SPORTS
UNIVERSIT.Y DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday, March 8, 1994
11
Jayhawks ride highs, lows to tournament
Williams: freshmen have been valuable no longer freshmen
By Gerry Fey
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas men's basketball team continues to ride this season's highs and lows as it prepares for the Big Eight Conference Tournament on Friday.
"You're always going to have the little peaks and valleys, and our job is to try to make sure that they're not really deep valleys," Kansas coach Roy Williams said. "You don't want your play to go up and down so much. You want it to be consistent."
No. 11 Kansas' record is 24-6 overall and 9-5 in the conference after defeating Oklahoma 84-81 Sunday in Norman, Olda. It has been a turbulent season, one that included Williams' second-longest winning streak at 12 games and his second-longest losing streak at three games.
Center Scot Pollard, forward B. J. Williams and guard Jacque Vaughn, the team's freshmen, have helped the Jayhawks ride the waves thus far. However, Roy Williams said they were no longer freshmen.
"I've been feeling pretty good about them all year," he said. "We've played 30 games. I think we have a team that will play with poise."
Tom Leininger / KANSAN
"I was a little upset and said the heck with it," Roy Williams said of his starters. "Let's try five more and see if they'll do a better job. I sold many times: In order to have depth, you have to play it. They actually cut into the lead a great deal."
In the second half of Kansas' game Sunday, Roy Williams removed all the starters from the floor with the Sooners leading 45-34. The reserves, including Pollard and B. J. Williams, played without substitutions for more than three minutes.
Pollard has combined with junior Greg Ostertag this season to give production from the center position. The two have a combined to average 17.4 points a game.
"Scot has been a very effective player for us all year long," Roy Williams said. "Playing 17 to 18 minutes a game, he gives us a good one-two punch with Greg Ostergat. He has played well against good opponents. With just a little more confidence and a little more playing time, he's going to get better and better every year."
Jacque and everybody started playing again. The freshmen have really stepped up this year, better than the freshman class when I was there."
"The reserves got in there and did a good job," he said. "They brought us back. Then,
Ostertag said that he has seen the improvement from the freshmen and that the reserves had demonstrated their ability against Oklahoma.
Kansas freshman guard Jacque Vaughn looks for the open man against Oklahoma. Vaughn grabbed a career-high 1.12 rebounds Sunday against the Sooners,
Ostertag said adding Pollard to an already strong inside game made Kansas tough to beat. Kansas senior forward Richard Scott scored a team-high 20 points against Oklahoma and seems almost recovered from a left shoulder injury.
"With him back, it just means that we have that much more of a threat inside," Ostertag said of Scott. "If they shut me and him down, they're going to have to shut down the outside too, and teams can't do that to us."
Roy Williams said that although the freshmen were ready for postseason play, the seniors would be depended on for leadership.
"We've got good senior leadership with Patrick, Steve and Richard," he said. "We've been in some close games. I hope that helps, but we haven't won all of them."
Kansas' first-round game is against Kansas State on Friday, but Ostertag said he was not worried about playing teams for a third time in the conference tournament.
"If we execute and do what Coach says, you can't stop us," he said. "It's hard to stop our offense, even if you know it. Pass it, pass it, pass it, and eventually the defense will break down."
Note: Kansas senior guard Steve Woodberry was left off of the All-Big Eight Conference
team, which was released yesterday. Instead, he received second-team honors. Roy Williams said placing someone above Woodberry was a mistake.
"I think he's the best defensive player that I've ever coached when understanding the
entire game on the defensive end of the floor." Williams said. "And he's the leading scorer. He's first team. If he's not, then there's somebody that sees a different game than I see."
Ostertag, Vaughn and Scott received honorable mention.
Solid team effort aids 'Hawks
Homers by Mahon, English, pitching of Tittrington fuel Kansas victory
By Andrew Gilman Kansan sportswriter
Home runs by senior Kent Mahon and junior Brandon English along with the solid pitching of sophomore Scott Tittrington added up to a fifth consecutive Kansas victory, a 7-1 beating of Southeast Missouri State at Hoglund-Maupin Stadium.
The Jayhawks, who fell out of the Baseball America Top 25 poll this week, improved its record to 8-4. The Indians dropped to 1-8.
