SOFTBALL: Team beats ranked opponents. SEE PAGE 2B WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Waltz squares off against two former teammates. SEE PAGE 3B
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1B
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2002
COMMENTARY
Kate Eichten
keichten@kansan.com
Hockey fans don't need to look far for games
Perhaps it can be blamed on the Olympics — or hearing about the 1980 Miracle on Ice team — but I have caught hockey fever.
Yes, in the midst of an awesome basketball season. I have strayed and have been hooked on hockey for the past few weeks.
This column is for all you hockey fans out there, and if you're clueless when it comes to this game, I'll help you out as much as I can with the rules.
First of all, if you're looking for a little hockey action nearby, either turn on the Olympics or check out fellow students who are on the men's club hockey team.
The team's next game isn't until mid-March, but this gives you time to brush up on the rules (or learn them completely if needed).
So far, the team's record is an impressive 4-0. There is no set schedule because games and ice times are expensive and hard to come by, said Matt Davis, Topeka sophomore and a member of the team.
Anyone can join, and each member shells out $250 a year to belong to the club. They play other club teams in the surrounding states including Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, Iowa and a few teams in Colorado.
The team practices once a week in Kansas City. It has obviously been working hard, and its record shows it.
Now, some of the basic rules for those of you who are hockey illiterate (these will also come in handy when watching the Winter Olympics).
We'll start with the most frequently called penalties:
Offsides: players of an attacking team may not precede the puck into the attacking zone.
Icing: This is called when any player of a team shoots,' kicks, bats with the hand or deflects the puck from his own half of the ice beyond the goal line of the opposing team. Play will be stopped and the puck is then faced off at the opposing team's end face-off spot.
Offside pass (also known as a two-line pass): A player cannot receive the puck that crossed not only the blue line but also the center red line. If the player follows the puck, this is allowed.
Obviously, there are hundreds of other rules and infractions a player can commit, but they get very detailed and I don't have enough space to map out the entire game.
Another aspect of hockey — which some would argue is the most entertaining — is the fights.
Throw off your gloves, pull the jersey over the other guy's head and start swinging. Bloodied faces and knocked-out teeth are the results along with a visit to the "sin bin."
Matt Pirotte said he had been to a KU hockey game and was impressed with all the fighting he saw.
"My roommate, Matt Davis, was ejected for pummeling one of the other team's defenders," the Joplin, Mo., sophomore said.
Well, with all of that said to introduce you to the game of hockey, take a break from basketball for once — especially for the Winter Olympics and our club team — and broaden your sports knowledge.
Eichten is a Topeka sophomore in journalism.
Junior guard Kirk Hinrich drives the lane for two. Hinrich scored a career high 28 points in a 108-81 win over Texas Tech Saturday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse.
LAURIESISK/KANSAN
Kansas conquers, Knight keeps cool
Knight keeps the temper under wraps as No.2 Jayhawks dominate his No.24 Red Raiders
By Doug Pacey
Kansan sportswriter
The game was a sideshow Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.
Bobby Knight.
Sure, the crowd wanted a win against Texas Tech and hoped to see one of Drew Gooden's signature slams, but everyone's eyes and minds were focused on something, make that someone, else.
The Red Raiders' coach was the reason ticket scalpers were getting upwards of $200 for $25 general admission seats. Students held signs shaped like folding chairs and waited eagerly for Knight to blow his top.
It never happened.
Knight got steamed and flailed his arms a bit when Tech's Ronald Ross was whistled for goal tending in the secondhalf. But before the crowd had even started its chant of "Bobby, Bobby." Knight was back in his seat and the game was on.
The spotlight should have been on No. 2 Kansas' run-and-gun offense. The Jayhawks (21-2 overall, 10-0 Big 12 Conference) sped up and down the court and burned the less-athletic No. 24 Red Raiders (16-6, 5-5) 108-81 for Kansas' fourth 27-point plus victory in a row.
Hinrich led all players with a career high 28 points and two others — junior forwards Gooden, 21, and Nick Collison, 20 — had more than 20 points for the second time in three games and just the third time since 1988.
"This team is suited more for that kind of game," coach Roy Williams said of the high-scoring effort. "Our big guys can run. You saw the big guys getting out on the break a couple times today. The guards, Kirk and Aaron can really pass the basketball. It is a team that's tailored to run and that's what we try to do."
In an up-tempo game where teams get more possessions, it usually translates into more turnovers. The Jayhawks gave the ball away 22 times Saturday, the most they have committed since 26 turnovers in the 106-73 win against South Carolina State Dec. 15.
"I don't know how we scored 108 points after turning the ball over 22 times." Gooden said. "That's scary. We could've gotten 120."
What should frighten Big 12 foes even more is that before Saturday's game Tech held its opponents to a Big 12-low shooting percentage of 40.1. The Jayhawks made a jaw-dropping 60.6 percent, 43 for 71, of their attempts against the Red Raiders. Tech connected on just 29 of 79 shots, 36.7 percent.
"There is a relentless quality to this team," Knight said about the Jayhawks. "Kansas and Duke are right there as two of the best teams in the country."
