TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2003
"It wasn't much of a vacation. It was basically a very expensive flight." Kansas coach Bill Self on his family's vacation and how they labored about the decision to be Kansas' men's basketball coach
2B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Kansas fans created an imaginary monster with the last men's basketball coach. Let's not make the same mistake with the new one.
The atmosphere at Allen Fieldhouse will be different now that Bill Self is on the sidelines, and considering what the Kansas fan base just went through, that's probably a good thing.
During his 15 years in Lawrence, Roy Williams created an image of something that wasn't there. He became a symbol of morality and loyalty, gaining a reputation as a guy who wins "the right way" and would never turn his back on his players.
Joey Berlin
jberlin@kansan.com
Williams also preached the concept of his team being a "family." He loved his favorite players like sons and bawled his eyes out after each year's NCAA Tournament loss as if someone in the "family" had just died.
New coach brings better style to KU
But Williams invalidated his own team-as-family concept when he left for North Carolina last week. The "family" schick was B.S. from the start, even if Williams didn't know it.
Unlike Williams, Bill Self doesn't kid himself into thinking that a basketball team — despite bonding and forming close friendships — can become a family. During his press conference yesterday, the only family Self mentioned was his own. He's here to win games, and he seems to give the impression that he knows that can be done without getting so close to your players that you can call them "son."
Self has the right approach, and Kansas fans need to have the right one, too. Self shouldn't be placed on a moral pedestal like Williams was — no matter how many games, conference titles and national championships he wins.
Self is a proven winner as a coach, and he has a reputation for integrity. That's all that should matter to any Kansas fan.
Sure, Self is known as a good guy. He can be a role model for your kids if you want him to be, but he's no more qualified than any other nice guy who doesn't cheat. He's not a better person than you or me just because he wins games honestly and with class.
Expect Self to win and keep the program clean. But don't expect him to be the so-called "father" to 15 grown-ups who have real families back home. Don't expect him to change Aaron Miles' diapers or teach Stephen Vinson how to deal with bullies. Above all, don't make him a false idol. He's a damn good basketball coach. That's all that matters.
Inside Sports Missouri player pleads guilty
Berlin is a Leawood senior in journalism.
The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri guard Ricky Clemons, accused of choking a woman and holding her against her will at his apartment in January, pleaded guilty yesterday to a pair of lesser counts and was suspended from competition for one year.
Boone County's prosecutor wants Clemons, 20, to spend at least three months behind bars.
Clemons, who faced an April 29 trial on an original charge of felony second-degree domestic assault, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of third-degree assault and false imprisonment.
At a June 23 sentencing hearing, Prosecutor Kevin Crane plans to recommend Clemons receive two years of probation and a suspended one-year jail term on the assault charge, and 90 days behind bars on the false-imprisonment count.
Clemons' pleas yesterday were "open." Crane said, meaning the judge "is free to exceed or go under what I recommend." Each misdemeanor count carries up to a year in jail.
In discussions with Clemons' defense attorneys, Crane said, "I made it clear that if Clemons is going to plead to a misdemeanor, I wanted the jail time." The prosecutor said he offered the reduced charge partly because "it's anybody's guess what a jury will do."
"I feel like we've served justice and met the interest of the victim," who ultimately wants the sentence to bar Clemons from having future contact with her, Crane said. Yesterday's development, Crane said, "is something I discussed with her. She approved of it. She's happy with it."
Clemons' attorney Wally Bley, reached yesterday night at his home in Columbia, declined comment.
"We're just not saying anything beyond what we're saying in court," Bley said.
Late yesterday, Missouri suspended Clemons from competition for one year, including the 2003-04 season. Mike Alden, Missouri's athletics director, said in a statement the school would honor Clemons scholarship, "provided he continues to progress toward his degree and meets his academic and social responsibilities."
In the statement, Tigers' coach Quin Snyder said, "As we have maintained all along, we would await the outcome of the judicial process until taking further action in this situation."
Sam Fleury, a representative for Missouri's men's basketball program, said yesterday's suspension would not end Clemons' association with the team, because he would still have a year of eligibility remaining after sitting out next season.
"There's still time on his clock," Fleury said.
Jessica Bunge, 20, of St. Clair, alleged Clemons pushed her down, bloodied her nose and choked her the night of Jan. 16 after she refused to watch the movie Roots with him. Clemons was arrested the next day and was suspended from the basketball team for one game.
In 32 starts last season, Clemons averaged 14.2 points — third on the team — and a team-best 3.8 assists. He shot 38 percent from the field, including 34 percent from 3-point range. Clemons led the Tigers with 49 steals.
Clemons, a junior college transfer, was supposed to be the point guard Missouri sorely lacked. But he struggled down the stretch with turnovers and shot just 10-of-47 (21.3 percent) from the floor in his last five games, including a 2-of-15 showing in a loss to Marquette in the NCAA tournament.
Houston Texans weigh draft picks
The Associated Press
HOUSTON — Houston Texans general manager Charley Casserly dispelled any mystery about the expansion team's first draft pick. Quarterback David Carr already was house-hunting by the time Houston formally chose him at No. 1 in 2002.
This time around, the Texans own the No. 3 overall pick and have everyone guessing. What they decide to do could be the key to how things unfold next weekend.