Mahon's blast cleared what Kansas coach Dave Bingham calls "the monster" in the first inning to give Kansas an early 1-1 lead.
The monster is a black backdrop that rises 25 feet above the ground past the 380-foot mark in center field.
Mahon was just as surprised.
"No one has ever hit it over that before," Bingham said.
"I've never seen anyone hit it that far," he said. "I knew I hit it good, but not that well."
Meanwhile, the left-handed Tittrington was digging in on his first start of the season. He went six innings, giving up only one run on a an infield hit, and seven hits, before yielding to freshman Jason Schreiber. Tittrington evened his record at 1-1.
"I wanted to finish the game," he said.
"But Schreiber has been throwing well."
Titterington credited his success on the mound to junior catcher Jack Wilmot.
"He called a great game," Tittrington said of Wilmot. "We were mixing the pitches real well. We try to discuss in between each inning what we want to do for the first four or five batters. I just tell him, 'You call' em, and I'll throw' em."
Tittrington did just that. He didn't allow a run until the sixth inning. By that time Kansas was ahead 5-0.
"Scott did a great job," Bingham said.
"The big thing is, this is the fifth game in five days, and we've had five different pitchers give us solid outings."
The solid performance by Titrington yesterday never let the Indians in the game, and with Schreiber coming off the bench to provide support, the Indians never threatened.
Schreiber threw three hitless innings, didn't walk a batter and struck out five, including three in the ninth.
"My slider was working good," he said.
"But I'm more of a ground-ball pitcher.
The strikeouts kind of surreprised me."
Bingham also said he was pleased with Schreiber's efforts and looked to bigger things in the future from the freshman.
"He got three good innings today," Bingham said. "He has the capability to be our closer."
Even though Bingham sees him as the possible stopper, Schreiber wasn't so sure.
"I think I still need some more experience," he said.
Kansas, after getting three runs in the first inning, added two more in the fourth courtesy of English's first home run of the year.
Junior third baseman Brent Wilhelm also contributed four hits to the Jayhawks' 12-hit attack.
Wilhelm connected for a single, double and triple before coming to bat in the eighth with a chance to hit for the cycle. Instead of the home run he had to settle for a single. Wilhelm ended the day with three RBIs and impressed Bingham.
"I think he's a great hitter," Bingham said. "At the beginning of year he looked like he was down, but now his hitting looks good."
Today Kansas travels to Springfield, Mo., for one game against Southwest Missouri State.
With his four-for-four day, Wilhelm raised his batting average to .355.
Jennie Zeiner / KANSAN
Freshman Jason Schreiber pitches against Southeast Missouri State. Schreiber came to relieve Scott Tittrington and pitched three innings, Tittrington, who had pitched six innings, picked up the victory.
Tigers outscore Buffaloes to win tournament title
The Associated Press
SALINA — Ericka Martin scored six of her game-high 20 points in overtime, and Missouri hit 30 of 36 free throws to upset No. 2 Colorado 79-71 yesterday in the final of the Big Eight women's tournament.
Missouri (12-17) trailed 62-54 with three minutes left in regulation. The Tigers rallied to within two points with two seconds left when Ericka Martin was fouled under the basket. Martin hit both free throws, sending the game into overtime.
The Tigers outscored the Buffaloes 17-9 in overtime. Martin hit the first two buckets of the overtime and gave Missouri a 66-20 lead with three minutes left in the extra period.
But Colorado (25-4) responded with a DeCelle Thomas layup, and Raegan Scott hit a pair of free throws, tying the game at 66-66.
The smaller Tigers outrebounded Colorado 45-34 in the game.
Missouri guard Stacy Williams hit a three-pointer with 2:30 remaining, putting the Tigers up by three. Colorado could manage only a Scott layup in the last 2:50, and Missouri hit 10 of 11 from the line, clinching the victory.
Colorado led 28-26 at halftime.
In the first half of the game, Missouri committed 15 turnovers, but Colorado only capitalized for 11 points. Jamillah Lang, Colorado's leading scoring, was only one of eight from the field in the first half for four points.
KU racquetball club places 3rd in tourney
Kansan staffreport
The Kansas men's and women's racquetball club each finished third overall this weekend in the conference regional tournament.
Southwest Missouri State, the defending national champions, finished first, followed by Missouri in the six-tiem competition. The tournament was held at the Wood Valley Racquet Club in Tonkea.
