Sports THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSA
LONE JAYHAWK WILL COMPETE AT NATIONALS
Three others miss out on going to championship. TRACK & FIELD 18B
FORMER JAYHAWKS RETURN FOR PRO DAY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009
WWW.KANSAN.COM
Players participate in drills, tests in front of NFL scouts. FOOTBALL 18B
PAGE 1B
BASEBALL
Kansas reserves beat up on Missouri Valley
BY JOSH BOWE
jbowe.kansan.com
It may have been a warmup game — a tuneup before Wichita State tonight — but don't tell that to Kansas, especially freshman out-fielder Jason Brunansky.
Brunansky's first career home run highlighted a 10-3 Kansas victory against Missouri Valley College Tuesday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark.
"I'm more of a line-drive hitter," Brunarsky said. "Home runs are accidents."
Brunansky barely snuck his home run over the right-center fence. He admitted that he didn't think the ball was going to make it.
"I was hauling the entire way," Brunansky said. "I rounded first base double, triple, but I
Kansas vs. Wichita State
6 p.m.
Hoglund Ballpark
Radio: 1320 AM
Admission is free for
students with a KUJD.
saw him stop running."
It was a pleasant accident to say the least for the Jayhawks. In what could have been an overlooked makeup game against a lesser opponent, Kansas came out with three runs in the bottom of the first
inning to take away any hints of a lack of focus.
"We're pretty much kept on alert everyday," Brunansky said. "To come out and play today was a better alternative to practice."
The game — scheduled because of rain outs over the weekend — was an opportunity for coach Ritch Price to rest his regulars and give his younger players some at bats and log innings. Price was especially pleased with the way Brunansky battled back after his first few atbats of the game to hit a home run.
Normally a relief pitcher, junior Brett Bollman started the game for Kansas, his second appearance of the season and the first start of his career. In three innings of work
"I really like him." Price said. "He's got tremendous tools. For a little guy, he's got surprising power!"
Bollman gave up one run on one hit, a home run, while striking out three. He said he didn't have to change his preparation drastically to adjust to a new role.
"I warmed up and everything like it was out of the pen than a start," Bollman said. "I didn't really do the whole starting stretch or that stuff."
The only regular starter to start Tuesday was shortstop David Narodowski. He responded with a 3-for-3 effort, including a double and three runs scored. Narodowski wasn't originally slated to play, but with junior second baseman Robby Price sidelined for the afternoon, Ritch Price had no alternative. Price said he thought the game would give Narodowski a boost at the plate as Kansas begins playing against better competition.
"I actually think it was good for his confidence," Ritch Price said. "He got his three knocks and pulled his average to .300."
RESERVES SEE ACTION
Eight of the nine starters for Kansas hadn't played in more than eight games. The one exception was shortstop David Narodowski, who has started all 11 contests for the Jayhawks.
Edited by Andrew Wiebe
Coach Ritch Price said regular second baseman Robby Price, who doubles as the backup shortstop, was hurt; otherwise Narodowski wouldn't have played.
SEE MORE BASEBALL
COVERAGE ON PAGE 7B
COMMENTARY
Advancing is no sure thing in tournament
A 11:30 a.m. today, Nebraska will face off against Baylor for the right to get drilled by Kansas. I know, making assumptions can be dangerous. Choose any cliche you like; they all make the same general point.
Nothing is guaranteed in sports, much less in conference tournaments. But seriously, what could go wrong? What's the worst that could happen?
It's not like Kansas could actually lose to either of those two teams.
Actually, hold up. I'm getting a sense of déjà vu. I seem to remember reading something similar to that recently...
Here it is. From The Kansan, March 4: "As stupid as it is for sportwriters to make assumptions — even apparently safe ones such as this — I'll do it anyway. Kansas will defeat Texas Tech tonight, thus giving it at least a share of the Big 12 Championship for a fifth consecutive season."
Man, what an idiot. Everyone knows that (insert favorite cliché having to do with the uncertainty inherent in sports here). The writer even acknowledges the faux pas while he's making it. I bet he also thought that Matt Ryan would be a bust, that Emeka Okafor projected as a better NBA center than Dwight Howard, and that HD DVD would beat out Blu-ray.
I really ought to send whoever wrote that an e-mail. He needs to know he's an idiot, after all. So let's see what clown is responsible. Some guy named ... Alex Beecher.
This is the part where I fess up to and (ideally) learn from my own mistakes. First of all, as I was so generously reminded of via an e-mail, one should never speak of championships (of the national variety, any-way) during March.
To do so is to invite the kind of karma that allowed Alan
SEE BEECHER ON PAGE 7B
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
McCray improves, but can't do it all' herself
BY JAYSON JENKS
jionks@jayson.com
During her first season at Kansas three years ago, when she was still a raw shooter from Olathe, junior forward Danielle McCray played the four position — a spot usually reserved for post players larger than her 5-feet-11-inches.
jjenks@kansan.com
In high school, as is the case for most talented players, McCray's principle focus was scoring. But in college, where players are expected to score as well as adequately defend, McCray struggled.
"From the time she got here, she's not the same player," coach Bornie Henrickson. "We played
her at the four because she couldn't guard anybody. She couldn't guard me in my heels. And then it was real simple for her: If she caught it, she shot it."
McCray has come a long way since those days. Although Henrickson still views defense as an area in need of improvement, McCray is no longer a liability on that end of the floor.
But the most obvious development in McCray's game occurred on the offensive end.
An All-Big 12 First Team selection this season, McCray is averaging 20.2 points and, down the stretch of the season, she has placed Kansas' offense on her shoulders.
Kansas vs. Nebraska Thursday, 1:30 p.m.
Cox Convention Center Oklahoma City
FIRST ROUND
"She's always been the kid that wants to take the tough shot," Henrickson said. "She's a kid under pressure that performs better offensively."
There's little doubt that McCray will need to be at her best in the Big 12 tournament if Kansas is to sneak into the NCAA tournament. But the question that has circled the Jayhawks all season still remains:
"She's not going to do it all by herself; she can't do it all by herself" senior guard Ivana Catic said. "There is some pressure for her to perform but unless everybody else steps up ... We really need everybody to play."
Throughout the season, Hendrickson has continually produced McCray's teammates for more support. And that lack of production has cost Kansas victories this season.
The most obvious candidate on offense is junior guard Sade Morris, the team's second-leading
Will others step up?
SEE BASKETBALL ON PAGE 7B
Ryan McGeeney/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Junior guard Danielle McCray signals to a teammate. McCray helps carry the team, but other players must step up if the team hopes to make the NGAA tournament.