WEDNESDAY.NOV.7.2001
MEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3B
NICKCOLLISON
Forward ready to show confidence
By Ali Brox Kansan sportswriter
After three summers of USA Basketball, junior for ward Nick Collison has it figured out.
"It's all about confidence," Collison said.
"It" refers to Collison's game and the emphasis he put on improving his play, especially on the perimeter, this summer.
USA Basketball gave Collison the opportunity to play against the best in college basketball every day in practice for a month. And winning the World Championship for Young Men in Saitama, Japan was an added bonus.
"It feels good to know you did what you set out to do," he said.
Year: Junior
Position: Forward
Height: 6-9
Hometown: Iowa
Falls, Iowa
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite movie:
Forrest Gump
Collison said he felt he had more all-around skills this year. He's more comfortable with
ball-handling and shooting and is confident playing away from the basket and facing up.
"I've improved a lot but still need to prove it." Collison said.
Collison said he needs to be more of a leader this year, which may mean saying more and being more fired up. Although he doesn't show his emotions much. Collison insists he's fired up inside.
Coach Roy Williams compared Collison and teammate Drew Gooden to the former Jayhawk tandem of Jerod Haase and Jacque Vaughn. He said you couldn't mention one without the other.
"They both get on the floor and do things off-sively." Williams said.
Williams added that Collison and Gooden were definitely part of the team's strength and needed to be looked at every time down the court. Having two preseason Big 12 All-Conference players would make for some difficult match-ups.
some difficult match-ups. Last season Collison was named to the first team All-Big 12 team by the coaches. He is also one of 50 preseason candidates for the Wooden All-America team. Collison averaged 14 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season and led the team with a 59.7 field goal percentage.
Contact Brox 864-4858
Nick Collison, junior forward, averaged 14 points per game last season and led the team with a 59.7 percent field goal percentage.
JEFF BOSCHEE
Senior recovers from injury, nearing 3-point shot record
By Ali Brox Kansan sportswriter
Although he's approaching the all-time three-point field goals record at Kansas, senior guard Jeff Boschese is trying not to think about personal goals. He just wants to help the team win and, if the record happens, it happens.
"I'll be fortunate if I break it," Boschee said. One of two scholarship seniors on this year's men's basketball team, Boschee emphasizes leadership.
size lesures.
“As a leadership role, I think my actions speak louder than my words, like diving for loose balls and working hard.” Boschee said
loose bails and working labor. Coach Roy Williams was pleased to have senior leadership in Boschee and forward Jeff Carey.
Carey. Boschee was in Lawrence for part of the summer and spent a lot of time shooting to get his form and strength back, after getting the cast off his hand at the end of June. He had injured his thumb.
Boschee is taking no chances during his senior year because he knows everything he does is for the last time.
"it's do or die personally if I'm going to accomplish the goals I had when coming to KU." Boschee said.
Boschee said this year's schedule was the toughest since coming to the University. In addition to games at Arizona and UCLA, there's a trip to his home state of North Dakota.
"The guys are afraid we'll get snowed in," Boschee said.
Year: Senior
Position: Guard
Height: 6-1
Hometown: Valley
City, North Dakota
After college I plan
on: Coaching
Favorite movie:
American Pie
Boschee averaged 11.1 points and 2.4 rebounds last season. He led the team with 35.3 minutes per game and led the Big 12 in assist-to-turnover ratio all season with 115 assists and 54 turnovers.
BRETT BALLARD
Contact Brox at 864-4858
KANSAS FILE PHOTO
Senior guard Jeff Boschee has recovered from last season's thumb injury.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Brett Ballard, who had no bids from Division I programs after high school, now plays guard for the University of Kansas. Beginning as a walk-on last season, he now averages 6.4-minutes per game.
Hard work, dedication help guard live out dreams on the court
By Ryan Malashock
Kansan sportswriter
Brett Ballard exemplifies the saying "Good things come to those who wait."
After completing his senior year of high school in Hutchinson, no Division I programs were knocking on Ballard's door.
So the senior guard decided to stay home and play for Hutchinson Community College, but he never lost sight of his dream.
After a successful two-year stint, Ballard came to Lawrence just looking for a chance.
Ballard made the Kansas basketball team last year as a walk-on, eventually earning a scholarship. He enters this year's campaign looking to contribute.
Year: Senior
Position: Guard
Height: 6-1
Hometown:
Hutchinson, Kansas
best player every
faced: Paul Pierce
Favorite TV show:
Friends
It all still Frie...
seems like a fantasy to Ballard.
"Never in my wildest dreams would I think that this is where I'd be," Ballard said. "Last year was great, especially getting to play. I'm really looking forward to this season."
Ballard began last season without seeing much playing time, but he earned a more prominent role on the team halfway through the season.
"Never in my wildest dreams would I think that this is where I'd be." Brett Ballard Senior guard
His hard work, defensive intensity and occasional threepoint shot forced coach Roy Williams to put Ballard on the floor.
Beginning with a 15-minute performance in Kansas' 92-69 victory against Tulsa on Dec. 16 last year, Ballard found himself in the Jayhawk rotation.
Ballard developed into a spot backup for Kansas junior point guard Kirk Hinrich and finished the season averaging 6.4 minutes-per game.
Despite his presence as just a role player last season.
Ballard could play a more prominent role for the Jayhawks this year. Ballard will compete for minutes with freshmen guards Aaron Miles, Michael Lee and Keith Langford, but Williams said Ballard would be needed at times.
"Brett has the ability to shoot the basketball," Williams said. "We've got to get him in the game sometime to let him do that, and yet we've got some other guys who can do some things as well."
Contact Malashock at 864-4858
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