Volume 124 Issue 98
kansan.com
Thursday, February 16, 2012
COMMENTARY
Players need to step up
Since his awful game against Missouri, Jeff Withey has averaged 20.3 points, 12 rebounds, 6.3 blocks and 2.5 steals per game. It's fair to say that Withey is playing inspired basketball and has taken a load off Robinson and Tavlor.
Help is wanted.
Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor are arguably the best guard-forward combination in college basketball. They have propelled the Jayhawks to the top of this year's college basketball hierarchy and put them in position to win another Big 12 championship.
But what about Elijah Johnson?
But the two cannot win the Big 12 and advance the team far into the NCAA Tournament by themselves.
According to Rivals.com, Johnson was a five-star recruit out of high school, but he has been an underachiever offensively. Defensively, Johnson is superb, but he was recruited to be a scorer.
In Big 12 conference play, Johnson is averaging only 7.2 points and making only 36 percent of his shots. Out of the 99 shots Johnson has taken during Big 12 conference play, 58 percent have been three-pointers, and he has made only 28 percent of them.
It's time for Johnson to snap out of his offensive woes and play like the player that he is capable of being. Kansas fans saw what he could do in the lajahawks victory over the UCLA Bruins, scoring 23 points and shooting 62 percent from the court.
Taylor is playing as good as any guard in the country, and he is finally living up to the expectations that fans have bestowed on him.
Johnson's offensive production could play a big hand in deciding how far the Jayhawks can advance in the NCAA Tournament.
Johnson has had plenty of looks from behind the arc. He's shown no hesitancy to pull the trigger, but settling for jump-shots is a waste of athleticism.
- Edited by Jeff Karr
Johnson has tremendous upside and talent. Now that the front court is playing up to its potential, the back court needs to follow suit.
Taylor's confidence is sky-high because he has had success driving the basket. Johnson hasn't shown the same aggression that Taylor has this season.
Even though Johnson has attempted more shots this season, because he has played more minutes, his field goal and three-point percentages last season were better.
Johnson is regarded as one of the best athletes in college basketball. Bill Self recruited him because he could beat defenders with his speed and power. He needs to take a page out of Taylor's book by driving to the basket more.
Penetrating defenses and taking shots near the basket are not only higher percentage shots, but they are confidence boosters.
Lawrence is the college basketball version of Lob City. Alleyoops are a large part of the team's offense. There is no reason why the Jayhawks can't throw lob passes to Johnson and take advantage of his athleticism.
JORDAN MAURICE/IOWA STATE DAILY/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Monica Engelman makes a move toward the basket against a trailing Iowa State defender at Hilton Coliseum, Wednesday, Feb. 15. The Jayhawks lost to the Cyclo 66-47 after falling apart defensively in the second half.
KANSAS 47. IOWA STATE 66
DAVIS' ABSENCE NOTED
KATHLFFN GIER
kgier@kansan.com
twitter.com/udk_kgier
Kansas coach Bonnie Henrickson was hoarse after the game from trying to coach her team through the necessary changes that came after watching their All-American candidate and leading scorer Carolyn Davis end her season with a torn ACL and dislocated knee just a few days ago.
"In two days we've had to put some things in and move some people and until we find an identity offensively and look at things to pinpoint, I might sound like this for a while," Henrickson said.
Henrickson said Iowa State would run her freshmen forwards around and make the game difficult for them. That part of the scouting report rang true as the Cyclones out-rebounded and out-scored the less physical and less experienced Jayhawks who played their first game without Davis. Davis made the trip but watched the game from her hotel room.
Senior forward Aishah Sutherland kept the Jayhawks in the game with 12 second-half points on jump shots and layups off offensive rebounds, but without backup in the post the Jayhawks faltered.
Freshman forward Chelsea Gardner garnered the start in Davis' place and finished with eight points, but countered her productivity with four fouls which put her on the bench during a critical second half run by the Cyclones.
"I just thought that I wasn't in rhythm." Gardner said.
The Jayhawks led at halftime before collapsing defensively in the second half and allowing the Cyclones to quickly pull away. Kansas lost the game 66-47 and dropped to 17-8 overall and 6-7 in conference play.
