Wednesday, October 18, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Jayhawks' Smiths feast on competition
By Jason Franchuk
Kansan sportswriter
When Kansas offensive lineman Nick Smith struts around the hotel room in his boxer shorts, his roommate doesn't appreciate it. But Nick has his own gibe for his fellow lineman and travel roommate.
"I can eat more than Bob Smith can," Nick said.
I can eat more than Bob orders. I'm a Nick plays center while Bob plays left guard now, after a recent switch because of another player's injury. They're also dining buddies, eating together at various local restaurants, both having an appetite for hamburgers and for anything else that finds its way to their table.
The two may disagree about who can pound down more ground beef, but the fact is, together they devoured Missouri last Saturday in Kansas' 38-17 victory.
"They played well," said Walt Klinker, Kansas offensive line coach. "The guys were able to step in and cover their assignments."
Nick, a Dallas sophomore, made his first career start in place of injured fifth-year senior Bob Schmidt, who is listed between questionable and probable by Kansas coach Terry Allen for Saturday's 11:30 a.m. game against Colorado.
Bob Smith, typically a tackle, played all but the first series at left guard. He said the switch was troublesome at times because of the different footwork that is required, but he thought the "Smith brothers," as some jokingly call them, had good unity.
"That's the main thing; They have to be able to
work together," Klinker said. "They have to know what the other guy is going to do."
What the two did together was help Kansas amass 219 rushing yards. More importantly, according to both, they kept another Smith — senior quarterback Dylen — from having to pick himself up off the ground. Dylen was sacked only once against the Tigers after suffering 12 sacks against Oklahoma and Kansas State.
Allen joked that the whole situation against Missouri played like an Abbott and Costello skit. Smith and Smith protected Smith from — you guessed it — Missouri's Justin Smith. The Big 12 Conference sack leader a year ago managed only one assisted tackle.
"We felt like we improved a lot in the last week because of how much harder we were working in practice." Bob said. "We also think we can get even better."
better. Considering how much time the two spend together, Bob and Nick said they get along well. Playing side by side is terrific. Rooming is great. Except, said Bob, when Nick roams around in his unmentionables.
"That's a bad sight," Bob said.
Of course, 280-pound Nick feels he has bragging rights over 755-pound Bob at the dinner table. But don't expect newcomer Nick to buy his buddy burgers anytime soon.
"Oh, man, if we started doing that, we'll all go broke." Nick said. "But maybe if we had people buying us burgers, we'd play even harder."
John Stiles, sophomore linebacker, center, and Nick Smith, sophomore offensive lineman, left, in blue, practice line drills. Nick Smith and Bob Smith teamed up to give Kansas 219 rushing yards against Missouri Saturday. Photo by Melissa Carr/KANSAN
- Edited by Erin McDaniel
Oklahoma basketball teams have different expectations
By Chris Wristen
sports@kansan.com
Kansas sportwriter
The loss of key players to graduation had opposite effects on the Oklahoma Sooners and the
Oklahoma State Cowboys.
The Sooners lost All- Americans guard Eduardo Najera, a four-year starter, to
graduation, as well as forward Renzi Stone. In response, The Sporting News listed Oklahoma as the 23rd-best team in the country and Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook tabbed the Sooners at No. 11. Most major publications pick the Sooners to finish second in the Big 12 Conference behind Kansas.
Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson said he wasn't surprised by the expectations, even after the loss of Najera.
"When you lose a senior class like we did last year and have people say that you're going to be good again, that's what I'm proud of." Sampson said. "We've been consistently good."
Most of that strength is in the backcourt where Sampson's squad returns its starting guards. Senior three-point specialist Tim Heskett returns, along with sophomore point guard Hollis Price. Junior guard J.R. Raymond will play the two-man as the team's leading scorer.
Sampson said the team needed improved defense from Raymond this year if the Sooners were going to win some games.
"He's a performer, a lights guy," Sampson said. "He has great quickness, is a good ball-handler and passer. But we need J.R, to step forward this year and become more of a defensive stopper."
On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma State is picked as a middle-of-the pack team in the Big 12 and has been absent from any
preseason polls for the first time since 1993.
The reason for the omission likely is that the Cowboys return just
"I don't think I've ever opened practices with as many inexperienced players as we have," said coach Eddie Sutton. "When you look at guys who have experience, they're still underclassmen."
ers, All-Conference forward Desmond Mason and point guard Doug Gottlieb, last year's NCAA leader in assists.
Those experienced players are junior center Fredrik Jonen, sophomore forward Andre Williams and junior center Jason Keep. Between them the three averaged a combined 12.7 points and 12.1 rebounds per game.
Sophomores bring experience
Edited by J. R. Mendoza
Continued from page 1B
not be tolerated this year as he vowed last week he would be tougher on the sophomores than he was last season. That's OK with Gooden, especially considering the Jayhawks have Final Four aspirations.
