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The University Daily Kansan
Mathews dies
Sports
Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews, who hit 512 home runs and appeared on the first cover of Sports Illustrated, died yesterday. He was 69.
NASCAR
Inside: Dale Earnhardt died yesterday from injuries in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500.
SEE PAGE 2B
Inside: Top-ranked North Carolina was upset by Clemson yesterday, 75-65.
SEE PAGE 2B
MONDAY, FEBUARY 19, 2001 For comments, contact Shawn Hutchinson or Shawn Linenberger at 864-4858 or sports@kansan.com
Sports Columnist
KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
Shawn Linenburger
sports@kansan.com
Men's hoops not on target; fans grumbling
Kansas' and Iowa State's big basketball weekend didn't go as planned. Many thought Iowa State would sweep the men's and women's games, but the schools split — the victorious Kansas team was even more unexpected.
The Kansas women's 69-16 upset against No. 6 Iowa State was a huge win for a team playing far below its traditional expectations. But the women's team somehow has the Cyclones' number, winning three of their last four meetings.
A stronger stranglehold has unfolded on the men's side, as Iowa State won its fifth straight against Kansas. But this one has a stronger impact. Kansas hadn't lost five straight games to another program since Oklahoma State did it from 1982-84.
Kansas was introduced to the new king of the mountain in the Big 12 Conference. Iowa State's reign might be short-lived—the Cyclones will lose five seniors after making, what he theck, the Final Four this year. Still, it's clear that legendary Kansas basketball has to deal with no longer assuming it is supreme in the Midwest just because it's Kansas.
Although the Jayhawk women haven't claimed as many conference titles, three in the 1990s isn't shabby. The women's team is also in jeopardy of recording its first losing season since 1988-89.
Linnbarger is a Washington, Kau., senior in Journalism.
The Iowa State women, meanwhile, had just one 20-win season in school history until current coach Jim Fennelly arrived in 1995. Fennelly has added four 20-win seasons to the record books, including this year at 20-4.
But back to the main event, whether it's Iowa State or Texas, the men's team hasn't won the conference crown in three years. Once again, grumbling has become commonplace, as fans complain about players, players complain about the media, and the media continues to write about what's in front of its face.
The Jayhawks are in an obvious slump. And a 2-4 record in the last six games is an extremely large slump by Kansas standards. The problem is simple — the 'Hawks haven't come out swinging when the bell rings, and as the game progresses, valiant comebacks fall short. It's not completely cut and dry, as the 'Hawks appeared to switch fortunes after trailing by only one at halftime Saturday. In the first meeting between the teams two weeks ago, whatever the Cyclones threw at the basket went in. But great teams frustrate people like that.
Right now, the dayhawks aren't a great team. When Drew Gooden is out of the lineup, that tends to happen.
in the 1996-97 season, Jacque Vaughn missed 10 games, and Scott Pollard missed substantial time with his own injury. This year's team hasn't been able to adapt like its predecessor.
This is not a blatant attack on this year's team; once again, it's a fact. Another truth is also evident — the season isn't a lost cause.
Kenny Gregory and Nick Collison are still on the team and Gooden should be back soon. Jeff Boschee has found his touch on offense and complements Hinrich in the backcourt. The two shut down Jamaal Tinsley and Kantrail Horton, but freshmen Jake Sullivan and Shane Power came through for Iowa State.
Eric Chenowith continued his evaluation of lesser talent, saying about Sullivan and Power: "To be honest with you, they really don't have any business playing Division i basketball, and they're out there doing unbelievable things, hitting huge shots and playing tough defense."
Tough times in Lawrence, indeed.
Maybe that's the problem at Kansas.
Talented players aren't showing the heart necessary to win. Some critics say the Jayhawks never looked enthused. Collison doesn't bounce off the walls in Allen Fieldhouse with uncontrolled enthusiasm. It shouldn't be assumed that he doesn't have heart, but maybe there's a small spark missing that Kansas needs to mold talent and heart into a contender again.
So before the grumbling turns into yelling and complaints of "remember when we used to dominate everybody?", remember that Kansas is flirting with its 12th straight 20-win season.
Women's basketball
Jayhawks upset No.6 Cyclones
By Jessie Meyer sports@kansan.com Kansan sportwriter
Jennifer Jackson was out for vengeance Saturday when the Kansas women's basketball team matched up with No. 6 Iowa State in Allen Fieldhouse.
