6B SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2009
MEN'S (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
in the middle of the pack than what we thought."
Nationally, the Big 12 has battled a perception that it was in a down year all season. Only three teams have consistently stayed in the Top 25: Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. NCAA tournament projections such as ESPN's Bracketology at one point
Kansas players never needed any convincing: They said they knew how tough the Big 12 was.
predicted as lew for four teams making the tournament: Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas.
The conference fought the negative reputation by dispersing handouts to members of the media before games. These sheets
listed some of the Big 12's strongest nonconference victories and juxtaposed favorable statistics with the Atlantic Coast Conference, which is seen as one of the nation's best.
The Big 12 still ranks third, behind the ACC and the Big Ten, in the Ratings Percentage Index, a statistical system used by the NCAA Basketball Tournament selection committee, according to RealtimeRPI.com.
"I think we've got some good teams in our conference, better than any other conference."
But ESPN's latest bracketology has six teams making the
"I don't think the Big 12 is weak," junior guard Sherron Collins said. "I think we've got some good teams in our conference, better than any other conference in the country."
SHERRON COLLINS Junior guard
"There are a lot of teams here that don't get credit."
NCAA tournament:
Kansas, Oklahoma,
Missouri, Texas,
Texas A&M and
Oklahoma State.
Fourth-seeded
Kansas State is
considered on the
bubble.
senior center Matt Kleinmann said:
"There have been a lot of competitive games. Look at Texas Tech."
Kleinmann is, of course, referring to Kansas' 84-65 loss to Texas Tech, who finished 11th and 3-13 in the Big 12. If that doesn't show the depth of the conference, then nothing will.
Self figures that depth will make the tournament tougher than ever
Edited by Casey Miles
WOMEN'S (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
Henrickson said Catic wont play a big part when the first step in that process starts on Thursday in Oklahoma City in the Big 12 Tournament.
"She's been solid and you need that from your seniors," Henrickson said. "Seniors this time of year give you the best chance to be successful."
McCray ranks second in the Big 12 in scoring, averaging 20.2 points per game.
McCray scored 20 or more points
McCRAY EARNS INDIVIDUAL HONORS
"She's been solid and you need that from your seniors."
In a conference loaded with talent, junior forward Danielle McCray was named one of the 10 best players in the Big 12 yesterday.
She was selected to the All-Big 12 First Team, which consists of 10 players from the conference.
BONNIE HENRICKSON Kansas coach
16 times this season and led Kansas in rebounds, made three-pointers, steals and blocks.
"I thought we needed to recount the ballots if she didn't get it," coach Bonnie Hrieckson
said. "She's played so well down the stretch."
For the second consecutive week, and the third time this season, McCray was named the Big 12 Player of the Week. She averaged 31 points and 9.5 rebounds in Kansas' two games.
Edited by Brandy Entsminger
NBA
Barkley released from Tent City jail
Judge reduces the former star's sentence from 10 days to three
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Former NBA star Charles Barkley was released from jail Monday after a judge reduced his sentence from 10 days to three with the stipulation that he complete an alcohol-treatment program. The 45-year-old pleaded guilty last month to two misdemeanor DUI charges stemming from his Dec. 31, 2008, arrest shortly after leaving a Scotttsdale nightclub and failing a sobriety test.
PHOENIX — Former NBA star Charles Barkley was released from jail Monday after serving a three-day sentence on a drunken-driving conviction.
Barkley left the Tent City jail just before 8 a.m., and avoided a group of reporters by leaving through another door, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Brian Lee said.
Barkley, a TNT studio analyst, reported to the jail Saturday morning wearing a blue warm-up suit with red stripes. He was not required to wear a jail uniform or the county's signature pink underwear because he got work release, Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.
Barkley spent about 36 hours in jail after getting 12 hours of work release on Sunday and Monday. He was housed in a separate tent from the other inmates for his safety, and meals were brought to him.
The 46-year-old Barkley pleaded guilty last month to two misdemeanor DUI charges stemming from his Dec. 31 arrest, shortly after leaving a Scottsdale nightclub and failing a field sobriety test. He had a blood-alcohol level of .149 percent, nearly twice the legal limit.
A Scottsdale judge reduced Barkley's original 10-day sentence to three days after reviewing the case and deciding that seven days should be suspended if Barkley completed an alcohol-treatment program.
The Hall of Fame player also must pay more than $2,000 in fines and install an ignition-interlock device on his vehicles.
Barkley said last month that he made a mistake and just had "to take the beatdown."
Barkley played 16 seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets, and played on the USA Olympic "Dream Team" in 1992 and 1996. He was an 11-time All-Star and league MVP in 1993.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL Mississippi signee charged with felony, misdemeanor
JACKSON, Miss. — A Mississippi football signee with a history of legal trouble faces an uncertain future after he was arrested on charges he assaulted a man at a McDonald's drive-through with brass knuckles.
Starkville police arrested Jamar Hornsby on March 1 and charged him with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor larceny after he and two other men
allegedly assaulted the man.
The 22-year-old Hornsby is on probation after taking a plea deal in a misdemeanor credit card fraud case that occurred while he was on the University of Florida football team. Hornsby signed a national letter of intent with the Rebels in February, but his future with the team is now uncertain.
"We are looking into the matter and trying to gather all the facts." Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said Monday. "Once all the facts are in, I will make a decision."
TENNIS Agassi will return after announcing retirement
Andre Agassi will make his return to competitive tournament tennis by participating in the 30-and-over Outback Champions Series event at Surprise, Ariz., in October.
Tour spokesman Randy Walker told The Associated Press on Sunday about Agassi's plans.
Agassi, who turns 39 next month, retired after playing in the 2006 U.S. Open. He walked
away from the game with eight major titles and remains one of only five men to complete a career Grand Slam.
He's the first announced member of what will be an eight-field field competing for $150,000 in prize money at the Oct. 8-11 tournament at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex.
Among others who have played on the senior tour this year are Pete Sampras and John McEnroe.
Associated Press