Friday, February 23, 2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
blah blah blah
'Huskers' height threatens Kansas
By Zac Hunter
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
The Jayhawks dominated in the paint in their 91-79 win against the Buffaloes on Wednesday in Allen Fieldhouse, but Kansas' task could be tougher when it faces the Cornhuskers at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Lincoln, Neb.
The Jayhawks (20-5 overall and 9-4 in the Big 12 Conference) had a distinct advantage against Colorado. None of Colorado's starters were taller than 6-foot-9, and the Jayhawks exploited that. Kansas scored 56 points in the paint, while the smaller Buffaloes scored just 22 points in the paint.
"At the beginning of the game we talked about how we wanted to pound it inside and take advantage of our height." said Kansas center Eric Chenowith. "We did, and we capitalized on it."
The combination of Chenowith, senior Kenny Gregory and sophomore Nick Collison accounted for 63 points. Only Gregory played more than 30 minutes.
But there might be something Nebraska can do about that. The 'Huskers (13-13 and 6-7) boast a sizable front-court, which is led by 6-11 Kimani Friend. The senior center is averaging better than 13 points and is pulling down eight rebounds a game.
Ffriend scored a career-high
24 points on Saturday in Nebraska's overtime win, and he also scored 14 points in Wednesday's 65-64 loss at Texas Tech.
Ffriend is complemented in the low post by Steffon Bradford, whose numbers are almost equal to Ffriend's. He is averaging more than 12 points and is hauling in 8.1 rebounds on the season.
Despite Wednesday's setback against Texas Tech, Nebraska has been on a bit of a roll and has won four of its last seven games. Nebraska coach Barry Collier said part of the reason the Huskers are hanging around the .500 level is because the seniors have stepped up and tried to end the season on a positive note.
"I think we've gotten better as the season's gone on and we've gotten into the league," Collier said.
Collier also said Nebraska finally understands what it takes to win in the Big 12 and is doing what is necessary get wins.
If Nebraska is going to continue its winning ways, it will have to get production out of senior guard Cookie Belcher, who was nonexistent in the first game against Kansas. He scored only 10 points on four-of-12 shooting, and was blanked from behind the three-point line in five tries.
Bradford and Friend held up on the blocks, combining for 27 points and 17 rebounds
Nebraska center Kimani Friend battles former Jayhawk Ashante Johnson for position during a game last season. Friend averages 13 points and eight rebounds per this season, and will pose a formidable threat to the "Hawks when they travel to Lincoln Sunday for a match against the Cornshuskers. Photo by Matt Daugherty/KANSAN
Edited by Sydney Wallace
By Brent Briggeman
sports@kansan.com
Kansas sportswriter
The Kansas softball team continues its treacherous early season schedule this weekend with a trip to the NFCA Lead off Classic in Columbus, Ga.
Played at the same venue as the 1996 Summer Olympics, the tournament features a field of 24 including No. 4 Alabama and No. 6 Arizona State.
Softball's tough season continues with top teams
The Jayhawks (6-5) will face the Crimson Tide and Sun Devils, along with No. 24 Massachusetts in pool-play today and tomorrow before elimination action takes place late tomorrow and Sunday.
Kansas will look to rebound from a 1-4 showing last weekend at the UNLV Classic in Las Vegas. The Jayhawks lost their first four games of the weekend, including a contest with No. 1 UCLA, before coming from behind to defeat Southern Utah 7-4 in the final game of the weekend. The comeback was fueled by junior second baseman Amy Hulse's two-run home run, her first in a Jayhawk uniform.
Coach Tracy Bunge was pleased with the character the team displayed this week after a disappointing weekend.
"This group of kids really believes in themselves and in each other." Bunge said. "That goes a long way when you are behind, and in the type of games we have been in this year that means everything."
The road won't get easier for Kansas. The nonconference schedule includes seven teams ranked in the preseason top 25, including four
of the top six. Then comes the Big 12 Conference schedule, including five ranked teams, one of which is defending national champion Oklahoma.
Junior catcher Leah Tabb has enjoyed playing against the nation's best in the early season tournaments.
"It's a good experience, especially at the beginning of the year," said Tabb, who leads Kansas with three home runs and 13 RBL. "It's going to help us throughout the rest of the season because we're never going to play an easy team from here on out."
In addition to being underdogs, the Hawks are at a disadvantage from a preparation standpoint. The weather has continued to plague the Jayhawks, as the cold has prevented the team from getting its normal repetitions outside.
"That is a disadvantage we have," Bunge said. "Teams we play from the West Coast and South obviously get a lot of work outside, while we have to take reps inside, but that's just something we have to deal with."
Conference play to begin as Jayhawks face the Sooners
Following this weekend's tournament, Kansas will travel to Tampa, Fla., for the Speedline Invitational on March 8-11 before playing host to the Kansas Invitational March 16-18.
Edited by Doug Pacey
By Ryan Malshock
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas baseball coach Bobby Randall refers to the beginning of Big 12 Conference competition as a completely new season. That new season begins today as the Javahwks take on Oklahoma at 3 p.m.
Heading into the start of conference action, the Jayhawks' 6-1 record tops the Big 12, while Oklahoma's 2-8 record puts the Sooners at the bottom.
Randall said Kansas needed a strong start in Big 12 play.
Eight of the 11 teams in the Big 12 will open their conference seasons this weekend, and Randall said the Kansas-Oklahoma match-up would be one of the most intriguing.
“It’s like a new season,” Randall said. “There’s two seasons. There’s nonconference and conference play. We got off to a good start in nonconference, and now it’s important to get off to a good start in conference play.”
