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The University Daily Kansan
Sports
Trivia question
Horse racing's Triple Crown is a hallmark of royalty for jockeys and horses alike. Name the three races that make up this title and the track where each is ran.
SEE PAGE 11A
Inside: The golf team has found a leader in junior Travis Hurst.
SEE PAGE 9A
Inside: The cross country team may not have finished as well as hoped,but it gained experience for the future.
VEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2000 For comments contact Melinda Weaver or Jason Walker-at 864-4858 or e-mail sports@kansan.com WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
SEE PAGE 8A
Williams upbeat about recruits
Future looks bright as Jayhawks receive four letters of intent
By Michael Rigg
spons @kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Instead of talking about his team's recent past in New York, Kansas coach Roy Williams took time yesterday to talk about the future.
The letters of intent of his four recruits became official earlier this week, and yesterday was Williams' first chance to talk about his newest Javahaws.
The Kansas basketball class of 2005 will feature Aaron Miles, a 6-foot point guard from Portland, Ore.; Michael Lee, a 6-3 guard who was Miles' high school teammate; Keith Langford, a 6-4 guard forward from Crowley, Texas; and 6-9 forward Wayne Simien of Leavenworth.
All four players sent Williams their letters of intent and will become scholarship players at Kansas starting next season. Overall, Williams was pleased with his recruiting finds.
"All four have already qualified (academically), all four have good families and are good kids," Williams said. "They'll represent the University in the right way, and they happen to be pretty doggie good basketball players, too."
The Jayhawks' class is ranked as one of the top classes in the nation, even though Williams believes it has some deficiencies. Williams' efforts to sign a true small forward failed, meaning Langford will have to move from the shooting guard position he plays to small forward.
"We were not able to get the prototype, picture-perfect, small forward." Williams said. "So we said we could find somebody that has the small forward size but may not be as good of a basketball player as Keith is. So let's get a better basketball player and not worry about size, and we'll play a huge amount of time next year playing three guards."
Still, Williams and the Jayhawks are very content with the signing of Simien, the consensus top player in the state.
Williams also didn't land a center — something he said at the end of the summer he would like to do — and either will wait until spring or even next season to work on plugging the gap that senior center Eric Chenowith will leave when he graduates.
Simien's commitment was no big surprise, considering he has attended Kansas basketball camp annually, and Williams started recruiting him when Simien was in seventh grade.
"We haven't had very many kids around here that you could start recruiting in the sixth or seventh grade," Williams said. "His parents still have pictures of him coming to my basketball camp, and I was his yard-stick, since he kept getting taller, and I
kansasbasketballsignees
kansasbasketballsignees
Name Pos. Ht. Hometown HS
Keith Langford G/F 6-4 Fort Worth, Texas North Crowley
Michael Lee G 6-2 Portland, Ore. Jefferson
Aaron Miles G 6-0 Portland, Ore. Jefferson
Wayne Simien F 6-8 Leavenworth Leavenworth
*Jeff Hawkins G 5-11 Kansas City, Kan. KC Sumner
staved the same size."
Simien's proximity to Lawrence means he has been able to play against the Jayhawks in pickup games, and his future teammates have been impressed.
"He'll be good," said sophomore forward Nick Collison. "He's really strong, and he knows how to play. He has a big body, he can defend, and he'll be up our front line."
Because Hawkins didn't sign a letter of intent, Williams isn't allowed to talk about his potential diamond-in-the-rough. But when a reporter asked Williams about Hawkins yesterday, Williams didn't exactly dodge the question.
Simien isn't the Jayhawks' only in-state recruit, but he will be the only one on scholarship next season. Jeff Hawkins, a 5-11 guard from KC-Sumner, will walk-on and a redshirt next season before accepting a scholarship the following year.
"I don't think we are (allowed to talk about him), but I know who you're talking about." Williams said. "And let's just say that if I happened to think you know who you're talking about, if we were happened to be
thinking about the same kid, then I would be very pleased."
No Crider news
Kansas Basketball Notes
Williams was more evasive when asked about the potential transfer of junior guard John Crider. Despite rumors that Crider's transfer to Washburn was a done deal, Williams refused to talk about Crider's possible departure and insisted he wasn't hiding any news surrounding Crider.
