2B SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN THE UNIVERSITY OF DARFUR JASAN FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2009 QUOTE OF THE DAY "We can't win at home. We can't win on the road. I just can't figure out where else to play!" — Pat Williams, www.quotemountain.com FACT OF THE DAY Colorado has seen very little conference success in the last five seasons. The Buffaloes are 29-51 in Big 12 play during that period, and, although they have two seasons with nine victories or more, the team has lost more than 12 games three times. Colorado Athletics TRIVIA OF THE DAY Q: Only one Big 12 team has an overall record below .500 in 2008-2009. Which team is it? A: Colorado. The Buffaloes are 9-10 so far this season, barely below fellow bottom-dwellers Texas Tech, which is 11-9. @KANSAN.COM The Jay Report: Another matchup with Colorado looms on the horizon and the guys attempt to make that interesting. RFWARF OF "THE BLOG" "Blog" Allen: Need more men's basketball coverage? Of course you do. Go over to "Blog" Allen to read Case Keefer's Double Overtime after the Colorado game. The Morning Brew: In the era of Federe and Nadal, The Morning Brew revisits the greatness of Fete Sampras. Courtside: Clark Goble offers a quick glance around the Big 12, while COURTSIDE honing in on BLOG more preview info for Texas A&M Give n Go: The guys give keys for Kansas' game with 'alented texas A&M and discuss the return of Sade Morris. COMMENTARY The ups of the end of football season The Super Bowl is depressing. Strip away the parties, the advertisements and the half-time show and it's really just the official end of football season. The arrival of the off-season of the greatest sport in the world deserves no such celebration. The two weeks in between conference championship games and the Super Bowl only add to the misery. It's a time to listen to overplayed storylines and realize the weekends spent glued to the couch for 24 hours are over until September. The only positive that results is an opportunity to reflect on the season gone by. Which is exactly what the Morning Brew intends to do today. Here's a quick glance at how the season went for the four NFL rookies from Kansas. Aqib Talib (Cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) — A future star! Talib did nothing to suggest otherwise in his first season in pewter. As a nickelback — the fifth defensive back in certain formations — Talib Talib recorded four interceptions and 27 tackles. Talib could earn a starting spot as soon as next season because teams are starting to challenge current starter Phillip Buchanon and 33-year-old Rouden Barbe, the other starter, isn't as quick as he once was. Anthony Collins (Tackle, Cincinnati Bengals) — Collins started the last six games of the season at left tackle after Levi Jones injured his right ankle. Collins had a rough first start Collins against the Super Bowl-bound Steelers as the Bengals fell 27-10. But Collins recovered to help the Bengals win three in a row to end the season. Cincinnati rushed for its most yards all season in its final two contests — and a lot of the yards came running behind Collins. Derek Fine (Tight End, Buffalo Bills) — Fine had the most surprising season out of all the former layhawks. Expected to play only on special teams. Fine cracked the tight end rotation by the end of the season and caught 10 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. Fine has developed a rapport with coach Dick Jauron and should play a more significant role next season. Marcus Henry (Wide Receiver, New York Jets) — Well, it can't be all good news for Kansas. Henry didn't appear in any games this season, but spent time on the lets' practice squad. Maybe Henry was just what quarterback Brett Favre needed to save New York's season from slipping away. SUPER PREDICTION Senior swimmer Maria Mayrovich was named big 12 Swimmer of the Week on Wednesday. Mayrovich said the honor came as a surprise to her and she said that she was very pleased that she won. SWIMMING & DIVING Mayrovich earns Big 12 Swimmer of the Week Pittsburgh 25. Arizona 17. When two elite football teams meet for a championship, the juggernaut defense beats the unstoppable offense. It happens at every level. Ask Oklahoma how much its streak of five straight 60-point games mattered against Florida. the medley and freestyle relay teams. "We've been swimming at a high level in general lately and it was nice to be awarded for it," Mayrovich said. At last week's meet against South Dakota and Northern Iowa, Mayrovich's 50.04 time in the 100-yard freestyle broke the pool record. Mayrovich dominates the short freestyle events and is also a member of — Edited by Sam Speer Mayrovich said that her success and awards are the work of her coaches. Mayrovich said that she chose Kansas because of coach Clark Campbell's rapport with his swimmers and the training that he provided. "I really like Clark because he's willing to work with you