Sports
Good,but not good enough
37
Kansan columnist Kevin Flaherty says Kansas is much-improved since last year, but that won't be enough to defeat rival Kansas State University. PAGE 8B
The University Daily Kansan
1B
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
sports commentary
Keith Langford klangford@kansan.com
Langford's Friday scoop a slam dunk
Editors' note: This is the first in a series of weekly columns Langford will write for The University Daily Kansan every Friday.
Before anything is said about this year's basketball season, coach Bill Self orthe freshmen, I want to say two things.
First is that it was special being a player on Roy Williams' last Kansas team. I have many wonderful memories in the two years that I was coached by him. Nothing but good things need to be said about coach Williams. The first time that I see him on television walking up and down the North Carolina sidelines, when they are not playing Kansas, I will be behind him 100 percent.
be certain.
Second, I have to give a shout-out to the volleyball and football teams. All differences aside, coach Ray Bechard is a good coach and he has those women working hard. Hard work never deserves to go unnoticed.
Major props go to the football team for sticking together and making things work. In the process, they have taken all the criticism, as well as false fanfare, meaning fans who didn't give a you-know-wafter before they beat Mizzou. The football team has taken all the fake hugs and fake people saying "what's up." But as long as they are in it together, nobody else matters.
Seeing how this is a sneak preview of what is to come every Friday, here is a idea of what to expect.
fact of what to say.
The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. No cliché phrases about teams I think that we should beat or situations that occur during the college basketball season. Biting my tongue is the last thing that will happen.
When I was asked about doing this column, I thought it was a good idea, but I also wondered about running out of things to write about. Or what if no one read what I had to say?
Then it really kicked in and I thought,
dude, its not like your writing for The
New York Times or the Lawrence Journal-
World (psychie). All jokes aside, I do have a lot to say.
Moving on. This summer was really interesting for me. The fact that Coach Williams was gone and we had just lost in the championship, things like that were tough. I did get a chance to push all of that aside and play a lot of ball.
I went to the Nike camp and was a counselor. It lasted about a week and I got to do some workouts in front of NBA scouts and play with some of the best players in the country: Emeka Okafor and Romain Sato, just to name a couple.
The highlight of my summer was being matched up with Jordan in the five-on-five game. Granted, he is 40 years old, but I will remember the five points I notched against him forever.
Then it was off to Santa Barbara, Calif., for the Jordan camp. That was tight. All of the heavy hitters were out there, college and pro. Quentin Richardson, Darius Miles, Gilber Arenas, Kevin Garnett and of course the man himself, Mike Jordan. Just as a side note, rapper Master P was there playing and I dunked on him. He was pretty good, though.
Just for reference, I think that coach Self is a really good coach, but I still think there is a long process of adjustments and understanding on both sides of the table. The first few practices have been long but very necessary. They have been tough on me, especially because I didn't play ball for three weeks before Late Night because of my knee surgery. Handling fatigue and timing issues will improve with time.
Lastly, I want to give love to my teammates. Regardless of what any "hater" may think, I am surrounded by 15 of the best people I have ever met. This team has the potential to be as good as the one from my freshman year. Keep in mind the word potential.
I'll holla next Friday.
Langford is a Fort Worth, Texas, junior in journalism.
Football focuses on K-State
Kansas sophomore running back Clark Green was tackled by Baylor defenders Maurice Linguist and James Todd in the end zone in the first quarter. Green scored a touchdown and ran for 50 yards in the victory.
Jayhawks try to prepare for Wildcats' dangerous speed
By Ryan Greene
rgreene@kansan.com
Kansan sportwriter
Kansas kick returner Greg Heagans hasn't played quarterback in a while. After practice this week, the former high school signal-caller probably won't consider switching back to that position either.
In preparation for Kansas State's dual threat of Ell Roberson in the backfield and speedy tailback Darren Sproles, the Kansas sophomore has been simulating in practice this week what the defense will see Saturday.
"Greg Heaggans, it's like having a quarterback in there with a lot of speed," junior safety Tony Stubbs said. "He helps us a lot because he gives us a really good look."
The use of speedy, slick players at quarterback in practice is helping give the Jayhawks any little advantage they can get against a team they have not defeated since 1992. Coach Mark
Mangino is trying to make sure his team heads into the game with no ideas of revenge after last year's 64-0 drubbing in Lawrence.
Lawrence.
"There's no revenge factor," Mangino said. "We got what we deserved."
Even though Mangino wants to keep his players' mouths from foaming, the guys who were there last year have the memories tucked away in the corners of their minds.
"I don't even think saying there's a bad taste in your mouth justifies it," senior offensive lineman Danny Lewis said. "We're trying to focus on it like it's just another game. It's in the back of everyone's head. We're a totally different team from last year, and trying to make it just a big deal because it's our next game."
