4B
SPORTS
BASKETBALL
(CONTINUED FROM 1B)
"This was like practice, letting us know where we stood," Morris said. "We found out a lot about ourselves."
With it being the first time her team has played together in months and the first time she has played out on the wing, McCray isn't surprised that she and her teammates have some work to do.
Edited by Jeff Briscoe
"This trip helped me see what I need to work on before the season starts. It also gave the coaches good perspective on the improvements we all need," she said. "Basically, we've just got to keep getting better."
VOLLEYBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
ranked No. 1, while Texas, an Elite Eight finisher a year ago, starts the season ranked No. 4 in the country. Missouri and Oklahoma show up at 20th and 22nd respectively. Colorado, Iowa State, and Texas A&M also received votes.
Kansas' Big 12 schedule consists of 20 matches, with a home-and-home series against every conference opponent.
During his nine years at Kansas
"It's such a competitive league," said Caitlin Mahoney, senior middle blocker. "We just have to stay focused and know not to settle, because every
It's such a competitive league. We just have to stay focused and know not to settle because every game is going to be hard one"
game is going to be a hard one."
After 10 nonconference matches to open the season, Kansas will start the Big 12 season on Sept. 12 at home against Kansas State.
CAITLIN MAHONEY Middle blocker
o a c h
Bechard has learned that there is only one way to get through the 20-game grind.
court," Bechard said, "and then you have to be very resilient on the road."
"You just have to be unbelievably good at home and protect your home
Division I CSTV/AVCA
Edited by Tara Smith
Aug. 14 preseason coaches poll
Rank School (First Place Votes) Pts. 2006 Record
1 Nebraska (53) 1491 33-1
2 Stanford (7) 1443 30-4
3 Penn State 1350 32-3
4 Texas 1269 24-7
5 UCLA 1214 33-4
6 Southern California 1197 27-5
7 Florida 1131 30-3
8 Washington 1088 29-5
9 Minnesota 1032 26-8
10 Hawaii 982 29-6
Other Big 12 Teams
20 Missouri 253 18-13
22 Oklahoma 205 26-5
Colorado 63, Iowa State 39,Texas A&M 29
Courtesy of NCAAsports.com
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2007
》 MICHAEL VICK
Goodell remains postive
BY LARRY LAGE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The NFL commissioner, touring training camps, raved about Detroit Lions coach Rod Marielli and his players after a visit on Thursday. He spoke to them mostly about their responsibilities as players.
As soon as Goodell started taking questions during a news conference, however, he was asked about Vick. And the questions kept coming.
ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Roger Goodell wants to talk football. Michael Vick keeps getting in the way.
There has been a drumbeat of news about Vick, who is charged with running a dogfightring ring on his Virginia property. Goodell insists this is not eclipsing enthusiasm about the game itself.
"I don't think it's overshadowing the season," he said. "I think our fans are excited about football, but I understand the interest in the story."
Vick is facing increased pressure to strike a deal with prosecutors in his federal dogfighting conspiracy case. He conferred with his lawyers for hours Wednesday.
"We're going to do what we always said we were going to do, which is rely on the facts," Goodell said. "If there is some type of a plea agreement, then we will obviously take the time to understand what that plea is and we'll see how it fits into our personal conduct (policy)."
Goodell barred Vick from training camp while the league investigates. The commissioner said the league is monitoring talks between Vick's lawyers and prosecutors. He wants the legal process to run its course before he rules on Vick's future in the league.
Under NFL policy, a player can be banned for illegal gambling or associating with gamblers. Vick might face that penalty.
"The gambling) is certainly an issue," Goodell said after meeting with the Cleveland Browns at their year-round training facility. "Law enforcement may be concerned about certain things about this. We may be concerned about other aspects of this. That's why we want to evaluate what the government has. We don't know all of the facts on that. Michael's team may not know all the facts at this point in time."
The quarterback was linked to betting by a statement signed by former co-defendant Tony Taylor, who pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government, and the July 17 indictment.
Two other co-defendants Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips are to enter plea agreements Friday. Prosecutors have said they will seek a superseding indictment that could mean additional charges against Vick.
Vick has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
In April police found dozens of pit bulls, as well as equipment commonly used in dogfighting. The indictment said dogs that lost fights or fared poorly in test fights were sometimes executed.
According to the statement signed by Taylor as part of his plea agreement, Vick financed virtually all of the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting enterprise on Vick's property.
Vick's charges have hurt the NFLs image in an offseason also marked by suspensions of Adam "Pacman" Jones, Tank Johnson and Chris Henry for off-field conduct. Goodell contends just four players out of about 2,000 in the league are generating most of the scrutiny.
"I've said to Pacman and any player, 'You have to earn your way back into the National Football League and you have to do it through your conduct.' Goodell said.
Goodell has sensed nothing but positive feedback during his tour of the camps.
"I'm proud of our players. I'm proud of what they do in the communities and on the field," he said. "I think more has to be discussed on that. We have always talked about the game — having the focus stay on football. We're here now and it's football time."