University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, March 27, 1991
Sports
13
Game has bizarre twist for Jayhawk Elstun
By S. J. Bailev
Kansan sportswriter
Like father, like son
Gene Elstun was the co-captain of the Kansas basketball team that battled North Carolina for the national championship in the 1957 Final Four in Kansas City, Mo.
This season,
his son Doug, a junior guard for the Indianapolis-bound Jayhawks,
will get the chance to face the Tar Heels in the Final Four for the right to
NCAA championship game
Coincidence? Maybe. But that is not the only bizzare twist to this story. Elstun came to the Jayhawks last year as a transfer from, you guessed it, North Carolina.
Where's Rod Serling when you need him?
"I think it's kind of ironic that we're playing North Carolina and that my dad played them in a similar situation in 1957," Elstun said. "The night he told me he could shake me from following in his footsteps.
"But he lost to them. Hopefully I can change that, and we'll win."
Winning is one thing Elstun has
seen a lot of in his years at North Carolina and Kansas.
Elstun practiced with the Jay-hawks last season but could not play because of NCAA transfer rules. This season, he has been sparingly in 12 games, scoring nine points in 36 minutes of play.
The situation was the same at North Carolina. Elstun walked on the 1987-88 Tar Heel quad after graduating from Shawne Mission West High School, where he was an All-State senior in his junior and senior years
He said the decision to leave Kansas for North Carolina was not an option.
"I was close to coming to Kansas, but they didn't recruit me that much," he said. "Then Carolina came along, and I couldn't ask for anything better than that." He talked about basketball than I did when I was down there."
During his time at North Carolina, Elstun played in 12 games as a reserve for the Tar Heel varsity team. He became close friends with Kirk Cousins and Eliot, Hubert Davis, Rick Fox and King Rice while at North Carolina.
Elstun said the decision to leave North Carolina came after many hours of difficult reflection.
"I thought I could play a lot more than I had been given the opportunity
to play," he said. "They have a lot of great players, and even if you are great, which I'm not by any means, but I want to see much playing time as you like."
Elstun said he still kept in contact with his Tar Heel pals, who have had a few things to say about this weekend's match-up.
Gene Elstun is in the top row, fourth from the left. Elstun was a member of the 1956-57 Jayhawks.
"There's been a lot of talk going on back and forth," he said. "King (Rice) called me the other night and said, 'Doug, we've been looking at all the scouting reports, and we can't find a way to step you.' He told me he didn't want me scoring 30 points against them."
Elstun's reply: "I told him to make me go right."
Elstun's father, Gene, said that there was no way he could make Doug go to his alma mater after he graduated from high school, but that he was delighted when Doug became a Javawk.
"The decision to go to North Carolina was totally his own," he said. "I told Doug he had to do what was best for him, and I didn't want to pressure him at all. I was happy when he decided to come to Kansas because he would be closer to home and we could see him play. There might have been a little pride, but again, it was his decision."
He also said he understood the
excuement and anxiety his son had been experiencing waiting for game time to arrive.
"I remember we were all very excited," he said. "We enjoyed the environment and the feeling we were made to feel." In a world ofetry. The game has changed so much
that I don't know if I fully realize the extent of the hype today, but I told Doug to sit back and enjoy it while he laughed at it was a one-in-a-life time thine.
For Doug, the opportunity to play for Dean Smith and Roy Williams is one he never will forget.
"They are both great coaches with picture-perfect programs." he said.
picture-perfect programs," he said. "I'm very fortunate to have played both places, and I appreciate that. I know that you're a great means right now, but in a few years I'll be able to look back and see how lucky I really was."
Bo won't say die just yet
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Bo Jackson vowed yesterday to overcome what he called a serious hip injury and again play both baseball and football.
Jackson went on a television blitz, appearing on the morning shows of NBC and CBS. For two hours, to criticize doctors who had predicted his playing days were over.
"Not if, but when I come back, they will be out there with their feet in their mouths." Jackson said during appearance on NBC-TV's "Today Show.
"No one knows me better than me
James"
Andrew was of Bristolshire.
Jackson expressed annoyance at those who speculated publicly that a hip condition that developed from the skull would not permit him to play again.
in the paper."
"They have nothing else to do with
him or the car, or getting their
own pups!" said
"They should be trying to find the cure for the common cold and not be sick."
"They're trying to get their names
Jackson conceded during his NBC appearance that the hip injury suffered while playing for the Oakland Raiders in a postseason NPL playoff game on Jan. 13 was serious. But he said, "There have been players who had the same injury and in six or more months, they were playing again."
Jackson said the examination given him by the Kansas City Royals before they put him on waivers last week was cursory and that Andrews' opinion that he would play again was based on a more thorough examination and consultations with other doctors.
"If he says I will be back on the field playing. I have confidence in him and his profession that I will be back on the field playing." Jackson said during his appearance on ABC TV's "Good Morning America."
Jackson also said he wanted to continue playing both football and baseball despite warnings his coach had shortened by pursuing the two sports.
Of limiting himself to just one
sport, Jackson said during his appearance on CBS's "This Morning." "If I did that I would be living someone else's."
