WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2002
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3B
'Spoon' promising for Oklahoma State
By Brad Blood
Daily O'Collegian via U-wire
Oklahoma State University
STILLWATER, Okla. - Sitting out for a moment, Janavor Weatherpoon was watching part of the Oklahoma State men's basketball team run through plays. Other players were relaxing, making small talk, but Weatherpoon sat pensively, taking in everything done right and wrong on the court. Then, coming in to run plays, Weatherpoon leaped to catch an alley-oop pass.
With his head well above the rim, the 6-foot-1-inch Weatherspoon slammed the ball to the chant of "Spoon" that came from the players. Originally from Camden, Del., Weatherspoon has been working through prep school and junior college ranks for the past four years to make it to an NCAA Division I program. The junior has been practicing
Though it is taking time to learn the Cowboy system, Weatherspoon intends to make his presence felt on the Cowboy program.
with Oklahoma State players and coaching staff for the past couple months.
"Coach is teaching me there is more to the game than scoring," Weatherspoon said. "And I have to get into a rhythm — knowing how to play good defense, rebound, score and play good team basketball. That's something I'm having a problem with right now is just putting it all together."
As others have said earlier in the season, Weatherspoon possesses tremendous upside and is one of the best athletes on the team. Oklahoma State assistant coach James Dickeysaid, "He can rebound, he's a very good driver (and) an elevator inside on the medium-range game. He gets boards nicely, gets to the free-
throw line. We've just got to get him working harder to take better care of the basketball."
After being recruited by many schools, including Iowa State, Wisconsin and Oregon, Weather-spoon took a chance coming to Oklahoma State. Taking that chance is now paying off.
"They know I'm used to taking chances and being faced with different challenges, and I think they're all proud of me," Weatherspoon said of his family. "About 10 people called me after the game on ESPN2 on Wednesday night and that was real exciting, having a lot of my high school friends call me, seeing me play."
One of Weatherspoon's showstopping abilities is his leaping. Having only played in one game at home in Gallagher-Iba Arena, Weatherspoon showed his leaping ability in rebounding, to the oohs and aahs of Oklahoma State fans.
Only four games into the season, fans may not have adopted all the new players on the Cowboy roster. When Weatherspoon checks into the game, however, students around the arena can be seen holding up large, wooden spoons while chanting "Spooner." Weatherspoon admits the recognition is welcomed.
"That's a good feeling, knowing that the crowd's behind you 100 percent," he said.
Having already played in the Great Alaska Shootout and having people chant his name only weeks into the season, Weatherpoon is living a dream.
And there are still four months left in the season. "It's definitely exciting. I've been working for about four years and it took me a long time to get to the D-I level, and like I said, to hear the crowd chant my name and to play on ESPN is definitely a dream come true."
Guards key to Iowa State's undefeated record
By Zac Reicks
iowa State Daily via U-wire
iowa State University
AMES, Iowa - For a point guard, one turnover a game is good. For Iowa State point guard Tim Barnes, one turnover so far this season is incredible.
Barnes had six assists against one turnover and added 13 points on 6-12 shooting in help led the Iowa State men's basketball team to an 85-63 win over Jackson State.
Shooting guard Jake Sullivan added 23 points, eight rebounds and three assists. The two Cyclone guards were instrumental in keeping Iowa State undefeated.
"Jake Sullivan was very impressive, and in spurs, so was Tim Barnes," ISU head coach Larry Eustachy said. "Sullivan had great intensity from start to finish and really defended well."
Only 43 seconds into the game. Barnes sent an errant lob pass over Jackson Vroman's head out of bounds, ending his season of turnover-free play.
But the slender 6-foot guard's play was solid the rest of the game, as timely passes and drives to the rim helped spark an otherwise stagnant offense.
"This has never really happened to me—it's a total shock," Barnes said about his run without a turnover. "I give a lot of credit to my teammates and coaches for
pushing me so hard in practice "
"Barnes is a good guard, and good guards don't turn the ball over for a series of games," Eustachy said. "He needs to play harder and put more of a premium on defending, but he is coming along well."
Sullivan was his usual steady self. Along with his all-around effort he sank three trifectas and helped contribute to a total team effort.
"We bring in seven guys that can score, and that helps me a lot," Sullivan said. "Our post guys are passing the ball well this year and that gets everyone into the flow."
With the first half winding down, Barnes drove the lane and
drew a double-team that left Sullivan wide open on the right wing. Sullivan hit the three to stretch Iowa State's lead to 45-27. The team was never threatened after that.
