What's their age again? Rewind will tell you how freshmen Sherron Collins and Darrell Arthur contributed to the victory against the Wildcats. 4B-5B
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
PAGE 1B
TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT
Amanda Sellers/KANSAN
Darrell Arthur, freshman forward, jumps down from his dunk against Kansas State in Bramlage Coliseum Monday night. Arthur scored 13 points and had two assists against Kansas State.
MANHATTAN — Kansas State coach Bob Huggins wanted this one badly. He coached all night with emotion and passion that mirrored the crowds' intensity. Then in one instant, he may have cost the Wildcats the game, which ended with a 71-62 Jawhawk victory.
BY MICHAEL PHILLIPS
With seven minutes to play in a tightly contested battle, Huggins was whistled for a technical foul. The Jayhawks scored the next seven points and never looked back, keeping the Braslage bragging rights for the 24th consecutive year.
"I can't talk about the officiating." Huggins said when asked about the call.
Everything seemed to be going right for him. His Wildcats were controlling the pace of the game, playing a slow, methodical style that left the Jayhawks stuck in neutral. Kansas State also dominated from the field in the first half, hitting 5-for-12 from behind the three-point line, while the Jayhawks could muster just 2-for-11.
Things started to unravel, though, and that included more than just Huggins' temper.
The layhawks forced a fast pace on the game, which began to fatigue the Wildcats. Several missed free throws down the stretch left Huggins displeased, and then a close call underneath the basket triggered an outburst of language that left the Bible-belters scrambling for their earplugs that were given away at the game.
"I can't talk about the officiating." Huggins said when asked again.
The layhawks looked for a player to step up after Brandon Rush entered foul trouble. Rush notched his third爪 at the end
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Jayhawk Stats
Percent shooting in the second half for Kansas: 50
Bench points: 33
Points in the paint: 34
Straight victories in Manhattan:
Murphy steps up offensive game for new season
BASEBALL
BY ALISSA BAUER
The home opener against North Dakota State was pushed back for the third time Monday. With yet another day to prepare for the layhawks' first home series, the team can continue to build on the success it has enjoyed so far in its 7-1 start.
Although the Presseason Big 12 Coaches' Poll voted Kansas to finish ninth in the conference, the layhawks have been dead set on proving their nay-sayers wrong. In their best start under coach Ritch Price, they have done just that early this season.
In their first eight games, the lajawhaks have outscored their opponents an overwhelming 54-15, proving that the offensive power Price predicted for the 2007 lineup did indeed return.
Juniors John Allman, outfielder, and Erik Morrison, infielder, led all returners based on offensive production last season. While they still pull their own weight — Allman is hitting a solid .375 while Morrison is second on the team with six RBIs — a new offensive force is emerging.
Enter senior outfielder Kyle Murphy.
Though the junior college trans-
ter humbly backs out of the spotlight and said he doesn't get caught up in the peaks or valleys throughout the
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season. Murphy is making quite the impression on the Kansas lineup.
The season is young, but the starting centerfielder is hitting a cool 381 with a slugging percentage of 714
Murphy
Although Price said earlier this season that Murphy was one of the few guys he's coached that can win
a game with his glove, Murphy's reputation at the plate had a not-so-glamorous story.
"The difference between last year and this year is I'm just enjoying the game and the confidence I have in myself right now." Murphy said.
In 2006, Murphy wowed spectators with numerous catches in center, but hit just .153 on the season.
"He's nice to have out there, he's pretty quick," Allman said. "We joke around — it's a lot of fun having him out there."
While Allman has been a staple in left field for Kansas, Murphy is having to fill large shoes in center. That was previously the territory for Jayhawk captain and Big-All 26 team selection Matt Baty. During Baty's long recovery from injury last season, Murphy was called on to fill in, but still
That confidence shines in his play, and the smile in his voice makes a statement about how differently Murphy looks at the game this season. He said his serious nature he exuded last year has been replaced with a more relaxed
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His teammates are noticing.
attitude.
>> 20 QUESTIONS
Collins Arthur extend win streak
BY KIAN SCHNEIDER
KANSAN SPORTS COLUMNIST
RSCHNEIDER@KANSAN.COM
BY RYAN SCHNEIDER
MANHATTAN — Welcome to
The Streak, Sherron and Darrell.
The two freshmen combined for 33 points, off 15-for-18 shooting. But the most important part of their performance was they were the ones converting big baskets midway through the second half as Kansas extended its lead.
It's a record you had nothing to do with until Monday night,but you certainly played a big role in extending it.
With both sophomore guard Brandon Rush and sophomore forward Julian Wright struggling for most of the game, it was up to the freshman to keep Kansas' winning streak alive.
The freshmen had rarely both played well on the same night. For most of conference play, Arthur was absent, sitting on the bench in foul trouble. But in the last few games Arthur has finally started to become the type of post presence this team will need later in the season.
Arthur had arguably one of his most productive games this season. He finished the game with 13 points, off 5-for-7 shooting and also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. More than half of Arthur's points came off rebounds.
The key, of course, to Arthur's play has been his ability to stay out of foul trouble. That was the main reason he wasn't seeing much playing time to start with. Against Kansas State, Arthur had just one foul, which is certainly a reason why he played 23 minutes. With Arthur in the game, Kansas adds yet another athletic post player.
"I thought he rebounded the ball like a man tonight," coach Bill Self said.
That type of variation in his game was to be expected though
Arthur was one of the post players that Self called "soft" just a month ago. Now, Arthur has put together two consecutive solid per formances and resembles the type of player Self expected to see all season.
"He's been a freshman," Self said. "He's had some great moments, some average moments."
Kansas' other highly touted freshman, Collins, continued his tear through the Big 12 Conference
Collins was just as consistent as he's been throughout conference play. He hit key three pointers as the Wildcats attempted to claw back into the game in the second half.
One of the keys for Collins has been his ability to get to the basket and make plays. He did that several times Monday, throwing up- and under shots that somehow found their way to the basket. Collins also continued his hot hand from behind the arc.
His biggest three came midway through the second half with the
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