and push you," Mayrovich said. Mayrovich and the Kansas swimming and diving team will be back in action Feb. 6 and 7 at Robinson Natatorium against Iowa State. — Hallie Mann @kansan.com THE BREW GOES DIGITAL It's part blog, part column, part pop-culture melting pot. It's The Morning Brew. A daily dose of Kansas sports, college life and pop culture. You can read daily postings from The Morning Brew guys at Kansan.com/blogs/morning_brew, and if you have any questions or comments, please give us a holler at morningbrew@ kansan.com. NBA All-Star game includes Shaq, Kobe, Yao Ming NEWYORK — Shaq is back in the All-Star game. After being left out of the NBA's midseason gala for first time in his career last season, Shaquille O'Neal received his 15th All-Star selection Thursday night when the reserves were announced for the Feb. 15 game in Phoenix. The 36-year-old O'Neal was averaging 18.2 points and 9.1 rebounds entering Thursday night's showdown against the Spurs. O'Neal and Suns teammate Amare Stoudemire give the host team two Western Conference All-Stars. New Orleans, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers also had multiple players on the West roster, which will be coached by the Lakers' Phil Jackson, with help from assistant Abdul-Jabbar. O'Neal isn't the only veteran on a West roster flush with experience. The Spurs' Tim Duncan and the Lakers' Kobe Bryant are each making their 11th appearances, while Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki was picked for the eighth time and Houston center Yao Ming for the seventh time. Associated Press THIS WEEK IN KANSAS ATHLETICS TODAY (No events) SATURDAY Tennis UTEP, 11 a.m. Lawrence Men's basketball Colorado, 3 p.m. Lawrence Women's basketball Texas A&M, 4 p.m. college Station, Texas Track and Field Adidas Classic, all day Lincoln, Neb. SUNDAY Tennis Drake, 11 a.m. Lawrence Tennis Saint Louis, 4 p.m. Lawrence MONDAY Men's basketball Baylor, 8 p.m. Waco, Texas TUESDAY (No events) WEDNESDAY Women's basketball Colorado, 7 p.m. Lawrence Men's golf Hawaii-Hilo Invita- tional Kona, Hawaii THE FRIDAY GRIDLOCK
Favorite girl scout cookie?Weirdest fan comment you’ve heard?How would you do on American Idol?Super Bowl prediction?Favorite Reality TV show?Favorite condiment?
Kelly Kohn junior guard, women's basketballShort bread cookieNo. 2, have my babyI feel like if Simon and I could lock eyes, I would at least get to Hollywood.Steelers 27-21I leave the TV on VH1 and let all the shows come to meButter on my bread
Maria Martinez sophomore, tennisCarmel DelitesThe funny one I have heard was tennis players have fewer faults.Probably not very farSteelers 27-24The Amazing RaceKetchup
Amanda Miller sophomore distance runner, track and fieldThin MintsN/AI'd get cut in the first round.Steelers 28-17Jon and Kate plus 8Ketchup
Julie Hanley junior goalkeeper, soccerPeanut Butter PattiesSome guy asked if I was crunchy or creamy peanut butterTerribleSteelers 35-27Jon and Kate plus 8Ketchup
BIG 12 BASKETBALL Cats struggling to stay confident BY JOHN MARSHALL Associated Press MANHATTAN — Kansas State built up confidence during its non-conference schedule, beating up on weaker teams and knocking off a few decent ones on the way to an 11-3 record. Even without All-American Michael Beasley, the young Wildcats believed they could win. Your University, Your History kuhistory.com Now, it seems, Kansas State is back on track. Then came a disheartening loss to Oklahoma. Rattled and reeling, Kansas State went on to lose its next three games. All that confidence, gone in one game. But this season, with Beasley in the NBA, the Wildcats have had to figure out ways to win games on their own. A difficult road win in overtime over Colorado brought the confidence back, and it carried over into Wednesday night's one-sided 88-72 win over Missouri. A year ago, Kansas State could rely on Beasley to hit a key basket, grab an important rebound and pull the team through down times. It hasn't been easy. A young team — forward Darren Kent is the only senior in the regular rotation — the Wildcats were able to get by on talent in the early part of the season, wearing out teams like Southeast Missouri State, Emporia State and Gardner-Webb Kansas State had some trouble in games against big-conference schools, losing to Kentucky, Iowa and Oregon in consecutive games, but bounced back with six straight wins heading into the Big 12. The 77-75 win over Colorado was the first step, and beating Missouri has the Wildcats back to believing in themselves. "We went on a losing streak and we had our heads down," said freshman Jamar Samuels, who had 18 points against Missouri. "We came out (Wednesday) and played with more passion." In a relatively down year in the Big 12 -- Texas and Oklahoma are the only ranked teams-- the Wildcats have a chance to make a run. But with Kansas State's next game against No. 11 Texas in Austin on Saturday, keeping the modest winning streak alive won't be easy. } 3