THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009
SPORTS
BEECHER (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
5B
It is not problematic that Orton is keeping his commitment to Kentucky. With Cole Aldrich returning and plenty of frontline depth, Kansas hardly needs a center.
Orton, and Lance Stephenson could end up in Lawrence.
Wall hasn't committed yet, but Sherron Collins opted to return
The potential spurring of Stephenson (by prioritizing him behind Henry) is another matter. Some would tell you that he should go elsewhere. His perceived arrogance and penchant for self promotion seem to have offended the team-first sensibilities of many Kansas fans.
But although Stephenson's character is called into question, he would provide the only thing
for a senior season, which likely killed Kansas's chances of landing him. But again, as good as Wall is, the jayhawks are fairly well stocked with backcourt talent already.
the layhawks might lack next season: a true swingman who can treat offensively.
And now, Kansas may have to cancel the dinner reservations, and try and get the deposit back on the tux.
Unfortunately, it looks like Henry might follow his ex to a new school. Not surprisingly, Stephenson feels jilted.
The similarities are really quite striking. Kansas had
Kansas may have to cancel the dinner reservations, and try to get the deposit back on the tux.
It's appropriate that all of this drama is playing out at a time when the only certain thing is that Xavier will attend his high-school prom on Friday.
Edited by Grant Treaster
Stephenson all but signed — dinner plans and everything. But then Xavier broke up with his university. Kansas iust
couldn't resist taking another shot at the prize prospect.
FOOTBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
where we are improving but we still need to take every practice in August to get that position where it is." Mangino said. "There are a lot of new faces there, but I think we'll put together a good group."
The coaching staff continues to deliberate about who will fill
in for graduated perennial starters Joe Mortensen, Mike Rivera and James Holt.
"Arist Wright has shown some signs that he can do some really good things," Mangino said. "Anus Quiiley is."
a really good athlete, he can run around and run to the ball. We also have jake Scherner, who has been with us and has done some good things."
Mangino added that speed would be required of the new starters and that some of next season's contributors may be players who aren't yet on campus.
"We have some young kids coming into the program and we'll be anxious to see them and
what they can contribute in the fall," Mangino said.
"You need a lot of things to win a championship, there are a lot of things involved."
Between preparing his seniors for one final go at a conference title and retooling this year's positions hit by graduation, Mangino and his staff have been busy. After a stretch that saw Kansas
MARK MANGINO Kansas coach
win back-to-back bowls for the first time. Mangino says the team has built a stable foundation.
"We're on solid ground," Mangino said. "You need a lot of things to happen to win a championship.
there are a lot of things involved. But there's no question our program is on solid ground."
A touch of Irish in downtown Lawrence 944 Massachusetts 832-8228
Edited by Chris Hickerson
Red Lyon
Tavern
KANSAS (26-14) PITCHING
The Missouri offense isn't what it used to be from previous seasons, but there's no denying talent when
- Hanover Townhomes 2 bedroom w/garage
Bollman
compiled to Kansas' previous midweek games like Creighton and Iowa. Junior Brett Bollman pitched a gem against Creighon last Tuesday, as he still leads the team with four.
- Woodward Apts. 1,2 & 3 bedroom
- 1015-1025 Mississippi
1 & 2 bedroom
Country Club 2 bedroom, 2 bath
1712 Ohio 4 bedroom, 2 bath
-941 Indiana 1&2 bedroom
four victories, looking for a career high fifth
Heere
Missouri has had talented pitching in the past, and the Jayhawks
OFFENSE
CAMPUS DEALS!
will be lucky to avoid potential first round draft pick junior Kyle Gibson on the mound. Luckily after Gibson, the talent level and production drops off a bit. With sophomore
- 1812 Missouri 4 bedroom, 2 bath
MOMENTUM
Regardless of what happened at the weekend series against Texas Tech, Kansas would have been ready for this game. A lot of homebred players are on the team and the rivalry means the world to them, such as Lawrence native Heere. This doesn't count as a conference game, but look for this game to be played at the same level as any other Big 12 showdown.
outfielder Brian Heere hitting so well from the three spot,look for junior second baseman Robby Price to see plenty of pitches to hit as he continues to creep his batting average closer to .300
Josh Bowe
BY JOSH BOWE
jbowe@kansan.com
"He has high expectations about himself and the team," Robby Price said.
