Inside Sports
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Sports
After missing out on most of the NFL's prime free agents, the St. Louis Rams are looking for mediocre players. SEE PAGE 5B
Krzyzewskiville
Kansas fans aren't the only ones who camp out for good basketball seats, but Duke fans use tents.
SEE PAGE 3B
Friday
February 27, 1998
Section:
B
Page 1
Track & Field
The Kansas track & field team begins competition today at the Big 12 Indoor Championships.
SEE PAGE 10B
Contact the Kansan
Sports Desk: (785) 864-4810
Sports Fax: (785) 864-5261
Sports e-mail: sports@kansan.com
Sports Forum: spforum@kansan.com
Commentary
NBA scout observes LaFrentz and Pierce
Miscellany from the sports world!
I got the inside scoop on Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce from an NBA scout during Monday night's game against Oklahoma.
"So," I said, as he sat down next to me about 15 minutes before the start of the game, a box of popcorn from the concessions stand in his hand. "You're here to check out Raef and Paul, huh?"
"Anyone who can play," he muttered as he stuffed the first handful of popcorn into his mouth.
Wow, I thought. This is going to be an enriching experience.
I decided to phrase my next inquiry in a way that would require a somewhat wordier response.
I asked him for his general thoughts on LaFrentz and Pierce, a brief synopsis of each one's strengths and weaknesses from the perspective of an
Eric Weslander
sports@iansan.com
I leaned toward him in anticipation and prepared to take copious mental notes.
eagle-eyed talent connoisseur.
"They're good players," he said and crammed some more popcorn into his trap.
They're good players.
There you go. Kansas fans. Straight from the horse's popcorn-filled mouth.
It was obvious, after that response, I needed a more specific approach. He wasn't exactly the chatty type.
Is LaFrentz is too soft for the NBA?
What skills does Pierce lack right now that you would like to see?
As his cold, calculating eyes followed Pierce's and LaFrentz's every move throughout the game. I thought of the questions I would ask at the next opportunity:
What are Billy Thomas' chances of going pro?
Do you enjoy your job?
Can I have some popcorn?
I never had a chance to ask him those questions. With three minutes remaining in the game, he got up and left.
Weslander is a Louisville, Ky., junior in journalism.
The student section was filled Monday night with signs that said "I'm blind, I'm deaf, I wanna be a ref." The signs were in response to an incident several weeks ago in which a field house usher tore up a similar sign.
The concern from the Athletics Department is that signs belittling the officials detract from the sportsmanlike atmosphere in the field house.
Q: What's the difference between those signs and the advertisements in game programs depicting an ice cold Coca-Cola from a fan's perspective (crystal clear) and from a referee's perspective (blurry?)
A: The fans' signs don't produce revenue.
It was good to see students were allowed to hang on to their sims Monday night.
This is the second installment of the "Jason Sutherland NFL Watch." The former Missouri point guard has been spotted working out with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Last I heard, he was making a strong bid for assistant water boy, but the coaches seem to be interested in his skill as the guy who runs out and gets the tee after kickoff.
JaRon Rush's younger brother, Kareem, always maintained he never wanted to go to the same college as his brother. Now that JaRon has selected UCLA, the Kansas City Star reported yesterday. Kareem says he's very interested in the Bruins, too.
Must be another one of those acts of God.
OSU to challenge Jayhawks' offense
Playing No.25 Cowboys may prove advantageous for postseason mindset
By Tommy Gallagher
tgallagher@kansan.com
Kansan sportwriter
It's not the Civil War, but the Big 12 Conference's north and south division champions will battle Sunday morning in the regular season finale.
Kansas coach Roy Williams said games against the Cowboys often featured less-than-spectacular performances on offense.
"The games are usually very ugly because the defense is so much better than the offense," Williams said. "I always said I appreciated and admired the way that Eddie Sutton's teams guard you, and we try to do those same type of things."
The Cowboys may be the perfect team for Kansas to play before the postseason begins. Williams said teams forced the Jayhawks into half-court offenses during the postseason and Oklahoma State's defense was among the most menacing in the conference.
Oklahoma State returned to The Associated Press poll at No. 25 this week. But the Cowboys have beaten only one ranked opponent — a one-point win against No. 15 Texas Christian — in accumulating their lofty record.
And while the Jayhawks have played four ranked opponents this season,
See JAYHAWKS on page 2B
The Starting Lineup
KANSAS
JAYHAWKS
14-1 Big 12, 30-3 overall
G  RYAN ROBERTSON 6-5 JR.
G  BILLY THOMAS 6-4 SR.
F  PAUL PIERCE 6-7 JR.
F  RAEF LAFRENZ 6-11 SR.
C  T.J. PUGH 6-8 JR.
OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS 11-4 Big 12, 21-4 overall
Callagher-Iha Arena • Stillwater, Dyla
TV: Ch.4 and 13
Radio: KLZR 105.9 FM and
KLWN 1320 AM
Time: 11:35 a.m. Sunday
Kansas forward Lester Earl and center Raef LaFrentz collide while struggling for a rebound. The Jayhawks will finish their Big 12 Conference season at 11:35 a.m. on Sunday at Oklahoma State. Photo by Office Griffier/KANSAN
Kansas baseball to face Cowboys' ropes
Randall: Prepares to invade hostile Oklahoma State field.
