JAYHAWK
THE. UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Basketball
Inside Sports today
The Texas A&M men's and women's basketball teams had unsuccessful seasons last year, but new coaches lead both Aggies teams. SEE PAGE 5B
Yesterday's game - Kansas vs. Geelong Supercats
KANSAS
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1998
Jayhawks skin Geelong Supercats
Junior Lester Earl slams the ball through the net off an assist by senior Kyan Robertson in the first half. Earl finished the game with 16 points and three rebounds in 18 minutes on the court. Photo by Jay Shepard/KANSAN
Kansas defense presses opponent to turnover ball
By Erin Thompson
Kansan sportswriter
The Geelong Supercats weren't so super last night, but Kansas was much improved from its outing against the California All-Stars on Saturday.
The Jayhawks closed the exhibition season with a 140-78 win at Allen Field House.
Redshirt freshman Jeff Carey said the Jayhawks were more mentally ready for last night's game than they were for Saturday's.
"Last Saturday we weren't mentally prepared at all," Carey said. "Tonight, we played with more intensity and did a much better job on offense and defense."
The Kansas defense forced 27 turnovers and pressed the Supercats unlike last Saturday against the All-Stars. Kansas coach Row Williams said the Jayhawks improved their defense in practice.
"The other night, we didn't pick it up at all; we picked it up in the men's room." Williams said. "Tonight, we did get a chance to pick it up at the 10-second line which is what we're supposed to do, which was what we've done for 11 years now."
Williams was pleased with the team's play and saw improvement.
"We did a much better job, but we caught them when they were worn out and we were fresh," Williams said. "The thing I like the most is that defensively, they had a couple of guys who made a few very tough
snots, and for the most part we did a much,
much better job defensively tonight."
Kansas jumped out an early lead when Ryan Robertson hit a three-pointer on the Jayhawks' first possession. The Supercats never caught up to Kansas.
Robertson did not slow down on the night. He shot five for five from behind the three-point line.
Jeff Boschee, freshman point guard, relieved Robertson of some of his usual point guard duties so he could concentrate on scoring. Boschee, making his second start for the Jayhawks, led the Jayhawks in scoring with 21 points and added six assists.
Early in the second half, Lester Earl fell to the ground grasping his right knee. Moments later, Williams and Earl were walking off the court laughing as Earl punched the top of his right foot repeatedly.
Earl said Australia's Matt Wirkowski fell on his calf and hit a nerve, which caused his foot to go numb. Earl and the trainers had been concerned with his left knee because Earl had knee surgery last summer. Both knees and his foot are fine.
"It's (my left knee) getting better everyday," Earl said. "I don't know how the body works. I just try to work it out."
Scoring was spread evenly throughout the team, with all but one player scoring and seven Jayhawks scoring in double figures.
seven Jayhawks begin regular season play The Jayhawks begin regular season play 7:05 Friday night against Gonzaga at Allen Field House.
KANSAS 140, GEELONG 78
| Goelong Supercats | FG | FGA | Reb | TP | Min |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Clyde Jordan | 6 | 13 | 6 | 15 | 33 |
| Matt Wirkowski | 2 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 28 |
| Brandon Marc | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 18 |
| Jarrod Leonard | 1 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 21 |
| Rodney Walker | 13 | 24 | 6 | 31 | 37 |
| Christian Keepen | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| Damian Armour | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 14 |
| Chad Rivett | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 14 |
| Greg Gibson | 2 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 29 |
| Callum Howard | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Kansas Jayhawks
Kenny Gregory 9 14 6 19 29
Nick Bradford 6 10 5 16 22
Eric Chenowith 5 9 15 17 28
Ryan Robertson 7 8 3 19 21
Jeff Boschee 7 12 1 21 24
Lester Earl 5 9 3 16 18
Terry Nooner 1 3 2 2 9
John Crider 3 3 3 9 11
Jeff Carey 6 8 7 12 12
Jelani Janisse 0 0 3 0 9
Marlon London 2 3 2 4 11
Chris Martin 2 2 2 5 6
Field goal %: Geelong .435; Kansas .642
Free throws: Geelong 12-21; 26-38
Three point shots: Geelong 6-17; Kansas 10-
17 (Robertson 5-5, Boschee 4-9)
Assists: Geelong 16; Kansas 32 (Boschee 6,
Bradford 7)
Turnovers: Geelong 27; Kansas 12
Technical foul's: none
First half score: Kansas 74 - Geelong 37
Attendance: 15,200
Combination of team inexperience, foul trouble hurts Australian team
By Laura Bokenkroger
Konson sportswriter
earning experience.
After the 140-78 beating the Australian Geelong Supercats took from the Kansas basketball team, Australia coach Terry Kealey said his team simply was outmatched.
"We got spanked badly," Kealey said. "I was disappointed with our inability to get back on defense and with our inability to run our offense. But it's a learning thing for us. We bring young players in against some of the best players in the world for their age. We don't play with their sort of intensity."
Kansas' offensive weapons were too much as seven Jayhawks tallied double figures. The Australians struggled on defense, and Keely said his team wasn't used to Kansas' physical style.
"The holding on, the pushing, isn't allowed in Australia." Kealey said. "We had to get into the mind set. It's a lot more physical than we're used to."
The Australians ran into foul trouble early. Three Supercats collected five or more — but Kansas coach Roy Williams suggested that the players be allowed to stay in the game.
