PAGE 10
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Dispatches from Reed
Adjusting to life in Belgium and preparing for pro play
CONTRIBUTED BY ASCEND BOOKS
"REED ALL ABOUT IT: DRIVEN TO BE A JAYHAWK" from Ascend Books of Overland Park, Kansas, is now available at most local book stores as well as select grocery stores and specialty retailers. This book is also available on all popular e-book platforms including iPad, Kindle and Nook.
Editor's Note: Tyrel Reed is journaling from Belgium while he plays with his professional team, Voo Verviers-Pepinster, to coincide with the release of his new book "Reed All About It: Driven to be a Jayhawk." This is his second entry.
Life in Europe is definitely different than my life in Lawrence, Kansas. First off, I still find it hard to fathom that almost everything is closed on Sundays throughout Europe and all stores
close by 8 p.m.
daily. I guess
I'm just spoiled in
Lawrence to
be able to stop
at Wal-Mart or
Target any time/
day of the week
and get what I
Reed
need. However, one thing Lawrence lacks is a waffle stand on every corner. Let me tell you, they are fabulous! But let me get my mind off my stomach for a moment and tell you about life as a basketball player.
At least I am playing pro ball, unlike what the NBA players are going through back in the United States. I've tried to follow that a bit via the newspapers and TV, but it still looks like the same mess it was before I left. So at least I know I am playing ball over here.
Training camp is Monday through Saturday and consists of running, weightlifting, and practice. The first week we were on the track running each morning at 8. We started out running about 2 miles per day and after a few weeks we reached the 5 mile mark. Three times a week we
would head to the weight room after conditioning and get a good lift in. Throughout all of this, we practice from 10-12 and 4:30-6:30 each day. I guess you could kind of say it was like a 6-week Jayhawk boot camp!
Our first regular season game was October 8th. We have cut
out some of the hardcore conditioning, but I also know from my past experiences at KU that you need to be in top shape to perform. It's like a car: Gotta get it tuned up and ready to put into drive.
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kansas State coach Bill Snyder watches his team warm up before an the game against Kansas in Lawrence Saturday. Snyder was pleased with the team's penalty-free performance in its victory against Kansas.
BIG 12 FOOTBALL
Kansas State offensive line overcomes low expectations
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MANHATTAN — Many expected dramatic improvement from Kansas State's defense this season. Hopes were not nearly so high for the offensive line.
The No. 11 Wildcats (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) have nonetheless put themselves in the thick of the Big 12 race, with a high-profile showdown against 11th-ranked Oklahoma on Saturday.
"We've all taken it upon ourselves to improve every day and show that these guys were great guys, but they're not irreplaceable," center B.J. Finney said. "Losing Shaun and Manase, it hurt us, but by the same token, we had guys that were ready to step up and ready to play because weld been taking preparations two-deep very seriously."
Losing that much experience rarely breeds confidence, and it didn't help when center Shaun Simon and left tackle Manase Foketi went down with injuries in the first two weeks of the season.
Ever since a sobering near-loss to Eastern Kentucky in their home opener, the Wildcats' offense has gradually become more effective, if not flashy.
Quarterback Collin Klein said the offense is consistent, sticking to assignments and fundamentals. He credits offensive line coach Charlie Dickey for much of the growth.
So does the rest of the offense.
With 6-foot-8, 313-pound senior Zach Hanson filling in at left tackle position and redshirt freshman Finney returning to center, the offensive line looks better than ever.
The line lost three seniors — Wade Weibert, Zach Kendall and Kenneth Mayfield — who had helped Daniel Thomas put up one of the most prolific single seasons in school history. Kansas State finished 7-6 and reached a bowl game, while Thomas went on to the NFL.
"Coach Dickey does a great job with those guys across the board, making sure they're prepared with the game plans as well as the individual techniques they need from week to week," Klein said. "I know
Kansas State's efficiency is particularly apparent inside the opponents' 20-yard line, where the Wildcats have come away with 33 scores on 38 attempts —25 of them touchdowns. While the O-line has committed some costly penalties during this season, it has done a good job eliminating those mistakes lately.
discipline that we're gaining'
Snyder said.
It also speaks to the cohesion that has developed on the offensive line. While that chemistry has continued to build throughout the season, Finney said the majority of the linemen's trust in each other formed during camp.
Coach Bill Snyder was especially pleased by a penalty-free performance against Kansas on Saturday. The Wildcats average only 45 yards in penalties per game, the second fewest in the Big 12.
"When you hit the field, the trust has to be there," Finney said. "So the trust builds through the season, yes, but the main part of the trust is built during camp before you even hit the game field."
The Wildcats know it is essential that all offensive linemen know not only their own roles, but the roles of the other four.
"We've really limited those a great deal, so that speaks to the
they have and will continue to make great improvement."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oklahoma's team struggles to move past surprising loss
Texas Tech wide receiver Alex Torres, right, runs into the end zone for a touchdown in front of Oklahoma defensive back Gabe Linn in the second quarter of the game in Norman, Omaha. Saturday, Oklahoma hopes to refocus after the title-crushing loss.
BIG 12 FOOTBALL
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NORMAN, Okla. — After a rare and unexpected loss at home, the questions are suddenly swirling around No.11 Oklahoma.
What happened to a defense that was once so stingy? How did such a powerful offense go a whole quarter without getting a first down?
And why can't players seem to find the motivation to practice up to coach Bob Stoops' standards?
For the third time in seven games this season, Stoops found himself questioning his team's practice habits and focus. But for the first time, it proved costly.
The Sooners (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) had their best-in-the-nation 39-game home winning streak snapped in a 41-38 loss to Texas Tech and now must refocus before playing at No. 10 Kansas State (7-0, 4-0) on
"I don't have a magic trick to make them want to play," Stoops said Tuesday. "At the end of the day, they need to understand ... it's about doing the work to be ready for that, to be able to execute against them."
Saturday.
It'll be hard for Oklahoma to overcome such an ugly performance at home against a team that wasn't ranked at the time and climb
The Sooners held a players-only meeting Monday night and talked about the possibility of reaching the BCS title game with one loss just as they did three years ago if they can regroup and finish strong.
"We're not panicking. We're not throwing it in for the season." quarterback Landry Jones said. "We're just going to keep playing ball and see what happens."
back into title contention in the BCS standings. The Sooners fell apart in the second quarter, following Ryan Broyles' fumble with three straight three-and-outs while the defense allowed 17 straight points.
"A lot of guys didn't want to go watch film. A lot of guys didn't want to see themselves play. It was very, very difficult," said Aaron Colvin, who was moved from safety to cornerback after backup Gabe Lynn was ineffective replacing injured starter Jamell Fleming.
It wasn't much better immediately after halftime, when Oklahoma went three-and- out again and then let Tech score another touchdown for a 31-7 lead that proved too big to overcome.
SOO
"But at the same time, we've got to be resilient. ... We still have a chance," Colvin said.
Sen
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