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Page 12 University Daily Kansan, February 2b, 1901
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KU could grab share of lead
By TRACEE HAMILTON Associate Sports Editor
The Virginia basketball team could play a pick-up game against Oregon State tonight at a vacant court in Lawrence and one around town would know—or care.
The Kansas Jayhawks, firmly embroiled in a conference title battle, will face the Nebraska Cornhushers at Allen Field House at 7:35 p.m. tonight, and when fans' attention veer away from that game, they will look toward the other Big Eight contests.
IN THE FIRST meeting between the two teams, KU lost 57-54 in the Bob Devany Sports Center Arena, where the Jayhawks have yet to win. But the mood will be different tonight in Allen Field House with a capacity crowd screaming to see Husker-red blood spilled.
The Jayhawks will be minus some muscle under the boards tonight. Victor Mitchell, 6-foot-9 junior center, has a knee injury and Head Coach Ted Owens said he doubted that Mitchell would start. John Crawford, 6-foot-7 senior forward, would start in his place.
The loss of Mitchell add to the pressure already felt by the team—the must-win feeling.
"The situation tells us plainly that we have to win," Owens said. "We need the home court (in the Big Eight tournament). But it is a positive pressure. It's evident what we have to do."
OWENS SAID the team was disappointed by Saturday's loss to Colorado, 53-50.
"We were in control of our destiny has we won," he said. "But the race will be to wire."
That race also has changed one adage—it's not only who wins and how they play the game that counts, it's also who else wins and over who and what. Game. Sound confusing? That's because it is.
And the confusion may not end until late Saturday night, when all the conference teams will be calling for a game.
"The situation tells us plainly that we have to win. But it is a positive pressure." --Ted Owens
cleared and a winner—or winners—has been found.
Nebraska is knotted with Kansas State and Missouri in first place. KU and Oklahoma State are tied in fourth place with 7-4 marks. Two players from each team are followed by Oklahoma, B4 and Iowa State 1-11.
Missouri goes west to face the Buffaloes in Boulder. Colorado, though not in the race, has helped liven the competition by knocking off Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, Iowa State and KU at home.
THE CYCLONES should be pitted not only because of their record, but because they have to play the Wildcats in Aarhart Field House tonight. They have a little trouble holding on to its share of the领
The other conference game, an in-state deal between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, may be more significant than it seems. If Oklahoma can have the winning record, it would initially be narrowed to a four team field.
However, the key to the conference race could be the Colorado-Missouri match-up. Colorado, fresh from a victory over the Jayhawks, could best Missouri. If that happens, K-State, which is Iowa State, would be in sole possession of the game. Nebraska and KU would be milling around in second place, with the possible company of the Cowboys.
BUT EVER IF Missouri beats the Buffs, the stage is set for a confrontation in Columbia that would pale the rest of the race. Missouri will meet K-State Saturday, and both teams could go into that game deadlocked in first place. The winner would, naturally, win the conference and three teams—the loser of the MU-KState game, KU and Nebraska—would fall into second place.
The only way KU can grab a share of the crown would be for K-State to lose to Iowa State tonight and Missouri to lose to Colorado, also tonight. But as long as the Jawahres can win at home, they will have four and therefore get the home court beth for the first round of the Big Eight Championships.
Wait, though, if the records are refigured and KU is given a loss in Allen Field House, then must a variable be added, like the K-State team or the Gators, to put away the slide rules. It will all be over soon.
DAVE KRAUS/Kansen stal
TEAM WON LOST PERCENTAGE
Kansas State 8 8 4 667
Michigan State 8 4 5 667
Nebraska 8 4 5 667
Kansas 8 4 5 368
Oklahoma State 7 8 493
Colorado 5 7 8 417
Illinois 5 7 8 231
Iowa State 1 1 883
KU's Tracy Claxton defends against Creighton's Cindy Isenhart in a game earlier this season.
