BASKETBALL Check kansan.com for basketball updates all weekend.
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2005
Large lineup to play Texas
Senior guard Aaron Miles and former Texas guard Brandon Mouton struggle for the ball during last year's contest. This year's rematch will be the focus of ESPN's College GameDay tomorrow night in Allen Fieldhouse.
www.kansan.com
Kansan file photo
BY MIRANDA LENNING
mlenning@kansan.com
KANSAN SENIOR SWITTERWIT
J. R. Giddens on his memories about Texas: "Oh, they are not good memories, man," the sophomore guard laughed.
The Jajhwaks suffered a pair of losses to the Longhorns last year during his freshman season—including an 82-67 loss in Austin, Kansas' largest loss ever against Texas, and a 64-60 defeat in the semifinal round of the Big 12 tournament.
Kansas coach Bill Self has had even less success against Texas. He is 0-4, but he swears it's not that bad.
"One was when I was coaching at Oral Roberts," Self said. "That doesn't count."
Tomorrow's game pitting the Jayhawks against the Longhorns will count, and it'll be played under a microscope. ESPN's College GameDay will be in the house, along with ESPN's morning show, Cold Pizza, as well as Dick Vitale. That means for the next couple of days people will be talking about the Jayhawks — lot.
"You get 10 hours of free exposure," Self said. "It is great exposure for the team and for Kansas."
Self said he was a little concerned about the effect this extra hype would have on the players, but he just might have the solution.
"Maybe we could fix it so they can't watch TV and just play Playstation all day." Self said.
SEE BASKETBALL ON PAGE 8B
Defense crucial to season rally Women look forward to tough match-up against Nebraska
BY PAUL BRAND
pbrand@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTSWRIETER
The Kansas women's basketball team has shaken its woes by producing two narrow conference victories, including the team's first Big 12 road victory.
Since adding wins to its tally, the Jayhawks are much more comfortable with the prospect of traveling to Nebraska on Saturday.
Second-half pushes during the Missouri and Colorado games placed the Jayhawks, 9-8 (2-4 Big 12), in the win column and should help revive the team's season.
"I think it's obviously good for us being able to win down the stretch," coach Bonnie Henrickson said.
In the 65-60 victory at Colorado, Kansas hit key shots late in the game both from the field and at the free-throw line.
Junior forward Crystal Kemp and junior guard Erica Hallman have carried a lot of the burden.
"A lot of burden rests on returning players late in the game," Henrickson said.
Late-game heroes and seasoned players are the indispensable elements to the team's comeback, Henrickson said.
Kemp, who posted a monstrous 15 rebounds and 15 points against Colorado, stepped outside and nailed two baseline jumpers late in the contest to land the victory. Hitting both free throws down the stretch, Kemp proved again that she could help carry Kansas in critical moments of the game.
On the perimeter, Hallman's shooting ability has convinced Henrickson that she can also perform in key situations.
"I feel confident that Erica will knock them down," Hendrickson said.
But, it is not only the upperclassmen who have come through for the Javhawks.
At Colorado, sophomore guard Sharita Smith posted what could be a breakout performance on both the
“
feel confident that Erica will knock them down."
Bonnie Henrickson Women's basketball coach
offensive and defensive ends.
Smith scored eight points off the bench, a tremendous improvement over her season average of 2.1. She made both of her three-point shots and gave the Jayhawks another outside threat.
"There were a couple of shots that she wasn't happy about," Henrickson said. "But her energy level on defense was great."
The Jayhawks have been consistent on defense throughout the first-half. However, offense troubles throughout the season have wasted some solid performances on the defensive end.
Such was not the case against the Buffaloes, but the Jayhawks will have their hands full against the Cornhuskers. 11-7 (3-3).
For the Huskers, sophomore Kiera Hardy will present the Jayhawks with a challenge on defense.
"She's a bit of a match-up issue," Henrickson said. "We can't shut her down, but we will try to slow her down."
The reeling Huskers, who have lost three straight, present another opportunity for the Jayhawks to steal another road victory.
The game against Nebraska tips off at 7 p.m.
Michaels update
Former volleyball player Ashley Michaels has been practicing on a regular basis with the team. However, she remains on a trial period. Henrickson said a decision concerning Michaels' future with the basketball program would be delivered soon.
"Ashley and I had a conversation," Henrickson said. "We both want the same things."
— Edited by Lisa Coble-Krings
Larisa Graves, senior guard, takes a shot during last year's home game against Nebraska. The women's basketball team will travel to Lincoln, Neb., Saturday night to battle the Cornhuskers.
