tuesday, november 11,2003
basketball preview
the university daily kansar
Freshman duo could be dynamic
Guard Jeremy Case is one of two Oklahoma freshmen in Kansas' highly ranked recruiting class. The duo hopes to become the next pair of 'Hawks inextricably linked through Kansas basketball.
By Joey Berlin jberlin@kansan.com Kansan sportwriter
Sports fans and media like to think of great teammates in tandem with each other: Ruth and Gehrig, Montana and Rice, Jordan and Pippen.
their origins in Iowa.
Kansas basketball fans just said goodbye to one of the Jayhawks' greatest tandems ever, Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich "Nick and Kirk" will always be linked in fans' minds by their shared age, their superb play and
Two members of the Jayhawks' touted freshman class have a opportunity to become another famous tandem in Kansas basketball history.
Giddens
Not only are guards J.R. Giddens and Jeremy Case both talented, they're as easily linkable as Collison and Hinrich.
Like "Nick and Kirk," Giddens and Case hail from the same state, in this case Oklahoma. Like Collison and Hinrich, they played on the same Amateur Athletic Union tournament team during high school. And like the previous pair, one prospect is much more touted than the other: Collison and Giddens were both McDonald's All-Americans in high school; Hinrich and Case were not.
Giddens said he and Case first met in about fifth grade but had essentially known each other for the past three years through AAU ball. Both said it was easier to make the transition to college having the other around.
"He's my roommate. I think we're family," Giddens said. "We're brothers, I love him to death and I feel good with him being here. It helps out a lot."
The 6-foot-5 Giddens' explosive athletic ability and shooting range have made him a standout recruit and a projected starter at
shooting guard or small forward. But the 6-foot Case, despite shooting ability that reached legendary status in his home state, will have to prove he can compete in Division I. It might be surprising, then, to find out which one inspired the other during high school.
"I was talking to one of my
coaches, and he was like, 'Jeremy Case is one of the standout players in the state," Giddens said. "He's like, 'If you want to be the best shooter, you've got to try to outshoot Jeremy.' He was like my inspiration, competing with him."
If Case proves to be as good a shooter as Hinrich was, it will
only add to the desire to think of Case and Giddens as a tandem, like Collison and Hinrich. To top it off, Case is even wearing Hinrich's old number, 10.
"I'm not really worried about it, but it's a big number to play in," Case said. "Very big."
- Edited by Nikki Overfelt
Texas searches for driving force in life after losing Ford
AUSTIN, Texas - Texas appears to have everything it needs for a national title run; depth, experience and a hunger left over from the bittersweet taste of losing in last season's Final Four.
The Associated Press
The only thing missing is former All-American T.J. Ford, the lightning-quick point guard who lifted the program on his diminutive shoulders and carried the Longhorns to the best season in school history and their first Final Four since 1947.
Ford was so good and his role on the team so big last season that even with four returning starters, Big 12 coaches predicted Texas would finish second in the league behind Missouri.
The winner of the Naimsith and Wooden awards left school after his sophomore season for the NBA. He left behind a Texas team loaded with talented role players looking for a floor leader.
"We lost T.J., and that's a huge loss for us," said senior shooting guard Brandon Mouton. "But we're still a great team. I think that we can get to the Final Four and win a national championship."
That's what last season did for Texas, where basketball was once an afterthought. These players now expect the Longhorns to stay among the nation's elite after finishing 26-7 with a loss to eventual national champion Syracuse in the semifinals.
"TJ, left us with a lot of confidence, and gave us that swagger," said Royal Ivey, who takes over for Ford at the point.
The swagger comes from four experienced seniors, including one of the nation's best rebounders in center James Thomas, a bevy of proven 3-point shooters and the addition of yet another scorer, Kenny Taylor, who transferred from Baylor after that
school's offseason troubles with the death of a player and NCAA violations.
Coach Rick Barnes calls the group of seniors the foundation for the team's success over the last three years.
"As good as T.J. was, the backbone of our team is the senior class," Barnes said. "This group of guys is the most successful group that has gone through Texas."
That includes Ivey, who started 26 games at point guard as a freshman before Ford arrived. He had already earned a reputation as the team's best perimeter defender but must now adjust to running the offense as well.
Ivev says he's up to the task.
"It's my turn to run the show," Ivey said.
That show is likely to be a bit slower this season. Ivey should be solid at the point but lacks Ford's speed and slash off the dribble. Texas will continue to push the tempo when it can, but it will be hard to duplicate last season's attack.
attack. "We're still going to want to get out and run the ball just as much. We just won't have T.J. pushing the ball," said senior forward Brian Boddicker. "It's going to take a lot of people to fill his shoes."
Depth should again be a Texas strength. Boddicker and junior guard Sydmill Harris both made the Big 12 All-Reserve team last season and the addition of Taylor gives the Longhorns another sharp-shooting threat. He led the Big 12 last season with 3.1 pointers per game.
"I feel comfortable as long as I'm not past half court," Taylor said.
The Horns don't start the Big 12 season until they host Baylor on Jan. 10. Tough out-of-conference games early include matchups with Arizona and Duke, both at neutral sites, in December.
CHEER ON THE JAYHAWKS AND ENJOY GREAT FOOD, BEER AND FUN AT OLD CHICAGO!
FREE APPETIZER
with the purchase of any entree or pizza.
Bring your KU Basketball ticket stub in and enjoy a
Excluding sampler. Not valid with any other offer.
Offer good on 2003-2004 basketball ticket stubs only
843-1110 2176 East 23rd
2329 Iowa Street
EAT. DRINK. BE YOURSELF.
785. 841.4124
Steaks, Seafood, Barbecue Ribs
www.oldchicago.com
The perfect pre-game to KU basketball.
An Asian Noodle Shop & Tai Restaurant *Beers, Sakes, Cocktails & Wines*
Open Sun/Mon 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Tues-Sat 11:00 AM-10:00 PM
Every Monday Night is SERVICE 1NDUSTRY NIGHT
Voted Best Vegetarian Restaurant
University Daily Kansan's Top of the Hill 2001
811 Massachusetts Street
832-0001