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SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
3B
WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
COMMENTARY
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2002
Brian Hanni
bhani@kansan.com
Today's the day. The waiting will soon be over, and the debating will cease. This afternoon at 4, the big question that has been looming over Lawrence since his phenomenal season began will finally have an answer.
BORDER WAR
The answer will come from the man nicknamed, "The Truth." For the past seven months — and especially the last three weeks — Jayhawk fans have been hanging on Drew Gooden's every word. Over that time, he's made some comments leading fans to believe he's gone for good, and others that have restored hope in him returning for his senior year.
This afternoon, "The Truth" will tell it like it is. Drew's announcement will be short and sweet, just like his career has been so far. Whether he's staying or going, it's important to realize just how special it has been watching Drew develop into the fine player that he is today. He came in as a bright-eyed freshman who'd gotten no love from Ronald McDonald when the clown was handing out High School All-American honors. Gooden immediately wowed us with his rebounding skills, drew comparisons to Danny Manning and was called a "monster" on the offensive glass by his head coach. It wasn't a bad freshman campaign.
So, what exactly will Gooden tell us today? Stealing a page out of his coach's book and using those two famous words, "I'm staying," would be just fine, but that's not his style and may not be his intention, either.
Gooden will be remembered as special player
His sophomore season was even more impressive, with more double-doubles and high-flying dunks than the year before. Drew missed some games and battled an injured wrist but still played well enough to catch the eyes of NBA scouts t.
This past season, Jayhawk fans got to see Drew develop into one of the best players college basketball has to offer. He averaged a double-double, was named the Big 12 Player of the Year and finished second to Jason Williams in the Wooden Award voting, the honor given to the nation's best player. His junior season was spectacular, but didn't have the storybook ending he'd hoped for. His final game—Kansas' 97-88 loss to Maryland in the Final Four—showed that Gooden still has some work to do.
Drew will put on the necessary pounds to compete inside with other NBA big men and develop more consistency. He'll also improve his ball-handling skills, allowing him to play the three-spot if necessary.
Hanni is a Topeka senior in broadcasting.
The only question now is where the next phase of his development will take place. "The Truth" will soon be revealed as either an NBA lottery pick or the best player in college basketball. Either way, the best is yet to come for Drew, and Kansas fans should consider themselves lucky no matter what the truth turns out to be.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO BY CHRISTINA NEF
Senior pitcher Dan Olson will start on the mound this weekend for the Jayhawks in their three-game set against the Missouri Tigers. Kansas hasn't won a Big 12 Conference game in its last four attempts.
'Hawks want a win
Baseball team hopes to end Big 12 Conference losing streak
By Ryan Wood Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas baseball team returns to Big 12 Conference play tonight, but gets some relief because it won't face a nationally ranked team.
After losing series to tough Big 12 teams including No. 16 Texas A&M, No. 21 Oklahoma State, No. 10 Baylor and No. 11 Texas, the Jayhawks (16-18 overall, 3-12 Big 12 Conference) will start a three-game set with Missouri beginning at 7 tonight in Columbia, Mo.
"This is an important series," coach Bobby Randall said. "We've been so close in so many series, we need to
get over the hump and win these baseball games. I think we're optimistic."
Like Kansas, Missouri (16-19, 5-10) has struggled in the Big 12, though the team is coming off winning two games in a three-game series against No. 14 Nebraska. Despite the Border War rivalry, Tiger coach Tim Jamieson said his players weren't too concerned with the opponent.
"Kansas is just like any other Big 12
Bobbv Randall
SEE BASEBALL ON PAGE 5B
KIMBERLY THOMPSON/KANSAN
Shelly Muuser chucks the ball to second from her position at third base. The Jayhawks lost to the Missouri Tigers 4-2 yesterday.
Team suspensions contribute to losses
By Ali Brox
Kansan sportswriter
Five Kansas softball players sat out again during yesterday's game against Missouri for violating team rules. The Jayhawks couldn't weather the absence of so many key players and lost the game 4-2 as the Tigers swept the Border War series.
“五very important key players did not play today nor did they play yesterday,” coach Tracy Bunge said. “Left us very short-handed and left us with players playing very out-of-position. And it hurt a lot today, it hurt a lot yesterday.”
three-run homer off sophomore pitcher Kara Pierce in the top of the first. Kansas (29-19, 6-6 Big 12) countered with a run of its own in the bottom of the inning.
Missouri (27-28 overall, 3-11 Big 12) started the scoring early when Rachael McGinnis hit a
Senior Shelly Musser, playing out-of-position at third base for the third straight game, was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a drag bunt by senior second baseman Amy Hulse. Senior outfielder Christi Musser followed with a walk and was caught stealing second but Shelly Musster scored on the throw, pulling the Jayhawks within two runs, 3-1.
