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SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1996
Jayhawks don't need superstars
SECTION B
I've waited more than three years for this.
Former Kansas men's basketball player Ben Davis, now with Arizona, will face his old team in the West Regional semifinal about 9:40 p.m. Friday in Denver.
But a Jayhawk win really won't be a way to show Davis that he was wrong to leave Kansas or that the team is better off without him. That wouldn't be fair to Davis or the Jayhawks.
Instead, it would just show him the
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
gram that Davis decided he didn't like after arriving in 1991, but later decided was OK after all.
He also averaged nearly 18 minutes a game, but somehow that wasn't enough to satisfy him. Davis immediately transferred to Florida on Nov. 17, 1992 — just 16 days after appearing with the Jayhawks at "Late Night With Roy Williams."
As a freshman, he put up respectable numbers, including being second on the team in rebounding and being named to the 1992 Big Eight Conference
All-Freshman team.
The loss of Davis really wasn't a factor for Kansas that season — for those who don't remember, the Jayhawks reached the Final Four — nor has it been a problem since. In the last three years, Williams has managed to sign enough big men to fill the gap left by Davis.
So why is Friday's game such a big deal? Davis, who ended up never playing a game for Florida, attempted to return to Kansas one year later, but Williams denied the request. Perhaps another coach would have done differently, but once was enough for the Jayhawks' head man.
Davis then went to Hutchinson Community College, where he won a junior college national title in 1994, before finally landing at Arizona last year. He has repeatedly said that leaving Kansas was a mistake, and I respect him for that.
But I also respect the fact that Williams kept him from coming back. Perhaps the best thing about the men's basketball program at Kansas is the fact that it keeps from having a superstar player to distract from the rest of the team.
I can't name another Villanova Wildcat player other than Kerry Kittles. Despite having one of the best players in the nation, Villanova gets to watch the rest of this year's NCAA tournament on television because it failed to make the Sweet 16.
The list of possible Kansas recruits who have visited Lawrence but opted for better exposure includes former California guard Jason Kidd and St. John's forward Felipe Lopez.
I consider Davis and current NBA benchwarmer Darrin Hancock part of this list as well. Coming to play for Williams means checking your ego at the door.
Kansas players won't be on the court for 40 minutes each game. They won't average more than 20 points a game. Yet, the Jayhawks have one of the best winning percentages in the 1990s, five conference titles in the last six years and have made the Sweet 16 each year since 1993.
Tlill take that over Davis, Hancock,
Kidd or Lopez any day.
So I guess I'm not as eager to defeat a Davis-led team now as I would have been a couple of years ago. Davis has admitted to his mistake and enjoyed a good two-year career with the Wildcats. But when the Phog rolls into McNichols Sports Arena on Friday evening, he may have a difficult time finding the exits.
A quick good luck wish to the Kansas swimmers and divers who will be competing in the NCAA Championships over the next two weeks. Swimming is a thankless sport at Kansas, but one that takes just as much skill and determination as any other.
Go'Hawks.
'Hawks defeat Texas
77-70 victory propels the Jayhawks to first Sweet 16
By Evan Blackwell
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas women's basketball team was already enjoying one of its finest seasons in school history. Last night, the season became historic.
The Jayhawks defeated Texas 77-70 in the second round of the NCAA tournament last night to move into the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. Kansas will travel to Charlotteville, Va. next weekend for the regional semifinals.
"We knew this was going to be a tough ballgame. We knew we were going to be tested," Kansas women's basketball coach Marian Washington said. "We thought we had been hearing all week a lot about Texas going on, so there was a lot of reasons to help us be motivated for this game."
The Jayhawks shot out of the locker room and controlled the game from the opening tip. After taking a 2-0 lead in the first minute, the Jayhawks never trailed.
The Kansas lead reached 15 by halftime at 42-27, and the Jayhawks were able to maintain their double digit lead most of the second half. Texas pulled within seven in the last minute behind two three-pointers from guard Kim Lummus.
Texas guard Erica Routt said the Longhorns weren't able to match the intensity of Kansas early
"They came out very intense," Routt said. "When you come out and play with that kind of intensity and emotion, that's when good things happen for you."
