2B
Quick Looks
Friday February 16,2001
HOROSCOPES
Today's Birthday (Feb. 16).
Explore new territory and start where others have given up. You and your friends are fearless, so nothing can stop you. You're in charge of preparing the agenda in February and reminding others of their commitments. Your charm attracts the best in April and gets you what you want. If you can't overcome a barrier in May, use if as a building block. Talk about a problem with your loved ones in June, and the love becomes much stronger. Your struggle in July is worth the effort, provided you're helping others. Commit to a partnership around August, and invest in your own future in September. Receive accolades from far away in October. You and your team push over the top in December.
Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 9.
If you leave today, you'll beat the traffic. Well,
some of it, anyway. Others have the same idea,
and some of them are going with you. You'll be
in a crowd, but you'll be the life of the party. Enjoy
Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 5.
You're not much of a gambler, but today you could get lucky on a get-rich-slow scheme. If you can make do with less now, you could benefit from a deal that promises more later.
Gemini (May 21-June 21) — Today is an 8.
Let somebody else take control of the situation and treat you like royalty. Let them wait on your hand and foot. Somebody else wants to give the orders, so let them have the responsibility, too. Relax and enjoy it.
Cancer (June 22-July 22) — Today is a 6.
Continue to save your pennies for an outing this weekend. If you don't already have one planned, schedule something for Sunday. You'll have something to celebrate, you know. And if you can't think of anything now, don't worry; you will have by then.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 10.
Leo July 23-Aug. 22) is a day to.
Your sweetheart may surprise you with a bold suggestion. You're up for just about anything. But a lifetime commitment? More kids? This is a great weekend to talk it over. The outcome looks great.
Virgo (Aug, 23-Sept, 22) — Today is a 5.
Your place looks as if it's been hit by a cyclone.
Are you doing any spring cleaning? Looks like you're throwing out a bunch of stuff. Anything in there you could sell or trade? At least donate it to a worthy cause and get the tax write-off.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 10.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 5.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9.
Your own curiosity is the spark, as you keep putting clues together. You can solve this puzzle, too, even if it takes all day and nearly all night.
Better pack a lunch.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 5.
If you're not already a fine craftsperson, you can be by the time this project is over. Go find the perfect thing for your home — a treasure that just needs a little work. You can get a lot for it once it's done, although you may not want to part with it.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 10.
Every so often you can get in the mood to snuggle in bed all day with a really good friend, a really good book, or both. And that's all the suggestion you need. You take care of the rest.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 5.
You keep taking on more jobs, but, are you doing them efficiently? Look for ways to cut the waste: wasted effort, wasted material, wasted time. That's money down the drain. Plug the leaks and save a fortune.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9.
You and your friends ought to have a big party tonight. The project you've been involved with is almost finished. Sometimes you lost and sometimes you won, but you always had a great time. Celebrate!
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 6.
You may be undergoing a rigorous test, possibly self-imposed. You're thinking about everything you've done, and how well you've done it. It just remember that you're your own worst critic. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt.
Note: Horoscopes have no basis in scientific fact and should be read for entertainment purposes only.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Sooners could play 14 games next year
NORMAN, Oklahoma. — National champion Oklahoma finalized its 2001 schedule yesterday with an agreement for a home-and-home series with Air Force.
The Sooners, who went 13-0 last season en route to their seventh national title, could wind up playing 14 games next season. After opening against North Carolina in the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Classic, they play the usual 11-game schedule. There also is the possibility of reaching the Big 12 title game and playing in a bowl game.
"We have worked hard putting together a schedule that offers opportunities for success for our team
and one that our loyal fans will enjoy," athletic director Joe Castiliolone said.
Oklahoma will play seven home games. North Carolina visits on Aug. 25, with North Texas on Sept. 8 and Tulsa on Sept. 15. Conference home games are Sept. 29 against Kansas State. Oct. 20 against Baylor, Nov. 10 against Texas A&M and Nov. 24 against Oklahoma State.
The Sooners play at Air Force on Sept. 1, the first meeting between the schools. Their other road games are Oct. 13 at Kansas, Oct. 27 at Nebraska and Nov. 17 at Texas Tech. The annual game with Texas in Dallas is Oct. 6.
Only two years left for preseason games
The Sooners have two open weeks, Sept. 22 and Nov. 3.
