Sports
Nice Knight Saturday Bobby Knight, the often volatile coach of Texas Tech, had nothing but nice things to say after Saturday's game. PAGE 7A
12A
Monday, February 9, 2004
The University Daily Kansan
Texas Tech's Ronald Ross, junior guard, maneuvered his way between Michael Lee, junior guard, and J.R. Giddens, freshman guard. The Red Raiders lost to the Jayhawks 96-77.
'Hawks face tough arena
Three Jayhawks will return home to face the 12th ranked Cowboys
By Ryan Greene rgreene@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
There's no doubt the Jayhawks' 96 point outburst Saturday was their best offensive performance of the season.
The two teams are tied for first place in the Big 12, and as the schedule winds down, the game could have implications on who wins the conference regular season title.
observe performance harder than that will be proving that it can be done again when No. 20 Kansas (15-4 overall, 7-1 Big 12 Conference) travels to Stillwater, Okla., tonight for its only matchup of the season with the No. 13 Oklahoma State Boys (17-2, 7-1)
southey:
"I think Monday is probably the biggest game of the year for us so far," said freshman forward David Padgett.
Gallagher-Iba Arena is one of the toughest atmospheres for a visiting team in college basketball. The Cowboys are a perfect 10-0 at home this year, but the Jayhawks could stand a chance with an offensive performance somewhat like Saturday's.
Against Texas Tech, Kansas' 96 points was the most the Jayhawks have scored since it scored 108 points against Arizona State in last season's NCAA tournament.
The trip to Oklahoma State also presents a couple of interesting subplots. Kansas coach Bill Self, a native of Edmond, Okla., played for the Cowboys from 1982-85, and was an assistant coach in Stillwater from 1987-93. In his
"This game, since we only play them once, could really come down to who wins the Big 12 Championship. We're going to expect a war in probably one of the toughest places to play."
Wayne Simien Junior forward
final three years as an Oklahoma State assistant, he served under coach Eddie Sutton, and now looks to upend one of his coaching mentors. Self is 1-3 against Oklahoma State in his head coaching career.
For Giddens, the trip home could not come at a more perfect time. The freshman had his 10th double-digit scoring effort of the season on Saturday, tying his career-high with 18 points. Giddens will have plenty of friends and family cheering for him in the stands, but hopes for a different type of crowd reaction to get him going.
Also returning to their home states are freshman guards J.R. Giddens (Oklahoma City) and Jeremy Case (McAlester).
miming going.
"I hope I at least get a cheer or a clap or two." Giddens said. "But we're ready to just go down there in that great basket-ball atmosphere and just fight for our lives."
KANSAS (15-4,7-1)
Probable Starters
Name Pos. No. Yr. PPG RPG
Keith Langford G 5 Jr. 16.3 4.5
Aaron Miles G 11 Jr. 9.9 4.3
J.R. Giddens G 15 Fr. 10.2 3.6
David Padgett F 44 Fr. 7.5 5.2
Wayne Simien F 23 Jr. 15.9 9.4
Top Reserves
Michael Lee G 25 Jr. 6.5 3.3
Jeff Graves F 42 Sr. 5.4 4.4
sports commentary
OKLAHOMA STATE (17-2, 7-1)
Name Pos. No. Yr. PPG RPG
Tony Allen G 24 Sr. 16.3 5.0
John Lucas G 15 Jr. 13.8 2.3
Ivan McFarlin F 23 Sr. 11.8 6.4
Joey Graham F 14 Jr. 10.2 4.5
Daniel Bobik G 20 Jr. 9.1 3.5
Top Reserves
Janavor Weatherspoon G 25 Sr. 5.4 1.4
Jason Miller F 33 Sr. 3.9 2.8
The Cowboys are riding a seven-game winning streak, with the most recent being an 88-67 victory over Iowa State on Saturday.
Oklahoma State is built in the same mold as Kansas, with efficient scorers that are tied together by a heady point guard. Facing Aaron Miles will be John Lucas. Lucas is the Cowboys' second-leading scorer in his first season in Stillwater after two years at Baylor.
The biggest benefit for Kansas is the quick turnaround between Saturday's
Texas Tech game and tonight's contest
"This game, since we only play them once, could really come down to who wins the Big 12 Championship," junior forward Wayne Simien said. "We're going to expect a war in probably one of the toughest places to play."
The Jayhawks are 2-0 this season on Monday nights following weekend games, including last Monday's 65-56 victory against Missouri.
— Edited by Cindy Yeo
Keith Langford sports@kansan.com
Resolution: Play hard, stay upbeat
Well, well, well. For all of you who thought that last semester was the end of the column, I am about to get right back in the mix.
