Inside Sports
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Sports
New York Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde signed a three-year deal worth nearly $19.5 million yesterday.
Wednesday March 3,1999 Section:
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College basketball
It's tournament time and the Big East, Atlantic 10, and others begin play today.
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A
Pro Football
Page 10
Atlanta Falcons safety Eugene Robinson was offered a diversion on prostitution solicitation charges.
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Commentary
End of season sparks award distribution
The regular season has finished. Let's take some time from our normally busy sports schedules and give away some KU men's basketball awards.
After all, these guys practice hard all season. They might not have played in the last minute of a game against Iowa State, but they did practice hard all season.
These awards aren't anything like the Academic All-District Seven award that seniors T.J. Pugh and Ryan Robertson won earlier this week. These are awards from a cynical college sports columnist.
The name? The Jonzees, kind of like the Grammys, but fewer people care.
So, without further ado let's give these awards away.
Seth Jones
sports@kansan.com
The Brutally Honest
Why did I start with a mean award? I guess because I'm so cynical. The Jon-zees need to be good awards. So let's refocus.
The Bradley Honest
Jon-zee goes to Coach Roy Williams for describing the Jayhawks as "a bunch of seventh graders" in the final minute of the game against Iowa State. I agree, Coach. So what grade level was the coaching for that final play when Eric Chenowith took a leaning three-point shot?
The Best Name Jon-zee goes to Marlon London. Just say it. Mar-LON LON-don. Nice ring to it. And he would have gotten another award as well if it was not for Jeff Boschese, who grabs the Freshman of the Year Jon-zee. I know he just got Big 12 Conference Freshman of the year, but the Jon-zee comes along with a Spiderman comic book.
The Don't Call Me "J.J." Jon-zee goes to Nick Bradford, who plays out of position but plays outstanding basketball. For his size, Bradford also is a fantastic rebounder. Throw in some hustle and a lot of versatility, and Bradford is my MVP this season.
The Hitch Up the Bandwagon Now Jonzee goes to redshirt Luke Axtell. The Jayhawks only scored 18 points in the second half Sunday. Don't worry, next year Axtell will have some games when he'll score 18 points in one half by himself. Yes, the Jayhawks need offense. Yes, Kansas has some great recruits in Nick Collison, Andrew Gooden and Kirk Heinrich. But the sharphooter has been sitting on the bench. KU students are ready for you to trade the blue jeans for some warm-ups, Luke.
The Beverly Hills 90210 Hair-Do Jon-zee goes to Eric Chenowith. At times he's looked good; at times he's looked, well, bad. But he is getting better, and soon we will be able to depend on him for about 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks a game. I just hope it's this year's NCAA tournament.
The Album of the Year Jon-zee goes to Lauryn Hill for the Misdirection of Lauryn Hill. It's a great album, and I just figure she should win a Jon-zee, too. The Beastie Boys and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion take a close second and third place on that one.
Jones is an Mulvane junior in magazine journalism.
The Donated Good Ankle Jon-zee goes to Lester Earl. I remember when you could almost hit your head on the rim, Lester. Take it easy this summer and get your verticality back. OK?
Finally, The Wish You Were Here Jon-ze goes to former Kansas player Paul Pierce. I know that he doesn't play college ball anymore. But right now, he's the NBA leader in steals with 2.73 a game (He's ahead of Scottie Pippin and Gary Payton, kids) and he just recently dropped out of the top 10 in three-point field goal percentage.
Heck, as long as we're making fun of people, let's do "Most annoying sports columnist." The candidates range from myself to Jason Whitlock (hint:hint). So be creative, have fun and be brutally honest (like Coach Williams). E-mail me at sethjonz@eagle.cc.ukans.edu with your picks for the things most wrong in college basketball.
■ Readers — I need your help. Next Wednesday in my column I'll print tie winners of the Woj awards, which were named after obnoxious former Duke point guard Steve Wojciechowski. These awards are given to the least likable things about college basketball such as "Most annoying player," "Least likable coach," "Worst announcer" and so on.
Boschee wins Big 12 Freshman of the Year
By Kevin C. Wilson Kansan sportswriter
It didn't take long for freshman Jeff Boschee to make a name for himself at the University of Kansas.
Boschee, who became the first point guard to start for the Jayhawks since Jacque Vaughn in 1994, was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year yesterday after narrowly defeating Missouri's Kevon Dooling.
The native of Valley City, N.D., who led all Big 12 freshman in scoring, assists and three-point field goals, received 14 votes, while Dooling collected 10.
"It's a great opportunity and something that you can be proud of," Boschee said of the award.
Kansas senior Ryan Robertson said the award was definitely warranted.
"I think it is a tremendous honor and well-deserved," Robertson said about his backcourt mate. "He's had a great year, and in tough situations he's really performed well. I'm proud of him, and I think he's done a great job."
Boschee has been successful especially in conference play, where he averages 10.3 points and ranks in the top 10 in three statistical categories. The 6-foot-1 point guard is fourth in the conference in three-point field goals (2.53 per game), eighth in three-point field goal percentage (.38) and eighth in assists (3.6 per game). Boschee leads the Jayhawks with 62 three-pointers, which is the most ever by a Kansas freshman.
Despite Boschee's success, Kansas coach Roy Williams said it hadn't all been a bed of roses.
"It's been a tough year for him because it was such a huge jump for him from Valley City to the Big 12."
Williams said. "The size and quickness of the players he played against there, and then all of a sudden being here, it was at times very difficult. But the little rascal just kept playing."