"I said the other night when an announcement or a decision to be made is made, we'll make that," Williams said. "We've never hid anything from anybody, and that hasn't started yet, either."
Axtell still ailing
Senior forward Luke Axtell, who sprained his ankle and is listed as doubtful until the end of the month, shot free throws yesterday and told Williams his ankle was improving.
"He said it was being a lot better." Williams said. "I think he is very concerned about it because it was quite painful for him, but I don't think Luke is going to rush it."
Volleyball team looks to end Texas' streak
Bv Sarah Warren
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas volleyball team is hoping number 13 isn't so lucky for the Texas Longhorns.
The Longhorns have won every one of the 12 matches the two teams have played, and tonight the Jayhawks (14-12, 5-12 Big 12 Conference) aim to grab their first victory in the series. The Jayhawks almost broke the Longhorns' streak Oct. 7 when they extended the match into five games before falling to Texas 7-15, 15-13, 16-14, 15-17, 11-15.
This time around, the Jayhawks head to Gregory Gymnasium in Austin, Texas. Kansas hasn't taken a game away from the Longhorns on their home court since 1996, but after their close home match earlier in the season, the Jayhawks think they can be competitive regardless of the location.
"I would hope that we'd get a little better," said coach Ray Bechard. "The seniors are trying to finish this on a positive note."
Kansas has lost its last two matches — shutouts at the hands of Texas Tech and Kansas State. Therefore, a first everwin against Texas would be a major confidence boost.
"It's hard after a loss," said Danielle Geronymo, senior middle blocker. "You give all of yourself in a loss, but we're
positive we can win."
However, the Longhorns (8-15, 6-10 Big 12) also are looking for an instant egg boost, as they have dropped their last three conference matches.
"Obviously, we've got to make some changes," Bechard said. "The University of Texas team is playing much better than the last time we saw them."
Last time the 'Hawks saw burnt orange across the net, they found themselves foundering in the wake of seven Texas service aces.
During that match, senior outside hitter Amy Myatt scored a match-high 34 kills in front of a packed house at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. In addition to Myatt's heavy swings, Geronomyo had 21 kills and senior outside hitter Nancy Bell put in 16 kills. And, Kansas led in hitting percentage, 245 to 229, and blocking, 23 to 16.
This time, the Hawks not only want to beat the Longhorns in individual categories, they want the victory, too.
"We've got three matches left and we've just got to finish," Bell said.
— Edited by J. R. Mendoza
Senior middle blocker Danielle Geronymo tries to avoid being blocked by a Texas defender. The Jayhawks will have a rematch against Texas today in Austin. In their first meeting, the Longhorns edged the Jayhawks in five games. Kansas file photo
Kansas wide receiver Derick Mills celebrates with running back David Winbush after Mills' first-quarter touchdown against Texas. Although Mills has not seen much playing time this season, he was called upon to run the pattern. Photo by Nick Krug/KANSAN
Jayhawk wows crowd with play
In Kansas' deep pool, speed makes receiver first choice for reverse
A dramatic moment came early in the Kansas-Texas football game Saturday when Kansas receiver Derick Mills, a redshirt freshman, took the ball on a reverse on the Jayhawks' third play from scrimmage, turned the corner untouched and took off down the sideline 29 yards for a touchdown that gave the Jayhawks a 7-0 lead.
By Allan Davis
Mills received appreciative cheering from the crowd, mixed with "oohs" and "ahhs" directed at Mills' ability to outrun the Texas defenders.
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Mills said he knew before the game he would be called upon to carry the ball on a reverse.
"It was designed for the game," he said. "I knew I was going to get it."
"I got it on the reverse, I hit that corner, and it was all over then," he said.
Mills, who is from Dallas, Texas, said the play was simple.
"It was one of those plays you can get away with about once," he said. "You literally, on that play, do not block the person that's right at the point of attack. You don't want to do that too many times. It's kind of like the old sucker play, if you will."
Kansas coach Terry Allen said the reverse was a play one couldn't always use successfully.
"Derick is quick as anybody, and he showed that down the sideline," he said. "He's the perfect guy for that. He's so extremely quick, and he tightroped the sideline so well."
Allen said Mills, who ran a 4.4-40-yard dash. was a good choice to run a reverse.
