LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
With Sherron Collins in the starting lineup, Kansas is likely to speed up the tempo on offense. Check out game day to get ready for Saturday's game against the Cyclones.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
PAGE 1B
KANSAS VS. IOWA STATE, 5 P.M. SATURDAY, ALLEN FIELDHOUSE
Robinson injured, Collins to start
BY MICHAEL PHILLIPS
Freshman guard Sherron Collins will start for the Jayhawks on Saturday evening, but his opportunity comes because of an injury to junior guard Russell Robinson.
Robinson sprained the bottom of his right foot during Wednesday's practice. He was handling the ball when he slipped, and as the other players lunged for the ball, Collins landed on Robbonss foot.
"I thought I twisted his ankle," Collins said. "I feel kind of bad about it."
Robinson's foot was swollen Wednesday night, but by Thursday he was able to put on his basketball shoes. He was walking without assistance, and seemed optimistic about his recovery.
"It's just one of those things that happens," Robinson said. "Hopefully it heals quickly."
Coach Bill Self said that if the healing progressed quickly, Robinson could return for Monday night's game between Kansas and Oklahoma. Self said he would not start Saturday, though.
That leaves Kansas shorthanded as it goes up against Iowa State on Saturday evening. Collins will take over the starting spot, with junior guard Jeremy Case and freshman guard Brady Morningstar expected to see increased minutes because of the injury.
"Somebody else is going to have to step up and help lead the team," Collins said.
"There really no difference in our system," he said. "It doesn't matter who brings the ball up."
On Saturday, Collins will share his ball-handling responsibilities with sophomore guard Mario Chalmers. Chalmers said that moving over a position wouldn't have much of an effect on him.
The Jayhawks are trying to avoid a repeat of their first game against the Cyclones, where they barely escaped Ames with a six-point overtime victory.
"I think we were lucky to win the first time." Self said. "But I think we're a better team now than we were when we played there."
During the game in Ames, Iowa State was able to effectively control the tempo of the game. The Jayhawks didn't have anything positive going for them until sophomore guard Brandon Rush took control of the game in the final minutes.
By starting Collins and Chalmers, Self is all but guaranteeing a faster game Saturday. Chalmers is at the top of the conference in steals, and Collins has mastered the art of the fast break off turnovers.
Collins attributes his recent bursts of energy to losing some weight since the beginning of the year. He's worked with strength and conditioning coach
SEE MEN'S BASKETBALL ON PAGE 6B
Junior guard Russel Robinson injured his right foot Wednesday at practice. He will sit out at least until Monday's game against Oklahoma
Long, unwelcome break could pose problems
BASEBALL
BY ALISSA BAUER
When the Jayhawks left for Palo Alto, Calif., on Thursday for a weekend series at Stanford, they were treated to a 60-plus degree sendoff. When they canceled their series against the Bison of North Dakota State on Wednesday, they were treated to a 60-plus degree practice.
This evening the Jayhawks would like to be treated to a 60-plus degree game.
"It's actually the first time I've been depressed since I've been here," Coach Ritch Price said. "It's been a
Kansas (7-1) pushed back its series against North Dakota State four times before finally canceling it on Wednesday despite the weather being in the 60s and sunny. Now the Jayhawks are forced to take on the Cardinal with three less games of preparation than expected.
tough three days. To look outside and see the sun, have it be in the 60s and not be able to play has been pretty tough to take."
Stanford (4-5) opened the year on the Top 25 Collegiate Baseball.com poll before taking losses from powerhouses like Texas and Cal-State
"To be real honest, I think that has happened," Price said about his team taking a step backward. "It's one of those things that we've talked to our players about trying to make sure we prepare properly before we get outside to play Stanford."
Fullerton. With early experience like that under their belts already, the Jayhawks will likely be affected by their 11 consecutive days without a game.
batting practice, Price knows the time lost on bad weather will hurt.
"That's the thing about baseball, you can't simulate it," Price said. "No matter how hard you work inside or in the cages, you have to play at game speed. You have to see 90, 91, 92 in order to be able to hit that kind of velocity."
Price said that he contacted both the T-Bones and the Kansas City Royals about using their fields to get a couple of games in against North Dakota State. Snow still stood on
Although the Jayhawks were able to use the outfield on Wednesday and before they left on Thursday, even using the soaked infield to take
SEE BASEBALL ON PAGE 6B
>> TRACK AND FIELD
BY TAYLOR BERN
Athletes attempt to beat personal bests
The Big 12 Indoor Championships, the biggest meet for Kansas thus far, begin today in Ames, Iowa.
Despite their regular season success, the Javahawks know that doesn't always translate to top performances in the championship.
"That's the fun thing about the Big 12." junior pole vaulter Libby Harmon said. "You're ranked, but you never know what's going to happen."
With that in mind, the team is focusing on setting personal records, rather than getting caught up in matching their ranking heading into the weekend.
"I'm not looking at my competition, I'm just going in to do my best," Horton said. "I don't care how far you girls have thrown or how far you're going to throw, I'm going to do my best and go for broke."
The event will take place at the Lied Recreational Center, which boasts a 400-meter track, a help to runners like junior Colby Wissel who will compete in both the 3,000 and 5,000 meters. The track's length is different from the 200-meter track that is standard at most schools.
"I'm a little nervous, but you can't let that get in your head," freshman pole vaulter Jordan Scott said. "I'm just trying to stay positive."
Not every athlete, though, is as prepared for the pressure of competing at the conference meet.
Wissel said the larger curves, like those in Ames, help distance runners run faster times.
"It's a huge advantage for distance runners because the curves are what slow you down," Wissel said.
Wissel has also benefited from the running of fellow junior Paul
SEE TRACK ON PAGE 6B
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
It was only two weeks ago that Mosley hit a game-winning shot in overtime to beat Colorado. Including that game, Kansas has won three of its last five and Mosley has averaged 18 points and nine
Riding high off of the emotional spark the seniors have provided, the Jayhawks will head to Boulder, Colo., to take on the Buffaloes on Saturday.
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Seniors prep for last two games
"I think it would be huge for this program to go out with a bang in these last two games," Smith said, "and who knows what we could do in the Big 12 tournament."
Mosley, Smith want to end on wins
Even though Kansas senior guards Shaquina Mosley and Sharita Smith lost their final game at Allen Fieldhouse on Wednesday, the two plan to end their college careers in a different way.
BY CASE KEEFER
The senior leadership seems to finally be rubbing off on the Jayhawk freshman class. Freshman guard Kelly Kohn has been fantastic in Kansas' last two games at both penetrating the lane and finding open looks on the perimeter.
SEE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ON PAGE 6B
"I think their energy and consistency down the stretch has been fantastic," coach Bonnie Henrickson said, "as good as any two seniors I've had in a long, long time."
Smith has been just as valuable. Game after game; she receives the toughest assignment as far as who she guards on the perimeter. She has improved offensively as well. The last time the two teams faced, Smith scored a career-high 12 points.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
rebounds in those contests.
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Senior guard Shaquina Mosley played all 40 minutes, scoring a team-high 20 points, in the game against Oklahoma on Wednesday. Mosley and the Jayhawks will take on the Colorado Buffaloes at 8 p.m. on Saturday in Boulder, Colo.