BASEBALL
Thompson's power could lead to awards
"He got off to a slow start just like any freshman usually does" Robby Price said. "But you look at the last third of the year in the Big 12 conference and I think he finished over 300 in the Big 12 conference as a freshman. So he had that confidence."
Running out of superlatives to describe Thompson, Robby Price just smiled, laughed and described Thompson in the simplest way.
Robby Price said he noticed the way Thompson handled himself on and off the field this year.
"Obviously, the dude's been awesome," He said. "You can't have a better year than what he's doing right now."
"He's got a chance," Price said. "He's in position to end up this thing as a good a season anybody's ever had at the University of Kansas."
Sophomore third baseman Tony Thompson is leading a season to remember, leading the Big 12 in RBIs. He is also second in home runs and third in batting average. It seems as though Thompson can't go a game without getting at least one RBI.
Junior second baseman Robby Price said it had been a fun ride watching Thompson explode onto the scene as a potential perennial power-hitter in the Big 12.
Taking a look at the Big 12 leader boards, there is a familiar name near the top of every category.
Thompson has put up numbers worthy of the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year title and has carried Kansas at times with his 12 home runs and 54 RBIs. Coach Ritch Price certainly won't scoff at the idea of Thompson's name in the running for the award, which would be a first for the program.
"I'm sure I can — I just don't really want to," Thompson said, laughing. "I'd be nice to get one in every game."
Thompson's gaudy numbers are also placing him in the running to be the conference's first triple-crown winner. Price won't count Thompson out for that achievement, either.
"I think his numbers are better than the guys at Texas," Price said. "They're winning with pitching. He's certainly doing it on the offensive side of the ball."
Thompson now has RBIs in 11 of his past 14 games.
"It's our goal all year to be atop the Big 12 at the end of conference play." Thompson said.
But Thompson's sole focus is keeping the Jayhawks in the hunt for a Big 12 championship.
- Edited by Grant Treaster
After 2.2 innings of three-hit ball, Selik gave way to freshman Kevin Burk, who threw 3.1 scoreless innings in relief while the Jayhawks amassed a double-digit lead the Wildcats would have no chance of recovering from.
John surgery. Obviously, we missed him this weekend at Texas Tech."
BASEBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
"The reason we put him on the shelf last week was to try to get him well," Price said. "He's still trying to overcome, probably, the first time of being extended after that Tommy
Cameron Selik started the game, but because of tenderness in his throwing arm, he was held to a pitch count of 50. Selik had offseason Tommy John surgery and is still trying to return to full health.
MISSOURI (21-20) PITCHING
The logic is that one inning from nine fine arms is better than six or seven from one that will tire out. It's been successful, surprisingly
Edited by Chris Horn
Save for their Friday and Saturday games, the Tigers throw nine pitchers on one inning each, almost
and their two lowest ERAs — Ryan Gargano and Brad Buehler are both sub-three — have come exclusively from the bullpen.
Gargano
Junior outfielder Greg Folgia is coming off a week in which he hit .429 on his way to Big 12 Conference Player of the Week honors.
OFFENSE
Folgia added to team-leading seven home runs and 42 RBI with a two-homer, five-RBI performance
Saturday against Kansas State.
Senior Ryan
Lollis leads the team with 10 stolen bases, and could prove a challenge for Kansas catcher Buck Afenir.
Flogia
After beginning the season ranked in the Top 25, the Tigers quickly fell to 1-7 out of the starting gate. They've rebounded to pull above .500, with a 21-20 record overall. Missouri took two of three games last weekend against Kansas State to improve to 8-10 in conference—good for eighth place. If they hold that spot, they'll be the last team into the Big 12 Tournament.
MOMENTUM
— Tim Dwyer
...
SPECIAL OFFER: $5 TICKETS Available for KU students. Good for either date.
USE PROMOTION CODE $5STU
Call 785-864-2787 for details. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Offer expires April 24, 6 p.m.
TREE OF LIFEOrigins and Evolutionfeaturing the Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet
Friday & Saturday, April 24 & 25,7:30 p.m.
Exciting new work bridging the sciences, humanities and performing arts, featuring more than 100 KU students!!
LIED CENTER OF KANSAS
785-864-2787
lied.ku.edu