Wednesday, November 8, 2000
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The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Big 12 Basketball
Freshman forward Mario Kinsey begins a drive to the basket against Emporia State. The Joyhawks will play in the Coaches vs. Cancer IKON Classic tomorrow and Friday in New York City. Kansan file photo
Tournament traditions abound
Continued from page 1B
St. John's: The recurring fad
St. John's may have the largest recruiting advantage of the four programs, being located in New York City. Still, the Red Storm has become known for its solid, not spectacular seasons, strong coaching and strong runs in March.
Historically, the Red Storm's coaches have been, well, legendary. Buck Freeman, Joe Lapchick, Frank McGuire and Lou Carneseca all have called St. John's home, and the Red Storm bench now is guarded by the powerful Mike Jarvis.
With great coaches have come great players, ranging from Chris Mullin to Malik Sealy. The Red Storm also have the fifth-most victories among Division I basketball programs, with more than 1,600, and play their home games in one of college basketball's most famous venues, Madison Square Garden.
Kentucky forward Tayshaun Prince. whose Wildcats will play St. John's at the Garden tomorrow, said he couldn't wait to set foot on the Garden's hallowed ground.
"The greatest basketball players of all time have played on that court, and it's going to be a great experience," Prince said. "I expect our freshmen to be nervous, but once they get settled they'll be fine. Not many basketball players can say they played their first college game at the Garden."
But despite the top-notch arena and all the accolades, St. John's may never truly be considered among the basketball elite until
it reaches another Final Four — something the Red Storm hasn't done since 1985.
Kentucky: The ageless wonder
For additional Big 12 basketball previews See page 8A
You do the math.
The Wildcats have more wins than any other team in NCAA history. They have more NCAA Tournament appearances, more tournament victories and have played in more NCAA Tournament games than any other school.
Kentucky has won seven national championships, second only to UCLA. Only two other teams have visited the Final Four more times than Kentucky.
Kentucky basketball has also had its share of winners. Legendary coach Adolph Rupp is the second-winningest coach in college hoops history, logging 876 victories. Boston Celtics coach Rick Pitino also stormed the sidelines for eight years.
Along these coaches' benches have sat great players, namely Pat Riley, Bill Spivey, Dan Issel, Sam Bowie and Jamal Mashburn. All were All-Americans, and Riley has carried the winning tradition to the NBA, where he is No. 2 in all-time coaching victories.
Years of success and years of brilliance on the sidelines are both traditions that have put Kentucky basketball near the top of the college hoops world. Coach Tubby Smith and his 1998 national championship are carrying that tradition into a new era.
By Michael Rigg sports@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
Keith Langford's recruitment mostly was more defined by lack of drama because it was rumored for weeks he would attend Kansas.
Still, the rumors didn't stop Langford from drawing out his decision, burning the midnight oil on Monday night before deciding to be a Javhawk.
The reason behind the late night antics was that Langford, who practiced until 9 p.m. Monday, had to inform Kansas coach Roy Williams and Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins of his decision.
"This decision was not a very easy one, but it was the right one for me," Langford told Fastbreak Recruiting.
Langford chose Kansas instead of Cincinnati, Oklahoma, Baylor and Mississippi. He originally committed to Mississippi before reneging on his verbal commitment.
The reason, Langford said, was proximity. His mother will drive to Lawrence from her home in Crowley, Texas, for several of his home games, and the Jayhawks take regular trips to Norman,
Of course, it didn't hurt that the Kansas fans chanted "We want Langford" when he attended the Jayhawks' game against Emporia State on Saturday.
Okla., and Austin, Texas.
"My visit went real well." Langford said. "The players were real cool, and the fans were great, too. Lawrence reminds me of Crowley, only bigger."
During his visit, Langford said he started a friendship with sophomore forward Drew Gooden, and he already befriended fellow Kansas recruit Aaron Miles.
"Me and Drew Gooden talked about rooming together next year," Langford said. "And I got to know Aaron Miles at Nike camp, so I'm looking forward to playing with him and the other guys."
