FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2003
"It's a bunch of hogwash."
Arizona coach Lute Olson on the accusations that two of his players broke into a candy machine at their Lawrence hotel
2B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Inside Sport
SPORTS COMMENTARY
Brad Zollars
bzollars@kansan.com
Collison fills missing leadership role for team
Kansas forward Nick Collison became a leader on Monday night.
He all but willed his team to victory in a memorable and impressive performance that won the Jayhawks not only a conference basketball game,but something far less tangible and far more important.
The Jayhawks gained a leader, a general, someone to follow into battle. A person who gives his teammates the will to fight when things are at their worst and keeps them humble and working hard when they are at their best.
With the departure of Drew Gooden and Jeff Boschee, Kansas lost more than just points and rebounds, it lost leadership.
Whenever the lajhawks needed a big bucket, they would be there. Whether it was Gooden calling for the ball and delivering or Boschee nailing a big three with a hand in his face, these two understood how to lead.
Most expected Collison and fellow senior Kirk Hinrich to automatically step into these roles, but it's not that simple. Just as it is silly to believe a person automatically has enough responsibility to drive a car the day he turns 16, it is equally as absurd to assume that leadership is adopted by a star player just because it is his turn.
But during the first half of the must-win "Big Monday," it appeared as if Kansas was ready to pack it in as the team trailed by as many as 15 points.
That's when things changed. That's when Nick Collison stepped up and took charge. Collison single-handedly turned around a Kansas team that was facing its third straight defeat — its second straight in Allen Fieldhouse.
Michael Jordan has been called the greatest leader in sports because he makes the players around him better. On the court against Texas, Collison did the same.
The whole team witnessed the effort Collison put forth — how much he wanted to win, the fire in his eyes. This kind of effort brings teams together and pushes them to the next step.
Jayhawk fans might want to move their Spring Break trips from South Padre to wherever Kansas will be playing, in the NCAA tournament because this Kansas team has found itself, and it has Nick Collison to thank.
Brad Zollars is a senior in communication
Oklahoma guard Price dominates in tough play against Texas A&M
By Kris Glenn Oklahoma Daily via U-wire University of Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla. — Hollis Price gets plenty of attention for lighting up scoreboards and for last-second heroics.
While the Oklahoma senior guard is often featured in the spotlight for his ability to put the ball in the basket, his hard work and toughness on the court are sometimes left in the shadows.
News channels across the country showed viewers the barrage of Price baskets that lifted No. 6 OU over the Aggies 75-68.
En route to pouring in 24 points against Texas A&M on Tuesday night, the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year showed the nation why he deserves the title. The game was broadcast on ESPN.
The broadcasts didn't show his hustle plays.
In the first half, Price said hello to
As the A&M squad was snipping away at the OU lead in the second half, he planted his feet in front of an Aggie ballhandler to draw a charge.
press row as he desperately chased a rebound out of bounds.
With minutes remaining in the contest, an A&M shot came off the rim only to find itself in a tug-of-war on the floor. No. 10 came up with the prize, pointing his finger toward the Sooner basket.
When Price does get attention for his hard-nosed, energetic play, he instantly gives credit to the team's identity.
"That's Sooner basketball." he said. "The little things is what gets us to win games. That's just the toughness of our program."
OU coach Kelvin Sampson knows the kid from New Orleans is one tough hombre.
"He can go 4-for-14 and still be one of your most valuable players because he does all the other little things." Sampson
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2003
said.
texas A&M guard Bernard King, a former AAU teammate of Price, described him as the heart and soul of the Sooners.
Aggie coach Melvin Watkins made a point after the game to confirm with Price that this season is indeed his last in an OU uniform.
"He's just a competitor." Watkins said. "You know he's going to find a way to help his team win."
Sampson said he knows he has something special in Price.
"The thing I've enjoyed about coaching both Hollis and Eduardo (Najera) is they're stars and they don't act like it," Sampson said. "They don't want star treatment. They're the hardest workers in practice. They get it done in the classroom and the weight room. They're leaders, great role models for our younger players. That's what makes them special."
KJHK SPORTS
Play-by-play announcers for the University of Kansas radio station KJHK 90.7 FM, John Grimmett and Kevin Flaherty, invite you to listen in as they call tomorrow's women's basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders live from Allen Fieldhouse. Below Grimmett and Flaherty bring your expectations for the game.
The Kansas women will come into tomorrow's match-up with Texas Tech riding high on a two-game winning streak. With impressive victories at Texas A&M and against Nebraska, the Jayhawks have won two consecutive games against Big 12 competition. Kansas does have talent, but the talent is very young and still inexperienced. With Texas Tech (17-2, 6-1) currently ranked No. 8 in the nation, the Jayhawks are going to need a lot of help. That help must come in the
form of Tamara Ransburg. Ransburg will be given the assignment of guarding one of the nation's best inside players, Texas Tech's Plenate Pierson. Pierson comes into tomorrow's match-up averaging 18.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. If the Jayhawks want to pull off the upset tomorrow, it will take their best game of the season and probably a little more. Look for Red Raiders to roll in Allen Fieldhouse.