Kansas players Stephanie Munger and Aubree Eaton finished in first place by defeating the defending national champion doubles team from Southwest Missouri State in women's Division I competition.
In Division III men's doubles, Kansas players John Starks and Travis Worley also took first place against a Southwest Missouri State team.
AP Men's Top 25 Kansas, after three consecutive victories, including B4-83, comeback Sunday at Oklahoma, to top up No. 11.
| | Record | Pts. | Pre |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Arkansas (84) | 24-2 | 1619 | 1 |
| Connecticut (1) | 26-3 | 1,507 | 4 |
| Missouri (1) | 24-2 | 1,487 | 4 |
| Carolina (2) | 24-6 | 1,481 | 5 |
| Dube | 22-4 | 1,337 | 2 |
| Purdue | 25-4 | 1,294 | 9 |
| Articota | 25-4 | 1,276 | 8 |
| Michigan | 20-6 | 1,147 | 8 |
| Massachusetts | 25-6 | 1,027 | 11 |
| Kentucky | 21-6 | 1,081 | 7 |
| Nebraska | 24-9 | 184 | 13 |
| Temple | 21-6 | 879 | 12 |
| Syracuse | 21-6 | 879 | 14 |
| Louisville | 24-5 | 855 | 10 |
| UCLA | 20-5 | 831 | 15 |
| California | 23-8 | 854 | 10 |
| Indiana | 18-7 | 540 | 19 |
| Indiana | 18-7 | 540 | 19 |
| Marquette | 22-7 | 398 | 22 |
| Minnesota | 20-10 | 392 | 18 |
| Saint Louis | 22-4 | 339 | 16 |
| Allegheny College | 22-6 | 322 | 24 |
| St. Augustine St. | 22-2 | 197 | 25 |
| Paris | 23-2 | 159 | 25 |
| Texas | 22-7 | 97 | — |
Occoni region offering votes: Boston College 46,
Cornell University 37, Alabama 86, Wise Forest 27,
New Mexico 19, Murray St. 18, Xcelerator 1,
Morgan St. 14, Georgia Tech 13, Noblesville 7,
Charlotte 10, Texas Tech 15, Illinois 2, Weslake St.
2, White-Grand Bay 2,Coli of Charleston 1, George Washington 1,
Georgetown 1, New Mexico Bt. 1, Providence 1,
Tulare 1, Wisconsin 1
Source: The Associated Press
AP Women's Top 25
| | Record | Pts | Pts |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 1. Tennessee (66) | 28.1 | 1,650 | 1 |
| 2. Colorado | 25.3 | 1,657 | 1 |
| 3. Florida St. | 23.3 | 1,694 | 1 |
| 4. Georgia St. | 23.2 | 1,427 | 1 |
| 5. North Carolina | 26.2 | 1,374 | 1 |
| 6. Texas Tech | 24.3 | 1,561 | 6 |
| 7. Louisiana Tech | 23.3 | 1,120 | 7 |
| 8. Virginia | 23.3 | 1,188 | 8 |
| 9. Southern Cali. | 21.3 | 1,144 | 9 |
| 10. Southern Cali. | 23.4 | 1,067 | 10 |
| 11. Stanford | 20.5 | 1,018 | 11 |
| 12. Dardenbilt | 23.6 | 967 | <13 |
| 13. Iowa | 20.5 | 869 | 14 |
| 14.aton Hall | 23.5 | 713 | 15 |
| 14. Kansas | 25.6 | 699 | 18 |
| 14. Texas St. | 28.7 | 937 | 19 |
| 17. Washington | 19.6 | 524 | 19 |
| 18. Bolson SL | 22.4 | 407 | 20 |
| 19. Southern Miss. | 23.3 | 371 | 18 |
| 20. Montana | 22.4 | 362 | 17 |
| 21. Florida Intl. | 23.3 | 362 | 21 |
| 22. Mississippi | 23.3 | 362 | 24 |
| 25. Hawaii | 23.3 | 98 | — |
| 25. Boating Green | 23.3 | 7a | — |
AP Women's Top 25 The Kansas women, after losing to Missouri in the Big Eight Conference Tournament, fell to No. 15.
