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SPORTS
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
1B
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2002
SPORTS COMMENTARY
Ryan Malashock rmalashock@kansan.com
Recruiting tactics earn Mangino nickname
Reporters discovered Saturday why people have given him the nickname "Bear."
Bear, a.k.a. first-year football coach Mark Mangino, cemented that notoriety in the post-game aftermath of Saturday's 55-20 season-ending loss. When a reporter asked Bear when he'd take his first break, he snapped back with a reply that drew a collective, "Huh?" from the media room.
"I'll take a couple of days off at the end of February," he said straight-faced, without hesitating.
Whoa, wait a minute. February? As in the month after January? As in the time more than 90 days from now? Reporters expected to hear Turkey Day. Or Christmas. Or New Year's. But no. Bear says February. That is remarkable.
You can't blame him for showing this kind of vigor - Kansas did drop 10 games and embarrassed itself on a weekly basis. But seriously, how can he cope without taking some time away from the program, even if just for a couple of davs?
It's his dream that keeps the wheels rolling. It's the task of selling the dream to Joe Blow recruit that drives Bear.
On Dec. 1, the recruiting contact period begins. It must be a grind. Random airports leading Bear on flights to random cities all over the nation to meet even more random Joe Blows. All this in the name of the dream.
This is where Bear must shine. He must pull a Jerry Maguire. You know, all that "King of the housecalls, master of the living room," stuff. That has to be Bear. Bear must rule Joe Blow's living room.
"It's a hard sell, but a recruit could come here and maybe play right away rather than sit and wait for three, maybe four years with a program that's established," Bear said. "We've got an opportunity for a lot of players to come in here and play, and a lot of players want to do that."
Bear's dream of leading Kansas to Big 12 prominence should influence many recruits. He will tell them they can build a program and leave their stamp on Lawrence. Bear can promise the chance to be a Jayhawk football forefather. Why wait your turn? Play now, he will emphasize.The talent cupboard has been bare for years in Kansas' program. Last week, Bear stressed the coaching staff was chasing talent for every position on the field. He is right there.
Kansas returns a versatile quarterback in Bill Whittemore, a gritty running back in Clark Green and several other talented freshmen, such as wide receiver Mark Simmons and linebackers Nick Reid and Kevin Kane. That is it. That is all. The team needs to improve its speed, quickness, strength and morale. That starts with recruiting and finding talent.
Bear will go the Bill Snyder route and scour the junior college ranks for some immediate help. He will also chase some the nation's finest and pitch the dream.
Bear could probably find ten recruits talented enough to claim starting jobs next year. They are out there, and it is possible they could end up in Jayhawk blue next year.
Because this Bear refuses to hibernate.
Malashock is an Omaha senior in journalism.
'Hawks crack Crusaders
Sophomore Keith Langford defends a Holy Cross Player attempting to drive to the lane. Langford scored 15 points, handed out four assists and grabbed four rebounds in Kansas' 81-57 victory against Holt Cross last night.
Kansan staff photo
Defense keys win in opener
By Jessica Scott
jscott@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Sometimes all it takes is a little friendly nudging.
"Keith! Come on!" That was all senior Kirk Hinrich had to yell to spark Keith Langford and the rest of the Jayhawks in last night's game against Holy Cross. After a wave of sloppy basketball followed by remarkable playmaking, Kansas' defense made the difference down the stretch as the Jayhawks won 81-57.
"We weren't going to come out and beat them by 100; they're too good a team," coach Roy Williams said after the game. "I expected it to be a very close, hard fought game."
Holy Cross only shot 34 percent for the game, but Kansas couldn't shake the Crusaders early, going basket-forbasket with them during the inaugural 10 minutes of the season. But, with 4:01 remaining until the half — and after an apparent missed assignment by Langford — Hinrich pounded the ball between his palms and raised his usually-quiet voice. He said he, like last season, wanted to prevent another early tournament trip-up.