SPORTS COMMENTARY
JOE BANT
ibant@kansan.com
Waterski club rocks despite landlock
Most people probably don't think water skiing when they think Kansas.
Wheat fields and college hoops, yes. Horizons that seem to stretch into forever, yes. Big farms and small towns, yes. But water skiing, no.
There's no ocean in Kansas, and there aren't many impressive lakes. The biggest body of water the Sunflower State can claim is Milford Reservoir, northwest of Junction City — not a pond at 16,020 acres, but not exactly the aquatic sports capital of the Midwest, either.
And yet, at the University of Kansas, experts are in our midst. Not just experts, but champions, or near-champions, anyway. The Kansas water ski club team took second in its region in the fall and finished seventh in the country, including a second-place finish by the women. The team members beat out most of their fellow Midwestern states and put on a performance that rivaled those of waterproud universities in the East and West.
Eat that. coastal communities!
Amy Bing, Wichita junior and the club's president, couldn't count how many members the club had because new faces frequently show up at the private lake off K-10 where the group practices. Some, like Bing, are experts who've been skiing almost as long as they've been walking. Others have never put on a pair of skis and just want a taste of what it's like. She said there were about 15 students who regularly traveled and competed.
Those 15 are resting now — hibernating, if you will — until the cold Kansas winter gives way to spring and the ice melts off the lakes for good. But they're already thinking about next season and fundraising to ensure there will be a next season for many years to come. They always have water skiing on the brain. It's their drug of choice, their friendly addiction, and if not for the hypothermic cold, they'd be out here now in wet suits and goggles getting their fix.
Club member Brian Gibson started water skiing when he was a little kid, first being tugged around in the family pool by his dad, then doing it for real in the very un-pool-like confines of Missouri's Table Rock Lake.
Gibson, Springfield, Mo., senior, competes now in jump, slalom and trick all three of the categories of water ski competition.
"The biggest adrenaline rush is jumping," Gibson said. "Once you hit, most people are instantly addicted."
SEE COLUMN ON PAGE 8B
Women's tennis serves up a young roster
BY RAHUL SHARMA
rsharma@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTSWRIVER
Editor's note: With the spring tennis season under way, Kansan sportswriter Rahul Sharma will preview each team in the Big 12 Conference this week. This is part four of the four-part series
The 2005 Kansas Jayhawks women's tennis program, once a force in the Big 12
Kansas
Conference, is looking to return to the same level that won it conference championships in 1997 and 1998.
The team has changed since then
but second-year coach Amy Hall-Holt said she was excited about this year's team.
Hall-Holt served as an assistant with the team before picking up the coaching iob.
"Even though we are a young team, I see a lot of potential in them to help us win a lot of matches and become a great team." Hall-Holt said.
Arguably the top player entering this season for Kansas, Skoda is an experienced player who is coming off a disappointing fall season.
"She knows she has a hard role to play of playing in the top position." Hall-Holt said. "She knows she needs to step up and lead this team."
Skoda will be looked upon to embrace the leadership role in 2005.
SKODA
Junior Luiza Louireiro has vastly improved her level of fitness from a season ago. Hall-Holt said. The native of Brasilia, Brazil, who is one of only two juniors on the young roster, will have to contribute in both the singles and doubles.
Sophomores Brittany Brown and Ashley Filberth possess the understanding of what it takes to compete in a demanding conference such as the Big 12.
Four freshmen — Anna Jackson, Stephanie Smith, Lauren Hommell and Elizaveta Avdeeva — make up the bulk of the lineup. Lauren Hommell endured
It will be important for the Jayhawks to stay consistent this season.
"She is going to help us in a big way," the coach said.
a competitive fall season, earning victories in her first three singles matches. Smith is a tough competitor who is consistently working her way up the lineup, Hall-Holt said. Jackson was limited because of an injury much of the fall season.
The new name to watch is Elizaveta Avdeeva, Hall-Holt said the Russian prospect was a very talented player.
"Our goal for this season is to be more competitive in the Big 12," Hall-Holt said. "We have tried to express to the players how important it is to compete for every point and give 110 percent in practice and match play."
One name to keep in mind will be assistant coach Frank Polito. Hired as an assistant to Hall-Holt's staff last July, Polito provides valuable experience as a coach. His expertise added to Hall-Holt's, may be the catalyst to the ongoing development of one of the youngest squad's in the Big 12.
Kansas State
The Kansas State Wildcats want to use this season to improve last year's disappointing 11thplace finish.
SEE TENNIS ON PAGE 8B
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