sports
KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | MONDAY, FEB. 1, 2016
the best place
SHWEDAGON PAGODA, YANGOON MYANMAR
This is the largest Buddhist shrine in the world, plated in gold, with a 72 karat diamond at the top. It was a beautiful structure and it was incredibly insightful to have the opportunity to meditate among the monks.
Patti Degner
NIKKO NATIONAL PARK, NIKKO JAPAN
This well preserved national park is home to some of the most breathtaking Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines that Japan has to offer dating back to as the 8th Century. UNESCO has deemed these buildings a World Heritage Site, which gives them the proper attention and preservation they deserve.
Scott Friesen
ST. PETER'S BASILICA (BASILICA DI SAN PIETRO), VATICAN CITY
The basilica's intricacy and beauty amazes, and is an incredible sight whether you're religious or not. The wait is well worth it to see the masterful art, and connect with others over the realization of how small and simultaneously talented and influential humans are.
Carmen Ortiz
THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY, ANTRIM,
NORTHERN IRELAND
This geographical phenomenon, located on the northern coast of Ulster, consists of more than forty thousand interlocking basalt columns. Steeped in local folklore and legend, The Giant's Causeway is said to have been carved into the coast by a giant named Finn McCool. This local mysticism, in combination with the stunning geography, makes it an incredible and magical sight to behold.
Megan Reschke
MAL PAIS, PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA
This remote beach town is perfect for the ultimate "tico" getaway. The area is known for its mouthwatering sushi, yoga classes, and surfing. Spend a weekend relaxing and enjoying the one of a kind "Pura Vida" lifestyle.
Jackie Langdon
SZÉCHENYI THERMAL BATH,
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
This medicinal thermal bath serves as a giant hot tub for the city of Budapest. Soaking under the stars and watching the steam from the hot thermal pools rising up is the perfect end to the day.
Melody Stratton
ISKANDERKUL. TAJIKISTAN
Named after Alexander the Great, this small glacial lake is one of Central Asia's most gorgeous tourist destinations. Be sure to take a dip in the sky blue water after a morning hike in the mountains surrounding this beautiful lake.
Ben Ale-Ebrahim
CHANGDEOK PALACE, SEOUL,
SOUTH KOREA
The Prospering Virtue palace was built by King Taejong the third king of the joseon dynasty. This beautiful palace with its secret garden, transports visitors to a different time, and it is almost as if you can see the elite of this time strolling through its many courtyards.
Keyana Branch
SON-KUL LAKE, KYRGYZSTAN
Ashlie Koehn
One of my first weeks in Kyrgyzstan, we went to this gorgeous mountain lake and stayed in the yurts. It was my first introduction to kumis (fermented mare's milk), traditional Kyrgyz nomadic culture, and the raw beauty of Kyrgyzstan.
GREAT BARRIER REEF, CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA
Scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef was like seeing a whole new world that exists underwater. We saw so much life, from tiny corals growing on the side of rocks to giant sharks and barracudas, something we never get the chance to see on land. It was a life-changing experience that opened my eyes to how vast the world really is.
Paige Stingley
SAN GERARDO DE RIVAS/
CHIRRIPO NATIONAL PARK
This tiny community is the beginning and end of one of the best activities to do while in Costa Rica. Climbing the country's tallest mountain, Cerro Chirripó, should begin with a stay in San Gerardo, not only to get an early start on your hike, but to take in the beauty of this quiet, mountainous town and to rest up and refuel upon your descent. The sunsets over the mountains are of unrivaled beauty.
Dylan Jacobs
Missy Minear/Kansan
the game, Selden's grandfather made the drive over the course of a couple of days, but his trip wasn't complete until he talked to Self pre-game and gave him a message.
"[It was] the loudest atmosphere I've ever been in."
Alex Poythress Kentucky forward
"[Wayne] told me this afternoon, 'He better play good. I came a long way to watch this,'" Self said. "I think grandpa got his money's worth."
Certainly, before the
played in the team's Junior guard Wayne Selden Jr. dunks the ball over Kentucky freshman Skal labiisiere.
last two games
big man Langer Lucas committed an offensive foul.
Diallo played eight minutes in his first stretch on the court, which was actually double what he had
However, it was the other freshman that really left his mark on the game.
Freshman forward Carlton Bragg Jr., who accidentally started to say "Kentucky" when announcing his college decision last year, filled right in for senior forward Perry Ellis, who was saddled to the bench with a couple of early fouls. Often one of the most energetic players on the team, Bragg knocked down three shots, two of which rattled all the way around the basket before finally
jumpers."
Sophomore point guard Tyler Ulis and senior forward Alex Poythress were dynamic, answering whenever the Kansas crowd came to life. Poythress even knocked down a corner three, which was significant considering he entered the game making just one of his last 24 from distance.
In the first half, the freshman advantage went to Kansas. But Kentucky was able to swing the tide another way.
Shooting a combined
In the second half, Kentucky kept the lead at a similar margin, as Kansas reverted to a triangle-and-two defense. However, it wouldn't be the team's defense that would grab the attention of the fans as much as the offense from junior guard Wayne Selden Jr.
Selden scored 10-straight Kansas points over a three-minute stretch, leaving him two shy of his career-high. With Selden carrying the load on one end, the defense
"I told him to take his, time," Graham said. "We needed one. So he knocked it down."
However, before shooting the second, Ellis received a few words of encouragement from his point guard.
"I looked [at it, and] I said, 'You've got to be kidding me,'" Calipari said. "That thing almost went in."
With less than five seconds to play, the Wildcats turned the ball over on their final regulation possession. Junior guard Frank Mason III had a half-court shot to win at the buzzer, but it wouldn't fall, although it certainly made Kentucky coach John Calipari sweat a little bit.
In the extra period, Selden continue to provide
looked over and nodded,
while Graham, who was
sitting next to Selden, gave
Theisen a point and a wink.
It was a different mood from the teams' last meeting, when Self jokingly said he wished the cup on the table was filled with vodka after losing by 32.
Instead, the players were all smiles, although Self was quick to note they couldn't afford to dwell on the win for too long, knowing that the team has to get ready for it's next game against Kansas State.
"The reality of it is, this is just a small step to get us positive momentum to go back to what is really important: conference play," Self said. "K-State is a rivalry game, and you can't take games for granted."