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sports
VANSAN.COM/SPORTS | MONDAY, JAN. 18, 2016
Freshmen key in Kansas bounce back win over TCU
SCOTT CHASEN
@SChasenKU
As the first half between the Kansas Jayhawks and TCU Horned Frogs wrapped up, the Jayhawks found themselves in front by double digits, despite trailing at various points in the period. However, given the expected outcome and the circumstances coming into the game, which Kansas won 70-63, the final margin wasn't quite as important to many as the play of the freshmen big men - Carlton Bragg Jr. and Check Diallo - who have been glued to the bench for much of the year.
In the first half, Bragg made his mark with eight points and four rebounds, which were just one and two respectively off his career-high marks for a game. Diallo made his presence felt in a different manner.
With 1:26 to play in the first half, Diallo blocked a floater by forward Devonta Abron, which fell back into the clutches of TCU. As the Horned Frogs reset, Diallo paused, raised his arm in the air and performed his rendition of the Dikembe Mutombo finger wag, drawing a chuckle from those who saw.
JAMES HOYT/KANSAN Freshman forward Carlton Bragg posted a career-high in points in his last game against TCU. He's seen his role increase as of late.
"He does that a lot in practice too," sophomore point guard Devonte Graham said. "He tells us, 'Today's going to be a block party' ... and then he blocks a lot of shots."
JAMES HOYT/KANSAN
For Diallo, it was another flash of potential in a season that hasn't quite lived up to the hype, though it was far from his only highlight in the game.
Moments earlier, as TCU forward Chris Washburn attempted a scoop shot from in close, Diallo sent it back with a block that looked more like a volleyball spike than a basketball play. As the ball squirted out toward the baseline, Diallo hit the floor, drawing some applause from Kansas coach Bill Self and assistant coach Jerrance Howard, among others on the bench.
That play came in the midst of a 16-2 run for the Jayhawks, as they took advantage of the game and would lead the rest of the way.
"We did have balance. The shot distribution was pretty even for the most part," Self said after the game. "I (still) don't think we're playing with near as much energy as what we did a week ago." Early on, the lack of energy showed itself, as the
game went back and forth between the two teams. That came as a surprise to many considering that, in addition to being a 23-point favorite, Kansas had also put together some of its best performances on the season after facing adversity.
Most notably, the Jayhawks responded to dropping their second game of the year against Michigan State with a 51-point blowout win over Chaminade. And later, when Kansas played its closest home game of the non-conference slate — a six-point win over Harvard — the team followed that up with a 33-point win over Holy Cross.
However, at least early on, that was not the case against TCU.
The Horned Frogs started the game shooting 5-of-6 from three, jumping out to a 19-15 advantage. The team relied on a 10-0 spurt to get to that point, which featured two threes from TCU guard Chauncey Collins. However, that run would be wiped out by Kansas' own 16-2 stretch later
"I thought [TCU] competed hard." Self said. "We didn't give anything for the crowd to get excited about for the most part."
in the period.
"They made three-pointers early. We just had to buckle in," Graham said. "We just had to lock in defensively."
Graham led all players in the first half with 10 points and five assists, while Bragg and junior guard Wayne Selden Jr. combined for 17 of team's 37 points.
Up just nine at the half, the Jayhawks found a bit of separation early in the second period. Junior guard Frank Mason III and senior forward Perry Ellis scored 14 of the team's first 20 points, as the lead increased to 16.
However, while the veterans shouldered much of the load on the court, it was the extended minutes of Bragg, Diallo and sophomore guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk that were as crucial as anything.
"They're playing for the right guy," TCU coach Trent Johnson said of Diallo and Bragg. "They're going to be good players — great players probably ... I hope they leave after this year."
With Diallo playing 15 minutes in the second half, the Jayhawks would go on to win by seven, improving to 15-2 on the year and 4-1 in Big 12 play.
Six different Jayhawks, including Bragg and Diallo, would score at least nine points in the win. Bragg finished with career high in points (10), while Diallo led the team with five blocks; that total marked a career-high for him, as did the 21 minutes he played in the game.
Next up, the team will hit the road to take on Oklahoma State, before returning home for a showdown with Texas.