Mills said his speed was the reason he was selected to run reverses.
"I pretty much run all the reverses, I guess because of my foot speed," he said. "They know I can get around the corner, so they put me in on all the reverses."
wide receiver.
Mills, 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, was a running back when he came to Kansas but switched to wide receiver shortly after the start of preseason drills. He spent his redshirt year learning to play
But the Jayhawks' depth at that position has Jubited Mills' nev this year.
"We've stayed relatively healthy there," Allen said. "And with the emergence of J.T. (Thompson) and Harrison (Hill) coming back from his deal, that is our deepest spot."
Allen said wide receiver was the Javhawks' deepest position.
Thompson is a true freshman who has seen action in six of the 10 games this season. Hill, a junior starter, missed the opening game of the season because of dehydration problems.
At least 10 receivers, counting Mills, Hill and Thompson, have contributed this year. Seniors Eric Patterson and Algen Williams; juniors Termaine Fulton and Roger Ross; and sophomores Byron Gasaway, Marcellus Jones and Barry Goodrich have made wide receiver the deepest and possibly most competitive position on the team.
Mills, who also returns kickoffs, said there wasn't a specific rotation among the receivers. The coaches, he said, just put the receivers in according to what the play was.
Edited by John Audelheim
'Hawks doing more passing than failing in basketball
This week we're bringing random thoughts about Kansas basketball. Feel free to e-mail yours to the sports desk and we'll compare notes.
Graduating seniors! We only have 16 actual days of classes left. I'm green lighting everyone to attend only 25 percent of their remaining classes. The professors understand. I hope.
Want my No. 1 reason why Kansas is a Final Four team this year? The emergence of Kirk Hinrich. The guy's learning curve is just crazy right now.
If for once we could have a premier point guard when going into the tournament, we're be in business. By premier, I'm talking about fast, creative with the ball, the ability to score and the ability to lock an opponent up.
I'm really excited for Luke Axtell to actually play in a real game. He looked great in the preseason, but this ankle injury has kept him down for a while. It's too bad, because he missed out on some good competition to match up with.
I'm starting to think of Axtell as the Jayhawk's version of Geraldo Rivera opening Al Capone's secret vault. All these great commercials, but when they finally open the vault, no guns, no gold, no dead bodies. Just an empty room.
All last season and this preseason was the commercial. I hope when we finally see the real Luke Axtell show after more than a year of waiting, there's something there.
- The Mario Kinsey to Drew Gooden alley oop out-of-bounds play was beautiful. Now I'm not so sure if I want to risk suiting Kinsey up in a football jersey. After all, I remember the Wildcat-and-chese sandwich that was Zac Wegner.
■ The next person who says something about Jeff Boschee's hair is getting a Jonesey karate chop to the throat. Who cares? The guy could look like Michael J. Fox in Teen Wolf for all I care, and that still wouldn't be newsworthy. Very cool, but not newsworthy.
If you take the ball strong to the basket every time, you'll either get fouled or you'll dunk on someone. Or maybe you'll miss a shot, but who cares? Everyone misses shots. But the off-season polishing has shown already. You're such a solid free throw shooter, so I say take your time with the ball and take it strong every time. I've got no problems with you scoring by one's rather than vicious-dunk two's.
Early-season Eric Chenow with review: (You listening, Eric?) Job well done, so far. Ignore those cheap fouls you picked up in New York. The refs are just trying to make a point early in the season.
I never said I thought you should lead this team in scoring. Lead it in rebounding and blocked shots, and I'll be happy. What, is that too much to ask?
John Crider transferring to Washburn? Good luck to ya, kid. Sorry things didn't work out. Represent the Jayhawks well while you're there. Oh... and can I have your seat on the bench? Is it still available?
Kenny Gregory, that three-point shot attempt was insane at the end of the UCLA game. You've been around the block; show some awareness. Otherwise, all the fans and myself appreciate the aerial assault you've been providing.
Just elevate and decide in the air.
I had so much fun watching the Coaches vs. Cancer IKON Classic that I forgot to set my VCR to record V.I.P. this week. To make me forget about Pamela Anderson takes some quality hoops, fellas. Keep it up.
Jones is a Muhvane scholar in Journalism.
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