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SPORTS
12A
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2003
Tomorrow deadline for tourney tickets
By Chris Wintering
cwintering@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Men's basketball fans beware, the deadline to apply for tickets for the NCAA Tournament or Big 12 Conference Tournament is 5 p.m. tomorrow.
Rodney Jones, Kansas director of ticket operations, said the ticket office began calling students Wednesday to confirm their tournament seats.
Jones also said that in the past, students had to sit in the upper level of the arena, but this year students could sit in the lower level. Upper-level tickets cost $210 and lower-level tickets are $300 for the Big 12 Tournament.
"We wanted to get as many students as possible in the lower level of the arena," Jones said. "We are not forcing anyone to buy the more expensive tickets, it is just an option."
Jones said that option was available because of the move of the Big 12 Tournament from Kansas City, Mo., to Dallas this year. The American Airlines Center in Dallas allows for more accessible seating than Kemper Arena, Jones said.
Mike Sheridan, Cincinnati senior, was one of many students who received a call yesterday that confirmed his tickets for the Big 12.
"The ticket office called and said I had tickets, and asked if I wanted to move downstairs," Sheridan said. "I did it because I figure $300 for 11 games is a pretty good deal."
Courtney Kuhlen/Kansan
"I am 99 percent positive we will be able to accommodate all students who apply for tickets, whether it be the Big 12 Tournament or NCAA Tournament, including the Final Four," Jones said.
Jones said that, as in the past, students could only purchase one ticket per person for any tournament game, but getting tickets should not be a problem.
Tickets for the first-round and second-round games range from $105 to $165 depending on location. The NCAA Regional games will cost between $90 to $120, and the Final Four tickets will be $120 to $160.
Edited by Melissa Hermreck
Women golfers finish second in tournament
The Kansas women's golf team opened its season in impressive fashion Tuesday with a second place finish in the Lady Aztec Invitational. The Jayhawk's two-round total of 613 was four strokes behind the tournament winner, Texas Tech.
Golf
The team had three golfers junior Jennifer Bawanan, senior Heather Rose and freshman Tiffany Woods—finish in the top-10
Bawanan won the tournament shooting 71-77 for a one stroke victory. Rose finished in fifth place shooting 77-75, and Tiffany Woods finished in ninth place shooting 76-77.
"I thought this was an outstanding beginning to our season," said Menzel.
Coach Megan Menzel said that Bawanan's victory was important for the whole team and built everyone's confidence.
The team will next compete Feb. 28, in the Edwin Watts-Carolinas Classic in Pinehurst, N.C.
Paul Kramer
'Sweetrevenge'
'Hawks find inspiration gain victory
By Doyle Murphy
dmurphy@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas was waiting for this.
After losing, 60-59, to Colorado in Boulder, Colo., on Jan. 4, the No. 6 Jayhawks have been biding their time, anticipating last night's rematch Kansas (20-5 overall, 10-1 Big 12 Conference) was not disappointed, as they handed the Buffaloes (15-9, 5-6) their 20th consecutive defeat in Allen Fieldhouse, 94-87.
"It was good, sweet revenge," junior forward Jeff Graves said after the game. "We knew we shouldn't have lost to them last time."
Last time the Jayhawks made 33 percent of their shots and were out rebounded by five. Last time, Colorado senior forward Stephane Pelle scored 27 points and drained the game-winning shot.
That was last time.
In last night's game in Lawrence, the Jayhawks shot 48 percent from the field, out rebounded the Buffaloes 46-38, and lead by as many as 23 points.
And Pelle? He was harmless, scoring just 2 points in 29 minutes.
Simien, playing in his second game back from a 11-game absence, had more points, 21, than minutes played. 20. The sophomore forward completed the double-double with 13 rebounds.
This time it was the Nick Collison and Wayne Simien show. Collision, a senior forward, scored a team-high 24 points while grabbing 14 rebounds.
Simien, who was in so much pain he disappeared into the locker room for about 10 minutes in the second half, inspired the rest of the team with his performance, Kansas coach Roy Williams said.
Sophomore guard Keith Langford is fouled by junior guard Blair Wilson in the first half. Wilson committed three personal fouls in Wednesday's game, and scored 21 points for the Buffalos.
Sophomore guard 0Aaron Miles felt so good he unleashed a move more commonly seen by sophomore guard Keith Langford — a vicious two-handed dunk.
"It wasn't nothing major, nothing big," Miles said. "Just something I used to do in high school."
Not to be outdone, senior guard Kirk Hinrich threw down a double-fisted two-pointer a minute later.
Led by junior guard Michel Morandais' game-high 28 points, Colorado cut Kansas' advantage to 5 points with 10 seconds to play. But that was as close as the Buffalooes would come.
But it wasn't all fun and dunks for the Jayhawks.
Miles hit two free throws, pushing the lead to its final margin and Colorado out of striking distance.
Graves told reporters that his close friend was killed when he accidentally shot himself in the head earlier this week. He said he had been bothered by the tragedy this week and was still waiting for all the details. The accident was part of a difficult week for Graves. He was benched at the start of Sunday's game against Iowa State and forced to run extra in practice for arriving late. He was again forced to run when he showed up late for a 9:30 a.m. class.
Edited by Melissa Hermreck
Women break streak
Jayhawks defeat Cornhuskers for second time
By Ryan Greene
rgreene@kansan.com
kansan sportswriter
LINCOLN, Neb. — If every game on the schedule was against Nebraska, the Kansas women's basketball team would be one of the nation's most feared squads. Even though that situation is impossible, the Jayhawks can take solace in a season sweep of the Cornhuskers.
