6A the university daily kansan
sports
friday, march 19,2004
ST. LOUIS: Kansas predicted to win in first round of tournament
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Nate Robinson, who stands just five-foot-eight. Despite his size, he's a leaper, and has the intensity to fuel the Huskies against a good UAB squad. The Blazers turned some heads in the Conference USA tournament, but they have not faced the heavyweights that the Huskies have this year, which is a big disadvantage. Prediction — Washington 80, UAB 70
5 Providence (20-8) vs. #12 Pacific (24-7)
Providence is the definitive sleeper. Pacific made an outstanding run in the season's stretch, but has very little chance, if any. Providence is silent now because it has lost three straight games. But don't forget, the Friars have defeated Connecticut, Illinois, Syracuse and lost to Texas at the buzzer. Forward Ryan Gomes is as good as they come. His 19 points and 9.5 rebounds per game lead the team, and he is one of four starters who average more than 10 points per game. The Friars are a serious threat, and you heard it here. Prediction — Providence 83, Pacific 58
4 Kansas (21-8) vs. #13 UIC (24-7)
Everyone knows the struggles Kansas has had with overachieving opponents such as Holy Cross and Utah State in the opening round the past two seasons. As they have before, the Jayhawks will win this game, but it will be a lot closer than anyone thinks. Kansas needs the team that took the floor against Missouri last Friday night to show up in Kemper Arena this weekend, and not the sluggish group that was defeated by Texas the next day. One key to Kansas' success toward the end of the season has been Aaron Miles scoring more. He'll need to win against a UIC team that can score at will. Senior guards Martell Bailey and Cedric Banks will not let the Flames get put out without a fight. Prediction — Kansas 84, UIC 78
6 Boston College (23-9) vs. #11 Utah (24-8)
A very interesting game. Boston College may be at the disadvantage because there's concern the Eagles might be physically spent with the physical push it took just to get into the tournament. Utah is young and well-coached. The Utes' senior swingman Nick Jacobsen averages 16.5 points per game, and has limitless shooting range. Freshman forward Andrew Bogut is the silent killer for Utah.
He could change this game significantly against a Boston College team that lacks size. Prediction — Utah 73, Boston College 63
3 Georgia Tech (23-9) vs. #14 Northern Iowa (21-9)
If the Northern Iowa Panthers want a chance at this game, their outside shooting will have to be much more than consistent. Georgia Tech is extremely athletic, with unlimited depth at the guard spot. Key late-season victories against Duke and North Carolina have the Yellow Jackets confident. It's hard for a dunk to change the pace of a game, but if Tech's Is'mail Muhammad gets the chance, he can alter the game's momentum that easily. He's the best dunker in college basketball, and can pick up his team when it needs it most. Prediction — Georgia Tech 92, UNI 64
7 Michigan State (18-11) vs.
10 Neyada (18-11)
Michigan State has had a stellar finish to the season after stumbling again and again in its impossible non-conference schedule. Despite the Spartans climbing back up, and even making a return to the Top 25, Nevada is hot after winning the WAC Tournament. The Wolfpack can
defeat anyone, as it proved early in the season against Kansas. Nevada also suits up one of the nation's top scoring guards in Kirk Snyder, who averages 18.8 points per game. If Snyder gets the ball and is shooting well, it could be a long night for the Spartans. For Michigan State to win this one, the Spartans will need forward Paul Davis to do some serious damage for the entire 40 minutes, as Nevada has little talent in the low post outside of freshman Nick Fazekas. Prediction — Nevada 68, Michigan State 62
2 Gonzaga (27-2) vs. #15 Valparaiso (18-12)
Gonzaga is extremely deep, with 10 guys who could all be starters. Plus, the Zags start four seniors, which is a rarity in college basketball for a top program. Senior forward Ronny Turif leads the team in scoring and rebounding, and is extremely scrappy under the basket. He's a fun player to watch. If he should be off in the game, look for Blake Stepp and Adam Morrison to pick up the slack on the perimeter. Gonzaga will coast into the Sweet 16. Prediction — Gonzaga 97, Valpo 70
— Edited by Guillaume Doane
FIELDHOUSE: Problems at arena include leaks, temperature
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He said with all the things that could be done, he's glad he's not the one who's making the decisions about where the money will go.
