GOLF: Women finish third at Islander Invitational. See page 6B. TRACK: Maurice Greene will race at Kansas Relays. See page 6B
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SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
3B
WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY 20,2002
COMMENTARY
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Andy Davies adavies@kansan.com
Hard-working reserves make splendid season even better
Forget Kirk Hinrich. Forget Jeff Boschee.
If Roy Williams ever needs anyone off his bench to make a big free throw during the remainder of the season, he might give Chris Zerbe the nod.
Zerbe isn't known for his outstanding free-throw shooting like Boschee or Hinrich. But on Monday night, he hit the most pressure-packed shot of the evening.
With 49 seconds to go in the game and Kansas leading 99-62, Zerbe was fouled by Justin Fries and landed hard on his hip. Zerbe hobbled to the free-throw line and sank the first charity shot, allowing the Jayhawks to break the magical 100-point barrier for the ninth time this season, a school record.
The free throw came at a meaningless point in the game, but it provoked one of the loudest cheers of the night.
Not because the Jayhawks clinched their first Big 12 Conference title since 1998.
If I hadn't sat on press row during the game, I probably would have cheered. too
Not because Kansas junior forward Drew Gooden tightened his hold on the Big 12 Player of Year award and a first team All-America selection.
Kansas forward Wayne Simien and guard Jeff Boschee attempt to block a shot by Iowa's Jake Sullivan. Kansas' defense has gained attention lately for it's key role in the team's success.
Not even that the Hawks held Iowa State's top three scorers — forward Tyray Pearson and guards Jake Sullivan and Shane Power - to 10-of-30 shooting from the field.
No, I would have cheered because, along with the rest of the Allen Fieldhouse crowd, I enjoy watching seldom used players like Zerbe play well.
I liked seeing members of the Kansas scout team contribute to the Jayhawks' winning effort.
I know it sounds corny and kind of cheesy. But to me, the last five minutes of the game were what collegiate athletics are all about.
These guys work as hard in practice as Gooden, Collison, Hinrich and the rest of Kansas' top players. Whether they were recruited by Williams or successfully fulfilled a dream by walking on to the program, the members of the scout team quietly go about their role.
Watching Brett Ballard, Chris Zerbe, Lewis Harrison, Todd Kappelmann Michael Lee and Bryant Nash help the Jayhawks reach the magical 100-point mark was fun to see.
Watching the reactions of players from the Jayhawk bench was just as enjoyable. Every player, led by Gooden, stood up and cheered on his teammates. It was like a scene out of Hoosiers.
They will never get the media coverage that the starters do or sign a thousand autographs after games, but their contributions don't go unnoticed.
I've watched a lot of Kansas basketball during my lifetime. I've witnessed big wins, such as Paul Pierce's performance in the 1998 senior game against Oklahoma. I've seen disappointing losses, like the loss to Arizona in the 1997 NCAA tournament. And there have been great moments, including the team's incredible run to the Final Four in 1991.
Still, Monday's game will rank right up there with them. It's something special to see a Kansas basketball game in Allen Fieldhouse. But it's even more special when you realize the cheering only stops after the final horn sounds.
Davies is a St. Mary's senior in journalism.
LAURIE SISK/KANSAN
Defensive skills shine
By Brent Wasko
Kansan sportswriter
College basketball coaches rarely are fully satisfied with the play of their teams, but Kansas coach Roy Williams hasn't had much to complain about lately.
The Jayhawks, who are 24-2 overall and 13-0 in the Big 12 Conference, are known for their high-scoring offense. But it has been the team's defense that has stolen the show in recent games leaving opposing players wondering whether Kansas truly has any weaknesses.
While Kansas has remained strong offensively most of the season, Williams has continually harped his team to improve its play on defense. The players have responded.
With the team's leading scorer, junior forward Drew Gooden, sick with the flu, Kansas struggled more than normal to score points Saturday against Baylor. The defense stepped up, holding the Bears to 72 points and enabling the Jayhawks to win by 15.
Against Iowa State, Kansas was impressive on offense, scoring more than 100 points for a school-record ninth straight time this season, but the team didn't need that kind of production to beat the Cyclones. The defense played plenty well enough to win. The Cyclones managed to make to just 42.6 percent of their shots from the field.
One might assume Williams would have talked about his team's dominant offense after the game, but instead, he raved about the Jayhawks' defense, which held the Cyclones to 25 points in the first half.