College football is on the verge of an explosion of "extra" games to open the 2001 season, with no less than nine in the works for the final week in August.
With NCAA legislation eliminating such fund-raising games after 2002, several sports foundations
are jumping on the "classic" game bandwagon. They figure there's publicity to be had, money to be made and plenty of schools ready to pocket a minimum of $600,000 for squeezing in a 12th regular-season game.
in a 12th regular-season game.
"The floodgates are open for two more years and everyone is trying to get a piece of the golden goose," said Mike Cleary, president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, a group that benefits financially from the two longest-running "extra" games, the Kickoff and Pirsik classics.
"Here we have a group of presidents and administrators who want these games to end, and then they let six or seven more come in the last two years," Cleary said. "It makes no sense. It's laughed."
The new rules begin in 2002, the final season of "presseason exempt contests," as the NCAA refers to the games. The BCA Classic, however, will be played through 2004, which is when its current television contract expires.
The rapid increase of "extra" games brought about the rule changes. In 1996, there were two classics; in '98 there were four.
Here's how it works: Any Division IA or I-AA school can play 12 games in the regular sea son but only in years when there are 14 Saturdays during NCAA-specified time period. The 12 game scenario occurs only six times over the next 20 years — in 2002, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2019.
Potvin expendable, traded to L.A. Kings
NHU
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings acquired struggling goalie Felix Potvin from the Vancouver Canucks yesterday in exchange for future considerations.
Potvin, who was waiting in Vancouver for immigration papers before reporting to the Kansas City Blades, became expendable last week when the Canucks
Potvin, 29, who signed a one-year $2.7 million contract with Vancouver during the summer, is 14-17-3 this season with a 3.08 goals-against average and an 88.7 save percentage.
added Dan Cloutier in a trade with Tampa Bay. Kansas City is Vancouver's IHL affiliate.
The two-time All-Star with Toronto was given the choice of reporting to the minors on a 14-day conditioning stint or being placed on waivers. He chose the conditioning stint on Sunday and was practicing with a university team this week while he waited for immigration clearance to play in the United States.
Potvin joined the Canucks in December 1999 in a deal with the New York Islanders. He finished his career in Vancouver with a 26-30-10 record and a 2.84 GAA.
NFL
League minimum rises with salary cap growth
WASHINGTON — Minimum salaries for NFL players will go up by more than 9 percent next season.
The NFL Players Association released the new figures, which were set to coincide with the increase in the league's salary cap from $62.4 million to about $68 million.
Under the new scale, veterans with five or more seasons will be paid a minimum of $484,000, up 9.1 percent from the $440,000 minimum of last season. The scale runs down to $212,000, the minimum for players with less than one year's experience.
The tender offer for free agents also went up.
A team must now offer a restricted free agent $519,000 if it wants right of first refusal. Last year, that figure was $471,000.
If a team wants first refusal and a first-room choice for a freeagent, the minimum tender is $1.13 million. For first and third-round choices and right of first refusal, it's $1.508 million.
The Associated Pres
Freshman divers reach finals
sports@kensan.com
By Aaron Fulk
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
The Big 12 Conference swimming and diving championships started with young Jayhawks producing for the diving team in Austin, Texas.
Freshman Antoine Lewis led the team as he reached the finals of the one-meter dive with a prelimits score of 247.05 on Wednesday, Lewis ended the finals competition with a score of 251.85 and an eight place finish. Following in Lewis' footsteps was fellow freshman Anthony DiGiacomo, who won the consolation finals with a score of 284.05 and a ninth place finish.
"For Antoine to reach the finals as a freshman is a big accomplishment. Both guys stepped up as freshmen and did really well," said Kansas diving coach Kevin Lawrence.
score of 267.95. Sophomore Kristi Misejka placed 13th in the consolation finals with a final score of 256.75. Junior Tammy Pace was the final jayhawk diver to place during the competition. Pace placed 22nd with a score of 190.80.
Although the women had a strong performance in the consolation round. Lawrence said they were disappointed not to reach the championship round.
The women's diving team was led by junior Rebecca McFall. McFall captured the consolation title to earn a ninth place finish with a
"We made a couple of mistakes that kept us out of the finals, and in a field this competitive those will hurt you." Lawrence said. "But they stepped up and dove very well in the consolation finals, and they'll use this experience as we go into the three-meter board."