This should be a match-up to see whoever can pound the ball inside the best. Texas Tech comes in at No. 8 in the nation and is a tough game for anybody because of its talent on both ends of the floor. The offense has scored 95 or more points four times, and the defense held Missouri to 13 points in the first half. The
KJHK's coverage of tomorrow women's game against Texas Tech will begin at 2 p.m. on 90.7 FM.
John Grimmett, KJHK
post is strong with All-America candidate Plenette Pierson who leads the team in scoring with 18.5 points per game and rebounding at 7.4 per game. She is coming off a 32-point outing against Missouri. Cistl Greenwalt is sixth in the nation in blocks. The backcourt is headed by Jia Perkins, an explosive scorer, and freshman phenomenon Erin Grant, who is eighth in the nation in assists.
Kevin Flaherty, KJHK
Free forAll
I can't wait for Andy Samuelson's next two articles; why people shouldn't eat with their hands and why real KU students don't wear hats in class.
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We may have kicked the UT out of Kansas, but straight from the mouth of a Texan: There's still a lot of Texas in Kansas.
Please stop using the word "classless" in headlines. Ask around if you don't know why it is offensive. The word "classless" does not fit enthusiastic fans. The word "classless means belonging to no particular social class. Please use it right.
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About the fans who rushed the court, good for them. They're excited about KU basketball. Oh, and Richard
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Konzem. Sorry students don't have as much class as you.I guess it comes from spending hours lying on the cold field-house floor to get decent seats because the best seats are reserved for the season ticket holders.
I totally agree with the columnist in the Kansan who wrote to those individuals that celebrated KU's victory Monday night. How dare they tarnish KU's national image. I go one step further. I say we also ban celebrations in New York for New Year's. I mean, come on, there have been about 4 billion New Year's in the history of the earth. Seriously people, let's act like we've been there before. What would the other countries in the world think? You've got to do your part to end celebrations now.
Hey Al Bohl, maybe you could do the University a favor and keep your senior associate athletics director from calling the students idiots.
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I would just like to ask that when I call in drunk after a KU home loss that you not print the majority of things that I say Thanks, bye.
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Poor wittle Wuke Walton got caught stealing candy from a vending machine. Don't worry, Wuke, daddy will make it all better for you.
POLL
kansan.com Are you willing to pay $125—that's a
$25 increase from last year —for a sports ticket package?
Yes, the combo is worth it.
Yes, basketball tickets alone are worth $125 a season.
Yes, football tickets alone are worth $125 a season.
No, that's asking too much.
Log on to www.hansan.com to cast your vote.
TODAY
Kansas Athletics Calendar
Track. Jayhawk Invitational at 11 a.m. in the Anschutz Sports Pavilion
SATURDAY
Men's basketball at Nebraska at 1 p.m. in Lincoln, Neb.
Women's basketball vs. Texas Tech at 2:05 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse
Swimming and Diving dual at Arkansas at 1 p.m. in Fayetteville, Ark.
Track, Jayhawk Invitational at 10 a.m. in the Anschutz Sports Pavilion
SUNDAY
Tennis vs. Southwest Missouri State University at 1 p.m. at the Indian Creek Racquet Club in Overland Park
OLYMPIC SPORTS Track stars questioned in association with coach
LONDON — Five-time Olympic medalist Marion Jones and 100-meter record holder Tim Montgomery are under pressure to explain why they're working with Charlie Francis, Ben Johnson's coach, when he failed a drug test and was stripped of his gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
USA Track & Field and the International Association of Athletics Federations are demanding an explanation.
PROFOOTBALL
Report: Raiders' Robbins off depression medication
ALAMEDA, Calif. — All-Pro center Barret Robbins was incoherent and didn't know where he was the night before the Super Bowl, Oakland Raiders coach Bill Cailahan said.
The 6-foot-3, 320-pound lineman reportedly had stopped taking his medicine for depression. He missed a team meeting, a position meeting and a walkthrough practice Saturday. Callahan said
Judge dismisses counts in wrongful death lawsuit
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A judge dismissed several counts in the $100 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by Korey Stringer's widow against the Minnesota Vikings, but the decision didn't affect the case's most important claims.
A hearing is scheduled for March 4 on a separate motion from the Vikings to dismiss the remaining three counts against the team. ___ The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Not all drugs are good. Some of them are great.
KU Students for Sensible Drug Policy Meeting Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, Pine Room Kansas Union, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
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