PARKING
SPRING TRAINING IN FULL BLOOM The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Florida Marlins 3-1 on Monday in Jupiter, Florida. Check out scenes from this and other spring training games.
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
8A
SPORTS
PAGE 12A
>> 'HORN BORN, 'HAWK BRED
Star players would be wise to pass on NBA Underclassmen like Rush should return for one more run at title
Dear 2006-07 Jayhawks, Thanks for the victory against No.1 Florida, the outright Big 12 Conference Championship, two incredible comebacks against Texas, a Big 12 Tournament Championship and a trip to the Elite Eight.
Though Erandon Rush's contributions do not always make the highlight reel, he plays an important part on defense. With his "team-first, defender-first" attitude, he has been able to make key plays to lead the laybacky to victory. Rush plans to explore his options before deciding if he will make the jump to the NBA or stay for another season.
You accomplished quite a bit for not having a senior, but I know not one of you is ultimately satisfied. You came so close, then brought your 'D' game when the timing couldn't have been worse.
This is where I start to plea. Please come back for just one more year. It would mean so much to all of us out there who genuinely love to watch you guys play basketball. It's quite a thrill here at Kansas; a huge part of our lives, but you
know this already.
The scouts say a few of you would be drafted if you leave. You should put it off, though. You could be legends around here next year.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
This year you were young. UCLA was the
yours anyway. But that's what another year is for, right?
more experienced team, and a very good one at that. I still can't believe Arron Affallo made that three-pointer when you were right in his face, Brandon. That could be you next year. That is, if you stick around.
If you guys could have played with an extra year of improvement to fall back on, you would have beaten UCLA for sure. Heck, if you had made your layups and free throws the game would have been
Kansas needs another national title. Bill Self and the Big 12 could use one too. Wouldn't it be ecstasy to cut down the nets in San Antonio? With every-one back, the chances would be much better. The potential of this team is unlimited; all it needs is one more year of development.
I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't want to come back to Kansas. Maybe it's the crimson-and-blue glasses I'm looking through, but besides the money, what's so great about the NBA? It's sterile compared to college hoops. I've been to a few regular-season games. Unfortunately, I didn't bring a pillow.
I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't want to come back to Kansas. Maybe it's the crimson-and-blue glasses I'm looking through, but besides the money, what's so great about the NBA?
Take some time to think about what you would be squandering. You'll never play in an atmosphere like Allen Fieldhouse ever again, or experience anything like March Madness, either. And unless you get shipped to Europe at some
point, you
won't get
to play this
kind of team
basketball.
Edited by Joe Caponio
But even if one or two of you leave for the millions of dollars that inevitably await (I wouldn't blame you), I have only
one salutation: Thanks for the unforgettable season. It's too bad you won't be part of another one.
Robinett is an Austin, Texas senior in journalism.
BY MICHAEL PHILLIPS
When Brandon Rush was being introduced as a Jayhawk, he was asked what he thought he would bring to the team.
"Highlights," he said.
Now two years later, Rush is a sophomore guard who will be able to play professionally because of his attention to detail on defense. It may not look as good on ESPN, but Rush has learned that playing strong defense can be just as fun as
During his two seasons at Kansas, Rush's philosophy has changed
Not exactly what his coach wanted to hear.
"I remember thinking," He just doesn't get it," coach Bill Self said. "But that's who he is."
an offensive scoring spree.
During his first practices at Kansas, he said that Self spelled out how the team was going to win. The Jayhawks would play the kind of defense that made it nearly impossible for other teams to score.
"His whole philosophy on defense is to make a team look bad," he said. "I bought into that philosophy."
That plan included using full-court pressure on defense. It can be
tiring, but can also force the opponent into turnovers that become easy points.
Rush has teamed up with sophomore guard Mario Chalmers for easy baskets off Chalmers' steals.
"He anticipates every pass that is going to be made, and he's great at stealing," Rush said. "He's always trying to look ahead and get easy transition baskets."
Rush is also capable of creating
his own offense. During the Kansas game against Southern Illinois, he took charge of the game in the final minutes to lead the Jayhawks to victory.
"I just decided that somebody is going to have to step up and make some plays," he said.
That aggressiveness was missing from Rush last year. Whenever he tried to pass the ball instead of taking an open shot, he was punished by having to run on a treadmill. This year in March, he came into his own as the team's main scoring option.
Self said that most of what he does goes unappreciated by fans
SEE RUSH ON PAGE 9A
BASEBALL
Midweek games becoming vital to successful season
The Jayhawks will try to improve on their 15-14 record when they travel to Springfield, Mo.
to face the Missouri State Bears tonight at 7.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
BY ALISSA BAUER
Last season's 43-25 record was the first 40-victory season for Kansas since 1994. In such an accomplishment, the Jayhawks' 13 Big 12 Conference victories carried the most weight, but were only pieces of the 40-victory puzzle.
Kansas' Big 12 performance continues to be the biggest facet in determining the success of the season, but is far from being the only one. Midweek games like tonight's against Missouri State (13-9, 2-1 Missouri Valley) are becoming increasingly important as this season plays on.
"You've got to get those wins," junior shortstop Erik Morrison said. "It's all about getting that 40-win number and getting a shot at the NCAA tournament. And if you don't win those midweek games,
The Jayhawks (15-14, 2-4 Big 12) have played five or the originally scheduled midweek games, winning only two of them. After the three-game series against North Dakota State was cancelled last month, coach Ritch Price picked up a pair of midweek games against NAIA opponents, Baker University and Tabor College.
Those games boosted Kansas to a 4-3 record in midweek contests, but will probably make no impact on the layhawks' chances of making the NCAA tournament.
you're not going to stand a chance with this conference we play in."
"The part that's hard about this week is — the fact that it's Missouri State and we get to go play in a AA park is absolutely phenomenal — but it's a five-hour ride down there and a five-hour ride back," Price said. "We'll get home at 3 o'clock in the morning and go to Missouri on Friday, but that's part of the college baseball experience. You have to play those midweek games in order to handle velocity."
Tonight, however, has plenty impact potential.
Kansas and Missouri State will square off for the first of two meetings this season tonight at 7 in Hammonds Field in Springfield, Mo. The home of both the Missouri State
Price, whose club is 19-22 all-time against the Bears, has been pleased with the challenges this season's midweek opponents have provided. He mentioned his satisfaction when the University of Northern Colorado sent pitchers to
Last season's first team All-Missouri Valley outfield Nolan Keane is once again driving the offense with a .325 average and 13 RBI, but is only the start of a highly talented Missouri State lineup. First baseman Ben Carlson is hitting .385 and has notched four home runs, leading his team in both categories at this point in his rookie season.
Bears and St. Louis Cardinals' AA affiliate, the Springfield Cardinals, provides an intense atmosphere for the storied match-up — despite the distance.
1
Finishing second in the Missouri Valley Conference last season is more than enough reason to assume the Bears will present even more challenges.
the mound who threw 88 to 90 mph last Wednesday.
r
Although the Bears are hitting just .275 as a team and have a staff ERA of 4.23, they're finding ways to win. The Bears have won five of their last six, including a 2-1 series
SEE BASEBALL ON PAGE 9A
}
---