spoote
I'm going to have a key to all the doors in this building right here and I'm going to lock them all and we're all going to make sure that Roy doesn't get out of this building."
---
Al Bohl, University of Kansas athletics director
2B • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Inside Sports
SPORTS COMMENTARY
Job came first for journalist after big game
This wasn't the way the script was written. Or maybe it just wasn't the script we wanted.
But as fans we all have to get over it. And as a journalist I had to get over it. Quick.
Then things came back to life. There were some tears, lots of muttering and a loud cheer when a rare expletive escaped Roy Williams' lips on national television. But as the last scenes of the college basketball season blurred into a "One Shining Moment" video package, I picked up my tape recorder and put on my coat. It was time to go to work.
After Kansas fell to Syracuse Monday night The University Daily Kansan's newsroom, as the rest of Lawrence and, presumably, the rest of Kansas, went momentarily quiet.
My assignment was simple: Go out and get reaction quotes, my editors said, and do it quickly.
Maybe being forced into service was therapy. The scene on Massachusetts Street, my assignment for the night, reminded me of a party held after a funeral. Lot's of coulda-woulda-shouldas, lots of drinking and even more cursing.
But like a funeral, there were some smiles, too. And as I marched through the cold jitting down notes for a reaction story and grabbing quotes where I could, I began my recovery. After all, it was a tremendous ride.
Of the many who flocked to Massachusetts Street, the words of one student, riding in the back of a pickup truck, wearing a beer-stained Final Four T-shirt and shouting into a bullhorn, struck me.
"We went further than we expected, and it was a great season," he yelled as the masses hollered in approval.
If the first part of his personal public service announcement didn't strike a chord with the crowd as it had with me, the second part probably did.
"Let's all get very,very drunk now," he said.
As a journalist I've been blessed to play a role in the Kansan's coverage of this year's tournament run. I have an opportunity to do interviews with people I wouldn't otherwise meet and cover news that otherwise wouldn't fall into my lap. There's a lot of melancholy, certainly, but as a fan and a journalist I was there.
And sometimes that's enough.
Jackson is a Long Valley, N.J., junior in journalism. He is the Kansan multicultural reporter.
JAYHAWKS IN THE PROS
By Ryan Greene
rgreene@kansan.com
Kansun sportswriter
With the NBA regular season in full swing, each week The University Daily Kansas will bring updates on all of your favorite former Jayhawks. If there are any former Jayhawks we haven't included, email requests to rgreece@kansan.com.
Paul Pierce — Boston Celtics
WEDNESDAY, APRIL9, 2003
The Celtics are certainly struggling to
The Celtics are cert the regular season finish line, but they seem to have a stronghold on the Eastern Conference's sixth seed for the playoffs. Pierce has fought through a
sprained right wrist this week to help Boston keep its head above water. Pierce hurt his wrist while scoring 28 points in April 2 victory against Miami but didn't show it while scoring 40 points two nights later in a 93-92 loss to Sacramento. Then in another tight loss on Sunday to Washington, Pierce was impressive again, scoring 56 points.
Drew Gooden — Orlando Magic
After missing five games with a
sprained big toe, Gooden returned to help Tracy McGrady and the Magic stay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Gooden played in all
four of Orlando's games last week, averaging 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Gooden's week was highlighted by a 19-point performance an April 1 118-105 loss at San Antonio.
Jacque Vaughn — Orlando Magic
Two observations from Vaughn's season: He is the starting point guard by default; and he may be one of the league's most inconsistent performers. Vaughn
and Darrell Armstrong have split the starting duties all year, and Vaughn is having a tough time putting up big numbers on a regular
basis. He had a rough time this week except for 16 points in Saturday's loss at Dallas.The Magic has lost four straight games, but consistent play from Vaughn and a healthy Drew Gooden may help in the next couple weeks.
