Sports
University Daily Kansan / Monday, August 24, 1987
13
Brazil shocks U.S. men in basketball
The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS - The U.S. men's basketball team, considered a cinch for the gold medal, lost to Brazil 120-115 Sunday in one of the most stunning upsets in the Pan American Games' history.
Oscar Schmidt scored 46 points and connected from three-point range throughout the second half. All-American David Robinson, the key to the U.S. offense, fouled out with 6:04 to play.
Brazil not only snapped the United States' string of three straight gold medals, but it also stopped its Pan Am Games 16-year winning streak at 34 games.
In the second half, Brazil began erasing a 14-point halftime deficit and had opened up an eight-point lead with 2:50 left.
The gold medal is the second for Brazil, which last won the prize in 1971. The United States has won the others.
Robinson led the United States' scoring with 20 points, while Rex
Chapman scored 17 and Willie Anderson 16.
others.
The Brazilians, incredulous that they had won, cried when the buzzer sounded, then grabbed their flag and did a victory lap around Market Square Arena.
The United States led 77-62 with Square Hexagon.
17:16 to play on a dunk rebound by Robinson, but he was given a technical foul for hanging on the rim. Under international rules, a technical is also counted as a personal foul and that was Robinson's fourth.
The United States had its last lead at 96-95 on two free throws by Keith Smart with 7:41 to play.
Souza then connected on a three-point shot and Brazil never trailed again.
Big Eight team 2-1 in China
The Associated Press
BELIING, China — Gary Tompkins of Iowa State scored 13 points and Mark Randall of Kansas added 12 as a basketball team from the Big Eight defeated Malaysia 75-60 Sunday in the Beijing International Tournament.
Royce Jeffries of Oklahoma State added 11 points for the Big Eight team, 2-1 in the tournament
The Big Eight out-rebounded Malaysia 48-26, blocked seven shots and made 15 steals.
Poor shooting and turnovers contributed to a 74-62 U.S. loss to Poland in the second round of pool play Saturday in the nine-tem team tournament. The team made only 38 percent of its field goals and committed 18 turnovers.
The team next plays China at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Football team tries to rebound from pain of last season
By ANNE LUSCOMBE Associate sports editor
The haunting nightmare that keeps coaches and players up at night was a painful reality to last year's Kansas football team.
The high hopes that were evident in the preseason practices last year were diminished slowly at first, then plummeted as the Jayhawks moved into Big Eight Conference play.
The Jayhawks went scoreless against North Carolina in the season opener — the first time they had been shut out in seven years in a season opener — and were shut out two more times in conference play.
When the dust settled, the team finished last in the Big Eight with a 3-8 record overall and trailed nearly every other NCAA Division I school in the country in offense and defense.
"Last season, to sum it up, was really a nightmare," said sophomore quarterback Kelly Donohoe. Donohoe was supposed to have a redshirt freshman season but was pulled into the starting quarterback position when junior Mike Orth could not produce a Kansas rally out of the faltering team.
"There were quite a few injuries and we lost our intensity and confidence in the last part of the season. It started to snowball on us. It was terrible." Donboe said.
Posting only three wins last season, all against NCAA Division II schools, the Jayhawks failed to capture the momentum necessary to win in the Big Eight. The closest they came to a victory was against Iowa State, where in the 'Hawks built up a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. The Cyclones struck back with 13 fourth-quarter points, scoring the winning 33-yard field goal with just five seconds remaining on the clock,
That was the last attempt the team made to right themselves, the last six games of the season becoming senseless slaughters on the field, with punishing defeats of 64-3 by Oklahoma, 70-0 by Nebraska and 48-0 at the hands of Missouri.
"No one wants to go through what happened last year again," Donohoe said.
After a spring scrimage that was particularly pleasing to Coach Bob Valesente, the players returned from the summer in better condition than they have in several years. Instead of trying to push aside the painful memories of last year, the team hopes to use them as incentives.
"Last season was disappointing," said All-Big Eight wide receiver Willie Vaughn. "A lot of people tell us to forget, but we don't want to because it will make us work harder."
Not only have the players improved physically, but most have improved mentally as well. The attitude going into the season is up, and the players and coaches are ready to face the first challenge of the season, Auburn.
Despite having to face one of the top teams in the country as the team opener, the players are not discouraged by last season's pitiful outcome.
"Why would you be down when you have a fresh start?" Vaughn said.
"We have 11 new games in front of us, so why be down?"
In addition to Auburn, Kansas will face Kent State, Louisiana Tech and Southern Illinois before entering conference play.
In between nightmares of last season, Valesente has a recurring dream. He sees his team rising above the adversities that have plagued them: the many injuries, the lack of size and experience and the academic casualties. He dreams of a national championship and of Orange Bowl patches on the sleeves of the crimson and blue jerseys.
