Volume 124 Issue 132
kansan.com
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
WEIS ALTERS FALL LINEUP
Check out the story online
http://udkne.ws/Hw7h30
COMMENTARY
In essence, Johnson's performance will determine how Kansas will perform in the 2012-2013 season. And just as it worked out with Taylor, Johnson has the talent to make it work again.
It's Johnson's turn to be the star, the leading scorer, the media darling and the fan favorite. Yes, next year's team is Johnson's.
Elijah's turn to step up
But at the end of this season, Self said Taylor is a player who can play guard for him any day, any year. And, I suspect, he'll be able to say the same about Johnson once the 2012-2013 season has concluded.
And no, it wasn't always easy having Taylor run the offense for a season, and it won't be easy having Johnson run it next year. There will be moments that will make Allen Fieldhouse groan, just as there will be times when the building erupts.
Remember how Kansas fans winced at the idea of Tyshawn Taylor leading the Jayhawks in 2011-2012? Taylor's inconsistent career made spectators question how he would lead Bill Self's offense. And, as it turned out, their doubts were unnecessary.
Here we go again.
— Edited by Corinne Westeman
Now, it's Elijah Johnson's turn to run lavwhawk offence.
At the Kansas basketball awards ceremony on Monday night, Self said that Taylor's play for the season was as good since Self has been at Kansas. But, when it comes to speed, strength, slide, vision and handles, Self said Johnson had his teammate beat.
"The two best guards that we have recruited have been Sherron Collins and Elijah Johnson," Self said.
For the past three seasons, Johnson has been in the shadows of great Kansas point guards. But, just as Tyhsawn Taylor waited three years to shine, Johnson will do the same. Taylor flourished when he was finally put in charge, so Johnson will ideally prove himself next year with the same responsibility.
Quite a high praise for a player who averaged just 10.2 points this season. But anyone who watched Johnson flourish in the NCAA Tournament can understand why Self set expectations at an All-American status.
Actually, anyone who watched just the second half of the championship game could see the junior guard's potential.
When Kansas was in trouble late against Kentucky, the ball found its way into Johnson's hands. When Kansas needed a basket, Johnson would dance with his defenders and get to the rim. He was the guy who would hit the three when Kansas needed it most.
When Kansas needed to beat No. 2 Ohio State — and they did need that win — it was Johnson who came through by hitting five three-point shots to send the Buckeyes back to Columbus with a loss.
He had been doing it most of the season, but it was hard to see his real abilities through the inconsistent fits of play that plagued him throughout the year. When Kansas was trailing Duke by two with time running out, Johnson was the guy to hit the three.
HALF-READY
OPTIMISTIC OFFENSE
CHRIS NEAL/KANSAN
Head Football Coach Charlie Weis speaks to members of the media about the upcoming 2012 football season Tuesday afternoon.
Weis has high hopes for Crist's talent
MIKE VERNON
mvernon@kansan.com
Charlie Weis left Saturday's spring football practice with mixed feelings.
While quarterback Dayne Crist brought his best to the practice field Saturday, Weis' conflict was a result of an underwhelming showing from his defense.
Weis said if the team would have played a game on Saturday, the offense would have had a good day.
"Crist was a man among boys," Weis said. However, Weis wouldn't address the defense.
Crist, the quarterback who has become the new face of Kansas football — along with coach Weis
While Crist has the unusual quality as a person, it was clear that on Saturday, at least, Crist could transfer that personality to the field. His play will be crucial to an offense that ranked 106th in the country last season, averaging only 326.83 yards per game.
And when coach Weis was asked about how having a player like Crist can impact the offense, Weis' response alluded to how important having a strong quarterback really is to a football team.
made early season efforts to get acquainted with his team that is paying dividends now.
CHARLIE WEIS
Kansas football coach
When Crist first visited Kansas, he didn't want to hang out with the wide receivers, not at first at least. Instead, he wanted to spend time with the players that would keep him on his feet: the offensive lineman.