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2003
"It's a different draft. There's no question about that." Casserly said.
If Houston keeps its pick, the most likely possibilities are Miami receiver Andre Johnson and Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs. Suggs acknowledged his stock dropped after a poor predraft workout he attributed to simply having a bad day.
The team also has hosted Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman and Utah offensive lineman Jordan Gross, both of whom could still be available if the Texans trade down a bit.
Or perhaps Houston will trade for Cincinnati's top overall pick and snare
Detroit Lions are a virtual lock to take the home-state product at No. 2.
Michigan State receiver Charles Rogers, who also visited the team this month. But if the Texans don't move up, the
"To make it simple, if we stay at 3, we're going to get a starter," Casserly said. "If we trade back we're going to get a player who will start for us and something else."
"We're looking at a lot of options, and we have for a long time. We're still debating a lot of issues."
Despite the horror show put on by the Texans' offense last season — Carr's record 76 sacks at the forefront — Johnson and Rogers say they're eager to come aboard and improve things.
"David Carr is a great player and great quarterback," Johnson said. "I've talked to him a few times. He said if I had any questions at all to give him a call. He's hoping I can be here with him. I'd like to be here a long time, and maybe we could
start something great."
Rogers made it clear he'd be just as happy to come to Houston as he would be to stay close to home.
"People who know football know I'm the best player in the draft." Rogers said. "I make good plays. I make great catches. I run fast. I can stretch the field. I can get open. I'm all of the above. I feel like I'm the total package."
There are other intriguing names. Suggs could step in and fill a pass-rushing void left by Jeff Posey, who signed with Buffalo after leading Houston with eight sacks. Newman could make cornerback Marcus Coleman expendable, opening up salary-cap space.
Or the Texans could take Gross so he could help keep Carr upright a little more often.
"If the Texans decide to trade (down), it's still an option. And if they don't, it's still an option," said the 6-foot-5, 306-pound Gross, who sees himself drafted anywhere from No. 3 to the low teens. "On draft day, I will definitely be sitting on the edge of my seat for about two hours waiting to see what will happen."
Can you please tell me why Aaron Miles called me an L-7 on Thursday night? I'm not
Roy thought about himself, so we thought about us. UNC, you're going down.
quite sure what that means.
售
Bill Self is coming to KU, and he might be bringing another All-American with him, so good riddance, Roy Williams!
Bill Self, let me be the first to say welcome to Kansas.
award at the basketball banquet, but by the time he leaves the University of Kansas, theyll have one named after him: Keith Freeze Badass Award.
Late Night with Bill Self just doesn't sound right. We should change it to Chill with Bill.
Keith Langford might not have won an
award at the basketball banquet, but by the time he leaves the University of Kansas, theyll have one named after him: Keith Freeze Badass Award.
图
I have a friend named Mai, and if she married Coach Self, her name would be Mai Self.
---
I went to know what makes Jeff Graves think he can drive his Cadillac Escalade across the sidewalk in front of Budig. I don't care if he is a basketball player, that's just rude.
The Jayhawks will struggle in his first year.
How successful will Bill Self be in his first season at Kansas?
He will have a winning record.
He will lead the Jayhawks to a Big
POLL QUESTION
■ He will lead the Jayhawks to a Big 12 Conference title.
He will take Kansas to the Elite Eight
He will win the championship.
He will take Kansas to the Little Light
Kansas will see another Final Four
berth.
Log on to www.kansan.com to cast your vote.
TODAY
Kansas Athletics Calendar
TOMORROW
Women's golf at Big 12 Championships, all day, Columbia, Mo.
Women's golf at Big 12 Championships, all day. Columbia, Mo.
Baseball at Wichita State, 7 p.m. Wichita Softball vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City, doubleheader, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., Jayhawk Field
THURSDAY
Tennis at Big 12 Championships, all day,
Kansas City, Mo.
FRIDAY
Tennis at Big 12 Championship, all day,
Kansas City, Mo.
Baseball vs. Baylor, 7 p.m., Hoglund Ballpark
Softball vs. Nebraska, 5.p.m., Jayhawk Field
Baseball vs. Baylor, 2 p.m., Hogland Ball- Park
SATURDAY
Tennis at Big 12 Championships, all day,
Kansas City, Mo.
Rowing at the University of Cincinnati, all day. Cincinnati
Softball vs. Baylor, 2.p.m., Jayhawk Field
SUNDAY
Tennis at Big 12 Championships, all day,
Kansas City, Mo.
Baseball vs. Baylor, 1 p.m., Hoglund Ballpark
Softball vs. Baylor, 1 p.m., Jayhawk Field
Western Illinois hires UNLV assistant basketball coach
MACOMB, III. — UNLV assistant Derek Thomas was hired yesterday as head bas ketball coach at Western Illinois, taking over a program that has lost 20 or more games in three of the past four years.
Thomas, 36, replaces Jim Kerwin, who resigned for health reasons last month after going 135-174 in 11 seasons at Macomb.
Thomas spent two years as an assistant to Charlie Spoonhour at UNLV, which finished 21-11 last season and lost in the first round of the NIT.
Thomas' father, Emmitt, played 13 years for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.
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