2B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2006
TODAY
ATHLETICS CALENDAR
*Basketball vs. Creighton, 3 p.m., Kansas City, Mo.*
*Softball vs. Nebraska, 6 p.m., Lincoln, Neb.*
Player to watch: Serena Settlemier.
The senior pitcher was named National Player of the Week on Tuesday Settlemier pitched five scoreless innings and led the Jayhawks to a 1-0 victory against No. 2 Texas last Sunday.
THURSDAY
Settlemier
Tennis, Big 12 Tournament, all day,
Waco, Texas
FRIDAY
Baseball vs. Oklahoma, 7 p.m., Hoglund Ballpark
Track, Drake Relays, all day, Des Moines, Iowa
Tennis, Big 12 Tournament, all day, Waco, Texas
SATURDAY
SATURDAY
Softball at Oklahoma, 2 p.m., Norman, Okla.
Baseball vs. Oklahoma, 6 p.m., Hoglund Ballpark
Track, Drake Relays, all day, Des Moines, Iowa
Tennis, Big 12 Tournament, all day, Waco, Texas
SUNDAY
- Softball at Oklahoma, noon, Norman, Okla.
- Baseball vs. Oklahoma, 1 p.m., Hoglund Ballpark
- Track, Drake Relays, all day, Des Moines, Iowa
- Tennis, Big 12 Tournament, all day, Waco, Texas
MEN'S GOLF
Kansas leaves Tulsa in eighth place in the Big 12 Championship
The Kansas men's golf team finished in eighth place at the Big 12 Championship in Tulsa, Okla., Tuesday. The Inkaways who
tuesday. The Jayhawks who came into the tournament as the No. 11 seed, remain in the hunt for a postseason bid. Their total score of 897 put them one stroke ahead of archival Missouri on the leaderboard. Four of the five members of the team battled food poisoning during the tournament, but a healthy Gary Woodland carried the team on his shoulders. The
Victory is sweet
Woodland
junior shot a total of 215 — good enough to finish in a tie for 7th place in the individual standings. Seniors Pete Krsnich and LukeTremmell tied for 32nd and 52nd places, respectively. JuniorTyler Docking played three consistent rounds and finished in a tie for 48th place. Redshirt freshman Zach Pederson brought up the rear, finishing in 57th place. Oklahoma won the tournament with a total score of 858, followed closely by Texas and Texas A&M.
Matt Dunham/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Asher Fusco
Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue displays a shirt with the words "THANK YOU GOD" as he celebrates toward his side's fans after winning the Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match against Villarreal, at El Madríal stadium, in Villareal, Spain, Tuesday.
THE COLUMN
JIMMY CHAVEZ
ichavez@kansan.com
NBA playoffs worth watching
For the sports fan, this time of the year means that the two-month odyssey that is the NBA Playoffs officially begins.
Lately, I've had debates with many people — friends, radio co-hosts and even professors — on whether the NBA Playoffs are significant.
In contrast, when college basketball comes up, everyone's voice dramatically changes to a much more serious tone. College basketball, especially in March, is very addictive. But I grew up with the NBA, so April, May and June are even more exciting.
NBPA might say that the one thing they've said to me was that the NBA seems to lack significance for them and most people in the Lawrence area.
There have been many reason for cynicism and disdain toward the NBA.
Since Michael Jordan retired from the Bulls in 1998, there hasn't been a team, a rivalry or a definite player to capture the attention of the average fan.
Jordan was the symbol of basketball and arguably American culture as well. Author David Halberstam said in reference to Jordan that he's who we are.
Then, there was the lockout. The following year, after Jordan's retirement in 1998, the league suffered a nasty lockout that wiped out half of the 1998-1999 season. When the lockout ended, the NBA returned with a 50-game season, but the damage was already done by then.
A comeback by Jordan in 2001 seemed to have little effect on the
league's stature probably because he was playing for the Washington Wizards instead of the Chicago Bulls
CUT IT OUT!
Another argument against the NBA has been greed. That's been the basis for any anti-NBA sentiment. In recent years, the negative characteristics have grown, as some of the NBAs brightest stars have let fans down with their off-the-court issues.
For example, in 2003, Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual assault and rape in Colorado. Though he was acquitted, this ruined his once flawless reputation.
Last week, Philadelphia 76ers players Allen Iverson and Chris Webber arrived for their game five minutes before tip-off because their teams were already eliminated from playoff contention.
The other argument against the NBA could be a lack of scoring in the league. Growing up in San Antonio, fans received free Big Macs if the Spurs scored more than 125 points. Now-a-days, most of the promotions for free food happen if the Spurs score more than 100 points.
So, when all of that is factored,
I can see why people are turned off
by the NBA. Some say it's also
the length of the playoffs, but for once
the players actually care.
Regardless, there are some good stories in the NBA Playoffs. In his first playoff game, LeBron James tallied a triple double. The Los Angeles Clippers are in the playoffs for the first time in nine years.
But the only way people will know or care is if the NBA markets more than just a few players or a team. Because, until then the common sentiment from every type of person this time of the year will be: "When's the Kentucky Derby?"
Chavez is a San Antonio senior in journalism.
Campus coupons coming soon to a Kansan near you
(save $1.50)
Grilled Chicken Salad $5.25
A sliced chicken breast mariatened and grilled. Served with mixed greens, cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, creations and your choice of dressing. Full or小 size unit.
Sliced smoked t Turkey, country ham, cramp fried thick ranch-style bacon, tomatoes, garden fresh lettuce and two slices of sharp cheddar cheese
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