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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2004
U.S. players miss basketball practice
The Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Emeka Okafor sprained his right ankle yesterday and Tim Duncan stayed behind at the team hotel because of an upset stomach, depriving the already undersized U.S. Olympic basketball team of two big men on their second day of practice.
Okafor landed awkwardly and turned his ankle during a drill about an hour after practice began. The ankle did not immediately swell up, and Okafor was taken for precautionary x-rays.
Duncan felt ill and had a slight fever, prompting team trainers to have him skip the morning session of the team's two-a-day practices.
The absence of the two big men left power forwards Carlos Boozer and Amare Stoudemire as the only big men. Okafor is the U.S. team's only true center, although Duncan is expected to man that position for long stretches during the Olympics.
Changes can be made to the roster until 72 hours before the start of Olympic
competition.
"We don't have anybody on hold or waiting in the wings," said Stu Jackson, chairman of the USA Basketball selection committee.
Even at full strength, the Americans will be at a disadvantage in terms of size and bulk against several opponents, a deficiency that should be exposed over the next two weeks in exhibition games against Puerto Rico, Italy, Germany and Serbia and Montenegro.
The U.S. team has several versatile players who can play several positions, but the Americans also may have to use Lamar Odom or Shawn Marion at power forward.
"I don't look out there and see one guy that's not capable of being a quality rebounder in this setting," Brown said. "My Detroit team wasn't a huge team and we rebounded the ball. That's just a commitment you make, and hopefully we'll do that. On the offensive boards, sometimes athleticism and quickness is a real plus, so hopefully we'll do the job in that respect."
DAVIS: Mangino outlines challenges
Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Derrick Johnson.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21
Kansas coach Mark Mangino was the next man in the hot seat, and made it very clear that his team would not rest on last season's laurels. "2003 will be forgotten come September 4," Mangino said. It will be interesting to see how the Jayhawks deal with a new quarterback while playing the fourth-toughest schedule in the country. Coach Mangino noted that sophomore returnee Adam Barmann was the favorite right now at replacing Bill Whittemore, although Jason Swanson was improving his grasp of the offense. As for the defense, Mangino said the 'Hawks must get better at stopping the run.
Mangino was followed at the podium by the new-look Nebraska Cornhuskers and their first-year leader, ex-Raiders coach Bill Callahan. Callahan, who has ditched the famed option offense for a more vertically friendly, west coast approach, said the key to the 'Huskers' success lay within the offensive line. "Versatility is going to be a big part of the offensive line, and the faster the offensive line gets comfortable with the offense, the more efficient it will become," Callahan said. While the offense might present struggles throughout the season, the pressure on the defense will only
intensify. That won't be a problem, as Nebraska's heralded "Black-Shirt" defense is anchored by two of the nation's best at their positions, linebacker Barrett Rudd and defensive back Josh Bullocks, both selected pre-season Big 12 first team selections.
Finally, the last coach to be introduced needed little introduction. Colorado's Gary Barnett, whose program has been beset by accusations of rape and recruiting violations, turned in the most impressive performance of all the coaches questioned. Barnett was suspended in February before being reinstated in May. Barnett said he had gained from the experience, "I took a chance every day to learn something", he said. "What I learned for myself is how important friends are, how important encouragement from your peers is, how important e-mail is." On the football side of things, the Buffaloes' return senior running back Bobby Purify and junior quarter back Joel Klatt.
The day was over after coach Barnett spoke, concluding a great time and rewarding experience. But the highlight of my day was definitely the "goodgame" pat from Mack Brown, because nothing is more football than a ceremonious tap on the backside.
Davis is a pre-journalism Topeka freshman.