"Oklahoma is a formidable team." Randall said. "They're well-coached and they have most of their players back. I know that they're on a tough spell right now, but as talented as they are that can turn around quickly."
Oklahoma had high expectations heading into the 2001 season, and the Sooners earned a No. 15 ranking in the Collegiate Baseball preseason poll. But they started the season dismally by dropping eight of their first 10 games. They have yet to defeat a Division I opponent and are allowing more than nine runs per game.
The Sooners and Jayhawks have one common opponent this season. Kansas defeated Texas Christian 7-1 in their season-opening game. On Tuesday, the Sooners dropped a 6-1 decision to the Horned Frogs.
Still, senior shortstop John Nelson said Kansas could expect to see a talented and determined Oklahoma squad this weekend.
"We know what kind of ball Oklahoma plays," Nelson said. "They play hard. They've always done that, and they have a lot of tradition and pride there."
Junior pitcher Justin Wilber will start for Kansas in today's game. In his last start,
Wilcher got roughed up for five runs in 4 2/3 innings and got the 5-4 loss to Northwestern, Kansas' lone defeat of the season.
Senior Pete Smart and junior Jake Wright will start tomorrow and Sunday. Both pitchers will be searching for their third wins of the season.
Wilcher, Wright, and closing pitcher junior Doug Lantz all will see their first Big 12 action against Oklahoma. Randall said the newcomers would need to rise to the occasion.
"Wilcher, Wright, and Lantz have all been exceptional in nonconference." Randall. "They're going to have to know that the conference season will be difficult, and they're going to have to step up." Kansas baseball notes.
Kansas baseball notes
Kansas will play host to Baker at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Hogland Ballpark. The game was scheduled to make up for Tuesday's cancellation against Rockhurst.
Sophomore indefender Ryan Baty will have shoulder surgery Monday. The surgery will not make a return this season possible.
— Edited by Courtney Craigmile
team rec Big 12
1. Kansas 6-1 0-0
2. Oklahoma St. 7-2 0-0
3. Baylor 9-3 0-0
4. Texas Tech 10-5 0-0
5. Missouri 3-2 0-0
6. Kansas St. 5-3 0-0
7. Nebraska 3-3 0-0
8. Texas 6-7 0-0
9. Texas A&M 3-5 0-0
10. Iowa St. 2-6 0-0
11. Oklahoma 2-8 0-0
BIG 12 STANDINGS
Indoor Track
Track team aims to finish strong
By Michael Sudhalter sports@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas track and field team nears the final stretch of the indoor season at the Big 12 Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships today and tomorrow at the Bob Devaney Sports Center Track in Lincoln, Neb.
On the men's side, the Jayhawks are confident that they will improve on last year's 10th place performance. Coach Stanley Redwine said the team would be ready to post a strong showing at the important meet.
"In the last few weeks our athletes have been performing at their best," Redwine said. "As a team, our goal is to go in and do our very best. We need to control our own destiny rather than another team doing that for us."
Senior All-American Scott Russell, one of five nationally ranked Jayhawks on the squad, is hoping to dominate another weight throw this season. He will also participate in the shot put.
"I'll definitely have to throw it for about 70 feet, but I'm hoping to throw over 75." Russell said. "Coach Redwine has brought in a great staff with him that has revived everyone's attitude about the program."
redwine said Russell's goals have gradually become higher throughout the winter season.
"The guy is a great competitor." Redwine said. "At the beginning of the season 72 was a great throw for him, and now he's upset with that."
"Charlie Gruber does not like losing." Redwine said. "He has a strong heart and strong will."
Fellow senior All-American Charlie Gruber will be completing triple duty this weekend. The Denver native will run the mile, as well as the 4x400 and 1,600-meter relay.
Senior Andy Tate, who has provisionally qualified for the NCAA competition in the 3,000-meter run, will be looking for both a good showing and an NCAA automatic qualification. Tate will also compete in the 1,200-meter relay.
Redwine said he was confident that Gruber would place well during this weekend's event.
Kansas junior Ryan Speers throws a shot put during practice. Speers will compete this weekend at the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships in Lincoln, Neb. Photo by Joanna Fews/KANSAN
"It's been a good season. I need to cut four seconds, and if I do that, I'll be in the big show," Tate said, referring to the NCAA's.
Tate said he had enjoyed the sudden success associated with the Kansas track and field program.
"There is a lot of pressure putting a Kansas uniform on because of all the tradition associated with the program," Tate said. "It's been an experience going from last in the Big 12 to number 10 in the country."
Other top Jayhawks competing in championship events are senior Jabari Wamble (200 meter and 400 meter), junior Ryan Speers (shot put and weight throw), freshman Leo Bookman (60, 200 meter, and 4x40), and junior Jeremy Hull (pole vault).
In the women's competition, senior pole vaulter Andrea Branson will continue to seek her sixth All-American season for the Jayhawks. Brandon has three indoor and two outdoor All-American honors. Redwine said Branson's past experience would prove helpful in Lincoln this weekend.
"She's healthy, confident and ready to go." Redwine said. "She stands out for the women's team because she's been there before."
Junior Jennifer Foster, who will compete in the shot put, said the team's new attitude would benefit the entire team.
"The program has a new fire and given everyone new inspiration," Foster said. "My passion for throwing went up tremendously."
Senior Jennie Wonder will compete in the 60-meter low hurdles as well as the 4x400 and 400 Distance Relay.
Redwine said the meet should show all of the Jayhawks' hard work during the winter season.
"The athletes are ready to go, and we should see some great performances this weekend," Redwine said. "This is what we have been working for all season, and now it is time to show what we can do."
— Edited by Melissa Cooley
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