SPORTS
9A
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2009
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Jayhawks fail to close out games
BY JAYSON JENKS jjenks@kansan.com
Junior guard LaChelda Jacobs can't explain it.
Kansas' inability to piece together a complete game has been a season-long dilemma. Yet, pinpointing the root of the problem has been just as difficult as correcting it.
"Right now, the biggest problem with us is the second half," Jacobs said. "We play 20 minutes, and then the second half ... I don't
know. It was this way last year.I don't really know. We just need to finish games"
And Kansas (12-7, 1-5) will need to correct those flaws if it is to defeat Colorado (10-9, 2-5) tonight at 7.
In four of Kansas' seven losses this season, the layhawks have played well for considerable amounts of time in the first half only to watch a sloppy stretch after halftime result in a loss.
In the most recent example, at
Texas A&M on Saturday, Kansas held a lead — and played well — for 32 minutes before a lackadaisical final eight minutes cost the Jayhawks a victory.
However, facing Nebraska on Jan. 21, Kansas' solid first half was completely overshadowed by a turnover-filled second half.
"What's consistent are episodes of lack of focus and concentration," coach Bonnie Henrickson said. "You make bad decisions because you aren't focused and concern
Kansas (12-7, 1-5) vs. Colorado (10-9, 2-5)
P No. Kansas Ht. Yr. PPG
G 3 Ivana Catic 5-8 Sr. 2.7
G 4 Daniele McCray 5-11 Jr. 19.3
G 20 Sade Morris 5-11 Jr. 12.2
F 24 Nicollette Smith 6-2 So. 6.7
C 14 Krysten Boogaard 6-5 So. 10.4
trated. You're out of control in the sense that you're not making the right decisions."
When/Where...
Tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Allen Fieldhouse.
Throughout the season, the Jayhawks have repeatedly discussed the need to play well for the game's entirety.
Oops, she might do it again. Puns aside, Colorado sophomore Brittany Spears has a knack for stepping up in the clutch. She hit a game-winning layup last week and is among the top scorers in the Big 12. She is a dynamic player with the ability to both drive and shoot.
Who to watch for...
What to expect...
Colorado has a knack for keeping games close, against both superior and inferior competition. They lost to Oklahoma, which is playing perhaps the best basketball in the country, by just 14 and won a sloppy game against Nebraska by 2.
Why Kansas will win...
P No. Colorado Ht. Yr. PPG
G 1 Alyssa Fressle 5-10 Fr. 8.8
G 22 Brittney Blythe 5-9 So. 2.5
G 2 Bianca Smith 5-9 Jr. 11.1
F 22 Brittany Spears 6-1 So. 18.2
C 44 Kara Edwards 6-4 Sr. 12.0
Kansas was leading Texas A&M, the then-No. 7 team in
the country, on the road with less than eight minutes to go. They obviously have the talent to beat Colorado, and if they play well they could pull away early. They just need to keep their turnovers to a minimum. If they do so, they will defend their home court.
It hasn't been one specific problem persistently costing Kansas, though.
How the game is important...
25. 5 — Spears is averaging 25.5 points in her past two games. And they came against two teams that defeated Kansas earlier in the season, Nebraska and Texas Tech. They saw first-hand she is All-Big 12 capable. The Jayhawks will too.
This is possibly the easiest game remaining on the Jayhawks' schedule: a home game against one of the worst teams in the Big 12. They need a win just to break their four-game losing streak and gain some confidence going into the stretch run.
Junior guard LaChelda Jacobs, left, and Kansas have failed to put together a complete effort for the past four games, resulting in four straight defeats. Tonight Kansas will face Colorado in Allen Fieldhouse at 7 p.m.
Magic number...
In some cases, too many turn- overs resulted in a loss. In others, it was poor second-half defense.