And play he did. Bosche has started in 27 of the Jayhawks 28 games, with Senior Night being the exception, and was twice named Big 12 Freshman of the Week.
When asked whether he thought he was the best freshman in the Big 12 this season, Boschew was quick to acknowledge his fellow classmates.
"I like to think so." Boschee said. "But there's a lot of great young talent out there, and that should provide an excellent future for the Big 12."
One of the budding young stars is the explosive Dooling. The Tigers' 6-foot-3 point guard, who was the preseaason Big 12 freshman of the year, averaged 10.7 points and 3.4 assists in conference play.
Boschee said he was looking forward to facing off with Dooling in the years to come.
"It should be a really great three years for both of us," Boschee said. "It's going to be a great match-up for Kansas and Missouri."
Although Boschee admitted the wear and tear of his first season had begun to take its toll, he was optimistic about his future.
"They say your first year is hard to get through, so hopefully my sophomore year will be a lot easier," Boschee said.
— Edited by Steph Brewer
Freshman guard Jeff Boschee reacts to being called for a a foul. Boschee was voted the Big 12 freshman of the year yesterday. Photo by Graham K. Johnson/KANSAN
Kansas baseball looks to end skid against Baker
By Matt Tait
Kansan sportswriter
Maybe, just maybe the way to break their seven-game losing streak is for the Jayhawks to break in their newly renovated stadium.
The Kansas baseball team, 2-8 overall and 0-3 in the Big 12 conference, will try to do just that as it plays host to Baker University at 3 p. m. today at Hoglund-Maupin Stadium.
The 'Hawks endured a drubbing at perennial power Texas Tech last weekend and are looking for anything to help them get on track.
Randall said that the Kansas offense was nearly nonexistent and that the pitching and defense had not executed the way he would like.
"There is nothing wrong with our team. The only thing wrong is how we're playing." Coach Bobby Randall said.
Baker, 0-4, is an NAIA school, and Coach Darin Loe said the team relished the chance to play a Division I team such as Kansas.
"It's really an honor for us to schedule a team like KU," Loe said. "It helps our kids to see what a Division I program is all about."
Randall, however, is not making excuses for Kansas' performance.
"Right now we don't need excuses. We need practice and execution." Randall said. "We can think of hundreds of excuses."
Baker second baseman Shaun Edmondson agreed and said that it provided the team with a chance to see where it stacked up against major college talent.
Today's doubleheader should give Randall an opportunity to play many players at many positions.
"It's a big deal for us NAIA schools."
Edmondson, who is from Lawrence, joins pitcher Quentin Rials and outfielder Nick Wood on Baker's squad, both of whom are also from Lawrence. The three will have a reunion of sorts as they will play against a former high school teammate. Kansas catch Shane Wedd.
Edmondson said. "Everyone wants to go D-I out of high school, and this serves as a measuring stick where we can really prove ourselves."
Although Kansas' early opponents have been nationally ranked and displayed explosive offenses, Ryan Klocksien, Shorewood, Minn., freshman said the team was not approaching the game against the NAIA opponent any differently.
"You have to play them all the same, whether it's LSU or Lawrence High," Klocksien.said.
Klocksien, primarily a pitcher, showed
his versatility in Lubbock as he pitched, pinch hit and was the designated hitter.
"I feel it's important to be an all-around player," Klocksien said. "I think that's what helps the team the most."
This year against Baker, Kansas will have to play a better game than last year.
Last year, Baker won the second of two seven-inning games, 9-8. Loe said the win was the high point of Baker's season.
Randall said that although Baker deserved to win last year, his team would be ready for the Wildcats this year.
"We have a lot to gain every time we walk on the field," Randall said. "We want to worry about the way we're winning instead of being afraid to lose."
After tonight's doubleheader, the Hawks' next action will come Friday as they entertain the Texas Longhorns in a weekend series.
— Edited by Duane Wagler
Kansas forward Nakia Sanford reacts to a call by the officials during Saturday's game against Kansas State. Sanford will try to lead the Jayhawks past Oklahoma State in tonight's Big 12 Tournament game. Photo by Augustus Anthony Piazza/Kansas
Big 12 women bask in glow of year
Jayhawks to face Cowgirls in conference tournament
By Matt James Kansan sportswriter
In a successful season for the Big 12 women's basketball teams, Kansas looks to extend its success against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament at 8:35 p.m. today at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
In only the third season of existence, the Big 12 posted a 94-36 record against non-conference opponents, and no team posted a losing record in those games. Only Texas A&M came close at 5-5.
The strong early records were not inflated by poor competition, either. In fact, all but two Big 12 teams played at least one ranked team before conference play began.
With nearly every team riding a wave of momentum into January something had to
Nebraska roared into conference play at 11-2, ranked in the Associated Press Top 20, and appeared to be headed for an easy NCAA tournament bid. The Cornhuskers, however, were softened in the meat grinder that has become the Big 12 road schedule, and limped into this week's tournament with a 19-10 overall record, needing a good showing to guarantee an NCAA birth. Nebraska did win three of its last four but managed only two conference road wins, against conference cellar dwellers Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.
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give, and the teams whose waves crashed came as a surprise to many.
Coach Marian Washington said she thought the Cowgirls looked as if they were going to be a tough team before they began Big 12 play.
"Before conference play started, I thought Oklahoma State was one of those teams," she said. "And then they get into the conference race, and everybody's playing so well."
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