Those who did make it to the finals were Texas divers Troy Dumais and Kristen Marquis; the two captured the men's and women's titles in the one-meter diving competition.
This was the third year of Big 12 competition for Dumals.
"I definitely am happy with my performance," Dumais said. "Two years ago at the conference meet, I
hit my head during the three-meter competition and was not able to dive for the one-meter springboard title. Then last season, I competed only on the three-meter, so this is a great win for me and a great way to start out the championships for Texas."
On the women's side, Marquis headed into finals in third place but secured a first place finish with her last dive, which gave her a one-point win ahead of Missouri's Kristy Wanner.
"I knew for me to win it was going to have to come down to my last dive," Marquis said, "But I was confident going in and focused on competing well. Everything clicked for me on my last dive, and I am extremely happy to finish the first night with a win."
The Big 12 Championships are being held at the Jamail Swim Center in Austin.
This year's competition also marks the first time that the men's and women's competitions will be held at the same site. The meet will continue throughout the weekend.
— Edited by Melissa Cooley
'Hawks to face ranked teams defend record
By Brent Briggeman
sports@kansan.com
Kansas sportswriter
"I've been thinking about this every day," said sophomore pitcher Kirsten Milhoan. "I'm just excited more than anything."
With games against No.1 UCLA and two other ranked teams this weekend at the UNLV Classic in Las Vegas, the Kansas softball team could gain national respect if it plays its cards right.
Kansas coach Tracy Bunge said the weekend would provide an opportunity for her team to prove its 5-1 record is no fluke.
"People nationally look at our record and say 'yeah,' that's nice, but who have they beat?" "Bunge said. "So we'll see how we fare against some stiffer competition."
Top-ranked UCLA is the epitome of "stiffer competition." The Bruins are 9-0 this season, including a win against the Cal-State Fullerton team that beat Kansas 12-1 two weeks ago at the Diamond Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M.
The Bruins are led by junior catcher Stacey Nuvenman — a key player for the 2000 U.S. Olympic team that won a gold medal in Sydney.
On paper, UCLA is the decided favorite, but Kansas doesn't seem concerned.
The Bruins also have Olympic alternate Amanda Freed on their roster.
"We know we are the underdogs," Milhoan said. "But if anything that just helps us relax. We won't let the pressure get to us, we're just out to prove what we can do."
Bunge agreed.
"We won't be intimidated by anyone," she said. "Things can happen in this game, and it's not always the best team, talent-wise, that wins."
For Kansas to have success, it needs continued production from its offense. The team is hitting .380 in six games this season, a drastic improvement compared to last year's .228 team average. Also, the Jayhawks have scored 35 runs — a total that took them 11 games to reach last year.
Leah Tabb has been a big part of the resurgence. The junior catcher leads Kansas with two home runs and nine RBI. Her grand slam propelled Kansas to a come-from-behind 7-6 win against New Mexico.
"We just seem to be more relaxed this year," Tabb said. "We're just out there having fun and not worrying about our mistakes."
On the mound, Kansas will continue to develop Milhoan and Kara Pierce. Both made their debuts two weeks ago at the Diamond Invitational and accounted for all five Kansas wins.
Bunge wouldn't go so far as to say she was impressed by her new pitchers, but she was happy with the progress they've made.
"They got better game-to-game," she said. "They'll impress me when they start shutting out some serious teams."
They will get their chance this soon. Kansas starts the UNLV Classic today against UCLA at 11:30 a.m. The Jayhawks play California this afternoon, Oregon and UNLV on Saturday, and finish with Southern Utah on Sunday.
— Edited by Doug Pacey
BIG BLUE MONDAYS!
60 - 89 points scored = 10% off
70 - 79 points scored =15% off
80 - 89 points scored = 20% off
80 - 99 points scored = 25% off
100 and above scored = 30% off
WHEN KU SCORES YOU DO TOO!
Get these savings each Monday following a weekend Men's Basketball game.
Discount valid on all KU merchandise, school and art supplies, general books and greeting cards.
Sale at all three KU Bookstore locations Kansas Union, Burge Union or Edwards Campus.
Also available on internet orders! Orders must be placed and received by 5 p.m. (central time) on each Big Blue Monday.
Kansas & Burge Unions www.jayhawks.com 785-864-4640