"My dream is to make it to the Orange Bowl and win. Maybe in eight years, seven years or five years. Maybe in three. I don't know when, but I know it's going to happen." Valesente said.
Last season was a lesson, albeit a hard one. Still, Valesente said he felt more committed than ever that the team was heading in the right direction, despite the lack of success on the field. He looks to the future as he continues rebuilding from scratch the team he inherited from former coach Mike Gottfried.
"I think this season we are starting to come out of the transition period. I very definitely feel we'll be stronger in the Big Eight," he said. "Maybe we needed last season to put us in the right direction. Sometimes it helps to bottom out."
He is moving away from the strictly run-and-shoot offense of the past and is trying to incorporate a multiple offense that will allow for more of a running game. He has enlisted the help of Gary Huff as his offensive coordinator, a position Valesente filled for Gottfried.
The Javhawks will need an experienced and healthy offensive line if they are to avoid plays like this sack of quarterback Kelly Donohoe last week.
Coach bets players will overcome injuries
By CRAIG ANDERSON
Staff writer
Because of their previous experience, KU's three senior offensive linemen should be able to overcome their late preseason start, said coach Bob Valesente.
Seniors Jim Davis, Bob Pieper and Bryan Howard have all been fighting injuries that have slowed their progress in early season practices. Davis is recovering from last year's knee injury. Pieper and Howard are trying to get rid of what assistant trainer Mark Cairns termed "nagging" injuries.
Quarless said the abilities of freshmen Chris Perez, Russ Bowen, Smith Holland. David Dunne and Jason
Shepherd were exciting.
But offensive line coach Jan Quarless said the absence of these three has given him some time to look at some of the freshman linemen.
"All the younger guys are learning real fast," Quarless said. "This is giving them a good chance to become more accustomed to what we want them to do."
But Quarless said he knew that Davis, Pieper and Howard would have to recover so KU would have an effective offensive line this year. Davis was a second team All-Big Eight tackle as a sophomore. Valesente said Pieper would be a great National Football League lineman in the future.
"We know what they (the seniors) can do," Quarless said. "Their experience will let them move back into the lineup quickly when they are ready."
Davis was unsure about when he would be fully recovered. He said his knee was feeling very strong right now and he was happy about his schedule of recovery.
Besides their physical abilities, the seniors' experience has also shown up during drills. At a practice in
Because of their injuries, the seniors have spent much of the early season workouts riding a stationary bicycle and throwing a medicine ball to each other.
which the rest of the offensive linemen went one-on-one blocking defensive linemen, the seniors shouted encouragement to their younger teammates. Quarless said he was not surprised at their enthusiasm.
"Davis, Howard and Pieper have proven themselves as great role models for the younger kids."
"That's always been the big thing that brings an offensive line closer together as a group," Quarless said. "They look at themselves as one unit, not as a bunch of individuals."
One younger member of the Jayhawks' offensive line is Junior Jay Allen, who has started every game at
guard since midway through his freshman year. Jayhawk coaches regard Allen as a solid veteran who makes very few mistakes.
Starting center Chip Budde represents the positive effects a redshirt year can have, Valesente said. Budde redshirted, or sat out, last year as a freshman and has come back to take the starting center spot.
"By sitting out a year, Chip Budde was able to get stronger, and better learn the position he plays," Valesente said. "He's a perfect example of how our redshirt program has paid off for us."
Rugby team muscling up for season
By CRAIG ANDERSON
Staff writer
A large group of newcomers and an overall need for conditioning keynoted the first week of Kansas varsity rugby practice.
Rugby practice. "We were pleased with the turnout of new players," coach Rick Renfro said. "These guys all look like good athletes."
Renrof said the conditioning would improve as the season progresses. He wants his team to build momentum and be at peak fitness for their Heart of America Conference games.
The biggest loss was star halfback Lou Blanco, who did not return to school this year. Coaches agree that it will be a big void to fill.
"They'll be a solid team," Renfro said. "They lost a few players, but so did we."
"They're about where I'd expected they'd be at the beginning of the season as far as being in shape." Renfro said. "They'll get stronger as the season goes on."
The Kansas varsity is striving to improve upon its second-place conference finish last season. Kansas State beat the Jayhawks 15-9 in the conference championship game. Renrof said the Wildcats would be the team to beat this year.
Kansas will be returning a veteran nucleus of about 10 players that will lead the team this season. Bartle said seniors John Brooks, Mike Hammond, Scott Stites and Pat Roberts would all play key roles in the success of the varsity.
Brooks is this year's varsity captain, a position held by Blanco in the past. Brooks said he wanted to set an example for the rest of the players more than just at game time. He's also trying to lead the team in practice.
assistant coach Jim Bartle said. "That's going to be one of the keys to our entire season."
