12.2005
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2005
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 7B
daily
ded.
urs:
5pm
Kansas State has incentive tonight
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Recent successes improve NIT chances; defeating Kansas would help even more
BY KELLY ROBINET
krobinet@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
Kansas State will enter tonight's match-up with Kansas, at 8 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse, with plenty to play for.
After defeating the Bears and the Buffaloes last week, the Wildcats improved their record to 15-9 overall, 5-9 in the Big 12 Conference, and are in the mix for an NIT bid.
Kansas State hasn't made a postseason appearance since 1999, when the team went to the NIT. With history as an indicator, a strong finish would propel Kansas State into the NIT.
Since the Big 12 was formed, only one team — Baylor in 1999 — has been denied a postseason appearance after finishing with a winning record and at least six conference victories.
"This is a big week for us," Kansas State coach Jim Wooldridge said. "We really need to strive for more success, and then we'll see where we are at the end of it."
Kansas State struggled through the middle of the conference season, but a recent switch to a smaller lineup has helped right the ship.
In addition to its two straight victories, Kansas State gave Oklahoma all it could handle before losing by a point, on a last-second shot.
"We put that lineup in three games ago," Wooldridge said. "We beat Baylor with that lineup and went on the road and beat Colorado with that lineup. We do give up some size, but that hasn't been a big factor for this team this year. I think it's provided us with our best chance to win."
ly and have become solid complimentary players to senior forward Jeremiah Massey.
Sophomore guards Fred Peete and Lance Harris have excelled from the perimeter late-
Massey, who was last year's Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, scored 20 points against Kansas earlier this year, and is being considered for first-team All Big 12 honors.
Kansan file photo
"He is right there and I think certainly deserves consideration," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "When you look at his numbers and how he carries a team, how the team is centered on him and defenses are designed to stop him first, I certainly think he deserves plenty of recognition for that."
Massey averages nearly 18 points and seven rebounds a contest, and is coming off a monster game at Colorado, in which he scored 28 points and pulled down 19 rebounds.
Junior forward Christian Moody guarded Massey in their first meeting, but he picked up two quick fouls, and freshman forward Sasha Kaun was on him for most of the game.
Jeremiah Massey, Kansas State senior forward, appeals a call during the game at Bramlage Collison on Feb. 9. The Wildcats take on the lajwahves at 8 tonight for senior night at Allen Fieldhouse.
"I never really got the chance to guard him because he got me in that kind of foul trouble." Moody said. "Hopefully that won't happen again, but if I do Sasha did a good job last time and I'm sure him and the other big guys will be ready to step in."
Self said he would again give Massey's defensive assignment to Moody, but he may also mix it up to combat K-State's smaller lineup.
Moody said he was looking forward to playing against Massey again, but he is hardly going to be the focus of the Kansas defense.
"He's a great player, but they've got great outside shooting and their other big guys can step up." Moody said. "We've got to focus on them as a team."
EXPECTED STARTERS
Edited by John Scheirman
All four Kansas seniors will start alongside junior Christian Moody tonight. Moody will be assigned to defend Kansas State senior forward Jeremiah Massey, coach Bill Self said, but the match-ups may change when the Wildcats switch to a smaller lineup. The game will tip off at 8 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse.
KANSAS (21-4, 11-3 BIG 12)
Aaron Miles G
Keith Langford G
Mike Lee G
Wayne Simien F
Christian Moody F
Position KANSAS STATE (15-9, 5-9 BIG 12)
Fred Peete
Clent Stewart
Lance Harris
Cartier Martin
Jeremiah Massey
Hall
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
Kansas out-shot the best shooting team in the conference on Sunday, shooting 66 percent from the field. Oklahoma State shot an impressive 58 percent from the field, thanks to senior guard John Lucas' 9-of-11 performance. But it wasn't enough to beat Kansas.
Although Kansas is not a team that will run teams out of the gym like Roy Williams' teams could, Self has instilled a special kind of toughness into his players. This team can win when the game is on the line, and when tournament time comes around in mid-March, the teams that can win the close games will be standing in the very end.
Tonight the stage is set for an emotional Senior Night in Allen Fieldhouse, as the Jayhawks will face their instate rival, the Kansas State Wildcats. Kansas is coming off of an emotional victory that gave it the conference lead, and avoided its first four-game losing streak since the 1988-89 season, Roy Williams' first season as coach.
"I think as far as winning, this senior class is going to have to go down as good a senior class to ever play here." Self said.
It's been a privilege to watch Mike Lee, Aaron Miles, Keith Langford and Wayne Simien play these last four years.
Thank you, seniors, for all the memories.
Tonight's game will mark the end of an era, an era that has proven that something is still right with college basketball. It isn't often in today's game that four players as good as Kansas' seniors stay for four years. Coach Self said that although these four players have put up incredible numbers during their time, they should be remembered for something else.
- Hall is an Ogden, Utah, junior in journalism.
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Love always, God
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Stop by Wescoe or the Kansas Union between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.each day this week to celebrate march madness! Each day there will be different prizes to win!
Tuesday, March I Tradition Keeper Appreciation Day: Get spotted in your TK T-shirt and you might win!
Wednesday, March 2 Free food,prizes and much more! KU Senior Night and KU beats KSU!
Thursday, March 3 Sign the Good Luck Card for the Basketball Team located on Wescoe Beach
Friday, March 4 Sign the Good Luck Card for the Basketball Team located in the Kansas Union Both locations: KU trivia contest to win the ultimate Jayhawk fan prize!
Sunday, March 6 Go KU! Beat MU!