Langford, a 6-foot-4 guard/forward, averaged 19 points per game for North Crowley High last season. Unlike Miles, Langford is not considered to be one of the nation's top 25 players. But recruiting guru Bob Gibbons said Langford should be a nice pickup for Kansas.
"In Langford, Kansas gets a player who has excellent range on his jump shot and is also effective at taking his man off the dribble and going strong to the basket," Gibbons stated on his Web site.
All the Jayhawks signings should become official today, the first day high school seniors can sign letters of intent. Along with Langford and Miles, Kansas also should receive letters of intent from shooting guard Michael Lee of Portland, Ore., and Leavenworth forward Wayne Simien. If all four sign today, then Kansas
— which still has one more scholarship to give out — should have a recruiting class ranked in the top five nationally.
Kansas basketball notes
Ichabod Crider? Kansas coach Roy Williams has yet to announce anything officially, but junior guard John Crider's Jayhawk playing days appear to be numbered.
Crider didn't practice with the team on Monday night, and the Jayhawks were still unsure whether Crider would accompany the team to New York.
Rumors have surfaced Crider will transfer sometime soon — possibly to Washburn University. The rumors started after Crider was shut out of the Jayhawks' exhibition game against Emporia State on Saturday night. In the 69-point Kansas victory, Crider was the only Jayhawk not to play.
Kentucky to be a hurdle for St. John's
— Edited by Warisa Chulindra
Bv Chris Wristen
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
The second game of tomorrow's Coaches vs. Cancer IKON Classic will pin No. 1 Kentucky against No. 5 St. John's — with those rankings being for all-time wins, not season expectations
But in the spirit of this marquee matchup, the similarities stop there.
After being a frequent visitor to the Top 10 in the 1950s, St. John's became just another blip on the map and made a few scattered appearances during the early 1990s.
The Red Storm returned again in 1999 and 2000. Coach Mike Jarvis' teams were legitimate Final Four threats, but this year all of the key components are gone. Sophomore point guard Erick Barkley jumped ship for the NBA, and seniors Lavor Postell, Chudney Gray and Bootsy Thornton all completed their athletic eligibility.
A new group of Johnnies will take the court tomorrow night against Kentucky, and it will look nothing like last year's streaky team. Jarvis started three freshmen in his team's 86-80 exhibition win against the California All-Stars. Freshmen
Willie Shaw, Kyle Cuffe and Omar Cook started and saw significant minutes, and the team has only one senior, Reggie Jessie. Cook led the team in scoring and rebounding with 25 and seven, respectively.
Jarvis said that he was happy to have his team open its season at the Classic and that the field of teams would be an excellent early-season challenge for his young players.
"We're thrilled to be a part of this magnificent field, playing teams the caliber of Kentucky, Kansas and UCLA, but more importantly, proceeds from the event will be dedicated to supporting cures-for cancer." Jarvis said.
The Red Storm will need to find a way to stop a relatively experienced Kentucky team first.
The Wildcats also have just one senior, point guard Saul Smith. In its favor, though, Kentucky returns experienced sophomores and juniors in guard Keith Bogans and forwards Marvin Stone and Tayshaun Prince.
Also in the mix is freshman forward Jason Parker. He had signed with North Carolina before the Tar Heels backed out on his scholarship and Kentucky scooped him up. He is expected to see significant
Tubby Smith Kentucky coach
playing time and make an immediate impact on the Wildcats, coach Tubby Smith said.
"We're going to be thrown into the fire quickly."
"We're lucky to have Jason Parker." Smith said. "He's really physical around the bucket and will provide defensive and offensive pressure inside."
Regardless of the experienced players returning, Smith said he was concerned with the quick start to the season against such difficult competition, especially considering his team lost two of its key returnees during the offseason.
"We're going to be thrown into the fire quickly with the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic," Smith said. "I like our team, but we're still young. We've lost Desmond Allison and Jules Camara also, and Jules had more experience than all of our post people combined."
- Edited by Erin McDaniel
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