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Barry Bonds and other notable pro athletes have been linked with steroid abuse in recent days. What is Kansas and the NCAA's policy? PAGE 4B
The University Daily Kansan
1B
Thursday, March 11, 2004
TOURNAMENT TIME
Big 12 contenders line up
By Mike Norris
mnorris@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas won't play until Friday, when it faces the winner of Texas A&M and Missouri game, but the Big 12 Tournament tips off today in Dallas. The University Daily Kansan sportswriter and basketball beat writer Mike Norris breaks down the odds for victory for each team in the
Big 12 Conference. TOMORROW: A preview of Kansas' second round game and a break down of their opponent.
1 Oklahoma State — Odds to win: 4-1. At the start of the season these odds seemed more like 50-1. But coach Eddie Sutton has taken advantage of a talented backcourt of senior Tony Allen, the Big 12 coaches' Player of the Year, and junior Baylor transfer John
Lucas. Along with a strong supporting cast, the Cowboys have surprised nearly everyone, capturing the Big 12's regular season title. As the tournament's top seed, Oklahoma State likely won't be challenged until the final game where a match-up with Kansas or Texas is possible.
2 Texas -- Odds to win: 3-1. The only thing that separates the Longhorns from OSU is a tough loss in
Stillwater, Okla., and a shocking loss to Kansas State in Manhattan. Texas is deeper than any team in the conference, and should have no problem getting to the championship game. It could be upset by Kansas in the third round, but don't count on it. Kansas has a tough second-round matchup looming, and the Longhorns handled an inspired Jayhawk squad in Austin earlier this season. The depth and senior leadership could be enough to
defeat OSU on a neutral court.
3 Kansas — Odds to win: 8-1. The media's pick to win the regular season title, the Jayhawks disappointed some in falling to number three. But Kansas is playing well as of late, and ended its road woes with an exciting victory against Missouri in Columbia. If forward Wayne Simien continues to play
SEE BIG 12 ON PAGE 3B
Solid play results in runner-up finish
By Eric Sorrentino esorrentino@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
KU men's golf continued a run of solid play, finishing second at the Louisiana Classics Invitational on Tuesday.
This tournament was Kansas' second runner-up finish in the last two weeks, along with a victory at the Roadrunner Intercollegiate Tournament in San Antonio, Texas.
The Jayhawks shot a three-round
Randall
total of 866, finishing one stroke behind Southern Methodist University.
Texas Tech shot a three-round total of 868 to finish third. There were 15 teams entered into the tournament.
Despite missing out on a team victory by one stroke, Kansas coach Ross Randall said he was happy with his team's effort.
Ward
"I am encouraged by how we are playing as a team and getting better with each round," he said.
Kansas was led by the exceptional play of junior Kevin Ward who won
SEE GOLF ON PAGE 8B
Senior Leo Bookman set the Big 12 Conference record in the 200-meter dash earlier this season. He will attempt to repeat as NCAA Indoor champion May 12-13 in Fayetteville, Ark., before turning his attention to training for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Sprinter eyes run at Olympics
By Michael Phillips mphillips@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
Around this time last year, Leo Bookman shocked the track world by winning the 200-meter dash at NCAA Indoor Championships.
After winning last year's competition, and running the best time in the nation earlier this season, Bookman has estab
lished himself as one of the best sprinters in the United States. Instead of being an relatively unproven competitor at the NCAA Championships this year, Bookman is the favorite.
If there's pressure that comes with being the favorite, Bookman's not feeling it.
"It's not really pressure, just motivation." he said, "knowing that everyone's coming to get you, trying to take what's
yours. It just makes you run that much faster."
While defending his championship is important, Bookman has set lofter goals.
During the outdoor season, Bookman plans on redshirting to focus his training on qualifying for, and competing in, the Olympic Games this summer in Athens, Greece.
SEE SPRINTER ON PAGE 3B
Ahhu Tillerv/Kansan
Kylie Kilgo, infield senior, throw to first base during yesterday's game against Tabor at Hoglund Ballpark. The Jayhawks won 15-1.
By Ryan Colaiani
rcolaianni@kansan.com
rkansan sportswriter
Jayhawks blow away Blue Jays
15-14 at Progame Bumpet.
The Jayhawks pounded 20 hits, including two by senior outfielder Matt Tribble who extended his hitting streak to 15 games. Tribble went 2-3 with an RBI. Tribble is now five games from tying the Kansas record for games with hits in a row. Regardless, Tribble owns the record of 20 games hit streak, which he set last season.
The Kansas baseball team produced a dominant performance yesterday, defeating the Tabor Blue Jays 15-1 at Hoglund Ballpark.
"Sometimes it gets in your head a little bit." Tribble said about the hit streak. "Before the game starts I always tell myself to control what you can control and stay relaxed at the plate."
Yesterday's victory moved the Jayhawks to 15-8-1, while the
SEE JAYHAWKS ON PAGE 8B
TALK TO SPORTS: Contact Henry C. Jackson or Maggie Newcomer at SPORTS@KANSAN.COM
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