Thursday, November 2, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A • Page 7
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Coach Roy Williams said he thought Chenowith had improved.
Sure, it was an exhibition game against a team that wasn't in top shape, but the players had big and experienced bodies. Chenwith never backed down, but admitted the real test awaited down the road.
"That's not a good indication of what it's gonna be like in the season," Chenowith said. "They've got 20 games in 20 days. They're just to pace themselves."
Two of his field goals came in the final 90 seconds of the first half, both on powerful two-handed dunks.
The trouble Williams spoke of was Chenowith's 3-for-8 shooting from the field. However, Chenowith's effort was solid.
It wasn't a spectacular night by any means, but Eric Chenowith verified to fans what his coach has raved about all year — he has drastically improved from his sub-par junior season.
Chenowith, a senior center, chipped in 11 points and swiped 15 rebounds in just 19 minutes of play during Kansas' 98-80 exhibition victory against the EA Sports/California All-Stars.
Although Chenowith said he was pleased with his preseason progress, his teammates are the ones who may appreciate it the most. Sophomore forward Nick Collison said this was just the beginning of a great senior season for Chenowith.
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Senior Charlie Gruber has shown the ability to excel in big meets starting with last year's Big 12 Conference Cross Country Conference Championships and continuing through this past summer's U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifying Meet and this year's Big 12 Championships.
"He's actually played better in practice than he did tonight," Williams said. "He didn't have a very good feeling with the ball, but you could see the work he did in the offseason."
"I was pretty happy individually on Saturday," Gruber said. "I got out smart and didn't run too hard at first. That was my advantage."
For the second consecutive season, Gruber's performance has peaked at the Big 12 Championships. Gruber posted season-best times at both the 1999 and 2000 Big 12 Championships.
"I tried to be aggressive," Chenowith said. "I thought it was a good start. We got kind of sloppy at the end, but it was a good start."
"I don't think we need any more gimmicks to get Eric to play well, because he's going to play well all season," Collison said.
Last Saturday, Gruber showed no fear at the Big 12 Championships in Boulder, Colo., by leading the Jayhawk men individually with a 14th place finish. Gruber said getting off to a good start was key for him.
The first came when he missed a shot in the paint but tore the rebound away from All-Star forwards Joe Vogel and Kevin
By Chris Wristen
sports@kansan.com
Kansas sportwriter
During a loose-ball situation midway through the half, he sprawled into the corner after the ball, corralled it and passed it to sophomore guard Kirk Hinrich. Hinrich pushed down the center of the court and fired a pass to senior forward Kenny Gregory who elevated for an Allen Fieldhouse-shaking slam that was part of a 12-3 Kansas run.
Coming into this season, Gruber was fatigued from a busy summer of running, which included an appearance at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento, Calif. Gruber sat out Kansas' first meet of the season and spent a lot of time during the first two weeks of the season getting back into cross country shape.
One minute later, Chenowith rebounded a missed jump shot by junior guard Jeff Boschee and powered to the rim for another dunk that sent Kansas into halftime with a comfortable 46-32 lead.
By Ryan Malashock
Sports@Kansan.com
Kansas Sportwriter
Chenowith didn't let up in the second half. He grabbed six rebounds in the half and put his hustle on display.
"I definitely think he's got a lot of skill," Vogel said. "His shots will go down, and he's a good rebounder. He's a good player and a nice kid. He's one of the truest centers you can get."
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Chenowith shows big improvement in exhibition game
"The coaches this year and last have done a great job of getting me ready for big meets," Gruber said. "It's taken me longer this year to get into top shape because I started a little later."
Senior runner hopes to lead team to berth
Simmons. Chenowith overpowered Simmons for the jam on a play that Vogel said earned his respect.
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Assistant coach Doug Clark said Gruber proved once again on Saturday that he was a "big meet" runner. Clark said Gruber's performances had been even more remarkable because his real talent was in middle-distance running.
The District V Midwest Regionals will be Saturday, Nov. 11, in Ceder Falls, Iowa, where Kansas still can qualify for a berth to the NCAA Championships. Gruber said the Jayhawks were capable of qualifying for the NCAA Championships if the entire team performed its best.
"I'te true that we did have a lot of momentum going into Saturday," Gruber said. "But all we can do now is regroup. This is a small setback, and it isn't the end of the world. We just have to be ready for a big race at districts."
"We're still a shoot in chance for a nationals bid," Gruber said. "If all seven of us put together our best races all on the same day, we can qualify."
"I feel very good about Charlie's performance on Saturday." Clark
said. "He improved from finishing 33rd at last year's Big 12 to 14th this year. Charlie's really a half-miler guy, and for him to finish 14th is quite an accomplishment."
"We're still a shoot-in chance for a nationals bid.
If all seven of us put together our best races all on the same day, we can qualify."
The Kansas men had high hopes entering Saturday's Big 12 Championships and finished a disappointing sixth place. Gruber said although the Jayhawks were on a roll before the Big 12 Championships, Saturday's performance wouldn't kill their season.
One thing is for sure: Gruber will be ready for that chance.
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Charlie Gruber senior cross country runner
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