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6A
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Trivia question
Name the original six NHL teams.
The University Daily Kansan
Sports
Inside: Kurt Schottenheimer, rumored to be the next defensive coordinator at Kansas, was hired by the Washington Redskins yesterday.
SEE PAGE 5A
inside: Toronto Raptors guard Vince Carter may miss the NBA All-Star Game because of an injury to his left knee.
SEE PAGE 5A
For comments, contact Shawn Hutchinson or Shawn Linenberger at 864-4858 or sports@kansan.com
KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
Rebounds propel 'Huskers to win
By Brandon Stinnett sports @kansan.com Kansan sportwriter
The Nebraska women's basketball team hasn't done a whole lot well during Big 12 Conference play this season. But when it comes to rebounding, nobody does it better.
The Cornhuskers (8-11, 2-6 Big 12) asserted their rebounding supremacy last night in a 73-62 victory against Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse. In the process, Nebraska dug itself out of the basement of the Big 12 standings and into a tie with the Jayhawks (8-11, 2-6).
Nebraska outbounded the Jayhawks 48-34 in the game and pulled down 19 offensive boards, compared to 15 for Kansas.
Nebraska guard Shannon Howell, who led the Cornhuskers with 18 points, said intensity and rebounding were the keys.
"I think the big difference in this game today were offensive boards and rebounding and playing with emotion," Howell said. "We haven't been playing with emotion lately."
Nebraska's intensity proved useful each time the Jayhawks tried to mount a comeback in the second half.
Kansas cut the Cornhuskers' lead to 49-48 on a pair of free-throws by junior guard Selena Scott with just under 11 minutes remaining in the second half. But Nebraska answered right back with a three-pointer by senior guard Amanda Went, pushing the lead back to four. Went was three-for-four from behind the arc in the second half.
Nebraska coach Paul Sanderford said the Cornhuskers picked the right times to make baskets near the end of the game.
"We hit some big shots in the second half," he said. "The way
you stop a run is you got to make shots and we made some big shots in the second half."
Howell said the Cornhuskers took advantage of the Jayhawks' decision to play zone defense.
"They tried to switch it up and play a 1-3-1 and we just shot them out of it." Howell said. "Then they played us man, and they couldn't guard us. They just couldn't stop us."
With the win, the Cornhuskers snapped a five-game losing streak and picked up their first Big 12 road victory of the season. Center Casey Leonhardt, Nebraska's leading scorer and rebounder, said she could sense the team's desire to win down the stretch, something that's been lacking in recent games.
"I think we came out with a lot of energy and were very aggressive tonight," Leonhardt said. "That's something that's been missing from our game in the last few. I think energy is something you should bring to the game every day."
Nebraska leads the Big 12 in defensive rebounds, averaging 28.29 a game, and is fifth in offensive boards at 13 a game. Kansas, on the other hand, ranks last in defensive rebounding and 11th in offensive rebounding.
"Rebounding is something you just have to keep working for," Leonhardt said. "Rebounding is a big focus for us. We try to keep people off the boards and go get the ball. We have a lot of kids who are very competitive and keep going after the ball."
The victory serves as a confidence-booster for the Cornhuskers heading into three-straight home games against ranked teams. Nebraska plays No. 8 Iowa State on Sunday before facing No. 10 Oklahoma and No. 23 Colorado next week.
— Edited by Shawn Hutchinson
Depth fails 'Hawks again
by Jessie Meyer
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Bv Jessie Mever
The Nebraska Cornhuskers trampled the Jayhawks' hopes for their first victory streak since December, upending the 'Hawks 73-62 last night at Allen Fieldhouse.
The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the Cornhuskers (10-11, 2-6 Big 12 Conference), and gave them their first conference road victory and third road victory this season.
"I was really hopeful that we might be able to pull this one out," coach Marian Washington said.
Although the Jayhawks (8-11, 11-2) stayed in the running for much of second half, they never captured the lead after the 11-minute mark in the first half.
The Jayhawks never got into a shooting groove, hitting just 36.7 percent of their shots from the field and 12.5 percent from behind the arc.
Senior forward Jaclyn Johnson led the way, turning in her fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds. But lack of rebounding and depth continue to take Kansas out of the close games.
The Jayhawks lost ground on the boards, giving the 'Huskers second and third chances to score. Nebraska out-rebounded Kansas 48-34 and scored 25 points on second-chance baskets
"It's people not covering their assignments or doing the little things," Johnson said. "It's just frustrating."
Struggling to connect from the field, the Jayhawks scrambled to stay within striking distance throughout the game. The score fluctuated throughout the second half, with the "Hawks trailing by as many as 14 and as little as one.
"I give Nebraska credit to putting some good pressure defense on us," senior guard Jennifer Jackson said. "But we have to respond better than what we did."
As soon as the Jayhawks got back in the running, Nebraska answered by dominating in the paint and from behind the three-point arc. The Cornhuskers shot 30.8 percent from behind the arc, including three long balls in the second half. Nebraska also outscored Kansas in the paint 36-22.
The Jayhawks continue to struggle to find scorers off the bench and found themselves even more shorthanded with senior forward Brooke Reves sitting out much of the game because of foul trouble. Reves later fouled out after playing just 16 minutes and contributing six points.
