Thursday, November 4, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Big 12 Basketball
Section B·Page 5
Oklahoma State seniors primed for NCAA run
By Brandon Krziszal sports@kansan.com Kanson sportswriter
The Oklahoma State men's basketball team heads into this season with something to prove. After close losses to Duke two years ago and Auburn last year in the second round of the NCAA tournament, the Cowboys are hoping to make another tournament appearance.
Coach
Eddie
Sutton's
team is
loaded with
seniors, and
all six are looking to contribute. Last season, the Cowboys were picked to win the Big 12 Conference but finished 23-11 overall and 10-6 in the conference, which tied them for fifth.
The most notable of this year's seniors are forward Desmond Mason and guards Doug Gottlieb
and Joe Adkins.
Mason is a member of the All-Big 12 preseason first team. In Oklahoma State's two NCAA tournament games last season, the 6-foot-7 Mason scored 54 points, ranking him third in NCAA history for points in the first two rounds.
Gottleb is the consummate floor general, returning as the nation's leader in assists with 8.8 per game. His poor perimeter shooting forced defenses to play off him, but Gottleb spent all summer working on his shot.
"I met with a sports psychologist, and I think it really helped," Gottlieb said. "I'm shooting the ball a lot better, and I have more confidence."
Adkins, who averaged 10 points a game last year, is third in Oklahoma State history in three-point shots with 126. He, along with fellow senior wing Glendon Alexander, will be asked to replace
OKLAHOMA STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL
Last year: 23-11 overall; 10-6 in Big 12, tied for fifth.
Coach: Eddie Sutton, 10th season.
Key players returning: Senior forward Desmond Mason (15.4 points, 7.9 rebounds) Guard Doug Gottlieb (8.8 assists, 4.3 points) Joe Adkins (10 points, 3.3 assists)
the scoring of all-conference shooting guard Adrian Peterson.
In the front court, the improvement of 6-10 sophomore Fredrik Jonzen and the additions of 7-0 junior college transfer Jason Keep and 6-6 freshman Andre Williams will bolster the Cowboys' post play.
"Last year team's knew we were a little soft down low, but the guys have really improved." Mason said.
Sooners have high expectations
- Edited by Ben Embry
Sampson says team is capable of success despite key losses
By Brandon Krisztal sports@kanson.com Konson sportswriwriter
“Can you get past the first round this year?” was the question Oklahoma men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson fielded at the beginnings of the last five seasons.
The question now has changed to "Can the Sooners get past the Sweet 16 this year?"
Sampson thinks his squad is capable of surpassing last year's team, which finished 22-11 overall and tied for second in the Big 12 Conference with an 11-5 record. The Sooners performed well in the NCAA Tournament and upset fourth-seeded Arizona and fifth-seeded North Carolina-Charlotte before losing 54-46 to Final Four participant Michigan State.
For the Sooners to equal or outdo their 1988 effort, they will
OKLAHOMA MEN'S BASKETBALL
Last year: 22-11 overall; 11-5 Big.
12, tied for second.
Cooch: Kevin Sampson, sixth season.
Key players returning: Forward Eduardo Najera (15.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals)
Guard Tim Heskett (9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds)
Key players lost: Guard Michael Johnson (11.6 points, 3.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds) Guard Eric Martin (12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds) Forward Ryan Humphrey (11.1 points, 7.5 rebounds)
rely heavily on presseason *Playboy All-America Eduardo Najera*. A najera, a 6-foot-8 senior forward, returns as the team leader in five statistical categories. He averaged 15.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocked shots per game.
Najera, who can shoot well enough to play a small forward, will be counted on to play down low a lot this season.
"I think I'm going to play a little more power forward," Najera said. "Playing at the four doesn't mean I'm gonna post up all the time, but that's why I tried to gain weight to play down there."
Najera is one of six players returning to a team that lost five lettermen. Key losses for the Sooners come in the back court, where they lost point guard Michael Johnson and wings Eric Martin and Alex Spaulding. They also lost for forward Ryan Humphrey, who transferred. They combined for 48 points of offense and almost 20 rebounds per game.
Despite the losses, Sampson is confident in his team.
"This is a little bit of a unique team," Sampson said. "Coaches can say all they want, but they pay attention to the preseason polls. I've noticed that we've been high in a lot of people's opinions despite losing four starters off last year's team.
"I think it's a credit to the program," he said. "That means there's high expectations.
