SPORTS
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2005
PAGE 1B
WWW.KANSAN.COM
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Opponent doesn't matter
Self: Either foe presents challenges
BY MIRANDA LENNING mlenning@kansan.com KANSAN SENIOR SPORTSWITER
The Kansas men's basketball team will pack up and board the bus to Kansas City, Mo., this afternoon with the goal of winning the Big 12 Conference Tournament.
But the Jayhawks' first opponent before cutting down the nets at Kemper Arena will be unknown until late tomorrow night. Kansas will face the winner of the Kansas State versus Texas A&M game, played at 6 tonight in Kemper Arena.
The jahawks have defeated both teams this year during the conference season — K-State twice. Kansas defeated both Texas A&M 65-60 and K-State 72-65 in Allen Fieldhouse. They also topped the Wildcats 74-65 in Manhattan.
Kansas coach Bill Self said he didn't prefer to play one team over the
other, but he said the two teams played different styles of basketball.
Texas A&M plays zone and forces teams to make shots to beat them, he said. Teams also really have to be able to handle K-State's pressure, he said.
"Both will be really good for us to play for preparation, but I think both teams match up and could give us problems," he said.
Self said he liked the idea of not having a lot of time to prepare for the team's opponent because it would be good preparation for next week's NCAA Tournament.
The Aggies could be playing for a NCAA Tournament bid. he said.
"A&M has a ton to play for," he said. "I think that two wins in the tourney, especially if one of them is against Kansas, would probably get them in the tournament."
Because of the in-state rivalry, Self said that K-State also would have plenty of motivation.
"Both will be really
If the Jayhawks face the Wildcats at 6 p.m. tomorrow, it would be the third time this season the two teams have faced each other. Kansas has beaten a team three times in one season before. Last year, it beat Missouri twice in the regular season and then again in the
Both will be really good for us to play for preparation, but I think both teams match up and could give us problems."
Bill Self
Kansas men's basketball coach
second round of the Big 12 Tournament.
The Aggies already have one victory against the Wildcats. They beat them 65-19 in College Station, Texas, on Jan. 22.
But Self said the opponent wasn't important. Playing well and securing a good NCAA Tournament seed was.
"My whole thing is, we better go play well, and if we play well, that will certainly enhance our chances of being a higher seed," Self said. "But if
SEE OPPONENT ON PAGE 4B
A significant weekend
For most players and coaches, conference tournaments are just a bridge from the regular season to the NCAA Tournament. But this season, the Jayhawks have a lot to gain — and lose — from the outcome of their Big 12 Tournament games. Here are three things that can be determined from this weekend's results:
Where the lavahaws will be seeded. If the Jayhawks get to the Big 12 Championship game, their chances of being rewarded with a No. 1 seed increase significantly. Although not guaranteed, it is likely that Kansas would have to beat Oklahoma State again on Saturday to play in Sunday's Big 12 Championship game. If that happens, it would impress the tournament selection committee when it makes the bracket on Sunday.
- The health of Keith Langford. It is likely that Langford won't see the court in any of the Jayhawks remaining Big 12 games. Earlier this week, Self said it was more likely that he wouldn't play unless he was at least 80 percent. Langford has been receiving treatment all week, but his status for the weekend is day-to-day. Don't be surprised if Langford sits out this weekend to get more healing time for next week's NCAA Tournament
The Jayhawks' momentum going into March Madness. The NCAA Tournament is all about hot teams. The one-loss-and-you're-out dynamics of the tournament favors teams that have momentum going into the tournament. After losing four of their last six regular-season games, the Jayhawks didn't finish the season with the amount of momentum that they would have liked. However, if they can put together a string of victories in the Big 12 Tournament, that could provide them with the necessary momentum to be successful in the NCAA Tournament.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Jayhawks looking ahead
Junior guard Erica Hallman looks for an open teammate while coach Bonnie Henrickson shouts from the sideline during Kansas' Big 12 Tournament matchup with Missouri Tuesday. The Jayhawks will rely on Hallman and junior forward Crystal Kemp next season to make their goal of playing in the postseason happen.
BY BJ RAINS
brains@kansan.com
KANANS SPORTSWITER
Rachel Seymour/KANSAN
Less than 48 hours after the Kansas women's basketball team's season-ending loss to Missouri in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, the Jayhawks' attention has already turned to next season.
After finishing eighth in the Big 12 Conference this season when coaches predicted them to finish 11th, the Jayhawks are optimistic that next season will be special for the women's basketball program.
The Jahawah will return the team members responsible for more than 80 percent of their scoring from this season and more than 82 percent of their rebounding. They return four starters and could benefit from a year in coach Bonnie Henrickson's system.