Big Eight Standings
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Touight Iowa State at Kansas State Missouri at Colorado Nebraska and Kansas
Saturdays
Kansas at Iowa State
Kansas at Missouri
Okahama at Kansas
Okahama at Nebraska
DAVE KRAUS/KASSEN staff
DAVE KRAUSKINS*skinnest*
David Magley and John Crawford battle Iowa State's Robert Estes for a rebound earlier this season.
The Jayhaws will face Nebraska at 7:35 on Allen Field House.
Women to face Gophers in final game
Sports Writer
BvSANDY CLARK
Even before KU's basketball season began in November, Head Coach Marian Washington was predicting that this year's team could be her best ever.
The Jayhawks, currently boasting a 22-4 record and ranked third in the nation, have turned that pre-season prediction into a reality.
KU WILL TRY to end its regular season on a winning note as it meets the 15th-ranked Minnesota Gophers tonight at 5:15 in Alien Field House.
Though talent and unity are often incompatible, the Jayhawks have made that distinction. The Jayhawks have made that distinction.
"This has been our most successful year because I've had a very unselfish group," Washington said. "Being ranked so high and having such good talent, that is something you always have to be concerned with. The kids have really played as a team."
While speaking of keys to a successful season, Washington is also quick to mention the leadership of Lynette Woodard and Shebra Legrant, the only seniors on the team.
BOTH HAVE filled that leadership role in different ways.
"Shebra and Lynette have been very important to us this year," Washington said. "They've kept the young players thinking in the right direction.
Legrant, with her open show of enthusiasm, can always be counted on to keep the team loose. Washington said, her boisterous shouts during a game don't have been unparalleled in Allen Field House.
"SHEBRA'S ENTHUSIASM is apparent and you can't help but to catch up in it." Lynette's impact is felt in a different way. Once she's in the game, she ignites the team."
Tonight when the Jayhawks take on Minnesota, Woodard and Legrant will be making their final regular-season appearance in Allen Field House.
"The key to the game will be controlling the boards and keeping a hand in the face of their outside shooters."
Woodard's impact is most obvious on the scoreboard. Her record speaks for itself.
—Marian Washington
The Gophers hold a 24-4 record and are currently on a 12-game winning streak.
They are characterized as a running team, but Washington is more concerned with their outside absences.
"Minnesota is a tough team to pin down," Washington said. "I've been told that they're a running game, but their strength is their outside game. The key to the game will be controlling the boards and keeping a hand in the face of their outside shooters."
THE GOPHERS rely primarily on 5-foot-10 sophomore Debbie Hunter, who leads the team with a 12.7 a game scoring average, and 6-foot
senior Linda Roberts, the team's leading rebounder, averaging 10.4 rebounds a game.
Minnesota Head Coach Ellen Mosher said her team would take a wait-and-see strategy against
"We haven't seen Kansas play this year so we'll just see what happens," Mosher said. "We're looking at this game as a real exciting challenge. We've got nothing to lose at all. We have a lot of respect for Kansas, but we also have a lot of confidence in ourselves."
The game has a little added significance for Washington and Mosher since they were roommates for three years while playing on the U.S. women's national basketball team from 1969 to 1971.
Mosher's team has never beaten KU while Washington has been coaching.
"WE BOTH HAVE a lot of respect for each other," Washington said. "I'm pleased when her team is doing well and I'm sure she's pleased when my team is doing well. She's yet to beat me, but I'm sure she's even more anxious to have her team beat a good Kansas team."
PROBABLE STARTERS
Kansas (22-4)
Lyndon Woodruff 6-0, Gr F
Franck Grippo 7-1, Gr F
Megan Scott 6-2, Gr F
Tracy Clinton 6-0, Gr F
Minnesota (24-4)
Bobbie Hunter 5-10, Gr F
Debbie Hunt 5-10, Gr F
Mary Dahlen 6-11, Jr
Mary Manederfeld 6-11, Jr
Tracy Clinton 6-0, Gr F
TONIGHT IS PITCHER NIGHT at THE HAWK
JAYHAWK NOTES: KU Head Coach Marlan Washington has been nominated for Division I Coach of the Year. The award will be presented in a Institutional Tournament at Eugene, ore., in March.
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