Sullivan said Barnes was doing a great job. "He is the main reason we are 3-0."
The play of Iowa State's two guards has helped the two to become better, as well as helping their teammates.
"Everyone can tell that when (Sullivan) or (Barnes) are penetrating, there is always an open guy." freshman forward Adam Haluska said. "We move the offense well and it's great to have those two guys in the backcourt."
Texas Tech ready to light up offense
By David Wiechmann University Daily via U-wire Texas Tech University
LUBBOCK, Texas — Two players for the Lady Raiders can be seen patrolling the perimeter every game, looking for an opportunity to strike. Those players are Natalie Ritchie and Miklannet Tennal. The pair is a threat behind the 3-point arch every time they touch the ball.
The Texas Tech guards said they know their role on the team and accept it for what it is.
"I think Mik and I know our role and what we need to do," Ritchie said. "We need to be a threat. It's one of the reasons we were recruited here, and it's our job."
Tech coach Marsha Sharp said everyone recognizes their role on the team, and it was obvious which role Ritchie and Tennal were going to assume.
Both have succeeded in doing their jobs. Ritchie dropped two 3-pointers early in Tech's last game against Valparaiso, and Tennal has drained threes from all over the court, including one at the halftime buzzer against Washington from 40 feet out.
"I think we have talked about defining roles on the team, and we always want to go to people's strengths," she said. "There's no question in their case that's the thing we're interested in them looking for and most interested in creating for them as a team."
The fans have noticed the 3 pointers the pair puts up and the silence of 12,000 fans
breaks when one drops.
"I imagine they want us to throw them up there every now and then," Tennal said. "It's exciting when you get to knock one down. I don't notice they get quiet every time — I don't notice much when I'm out there."
Sharp said it is apparent the fans enjoy seeing the tandem put shots in the air, and the reaction when nylon rips is unlike any other.
"They're ready to explode, and that's great," she said. "In basketball, men or women, one of the best plays is a 3-point shot. People really love that. I think it ignites the crowd, and obviously that's become a big part of our game."
Sharp said because Ritchie and Tennal can drain threes like second nature, the team tries to exploit them as an option to open the rest of the offense.
Ritchie said they serve as a double-edged sword for the opposition because the defense has to pick and choose its battles.
"We serve as kind of a decoy and distraction," she said. "If we are hitting threes, you have to respect us enough and come out. Even if we aren't hitting shots, we'll still get enough respect to create an opening for somebody else to get a shot."
Tennal said she did not understand why the crowd was yelling at her during the final seconds of Tech's last exhibition game. After the game she was told the fans wanted her to shoot again and break the century mark.
The University of Kansas Chapter of
Phi Kappa Phi
new member initiation
5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, Woodruff Auditorium (initiates should assemble at 5 p.m.)
Special Guests: Chancellor Robert E. Hemenway & keynote speaker Chief Judge Deanell Tacha of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Congratulations to the 2002 Phi Kappa Phi initiates, KU's Best!
School of Allied Health
Kristen Leigh Corbin
Barbara Ann Crum
Painieng Kuo
Amanda Marie Leitnaker
Jeffery Thomas Lichtenhan
Erin Mariah Lynn
Susan Cooper Megerson
Kristen Karleen Phillips
Mariam Riazi-Kermani
Sandra Setzkorn
Erica Lynn Stenberg
Erin M. Swafford
School of Business
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Chad S. Archer