"I want to do what I have been doing for the past four years."
Jackson said there were two motives for the Royals' putting him on waivers. "They were bitter, and they have been bitter about me because of the strike, and the salary they thought it was the best business deal at the time."
Jackson, interviewed in Kansas City, said rather than being angry that every team let him clear wavies and move on because he was now a pie agent.
The Royals, by releasing Jackson,
hoped to cut their $2,375,000 million
salary obligation this year to just
$400,000.
"I was hoping it would happen so I could choose the team I want to play for." he said.
Of the New York Yankees apparently changing their minds about claiming him, Jackson said, "Who can say that?" The brenner seriously these days?*
Indiana scalpers offer last-minute tickets to those willing to splurge
The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — Basketball fans still can buy tickets to the Final Four. All it takes is a lot of cash scaling is legal in Indianapolis.
Yesterday's editions of the Indianapolis newspapers had more than 300 ads in the classified section, including several businesses renting from $100 to $2,000 each.
"We have four phone lines going constantly," said Dave Brusslan, president of Preferred Tickets and Tours, which had the largest advergence among other classified sections and another 3 by-4 inch ad in the sports section.
Ticket agencies had the largest ads and reported a brisk business.
"We're selling tickets from $200 to $2,500 each," said Brussel. He estimated he had "thousands" of tickets available.
"We mainly get them from people who get to buy tickets through the Nets."
won't come," he said. "We've done this for several years. This year it's a lot more fun because there are a lot more tickets available. There were very few tickets available last year in Denver."
The elimination of Indiana and Ohio State from the tournament did not cause a major decline in ticket demand. Brussel said
"The only effect it had was to lower the price we paid for tickets. Some people held their tickets too long and
it cost them money." he said. "But the demand is pretty good. And having two teams from North Carolina is good for business. Duke and North Carolina both have a fantastic following, just like Indiana."
Those with tickets are being advised to be prepared for extra security because of the possibility of attackers in response to the Persian Gulf War.
Spectators will be prohibited from bringing emergency pagers, cameras, video recorders, televisions, radios, coolers, bottles, cans and other containers. PurSES and hand-held metal detectors and hand-held metal detectors will also be used to check spectators as they enter the Hoosier Dome.
Officials will open the gates three hours before the start of Friday's public practice sessions, Saturday's opening semifinal game and Monday's championship contest to allow fans to pass through the extra security.
Softball team earns ranking of No.13
By Lana Smith
Kansan sportswriter
Haack said he hoped the Jayhawks' reward would serve as a motivating tool to do more.
The Kansas women's softball team got the news yesterday, and coach Kalum Haack was pleased to say his team was ranked 13th in the nation.
"Everyone is going to play sky high against us," Haack said. "We have to get mentally prepared to work, or it will be hard to be success."
"I's harder to get there than it is to stay," Haack said. "I told them all of the weights, running and hollering they have endured has paid off."
And despite Kansas' ranking,
Haack said his team would have to
concentrate and be sharp for seven
innings.
So far this season Kansas has played in three tournaments: the Texas A&M Invitational, the Houston Classic and the Bud Light Invitational. Haack said the combination of teams helped Kansas obtain its ranking.
Haack said that Kansas was still not the caliber of team that could go out and win without practicing.
Out of the 21 games that the Jayhawks have played, eight of their opponents were nationally ranked, and five were ranked regionally.
Washburn, a Division II team, beat Kansas last year. However, Haack did not think the Ichabods would be current when they played the Jayhawks.
ful and win. Our key is between the ears."
Senior outfieldier Jessica Hennig said the team's strategy was using strong pitching and defense to keep other teams from scoring.
Hennig said that she was pleased with Kansas's performance in the California tournament, but she thought the team could have hit better off of nationally-ranked Arizona State.
Kansas will face Washburn at 3 p.m. today in Topeka.
Kansas junior outfielder Tay Saxy said she also thought that the Jayhawks should have done better against the ranked teams, but that they beat the teams they should have.
"There are always things you could do better." Hennig said.
Kansas runner competes abroad
By Rick C. Honish
Kansan sportswriter
About 185 athletes from around the world were in Antwerp, Belgium, for the Junior World Cross Country Championships.
Cox ran the 8-kilometer course in 26 minutes, 11 hours, 17 minutes, and finished 40th overall.
Among them was the top U.S. finisher, Kansas freshman Michael Cox.
"Until the U.S. makes changes in
"I didn't think people my own age would be that much better than me," he said. "I knew they would hurt, but these guys were really good.
"Some guys are really professional athletes," he said. "They don't go to school and some don't work. They just run."
Cox said the athletes from Africa dominated the field.
He said that the trip over-
him what international competition was all about.
Michael Cox
its training programs, we'll never be able to compete with the Africans," he said.
Cox began his trip to Antwerp in February when he won the U.S. trials in Tallahassee, Fla. He ran that course in 26-20.
His time earned him a spot on the six-man U.S. team.
Cox flew to Belgium on March 7. The U.S. team toured Antwerp, Belgium, and Switzerland. Between the tours, Cox ran and did his best to acclimate.
