Tuesday, February 16, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section B· Page 3
Pride's Perspective
Pride discusses life in the spotlight
Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year Lynn Pride has lived up to billing, leading the 21st-ranked women's basketball team in points (18.1), rebounds (7.4), assists (2.8) and steals (2.6). Pride sat down with the Kansan's Mike Harrity Saturday shortly after recording her sixth double-double of the season (11 points and ten rebounds) in the 63-58 win against Nebraska at Allen Fieldhouse. The conversation ranged from high expectations to coach Marian Washington's 500th win, which could happen tonight against No. 19 Iowa State at 7:05 at Allen Fieldhouse. The following is from the interview:
I didn't really consider the expectations this year pressure. If I allowed that type of pressure to be upon me, then I would just be overwhelmed. I just knew that this year I really had to step up every game. I knew I had to be more of a leader vocally.
So as far as expectations, people saying Big 12 Player of the Year and all that, I didn't really get caught up in it at all. It's really great to be recognized, but I definitely didn't get caught up in it. More so, my eyes gleam up at Big 12 champions or something like that. The attention has taken some getting used to.
Like signing autographs. In high school, it was something
that you just sort of sat down and tripped off of. I'd sign blank pieces of paper with my name and try and get the best signature. And now to actually be there and have little girls look up to you and asking for your autograph. It doesn't bother me at all because it's great that they can have people they can look up to, and I just take advantage of it. It's a great moment.
The balance between school is hard. Going to class and then basketball gets tiring. A lot of times you have tests when you're on the road. But we try not to find any excuses. We don't want any leeway because we're athletes.
We really haven't focused too much on Coach's 500th win because she hasn't talked about it that much. But I think during the game, we'll all come together and say 'Look, let's do this for Coach.' And then everybody will click in and realize that we need to do this and will give it their all to get her the 500th win.
I don't know what it will be like after we win. We have to do something. Everybody will definitely congratulate her first. I think we'll just be so happy for her, we'll just give her a hug. We won't dump Gatorade on her or anything like that, not on her $500 suit. We can't do that, but we'll do something special.
Junior guard Lynn Pride cradles the ball as she walks back onto the court during a recent game. Pride has emerged as Kansas' leading scorer and a rising star in the Big 12. Photo by Graham K. Johnson/KANSAN
League title in reach for'Hawks
Continued from page 1B
right now," Fennelly said. "They've won six in a row, and obviously, they're very good at home. It's going to be a tremendous challenge for our team."
"The challenge with Iowa State is they have bona fide scorers." Washington said. "They have players on the perimeter that can really knock it down, so that's going to stretch our defense a bit."
Those outside threats are junior guard Stacy Freese and sophomore guard Megan Taylor, who are first and fourth in the Big 12 in three-point field goals per game respectively.
An offensive change for the Jayhawks since last month's game is that they no longer rely
Despite her team's improved play since the previous matchup, Washington remained cautious about calling her team the favorite in tonight's game.
on junior Lynn Pride to carry the load for Kansas. She led the team in scoring in all but three of its first 21 games, but Brooke Reves and a suddenly-resurgent Nakia Sanford have had team-high-scoring honors in the last four games.
"A mistake a lot of teams have made in the past is to look at Kansas and think that if you stop Lynn Pride then you win the game, and obviously, that's not the case." Fennelly said. "The other players have played well. Sanford has scored more. Reves gives me a dynamic offensive weapon and (Jennifer) Jackson always plays well against us."
The only area in which the Jayhawks have been lacking during their current six-game winning streak has been bench production, but Fennelle said bench scoring probably wouldn't have much of an impact on tonight's game.
"We're not the deepest team in America either," he said. "Bench scoring is an issue only if you don't have front-line players who can score. I don't think it's something that's critical to success, especially when you have a great starting five like they have."
What remains an issue, and at the forefront of her players' minds, is the possibility of Washington's historic win.
"I think it means a lot to us to get it for her," Reves said. "She definitely deserves it. It's going to be a big game for us because of that."
Fennelly said he realized the milestone victory would have on Kansas' play.
"I'm sure they're very motivated. They see the end of the season, and they're playing for a conference championship. I think playing for coach Washington's 500th win is just another thing to add to that."
The Starting Lineup
KANSAS
JAYHAWKS
9-3 Big 12, 19-6 overall
G LYNN PRIDE 6-2 JR.
G JENNIFER JACKSON 5-10 So.
F BROOKE REVES 6-0 So.
F JACLYN JOHNSON 6-1 So.
C NAKIA SANFORD 6-3 So.
IOWA STATE
IOWA STATE
CYCLONES
9-3 Big 12, 17-5 overall
Allen Fieldhouse • Lawrence 7:05
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