4B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
FRIDAY,APRIL 25,2003
Arkansas coach reflects on season
By Brandon Marcello Arkansas Traveler via U-wire University of Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It has been more than a year since Stan Heath took the job as Arkansas' basketball coach after the departure of former Razorback headman Nolan Richardson. Heath's inaugural year with the program has had its ups and downs.
Defeating ranked Alabama and Mississippi State in Bud Walton Arena were some ups, and getting blown out by Louisiana State by more than 20 points twice in one season were some downs.
One thing remains constant, though, Heath said.
"Attitude."
The Razorbacks appeared to have a hard time adjusting to Heath's offensive schemes as well as the grueling practices this past year, but he sees a difference this off-season.
"Our attitude last year was, Why are we in the gym extra? Why are we lifting? Why are we
doing extra running?" Heath said. "Now the attitude is that this is what it takes to be successful."
Players adjusting to Heath was not the only problem. Heath still had to adjust to his surroundings in northwest Arkansas.
"I've got a better view of things right now," said the former Kent State head coach. "My head is not spinning quite as much as it was last year."
"Now, I certainly have a comfort zone for northwest Arkansas, as well as for running our basketball program," he said.
The fans are to thank for that,
Heath said.
"I love and admire the support the fans have given us this year," he said. "I really think our team has grown some chemistry and shown an improvement on the court. I'm really excited."
In many instances success starts with recruiting, and then the coaching folds into place. Heath said he hoped this came true next season with the addition of a top-five recruiting class.
"I think the addition of a really strong recruiting class is really going to impact our program next season," Heath said. "I feel really good about where we're at right now."
Though Heath warned there is still work to be done for the program to be successful, which includes the incoming freshmen is adjustment to and acceptance of his system.
"I feel like that we'll have a much more talented team." Heath said. "We'll have better skill levels and a better ball-handling team.
"The flip-side, the catch-22, is that we'll be playing a lot of freshmen and sophomores," he said. "The encouraging thing is watching the success of other teams with young players."
One of the teams Heath referred to was a team of mostly freshmen and sophomores who won the National Championship in basketball this year — the Syracuse Orangemen.
Heath doesn't think the Razorbacks will get that high on the mountain that quick, he said.
"I definitely think we'll be a better team," he said. "A team more committed."
The hard thing with our team last year was being too top-heavy and bottom-heavy." Heath said. "At least with the team next year we'll have more cohesiveness by the virtue of age with a lot of freshman and sophomores."
Heath said he didn't want to look past the improvements of this season.
"There was a lot of improvement across the board," said the 10th head basketball at the UA. "I think every one of our freshmen — from where they were coming in, to where they are right now — is where I've seen the most improvement."
"I think if I had to identify a couple of players it would be Jonathan Modica, Rashard Sullivan and Eric Ferguson," he said. "I think everyone of those guys showed significant improvement in their play."
Cowgirl golfers squeeze past Tigers
From Staff reports
Oklahoma Daily via U-wire
University of Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Cowgirls won their second straight Big 12 golf championship Wednesday in Columbia, Mo.
Oklahoma State defeated host Missouri by 1 stroke. 910-909. Missouri led after the first two days of the three-day tournament and finished in second place.
The Oklahoma golf team finished in fourth place with a 923. The Sooners shot a 304 on the final day, their lowest score.
Oklahoma finished behind Texas, which shot a 918 to finish in third place at the 6,008-yard par-72 Country Club of Missouri.
Junior Hope Edge led Oklahoma and tied for 11th place. Edge shot a 230 in three days. Her 73 on Tuesday was the lowest of any Sooner.
Freshman Amparo Gala fin.
ished tied for 14th place. Gala ended with a 251. She shot an 81 Monday but finished Tuesday and Wednesday with 75s.
Junior Lisa Meldrum finished tied for 19th place after she shot a 254. The second-team All-Big 12 member shot a 76 on Monday, a 75 on Tuesday and ended the tournament shooting an 83.
Senior Allison Johnson was tied for 25th place. She shot a 236. John scored a 77 on Monday, 82 on Tuesday and 77
on Wednesday.
Sophomore Emily Milberger was tied for 35th place, finishing the tournament with a 240. Her lowest score of the tourney was on Wednesday when she shot a 75. Her score on Monday was 83 and Tuesday's score was 82.
Nebraska's Sarah Sasse finished in first place with a 220, while Oklahoma State's Karin Sjodin and Missouri's Mindy Bullard finished tied for second with 223s.
Emporia State star ponders his future
By Jason Gaede
The Bulletin via U-wire
Emporia State University
EMPORIA — After a star-studded, one-year career at Emporia State, All-American senior guard Robbie Ballard looks ahead to his future in professional basketball.
Emporia State senior Robbie Ballard has reached the crossroads of his basketball career.
With a successful one-year ESU career behind him, Ballard, who plans to graduate in May, is looking ahead to a post-graduation hoops career.
"There are a lot of different options being thrown my way right now," Ballard said. "I'm new to this process so I'm taking it day by day and soaking up all the information I can. I just want to make the best decision for myself."
Ballard was recently selected 41st overall in the United States Basketball League's annual draft by the Kansas Cagerz, who play their home games in Salina. The USBL consists of 11 teams and runs from April 17-June 22 with each team playing 30 regular season contests.
ESU men's basketball coach David Moe said the decision to play in the USBL was one Ballard should think about.
According to Moe, the two have discussed the issue briefly.
"He needs to sit down and make sure it's a good situation for him." Moe said. "I don't want him to go and be overlooked for a different type of player."
According to Ballard, he has yet to be contacted by the Cagerz. However, he said being drafted by a professional team was a great honor.
"It's exciting being drafted by this organization," Ballard said. "It's a great opportunity. Maybe I will play. Maybe I won't. We'll just have to wait and see."
While Moe said Ballard has the skills to be a good player in the league, he also said he wanted Ballard to keep his options open.
"Robbie is not in a desperation situation," Moe said. "He's got a name for himself, and he's earned credibility. People know what kind of talents he has. He needs to keep working out, graduate and he will have the opportunity to play somewhere."
One move that seems definite at this point is Ballard participating in the Denver Nuggets' rookie camp later this summer.
According to Ballard, Moe's father, Doug Moe, who is a consultant for the Nuggets, has helped arrange the deal.
Ballard, who continues to work out at least four hours a day, said he was excited about the chance to compete against NBA players.
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