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Next week in sports
The University Daily Kansan
Be sure to pick up the Kansan each day next week for a five-part poster of Kansas men's basketball coach Roy Williams.
Sports
Inside: The Kansas City Chiefs are trying to recover from Sunday's 20-17 lossss against the Oakland Raiders. SEE PAGE 2B
SEE PAGE 2B
CHIEFS
Inside: Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning will miss the entire NBA season because of a kidney ailment.
SEE PAGE 6B
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2000 For comments, contact Melinda Weaver or Jason Walker at 864-4858 or e-mail sports@kansan.com WWW.KANSAN.COM
WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
Water Polo Club makes a splash
Jason Blazer, Parkville, Mo., sophomore, blocks an incoming shot during a water polo practice at Robinson Gymnasium. The club competes with other Midwestern teams every two to three weeks. Photo by Ashley Marriott/KANSAN
By Michael Sudhafter
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas Water Polo Club is proving that the sport is no longer just a game for California people who don't feel like surfing.
The 16-member co-educational team is comprised of players with extensive swimming backgrounds who are beginning to learn the fast-paced game of water polo.
there are six players in the water and one goalie on each team. Two points are awarded for goals beyond seven feet, while teams receive one point for goals within that range.
Loudis was on his high school swimming team and decided water polo might be an exciting challenge. He said the unique rules of the game enticed he and others into participating in the sport.
"Water polo is a lot like soccer and rugby in the water," said Barry Loudis, Springfield, Mo., sophomore.
The club competes in the Midwestern Conference, which includes Nebraska, Washington University-St. Louis, Minnesota and several schools in Illinois.
Anne Wolf, Wilmette, Ill., junior, has been with the club since her freshman year. Unlike many of the other club members, Wolf had experience in the sport prior to attending the University. She still strives to improve her skills.
"I enjoy learning the game," Wolff said. "And with more tournaments, our players who aren't as experienced will catch on to the game."
Jake Pueschel, Lawrence sophomore,
joined the team last year.
"Water polo is one of the most intense games around," Pueschel said. "It is also the most physically exhausting game I've ever played or seen."
Eric Borga, Springfield, Mo., sophomore, said the level of competition in the Midwest was gradually increasing.
"Judging from the tournament at Western
Illinois, water polo in the Midwest seems to be catching on," Borja said. "Players are deciding to play on club teams closer to home rather than Division I schools in California."
Borja said he was optimistic about the team but said it needed to increase practice time and commitment.
"This is a team of mostly former swimmers," Borja said. "This is a whole different sport."
Because the Jayhawks lost six seniors, Londis said he hoped to rebuild the team.
Edited by Shawn Hutchinson
"This season has been a learning experience for everyone," he said.
It's back to normal for Kansas football
Jayhawks get day off from practice despite wishes of players
Kansas running back David Winbush trudges through a sea of Missouri defenders. Winbush led the team in total yards with 182 in Saturday's game. Photo by Nick Krug/KANSAN
By Jason Franchuk
sports@kanson.com
Kansas sportwriter
Most of the players wanted to, but Kansas football coach Terry Allen resisted the temptation to practice yesterday.
After Kansas' 38-17 win at Missouri on Saturday — its first Big 12 Conference road win under Allen — an informal poll suggested that last week's extra day of practice might have been the reason for Kansas' newfound success.
"I think it helped us get our focus back," said Roger Ross, junior wide receiver.
The Jayhawks typically get Mondays off from practice, but they practiced last Monday following a blistering loss to Kansas State. Allen's mantra became "drastic time call for drastic measures" after the loss, and he thought that the Jayhawks needed to put more effort and emotion into their practices.
Allen must have liked what he saw Saturday against Missouri, because yesterday was an off-day as usual. Allen also noted that practicing Monday was difficult because of all the class conflicts. Besides, the Jayhawks put on a clinic of their own Saturday against the Tigers.
"It's not necessarily the days of practice." Allen said, "more the approach."
of them coming on rushes. Quarterback Dylen Smith controlled the game with his arm, completing 10 of 30 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown pass.
Kansas had 219 yards rushing, its highest output this season. Running back David Winbush led with 182 all-purpose yards, 89
"It was a good game," Winbush said. "It
felt good to get out there and get all the problems we had in the past out of the way."
When Winbush scored Kansas' last touchdown on a 12-yard scamper late in the third quarter, it was arguably the most euphoric Kansas has been in a long time. After the score, the Jayhawks erupted on the sideline with applauses and howling. Winbush kneeled and prayed until some of his teammates tackled him in the end zone to celebrate.
"It was an awesome feeling," Winbush said.
Kansas will practice today and prepare for Saturday's 11:30 a.m. home game against Colorado at Memorial Stadium. The game, part of Homecoming weekend, will be Kansas' first on television this year. Allen said preparation would include more physical practices, with lots of hitting
After declining to single out individuals for good performance after last Saturday's embarrassment against K-State, Allen and his assistants were more than happy to make selections this time
Smith, offensive player of the game; Tim Bowers, defensive player of the game; Marc Owen, special teams player of the game for filling in for Bob Schmidt at long snapper; Ross and the punt return team, play of the game for Ross' 62-yard punt-return touchdown; Bowers, hit of the game for his hard hit on a kickoff return; and quarterback Kevin Long and defensive lineman Travis Watkins, scout teamers of the week.
— Edited by Shawn Hutchinson
Basketball recruit might help draw others to team
Bv Michael Rigg
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas Jayhawks are hopping their latest basketball recruit will institute the buddy system.
That is, with the commitment late Sunday of Portland, Ore., shooting guard Michael Lee, the Jayhawks are hoping his teammate, point guard Aaron Miles.
that also will follow suit and become a Jayhawk.
