Friday, January 19.2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
A&M a threat to Kansas backcourt
By Zac Hunter
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportwriter
It would be easy for No. 5 Kansas to overlook Texas A&M.
The Aggies (6-1 overall and 0-4 in the Big 12 Conference) haven't finished better than eighth in the conference and haven't been to the NCAA tournament since 1987. Despite that, the Jayhawks are still wary of the Aggies going into their game at 3 p.m. tomorrow in Allen Fieldhouse.
"We're a Top 5 team, so a lot of people are going to be coming at us," said Kansas sophomore forward Drew Gooden. "Everybody's coming at us because we're the big dogs in the conference, so we just need to keep our composure throughout the whole year."
Kansas State's 80-59 paddling of No.20 Missouri was a wake-up call for the rest of the conference that
"It thought it was a misprint. I didn't think Kansas State would beat Missouri like that," Gooden said.
any team can win at any time.
Kansas coach Roy Williams also said he was surprised by the Missouri loss, but, in a way, he
might have expected it
expected it.
"In this league you've got to be ready to play every single night.
regardless of where the game is." Williams said. "I think the league is very competitive, and I think it will go down to the wire."
However, Texas A&M comes to Lawrence on a down note. After leading No. 24 Texas 34-28 at half time, the Aggies watched Texas go on a 26-7 run late in the game that spoiled their chances for an upset Wednesday night.
The one highlight for Texas A&M is last season's Big 12 freshman of the year, Bernard King. This year, King is fourth in the Big 12 in scoring, averaging more than 17 points, and will pose a serious threat to the Kansas backcourt, much like Nebraska guard Cookie Beleher did on Wednesday.
The Jayhawks held Belcher to just 10 points — most of the pressure being applied by senior forward Kenny Gregory, who will most likely be matched up against King. The two are nearly identical in size, and have similar games.
King is a slasher who likes to take the ball at the rim, but he can also step outside and knock down some long-range shots.
King may not be the Aggies' best long-range shooter, but he certainly shoots the most. His 108 three-point attempts are nearly double that of anyone on the Texas A&M squad,
and he is third on the team, hitting 31.5 percent of his three-point shots. Once again, the Jayhawks will have a distinct advantage in the frontcourt, but Texas A&M freshman Nick Anderson is starting to learn what it's like to play big-time college basketball. The 6-foot-6 forward is averaging nearly 10 points, and he will be tested against the much taller and more experienced Kansas front line.
However, size may not be a big problem for him.
"There are times that we think, especially in the high-post area as he flashes there, he has the advantage against the bigger kids," said Texas &M coach Melvin Watkins.
Watkins said the Aggies need Anderson to be more aggressive with the ball, though, and need more scoring production from the forward spots.
Edited by Melissa Cooley
Colorado's Nightingale ready for Kansas
By Brandon Stinnett sports@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
At 12-3, the Colorado women's basketball team has two more wins than it had all of last season. With a 98-90 victory against Missouri on hoes moved to 3-1 in the Big 12
With a 89-90 Victory on Sunday, the Buffaloes moved to 3-1 Conference.
Not too shabby for a team that finished 10-19 a year ago and 4-12 in the Big 12. One key to Colorado's
One key to Colorado's dramatic turnaround is the
play of junior guard Mandy Nightingale
In her third year as a starter, Nightingale has earned respect from her teammates for being a leader on and off the court. She is among the top in most categories and is a player the Buffaloes rely on in tight situations.
"She has a grasp of the competition, how hard
we have to play, a sense of the timing when she runs the offense, and she's emotionally steady," said Colorado coach Ceal Barry of Nightingale. "She's matured a lot over the last two and a half years. I'm confident in her."
Kansas, 7-8 overall and 1-3 in the Big 12, will get a taste of Nightingale at 8 p.m. tomorrow when the Jayhawks take on Colorado in the Coors Event Center in Boulder.
Nightingale is not Colorado's only weapon. In the win against Missouri, five players scored in double figures. Sophomore guard Linda Lappe led the Buffaloes with 22 points, and freshman center Tera Bjorklund added 21.
Barry said a big difference this season was the team's depth. Last year, injuries caught up with the Buffaloes, forcing just seven players to carry the load through most of the season.
Now Barry has 14 players to shuffle in and out of the lineup, keeping the team fresh. It's made a huge difference.