"Last year, the (NCAA) tournament
SEE BASKETBALL PAGE 4B
Despite stats, Collison unhappy with performance
By Jessica Tims
By Jessica Tims
jtims@kansan.com
Kansan associate sports editor
"Six for 15 so you know," the senior forward said. "I missed quite a few shots. I tried to stay aggressive and play my best."
Most basketball players would love to see 20 points and eight rebounds next to their name on a stat sheet after a game. But Nick Collison isn't one of those guys.
The humble 6-9 forward told reporters after the game that although he played well and remained aggressive, his poor shot selection lead to a low shooting percentage.
Kansas coach Roy Williams said Collison's ability to recognize a poor game and identify his mistakes made him an easy player to coach.
"Nick Collison has been one of the most blunt guys I have ever coached," Williams said. "I said what'd you do there and he said'I just screwed it up' or 'I just mess it up' or'I did this,'he is one of the easiest guys to coach there has ever been."
"Nick Collison has been one of the most blunt guys I have ever coached.I said, What'd you do there?' and he said, 'I just screwed it up' or 'I just mess it up' or 'I did this.'"
John Nowak/Kansan
Roy Williams Basketball coach
Senior foward Nick Collison and sophomore guard Keith Langford try to thwart Holy Cross's Kevin Hamilton's pass. Collison led the Jayhawks with 20 points and Langford added an additional 15 in Kansas '81-57 victory last night.
No matter how dismal Collison made his 20 point showing seem, it was a vast improvement from his last meeting with the Crusaders. Collison scored only five points when Kansas met Holy Cross in the first round of last season's NCAA tournament in St. Louis. He said last night's game was his chance to prove he could play better against Holy Cross.
"I wanted to play well," he said. "I felt like I played horribly in that game. You know offensively and defensively I didn't play very well, got stupid fouls. It wasn't a good game for me. So, gee, I did want to come out and play well."
Williams said the fact that Collison lead his team is scoring, without being on top of his game, proved that he is a premiere college player with a bright future.
"He didn't play very well," Williams said. "But the thing is he's a pretty dog-
gone good player when he doesn't play very well and has 20 points and eight rebounds. You know that's a great sign for him."
— Edited by Matt Norton
Volleyball team faces top-25 competition
By Jason Hwang
jhwang@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
With three top-25 teams on the horizon, the Kansas volleyball team may face a bumpy road in the next couple weeks.
The Jayhawks start the stretch at 7 p.m. tonight against the No. 5 Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln, Neb. Kansas enters the game off a 3-0 victory Saturday against Baylor. The game ended a two-match losing streak.
Kansas will continue its tough schedule against Missouri on Saturday and then against K-state a week from today.
We knew the Baylor match would
be a last chance for a deep breath for the last four matches that includes the top three teams in the conference," coach Ray Bechard said. "The win was critical not only in the standings, but with a little bit of momentum, now we dig in and compete as hard as we can for the last couple of weeks."
Kansas (18-7 overall, 9-7 Big 12 Conference) has not beaten Nebraska (24-1, 16-0) in the past 67 straight matches, and the Jayhawks have not taken a game from the Cornhuskers since 1998.
Nebraska also has a 66-match winning streak in the Big 12. The Cornhuskers have not lost at home since Sept. 22, 1999 when Kansas State won 3-2.
Kylie Thomas
Kansas senior middle blocker Kylie Thomas of Sutherland, Neb., said she was excited to play at Nebraska because she would back to her home state and because fans created a dynamic atmosphere in the NU Coliseum.
"We can't go in doubting ourselves. That only holds us back," Thomas said. "So we just go in against a team like Nebraska, have as much fun and work as hard as we can."
Nebraska leads the conference in hit
Bechard said the last two weeks of the season can build competitive muscle.
ting efficiency, opponent hitting percentage and blocks per game. Senior middle blocker Amber Holmquist and freshman middle blocker Melissa Elmer are first and second in the Big 12 in hitting efficiency. Holmquist, senior setter Greichaly Cepero and Elmer are the top three in the conference in blocks per game.
"As an underdog, it relieves pressure right there as we're not expected to do much there." Bechard said. "So any positives we can take out of it will be good."
— Edited by Adam Pracht