Even though stopping Kansas State's rushing attack, which ranks 18th in the nation, will be a big task, just as much focus will be on the Kansas offensive line.
The unit that was the team's biggest concern before the season started has been one of its most consistent areas so far. For the first time, major struggles were seen last weekend against Baylor, when senior quarterback Bill Whittmore was roughed up more than he had been all year.
"We have to crispen up a little bit," Lewis said. "It was really on our shoulders. We didn't see a couple things we should have, and that'll be handled this week." ■ Kansas football notebook
Coach Mangino announced the players of the game against Baylor. Offensively, Whitemore took the honors for his 252 passing yards and three touchdowns. On defense, Banks Floodman's game-ending interception and five tackles garnered recognition. The special teams player of the game was freshman Jerome Kemp, who recently switched from tailback to safety.
Edited by Michael Owells
Freshman back idolizes Sanders ready to step up for Jayhawks
By Ryan Greene rgreene@kansan.com Kansan sports writer
Ask anyone who knows their Kansas high school football, and they'll tell you the tale of a man named Barry Sanders.
The Wichita native went to Oklahoma State, won the Heisman Trophy, then had a Hall-Of-Fame, 11-year NFL career.
Kansas freshman tailback John Randle hopes that one day, his name will be synonymous with Barry Sanders, the man he idolized growing up.
"I met him, I went to his
Randle
went to his camps. He's my favorite running back." Randle said. "I used to watch him on TV all the time. He was in camp, telling us to stay in school, because we were little. It wasn't much about football."
Randle idolizes Sanders not only because he is also from Wichita, or because his slashing, elusive running style shows flashes of his childhood hero, but because he is driven to succeed and wants nothing but the best for himself.
Randle, who played both tailback and defensive back in high school, wound up at Kansas for several reasons. Along with the opportunity to play right away and the good law school he one day hopes to attend, he loved the attitude the Kansas coaches took to him on their visit to his home compared to Kansas State's coaches.
"They said, exactly like Mangino said, you can come out and tryout for whatever you want to." Randle said. "They came to my house, and they showed me and my family so
SEE FOOTBALL ON PAGE 5B
CourtneyKuhlen/Kansan
Senior quarterback Bill Whittemore evaded the tackle of Jacksonville State linebacker Johnathan Crutcher to score a touchdown. Whittemore's name has been mentioned as a Heisman candidate.
Whittemore getting national attention
By John Domoney
jdomoney@kansan.com
Kansan sports writer
The surprising success of the Kansas football program has brought added media attention.
"We get calls every day," said Mason Logan, football sports information director. "Especially from people from
Most of that media attention is directed at the Jayhawk's senior signalcaller. Bill Whittimore.
Nashville, near his hometown, that want to talk to him lately."
Coupled with being named the national performer of the week after a victory against UNLV on Sept. 6 and a picture on the lead story from espn.com's college football page, Whittemore is quietly becoming one of the top quarterbacks in the nation.
backs in the furrow. The Brentwood, Tenn., native is the second-leading rusher for the Jayhawks
- SEE WHITTEMORE ON PAGE 5B
New players beef up Kansas baseball lineup
By Mike Norris
mnorris@kansan.com
Kansan sportwriter
"We have a large roster turnover," Kansas coach Ritch Price, said. "But I think the new guys can come in and be a piece of the puzzle, rather than have to come in and be an impact player right away."
When the 2004 Kansas baseball team takes the field next spring, it will return its entire starting infield, as well as 21 new players, 13 of them junior college transfers.
Price said this was the best case scenario for the coaching staff, and for each new player's development.
Price thought he may have to restructure the infield after June's 2003 Major League Baseball draft. But senior first baseman Ryan Baty, and junior third baseman Travis Metcalf said no to Major League contracts and returned to Lawrence.
Lawrence:
"I didn't expect to get both back; I was hoping to get one of the two." Price said.
Senior outfielder Matt Tribble was expected to be drafted as well, but that call from a Major League team never came. Price said he was thrilled to be able put Tribble back onto the field with Metcalf and Baty.
Now Price has put together a team with experience and young talent.
One of the new players that has made an impact in fall practice so far is junior
Kara Hansen/Kansan
New recruit Jared Schweitzer, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, junior, eyed a pitch during a practice game yesterday at Hoglund Ballpark. Schweitzer is one of many new faces on the baseball team.
outfielder Andy Scholl. He transferred from Lamar Junior College in Lamar, Colo., where he hit .472 and slugged 26 home runs, earning first team junior college All-American honors.
"Andy Scholl is a big time player."
SEE BASEBALL ON PAGE 5B
TALK TO SPORTS: Contact JJ Hensley and Shane Mettlen at SPORTS@KANSAN.COM