Sutherland, Gardner and junior guard Angel Goodrich were the only players to make waves statistically as the team struggled to find an answer for the high powered Iowa State front court of Chelsea Poppens, Anna Prins and Hallie Christofferson, which scored 40 of the team's eventual 66 points. Poppens finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds with a commanding presence around the basket.
It was clear that the Jayhawks were missing Davis' experience
and dominance in the paint as they were out-rebounded 38-22 including 18 offensive rebounds by the Cyclones. Poppens pulled down eight offensive rebounds and finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds in just 26 minutes.
Kansas fell behind early after an 8-0 run by Iowa State, but was able to garner a two point lead by halftime after a stretch of consistent play on both ends from Sutherland. However, Iowa State started the second half on a 19-2 run and this time, Kansas could
move his team needed to create separation in the second half and eventually pull out the 19 point victory.
The Cyclones also had success on the perimeter where they hit 7 of 18 from beyond the three point line. Brynn Williamson came off the bench for the Cyclones and hit two three pointers to kick off the run. She replaced Nikki Moody who had underachieved in the first half with five points and four turnovers in 15 minutes. Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly made the
not counter.
The Jayhawks will return home after a two game road stand to host Missouri for the final time in Allen Fieldhouse before conference realignment kicks in next season. Missouri is currently 0-12 in conference play and Kansas won the earlier 72-63 match up in Columbia.
"We just beat ourselves tonight and we need to stay focused more," Sutherland said.
Edited by Katie James
BIG 12
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Football players part of TCU drug bust
ETHAN PADWAY
Texas Christian University defense end D. J. Vendrey (94) watches the ball fumbled by Boise State running back Drew Wright, bottom left, in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, in Boise, Ind. Authorities arrested 17 students, three of which were on the football team, in a sweeping drug sting at TCU on Wednesday. Feb. 15.2012.
ETHAN FADWAY
Epadway@kansan.com
twitter.com/UDK_B12Fball
The Fort Worth, Texas police arrested 17 Texas Christian University students, including four members of the football team, on charges of distributing narcotics on Wednesday morning.
The arrests came after a six-month investigation by the Fort Worth police.
Texas Christian University linebacker Tanner Brock (35) tackles BYU wide receiver O'Neill Chambers during an NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas. Brock was one of three arrested in connection to the drug bust.
"There are days people want to be a head football coach, but today is not one of those days. As I heard the news this morning, I was first shocked, then hurt and now I'm mad," TCU football coach Gary Patterson said in a statement released to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The four players arrested are linebacker Tanner Brock, offensive tackle Tyler Horn, safety Devin Johnson, and defensive lineman DJ. Yendry.
Brock led the Horned Frogs in tackles in their 13-0 2010 season that concluded in a 21-19 Rose Bowl victory against Wisconsin. He missed most of the 2011 season due to injury.
Vendry tied for second on the team in 2011 with three sacks, while Johnson was second on the team recording eight tackles for a loss.
"Under my watch, drugs and drug use by TCU's student-athletes will not be tolerated by me or any member of my coaching staff. Period. Our program is respected nationally for its strong ethics and for that reason the players arrested today were separated from TCU by the University. I believe strongly that young peoples' lives are more important than wins or losses," Patterson said in the release to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
According to Fort Worth Police chief Steve McGee, the drugs distributed included marijuana, cocaine, molly (a powdered form
of ecstasy), ecstasy pills, acid and prescription drugs.
"There is no doubt all of these individuals are drug dealers," McGee said in a press conference Wednesday morning. "These individuals engaged in hand-tohand delivery, for money, with undercover narcotic agents."
The four football players are no longer listed on the roster on the Horned Frogs' football website and have been separated from the University and are not attending classes.
The arrests come the day after the Big 12 released its football schedule for next season. TCU
Brock was expected to be a leader on the Horned Frogs'
defense as they entered their first season as a member of the Big 12 football conference.
will open its conference schedule at Kansas on Sept. 15.
- Edited by Amanda Gage
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