The Jayhawks effectively shut down Texas forward Danielle Viglione the entire game. While Viglione hit six of seven three-pointers in the first round against Southwest Missouri State, she was held scoreless for the first 27 minutes last night.
"We worked very hard in the first half," Washington said. "I thought we did a great job on Vistoneta."
Kansas guard Angie Halbleib was the defender who was matched with Viglione for most of the night.
"It gave me a lot of confidence that coach put me on her in the first place, because she's always harping about my defense," Halbleib said. "I was able to stay with her, and not help off of her, and I think she got frustrated."
The Jayhawks were once again led by their trio of perimeter stars as Halbleib and guard Charisse Sampson finished with 14 points each. Guard Tamecka Dixon led with 18 points.
Even though those three provided the usual offensive punch, Halbleib said it was Kansas forward Jennifer Trapp who made the difference. Trapp finished with 13 points and six rebounds and helped stop the Longhorns' penetration.
"She was the key to this game," Halbleib said. "Tamecka, Charisse and I are going to get our points, but we need someone else to step up, and tonight it was Jennifer Trapp."
Kansas guard Angie Halibble drives past a Texas opponent in last night's 77-70 victory against the Longhorns.
Steve Puone / KANSAN
Kansas travels uncharted territory
Steve Puppe / KANSAN
Women's team enjoys making first Sweet 16
Kansas guard Charisse Sampson battles for the ball a Texas foe in the Kansas victory.
By Spencer Duncan Kansan sportswriter
Sweet 16 for the first time.
With a 77-70 victory over the Texas Longhorns in the second round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament at Allen Field House, the Jayhawks advanced to the
After 23 years at the helm of the Kansas women's basketball team, Coach Marian Washington received her biggest win last night.
"I'm just delithed." Washington said.
"This whole year has been unreal. We found ourselves winning the conference and now we are are one of 16 teams left."
The second round win is also special for the players.
"This means a lot," guard Charisse Sampson said. "We kept saying, 'Just go out there and play with all our hearts and leave it on the floor.'"
The Sweet 16 trip can be attributed to different factors depending on who is asked.
work, but also sees other factors at work.
"We've worked hard, and we had a lot of confidence," guard Ange Halbleib said.
"This is the best seeding in the tournament I have ever had," Washington said of her team's No. 4 seed. "We have never been in a situation where we had a chance to win. This year we had a chance."
Washington acknowledges her team's hard
But the biggest reason Kansas will travel to Charliotesville, Va., next week to play Tennessee is because they are winning.
"We have to fight hard so our last game will end on a high," Sampson said.
for as Washington, she will have to wait to enjoy her first Sweet 16 bid.
"I just want to sit back and enjoy the whole thing," Washington said. "But I have to start getting ready for Tennessee."
Jayhawks surprise No.7 'Hogs
Five-run second inning sparks baseball team to big win over Arkansas
By Dan Gelston
Kansas sportswriter
In his five innings of work, Kansas starting pitcher Aric Peters walked three batters, gave up seven hits and got into a jam each innning.
Not exactly the kind of outing he desired against the No. 7 team in the country, the Arkansas Razorbacks.
But somehow it was good enough.
The Kansas baseball team, a Baseball America preseason pick to finish sixth in the Big Eight Conference, upset the Hogs 8-3 last night at Hoglund-Maupin Stadium.
The Jayhawks (12-6) have won three consecutive games and seven out of eight.
Kansas struck first, scoring five runs in the
"This is a big win for us," Kansas senior catcher Ted Meadows said. "I think what you're seeing right now is what happens when a team really believes in itself we do."
second inning.
With one out, right fielder Mike Dean reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on a Meadows single.
On the mound, Peters left two runners on base in each of the first three innings, before he yielded two runs in the fourth on back-to-back singles and a double. He gave up a solo homer in the fifth and was pulled at the end of the inning.
Third baseman Andy Juday also reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Dean. Meadows scored after a single to right by left fielder Les Walrond. Shortstop Joe Demarco followed with a run-sacrifice bunt.
Center fielder Isaac Byrd continued the rally with a single that was overrun by Arkansas left fielder Ryan Lundquist, which allowed Walrond to score and sent Byrd to second base. Byrd scored the final run of the inning after two errors were made on a ground ball from the bat of first baseman Justin Headley.