And during Tuesday's press conference, coach Weis shared that Crist's earlier efforts have come to fruition.
"There's a camaraderie there," Weis said. "For a guy to come in, to not really know these guys, these guys have been together for a really long time, and become one of the boys that quickly, that's an unusual quality to be able to have as a person."
"It isn't the offense," Weis said. "It's really the whole team. If you're a defensive player and you see that guy on the other side picking you apart, you're saying we've got a chance. If were in a game, we've got a chance."
As for Tuesday's practice that would take place after Weis' press conference, the coach knows what he saw from Crist on Saturday won't be the norm.
"I hope he looks like that today," Weis said. "He won't, but I hope he does."
And that's exactly what Crist will do for Kansas football; give it a chance. It will take more than just strong play from Crist to help Kansas football get to a bowl game next season, but it's at the very least a start.
- Edited by Amanda Gage
BASEBALL
Jayhawks lose to Shockers in 16-inning game
ANDREW JOSEPH
ajoseph@kansan.com
Kansas' Robert Kahana starts Tuesday night's game at the mound as the Jayhawks take on the Wichita State Shockers at Hoglund Ballpark. The game ended up being Kansas' second-longest game in program history.
After cruising to the fifth inning in less than an hour, the trivia question at the start of the fifth inning was precursor for the record-breaking marathon of a baseball game.
"What is the second longest game of the Kansas - Wichita State series?" the public address announcer asked.
The correct answer was 15 innings, but the record stood for just a few more hours as Wichita State went on to defeat the Kansas baseball team 6-4 in 16 innings.
This loss was Kansas' fifth consecutive defeat and drops its record to 12-20. The Jayhawks were one out away from winning the game in regulation, but an RBI double from Wichita State's Casey Gillaspie tied the game at four a piece. Gillaspie's double to deep-center field appeared to be a routine fly ball, but freshman center fielder Dakota Smith lost track of the ball as it fell behind him.
In all, the game ran for four hours and 12 minutes, and last night's 16 innings was the second-longest game in Kansas baseball history. The longest game was a 1-0 KU loss in 18 innings against Oklahoma State in 1967.
Junior closer Tanner Poppe was credited with the blown save, but he went on to pitch four more innings of scoreless baseball. Although Poppe thought the game
could have been over in the ninth, his experience as a starting pitcher benefited him in the extra work.
"It helped be a starter last year, going multiple innings and getting a rhythm," Poppe said. "I definitely got in a rhythm today, and it felt good to go out there and put up some zeros."
CHRIS NEAL/KANSAN
Despite Smith's costly mistake, coach Ritch Price was encouraged by the way the pitchers responded for the ball game's entirety.
"This is a game that could have ended the losing streak and get us some momentum heading into Wednesday night," Price said. "I feel bad for the young man that he was in that position, but I was thrilled with our pitching."
Over the previous three Tuesday games, the Kansas starting pitchers struggled out of the gates, but freshman pitcher Robert Kahana gave the Jayhawks a quality starting performance. Kahana went six innings and allowed three runs on five hits. Sophomore pitcher Frank Duncan entered the game in the seventh inning, and gave Kansas two perfect innings of work.
"I thought Kahana was special for six innings," Price said. "Today was a bullpen day for Duncan, and we used him for two innings, letting us turn the ball over to Poppe."
The Kansas bullpen kept the Shockers screless until the 16th
inning when senior pitcher Jordan Jakubov allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits. Wichita State third baseman Aaron Rea broke the drought with his RBI double to right-center field.
The Jayhawks have the chance to draw even with Wichita State
tonight when the Jayhawks travel to Wichita for the second leg of the home-and-home. Freshman pitcher Drew Morovick is scheduled to start for Kansas. After a loss like this, junior shortstop Kevin Kuntz said that the team will bring plenty of energy for
Wednesday's game.
"A game like that definitely hurts, but we have to keep our head up and bring the intensity tomorrow," Kuntz said.
Edited by Caroline Kraft