Raaf LaFrentz — Dallas Mavericks
Coach Don Nelson has rewarded LaFrentz with more playing time in light of his stronger performances as of late. As Dallas went 2-1
last week, LaFrentz posted 11 points in each of the victories. The Mavericks are still half of a game ahead of San Antonio for first place in the Western Conference.
The Kings are remaining hot and showing their depth as they keep moving up the Western Conference standings. Pollard is still producing good numbers off the bench, including 15 points and a season-high 16 rebounds in an April 1 victory against Indiana.
Scot Pollard — Sacramento Kings
Ostertag is suddenly a regular force inside for Utah. The Jazz is about to make its way back to the
playoffs behind veterans Karl Malone and John Stockton, but performances such as Ostertag's as of late will prove huge in the postseason. After pulling down 10 rebounds in Sunday's loss at
Greg Ostertag — Utah Jazz
Danny Manning — Detroit Pistons
Manning had his most notable
Seattle, Ostertag has had double-digits in rebounds in four of his past five games.
Manning had a moment of the season when getting in a scuffle with San Antonio's Kevin Willis in Sunday's loss. As the Pistons head toward the playoffs, Manning will most likely begin to see more minutes as center Ben Wallace hurt his knee when colliding with teammate Tayshaun Prince Sunday. Manning's only production of note were two points and two assists in an April 1 victory at Toronto, then five points in the San Antonio loss.
Hinrich and Collison are true champions
basketball and the students here at KU. Thank you for your dedication and hard work on and off the court. You are truly champions. Thank you for a great year.
basketball and the students here at KU. Thank you for your dedication and hard work on and off the court. You are truly champions. Thank you for a great year.
Hancock entered the 1994 NBA draft, and was selected in the second round (38th overall) by the Charlotte Hornets. The forward spent three seasons in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs. After his NBA run, Hancock moved onto the Fort Wayne Fury of the Continental Basketball Association and then came back to Kansas, playing with the Dodge City Legend of the United States Basketball League and the Gary Steelheads of the CBA.
READER'S REQUEST
Down with journalists. Roy Williams for president.
— Edited by Amber Byarlay
面
Hancock played one season in Lawrence after transferring from Garden City Community College, but is still remembered for his high-flying, above the rim style. In the 1992-1993 season, Hancock averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game as the Jayhawks marched to the Final Four in New Orleans. After his junior season, Hancock skipped his senior campaign to play a year of professional ball in the French League, averaging 17.4 points per game.
Free forAll
Darrin Hancock, Forward, 1992-1993
I used to think I was a nerd, then I read Ben McCarthy's column on athletics. Get a life, dude.
Hey, Ben McCarthy, cool your jets. This is a basketball school. It's what we do here, if you don't like it, go to Mizzou. They never win anything there.
Roy, if you lost a thousand championship games, the University of Kansas would still love you.
basketball and the students here at KU. Thank you for your dedication and hard work on and off the court. You are truly champions. Thank you for a great year.
I just want to say that this is the first XU basketball game I've ever watched, and I've just become a lifelong fan, and I'm in love with Roy Williams.
--basketball and the students here at KU. Thank you for your dedication and hard work on and off the court. You are truly champions. Thank you for a great year.
I'm a 20-year-old guy that's been crying like a baby. I love you, 'Hawks.
basketball and the students here at KU. Thank you for your dedication and hard work on and off the court. You are truly champions. Thank you for a great year.
I'm on Mass. Street, and I just want to say that I think it's a class act that there are so many people down here even after a loss. I love you, KU.
Kirk, Nick, thanks for playing your hearts out, bros. We love you.
basketball and the students here at KU. Thank you for your dedication and hard work on and off the court. You are truly champions. Thank you for a great year.
I got nothing but love for that basketball team, nothing but love.
--basketball and the students here at KU. Thank you for your dedication and hard work on and off the court. You are truly champions. Thank you for a great year.
I said brt, it's cold in here. There ain't no Jayhawks in the atmosphere.