"We made them struggle," Williams said. "They got a couple of rebounds and put-backs, but other than that, I thought our defense was really good, especially in the first half. I honestly
believe the respect we have for them made our guys really ready to play, especially on the defensive end."
The Jayhawks' marked improvement
defensively was evident by how differently the squad matched up against Iowa State on Monday as opposed to the teams' first meeting this season in
Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones came close to shocking Kansas in that contest but
SEE BASKETBALL ON PAGE 6B
Hockey team improving
By Stephanie Goettsch Kansan sportswriter
When eight Minnesotans came to the University of Kansas they wanted to bring the sport of their home state to Kansas.
The group formed the nucleus of a ramshackle team three years ago and have since steadily improved the Kansas men's club hockey team.
"We're still in the production stage," club president and captain Brian Luhman said. "Now we're finally sponsored by the University, and we're actually playing real teams."
"Up north, when you start walking, they strap a pair of skates on you too," Luhman said with a smile. "I've been playing since I was three. My dad was a coach, so I always went to practice and skated around with the older kids."
Luhman, a junior from Eden Prairie, Minn., took the reigns of the team three years ago and is no stranger to the sport.
"We picked up a lot of good Minnesota freshman this year," said Luhman.
Eight out of 21 players on the team are from Minnesota.
These newcomers provide the core of the team, along with seven players from Kansas.
"I started playing ice hockey when they built a rink in Wichita." Andover junior David Hiebsch said.
A lack of available rinks is one standard problem teams in the Midwest face. Because of the inconvenience, people are less likely to get involved.
"One of our biggest issues is scheduling. It's hard to get ice time and find teams to play," said Luhman. "We have to travel to Kansas City to practice, and that's especially hard on kids who want to play. They may not have dedication or means to drive to Kansas City all the time."
"It's a sport that requires constant repetition and practice," said Jeff Engel, St. Louis junior.
Team captain Luhman said that the Lawrence area would need a rink if the team was going to improve its level of play.
Despite problems, the team has made big strides in the last few years.
Kansas men's club hockey schedule
In its most recent win, Kansas defeated Metro State University, Denver, Colo., 7-2
■ Feb. 22 — Southwest Missouri State, 9:15 p.m., at Ice Sports in Shawnee Mission
■ March 1 — at Tulsa
■ March 2 — at Tulsa
■ March 8 — at Nebraska
■ March 9 — at Nebraska
and 8-5 last December. The team concluded last season with a 7-7 record which gained it notoriety with other teams.
"Nebraska called and wanted to play us because they heard from Metro State that we were good," said Luhman. "And the coaches from Tula called since we beat Southwest Missouri State."
The Kansas men will meet Southwest Missouri State again at 9:15 p.m. Friday at Ice Sports, Shawnee Mission.
"We're pretty confident about this upcoming game," said Matt Davis, Topeka sophomore. "We have better overall skills than them, in scoring and speed. They have a really organized program though, and may have improved, so we'll see."
Contact sgoettsch@kansan.com
OLYMPICS IN BRIEF
FIGURE SKATING
Kwan takes lead in short program
SALT LAKE CITY Michelle Kwan's pursuit of the total Olympic experience is carrying over to the ice.
Looking cool and relaxed, Kwan edged main rival Irina Slutskaya to lead the short program with 12 skaters remaining last night. None of those competitors was likely to change the standings, which had Americans Sasha Cohen and Sarah Hughes in third and fourth.
"I felt really calm out there." Kwan said.
"I am well prepared, in good shape, healthy. You've just got to feel you are fortunate already, before the start of the program. What I have done, no regrets. Just go out and have fun."
Kwan, the 1998 silver medalist who now regrets not spending more time at the Nagano Games, has been in Salt Lake City from the outset of these Olympics.
WOMEN'S BOBSLED
PARK CITY, Utah The U.S. bobsled team no one knew about certainly made a name for itself and history.
Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers stunned the field last night, winning the gold medal in the inaugural women's Olympic bobsled race and breaking a 46-year drought in the sport for the United States.
In the end, though, it was the USA-2 team that had the fastest combined time in the two runs, 1 minute, 37.76 seconds.
SPEEDSKATING
KEARNS, Utah — Derek Parra carried a different banner yesterday, wrapping himself in a faded American flag that symbolized his unlikely journey and all the people who helped him reach the top of the Olympic medal stand.
Parra won a speedskating gold medal with a world record in the 1,500 meters.
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