Cowgirls ready for young star
Edited by Chris Hutchison
Raytown freshman may start on team
By Melinda Weaver
sports at kansan.com
Kansas sportswriter
Like most Big 12 Conference teams, the Oklahoma State women's basketball team expects to be better than its record last season.
However, the team is not convincing everyone else.
Last season, the Cowgirls went 13-15 and finished conference play with a 4-12 record. 11th in the conference. This season, they are picked to finish 11th again, but coach Dick Halterman said he expected to finish higher.
"We are a better team than we were a year ago," he said. "There are a lot of questions as to who will play
OKLHOMA STATE
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Last year: 13-15 overall, 4.12 Big 12
Coach: Dick Halterman, 17th season
Key players returning: Senior guard Jennifer Crow (averaged 17.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 steals per game last season), junior center Devon Magness and sophomore forward Karra Faulk
Key players lost: Forward Nikki
Harmon and forward Megga Greta
at what position, but I think most of the teams in the conference are better than they were a year ago."
Halterman recruited Chantyco Hawkins, a freshman from Raytown, Mo., at point guard. Halterman said that he thought Hawkins would see significant playing time.
team all-district. As a senior, she averaged 25.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.8 steals per game en route to becoming first team all-area, all metro, all-state and the Suburban Small Seven Conference Player of the Year.
At Raytown South High School, Hawkins was a three-time first team all-conference and two-time first
"She is good from three-point range and she can also bring the ball to the hole." Halterman said. "I will probably start her as a freshman, but it is tough for a freshman to come in and play point guard."
Before it can make an impact on the Big 12, Oklahoma State needs to see a significant improvement in its scoring ability.
One of the keys to the Cowboys scoring attack is senior guard Jennifer Crow, who led the team in scoring (17.3 points per game), rebounding (5.1 rpg), steals (4.7 psg) and three-point shots made (51). She also led the conference with a free-throw percentage of 83.2.
Edited by Matt Gardner
Oklahoma plans to rely on experience
By Melinda Weaver
sports at kansan.com
Kanson sportswriter
The faces have not changed much on the Oklahoma women's basketball team since last year, but this season's team adds chemistry and experience that could help it in the tough games.
ers who could really do well this season."
Last season, Oklahoma finished with a 15-14 record, 8-8 in the Big 12 Conference. This season, Big 12 coaches and the media picked the team to finish sixth in the conference.
However, Coale said she expected.
a lot more from this team.
"I heard the results of the coaches' poll on the radio and the radio announcer was excited, but I was mad," Coale said. "Once I started thinking about it, the teams that are picked ahead of us deserve to be there. I guess we were fortunate to be picked where we are, but it isn't where you start, it's where you finish."
Oklahoma lost seven letter winners but returned all five starters, including preseason All-American forward Phylesha Whaley. Whaley averaged 19.6 points per game last season and became the 14th player in Oklahoma history to score 1,000 points.
The Sooners lead the league in scoring last season and now have added experience that they hope will help them win close games.
Sophomore guard Stacey Dales said that she thought it would be a
OKLAHOMA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Last year: 15-14 overall, 8-8 Big 12
Coach: Sherri Coale, third season
Key players returning: Senior forward Phylehshe Whaley (presseason All-American after averaging 19.6 points per game last season), and sophomore guards LaNeishea Caufield and Stacey Dales.
tough season but that fans could expect it to be exciting.
"This team does not have too many limitations," Dales said. "Last year was a roller coaster, but now I have a year under my belt to learn the system and I am excited about this offense and this team. I think we will see things that we have never seen before in Oklahoma. There's no telling what will happen."
- Edited by Clare McClellan
Get your picture in the Kansas Jayhawker YEARBOOK during enrollment
Anyone who does not get their picture taken will be replaced with this guy!
Photographers will be at Strong Hall during enrollment to take portraits for the year 2000 Jayhawker yearbook. Stop by for a couple minutes during enrollment.
Today - Nov.19 9:00-5:00
your.world.tour/New York.London.Sydney Proving your parents wrong feels good. Winning a free trip for two to see three concerts of your choice in three countries feels even better. To enter our sweepstakes, log on to firstlook.com and do what you do best. Listen to music. You'll have the chance to win other great prizes, too. Like multimedia computer systems and NOMAD® MP3 players. So log on today. And let the music take you away.
And your parents said sitting around listening to music wouldn't get you anywhere.
firstlook.com
©1999 FirstLook.com