THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, JUNE 18, 2012
FUNDRAISING
PAGE 21
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I've been here so many times before, it's just another home for me — a second home."
Incoming freshman basketball recruit Perry Ellis talking about Lawrence Source: The Detroit News
The Big 12 conference's original founders were the universities of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Washington University, which formed the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Source: Sports-reference.com
Q: When is the last year Kansas won the all-sports M&I Border Showdown Series?
A: In 2006, Kansas beat Missouri 22-17.
Source: KUAthletics.com
HOOPS FOR CHARITY
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Former Kansas basketball player Julian Wright signs autographs after the Rock Chalk Roundball Classic.
KATHLEEN GIER
kgier@kansan.com
With mere seconds left in the game, Keith Langford drained his final three pointer of the night to tie the game at 110-110. The buzzer went off, and event coordinator and local media personality Brian Hanni announced the alternate overtime plan. The game would come down to which coach, the reserved Blue coach Bud Stallworth, or the rather unreserved Red coach Scot Pollard, could hit more free throws.
More than 30 former players came back to Lawrence Free State High School to compete in the Rock Chalk Roundball Classic, which is an annual celebrity, charity basketball game that benefits local children and teens battling cancer.
Stallworth stepped up and made his first one, and Pollard missed his, giving the Blue Team the victory for the second straight year.
Langford led all scorers with 47 points, which he scored in a variety of ways. He shot three pointers and cut into the lane for easy baskets.
He led the Blue team to a narrow 111-110 victory.
The Blue team featured Langford, Jeff Hawkins, Conner Teahan, Lester Earl, Ryan Robertson, Darnell Valentine, T.J. Pugh, Christian Moody, Ron Kellogg and Aaron Miles.
The Red team featured Russell Robinson, Brady Morningstar, Tyrel Reed, Nick Bradford, Jordan Juenemann, Julian Wright, Greg Gurley and Matt Kleinmann.
Edited byKelsey Cipolla
BASKETBALL
Students support Jayhawks in the NBA
VIRAJ AMIN
vamin@kansan.com
With the University basketball team finishing their season in April, KU students have a different basketball team to support.
The Oklahoma City Thunder has gained popularity among students because of proximity. The Thunder is currently playing in the NBA finals against the Miami Heat after beating the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs earlier in the playoffs.
Cody Fawl, a senior from Mcpherson, said he started supporting the Thunder because of the youth they have on the team, as well as their style of play.
"They are a fun team to watch," Frawl said. "They are young, athletic and fast. They like to get out in transition and play a fast paced style of basketball that is very attractive."
The average age of the Thunder is 25, led by Kevin Durant (23), Russell Westbrook (23) and James Harden (22).
"I was at Brothers for Game four of the Thunder-Lakers series, and it was getting pretty loud in there," Fawl said. "I noticed a lot of people cheering for the Thunder, and when Durant hit that 26 footer to win it, the place went crazy."
Fawl says he watches most of the games at his house but does enjoy watching the bigger games at a bar.
the roster, Nick Collison and Cole Aldrich.
"I was a huge Nick Collison fan growing up, so I followed his career from when he was with Seattle," Fawl said. "It is awesome to see him have a chance to compete for a title."
Fawl said another reason why he supports the Thunder is because they have two former Jayhawks on
Darren Tidd, a senior from Olathe, cheers for the Thunder because of the way the team was built through the draft.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"They are an easy team to root for. They built their roster the right way," Tidd said. "You see Miami and Boston building their big three through trades and free agency. The Thunder got Durant, Westbrook and Harden all through the draft."
Tidd said he became a Durant fan after watching him play against KU when Durant was with the Texas Longhorns.
Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Nick Collison shoots against the Miami Heat during the second half at Game 1 of the NBA finals basketball series, Tuesday, June 12, 2012, in Oklahoma City.
"I was at the game in 2007 when Durant came to the Fieldhouse," Tidd said. "I remember in the first half, he couldn't miss, and I thought he was going to score 50. I remember he sprained his ankle in the second half, and when he came back out of the locker room he got a standing ovation. I don't think I've ever seen KU fans give a standing ovation to an opposing player."
When the Seattle Supersonics drafted Kevin Durant with the second pick in the 2007 draft, Tidd became a fan because of Durant. After the Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 as the Thunder, Tidd said he transformed from a Durant fan to a Thunder fan.
"When they moved to Oklahoma City, it seemed like it was easier to cheer for them," Tidd said. "Since Kansas City doesn't have a team, I
because of how close they are to us. I'll keep cheering for them until Kansas City gets a team."
decided to become a Thunder fan ___Edited by Megan Hijnman