And the senior guard got it with the Jayhawks' biggest upset of the season. Jackson, wearing a secret good luck charm under her uniform, led the Jayhawks (10-14 overall and 4-9 in the Big 12 Conference) to a 69-61 victory against a team that many had earlier predicted to go undefeated in the Big 12.
Jackson's personal vendetta with Iowa State (204 and 10-3) began her sophomore year when the Cyclones defeated the 'Hawks at Allen Fieldhouse in what would have been Kansas coach Marian Washington's 500th win.
"Ever since then, I've taken it as a personal challenge," said Jackson, who led the team with 17 points.
But it wasn't just Jackson. Her intensity and drive spread to the rest of the team — igniting a three-point assault from junior KC Hilgenkamp and a late scoring surge from senior Brooke Reves.
"We just got it from everybody today, and I think that was the difference." Jackson said.
Kansas held a 35-29 lead at the
More information For more about the women's basketball team, See page 3B
end of the first half, and although Iowa State kept the game close, the Jayhawks retained the lead throughout the second half.
And with time running down, Hilgenkamp came up big, sealing the game for Kansas.
The Jayhawks held a two-point lead with 1:11 to play when Hilgenkamp made a three-point shot from in front of the Jayhawks' bench.
And when the ball dropped through, Hilgenkamp said she knew the Jayhawks would win.
Hilgenkamp, who ended with 12 points, shot four of six from behind the arc.
Senior forward Brooke Reeves and teammates celebrate the team's upset win against No. 6 Iowa State. The Jayhawks jumped ahead to an early lead and never looked back, winning 69-61 Saturday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Selena Jabara/KANSAN
"I thought we were very focused, and I thought that we definitely had the polise we needed down the stretch," Washington said.
— Edited by Melissa Cooley
Much of that composure came from Reves, who returned to the game in the second half after sitting out much of the first with two fouls.
The senior forward shot nine of 10 from the free-throw line in the second half, adding 11 of her 15 points in the final five minutes of the game.
Iowa State hands Kansas fifth loss
Sophomore forward Nick Collison struggles for the ball amid a sea of Cyclones. Saturday's loss marked the team's fifth consecutive loss to Iowa State. Kansan file photo
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
AMES, Iowa - Different game, same result. No. 6 Kansas' downward spiral continued Saturday with an 85-77 loss to No. 7 Iowa State, as the Jayhawks (19-5, 8-4) fell to 24 since Jan. 29.
The most recent demise had the same pattern as the previous losses - the Jayhawks fell behind early and spent the rest of the game playing catch-up.
Kansas darted to an early 5-2 lead. But a 22-10 Cyclone run, fueled by four three-pointers by freshman guard Jake Sullivan and one by freshman forward Shane Power, gave Iowa State a nine-point lead midway through the first half.
Kansas picked its way back into the game, trailing by one, 37-36, at the half.
"I thought they fought very hard," coach Roy Williams said. "If we had played that hard at other times this year, I think it would've really helped us in some of the games we didn't play as well."
Six turnovers in the first seven possessions of the half and two Sullivan three-pointers pushed the lead to 49-38.
Junior guard Jeff Boschie scored 12 of his 19 points in the second half, including two three-pointers. Power countered, hitting three more troys.
Senior center Eric Chenowith said his
team was caught off-guard by Sullivan and Power's combined 10-for-12 effort from behind the arc.
"I thought Sullivan and Power surprised us," Chenowith said. "To be honest with you, they really don't have any business playing Division I basketball, and they're out there doing unbelievable things, hitting huge shots and playing tough defense."
Tinsley had a miserable 14-for-13 shooting day for the Cyclones (22-3, 10-2) but had 11 assists and six steals that caused havoc in the Kansas backcourt as Hinrich turned the ball over seven times.
The tough Iowa State defense forced 23 turnovers,compared with Kansas' 12.
Tinsley also got Bosche and Hinrich into foul trouble, giving junior guard Brett
Ballard playing time.
Ballard, who had three assists, said that although the team shot a smoking 57.7 percent, the Jayhawks' sloppiness and carelessness cost them an opportunity to win.
"We had a lot of turnovers and we didn't get a lot of shots on a lot of possessions and that kills you," Ballard said.
Luke Axell stayed in Lawrence to nurse the bulging disk in his back.