The race took place March 24. Cox said he had never seen anything like what happened at the start. He said all the racers went into gates that resembled cattle chutes.
"Instead of 'runners, on your marks,' a big rope went up and everyone took off." he said. "We were ready to get to position. It was just nuts."
Cox estimated that there were 30,000 to 35,000 spectators at the race.
It was not a typical start, Cox said.
Cox said the course snaked through a dredged-out river bed that looked like a salt flat. There
were five or six man-made hills on the course, but Cox said the worst part was the large patches of sand on the course.
"It really takes all the spring out of it," he said.
Cox said he ran the first mile in about 4:30.
"I got real tired with that raw pace." he said.
Even with the fierce pace, Cox managed to improve his Tallahassee time by 9 seconds.
Kansas coach Gary Schwartz, who went to Belgium as the senior women's coach, said that Cox did not run the race of his life.
"He was up against the best in the world in his age group," Schwartz said. "The experience can only aid in his confidence."
Ox carried in Lawrence late Monday night, but there was little time for him to rest. He began walking to his dorm room in the team's outdoor season yesterday.
He called his experience in Belgium very educational.
"I think it will help out with my competing here," he said. "After running against him, it was intimidating to run against the big schools here.
sports briefs
Women's tennis team to start Big 8 season
The Kansas women's tennis team will open the Big Eight Conference season today against Kansas State in Manhattan.
The Jayhawks finished fourth in the conference last season with 81 match points and a 4-3 record.
"It's critical we play as hard as we can in these matches," Kansas coach Michael Center said. "Each match counts as an individual point, and it's hard to make them up in the conference tournament."
Kansas' No. 1 singles player, Eveline Hamers, is doubtful for the match against the Wildcats because of an injured knee, Center said.
"I would hope we have the upper hand, even without Eveline," Center said. "We still need to go out and prove it."
Severe weather forces baseball postponement
Heavy rain and hail forced the postponement of yesterday's Kansas-Wyoming baseball game.
The two teams will try to play two games today at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Kansas lost to Wyoming 7-6 in 10 innings Monday night.
Tyson-Ruddock rematch to take place in June
NEW ORLEANS — The work demands a match between Mike Tyson and Donovan "Razor" Ruddy. Don King, Don King, and he's happy to oblige.
The Associated Press
"Even the world will not take Richard Steele again," Muhammad said after he and King announced the June 28 rematch yesterday at the Fox Television association. The site again will be The Mirage in Las Vegas.
One thing the world also demands, according to co-promoter Murad Muhammad, is a different referee.
Steele's decision to stop the scheduled 12-round fight in the seventh round on March 18 touched a storm of controversy. There was a
Both promoters said that the rematch would be bigger financially than the first fight, which they said was a success. It also will be shown on King Vision pay-per-view television.
brawl in the ring, and Steele was kicked before being led away by security guards.
"Razor Ruddock will make in two non-title fights than Michael Spinks made fighting Tyson". Muhammad said. Spinks got $13 million for his first-round knockout loss to Tyson in 1988.
Tyson laced a series of head shots that staggered Ruddock in the seventh round and sent him backward. Steele suddenly turned his back on him and motioned that the match was over.
Ruddock was down in the second round, although tape showed he went down when he lost his balance, and then broke his leg before rallying to stagger Tyson late.
"There are two schools of thought about stopping the fight," King said. "I'm of the school that thinks he did the right thing."
Tyson talked about a rematch immediately after the fight.
"Tyson said, 'It didn't count, because he ain't dead,' King said. "Many people thought the fight was over," Ms. Chadwick said, a lot of activity in the ring. What we're trying to do now is present one of the most exciting fights ever put
before the public, because here's a man who stood toe-to-toe with Tyson for seven rounds."
There also will be three championship bouts on the card, King said.
Julio Cresar Chavez of Mexico, the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council junior welterweight champion, might fight Lorette Garza of Sacramento, Calif., the World Boxing Association champion, or he might defend his title against Rafael Pineda of Colombia.
Julian Jackson of the Virgin Islands will defend the WBC middle-weight title against Dennis Milton of New York.
UNLV player wins Eastman
LAS VEGAS - Senior forward
Larry Johnson of UNLV was named
winner of the Eastman Award as
college basketball's top player yes-
A junior college transfer, Johnson helped UNLV to its first national championship last year when he led the team in rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
The award is not accepted by me.
Johnson is the 17th winner of the award, voted on annually by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Last year's winner was Lionel Simmons of La Salle.
*This year, the undefeated Rummin'
Rebels are bidding for a second
straight title with Johnson averaging
10.8 rebounds and 3 assists per game.
it's accepted by my coaches, my family and, most important, my teammates." Johnson said.
"It isn't just me getting the award, it's the whole team. That's the way we look at it. It's one of the reasons we've been so successful."
UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian praised Johnson.
"Nobody in this room knows how unselfish this guy is," he said. "He absolutely doesn't know how many points he had after the game. The only concern with Larry is whether win or lose.
"In two years he hasn't complained once about not getting the ball. Sometimes he goes 7-8 minutes. You know he's mad. I'm the one who gets mad, not him."
From The Associated Press