Kansas (10-13 overall, 3-9 Big 12) defeated Nebraska 62-58 last night in Lincoln in front of 2,334 fans at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak that began after Kansas' previous victory against Nebraska on Jan. 29.
For Washington, the victory was the 550th of her career. Even though the victory brought another achievement to Washington's 30-year career at Kansas, she was humble and didn't even pay attention to the approaching milestone.
David McGee/Daily Nebraskan
"It was a game where it really showed us that they have definitely matured." Kansas coach Marian Washington said. "I'm so thrilled for them. They did a nice job."
"You know I'm happy about getting it, but honest to goodness, I didn't even realize I was there." Washington said. "I told this team what I think about the 550 then what I think about them which was great."
Kansas' offensive production was well distributed, with four players scoring in double figures. Sophomore guard Blair Waltz led the way with 14 points,
sopnomore guard Aquanita Burras denies Nebraska senior forward Amanda Cleveland on her route to the basket. Coach Marian Washington earned career victory number 550 as the women's basketball team knocked off the Cornhuskers 62-58 in Lincoln, Neb., yesterday. while freshman guard Erica Hallman and sophomore guard Aquanita Burras each added 12. Freshman forward Tamara Ransburg scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the year.
With the game tied 20-20 with 8 minutes left in the first half, Hallman hit the first of her two three-point shots in the game to give Kansas the lead for good. Hallman's other three-point shot was a 35-foot heave to put Kansas up 44-35 in the second half.
every trip down the floor in an attempted comeback, but the Jayhawks shot 8-for-10 at the free-throw line to close out the game.
Waltz scored in double figures in her second consecutive game after back pain limited her minutes in the two previous contests.
The Jayhawks led by as many as 10 points with just more than a minute to go in the game. Nebraska scored nearly
Waltz said a solid night from the floor would give her more confidence in her health and its effect on her play for the season's stretch run.
"It does a lot to my confidence," Waltz said. "I've been struggling just to complete a full practice lately because I've been sore. It's gotten so much better. And not only confidence in myself, but confidence in my team has totally escalated."
Hallman answered the call from her coach after a tough game against Missouri with 12 points, leadership and good defense.
"Coach and them got on me pretty good, but it was all for a good cause," Hallman said. "I just came out and was a lot more focused tonight."
Kansas will head back home for its only meeting of the year with Baylor (16-7, 6-5) Saturday at 2:05 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse. Washington said Baylor was a hard-nosed team much like Nebraska.
"It's tough to win on the road period, so for them to win this game was great." Washington said. "We're going to face another team that's going to be relentless on the boards."
-Edited by Andrew Ward
SPORTS COMMENTARY
Ryan Malashock rmalashock@kansan.com
Baseball coach's spirit leads team to victories
Wow, it's cold out here, Ritch Price thought on a blustery day in January. Price, Kansas' first-year baseball coach, thought he knew what January weather felt like.
In California, it was in the 70s and sunny. In Oregon, it was a little damp, but still tolerable. In Texas, it was downright hot.
Price, in a way, wished he could go back to those places — sites of his old jobs — for just a moment to warm up, but then he remembered where he was.
"Come on, guys. I'm from California." Price beckoned on that 25-degree day."If I can be out here you guys better be with me."
He was just outside the Kansas dugout at Hoglund Ballpark, staring his shivering players in the eyes. His players were fidgeting, almost praying to hear the words, "Go home. Practice is off." But they wouldn't be going, even if Price couldn't feel his fingers or toes.
Maybe, just maybe, Price has stumbled across a sleeping giant that required only a boost of confidence, a sense of pride that has been absent in the Kansas baseball program for years.
His coaching career began during his collegiate summers, when he coached his former American Legion team.
Price's Jayhawks may not have accomplished much that day, but the message was clear. Their coach meant business. And so far, that determination has led to unfathomable results. Kansas swept College World Series regular Louisiana State, unexpectedly tossing it into the national ratings at No. 21.
"I remember when I first met with the team, that they were just real down on themselves," Price said. "They had no confidence. After having so many losing seasons in a row, they just expected to lose. We wanted to change that around."
Price has done that and then some. Athletics Director Al Bohl hit a grand slam in luring Price to Kansas from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. In Price, he got the ultimate baseball man, mixed with the ultimate teacher.
Baseball is Price's love. His eyes light up and his voice perks throughout any baseball-related conversation.
Then, Price paid his dues. He coached at the high school level in Oregon and Texas. He turned around two junior college programs in California, and, at his most recent job, transformed Cal Poly from a Division II nobody to a Division I NCAA-Tournament caliber program.
All along, Price soaked in as much baseball knowledge as possible. The result is a baseball genius. Price has a plan for every part of baseball.
Hitting approaches. Recruiting. Mental improvement. Scholarship allotment.
Game strategy — you name it.
So when this baseball guru speaks confidently that this weekend was no fluke, one is almost forced to believe him. He boasts of his team's speed, clutch hitting and gutsy pitching.
And he marvels at the relationship that has formed with his team, as do his players.
"He's such a player's coach," senior pitcher and outfielder Kevin Wheeler said. "Everything that he does is to try to make us better."
That's all the Kansas baseball players ever required. They needed a coach that believed in them at all costs and put their interests first.
By that account, Price already has earned his team's respect, even if that means practicing in weather Price still can't believe exists.
**Melathock is an Omaha, Nob., senior in journalism**
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