Other officials in the department are responsible for those decisions, and what specifically will be done and how it will be done are questions that lack exact answers at this point, said Jim Marchiony, associate athletics director for external affairs.
The renovations will be an important part of continuing the Fieldhouse's tradition Marchiony said.
It's hard to take a facility like this, as old as it is, and really make it look nice."
Ron Penry facilities supervisor
"We are going to improve the general fan experience of being there." Marchiony said.
Penry said many of the problems had been around since he first became facilities supervisor 10 years ago.
Hesaid he believed budget limitations were the main reason more repair work hadn't been
done.
"I think they've done as good a job as they can with the budget they have," Penry said.
He said the problems varied in severity. Repairs during the years have reduced the leaking of the roof, he said, but the windows could still be bad.
Regarding the lack of air conditioning, he said it wasn't a problem for most of the season, because the season was during cooler months, but it could really be an issue at the beginning, and a lot of people complained about it.
"If we get a rain out of the north, it's like a waterfall coming out of those north windows," Penry said.
Penry said any renovations would help his job as facilities supervisor.
"It's hard to take a facility like this, as old as it is, and really make it look nice," Peny said.
Sean Lester, associate athletics director for internal affairs, said the department had interviewed six architectural firms for the renovations, but had yet to establish a contract with any of them. Jim Modig, director of design and construction management for the University, said a contract would probably be set soon after the conclusion of the NCAA tournament.
- Edited by Michelle Rodick
MLB
poor defense downfall for Royals against A's
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Barry Zito, the 2002 American League Cy Young Award winner, allowed two runs over five innings yesterday to pick up his first spring training victory as the Oakland Athletics topped the Kansas City Royals 9-2.
Zito gave up five hits, walked one, struck out two and hit a batter in his third start.
He yielded a run with two out in the first when Aaron Guiel's double scored Mike Sweeney. David DeJesus' single in the fourth scored Tony Graffanino, who had walked, for the other Kansas City run.
"I was trying to overthrow a
little bit early," Zito said. "When I
let my body work for me, I settled down and got a feel for pitching again."
Left-hander Brian Anderson gave up four runs on three hits and a walk in the first inning, but nothing after that. After eight A's came to the plate in the first, Anderson faced just 13 batters the next four innings.
"I'll take that from him anytime," Royals manager Tony Pena said. "He threw only 65 pitches for five innings and that is low especially after that first inning.
"If he keeps getting ground balls, we're going to catch ground balls."
But the Royals played sloppy defense Thursday, with infielders Joe Randa, Graffanino and Wilton Guerrero all committing errors.
The Associated Press
JAYHAWKS: Not feeling pressure
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Martell Bailey and Cedrick Banks. Bailey is as consistent as point guards come, and even though his scoring numbers are down this year, he is a mistake-free point guard. Banks versus Langford will be the most intriguing matchup of the night.
"You separate yourself mentally when it comes down to games like this," Langford said. "Once you lose, you've got to go home and watch everyone else
Langford was held out of yesterday's practice because of a knee injury that has been bothering him lately. Langford has played in pain before, and knows that now is not the time to cry.
play. Last year, we played in the last game of the season, and I know from my freshman year, coming home and watching the Maryland-Indiana game, that was no fun."
Freshman guard J.R. Giddens was also held out yesterday from participating to rest his sore foot.
On the flip-side of Kemper being an emotional advantage, the Jayhawks are not feeling any pressure to escape this weekend and advance to St. Louis for the regional semifinals.
"We know it ain't gonna be no cakewalk," junior guard Aaron Miles said. "I don't feel there's any pressure at all."
Edited by Kevin Flaherty
GOLFER: Consistency is key
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Off the course, Ward said that he enjoys fishing to get away from everything and relax. He also said that he plays some racquetball with the trainers as an alternate source of exercise.
KU golf plays in the Western Intercollegiate March 22-23 at the Pasatiempo Golf Course in Santa Cruz, Calif. Ward said he tried to
keep his consistency in preparation for the next tournament.
"Every day, you try to get better," Ward said. "Everyone has their own way of preparing, but getting out there and practicing is the main thing that coach wants us to do. If we put the time in, we put ourselves in a position to win like we have been this season."
— Edited by Kevin Flaherty