The optimism for next year's team is pinned on two players, junior forward Crystal Kemp and junior guard Erica Hallman. Kemp, who averaged 13.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game this season, will enter next season as one of the best senior post players in the Big 12 Conference. Hallman will return for her senior season after she averaged 13.1 points and a team high 5.1 assists per game this year.
"The fact that me and Erica will both be seniors is a big plus," Kemp said. "We know what to expect and how to lead the team. We have learned from other seniors that we have played with, and know what it takes to win."
Henrickson, The Kansas City Star's choice for Honorable Mention Big 12 Women's Coach of the Year, said she was pleased with the progress of her team this season, but she said team members needed to work hard in the offseason if they were going to compete next season.
"We're very proud, as a staff, of what our kids did this season," Henrickson said. "The growth we made this season was important for us. We understand as a group, though, that we need the same amount of growth next year that we had this year from the kids that are returning."
A key next season will be the addition of Henrickson's first recruiting class. Four new faces three freshmen and a junior college transfer — will join the women's team this summer and will do their part to help Kansas reach the post-season.
Jennifer Orgas, a 6-foot-2 forward from Omaha, Neb., was the first recruit to commit to Henrickson and her staff.
Orgas will provide some much-needed depth at the post position for Kansas. The Jayhawks had only four post players this season. A senior at Sccutt Catholic High School. Orgas averaged 13 points and seven rebounds per game as a junior last season.
"She believed in us right away," Henrickson said. "She will provide us with a strong body in the post with her tenacity and work ethic."
The other three signes are all guards, including Ivana Catic, a 5-foot-8 guard from Wheeling, W.V
Catic is originally from Zrenkanik, Serbia and Montenegro, and before arriving in the United States, she played for the Serbia and Montenegro Junior National and National teams.
"We're thrilled to have Ivana join our program," Henrickson said. "She brings enthusiasm and has a great personality. When she visited during Late Night and played with our kids, everyone told us that we needed her because she was a great leader. Her international experience will also be a huge asset."
The other two recruits are
Shaquina Mosley, a 5-foot-6 guard from Lancaster, Calif., and Sophronia Sallard, a 5-foot-10 guard/forward from Syracuse, N.Y. Mosley is transferring from Central Arizona College where she averaged 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists and led the Vaqueros to a 33-3 record during her freshman season.
The women's team is reflecting on a successful season and already looking toward next fall.
— Edited by Kim Sweet Rubenstein
EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
BILL CROSS
bcross@kansan.com
Keith Langford wants to play tomorrow.
Save it for the NCAA Tournament
"All the players want to play," Self said. "Especially if they are seniors facing the last few games of their careers."
But Self can't let his loyalty to Langford get in the way of logic. Langford should not, under any circumstances, play in this weekend's Big 12 Conference Tournament.
Coach Bill Self knows the senior guard wants to play and the decision he makes could determine which I-70 exit Langford spends Final Four weekend at.
Self knows this. He said Langford's outlook for tomorrow was "very doubtful."
If No. 9 Kansas wins the Big 12 Tournament — a goal that would likely involve defeating No. 10 Oklahoma State on Saturday and No. 17 Oklahoma on Sunday — it will probably be the fourth No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky, which will play this weekend in the weaker Southeastern Conference Tournament, will likely be the top No. 2 seed.
We saw on Sunday how inep the Jayhawks can be without Langford slashing to the basket. He needs to drive at full tilt during the NCAA Tournament and he can only do that with two strong ankles. He shouldn't risk that ability this weekend. The conference tournament simply doesn't matter enough.
If the Jayhawks lose tomorrow or Saturday, they will still have a chance to be the top No. 2 seed, with the Wildcats taking the last No. 1 seed. In reality, there is almost no difference between the fourth No. 1 seed and the first No. 2 seed.
The NCAA committee uses an S-curve to decide seedings. In other words, the top-ranked No. 1 seed will play the last-ranked No. 2 seed. The last-ranked No. 1 seed will play the top-ranked No. 2 seed. Kansas is likely to be opposite Kentucky regardless of this weekend's results. The path to that Elite Eight match-up will be a little tougher for the No. 2 seed. But it'll be much easier with Langford at 100 percent.
Of course, losing tomorrow would give the team its fifth loss in seven games — hardly the type of momentum a championship contender needs to make a six-game NCAA Tournament run. But if Langford plays this weekend, this队 will be the same as the one that dropped three straight last month, except the starting lineup will only have nine healthy ankles. Langford's absence is a chance for someone to fill Langford's ever-changing shoes and get much-needed playing time.
SEE ADVENTURE PAGE 4B
---