"I try to work the hardest I can in practice and I encourage the other players to do the same." Brooks
Sites, who is in his fourth season on the rugby team, will be counted on to anchor the front line.
Bartle said once the games began Brooks would be leading by example.
"John Brooks is a scoring machine who is always in great shape," Bartle said. "He's going to have to assume he's got the skill."
"Someone will have to step forward and take his spot,"
The Jayhawks' regular season will begin Sept. 5 when they play Nebraska at Lincoln.
The varsity will hold an intrasquad game at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Shenk Complex, 23rd and Iowa streets. Admission will be free.
Touted freshman fights for spot
Bv CRAIG ANDERSON
Staff writer
Although Kansas football coaches say freshman Lance Flachs-barth may be the team's quarterback of the future, Flachs-barth says that future can't come soon enough for him.
"I don't want to sit on the bench this season," Flachsbarth said, "but the experience that the older guys have gives them a big advantage over me."
Kansas coaches don't rule out the possibility that Flachsbarch could make a big impact this year.
Offensive coordinator Gary Huff said Flachsbarch and fellow freshman quarterback Kevin Verdugo have shown signs of becoming good Big Eight Conference quarterbacks.
"Both have made tremendous strides in the past couple of weeks," Huff said. "They will be
excellent quarterbacks in the future."
"I haven't counted either Flachsbarth or Verdugo out yet," Valesente said. "They have chances to play for us this season."
Head coach Bob Valesente is also optimistic about his freshman quarterbacks.
Beside the pressure of competing for a position, Flachsbarth also has to deal with the pressure of living up to the rave reviews he received while playing at Lawrence High School. Flachsbarth was a consensus All-Kansas state team member and was rated as one of the top 55 high school football prospects in the country last year by Athlon football publications. Such expectations make him a heavily freshman.
He will also have to learn how to deal with the frustration of being on a team with a losing record. During his three seasons with the Lawrence Lions, the team lost only two games. Last year, the Lions, with Flachsbart as quarterback, capped an undefeated season by beating Junction City for the class 6A state championship.
"I've really been feeling the pressure the last couple of weeks,"
he said. "We've all had a lot thrown at us in the past couple of weeks and we've had to learn it real quick."
"I've never really lost playing football through the years. A lot of these guys are the same way." Flachsbarth said, referring to his highly regarded class of freshman teammates.
Although Flachsbarth also play- defensive back in high school, he said he wanted to concentrate solely on offense in college.
Molitor's streak reaches 38 games in Milwaukee victory
MILWAUKEE — Paul Molitor lined a fifth-inning single to keep his hitting streak alive at 38 games yesterday and Bill Schroeder and Greg Brock each drove in three runs, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a 10-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
After going hitless in his first two at-bats, Molitor led off the bottom of the fifth with a single to left off left-hander Charlie Leibrand, giving the Brewers' designated hit the fifth longest streak in major-league history.
After the hit, Molitor was given a two minute standing ovation by the 33,887 in attendance at County Stadium.
Ty Cobb with a 40-game streak in 1911, George Sisler with 41 straight in 1922, Pete Rose with 44 straight in 1978 and Joe Diemgah with 56 straight in 1941 stand ahead of
On Saturday night, Molitor equaled Tommy Holmes's streak of 37 in 1945 for the Boston Braves.
In his fourth at-bat in the sixth, Molitor walked and he struck out in the seventh to
finish the game 1-for-4. Molitor has a .419
average during his streak.
Nine times during the streak Molitor has managed a hit in his first plate appearance, including Saturday night when he singled to right off Kansas City's Bret Saberhagen leading off the first. Three times during the streak that began at County Stadium against California, Molitor has kept the streak alive with a hit in his final at-bat.
wild pitch to give the Brewers a 6-5 lead in the sixth. Juan Castillo followed with an RBI single, scoring Riles.
who a hit in his third game. Schroeder singled, stole second, moved to third on Ernest Riles' infield single off reliever Bott Stoddard, 1-2, and scored on -
Schroeder, who had four hits, gave the Brewers a 9-5 lead with a bases-loaded double in the seventh off reliever Steve Farr.
Kansas City took an early 40 lead against Milwaukee's Chris Bosio, scoring one in the first on George Brett's double-play grounder and two more in the third on Brett's two-run homer, his 16th. Jamie Quirk singled in Lonnie Smith, who had doubled, with the fourth run in the fourth.
The Brewers rallied with four runs in the bottom half of the inning. Robin Yount and Glenn Braggs singled, Rob Deer walked to load the bases and Greg Brock hit a two-run single.
Danny Tartabull's long homer to left, his 22nd, tied the game at 5-1 in the sixth. The Royals then loaded the bases, but reliever Jay Aldrich, 3-1, retired Ross Jones on a foul pop and got the victory.
The Brewers made it 10-5 in the eighth when Braggs tripled and Brock scored him with a single, his fourth hit.