TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2003
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN - 3B
Canucks look to ride momentum to comeback against St. Louis
The Associated Press
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The St. Louis Blues are ignoring the big series lead they squandered and the fact they have to play Game 7 on the road.
"It's a one-game show right now," Blues forward Doug Weight said after practice yesterday.
The Blues held a 3-1 lead over Vancouver in this best-of-seven series, but that advantage is gone.
They now have to face the Canucks on the road in the decisive game tonight.
ference semifinals. They dropped Game 5 in Vancouver and then lost the sixth game at home.
The Blues insist they've forgotten about their last two losses when one victory would've landed them in the Western Con-
It's been that way for the last two games for the Canucks, and they responded with their best
efforts of the series. After being outscored 14-4 in the first four games, Vancouver has a 9-6 advantage in the last two contests. The Canucks led the NHL in regular-season goals.
The Canucks have countered
a strong Blues backchecking system by using their defensemen more on offense. Defensmen have scored four of the last nine Vancouver goals and added seven assists in the last two games.
Road
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make me enjoy basketball. I just make me enjoy b-ball. I just find it enjoyable to be around him."
Even though his stint as a Kansas assistant lasted only a year, Self never forgot the Jayhawk mystique and began to dream of one-day being Kansas' head man
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Self said. "When you're at Oral Roberts and you lose 18 in a row your first year, you don't speak publicly about I'm going to coach at Kansas, someday." But deep in my heart, once you've been here, you know what it's like."
Self is expected to make $1.1
million during the next five years including incentives.
During yesterday's press conference, Self sounded more like an alumnus reminiscing while back in town for homecoming than a man merely switching jobs.
"I know a lot of people in this room," Self said. "I still knew
how to get to Alvamar and show my family where I used to live, even though it's changed a little bit."
Now, Self is back in Kansas for the biggest opportunity of his professional career,back where it all began.
Edited by Jason Elliott
Softball
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"She just ran of gas," Bunge said.
"She just ran of gas," Bunge said. Junior Leah Mountain relieved Wallach in the seventh but gave up 5 runs off of 5 hits
Kalka got the start for Mizzou in game two as well and pitched a one-hitter. The hit came off a home run to center field by
freshman third baseman Nettie Fierros in the third. Kalka became the fourth pitcher to post a one-hitter in the last eight games.
"She did a nice job, but our hitters made her much better," Bunge said, noting the 'Hawks poor pitching selection late in the game.
Bunge said that because of the injury, Pierce couldn't lift her
arm above her shoulder. Bunge said she popped some scar tissue in her shoulder.
When she will return is not known right now, but Bunge said she would not do anything to jeopardize Pierce's future.
"The docs say it could be two days or could be two weeks," Bunge said. "I will not put her in a situation until she's ready."
For Kansas, it's just another bad bounce.
"There are some things in this game you can't control." Bunge said. "You can't control injuries."
Kansas plays tomorrow in a doubleheader against University of Missouri-Kansas City, starting at 3 p.m.
Edited by Erin Chapman
"I think Self will work on the fast break game, the way Roy did, but I think he'll bring his own game." Sandler said. "I think he's going to bring his defense."
Style
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Many students predicted Self would see NCAA Tournament success in his first year as coach at Kansas, citing a solid core of returning players and a much-lauded recruiting class.
Sandler said he thought the transition between Self and Williams would be smooth, but that they were different types of coaches.
"I'm not worried how we'll do under him." Laura Coelho, Shawnee graduate student, said. "I think the team will go at least as far as it has in the past."
Despite sentiment that Kansas could achieve success immediately under Self, Lanard Paden, Kansas City, Kan., senior, said
Kansas fans should not put expectations on the new coach.
"I think eventually we'll go pretty far judging by how far he went with Illinois," he said. "But give him some time."
Efe Ekpere, Fort Myers, Fla. senior said he thought Self's arrival would change Kansas' style of play for the better.
"Last year we couldn't guard the three to save our lives," Ekpere said. "So, hopefully that will change. Also, Roy Williams couldn't really coach a zone, so hopefully that will change too."
Though students still lamented the loss of Williams to North Carolina, Self appeared to be the best coach available, Steven Lucas, Overland Park sophomore, said
"Roy is a one of a kind coach," Lucas said. "But our program is the type of program that can move on. I think Bill Self will be successful."
Edited by Jason Elliott
Greene
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
This is where the lesson ties in.
me wanted to point east and laugh, but I just can't
It took a little while for me to realize it, but I finally saw last Monday that Roy Williams is human just like the rest of us.
Instead of succumbing to the god-like status the city of Lawrence and state of Kansas had constructed for him, Roy followed his heart east. It's something that the majority of people
in Kansas spoke out against. One fan at the team's annual awards banquet even yelled 'traitor' towards the former coach following his speech. Either they truly are clueless, or they were just flatout confused.
The way many Kansas fans reacted toward Roy was two-faced. Fans went around conversing with one another saying Roy stabbed the team in the back. T-shirts with anti-Roy sayings even became commonplace around town.
This was a man who people saw as the ideal citizen in a world
of coaching who was full of lies and betrayal. Unfortunately, in situations like these, those are the fans, or sore thumbs, that stick out in the crowd. I, for one, was appreciative of Roy's years of service and dedication. Shoot. 15 years in one place in the modern sports world can seem like an eternity. All of a sudden, people turned their backs on a historic 15-year run.
Now it's time for Illinois fans to react.
son that both the Jayhawk and Illini faithful can learn is that, these days, when the amount of money an athlete or coach makes defines their status in the public eye, we cannot forget that they are all still human just like us.
Right now, they're probably feeling betrayed and confused at the same time. The common les-
They bleed when they're cut, they yawn when they're tired. and they eat when they're hungry.
Since seeing the aftermath of Roy Williams' departure, I for one can honestly say I'll never again hold an athlete or coach to a higher standard than anyone else. I'm man enough to say I've done it before and given sports figures
the benefit of the doubt, but that all comes to an end now. I suggest everyone else does the same.
Kansas was a storied, championship program before Roy, and will continue to be after Roy. Illinois was a successful program before Bill, and the same goes for it.
Don't think that once a beloved coach bolts town that all hell breaks loose.
Illinois fans should embrace the three great seasons, the big ten championships and the hundreds of outstanding memories Self is leaving behind. It should realize that Kansas was his ultimate finish line. Either way, you'll get an outstanding replacement, just like we did.
True, the Illini fans may not have had the same status built up for Self as Kansas fans did for Williams, but once again, every cloud has its silver lining.
It's something I may have never thought would come out of my mouth, but knowing what the pain feels like, I hope the sun comes up tomorrow over Champaign.
- Greene is a Vernon Hills, Ill., junior in journalism