Jayhawk softball prepares through winter in new indoor facility
MISSY MINEAR/KANSAN
Shortstop Chaley Brickey throws the ball to first base in a game against Texas last year. The Jayhawks lost 0-6.
BRIAN MINI
@DaftPunkPop
After a successful 40-win season that included an NCAA tournament appearance, the Jayhawks have returned to Arrocha Ballpark to begin practice for the spring season.
Head coach Megan Smith returns many of the key contributors from last season, including sophomore Daniella Chavez and senior Chaley Brickey. This season will also be T.J. Hubbard's debut as the Jayhawks' hitting coach.
"We are together all the time for the week and a half
and it's a great opportunity for us to set goals and commit to those goals," coach Smith said in a press release. "Then, [we have to] put in the work and lay the foundation as we move into the season."
Despite starting the season in sunny Jacksonville, Fla., the Jayhawks still have to practice in Lawrence. Kansas began practices on Jan. 10, but the improved Arrocha Ballpark gives the team some much-needed shelter from the cold.
In 2014, Rock Chalk Park officially opened, giving the Jayhawks a new home for softball. Although the
ballpark moved further away from campus, it added a key new addition to the Jayhawks training: A state of the art indoor training facility.
This new arrival is described as being an 11,000-square feet venue which features a turf field with four drop down automatic batting cages, according to KU Athletics. With the Jayhawks playing in both the fall and mid-winter, coach Megan Smith knows the impact of this new facility.
"Having our own indoor [facility] is unbelievable for us because, obviously,
the last few days have been chilly and we've been able to get everything we need to done," Smith said. "We don't miss a beat with that and are really lucky to have a facility like that."
With the temperatures in Lawrence hovering around 40 degrees in January and February, the benefits are huge for the Jayhawks and their training staff. The Jayhawks may not play a home game until March 11, but when they come back from three early season tournaments, spring will be right around the corner.
KU women's basketball will focus on improving for the future in the midst of Big 12 struggles
SEAN COLLINS
@seanzie_3
After a strong 4-2 start to the season, a young, Brandon Schneider-led Kansas women's basketball team has fallen off, especially in conference play. The Jayhawks have now lost eight straight games, including six games in conference play.
MISSY MINEAR/KANNAN Sophomore guard Lauren Aldridge drives through the lane Sunday against Emporia State. The Jayhawks won 68-57.
"We've had a tough start. I also think we have played some of the better competition that we will face in the league," Schneider said. "I think you have got to focus on the next practice and the next game, especially with the team that we have."
While losing streaks aren't fun for anyone, the young team has been able to acquire crucial experience while using conference play as a chance to learn and improve — something veteran-led teams with higher expectations, such as the men's team at the University, aren't always able to afford.
Most of the losses in conference play have been blowouts in favor of the other team, but, to be fair, the Jayhawks have faced
top-ranked competition, including a No.4 Texas squad. The Longhorns trounced the Jayhawks 75-38, and while blowouts are difficult to swallow, Schneider has managed to find a silver lining.
A rotation like the one the Jayhawks use, consisting of mostly freshmen and sophomores, has made it difficult for Kansas to compete against more-developed teams that have played together for a longer time. In-game mistakes have come plenty and Schneider attributes much of that to youth.
["We] use moments when you're down by a significant margin to continue to stay focused and try to make the next possession better than the previous one," Schneider said.
"We get a little sped up sometimes, and I really need to stop saying that these are youthful mistakes, but that is the first thing that comes to mind," Schneider said.
In their most recent outing, the Jayhawks lost to the West Virginia Mountaineers 72-35, leaving them still winless on the road. Sophomore guard Lauren Aldridge was the only player for the
Jayhawks to score in double-figures, with 10 points.
In the game, Schneider played four freshmen for a combined total of 90 minutes, nearly half of
the minutes logged for the team. Youth makes up the team, which may mean more tough games for the Jayhawks but also a lot of learning experiences that
will make them an even better team by the end of the season, and, perhaps more importantly, going into upcoming seasons.
"Well, I think with this
particular team, regardless of time or score, you have to coach these young guys every possession," Schneider said. "Every opportunity is a chance to get better."
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