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Volume 126 Issue 81
kansan.com
Thursday. February 20, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY GANSAN
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Kansas still experiencing growing pains
Every time it looks like Kansas basketball has shed its inexperience and looks like it's finally playing up to its talent level, it reminds us the growing process isn't over.
the last three games were the latest reminder. Kansas lost to Kansas State, thrashed TCU, and snuck a last-second win at Texas Tech. The TCU thrashing was a tale of two halves. And Kansas fans felt the early-signs of a heart-attack against Texas Tech before Andrew Wiggins' game-winning layup.
Its not that Kansas isn't talented.It's the consistent struggle of inconsistently winning the little battles.
Kansas' 3-point defense allowed its last three opponents to shoot 51 percent (19-37). The team commits turnovers at a shocking rate, ranking 268 of 345 teams in division one at 13.3 per game. And its painful free-throw displays haven't improved.
Yet, in spite of its glaring flaws, Kansas continues winning in the competitive Big 12. The last three games are the strongest proof of this point. There's not a lot of shame losing away to K-State, who is undefeated at home in the Big 12. Texas Tech, despite its record, is the most underrated team in the conference. Tech's coach Tubby Smith showed fans that he's still a master tactician by holding Kansas' offense to 15 points less than its season average.
There are a lot of frustrating moments with this batch of mostly freshmen, but Kansas is still a top-10 team. Not to mention yet another conference title is certain if it beats Texas on Saturday.
Kansas offense, despite the turnovers and free throws, is one of the nation's best. Its defense, at times lackadaisical efforts and high foul counts, has shown the potential to be lockdown.
The reminders of Kansas' growing pains have become less frequent compared to the beginning of the season, but they're not going away anytime soon. After all, this is a team with three freshmen in its starting lineup.
Kansas has five regular season games and the Big 12 tournament before the March Madness tournament. There's no learning from growing pains in March. The tournament's one-and-done format is a scary thought with this team.
Even the elder statesmen of Kansas are prone to these inconsistencies. Sophomore forward Perry Ellis' four points against Texas Tech after 32 against TCU. Junior guard Naadir Tharpe followed up his 10 assists against Kansas State with decidedly "meh" performances against TCU and Texas Tech. Senior forward Tarik Black's inability to earn consistent floor-time.
Kansas has until then to figure out its inconsistencies on offense and defense. If not, fans will see flashbacks of Self's most talented Kansas teams losing early in March. But, if the inconsistencies are solved, flashbacks of 2008's championship season will be impossible to avoid.
Edited by Julie Etzler
BASEBALL
Jayhawks take on 4 teams in Florida
K. SHANE JACKSON
Junior second baseman Justin Protocio throws to first for the double play on March 16,2013, against Wichita State. Kansas plays this weekend in the Snowbird Classic in Florida.
sports@kansan.com
The Kansas Jayhawks (4-0), coming off their sweep of Brigham Young University, head down to Port Charlotte, Fla., where they will face four teams in four days. The Jayhawks, fresh off their sweep, come in with a bit more confidence heading into the Snowbird Classic.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Wes Benjamin is in the process of proving himself as a legitimate Friday starter. He went the length pitching seven innings, getting four batters to
"Everything came together," said shortstop Justin Protacio, who knows the importance of starting off strong. "We swung the bat well, played good defense. Our pitching was outstanding; I couldn't imagine a better start."
"Northwestern was very competitive against USC," said coach Ritch Price. "They pitched great. It's always been their strength and their best guy is going up against Benjamin. It should be a good matchup."
The Jayhawks tee things off bright and early at 9:30 a.m. on Friday where they will take on the Northwestern Wildcats (0-3). On the mound for the Wildcats is Brandon Magallones, who is fresh off his six-strikeout, six-inning performance against Southern California last weekend.
"He grinded through seven innings," Price said. "He didn't have a really good command, but the great thing he did was able to get guys out and stop the bleeding, which is what all great pitchers do."
On Saturday, the Jayhawks get an early start facing Wisconsin-Milwaukee (0-3) who are still looking for that first win. The Panthers will likely throw Brian Keller on the mound. He was tossed around, allowing eight hits and four runs in just five innings.
whiff at the plate, to earn his first win of the year.
Price will put Robert Kahana on the hill. The right-handed junior was extraordinary in his first start, pitching seven shutout innings against the Cougars, picking up his first win as well.