Drew Gooden sat out on Saturday's game but made the trip to Ames, Iowa. Gooden will have the cast removed from his sprained wrist today and might play Wednesday night against Colorado.
BOX SCORE
KANSAS (19-5)
Collison 4-5 0-0 8, Hirschin 5-10 0-0 13, Boschee 8-16 0-0
19, Gregory 7-9 0-13 6, Canchow 5-9 13, Ballard 0-0 0,
Nash 0-2 0-0 0, Carey 1-1 0-0 2, Totals 30 52 3-8 71.
UWA STATE (22-3)
Horton 2.8 2-6, Tinsley 1.13 9-12 11, Sullivan 8.11 00
22, Shirley 3.18 9, Rancik 4.7 12 12, Evans 0.1 00
Power 5.6 44 18, Pearson 2.2 00 4. Totals 25.56 19.24
79.
3-point goals—Kansas 8.15 (Hinchin 34, Bosche 38,
Gargoyle 2, Nash 0.1), Iowa St. 10.19 (Sullivan 68, Power
4.4, Rancik 4.1, Horton 0.2, Tinsley 0). Fouled out—
Bosche, Hinch.
Tradition attracts football recruit to Kansas
By Jeff Denton
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Banks Floodman always wanted to be a Javawk.
That was almost eight years ago. Last year, coming off a junior season in which he rushed for 1,300 yards and was second on his team in tackles, the impressionable young Jayhawk fanatic now had a fan base of his own. Floodman, a two-way standout for Wichita Collegiate, began to attract attention from many colleges. So when the opportunity to commit to Kansas came about last April, he never thought twice about going elsewhere.
Growing up in Wichita, the only colors he cheered for were the crimson and blue. The tradition of Kansas basketball fascinated him and the strong showings of the Kansas football team inspired him. He was a fan of all seasons.
Floodman was destined to come to Lawrence.
"Ive always wanted to go to Kansas and have always been a Jayhawk fan," said Floodman, a 6-foot-3, 208-pound pro
jected strong safety. "Whether or not I was going to go there as an athlete, that's the only school I ever wanted to go."
Fortunately for Kansas coach Terry Allen, Floodman will be a part of his football program next season. What impressed Allen most about this incoming recruit is his versatility and instincts. He also marveled at his hardhitting mentality and overall natural ability.
"You get excited about a guy like him," Allen said. "I think that Banks can play on either side of the ball. Height, weight, speed — he fits all the criteria there. But he is also a guy with that hitter's mentality. He has a great nose for the football. With that mental make-up, he has a chance to be special."
Mike Gehrer, who has coached Wichita Collegiate's high school football team for the past decade, said there is more to Floodman's package than just pure football skill.
"He was made for football." Gehrer said, "Banks is fearless. There was never a situation he was afraid to put his nose in. A lot of guys ht, but Banks runs
through them. When you watch him on film, that becomes very clear. His motor is always running."
"I lift weights every day for up to two hours," Floodman said. "I have been mostly doing shoulder and leg workouts. I have been concentrating on improving my leverage, speed and overall strength."
Gehrer also said that Floodman's approach to the weight room was similar to how he approached the football field. According to Gehrer, Floodman does not just lift weights, he attacks them. After leading his team to the Class 3A state title last November, Floodman has been religiously following a strict workout regiment.
Gehrer has seen many talented players go through his system at Wichita College. D'Angelo Evans was one of the most sought-after running backs in the nation coming out of high school in 1996 and later went to Nebraska. Harrison Hill starred at receiver for Gehrer before becoming a Jayhawk, and Jamie Rheem will most likely be an NFL selection this spring after kicking for
BANKS FLOODMAN
BANKS FLOODMAN
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 208 pounds
Birthdate: May 2, 1982
High school: Wichita Collegiate
Position: safety, linebacker and running back
40 time: 4.55 seconds
Bench press: 345 pounds
Vertical jump: 38 inches
Goals for freshman campaign: "I want to prove that I can play next season."
Kansas State the past two seasons. Of all these players, Gehrer thinks Banks has a chance to be the best.
"I told Banks that college is not where he stops," Gehrer said. "If he keeps getting bigger and keeps his tenacity, he could be playing football for a very long time."
For now, Banks Floodman is ecstatic about wearing a football uniform for the Kansas Jayhawks. He said he will report to Lawrence in early July to begin fulfilling his childhood dream.
Edited by Jason McKee
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