"I was happy that Coach Williams gave our players a chance to compete." Kealey said.
Geelong guard Rodney Walker hit 13 of 24 shots from the field, scoring 31 points in the game to lead the Supercats offensively. Walker is an American who played at New Mexico State University with Geelong teammate Clyde Jordan. Walker said the Supercats' inexperience was their biggest obstacle.
Kealey said playing at Allen Field House was one a good experience overall for his young players.
"The atmosphere in this place is great," Kealey said. "I can't think of a better place to play."
Women's basketball prepares for season
If a team ever had an excuse to overlook an opponent, this would be it.
By Sam Mellinger Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas women's basketball team plays its second and final exhibition game against Latvia-Club Riga tonight. Tilpoff is set for 7:05 p.m. at Allen Field House.
standable, for the Jayhawks to overlook the exhibition game with Sunday's match-up against North Carolina on their minds.
"As a coach, I know
North Carolina is one spot ahead of Kansas in the two major polls. The Tar Heels are No.10 in The Associated Press poll and No.7 in USA Today/ESPN. Ranked No.11 and tied for eighth in the two polls, it would be almost impossible for the Javahawks not to look ahead.
how to handle a situation like this," said Coach Marian Washington. "I've just got to make sure my players are focused."
"North Carolina is certainly foremost on our minds, but it's important that we
not miss an opportunity to work on some things." Washington said.
"That's our big thing," said Lynn Pride, who scored a game-high 21 points in the first exhibition game. "We need more defensive effort, and we need it for the whole game."
The biggest of those things is defense. After last Wednesday's exhibition win over Myjava from Slovakia, Washington and many of her players pointed to
defense when asked what the team needed to work on.
The players also are learning the new motion offense. After last Wednesday's
game, Pride, who was mentioned among the runners-up for the preseason All American team, said the Jayhawks didn't understand the system. But yesterday, she said the team had made progress.
"I can say now that I have a better
understanding of it, but it's still not all there." Pride said.
"It's going to be an all-year-long emphasis," Washington said. "But once you understand it, you can create some nice opportunities once you're reacting and not thinking."
Kansas also must adjust to a new rule emphasis this year in women's college basketball. Big 12 officials, in particular, have promised to call the game closer in the post, where players will no
longer be allowed to use an open hand on an opponent while playing defense.
"We saw that in our first game, and it wasn't called." "Washington said of last week's match-up with Myjava. "We've been told that their first few games after us were called closer, and their big players fouled out quickly."
Pride: S scored 21 points in the first exhibition game.
"For a coach, you
For a coach, you just want to know what can we do and what can't we do."
Pride shared her coach's sentiments. "It's frustrating because the Big 12 told us it was going to be called closer," she said. "But I guess you really can't argue with the rules."
The Starting Lineup
KANSAS
JAYHAWKS
Exhibition Game
G JENNIFER JACKSON 5-10 SOPH.
G SUZI RAYMANT 5-11 SOPH.
F LYNN PRIDE 6-2 JR.
F JACKLYN JOINION 6-1 SOPH.
C NAKIA SANFORD 6-3 SR.
Lativa-Club
RIGA
G ANITA GAILUMA 5-10
G GUNTA BASKO 6-1
F AGNESE BRASMANE 6-2
F INHAIA JIRAISONE 6-0
C IEVA KALNINA 6-2
7:05 p.m. • Allen Field House • Lawrence
Kyle Ramsey/KANSAN
USA TODAY/ESPN TOP 25
USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 Preseason poll released on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Firstplace votes in parentheses.
1. Tennessee (40) 0-0 1,000 1
2. Louisiana Tech 0-0 945 2
3. Connecticut 0-0 897 5
4. Duke 0-0 825 7
5. Purdue 0-0 720 11
6. UCIA 0-0 678 20
7. North Carolina 0-0 637 3
**8.Kansas** 0-0 **525** **22**
**8.Texas Tech** 0-0 **525** **10**
10. Georgia 0-0 518 —
11. Rutgers 0-0 517 16
12.N.C.State 0-0 488 4
13.Alabama 0-0 475 13
14.Virginia 0-0 464 23
15.Old Dominion 0-0 395 6
16.G.Washington 0-0 332 —
17. Stanford 0-0 324 15
18. Arkansas 0-0 323 7
19.Notre Dame 0-0 282 17
20.Florida 0-0 263 12
21.Arizona 0-0 210 9
22.Vanderbilt 0-0 178 25
23.Wisconsin 0-0 155 —
24.Illinois 0-0 151 14
25.lowa State 0-0 **143** **24**
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: UC-Santa Barbara 126, Penn State 125, Clemson 114, Colorado State 83, North Dakota 83, Florida International 77, Stephen F. Aujayn 49, Southwest Michigan State 48, Oregon 46, Michigan 31, Western Kentucky State 30, Pennsylvania 30, Washington 15, Louisville 4, Abucon 13, Southern Methodist 11, Miami (Flo) 14, Marquette 11, New Mexico 9, Colorado 9, Hawaii 9, Tulare 8, Utah 7, Kane 6, DaFall 6, Alabama State 4, Tennessee State 4, Mississippi State 4, Montana 3, Drake 2, Ohio State 2, Kansas State 1, Valparaiso 1, Holy Cross 1
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