Lee committed after attending Late Night with Roy Williams on Friday night.
Lee is considered a "diamond in the rough" recruit, who was mostly being recruited by schools such as Santa Clara and Oregon.
Miles, meanwhile, is a consensus tqp-25 player who is considered one of the nation's top point guards and, is in deciding between Kansas and Arizona.
Miles made the trip to Lawrence with Lee and said he definitely was favoring Kansas. He added that the commitment of Lee would help him reach his decision.
"With him committing to Kansas, Kansas' chances are much higher now," Miles told Insiders Report. "When I first started out on my visit to Kansas, it was 50/50 for both Kansas and Arizona. But after my visit, I am leaning to Kansas."
Still, Miles said he would wait until he visited Arizona on Oct. 28 before he made a decision.
Joining Miles and Lee this past weekend were Josh Childress, a
Aaron Miles
"When I first started out on my visit to Kansas, it was 50/50 for both Kansas and Arizona. But after my visit, I am leaning to Kansas."
Position Here
6-foot-7 forward from Lakewood, Calif., and Jamal Sampson, a 6-foot-10 center from Senta Ana, Calif.
"It was sweet," Childress told All-Star Report of his visit. "I really like the coaching staff and the family feeling at Kansas. If you play for the Jayhawks, you are like a celebrity there. The only down side is 'the distance from home.'
Both Sampson and Childress said they enjoyed their visits to Kansas and were nearing their decisions as well.
Childress said he would choose between Kansas and Stanford. He also said Lee's commitment, coupled with the possible commitment of Miles and Sampson, could play a factor in his decision.
"I won't base my decision on what my friends do, but I could definitely see myself playing with those guys," he said.
As for Sampson, he told Pac-West Hoops that he enjoyed his trip to Kansas but that he might visit to UCLA before making a
decision.
Hayes visits Kentucky
Sampson also is considering Saint Louis and California-Berkeley.
Kansas recruit Chuck Hayes visited Kentucky on Friday for the Wildcats' version of Midnight Madness.
Hayes, a 6-foot-6 forward from Modesto, Calif., told All-Star Report that he enjoyed his visit to the Bluegrass State and now is nearing a decision.
Sports Columnist
Hayes said that he was considering Kentucky, Kansas, Texas-El Paso and Saint Louis, and that he might have a decision by the end of the week.
Edited by Casey Franklin
Chris Wristen
sports@kansan.com
Win against Tigers could ignite streak, bowl chances
The only important history lesson you'll learn all week is this: It all starts with Missouri.
The football team has wasted its talent with silly mental errors, which have led to pathetic losses. I've been more embarrassed to mention that I watched some of its losses than I am to mention that I actually paid to see *Mafia!* while it still was in theaters.
In the 38-17 thrashing Saturday at Missouri, the Jayhawks finally played with the flair fans expected at the beginning of the season before the curl-up-and-die losses to Southern Methodist and Kansas State. The Jayhawks had a pulse in their 21-point win against Missouri.
That 21-point victory should put a frost on Buffalo fur as Colorado prepares for Kansas this week, and if history repeats itself, expect a Jayhawk victory against the Buffs Saturday.
After limping to a 2-5 start last year, Kansas shut out Missouri 21-0. Fans torw down the goal posts, and the 'Hawks went on to take Nebraska to the wire and finish their season strong. The reason was newfound confidence from a game against the Tigers.
The Jayhawks blasted Missouri again this year and suddenly have a swagger in their steps. Colorado looms ahead. Kansas stands 3-3 and sounds confident that it can topple another team.
"In our players' minds, we're 1-0." Allen said after the win.
If that isn't enough history for you, then here's another fun fact about Terry Allen's tenure at Kansas. Kansas has never lost a homecoming game under Allen.
Of course.
In addition to the spark-plug win against Missouri, history favors the 'Hawks against the Buffaloes. The last pairing of the two teams on homecoming came in 1998, when the Buffs boasted a No. 17 national ranking. Kansas belted them 33-17 on Fox Sports Net. This year's game is the 'Hawks' first televised game of the season and, fittingly, will be aired on Fox Sports Net.
Can the historical aspects of Kansas football really play a factor this weekend? Definitely.
Coincidence?
The reason the past can affect Saturday's Kansas vs. Colorado game is simple. During the middle of past seasons, Terry Allen and his team finally learned what they had to do to get the job done. They just ran out of time to make it to a bowl. Solve the problem early, and the 'Hawks could be bound for postseason play.
A loss this weekend would put a dagger through any postseason dreams for the Hawks, but a win against the Buffaloes would make their chances good. Texas Tech definitely is beatable, and Texas has been a question mark all season. Iowa State has surprised its critics, but if the Jayhawks have five wins heading into the last game of the season against the Cyclones, then I'd like their chances of winning.
Allen needs to maintain the vigorous intensity he instilled in his practices last week. He must keep chewing players' ears if they screw up. He must keep his players hitting one another harder and harder in practice.
Kansas has not been to a bowl since winning the 1995 Alhoa Bowl against UCLA, 51-30. A bowl bid still is far off but not out of the question — not yet, anyway. Kansas must win three of its last five games to be bowl eligible. Their opponents are Nebraska and Iowa State on the road, and Colorado, Texas Tech and Texas at home.
I like the Jayhawks' new belief in themselves, and like all Kansas fans, would love to see a win this weekend. If the Jayhawkes lose, their season is toast. But if they win, look to see Kansas make history by playing in the inaugural Galleryfurniture.com Bowl on Dec. 27 in Houston.
Wristen is a Leawood junior in Journalism.
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