"Kahana was special, his command was outstanding," Price said. "He's been our best guy. He was our best guy in the fall. It was really exciting to see him take that next step against a quality team."
In the third game of the Classic, the Jayhawks have a 1:30 p.m. first pitch on Sunday, against Mississippi Valley State. Frank Duncan will be put on the mound. The right-handed senior tossed 6.2 innings in his 2014 debut, allowing 12 hits and seven runs.
"I had a hard time fielding my position," Duncan said. "I
ended up beating myself. Give BYU credit, they were a real aggressive team and put some swings on some balls."
If the lajayhawks want to return home undefeated, they are going to need continued contribution from their lineup. Center fielder Connor McKay, had a memorable weekend knocking in seven RBIs, from two home runs for a .267 average to lead the way.
"He is blessed with some
incredible bat speed," Protacio said. "If you watched him in batting practice every day, he puts on a show."
Catcher Ka'iana Eldredge is off to a stellar senior campaign, batting a team leading .417 average to pair with his three RBIs. Freshman third baseman Aaron Hernandez is off to a 400 start with five RBIs to earn his Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors.
The final game of the classic
is a 10 a.m. first pitch against St. Bonaventure, who have yet to play a game. The Bonnies were picked to finished 12th in the Atlantic 10 after finishing 20-28 in 2013.
"We have to play better than we played last weekend in Arizona." Price said. "It was a great start, if we want to prepare us to play in the Big 12 conference, we have to get better every weekend."
- Edited by Katie Gilbaugh
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Kansas works to improve Big 12 status
AMIE JUST/KANSAN
Senior CeCe Harper shoots a 3-pointer during Kansas' victory against TCU on Feb. 12. Harper scored 9 points and had 8 assists.
Their three losses over the past two weeks have quelled any talks of a late-season run at the NCAA tournament. The only scenario where Kansas can advance to the big dance is by piecing together a run to win the conference tournament. The groundwork must begin now.
The Kansas women's basketball team will look to recover from its narrow loss to Iowa State as the team takes on Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., this Saturday. Both teams enter the contest having dropped three of their last four and in desperate need of a run before the Big 12 Tournament.
The Jayhawks (12-14, 5-9 Big 12) have struggled finding their identity during arguably the most vital stretch of their conference schedule. Against the Cyclones, they let a crucial, would-be win slip from their grasp in the game's final minutes.
KYLE PAPPAS
Look for junior forward Chelsea Gardner to continue to be the focal point of both the Jayhawks' offense and defense against the Sooners (15-11, 6-7 Big 12). She's been an absolute terror this year, notching double-digit points in her last 11 games while leading the Big 12 with 11 double-doubles.
She's atop the conference in defensive rebounds and sits six in blocked shots as the anchor of Kansas' post defense. Coach Bonnie Henrickson will certainly be intent on keeping Gardner out of foul trouble, which limited her minutes in the Jayhawks' 81-71 loss last time these two met on Feb. 9.
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Oklahoma may be without its top scorer in senior guard Aaryn Ellenberg, who left
the team's last game in the second half after finding herself on the wrong end of a hard screen. Ellenberg is third in the Big 12 with 18 ppg and lit up the Jayhawks for 17 second-half points in Allen Fieldhouse two weeks ago.
Though even without its star, the Sooners' offense is still one of the conference's best. They're first in terms of field-goal percentage at just under 45 percent and possess the second-most potent scoring offense. Additionally, they've elapsed the 70-point mark in five of their last eight contests; the Jayhawks have had five such games in all of Big 12 play.
Still, Saturday's game will come down to how well Kansas can defend the 3-point shot and whether or not Gardner can produce.
Oklahoma went 7-15 from behind the arc the teams' first meeting, seemingly sinking a three every time the Jayhawks began a run. Expect junior guard Natalie Knight and senior guard CeCe Harper to play tighter perimeter defense this time to avoid a repeat.
Kansas must do a better job of creating open looks for Gardner in the post as well. Sooners' senior center Nicole Griffin absolutely stifled the junior forward last time out, holding her without a single field goal in the first half. Gardner was virtually a nonfactor before fouling out in the game's final minute.
With an at-large tournament bid likely out of the picture, look for Kansas to simply try to improve certain aspects of its game prior to the Big 12 Tournament.
The two teams meet at 7 p.m. in the Lloyd Noble Center.
Edited by Brook Barnes
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