Big 12 TITLE COULD BE DECIDED
The winner of Saturday's game gains the upper hand as the race for the Big 12 Championship heats up. Let Game Day prepare you for the Texas A&M game.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
PAGE 1B
KANSAS VS. TEXAS A&M 8 P.M. SATURDAY, ESPN
BATTLE IN THE PAINT
Big men expect physical contest
BY MICHAEL PHILLIPS
College GameDay started as a football show, so the ESPN anchors should feel right at home this weekend.
The layhawk take on the 'texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, and the only thing missing from what would be a physical battle are the pads and helmets.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Junior center Sasha Kaun and the men's basketball team will face their greatest challenge in the paint this season against Texas A&M on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. from Allen Fieldhouse.
"There's going to be some bodies banging around," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "We're not going to shy away from that."
The two best teams in the Big 12 Conference have bumped and elbowed their way to the top, and against each other they'll finally get the chance to pick on somebody their own size.
Joseph Jones and Antanas Kavahauksas will start at the two forward positions for the Aggies. Jones is a 6-foot-9 junior, and Kavahauksas is a 6-foot-10 senior. That puts them toe-to-toe with 6-foot-8 Jayhawk forward Julian Wright and 6-foot-11 center Sasha Kaun.
Self called out the Kansas big men last week after a 97-74 victory against Colorado. The Jayhawks were out-rebounded by the Buffaloes, which Self attributed to the forwards as "playing soft." They bounced back with an impressive victory against Nebraska on Monday, but that game might not have been a true test because Nebraska had just one forward in its lineup a majority of the time.
"This will be a much bigger test for our guys and their toughness level," Self said. "We've shown we can do it, so I think we'll rise to the occasion."
Where the players stand will dictate which team is wins the battle. Wright plays more like a forward/guard, and is even allowed to take three point shots. Forward Darrell Arthur plays with a similar shooting style. The two are also about 25 pounds lighter than the Aggie forwards, which will make it harder for them to use their bodies to establish position for rebounds.
SEE BASKETBALL ON PAGE 6B
ESPN GameDay excites fans
BY KYLE CARTER
Four alarm clocks, one angry girlfriend and a passion for Kansas basketball.
The sum of these parts equals a thrilling Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse for Andrew Demo, Shawnee freshman, and fellow Ellsworth resident David Beck, Basehor freshman.
"My girlfriend wanted me to go home with her on Friday night, but I said I couldn't do that — it's gameday," Demo said.
With ESPN's College GameDay in town, the two plan to set multiple alarms to make sure they don't sleep in Saturday morning as the sixth-ranked Jayhawks take on the tenth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies. Doors open at 8 a.m. Saturday for fans hoping to take part in the morning segment of the production.
Associate Athletics Director Jim Marchiony could camping for basketball tickets would be suspended from Friday evening until Saturday afternoon to encourage more students to attend the live productions filmed at Allen Fieldhouse. He said the ESPN production crew plans to involve the
crowd in a number of segments.
Marchiony said that men's basketball coach Bill Self would be on air-line with the GameDay crew for the morning segment. The evening show will feature the traditional pregame rituals, including the alma matter and the Rock Chalk chant.
GameDay commentator Jay Bilas said he ranked Allen Fieldhouse as one of the best venues in the country.
SEE GAMEDAY ON PAGE 6B
"It's the St. Andrews of college
schedule
College GameDay Schedule:
SATURDAY:
SATURDAY:
8 a.m.— Allen Fieldhouse
doors open
9 a.m. Live tease on SportsCenter
10 to 11 a.m. — GameDay airs live
7 to 8 p.m. — GameDay airs live
Source: Kansas Athletics
Saturday's contest could join recent best
BY DREW DAVISON
KANSAN COLUMNIST
DDAVISON@KANSAN.COM
Allen Fieldhouse is the sole reason I became a layhawk and it has not disappointed me, with some unbelievable games played there in the past four years. I have compiled my five most memorable games in the Fieldhouse. With Saturday's showdown against Texas A&M, this list may certainly change. For now, the top five:
1. Kansas defeated Oklahoma State, 81-79, on Feb. 27, 2005. Wayne Simien was automatic in this game, leading KU with 32 points. Every time he got the ball in the low post, the shot went in for an easy two. John Lucas and Joey Graham led the Cowboys in this back-and-forth battle with several lead changes. This game was easily the best game I have seen in the Fieldhouse, as it secured KU as the team in the Big 12.
2. Kansas squeezed by Georgia Tech, 70-68, in a New Year's Day overtime game in 2005. Talk about a payback game. The Yellow jackets had knocked the Jayhawks out of the NCAA Tournament in the Elite Eight the previous season, and it was obvious the team and fans had this game circled on the schedule. Even though students reeked of booze from the night before, they came out in full force. Keith Langford showed his big play ability by draining a fade away jumper in the lane. I remember the mosh pit like reaction from the student section after the ball went through the net. It's hard to beat a moment like that.
3. Kansas rolled past Michigan State, 81-74, on Nov 25, 2003. This
SEE DAVISON ON PAGE 6B
》 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Kansas ready for challenge at Texas A&M
BY CASE KEEFER
To win at Texas A&M on Saturday, junior forward Taylor McIntosh said Kansas needs to make free throws, eliminate turnovers and make layups.
The team shot 39 percent from the free throw line against Kansas State, couldn't get to the basket in the second half against Nebraska and committed 24 turnovers against Texas Tech. Because of these deficiencies, Kansas is still looking for
Sounds easy enough, but it's exactly these simple problems that have plagued the Jayhawks in their last three games.
its first win in the Big 12 Conference at 0-8.
"We absolutel! Every kid and every person in the program thinks we will," coach Bonnie Henrickson said. "If you watched us in practice, you'd think we were 7-0."
"We absolutely will get a win
Station. The Aggies, however, have been unstoppable at the
Now with four Big 12 road
"We absolutely will get a win. If you watched us in practice, you'd think we were 7-0."
BONNIE HENRICKSON Women's basketball coach
They are one of only two n
games behind them, the young Jayhawks shouldn't feel as intimidated when they arrive in College
of only two Big 12 teams to have an undefeated home record and improved to 12-0 after a one point victory against Oklahoma State on Tuesday.
the lahayah offense is show- ing gradual signs of software
In each of their last two games, the Jayhawks have scored more points than their average during Big 12
play. For the first time in her college career, McIntosh is becoming a weapon. She just finished two career high 16 point games.
"I've been talking to her about having more confidence." Henrickson said. "Her teammates obviously have confidence in her because they throw it to her in the lane."
Part of the reason for her recent success is senior guard Shaquina Mosley. Opponents are doing all they can to stop Mosley, yet she is still averaging 18 points in the last three games. "Shaq" also has no problem dishing it off to McIntosh.
SEE CHALLENGE ON PAGE 3B
Sarah Leonard/KANSAN
Freshman forward Porsha Weddington and the Jayhawks travel to College Station. Texas, to take on the Aggies. Kansas is still winless in Big 12 Conference play.