For all who haven't heard, over the winter holidays we were up and down. I feel that this team is just now starting to understand that we are going to win games on the defensive end this year as opposed to runnin' and gunnin'.
well, anyone who thinks like that, listen to this. No matter what offense you run, no matter what plays you design, your performance will be based on personnel.
opposed to runnwe are still going to run, but with a defensive emphasis. The last month or so I have really been tired of being asked this one question: Why do you guys run the high low? Y'all need to run.
fortnance will be based simply I would guarantee anyone if last year's team ran this year's plays, everyone would claim how great the team looked. People fail to realize that two lottery picks can do a hell of a job making nothing look like something.
something. This is what I love about basketball, and sports in general. It's the challenge. Anyone who has ever set foot on a court or a field of any kind can tell you that.
That does not mean you have to run and scream and pound your chest a la J.R. Giddens (I still love you cuz). Ultimately you just have to get the job done. In the words of my coach, "Hey guys, it's okay to win ugly." And in the words of former teammate Lew Harrison, "True, true, true." That's an inside joke.
If it was easy, guess what? Everybody could do it. One thing that I have learned since I've been here is that you are supposed to be at your best when things are tough.
On a serious note though, everybody has big goals in mind. Win conference, win the NC, but this team is not focused on any of the above. We are focused on playing the best we possibly can. The rest will take care of itself.
Energy will be the emphasis for the rest of the year if we want to keep winning. Because this is a new year, I have decided to form a New Year's resolution. I am going to try — keep in mind the word try — to remain a positive voice when it comes to outside voices about our team. That is easier said than done though.
Having said that, I do like to look at people who get all bent up inside when I speak my mind. Any way, now you know I could not be out without giving shouts to my people. The first shout out of the new year goes to the one and only white team.
This goes out to eight of the hardest working cats I have ever been around. Holla.
Keith Langford is Fort Worth, Texas, junior in journalism
Courtney Kohlen/Kansan
Wayne Simien pulled down a rebound in the second half of Saturday's game against Texas Tech. Simien led the team in rebounds with 17 and also led scoring with 22 points.
Offense carries'Hawks
By Ryan Greene rgreene@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
The No. 17 Kansas Jayhawks (15-4 overall, 7-1 Big 12) shot 50.7 percent from the floor, and used a consistent offensive attack to trouble the No. 18 Red Raiders, 96-77 (17-5, 5-3). The resulting 96 points was the first time the Jayhawks have hit the 90-point barrier since opening night, and is their highest output of the season.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders entered Saturday's game in Allen Fieldhouse ranking fourth in the Big 12 Conference in points allowed per game, averaging just a shade under 63.
"Defensively, I think it was an average effort," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "We didn't throw it over the top, we were able to make the shot from the top, and that is what this offense is sun-
Who would have known?
Fans were reminded of Kansas teams of recent years as the team came out smoking and stayed that way.
posed to look like "
The Jayhawks opened the game with a 10-2 run, keyed by five points from freshman guard J.R. Giddens. Staying hot in the first half, Kansas started the game 15-of-22 from the floor, including going five-of-five from three-point range.
Texas Tech was able to shoot 40.6 percent from the field in the first half, and trailed by just eight points, but there was simply no slowing down the Jayhawks'. Kansas' 44 points at halftime were the most they have scored in the first half all season.
In the first half, Kansas shot 54.5 per cent from the floor and out-rebounded Tech 20-15.
"I figured that at halftime they felt like we couldn't keep this up." Self said. "Boy, it sure is a fun game when you make
Texas Tech did hang around for the better part of the second half, but the Jayhawks ripped off a 13-1 run that put them up 77-55 with just under eight minutes to go.
Even though the Red Raiders finished the first half on a 7-2 run, with five of those points coming from senior forward Andre Emmett, they never got the margin closer than six points.
Giddens tied his career-high with 18 points, including four three-point field goals, and fellow freshman David Padget scored in double figures for the
The Jayhawks got solid scoring contributions all around. Junior forward Wayne Simien led the way with 22 points to go along with his career-high 17 rebounds.
shots."
SEE OFFENSE ON PAGE 7A
The Ward family of Russell Stover Candles and anonymous donors have committed $12 million to go toward renovations of Allen Fieldhouse.
University of Kansas athletics director Lew Perkins announced a major donation to the Kansas University Athletic Corporation on Saturday.
Major donation will pay for renovations, hall
Along with the renovations, the rest of the money will go toward building a Hall of Athletics to honor former Kansas athletes.
Perkins said the renovations would include improvements to the restrooms, windows and locker rooms.
The projects are estimated to be finished in two years, and will not cause interruptions during basketball seasons.
-Mike Barrie
TALK TO SPORTS: Contact Henry C. Jackson or Maggie Newcomer at SPORTS@KANSAN.COM