Contact Pacey at dpacey@kansan.com.
This story was edited by Kristi Henderson
'Hawks want revenge in trip to Austin
By Doug Pacey
Kansan sportswriter
AUSTIN, Texas — Before Kansas beat Oklahoma State 79-61 a month ago, Kirk Hinrich said he had nightmares about losing to the Cowboys two years ago in Stillwater, Okla.
Drew Gooden, Nick Collison and Hinrich said they were all antsy about facing Iowa State nearly three weeks ago because they had never beaten the Cyclones. But those feelings were released after the Jayhawks eked by Iowa State 88-81 in Ames, Iowa.
Tonight's 8 p.m. nationally-televiRED ESPN "Big Monday" match-up against Texas is another chance for revenge for the junior trio. The Longhorns (16-7 overall, 7-3 Big 12 Conference) out-muscled Kansas 68-54 two years ago in Austin.
"I remember us going down there
"I remember us going down there [to Texas] and getting our ass whipped, basically."
Drew Gooden Kansas forward
and getting our ass whipped, basically," Gooden said.
That Texas team featured two strong, physical inside players, Chris Mihm and Gabe Muoneke. This time it's the No. 2 Jayhawks (21-2, 10-0) who have the advantage in the post. Forwards Gooden and Collision average a combined 36.2 points and 19.1 rebounds per game. The Longhorns' two forwards, Brandon Mouton and Deginald Erskin, and center James Thomas pale in comparison. Those three total a
combined 31.2 points and 15.8 rebounds per game.
"They had a lot of experienced players," Collison said. "Chris Mihm and Muoneke kind of beat us up. We weren't ready for that, but now we're two totally different teams."
In fact, this youthful Texas team is very similar to the Kansas team the Longhorns beat two years ago. Three sophomores and one fantastic freshman, point guard T.J. Ford, start for this Texas team.
Ford leads the nation in assists per game, 8.5, and consistently dazzles opponents with his ball handling.
"He's one of my favorite players to
Notes:
watch after watching him (on television Saturday)," Collison said. "He was unbelievable. I watched him play Colorado and he was fun to watch. Usually I don't say that about a guy because I see so many games, but I was impressed with him."
Jeff Boschee sprained his left thumb during Saturday's game. His left hand was wrapped in a cast after the game, but he will play tonight.
Contact Pacey at dpacey@kansan.com. This story was edited by Justin Guenley.
Kansas at Texas
Game Time: 8 p.m.
Game Time: 8 p.m.
Place: Erwin Center, Austin, Texas
On TV: ESPN (Cable channel 48)
On Radio: 10.59 FM KLZR
Solid effort still falls short
Women's basketball losing streak extended to 12 games after 69-57 defeat against Missouri
By Jessica Scott Kansan sportswriter
COLUMBIA, Mo. — According to Missouri women's basketball coach Cindy Stein, the Kansas women's basketball team is improving.
"I've been surprised because Marian Washington is a very good coach," Stein said of Kansas' season. "She's doing a heck of a job with these kids. I've seen their team and it's getting better."
Unfortunately for the Jayhawks, their improvement was not enough to overcome the Tigers on Saturday, and Kansas extended its losing streak to 12 games with a 69-57 loss at Columbia.
Kansas coach Marian Washington, said she was pleased by her team's performance.
"I thought our effort was much better this ballgame, especially away from home in front of a lot of people," she said.
Kansas (5-20 overall, 0-12 Big 12 Conference) kept the contest close early on.
Behind eight points apiece by seniors Selena Scott and Nikki White, the 'Hawks went nearly basket-for-basket with Missouri (14-8, 5-6) in the opening half.
Kansas led 17-9 with 11 minutes remaining, but let the Tigers claw back and take a 32-27 advantage into the locker room.
"They started out really well," Missouri guard Kerensa Barr said of the Jayhawks. "But losing never really entered our minds tonight. You don't get beat by Kansas, and you definitely don't get beat by them if they haven't won a conference game."
Missouri took over on the offensive glass after the break and pulled away, outscoring the Jayhawks 24-14 in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
Tiger guard Evan Unrau grabbed 13 rebounds and scored 16 points, while Barr
SEE WOMEN ON PAGE 3B
By Matt Norton
Kansas thrower sets NCAA record at Iowa State meet
Kansan sportswriter
Scott Russell is now officially the best weight thrower college track and field has ever seen.
The senior from Windsor, Ontario, owns the collegiate record in the 35-pound weight throw after winning the Iowa State Classic Friday in Ames, Iowa, in his first attempt.
The record measures 81 feet, 1 1/4 inches, smashing the old mark of 78-9 3/4 set last year by Libor Charfreitag of Southern Methodist University.
Scott Russell
The throw was also one of five school records for Kansas at the two-day meet.
Junior Shameika McField ran 60 meters in 7.55 seconds and freshman Brooklyn Hann broke the triple jump record and provisionally qualified for the NCAA meet with her leap of
A
SEE TRACK ON PAGE 3B
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