"Coach has had two seasons in a row with double digit losses," Gooden said. "He's let it go the last two years but not this season."
Kansas Basketball Notes
High Expectations Most preseason magazines are on the bookshelves, and all have a high opinion of Kansas.
The Sporting News ranked the Jayhawks seventh in the nation, Blue Ribbon Magazine has Kansas sixth, and Street & Smith's thinks the Jayhawks are the nation's eight best.
However, both Basketball News and ESPN: The Magazine have Kansas in their four team teams and predict that it will be heading to Indianapolis for the Final Four in March.
Robertson played for the Jayhawks from 1959-59 and last season was on injured reserve with the NBA's Sacramento Kings.
Robertson Gets Knighted The Kansas City Knights have added another former Jayhawk to their roster. According to WHB-AM radio in Kansas City, the Knights have come to contract terms with former Kansas guard Ryan Robertson.
Kansas City recently signed former Kansas forward Nick Bradford to a nonguaranteed contract.
All Quiet on the Recruiting Front The Kansas basketball community remained in a holding pattern as the Jayhawks awaited word on four of their recruits.
That word didn't come yesterday, but Jamal Sampson, a 6-foot 10 center from Santa Ana, Calif., told Insider's Report that he was "50/50" between Kansas and California-Berkley.
Ballard Hangs Around Walk-on guard Brett Ballard continues to practice with the Jayhawks even though he is not yet on the official roster.
Kansas assistant sports information director Mitch Germann said the coaches told Ballard he would practice with the team through this week, and he would know by next week whether he officially would be added to the roster. The Kansas coaches also will know by the end of this week whether they will add any players from this week's open campus tryouts, which finish tomorrow.
Ballard is a junior who played at Hutchinson Community College last season.
Edited by J. R. Mendoza
Intramural teams begin, finish play
By Aaron Johnson
By Aaron Johnson
sports@kansan.com
Kansas sportswriter
Kansas intramural sports are in full swing and as many teams are looking for playoff winners, others are just beginning their seasons.
"There was good competition and it was well run," he said.
Graham Moyer, Overland Park freshman and sand volleyball participant, said he enjoyed the fall season.
Sand volleyball and soccer have each completed their seasons and the winners will be posted within the next week at 208 Robinson.
twenty participants competed in a two-person scramble tournament at Alvamar Orchards Golf course to complete the intramural golf season. The scramble format allowed each golfer to tee off and the team could then use the best shot.
Although the flag football playoff season has been hampered by rain delays, Jason Krone, director of intrumurals, said he expected the season to wrap up by Wednesday, Oct. 25th.
The indoor volleyball league will have some different rules this year. Six players will be allowed on the court instead of four, two people will referee instead of one, and new rules will apply to legal-hitting techniques.
"Indoor volleyball always shows more participants," Krone said. "You can always expect an exciting season."
Krone said floor hockey was also making news this intramural season because of a rule change.
"We are trying a new ball in floor hockey, as opposed to a puck." Krone said. "Reason being the new ball does not bounce, which will be good for the league."
This also marks the inaugural season for a women's division in the floor hockey intramural league, and as many as eight women's teams have signed up for the season.
Several other intramural sports are beginning in the upcoming weeks;
Students can sign up for bowling on Monday, Oct. 30; eight-ball pool on Monday, Oct. 23; and racquetball on Monday, Nov. 13.
Krone expects the highest turnout will be for the pre-holiday basketball tournament, the weeks before Thanksgiving break.
"There were about 85 teams in the tournament last year," he said.
Krone said students interested in officiating fall intramural sports could stop by 208 Robinson for more information.
— Edited by Amy Randolph
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LAWRENCE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL presents ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION
7th Annual Stepping Out Against Breast Cancer Dance
Dance to "The Benders", a 50's and 60's style band dedicated to providing a good time while raising breast cancer awareness.
All proceeds go to providing mammograms for Douglas County women unable to afford medical insurance and to Breast Cancer Action. Because yearly mammograms save lives.
Friday, October 20 8 p.m.-Midnight Lawrence Holiday Inn Holidome 200 McDonald Drive
Tickets are $17.50 each, available at the door or at the LMH Gift Shop, 325 Maine.
PremierBlue
CRITICARE HOME HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
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EAT
ENGLISH ALTERNATIVE THEATRE
Presents a New Play
about Race Relations
Whiteout
by Alan Newton
Directed by Piet R. Knetsch
8 PM Oct. 19-21 & 2:30 PM Oct. 22
Lawrence Community Theatre
(15th & New Hampshire)
Reservations 785-864-3642 • $5
"As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow—
First—Chill—then Stupor—then the letting go—"
—Emily Dickinson
Participating Entry in the Kennedy Center /American College Theatre Festival