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Volume 128 Issue 97
kansan.com
Thursday, March 26, 2015
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY & ANSWER
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COMMENTARY
Despite the loss Kansas' future bright as ever
For one of college basketball's bluebloods, two straight years of
two-straight years of losing in the NCAA Tournament's Round of 32 is certainly a tough pill to swallow. However, for Kansas, the promise of a bright future combined with past successes leaves reasons for hope.
Start with the returning players. Next year, Kansas will return a loaded backcourt, featuring Frank Mason III and Devonte' Graham. While in previous years point guard has been the biggest question mark for the Jayhawks, that certainly isn't the case now.
Wayne Selden Jr. should also leave his impact on the team next year, despite his NCAA Tournament shortcomings. As a junior, he'll look to take on a greater leadership position.
Meanwhile, for the big men a couple months off may just be best for everyone. They ended the year either banged up or off the court entirely due to NCAA reasons, but at full strength, Kansas' frontline should again impose a significant threat, especially with Top 25 recruit Carlton Bragg joining the squad.
With strong upcoming talent at positions 1-2 and 4-5, the focus shifts to Kansas small forward Kelly Oubre Jr., who is projected to go pretty high in the upcoming NBA draft. At the moment, ESPN's Chad Ford has Oubre ranked as the No. 11 prospect, but there's no guarantee that Oubre is going to leave.
Should Oubre return, the Jayhawks would likely be the favorites to win a Big 12 regular season title for the 12th consecutive year. However, if he does decide to move on, Kansas is not at all without a backup plan.
The Jayhawks are among the finalists for two top four recruits in Jaylen Brown and Malik Newman, both of whom play on the wing. While Newman is a little smaller than a prototypical small forward, at just 6-foot-3, Kansas can always opt to play small if need be.
Currently, Kansas remains the third or fourth most likely destination for each player, but should Oubre declare for the draft, one would have to expect those numbers to change. After all, Kansas does have a bit of recent history on its side in bringing top ranked wings to Lawrence.
Even before Oubre and Selden, Kansas has nabbed several top shooting guard and small forward recruits. Dating back to 2009, the program has managed to sign prospects in Andrew Wiggins, Xavier Henry and Josh Selby, all of which were listed as top-5 recruits in the ESPN100.
If the Jayhawks lose Oubre and end up with a top wing, the program will thrive, and if instead of a wing, they add a top big man in Stephen Zimmerman or Thon Maker, it may even make them better.
— Edited by Laura Kubicki
Jayhawks begin conference season
EVAN RIGGS
Outfieldier Joven Afenir slams a basehit, Kansas beat Utah 7-5 on March 6. The Jayhawks travel to Lubbock, Texas, to take on Texas Tech this weekend.
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FRANK WFIRICH/KANSAN
The Jayhawks (9-15) will travel to Lubbock, Texas this weekend to face off with the Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-9) to open Big 12 Conference play.
Texas Tech dropped out of the Top 25 last week and are currently fourth in the preseason Big 12 coaches poll, so they will present a big challenge for Kansas.
The Jayhawks lost the last game before conference play to Missouri State (14-7) in Springfield, Mo., 15-9 on Tuesday night. The bats were not the problem for the Jayhawks, as they managed 12 hits. Pitching was a different story — the Jayhawks surrendered 16 hits.
The Jayhawks still had plenty of chances to win the game, but failed to follow through with many of them. They left 14 runners on base, which is an issue they will need to clean up in order to perform better in the Big 12, where they were seventh in the preseason Coaches Poll.
being 13-3. The Jayhawks, on the other hand, have struggled with a 1-5 record on the road. They began their conference campaign last weekend with a three-game series in Norman, Okla., against the
Texas Tech's lineup features a lot of firepower, with seven guys who have more than 10 RBIs. The biggest threat from the plate is Tyler Neslony,
The Red Raiders have had a good season so far at 16-9, and an even better season in Lubbock with their record
The layhawks have had their share of close losses this season, with three of them resulting in a loss by two runs. Kansas also played away for their first 13 games of the season, which puts them at a slight disadvantage.
Sooners, who won two out of three games.
with four home runs and 16 RBIs this season.
The Jayhawk batters will also face a stiff test, with six Red Raider starting pitchers who have up to 4.03 earned run average.
ine opening pitch is at 6:30 p.m. at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park in Lubbock, Texas.
— Edited by Lane Cofas
Jayhawks head to Texas for pair of matches
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JACOB CLEMEN
Alexis Czapinksi, a freshman from Lawrence, hits a forehand during her singles match against Iowa. The Jayhawks came out with a 4-1 victory on March 2 at the Javhawk Tennis Center in Lawrence.
Kansas tennis looks to pick up its first road win as it heads to Texas this weekend for a pair of nonconference matches.
MISSY MINEAR/KANSAN
The Jayhawks are set to square off with North Texas in Denton, Texas on Friday, where they will face an unranked Mean Green team that has lost five of its last seven matches.
While North Texas has just a 4-10 record, Kansas will need to be careful as the Mean Green defeated No. 74 Louisville just over a month ago and narrowly lost to No. 58 San Diego State 4-3 earlier this month.
Kansas will have to deal with North Texas' best singles player, senior Kseniya Bardabush, who is 4-7 in the top singles spot and holds a 5-7 record in the top doubles pairing when paired with fellow senior Franziska Sprinkmeyer.
North Texas will face UAB at home Wednesday before playing Kansas, but currently holds just a 4-9 record out of conference and a 1-2 record at home. Kansas is 0-5 on the road.
Next, Kansas will face No. 62 SMU Saturday in Dallas. The Mustangs boast an 11-4 record on the season and a dominant 10-2 home record, though they lost their last home matchup to No. 51 Tulane 4-0.
SMU players Dasha Sharapova and Hristina Dishkova received American Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards in back to back weeks.
Kansas is able to counter with senior Maria Belen Ludueña, who was named the Big 12 Player of the Week last week after playing a pivotal
Dishkova holds an 8-4 record out of the number one singles position for the Mustangs and paired with senior Holly Verner is 23-4 in doubles play, a school record for doubles wins in a season.
Sharapova is 10-2 in singles play from the number three singles spot and 20-7 overall. She also boasts an 8-4 record in the number doubles position paired with junior Vaszilisza Bulgakova.
The first serve at North Texas is scheduled for 3 p.m. March 27 while first serve at SMU is March 28 at 12 p.m.
role in two big conference victories at home.
Edited by Callie Byrns
MISSY MINEAR/KANSAN
Alexis Czapinksi, a freshman from Lawrence, reaches to hit a backhand during her singles match against Iowa. The Jayhawks came out with a 4-1 victory on March 2 at the Jayhawk Tennis Center.
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