Sports THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Team misses top scorer
Jayhawks lose 3-0 to Creighton in only exhibition game. SOCCER| 3B
HURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2010
Two Jayhawks honored
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Biere, Laptad named to preseason award watch lists FOOTBALL | 5B
FOOTBALL
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Ryan Waggoner/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Offensive line coach J.B. Grimes works with a group of linemen during spring practices. The offensive line looks to be a strong point for the Javhaws this season.
Offensive line still progressing
Former defensive tackle Zlatnik shows promise as offensive lineman
BY MATT GALLOWAY
mgalloway@kansan.cc
Sophomore Duane Zlatnik is the prototype coach Turner Gill looks for in an offensive lineman. His combination of size, speed and upside had Gill gushing before practice on Tuesday.
"I love his size, he moves really well for a big guy at 300-plus pounds," Gill said. "You have to have guys strong enough to take on defensive tackles who are 300-plus pounds, and he has the ability
to do that."
So it comes as a bit of a surprise that Zlatnik was recruited as a defensive lineman, where he saw limited action during his freshman campaign.
"He's probably one of the guys who have made the most improvement from the spring time when I first saw him to where he is today," Gill said. "I really like what he's doing. Early on, he was a little slow, but man, he's really picked up a great pace."
Zlatnik has come into his own
during fall practices on the offensive side of the ball, where he is competing for a starting position, Gill said.
"Any time you transition it is a challenge, but it is the best situation for him." Long said. "I know he realizes that now. But you learn the terminology at one position, the technique, and then you go to a completely different deal. It just takes some time and we wanted to make sure we gave him that time."
The transition was difficult at times for Zlatnik, but offensive coordinator Chuck Long said he now believes the team has a player who could be a cornerstone for years to come.
Zlatnik is just one of a handful
of linemen whose progression will be a key factor in the success or failure of the Kansas football team this season. Sophomore quarterback Kale Pick is still entrenched in a starting battle for his position, and he knows if his offensive line cannot open lanes for him, one of his most dangerous weapons could be neutralized.
"If the holes aren't going to be there, it's going to be a lot harder for me to run." Pick said. "But if they get the blocks and I set up the blocks well as a runner, that's going to help me out too."
But Pick is confident those holes will open, and he's already seeing leadership the line sorely missed at many points last season.
"We have a lot of leadership on the offensive line starting with Brad Thorson. Tanner Hawkinson has really stepped up in a leadership role for us on the offensive line." Pick said. "Trevor Marrongelli is doing a really good job. We have depth there at the offensive line, so it definitely makes me feel comfortable."
Thorson, named the team's top offensive lineman at the end of last season, has set a good example this fall, battling through injury and taking the majority of the reps returning from an injured foot in Monday's practice.
— Edited by Tim Dwyer
BASKETBALL
Buford, Henry announce departure from KU basketball
BY TIM DWYER
tdwyer@kansan.com
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Former Kansas guard C.J. Henry speaks to members of the media prior to the start of the 2009-10 season. Henry and former guard Chase Buford announced on Tuesday that they are both leaving the Kansas basketball program.
Chase Buford and C.J. Henry have left the Kansas men's basketball program, coach Bill Self said in a statement Tuesday.
Henry's one-year career as a Jayhawk, like his one year at Memphis and his four years of minor league baseball, was marred by multiple injuries.
"C.J. battled injuries all year long but has been healthy this past spring and summer. He is a good player. He was definitely in the mix for being a major contributor
on the court this season."
Despite athletic ability that earned him a scholarship offer from Kansas out of high school, which he turned down
as a first-round selection of the New York Yankees, Henry never reached his potential at Kansas, playing in only 13 games as a redshirt freshman.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
He averaged 3.1 points in 5.6
There was speculation that Henry would announce his departure from the Kansas program when his brother Xavier declared for the NBA in early April. At that time he didn't comment on his future as a Jayhawk, saying, "I'm just here to support my brother"
At the time, Self told media that, as far as he knew, Henry would be a laj Hawkay for the 2010-11 season. Self said Henry informed the coaches of his intent to transfer in July.
minutes per game. He was returned from beyond the arc in a limited sample size, hitting 52.4 percent of his threes.
His long-range shooting ability had him in contention for legitimate playing time.
Henry's minutes will likely be spread out among the five-guard rotation of Josh Selby (assuming his clearance by the NCAA), Tyshawn Taylor, Elijah Johnson, Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar.
Buford was a three-year letter winner for the Jayhawks, appearing in 36 games over his three-year career.
"We, as coaches, have thoroughly enjoyed having Chase as a member of our program the last three
years," Self said.
Buford, unlike Henry, will remain at Kansas for his senior year and graduate with a degree in business finance. He was unlikely to see any action outside of spot minutes at the end of games Kansas had in hand.
"I totally understand — this being his senior year and the time commitment involved — that he wants to pursue some other interests and also enjoy being a normal college student for his final campaign." Self said.
Self said the staff respected the
wishes of both Henry and Buford and wished Henry the best wherever he wound up.
"I know he will be successful wherever he goes." Self said.
Edited by Michael Bednar
COMMENTARY
Students listen to coaches' advice
BY KATHLEEN GIER kgier@kansan.com
Traditions Night is the first real Jayhawk experience for many new students every year, but this year it offered something exciting for the seasoned fan as well.
It was a first glimpse at new football coach Turner Gill. When he was introduced there was clapping and reverent silence before he started to speak. He looked out at the newly acquired loyal fans that had spent the last hour trying to learn or refresh their knowledge of the cheers which will be quite useful this fall.
When you look up to someone and they say something it seems more important to do. This is why they have celebrities do commercials for Haiti or abused dogs. Going along with that theme, it is also more surprising when they have a message that you do not expect to hear from them. It's refreshing to know that they want the best for all students and hopefully their student athletes as well. As fathers of students at Kansas I think it is also an important statement for them to make.
So, dear readers: Do go to games. Get excited for these teams. But as Self and Gill so kindly reminded everyone, this is school. Class is really not that difficult to go to every day. It's a refreshing feeling to come home from a game at 10 p.m. and not have to write a three page paper when you just want to watch SportsCenter or finally go to sleep with newspaper confetti in your hair.
Particularly interesting was the common message in both Gill's and coach Bill Self's speeches. After hyping their teams a bit, they turned to a more serious note regarding education. I don't know how much of this message was suggested by different people within the athletics programs, but it seemed to strike a certain chord in the students.
Self started his bit about education by noting that at this time next year, some of the students will not be here. It is uncomfortable to think about, but true. Self then talked about how important it is to study and the close relationship between studying and getting good grades. Gill took a slightly less direct route: He simply told students to stay in school and work hard.
Both Self and Gill are respected men on this campus and across the country. I do not know if this will have any profound effect on students, but I feel like it may. For the loyal fans these men are almost god-like. Of course they are on the basketball court or football field each game, but just to see them outside of that setting is exciting. I saw assistant basketball coach Joe Dooley running today and I got excited. Now that is a slightly scary level of school spirit, but I think it shows a point.
For the most part these two men gave us the same lines as our parents and teachers do every year, but it was different coming from them.
Edited by David Cawthon
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