"We asked a lot of her," Bunge said about Shelly Musser while choking up. "We asked a lot of a player who has been hurting
SEE SOFTBALL ON PAGE 5B
Linebacker to tackle first team challenge
By Brent Wasko
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas linebacker Greg Cole knows a lot about change.
With the loss of linebackers Algie Atkinson and Marcus Rogers to graduation, Cole and sophomore Banks Floodman have established themselves at spring practice as prime candidates to start next season.
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound senior played as a tight end and wide receiver for his high school football team. When he came to Kansas, former coach Terry Allen moved him to defensive end and eventually to linebacker.
"I'm pretty much calling the defense, so I'm trying to get guys motivated out there," Cole said. "We have a high intensity level out there. We have to work hard to make it all work."
Cole said having played so many different positions had helped him adjust to the Jayhawks' new defense under new coach Mark Mangino.
"It is helping me a lot, it really is," Cole said. "I like this position more than the others. It all comes naturally to me after awhile."
Both Cole and Floodman started the final two games last season. Floodman filled in for Rogers, who was injured, and accumulated 36 tackles during the Jayhawks' final three games. Cole racked up 39 tackles in 11 games.
Mangino said from what he had seen this spring, the linebackers should be a strong point for the team next season.
"I think those guys have been very active out there, really learning the defense," Mangino said. "Banks, Floodman and Greg Cole have really jumped out and become playmakers for us. I'm with that unit as a whole."
Notes:
Mangino has moved two players to new positions during the last week.
Sophomore Kevin Long, a highly touted quarterback from Iowa City, Iowa, asked Mangino after practice on Wednesday to be moved to the tight end position.
Long, 6-5 and 210 pounds, signed with Kansas in 2000 instead of Iowa, Iowa State and Illinois. He led his high school football team to a 26-0 record, passing for 2,178 yards and 21 touchdowns.
"This is a good move for our ball club and for Kevin because he is a very athletic, young guy," Mangino said. "I believe that in time he could be a really good tight end. He's big. He's strong. He has really good hands."
Red-shirt freshman Tony Stubbs was moved from running back to safety. He was moved from defensive back to running back last spring by Allen. He played running back and safety in high school.
"He's just trying to learn his way, but he shows a lot of promise," Mangino said. "He has the potential to be a very fine safety for us."
Contact Wasko at bwasko@kansan.com. This story was edited by Brandon Stinnett.
running backs vie to carry load for new-look Kansas offense
By John Domoney
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas football coach Mark Mangino has always been a part of football programs that relied on an effective running game to supplement a dissecting passing attack.
While at Oklahoma, Mangino directed the Sooners offense all the way to the 2001 national championship.
Running backs are an integral part of Mangino's offensive schemes, and this spring, a host of prospects are battling for time at the position.
The obvious choice to lead Kansas'
Duncan, however, isn't guarantee the starting spot. Mangino is watching several players who are making strong bids to earn playing time in the backfield, including Clark Green, a 5-11, 200 pound redshirt freshman from Tampa, Fla.
ground attack is Reggie Duncan, a 5-foot-9, 200-pound junior, who is the Jayhawks' top returning rusher from 2001. Duncan rushed for 739 yards, ninth best in the Big 12 Conference.
"Clark has had an impressive spring," Mangino said. "He's shown that he is a very physical player. He has good speed, and he really has a good understanding
of our offense."
So far, Mangino said he believes Green has the ability to carry the ball and catch passes out of the backfield. Mangino said Green is also an outstanding blocker.
"He hits the line of scrimmage very quickly." Mangino said. "He's probably the best pass protector we have on this team. He'll knock the wind out of you."
Although Mangino concedes that Duncan and Green have been the two standouts in spring drills, Mangino said he hopes others will emerge from the frav.
"It looks like Reggie and Clark have
separated themselves a little bit," Mangino said. "We still have some kids that are coming along getting off injuries. Dan Coke and (Harold) McClendon are good players, and we're waiting for them to step up."
Marshall Chiles, a 5-9, 190-pound sophomore, figures to make an impact in the backfield despite seeing limited action in recent weeks because of off-season shoulder surgery.
Chiles came on strong at the end of last year after injuries forced him to miss the first two games.
New offensive formations and Mangino's history of coaching successes have created excitement among Kansas running backs, who are hoping the Jayhawks can improve offensively from a year ago. Kansas' offense sputtered most of last season, averaging 16.5 points per game compared to 36.2 for opponents.
"I like the spread offense because it keeps the defense off balance because if you just run the ball all day, then they'll know what you're doing," Green said.
Contact Domoney at jdomoney@ kansan.com. This story was edited by Brandon Stinnett.
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