Otawa receiving votes. W. Henckelwood 6, Oregon
89, Missouri State 5, Baltimore 77, San Diego
St. 49, Virginia Tech 30, Nilhill 28, Banta
Clare 20, Rungen 19, Akansas St. 18, George
Washington 18, Tennam AXM 17, Clermon 18, Old
Dominion 18, ULV G.18, Ngene 19, Notre Dame
11, Al. Birmingham 6, Indiana 1, New Mexico
5, Craigton 6, Stephen F. Austin 6,
Jasper's 5, Kend 4, Minneapolis 4, Olaheim
3, Pittsburgh 6, Ganjape 3, Marquette 3.
Source: The Associated Press
All Big-8 team short on 'Hawks
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Guard Melvin Booker, the key player on Missouri's unbeaten regular season Big Eight conference championship team, and Oklahoma State center Bryant Reeves were unanimous picks on the Associated Press All-Big Eight basketball team.
The Associated Press
Reeves, a junior, was joined yesterday as a first-team repeater from last year by Eric Platkowski of Nebraska and Donnie Boyce of Colorado.
They were picked for the first team by a panel of 16 sportswriters and sportscasters who regularly cover the Big Eight. It was the first selection for Booker, whose ascent to stardom this season was no surprise to the Missouri fans who had followed his steady, consistent progress for three years.
The 7-foot Reeves, who led the Big Eight in scoring and rebounding a year ago, again claimed the rebounding title, averaging 11.1 in Big Eight games, and finished fourth in scoring with almost 22 points per game.
Piatkowski, a 6-foot-7 senior who averaged more than 22 points and seven rebounds for what Husker fans believe will be an NCAA tournament team, was named on every first-team ballot but three.
Oklahoma junior Jeff Webster, 6-9,
225, the Big Eight second-leading
scorer who averaged 22.5 points, also
was chosen to the first team along
with Boyce, the Colorado junior who
topped all scorers in Big Eight games
with 26.8 points a game.
Boyce nosed out Iowa State's Fred Hoiberg for the fifth spot on the first team. A 6-4 sophomore whose father teaches at Iowa State, Hoiberg averaged 21 points in Big Eight games for coach Johnny Orr and established his credentials as one of the country's most outstanding young players.
Joining Crudup and Holberg were Brooks Thompson, Oklahoma State
Holberg and Missouri senior Jevon Crudup, 6-9, 242, who averaged almost nine rebounds during the Tigers' 14-0 Big Eight season, were the top vote-getters on the second team.
guard; Askia Jones, Kansas State's top scorer; and Kansas senior Steve Woodberry, who was a part of three Big Eight title teams in his productive career.
Booker, a senior, averaged almost 19 points, but his contributions to Missouri's season could not be measured in simple statistics. He was a scorer, a ball handler and a floor leader who was indispensable to coach Norm Stewart's eighth Big Eight title.
Honorable mentions went to Deryl Cunningham, Kansas State; Kelly Thames, Missouri; Jacque Vaughn, Kansas; Lamont Frazier, Missouri; Julius Michalik, Iowa State; Greg Oortagt, Kansas; Richard Scott, Kansas; Bruce Chubick, Nebraska; Ryan Minor, Oklahoma; Mark Dean, Colorado.
"He was the most consistent player for us all year long," Stewart said. "He was truly outstanding. There was one game, against Oklahoma, where he got in foul trouble and we held him out. Other than that, he did everything well. His defense, his rebounding, his scoring and his assists were vital to
ALL-BIG EIGHT FIRST TEAM
ALL-DEM ERA FIRST TEAM
Player School Pts
Melvin Booker Missouri 19
Bryce Johnson Oklahoma St. 22
Eric Plattkowski, Nebraska 23
Jeff Webster Oklahoma 23
Donnie Boyce Colorado 27
whatever success we had."
Boyce has been one bright spot in an otherwise dreary spell for the Colorado program.
During a loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday, Boyce scored 46 points, the second most in Colorado history. He established Colorado records by scoring 20 consecutive points and 31 points in a half. He also set a Big Eight record for the highest percentage of points scored in a conference game. He hit 46 of Colorado's 68 for 67.6 percent against Oklahoma State, breaking the mark of 66.1 percent by Kansas' Clyde Lovellette in 1950.
"I don't know if I can remember a player ever having a finer game against one of my teams," said Cowboys' coach Eddie Sutton.