By John Blakely Wilson
Kansan sportswriter
Playing Oklahoma State in baseball at Reynolds Field equals playing the Kansas Jayhawks in Allen Field House: tradition, screaming fans, intimidation and disaster.
For Kansas baseball, this Stillwater environment has meant doom throughout the years, with 58 losses in 71 games.
"One of the first things we will stress to the younger players is to not be wide-eyed," Kansas head coach Bobby Randall said. "They'll have that orange and black crowd scream-
ing, but we just have to focus on playing baseball."
Kansas baseball hurries into its Big 12 Conference schedule this weekend with a three game series against the Cowboys. The Sunday game will be broadcast on KLWN 1320 at noon.
Oklahoma State was a consensus Top 10 team in the preseason, but have failed to live up to billing. The Cowboys bring a 5-1 record into the weekend but average nearly two home runs per game. The offense is led by second baseman Billy Gasparino and catcher Josh Holliday, who combined for five home runs in a midweek doubleheader against Centenary.
"This will be a tough weekend," Randall said. "They have tradition and recruit big-time players, but they are reeling a bit now."
Kansas's three most effective pitchers thus far, Chad Shuster, Mark Corson and Les Walrond, will start each game of the series. The coaching staff has been holding each pitcher to about 75-80 pitches, but pitching coach Wilson Kilmer said that would change.
"These guys are in good enough condition now to work up to around 100 pitches," Kilmer said. "They'll stay in the game as long as they're getting people out."
Kilmer said he wanted the pitchers to attack the Cowboys.
"Because of their high offensive numbers, people usually try to be perfect and pitch defensively," Kilmer said. "You play into their hands by giving in to their patience and walking batters. We want to come out aggressively and throw strikes."
First baseman Chad King is nursing a shoulder injury and will receive an MRI on Monday. Randall said King would play designated hitter because the injury only affected his throwing ability.
Randall said the rest of his line-up would be about the same.
History, future factor in weekend
The Starting Lineup
KANSAS
JAYHAWKS
10.5 Big 12, 18-7 overall
G SUZI RAYMANT 5-11 Jr.
G JENNIEE JACKSON 5-10 Fr.
F Lynn Pride 6-2 So.
F JACLYN JOHNSON 6-1 Fr.
G NAKIA SANFORD 6-3 Jr.
MISSOURI
TIGERS
3:12 Big 12, 11:14 overa
G JULIE HELM 5-11 So.
G TANISHA JOHNSON 5-8 Sr.
F KEPEDMEA AKPAFFIONG 6-0 So.
F LAITAHA TPRUNGE 6-0 Sr.
C KESHA BONDS 6-0 Jr.
Allen Field House • Lawrence
Time: 2 p.m.
Radio: KJHK 90.7
By Kevin C. Wilson
Kansan sportswriter
An undefeated home record, a bye in the first round of the conference tournament and a season sweep of rival Missouri are all on the line tomorrow for the Kansas women's basketball team.
"It's exciting anytime you get to play against Missouri," guard Jennifer Jackson said. "Especially in our last home game of the season with a chance to go undefeated at home. I'm looking forward to it."
The Jayhawks, 18-7 overall and 10-5 in Big 12 Conference play, will attempt to become only the fourth team in school history to post an undefeated season at Allen Field House.
"Winning at home all year has been a real bonus," guard Suzi Raymant said. "Hopefully it will help us get a lot of fans out for this game."
A win tomorrow would clinch an important first-round bye for Kansas in the Big 12 tournament. Jackson said a win against Missouri and one in the conference tournament would improve the Jayhawks' chances of the being selected for the NCAA Tournament.
"To be in the top four of such a great
conference like the Big 12 and playing the schedule we've played gives us a good shot." Jackson said.
Washington said the Jayhawks couldn't afford to overlook Missouri
Missouri, 11-14 overall and 3-12 in Big 12 play, has not won a game on the road this season and will be looking to avenge a 74-62 loss to the Jayhawks on Jan. 17. The Tigers are led by guard Julie Helms, who averages 20 points per game and ranks third in the Big 12 in scoring.
"They have been very close in a lot of ballgames this year." Washington said. "Missouri has nothing to lose, so I expect them to get up for this game."
Forward Koya Scott is the Jayhawks lone senior, and coach Marian Washington said Scott represented everything a student-athlete should be.
Senior Day and the first women's alumni game are also part of the significance of this weekend's battle with the Tigers.
The alumni game will tip off at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, with legends such as
"It's been great to see her get a chance to play more this season," Washington said. "I really have a lot of respect for Koya Scott for her determination and loyalty to this program."
Kansas guard Suzi Raymont pushes past the Colorado defense on her way to the basket. Kansas will finish its regular season tomorrow afternoon at Allen Field House against Missouri. Photo by Geoff Krieger/KANSAN
Tamecka Dixon and Angela Aycock expected to participate.
Washington said that a victory tomorrow would complete a perfect weekend.
"It would be great for Koya to go out with a win, great for our program to go undefeated (at home) this year and important to our positioning in the post-season tournament," she said.
4