2B
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
WEDNESDAY FEBRIARY 28 2007
COMMENTARY
Who gives a Duke?
Blue Devils keep getting attention despite average record, ranking
Former Virginia coach Petey Gallen once said, "Duke is Duke. They're on TV more than 'Leave it to Beaver' returns."
Nearly every sports fan that did not grow up with a Christian Laetten poster next to his bed has a strong dislike for the Duke basketball game. What makes Duke such a loathed team? Let's take a look at a few reasons while Coach Krzyszewski gets his team in position for a No. 2 seed and a first-round game in Winston-Salem, N.C.
RV KAVVON SADRAE
BY KAYVON SARRAF
KANSAN SPORTS COLUMNIST
KASRAFKANSAN.COM
The constant media atteni-
tio -- sorry about that, I was inter-
rupted as ESPN just called to say
that Dukes 2008 exhibition opener
against Alamar Tech will be shown
live on ESPN HD. As Gillen said,
nobody receives more love from
the networks than the Blue Devils.
From Dick Vitale to Mike Patrick to
Seth Davis, college basketball pund-
tits talk about Duke every chance they get. Did CBS really need to nationally broadcast Sunday's game against St. Johns who had a 15-14
record? Sure, the Blue Devils can
good ratings, but only because people
tune in to cheer against them.
This leads to ...
— Duke turning into the Notre Dame of college basketball. It will only be a matter of time before we a see a slide similar to the Irish losing nine straight bowl games. Last week, at 20:7, Duke jumped to No.18 in the Associated Press poll after being unranked the previous week. How is there not an investigation into this? And yes. Duke is currently ranked No.14 in the country despite being tied for fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference with an 8-6 record. Part of this is because Duke refuses to play any road games in the non-conference schedule. The sad thing is that the Blue Devils will consistently make the Sweet 16 because they are always over-seeded and rewarded
by never leaving North Carolina in the NCAA tournament.
The Cameron Crazies. Do we really need to hear about how great the Crazies are multiple times during a Kansas broadcast, Mr. Vitale? The whole Duke basketball atmosphere seems phony, from the cheer sheets to the cracker box arena, yet we are constantly reminded that it's the best.
- Their players are a bunch of sissies. From the days of Steve Woiciechowski slapping the floor and crying after a loss, to J.J. Redick crying after a loss, to Josh McRoberts crying during a loss and being comforted on the bench by the aforementioned Wojo, Duke players are pansies.
— Coach Krayzewski. The man who — with the face of a rat — spends every waking second ragging on referees. As a result, officials are afraid he may bite them and Duke gets more calls than any other team. This was confirmed earlier this season by the clock fusco against Clemson where a Tiger stole the ball and hit a three-pointer in only 3 seconds, leaving just enough time for David McClure to hit a buzzer beating layup. One cannot blame the man though, as Coach K's life is not about winning games. That's why his card is American Express.
Sarraf is a Lawrence senior in journalism.
- Edited by Stacey Couch
NHL
Avalanche trade forward to Ducks
ASSOCIATED PRESS
DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche traded forward Brad May to the Anaheim Ducks for goalie Michael Wall on Tuesday, shortly before the NHL trade deadline ended.
Wall, 21, has played most of
depth in our system." Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere said.
Wall, 21,
the season with
Portland of the
AHL, where he
was 10-6-1 with
a 3.13 goals
against average.
But the acquisition of Wall makes for a logjam of goofles Colorado, which already has Peter Budai and Joe.
May missed 53 games this season after shoulder surgery on Sept. 28. He injured the shoulder in a preseason game against Detroit. He played in 10 games for Colorado this season and had three assists.
"Michael Wall is a solid prospect who will help the goublingt
Budaj and Jose Theodore.
Wall has been recalled by the Ducks twice this season, going 2-2 with a 2.97 goals against average
On his way out of the Avalanche locker room Tuesday morning, May was asked about possibly
"Michael Wall is a solid prospect who will help the goaltending depth in our system."
FRANCOIS GIGUERE Colorado general manager
being traded.
"You just don't know," he said.
"You've got to laugh about it," forward Ian Laperriere said. "I asked the laps for their tickets for (tuesday night's) game if they get traded.
T h e Avalanche players were even joking in the morning skate about who may be dealt.
"It's on everyone's mind, unless you're Joe (Sakic). He knows he's not going anywhere."
Anaheim Ducks goalie Michael Wall blocks a shot against the Calgary Flames in Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 26, 2014. Colorado traded for forward Brad May to Anaheim on Wall on Tuesday.
Gus Ruelas/ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEN'S GOLF
Seniors lead Jayhawks to tournament title
Experience paid dividends on Tuesday when two seniors led the Jayhawks to a first-place finish in the All-American Golf Classic.
Kansas defeated No. 3 Lamar University by one stroke after senior Tyler Docking eagled his final hole of the tournament. Docking's impressive finish put him in second overall with a score of 215. Senior Gary Woodland finished first with a score of 211.
Docking's score gives him his fourth top five finish this year. Freshman Patrick Roth finished 27th, Walt Koelbel finished in a tie for 41st and Joey Mundy finished in a tie for 51st.
Woodland's victory was his second of the season, and
Asher Fusco
"We are really pleased with the result knocking off such a highly-ranked team in Lamar",coach Ross Randall said."The ending was very exciting for us."
NFL
Huard signs new contract with Kansas City Chiefs
athletics calendar
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Quarterback Damon Huard has agreed to a three-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Thursday
Chiefs General Manager Carl Peterson announced the deal Tuesday, but details were not released.
Associated Press
Women's basketball vs. Missouri 6:30 p.m. Columbia, Mo.
Friday
Softball vs. Iowa State, 12:30 p.m. Tulsa, Okla
Tennis vs. Iowa, 3 p.m. Iowa
Softball vs. Tulsa, 5:30 p.m.
Tulsa, Okla.
Swimming and Diving
Zone Diving All day TRA
Saturday
Men's basketball vs. Texas, 11
Softball vs. North Texas, 1:30
Tulsa, Okla
Track at NCAA Qualifier, All day, Ames, Iowa
Baseball vs. Western Illinois; 2 p.m. Hodlund Ballpark
Tennis vs. Iowa State, TBA
Sunday
Sunday Baseball vs. Western Illinois, Noon, Hooland Ballpark
Baseball vs. Western Illinois,
TBA; Hooland Ballpark
Softball vs. TBA, TBA, Tulsa,
Ckla
Swimming and Diving
Zone Diving All at TRA
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