Sports
All-Big 12 Team
The University Daily Kansan
Wayne Simien has been picked for The Associated Press All-Big 12 Team. Keith Langford and Aaron Miles were chosen for the second and third teams. PAGE 3B
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BIG 12
Tuesday, March 9, 2004
The best of the Big 12 Conference
Zach Newton/Kansan
By Ryan Greene greene@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
The Big 12 regular season has ended, and seeds for this week's conference tournament have been solidified. With all of the surprises and disappointments of the conference season, The University Daily Kansan would like to take some time to recognize our all-conference performers for the 2003-04 season. Some say it was a down year in the conference, but in truth it was just balanced. These were the players and coaches who made it one of the most exciting to follow and watch.
All-Big 12 First Team
Wayne Simien, junior forward, Kansas — Solid all year, Simien's also done something he hasn't done in past years: stay healthy for nearly the whole season. The Leavenworth native led the Jayhawks in both scoring (17.6 points per game) and rebounding (9.0 rebounds per game), and both of those totals ranked second in the conference. Just as important as his super-sized numbers have been Simien's energy and intensity. The only question lingering about Simien is whether he'll be back in a Kansas uniform for his senior campaign or leave early for the NBA.
Andre Emmett, senior forward, Texas
Tech — As up and down as Texas Tech's season has been, Emmett has been the one consistent piece. The senior from Dallas led the conference in scoring at a 20.8-point-per-game clip. He has also provided valuable senior leadership for a team that is talented, but whose best players are young. Emmett also ranked 10th in the conference with 6.7 rebounds per game, and was named Big 12 Player of the Week five times this season. That included garnering the honor three straight weeks in late December and early January.
Brandon Mouton, senior forward, Texas — He doesn't have numbers that jump out at you, but Mouton plays a
more important role than any other for a deep Texas roster — "Glue Guy." On a team that features eight players who could start for most teams, Mouton has provided leadership and crucial performances in the biggest of situations. Even though he only averaged 13.6 points per game, Mouton had a crucial stretch in late February, when he averaged 22.8 points over five games that included huge victories over Kansas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma.
Tony Allen, senior guard, Oklahoma State —The Chicago native proved last year's Big 12 Newcomer of the Year award was no fluke. The senior averaged 16.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.0
assists teaming up with John Lucas to make one of the country's best backcourts. His best performance was in a loss to Missouri where he scored 24 points, had nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks. But Allen did the little too, leading the conference in steals at 2.1 per game, and shot nearly 49 percent from the floor.
John Lucas, junior guard, Oklahoma State—After transferring from Baylor to Oklahoma State this season, Lucas proved he could play on a good team too. The tiny 5-foot-9-inch guard averaged 14.9 points per game, and was
SEE BIG 12 ON PAGE 6B
Catching some rays
Ronnie Davis, Hillsboro sophomore, prepared to snap his glove shut on a baseball yesterday Davis and two friends decided to take advantage of the warm evening weather by playing catch in front of Fraser Hall.
Joff Brandsted/Kennan
Jayhawks to take on Bears in tournament
By Jesse Newell
jnewell@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas has suffered a disappointing end to the regular season with nine straight losses, but Kansas interim women's coach Lynette Woodard can't stop believing.
Woodard is convinced her team has at least one victory left in it.
"I believe we can do it." Woodard said. "I'm going to keep believing until the end."
The Jayhawks' final chance will come at 2:30 p.m. today when they take on No. 14 Baylor Bears at the first round of the Big 12 Tournament in Dallas.
Kansas enters as the No. 12-seed, the lowest in the tournament. Baylor comes as the No. 5 seed.
"We've got 40 minutes to make a difference," Woodard said. "We can get better—we can do better."
The Jayhawks performed well in their first meeting with the Bears on Jan. 21 in Waco. The 'Hawks hit their first eight shots and took an early 14-7 advantage. They led the then-No. 19 Bears 40-37 at the half.
But Baylor's post players dominated down the stretch, keying a 27-7 run to end the game and give the Bears an 85-
Kansas will look to not only overcome its nine straight losses, but also distractions on and off the court. Former coach Marian Washington officially retired last week after taking a month-long medical leave of absence.
"They know our potential," Kemp said, "so it's not like they are going to take us for granted."
Jayhawk sophomore forward Crystal Kemp said the Jayhawks' strong performance against the Bears might actually hurt their chances today.
"If there's any time to come together." Woodard said, "it is now."
Jeff Brandsted/Kansan
66 victory. Bears' forwards Steffanie Blackmon and Sophia Young combined for 43 points to lead the Baylor charge.
Kansas has battled in its last nine games but hasn't recorded a victory since Jan. 31 against Oklahoma State. The losses have taken a toll on the team's confidence, with the defeats still fresh on the players' minds.
"It's hard to forget, but we have to if we want to be on an even playing field," sophomore guard Erica Hallman said. "Right now we're not."
A loss to Baylor would bring an end to Kansas' 2003-2004 season. The Jayhawks would need to win to extend their season, with the winner of today's game playing No. 4-seeded Texas Tech tomorrow.
Freshman guard Erica Hallman directs a play during a 2004 home game against Nebraska Kansas will take on Baylor in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament today in Dallas.
Though the previous losses were disappointing, a win over Baylor now looms most important in Woodard's mind.
"If you were to ask me which one would I take now," Woodard said "I'd take Baylor over all of them."
"It's either going to be fight or flight," Woodard said, "and we've got to fight."
Edited by Danielle Hillix