Kenny Gregory 6-5 13.9
G 13 Jeff Boschee 6-1 10.0
**lowa State** (21-7):
F 23 Miles; Minker F 6-8 20.5
F 23 Steve Johnson F 6-4 7.8
G 14 Jamal Tinley F 6-3 10.9
G 11 Kantail Nurse F 6-1 9.1
G 54 Kurtis Bell F 6-1 11.4
Freshman forward Nick Collison shoots over Nebraska defenders. Collison is an Iowa native. He said his main concern in tomorrow's game against Iowa State was the Cyclones' Marcus Fizer. Kansan file photo
Tomorrow when the men's basketball team travels to Ames, Iowa, to play the Iowa State Cyclones, Kansas coach Roy Williams said that he would have one main goal — for his Jayhawks to play better than the last conference road game. That, of course, was last Saturday's 81-59 dismantling by Missouri.
Loss against Missouri still haunting 'Hawks as they return to the road
While playing better than they did against Missouri also was a concern of the players, freshman forward and Iowa native Nick Collison's main concern is a little larger — literally.
By Matt Tait
Collison's concern manifests itself in the 6-foot-8-inch, 265 pound frame that makes up Iowa State's leader Marcus Fizer.
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
"From watching him on TV, he looks like the best player in the Big 12," Collison said of Fizer.
Fizer, currently the Big 12 Conference's leading scorer, is averaging 20.5 points and 7.3 rebounds a game this season. He has been instrumental in several Cyclone wins and even in their losses — including a 75-60 loss to the No. 1 Cincinnati Bearcats in November. He has banged bodies with taller and equally physical players like the Bearcats' Kenyon Martin.
All season long, Williams has maintained that one of Kansas' strengths is its size and inside play.
Sports Columnist
With that in mind, tomorrow's game appears to have the makings of a clash of the titans. Both teams are 5-1 in conference play and are in a three-way tee with Texas for first place the Big 12. Kansas and Iowa State only have lost three games the entire season, and both teams are coming off homecourt, conference wins.
But a look beyond the surface shows that while these teams have enjoyed the same early successes, they are experiencing the same disappointments.
All season long, Iowa State coach Larry
Similarly, the Cyclones are coming off of a disappointing, double-overtime loss at Oklahoma last week and an uninspired 65-58 win at home against 6-11 Texas A&M on Wednesday.
Kansas still is feeling the effects of its worst loss in 10 years and losing a player to an indefinite suspension, and it is recovering from Williams' criticism of the Jayhawk faithful.
Eustachy has bragged that his squad is the strongest team in the Big 12.
"They are real strong," Collison said. "Coach Eustache claims to have the strongest team in the Big 12, so it's a concern. But, I guess I'll have to see when I get out there."
The Cyclones' recent lackluster play has Eustachy fearing the Jayhawks.
"I don't know if we should play against Kansas," Eustachy said. "It could be the most lopsided game since Hilton (Coliseum) was built."
Eustachy's comments put Williams a little more at ease, but not to the point of overlooking the Cyclones.
"After reading Larry's comments I don't feel so bad about our team," Williams said. "But that's a very good basketball team we're going to play Saturday."
Derek Prater
sports@kansan.com
Men's hoops players get mid-season report cards
The men's basketball team now is 16-3 with a possible total of 20 games remaining in the season, making it a good time for a midterm grade report.
These grades are based solely on game performance (since I don't go to practices). They also are based solely on my opinion, which, as I'm sure Roy Williams would tell you, isn't worth the paper it's printed on (or spit or snot or some other endearing Roy Williamsism).
Luke Axtell — B — His energy is infectious when he's hitting shots, but distracting when he's not. Fortunately, he hits a decent percentage of his three-pointers. Defensive footwork still is a problem, but at least Roy has yet to coach the offensive aggressiveness out of the Texas transfer (thankfully).
Nick Bradford — B — Leads the team in assists and woofing at uninspired teammates. Still can't knock down the open jumper and is inconsistent at the free throw line. It's hard to be a true team leader when the defense doesn't respect your jump shot.
Jeff Boschee — **B** — Even with the ongoing slump, still is shooting a good percentage from three-point range. Isn't afraid to take the big shot and often hits it. Passing is a problem, especially feeding the post. Assist-to-turnover ratio has been waning.
Eric Chenowith — D+ — Must spend more time working on his Limp Bizkit impression than his post moves. We hoped the "slump" was broken after the Kansas State game. But in the four games since, he's averaged a whipping 9.75 points on 46 percent goal shooting, 6.25 boards and 1.25 blocks. Most disappointing is his defense. Even with his length, he doesn't intimidate anyone. Free-throw shooting gives him the plus.
Nick Collison — A — Great moves, soft shooting touch and aggressive on the boards. Becoming the 'Hawks most consistent plaver.
Drew Gooden — A — Has the ability and the instinct to become the best offensive rebounder in Roy Williams' tenure. Great jump hook. Brings instant energy to the floor. With a little patience, he'll be a star.
Kenny Gregory **B+** - Playing within himself this year, and that's why he's shooting such a high field-goal percentage. Excels in the open court and on the offensive boards. Free throw shooting is the only thing keeping him from an A.
Kirk Hinrich — B- Pushes the ball up the court, plays solid defense and can take the ball to the backboard for layups. Three-point shooting must improve to become an all-around backcourt player.
Marlon London — C+ — turns the ball over more than he should. Makes lots of little contributions, such as keeping the ball alive on the offensive glass, and his athleticism catches opponents off guard. Needs to start knocking down jump shots to open up the rest of his game.
Ashante Johnson — I — That's an incomplete. Johnson often provides instant offense off the bench but usually is returned there quickly by Williams for "being out of position." Whatever. He needs more minutes (I think Chenwith has some to spare).
The contributions that Jeff Carey, John Crider and Terry Nooner make at practice are surely invaluable, but their contributions during games don't warrant grades.
That just leaves one grade left:
That just leaves one grade left:
Roy Williams — C — Doesn't give his best players the most minutes, doesn't have an effective play to open up three-point shooters, hasn't established game-to-game team chemistry. Of course, he's still 16-3. The poor grade is in large part because of a coaching demeanor that is less and less reminiscent of Dean Smith and more and more resembling that of Bobby Knight.
Prater is a Lawrence graduate student in journalism.