WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2018
2B • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
"I'm greedy. I want another ring. Keith Langford on the Big 12 Championship
Inside Sports
Jessica Scott
iscott@kansan.com
Allow player to turn back on U.S. flag
Fifty years ago, it would be surprising to see a female on a basketball court, that is, unless she was wearing a cheerleading skirt.
But now, one female basketball player is creating quite a buzz in the sports world, and it isn't because of her crossover dribble.
All season, Toni Smith of the Manhattanville College women's basketball team in Purchase, N.Y., has refused to face the American flag during the national anthem. Instead, she turns her back and lowers her head until the pregame ceremony is over.
Because of the gesture, national media outlets such as ESPN and HBO are flocking to Manhattanville's games. They don't care about the Division III basketball program; they come to watch Smith and feel the emotions she evokes from her actions.
She's been yelled at and taunted. A crowd of more than 300 people chanted "Leave Our Country" during a recent game. A student group handed out tiny flags for the crowd to wave in protest. She was even confronted by a flag-waving Vietnam veteran who rushed onto the court and shouted in her face.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2003
Everyone should just leave Smith alone.
In no way am I anti-American, especially at a time when our country is teetering on the edge of war, but Smith is just doing what the flag allows her to do. As a citizen of the United States of America, she can voice her opinions — even if they are unpopular — without the fear of severe consequences. If a person can legally burn a flag, then Smith should be able to do something much less harmful by refusing to recognize it before a basketball game.
It's amazing to me how little the flag means to a lot of people until something happens that forces them to care about it. Before the attack on our country in 2001, people used the flag more as a fashion statement than a real symbol of patriotism.
But now suddenly everyone is digging in his attic, dusting off his flag.
I don't agree with Smith's actions, but I can understand why she feels the way she does. Like so many other athletes, she is making a statement on the court. But this time, it's not about sports.
I empathize with the furious spectators, some who have fought for my freedom and truly love the American flag. She is being an American.
It's more important than that.
Scott is a Haven junior in journalism
KJHK
Play-by-play announcers for the University of Kansas radio station JKHJ 90.7 FM, Brian Bruce and Nathan Stock, invite you to listen in as they call tomorrow's women's basketball game against the Iowa State Cyclones live from Allen Fieldhouse. Below Bruce and Stock bring you their expectations for the game.
Coming off a 21-point loss Saturday at Missouri, the Jayhawks' spirits are down and are desperately in need of a rejuvenating victory. There is a good chance that victory will come tonight against Iowa State. On Jan. 11, Kansas narrowly lost 72-70 at Ames in a game they simply let slip away. The Cyclones are not the national power they were last season, and Kansas is trying to fight
Look for freshman forward Tamara Ransburg and sophomore guard Aquanita Burras to lead the charge and keep senior guard Lindsey Wilson and sophomore guard Anne O'Neil at bay. With a victory, Kansas would move to 11-16 on the year,4-12 in the Big 12 Conference, and more importantly, one step closer to a positive ending to the season.
its way off the ropes.
Tonight's game could be the culmination of the entire season for the Jayhawks
Brian Bruce
A victory against Iowa State would advance their record to 11-16 overall and 4-12 in Big 12 and boost their confidence as they gear up for next year. To win tonight, Tamara Ransberg and
KJHK's live coverage of tonight's Kansas women's basketball game will begin at 7 p.m. on 90.7.
freshman forward Crystal Kemp need to establish an inside game early. This should take pressure off sophomore guard Blair Waltz and sophomore guard Stacey Becker on the outside to hit shots around the perimeter. The game proves to be one that definitely can be won by the Jayhawks. Iowa State fronts a record of 11-16 overall, which has been blemished losing 5 of their last seven games. The Cyclones also have only one victory on the road this year, so don't expect their best game of the season.
Nathan Stock
Mizzou football startspractice
The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Gary Pinkel has seen the progress in practice. He has seen his team improve in fundamentals and quickness.
Now, the Missouri coach wants to see progress where it counts.
When Pinkel came to Missouri from Toledo after the 2000 season, he inherited a team that had gone 3-8. Since, his Tigers have improved to 4-7 in 2001 and 5-7 in 2002. With the return of freshman standout quarterback Brad Smith, Pinkel hopes the Tigers will bring a new attitude into spring practices.
This place is drastically different right
"To be very blunt, I want to see the progress in wins and losses," Pinkel said Monday as he prepared for the start of spring practices on Thursday. "That's the way I want to see it, that's what Gary Pinkel wants to see.
"You think my fans want to see it? You think my players want to see it? I want to see it. This has been a tough two years for me."
now than it was the day I walked in here, thank God." Pinkel said. "I think there's a little bit more enthusiasm around here in general. We've had to go through a process,
and when I took this job I knew I was going to have to do this. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, I was not naive."
One of the biggest fights of the spring will be for backup quarterback. Smith
Players took physical exams Monday and Tuesday. They'll enter Thursday's first practice looking to analyze schemes on offense, defense and special teams. Pinkel and his staff will evaluate personnel, which they hope to sort out before the spring's 15 practices are complete.