"I'm not too thrilled at all," he said. "My mechanics were off. I had real tough time finding the strike zone. The only plus was that I ended up battling through it."
Walrond blasted a two-run home run over the
Peters wasn't happy with his performance.
right field fence in the sixth, capping off a successful night. The freshman was two-for-three with three RBI and two runs scored.
"I'm telling everybody that the KU team of '96 is coming out swinging and ready to play anybody," Walrone said. "We've beaten some of the best teams, and hopefully we can be considered among them soon."
Kansas coach Bobby Randall said Walrond's home run was important, even though Kansas was leading at the time.
"I thought we needed those runs," he said. "I think they were trying to sneak back into the game, and that really prevented them from doing that."
Kansas reliever Josh Wingerd pitched four shutout innings to earn his first save of the season.
Brian Hott/ KANSAN
DeMarco saw his consecutive stolen base
Kansas junior infielder Joe DeMarco swings at a pitch during the Jayhawks' 8-3 victory against Arkansas yesterday.
streak end at 17, while Headley extended his hitting streak to 15 games after a single in his final at bat.
Kansas will play Arkansas (22-4) at 3 p.m. today at Hogglund-Maupin Stadium.
Tournament a new experience for Jayhawk freshmen
Players dealing well with distractions
By Jenni Carlson Kansan sportswriter
T. J. Pugh had the strangest stomach virus in high school.
It would always surface during the NCAA tournament, and he would have to leave his classes at Creighton Prep High School in Omaha, Neb., about every 10 minutes.
But instead of heading to the nurse's office, the Kansas freshman forward would find a television to catch a glimpse of the games.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
"I think the teacher knew, too," Paul said. "He just let me go. I never skipped school to watch the tournament, but I would find a way to get a
hall pass for some reason."
Pugh and his fellow Jayhawk freshmen, forward Paul Pierce and guard Ryan Robertson, don't need to sneak off to catch the games this year. They are living the hype and experience of the NCAA tournament this year.
Their next experience will be in the Sweet 16 when Kansas faces Arizona at about 9:40 p.m. on Friday in Denver's McNichols Sports Arena. The Jayhawks advanced to the West Region's third round with a 76-51 victory against Santa Clara on Sunday.
The tournament has always been a highlight for all the Jayhawk freshmen. Robertson took his dedication to the extreme last year, though, when he skipped school one day to watch the tournament on television.
And then there was the time he stuck a radio up his sleeve and listened to an entire game while he was in English class.
And for all that work, it wasn't even a Kansas game.
"Nope, it was a St. Louis U. game," he said.
that have been there earlier because there are a great number of distractions."
With the hoopla surrounding the Big Dance, Kansas coach Roy Williams said freshmen usually walked around a little more starry eyed than the veterans during the opening rounds. It wasn't the oncourt competition that worried Williams, though.
"The distractions and the off-court things — you have to be concerned about that," he said. "Hopefully, they take the lead from the guys
The biggest distraction is the media attention, said Kansas guard Jerod Haase, who is playing in his third NCAA tournament.
"In practice now, we're more intense, more talkative, more enthused," he said. "I think it's the
The tournament-experienced players don't often verbalize the difference between the regular season and the NCAA tournament, Kansas forward B.J. Williams said. Instead, they take the lead by their example.
"The media attention is really unparalleled," he said. "It's just a new environment. If there was something the freshmen didn't understand, I'm sure they'd ask. But they're all bright enough to catch on quickly."
time of year, though, when everyone steps up their games."
Nonetheless, B.J. Williams remembers his first tournament game, which was against Tennessee-Chattanooga.
"The cameras, the lights, the fans I was really nervous out there," he said.
In Pierce's first career tournament game on Friday, he had the jitters, too. He said he got rid of them in the pregame warmup, though, and went on to score 15 points against South Carolina State.
The freshmen scored 31 points Friday and had 15 against Santa Clara on Sunday. That kind of contribution encourages Roy Williams.
"Everybody got their feet wet," he said. "I do think they have some of the jitters out of the way."