"When we're tired we can go out and get rest
and then come back in and play stronger," Niehtingale said.
Barry said Colorado wasn't about to let recent success go to its head. The team realizes that there are games yet to be played.
"It's early in the year, and we have a long season." Barry said.
Kansas is looking for a win after losing on the road to Oklahoma State, 61-53, on Wednesday.
The game's outcome may depend on which Kansas team shows up. The Jayhawks were dominant in a 78-67 win against Kansas State on Saturday, using tenacious defensive pressure to force 29 Wildcat turnovers. But against the Oklahoma State, Kansas looked lethargic. The team committed 26 turnovers and was outplaced in nearly every facet.
Nightingale said she expected a challenge.
Nightingale said she expected a challenge. "I know they're going to want to come out and get a road win," she said. "We're just going to play hard."
Meeting signals beginning of intramural basketball
— Edited by Courtney Craigmile
By Steve Laurenzo sports@kansan.com
Kansas sportwriter
The intramural basketball meeting at 7 p.m. Sunday at 252 Robinson starts another spring intramural season. The open meeting is the best chance for team managers to register their squads, receive information about rules and guidelines and ask questions.
With the men's and women's basketball teams entrance into Big 12 Conference play comes a basketball buzzer that fills Lawrence. Each year this inspires many students to showcase their skills on the hardwood in Robinson Center.
Jason Krome, assistant director of recreational services, emphasized the importance of this meeting for interested teams.
"We really encourage coming to this meeting," Krone said. "It gives teams priority when it comes to block scheduling."
Block scheduling sign-ups will be available to registered teams on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Block scheduling is a method that allows the players to pick the day and approximate time they would like to play, rather than recreational services assigning them with both.
Total cost per team is $30 Women's, men's and co-recreational leagues will play three regular season games and then enter their respective tournaments.
The men's league is split into four divisions — greek, residence hall, open and the relatively new "b" division. The women's league consists of the first three from that list. There is no divisional split in the
"This type of scheduling helps to prevent forfeits due to time conflicts," Krone said.
INFO MEETING
What: Intramural basketball meeting
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: 252 Robinson Center
Why: Open meeting is the best chance for team managers to register their squads, receive information about rules and guidelines and ask questions. For questions or information call recreation services at 864-3546.
These divisions provide several levels of competition from which interested teams can choose. The "b" division, in effect in the men's league, is for those teams looking for a less-competitive, more laid back season concluding with a final game instead of a tournament.
co-recreational league.
Rob Voelker, Lincoln, Neb., junior, played in the residence hall division in 1999 and 2000 but will switch to the open league this year.
"I played high school basketball in ninth and 10th grade, but switched to intramurals after that," he said. "It was just more fun."
Rules in all leagues are the same this year, but the officials will be instructed to keep a close eye on certain aspects such as contact in the paint, palming the ball and intentional fouls.
Those interested in working as an official for the league can attend a similar officials' informational meeting following the conclusion of the team managers' meeting. All are welcome to attend, including players.
For information on any of the spring semester intramural activities call recreation services at 864-3546.
- Edited by Sydney Wallace
Call-ins are FAST!
12th & Oread
DELIVERY AREA
North of 15th Street
841-3268
1814 W. 23rd Street
DELIVERY AREA
South of 15th Street
843-6000
Subman DELIVERS
Every Night
5pm-Close!
Sat & Sun 11am-Close
Print our coupons online at www.ukans.edu/coupons.html
ONE SUB PER COUPON PER PERSON
Not valid with any other offers. expires 2/2/01
Affirming Communities Together in Faith'
(a safe alliance of glbt persons & straight allies) Every Wednesday at 7pm ECM Building
For more information: Heather Hensarling or Gary Bartholomew 841-8661
ACTIF is a group of glbt people of faith and straight allies. Whether you're Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhist, ACTIF is a safe place to come and explore your own questions and issues of spirituality and belief. A good place to come if you're exploring/questioning or have been hurt by your church or faith tradition. You'll never be pressured or put on the spot! Support is what we're all about!
Red Lyon Tavern
944 Mass.
832-8228
Introducing the NEW Sprint PCS Free & Clear Plan
The clear alternative to cellular
Some restrictions apply. See store for details.
Sprint PCS $ ^{\circ} $