Some changes have already been made. Brandon Barnes, who shared time at free safety with Marcus King in 2002, will open the spring as a linebacker. Former tight end Earl Stephens has moved to defensive line. More changes could come before the spring ends, Pinkel said
became only the second Division I-A player to run for 1,000 yards and throw for 2,000 last season, and he has three years of eligibility remaining. Scrambling for the No. 2 spot are sophomore Sonny Riccio and redshirt freshmen Brandon Coleman, Josh Hibbets and David Overstreet Jr.
Smith said the improvement last season including several close losses to ranked opponents has raised expectations.
"There's a great deal of excitement," Smith said. "The anticipation of us having a good year makes us want to come out and have a great year. The expectation is pushing us."
The Tigers will also look to replace two lost starters on the defensive line, Keith Wright and Antwaun Bynum. Missouri lost two cornerbacks and an outside safety from a secondary that ranked 113th out of 117 Division I-A teams last season in pass defense. So, defensive personnel will be key for Pinkel.
"Are there any specific concerns at any specific areas?" Pinkel said. "Yeah, all of them."
Terry Allen to remain with Cyclones
Bv Jeff Raasch
iowa State Daily, Iowa State University
via U-WIRE
AMES, Iowa — One will stay, one will go. ISU football administrative assistant Mike Woodley has decided to take a job offer from Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena, Texas. But associate head football coach Terry Allen will remain with the Cyclones after receiving interest from North Dakota State about its vacant head coaching position.
Woodley was the first person head coach Dan McCarney hired to his staff when he took over at Iowa State in 1995. The Waterloo native spent three years as a linebackers coach and four years in charge of the tight ends before becoming an administrative assistant last season. In his most recent position, he had direct oversight of Iowa State's summer football camps. Woodley's position will not be replaced.
His son, Joe Woodley, who pulled double duty for the Cyclones last season as a
linebacker and fullback, will be a senior on the team this fall.
"Mike wanted to be a head coach again," McCarney said. "The loyalty of the Woodley family to ISU goes beyond words. We will miss his contributions to our program but miss him even more as a friend."
woodley was head coach at West Des Moines Valley High School before coming to Iowa State.
Allen joined the Cyclones last March after spending four seasons at Kansas. Before that, Allen led Northern Iowa to seven conference titles and two semifinal berths in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.
He said he would enjoy the challenge to build off the recent success ISU football has enjoyed. The Cyclones have been to three straight bowl games for the first time in their history.
"North Dakota State was a great opportunity," Allen said. "It has great leadership from an outstanding president and athletic director. Ultimately, I
enjoy being here with Dan McCarney as we build on the success of the last three seasons."
McCarney, who knew Allen while both of them were growing up in Iowa City, said Allen was a valuable resource. Allen will continue to coach the tight ends.
McCarney told the Daily Iowa earlier this year that he hoped each assistant would return to the team.
"We're hoping to keep this staff intact and keep the continuity going," McCarney said on Jan. 11.
But he realized the opportunity Woodley was faced with. Texas is known for the quality of its high school football. Pasadena is just minutes from downtown Houston.
"He missed being a head coach and for him to get a position as the leader of a Texas Class 5A school is a great opportunity." McCarney said.
POLI
kansan.com Where will the Kansas men's bas
ketball team be seeded in the NCAA tournament bracket?
■ One seed
■ Two seed
■ Three seed
■ Four seed
■ Five seed or lower
Log on to www.hansan.com to cast your vote
Kansas Athletics Calendar
TODAY
Women's basketball vs. Iowa State,
Allen Fieldhouse, 7:05 p.m.
THURSDAY
Baseball vs. Western Michigan,
Hoglund Ballpark, 3 p.m.
FRIDAY
Baseball vs. Western Michigan, Hoglund Ballpark, 3 p.m.
SATURDAY
Baseball vs. Western Michigan,
Hoglund Ballpark, 1 p.m.
Track at the Iowa State Invitational,
Ames, Iowa
Tennis vs. Nebraska, Kansas City Racquet Club, Mission, 4 p.m.
SUNDAY
Men's basketball at Missouri, Columbia;
Mo. 1 m.
Baseball vs. Western Michigan, Hoglund Ballpark 1 p.m.
SPIRIT SQUAD
Open Gyms to provide tryouts for cheer and dance squads
University of Kansas students trying out for Spirit Squad are invited to Open Gyms in April.
Open Gyms for the cheer and dance squads are at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 5 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 19 in the Horejsi Family Athletic Center, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 26 in Anchutz Sports Pavilion.
Students can workout with the team and get information about tryouts. Those interested should contact Cat Jarzemkoski at 864-3002 or catj@ku.edu.
— Kansan staff report
The Phog Phanatics are like 30 years old. I was just wondering who takes care of their kids while they're at the game and camping out.
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I think Jeff Graves looks so darn cute in those pigtails.
Final Four Giveaway - Tickets for 2 to the Final Four $600 toward plane tickets & hotels. Register ahead of time. Giveaway Date: Friday, March 28th. Must be present to win.
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Big 12 Champs!