Kristen Michelle Baranek
Kyle M. Binns
Daniel Cabacungan
Renae Friedrichsen
Shannon C. Guelbert
Timothy Brandon Hoge
Andrew Willen Schurle
John Ryan Senn
Sarah M. Songer
Melissa D. Wiehe
Jacqueline M. Ahillen
Lindsay Nicole Alleman
Robin Rae Anderson
Jamie Nicole Bert
Krysta L. Black
Emily Anne Blankenship
Erin Elizabeth Blocher
Michael C. Blue
Bryana Daye Bohm
Chad Steven Braun
Chad S. Brown
David Clayton Brown
Tanner Dean Brownrigg
Elizabeth Ann Burgess
Sally Irene Burger
Betsy Butters
Michele Marie Casavant
Marytose Catherine Chaaban
Jason Anthony Cheng
Deandra Mia Christiansen
Gabriella Noelle Cohen
Valerie A. Cole
Blake V. Conklin
John Michael Connolly
Colette R. Conway
Amanda Marion Cott
Gregory S. Davey
Josh Day
Christopher Hiroshi Domen
Deanna Ruth Doyle
Jessica Marie Drees
Ajit Joseph D'Souza
Wyndal Karen Espinosa
Heather M. Faier
Daphne Dawn Flores
Bruce David Fowler
Ethan A. Fosse
Emily Anne Franklin
Christopher Norman Good
Anna Dimmitt Gregory
Gwendolen Haley
Mary Beth Hart
Melissa Renee Hartnett
Maril Hazlett
Anna Ho
Michael Alton Hustead
Kimberly Ann Indovina
Beau Allen Jackson
Katrin Julia Kaal
Andy Kjar
Emily A. Kratzer
Deborah M. Lake
Adrienne M. Landry
Ian Michael Lewis
Cara Elizabeth Maple
Cody R. Marrs
Shriti K. Masrani
David Ryan Mayans
William Thomas McClain
Nyana Abreu Miller
Zachary James Miller
Katie Lazio Mitchell
Nicole L. Mohlman
Sharie Lanette Mooney
Rebekah Lynn Moses
Shannon Nicole Mulligan
Megan Amelia Oetinger
Kelli Lynn Olechoski
David M. Osbourn
Jonathan Charles Paris
Sean Thomas Pauzauskie
Mary Elizabeth Peterson
Carolyn Louise Perdaris
Matthew J. Pirotte
Sean Nicolas Prater
Holly Elizabeth Rauch
Lindsey Leigh Saint
Nicholas C. Semrau
Katherine Rebecca Sharp
Katherine Susan Speer
Ashley Elizabeth Stallbaumer
Mary T. Sipfe
Eric James Steinle
Ryan M. Stringer
Brielle Irene Strohmeyer
Michelle Elizabeth Sudyka
Carol Jane Toland
Sarah Casement Trapp
Jennifer Lynn Vestle
Bryan George Vopat
Evan J. Warner
Ann Gabrielle Weiss
Alice Ann White
Zackary Larson Whitmer
Andrew Joseph Womack
Courtney Ann Wright
Ryosuke Yamazaki
School of Education
jill Kathleen Bradshaw
Chelsea Lynn Cassell
Andrew F. Gantenbein
Gregory J. Gehrig
Kelsie L. George
Keely Ann Malone
Christina M. Poell
Tari J. Perdue
Katie Lynn Sellens
Jonathan Charles Paris
Mary T. Sipflie
Hilary Suzanne Smith
Linda Lee Reckart
Jaceb Byron Spence
Kimberly Ann Stanley-
Harrison
Ashley Coleen Weeks
Jane Helen Wortman
School of Engineering
Javier Balma
Brian Edward Boeger
Max A. Bona
Scott Edwin Cook
James Cronin
John J. Daniels
Mark Andrew Friend
Trent Morgan Guess
Carrie M. Cote Hohl
Kyle B. Hoppes
Jameson Reece Jones
Jonie Renee Jorgensen
Brent L. Lee
Brian Morrow
Sean Mitchell Murphy
Bakul Pant
Shannon A. Sanderson
Linda A. Schellpeper
Eric Christopher Skoglund
Thomas H. Wait
Tyler James Waldorf
School of Fine Arts Andrew Jordan Foat
School of Journalism and Mass Communications
THIS DIAL CORSA DINKENO
Amber Marie Byarlay
Amanda E. Denning
Morganhan Leigh Fitzsimons
Lisa Marie Graham
Katharine Hagan
Kristin Elizabeth Keeney
Kristy Ann Maharay
Erin A. Ohm
Kristel Kaye Patron
Kelly K. Parker
Emily Suzanne Peterson
Kristine A. Rausch
Melissa Lynne Shapiro
Kaydee Christine Smith
Alyson Faye Spruagle
Lauren Marie Stewart
Kodi R. Tillery
School of Nursing
Tamra Michelle Arnold
Jessica Heim
Melissa Lynn Gabriel
Angie Renee Noble
Jeneal Autumn Parker
Mandy Petz
Lanny Muliawati Sieman
AnN E. Stueve
Emily C. Welch
Brandy K. Williams
Kimberly Ann Algarra
Ellen A. Bernardi
Angela D. Cofer
Teresa Buchhorn Ilten
Tammy L. Skidmore
Elizabeth Marie Yoder
School of Law Brooke Allison Bennett Jamison K. Shinman
School of Social Welfare
School of Law
Dorothy (Dorty) Dobbs
Melissa Lynn Gabriel
Sarah Elizabeth Gosoroski
Mary Elizabeth Jones
Christina J. Kirby
Rebecca L. Mendenhall
Laura Je