— Clark Goble
"Full 40 minutes means we play the same way we played in the first half," junior guard Sade Morris said. "Against Texas A&M, we played great in the first half. That means you have to finish it off. If we would have played the same way, we would have come out with a different story."
Perhaps more than any game this season. Saturday's 73-60 loss at Texas A&M best illustrates the Jayhawks' knack for reaching the highs and lows.
For much of the game against Texas A&M, Kansas played better defense, grabbed more rebounds and simply executed better on offense.
Now, Kansas is left searching for answers before playing host to Colorado. One thing is for sure, though: The Jayhawks must begin
"It all about playing disciplined and being tough about things;" Morris said. "They made a run. So what? Answer their run and continue to play. Don't just stop doing what you're doing."
But then turnovers and an inability to get a stop on defense allowed the Aggies to take — and hold — a lead.
to make changes and they must do so quickly.
"We'll do the same thing over and over again. We have to realize, 'Hey, that didn't work, we can't do that again.' Henrickson said.
"That's the definition of insanity; Keep doing what you're doing and expect something different."
MCCRAY DEALING
Coach Bonnie Henrickson said
junior forward Danielle McCray had been wearing an air cast during practice to help her deal with shin splints.
McCray has to wear the cast only during practice and will not miss any games.
"It displaces the weight when she comes down," Henrickson said. "But I've been calling her Forrest Gump. It just relieves pressure."
Edited by Jesse Trimble
COLLINS (CONTINUED FROM 12A)
He swished the second of two free throws to give Kansas its biggest lead at 74-61.
Collins found out after the game. The record-setting free throw came with 1:45 remaining.
Wrong. That free-throw attempt was Collins' seventh of the game. He had already made his first six and therefore possessed the record.
His two free throws on that trip to the line could be considered the dagger from which the Bears never recovered. When Kansas coach Bill Talks about Collins' free-throw shooting ability, those are the kinds of moments he discusses.
"The biggest thing," Self said,
"is he's made them when they've counted the most."
Like in the two Jayhawk victories before Monday. Collins helped the Jayhawks hold off a late Colorado surge Saturday
with two free throws in the last five seconds to ensure a 66-61 victory.
Perhaps the best example came against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers cut' the score to 63-62 with one minute remaining before making a costly mistake — fouling Collins — twice. Despite the pressure, Collins calmly converted all four attempts and Kansas won 68-62.
"It's definitely impressive," sophomore center Cole Aldrich said. "It's really helped us win some close, tight ones on the road."
Collins has made 84 percent of his free throws on the season — fifth best in the Big 12.
Collins might not have made 100, but he is happy to hold the record. And even happier that he doesn't have to talk about it anymore.
Edited by Grant Treaster
BEECHER (CONTINUED FROM 12A)
Now it's time for lucky No. 3. This time, there are no surprises. He places the final hat on his head and smiles.
But the photo opportunity is short-lived. The local media is first into the fray, firing questions at the young man they've covered since junior high. They're answered politely, but dismissingly.
He is shuttled off to a vacant classroom as soon as a path can be cleared. There, a camera awaits, manned by someone with an ESPNU credential.
Once the connections are verified, he goes on air opposite ESPN analyists Todd McShay and Tommy Tuberville. He talks about how tough his decision was and how grateful he is for it all to be over.
Elsewhere, fingers pound out posts on message boards and blogs,either damning or praising his choice.
Only in two rooms is the anguish greater: those that house
careers every day. Never mind the deification of a seventeen-year-old. Never mind all that, because this isn't about reality — it's about spectacle. Never mind all that, because this is signing day.
Edited by Chris Hickerson
Never mind that in college football nothing is guaranteed. Never mind that projections are just that and that injuries derail
sages before calling his new coach. A few minutes of mutual praise later,the young man is ready to celebrate.
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the coaches who lost the sweepstakes. They had devoted countless hours to wooing this kid only to be spurned on national television.
Only one conversation remains. The young man navigates through a slew of congratulatory text mes-