04
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2004
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
7A
least to get better. senior k to work
Joggin' in a Winter Wonderland
Falling snow silhouettes two joggers as they jog through campus at about 5 a.m. yesterday. Snow fell during the brisk early morning hours and through most of the day, but there was little accumulation.
Self said that he wanted Simien and Langford each to shoot the ball between eight and 12 times a game. In the last two games combined, Langford has made just 15 total field goal attempts.
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"We have to get Keith more involved and more active because he is a scorer, and he hasn't had as many opportunities," Self said "We need to get him some more shots."
The good news for Self is that with the way the Jayhawks have been playing, if one of the leading scorers doesn't score in double figures, another player has stepped up.
DEPTH: Miles gets relief from perimeter defense
If one of the leading scorers doesn't score in double figures, another player has stepped up.
Kansas' balanced attack isn't
limited to its offense. With the addition of Robinson and the three freshman "big guys" — forward Darnell Jackson and centers C.J. Giles and Sasha Kaun — the Jayhawks have been able to play tougher defense.
More depth at the guard position has given Miles a chance to catch his breath and provided Kansas with a defensive spark, Self said.
"Mike Lee and Russell off the bench has really helped our perimeter defense," Self said.
Miles said Robinson's role was important because it gave the opponent something extra to focus on.
"He helps me out a whole lot too," Miles said. "I know that if I get tired, he can come in and olay tough defense."
Kit Leffler/KANSAN
"We have to cut down on his minutes, and we will be more effective." Self said. "But the depth is helping."
Self said he thought Giles and Kaun had played well in the post but that Simien was still playing too many minutes.
— Edited by Paige Worthy
BAUER: Jayhawks' 4-7 record is misleading
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How does it happen that the first-place team in the conference and the last-place team both outscore their opponents when playing within the conference? Good question, but it should make Kansas fans feel a little better about a seemingly poor season.
Of the Buffaloes' four victories and one loss in the North, the only loss was at the hands of the Missouri Tigers. Kansas proved to be much more than Mizzou could handle two weeks ago, yet the North champs fell to the team that the 'Hawks defeated with ease.
The three losses the Jayhawks suffered in the Big 12 North were never by more than nine points. That includes a loss to Nebraska Cornhuskus, a team that was heavily hyped after the
acquisition of former NFL coach Bill Callah during the off-season. The so-called football powerhouse of the North went a measly 5-6.
Just one year prior, Nebraska posted a 10-3 overall record, and still fell second in the Big 12 North behind Kansas State. The Wildcats fared even worse than the Huskers this season at 4-7 overall.
Do not translate this into praise for our football team or congratulations for it falling into the same losing pattern as the rest of their Big 12 North opponents. Rather, focus on the improvements the Kansas football team made in their conference this year.
For example, when the Jayhawks faced the Texas Longhorns this season, they practically had the game won before Texas grabbed a last-second touchdown to win 26-22. Colorado also faced the Longhorns this year, but hardly competed at Kansas' level, falling 7-31.
In another heartbreaking loss, Kansas let a 30-5 lead over Texas Tech slip away and lost to the Red Raiders by a single point. When Nebraska had its turn, Texas Tech whaled on the Huskers, 10-70.
Finishing a season 4-7 leaves little room for compliments, but taking a look back shows Jayhawk improvements, leaving its weakened conference wishing for the same.
A loss is a loss. But if the scoreboard reflects a team's ability to compete, then Kansas football is nothing to be ashamed of.
Bauer is a Winfield junior in journalism.