BACK ON TRACK
Freshman forward Danielle McCray has started to hit her stride after recovering from preseason surgery. Increased conditioning and weight loss have also contributed to her improved play.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
PAGE 1B
Sarah Leonard/KANSAM
BASEBALL
Erik Morrison, junior infielder, lines out at third during the game against Oral Roberts Tuesday. Kansas lost the game 9-1.
Big inning,big problems
Oral Roberts' first inning sends Kansas to fourth-straight loss
BY ALISSA BAUER
TULSA, Okla. — The beautiful weather held no precursors to the day the Jayhawks would have on Tuesday afternoon.
The almost 70-degree weather provided a perfect setting for the Kansas (7-5) and Oral Roberts (4-5) baseball match-up, yet the perception of a great day was dashed as the Jayhawks fell to the Golden Eagles, 9-1.
Once again Kansas was plagued by a big inning, no matter how unconventional it may have been.
Oral Roberts outfielder Brendan Duffy bunted for a hit to lead off the bottom of the first. Second baseman Jake Kaulehoil followed with the same but dove into the bag to beat Kansas' starting freshman pitcher Wally Marcelic's throw.
overruled quickly and Kahauelio returned to the dugout. Unfazed, catcher Brian Van Kirk knocked Duffy in to put the Golden Eagles on the board first.
Although Kahaulelio was originally called safe, the play was
A 1-0 lead hardly counts as a big inning, and Kansas would've escaped nearly unscathed if not for another umpire controversy. With a pair of runners on and two outs, Golden Eagle third baseman Carter McQuigg hit a Marcel delivery over
the left field wall.
Over the left field wall — fair. Or so it was called.
"I thought it was foul," junior shortstop Erik Morrison said. "I'm not going to knock the umpire for his call or anything like that, but from where I saw it looked fouled. But I mean, that's three runs — we put up one."
SEE BASEBALL ON PAGE 8B
Winning league remains priority
PROFILE
BY MICHAEL PHILLIPS
Looking back at Kansas' 67-65 victory against Oklahoma, coach Bill Self was able to see it as part of a bigger picture.
"It's the best scenario," he said. "I just wish wed played better."
The life of a walk-on is exactly what sophomore forward Matt Kleinmann wanted to lead in college. Though he rarely plays, Kleinmann said he enjoyed his role on the practice squad.
It was also a learning experience for the freshmen, who have had
SEE TOURNAMENT ON PAGE 3B
He's referring to the NCAA tournament, where the layhawks won't be able to blow opponents out as they have in recent weeks. With the opening rounds approaching, everything is now viewed through the filter of March Madness.
"There weren't a lot of opportunities for him tonight," Self said. "He's been pretty good lately. He was probably due."
It was also a step backward for freshmen Darrell Arthur and Sherron Collins.Arthur, a forward, played only six minutes after getting into foul trouble early and being substituted out for veteran players late.Collins, a guard, may have been overdue for one of these nights after a superhuman month of February.
The lajhawks vaulted to No. 3 in the country Monday, but Self won't allow himself to speculate about NCAA tournament seedings beyond Saturday's game with Texas for the Big 12 title.
The Jayhawks pulled out the victory after playing a half of largely uninspired basketball. The team didn't attempt a three-point shot in the second half of the game and only survived by getting to the free-throw line for 34 attempts.
"This will kind of ground us a little bit, and let us get refocused," Self said.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
"We've only thought about winning the league," he said. "Us winning the league will have a lot to do with the brackets when they come out."
From there, it's on the team to deliver victories in the big games, which is where Monday's nail biter comes in. A close victory against a mid-tier team may help bring the Jayhawks back to earth.
BY MARK DENT
His parents and girlfriend beside him, happy thoughts from a 97-70 victory against Kansas State still swirled in his head. Kleinmann had played three minutes, scored two points and grabbed one rebound.
Matt Kleinmann walked into a crowded Steak and Shake three weeks ago.
It was late at night, but the restaurant was still buzzing. Students, needing a meal after the game, and alumni, waiting for the 23rd Street traffic to die down, dined on burgers and shakes.
But for a second, they put their food down and stopped sucking on their straws. Their attention had shifted toward something more important.
A Kansas basketball player — and in Lawrence that means celebrity status — had entered their presence.
So, they stood up. Each person greeted Kleinmann with a standing ovation before he could even find a table.
Surreal, you bet. But it's the life Kleinmann has been living for
"That was kind of a surreal moment," Kleinmann said.
the past two years as a walk-on at Kansas.
Knowledge is power
Take a look behind Kansas bench at most home games and you'll likely see Kansas City area high school star Travis Releford, Rivals' No. 43-ranked player in the class of 2008 gets the chance to see as many games as he wants.
It might be hard for some to believe, but Kleinmann did the same his senior year of high school.
"Id call him up and say, 'Hey, can I come to the game?' " Kleinnmann
He wasn't a four-star recruit like Releford, and he wasn't on any top-100 lists.
His coach at Blue Valley West High School, Donnie Campbell, bluntly said Kleinmann wasn't very good offensively. Kleinmann's knowledge of the game was what impressed Kansas.
said of his frequent phone calls to coach Bill Self." Then I'd talk to him at practices on some days and just really get to know the coaches."
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"He has a real understanding for
SEE KLEINMANN ON PAGE 3B
WWOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Mosley's status unclear after hit
BY ASHER FUSCO
Senior guard Shaquina Mosley could miss Thursday's regular season finale at Missouri because of the lingering effects of a head injury she suffered during Saturday's loss at Colorado.
Mosley was elbowed in the face twice by Colorado forward Aija Putnina. The first elbow didn't appear to hurt Mosley. The second elbow, retaliation for a foul, knocked Mosley to the court.
After a brief discussion, the officials called a second technical foul on Putnina, which resulted in an ejection.
The crowd's boos turned to cheers when a confident Putnina exited the court with both arms raised. Putnina was suspended Monday for one game by the Big 12 Conference for her hit on Mosley.
The Kansas training staff initially feared that Mosley had suffered a fractured cheekbone. Doctors at a local hospital alleviated those fears when they cleared Mosley several hours later, diagnosing her with a concussion. Though the guard was originally scheduled to return to Lawrence on Sunday, the optimistic diagnosis allowed her to return with her teammates Saturday night.
Mosley is still suffering from headaches and did not participate in full-speed practice on Monday or Tuesday.
"Shaq is feeling bad," coach Bonnie Henrickson said. "She's still feeling it, but at this point, she is day-to-day."
Note
Jess Fuller, a 6-foot-3 sophomore at Monroe Community College in Rochester, N.Y., will make her official visit to Kansas this weekend. The New York City native was part of Monroe's national championship team last season.
She would provide an imposing presence in the post, something Kansas has lacked for much of this season.
Kansan sportswriter Asher Fusco can be contacted at afusco@kansan.com.
Edited by Ryan Schneider