"I just didn't play smart tonight," Reves said. "I really, really wanted this win. This was supposed to be a big game."
Kansas has relied on its senior class all season for points and leadership, and Washington said in order for the Jayhawks to be successful Reves, Jackson and Johnson had to be on the floor.
"It's obvious that we are very shorthanded and there's nothing we can do about that," Washington said. "If any of the three is not on the floor, no, there's no way (we'll win). There's no excuses. This is just where we are."
Game notes
Reves gained her 100th career steal and junior guard Selena Scott grabbed her 100th career rebound.
Edited bv Jason McKee
Senior guard Jennifer Jackson, center, drives the lance against Nebraska's Shahidrah Roberts, left, and Casey Leonhardt during the first half of a KU 73-62 loss to the Huskers last night at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Laurie Sisk/KANSAN
KANSAS PRODIGY
Leavenworth senior and Kansas basketball recruit Wayne Simien is preparing for his career as a Jayhawk with a stellar high school season.
True Jayhawk
By Chris Wristen sports@kansan.com Kansan sportwriter
He's a good boy with a mean dunk, his hometown's favorite son and a bully only to opponents on the basketball court.
"He's an outstanding young man and he's having a great, great season," Williams said. "He's very good defensively and he's a fantastic rebounder. He's really a great youngster. I think everyone will really enjoy watching him play."
Simien, a senior center at Leavenworth High School, is the tallest oak on the hardwood floor at 6-feet-9. He's no twig either, but a beefy, broadshouldered kid who weighs around 240 pounds.
If he's as good as advertised, it's likely people will enjoy meeting Simien as well. Whether it's his break-
your-wrist-off firm handshake, constant
smile or smooth, clear
voice, Simien's known
t h r o u g h o u t
Leavenworth as a
class-act who's living
his childhood dream of
becoming a Jayhawk.
He's Wayne Simien and he's going to be a Javhawk.
He's a prototypical Roy Williams recruit — a nice guy who plays a good game and takes care of business in the classroom. Perhaps that's why Williams gushes about Simien so much.
"My parents stay on me real hard and everyone knows me around Leavenworth." Simien said. "I can't get away with anything. I've got people knowing my curfew. If they see me out past my curfew they call my parents.
Simien, who has lived in Leavenworth since birth, gives credit to his parents and a community that cares.
Teammate David Albo will tell you Simien, who leads Leavenworth in scoring, is a nice guy who enjoys watching cartoons.
No slouch in the classroom, Simien
"I know coming from a small town there's a lot of trouble you can get into, but luckily I've placed myself around people that keep me thinking positive and keep me from that stuff."
boasts a 3.6 grade point average. He's pushing a 3.8 this semester while claiming to battle senioritis. His focus on his academics is something he wears in the form of a knee brace. Simien broke his patella during his freshman year and that injury, he said, was a blessing in disguise.
"My freshman year I was just crushed, and
it put things into perspective for me." Simien said. "I knew I wouldn't be able to play basketball all the time. It helped me really focus on my education and put things into perspective."
The injury healed, and he's now focused on leading the Pioneers to a state championship.
Kansas basketball recruit Wayne Simien dunks the ball in a Leavenworth high school game. Simien is expected to have an immediate impact on the Jayhawks because of his stellar athleticism and academic prowess. Photo by Aaron Lindberg/ KANSAN
See SIMIEN on page 5A
Good guy Simien fits in with 'Hawks
Wayne Simien sticks out.
And he stuck out to Kansas coach Roy Williams.
He sticks out in the classroom with his 3.8 grade point average. He sticks out in a crowd with his shy smile. He sticks out in a basketball game as the only 6-foot-9 kid on the court.
I had the pleasure of witnessing Simien on Tuesday night as his Leavenworth Pioneers pulled out a 57-50 victory against the Lawrence Lions. I've never seen high school basketball like that.
The Kansas coach offered Simien a scholarship and the Leavenworth senior accepted, signing a letter-of-intent with the Jawhooks in November
Wayne Simien is what everyone says he is: strong, smart and swift, as well as a little unpolished, slightly clumsy and young.
SorokWarren
He's a tall kid, not lanky nor pudgy. He wears a white brace on his left knee and sweats buckets through his No. 2 jersey. He's got a nice fadeaway jumper and a mean dunk. He's Rickie Licklard and the Lakers knew it.
He's Division I material and the Lions knew it.
The Lions double- and triple-teamed him, they swatted at his face and attempted to block his every shot. Lawrence's efforts held Simien to merely 19 points and about 10 rebounds.
And although a double-double is nothing to frown at, I was more impressed with Simien's presence on the court. Granted, he's still a high school kid. He had his share of turnovers and he gets silly fouls. But he doesn't pout and he doesn't play dirty when he makes mistakes, which makes him more mature than some of his peers.
Simien has the Drew Gooden curse of being called for goal tending just because he can jump higher than anyone else. That's impressive.
To ton it off. he can make a basket when it counts.
With a minute left in the game, Simien made a lay-up that gave the Ploneers a 51-50 advantage.
Williams always said he recruited kids who were not only good players but also kids who had good character, good work ethic and good academic skills. Simien fits all of those qualifications.
Wayne Simlen will definitely be a good fit for Kansas next season. But there's no question about it — he'll still stick out.
Warren is an Overland Park sophomore in journalism and Spanish.