--basketball and the students here at KU. Thank you for your dedication and hard work on and off the court. You are truly champions. Thank you for a great year.
Kirk and Nick, Roy, we love you guys. Great season.' Hawks 2004, Kirk and Nick, we'll never forget you guys.
basketball and the students here at KU. Thank you for your dedication and hard work on and off the court. You are truly champions. Thank you for a great year.
I just want to say that the University of Kansas Jayhawks are still the best team in the nation. We have the best seniors and the best coach.
I'd like to thank Roy Williams and the KU basketball team for being such a class act. You are a great example to college
basketball and the students here at KU. Thank you for your dedication and hard work on and off the court. You are truly champions. Thank you for a great year.
basketball and the students here at KU. Thank you for your dedication and hard work on and off the court. You are truly champions. Thank you for a great year.
---
So I'm from K-State, and I also am severely disappointed. Take heart, KU, there is always next year.
So I told people Syracuse was scary, and did anyone listen? Nope.
Screw the Orangemen and the candy bar they rode in on.
图
Hey, am I the only one who ever noticed that in NCAA March Madness, the video game, that Graves is white?
I would just like to say that I hate Carmelo Anthony and Syracuse more than I hate Texas and T.J. Ford.
图
I'm on Ninth and Kentucky, parked and drinking my sorrows away. I really hate Carmelo Anthony and Gerry McNamara and Syracuse, and the fact that their mascot is an orange.
-
Four words: make a free throw.
POLL
Will Roy Williams fill the coach-
kansan.com ing vacancy at North Carolina?
No, he stayed last time; he will stay this time.
He will consider it after the tournament excitement dies down.
Yes, Nick and Kirk are gone; so is Roy.
No, North Carolina won't pursue him after he said no last time.
Log on to Kansan.com to cast your vote
TOMORROW
Kansas Athletics Calendar
Coffell at Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb., 5 p.m.
FRIDAY
Baseball at Western Illinois, Macomb,
Ill., doubleheader, noon
Softball at Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb., 5 p.m.
Baseball at Texas Tech, Lubbock, Texas,
7 p.m.
SATURDAY
Men's golf at the Intercollegiate 2003,
Santa Cruz, CA, all day
Track at McDonnell Invitational, Fayst-
teville, Ark., all day
Tennis vs. K-State, Robinson tennis courts, noon
Football Spring Scrimage, Memorial Stadium 1 o.m.
casebuff at Texas Tech, Lubbock, Texas, 2
p.m.
Rowing at Knecht Cup, Camden, N.J., all day
SUNDAY
Rowing at Knecht Cup, Camden, N.J., all day
Men's golf at The Intercollegiate, Santa Cruz, Calif., all day
Softball vsTexas A&M,Jayhawk Field 1.0
m
Baseball at Texas Tech, Lubbock, Texas, 1,
p.m.
NBA
Jordan not interested in manager's position
CLEVELAND Michael Jordan helped build the Chicago Bulls into NBA champions once before. He doesn't seem to be in any hurry to try to do it again.
Jordan said yesterday that he had no interest now in replacing Jerry Krause, who unexpectedly resigned as Chicago's general manager because of health problems.
"Washington is where I started and where I want to finish," Jordan said. "It's unfortunate about Jerry. Obviously, his health is the most important thing."
Jordan plans to retire at the end of this season, and has indicated he will return to the Wizards' front office.
However, he is not contractually bound to Washington, and the GM opening in Chicago has led to more speculation Jordan will return to the Bulls. His family still lives in Chicago.
BROWN BAG CLASSICS 12:30 - 1:00PM MOST WEDNESDAYS KANSAS UNION
Make your lunch a classic. Please join the School of Fine Arts for free noon-time performances. Just bring your lunch because the drinks are on the Kansas Union.
School of Fine Arts
KU
TODAY'S PERFORMER: KU SAX QUARTETS
(ALDERSON AUDITORIUM, 4TH FLOOR)
I