University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, February 6, 1991 Sports 13 Nebraska returns to battle 'Hawks for first By S. J. Bailey Kansan sportswriter What a difference a year has made for the Nebraska basketball team. That was then, but this is now. After 21 games last season, the Cornhuskers owned a 9-12 record and hovered near the Big Eight Conference cellar at 2-6 in league play. This season Nebraska has dominated opponents en route to an 18-3 record and the No. 15 ranking in the Associated Press college basketball Kansas coach Roy Williams said yesterday that this year's Nebraska team, which is the tallest in the league, will receive the Jayhawks some difficulties. Tonight the Cornhuskers, tied with Kansas and Oklahoma State for first place in the conference at 4-2, return to Allen Field House to battle with the 8th-ranked Jayhawks. It will be the first time this season that Kansas will play a game in which both teams were ranked nationally. "They could start four guys 6-foot 8 or better, and we start only one guy over 6-8," Williams said. "You worry about their rebounding and you worry about their shot blocking. Both of those are related to their size." Junior guard Carl Hayes leads the Cornhuskers in scoring with 15.5 Men's Basketball points a game, but each of Nebraska's five starters averages in double figures. Of the five starters, three are seniors and two are juniors, making Nebraska one of the most experienced teams in the conference. Williams said he thought the Cornhuskens experience, as well as their familiarity with each other, had contributed to this season's success. "Of their top nine players only one, Jose Ramos, is new," he said. "Pietkowski and Farmer are new to play, but were there last year practicing while everyone else was playing. And Clifford Scales, Rich King and Beau Reid have been in this league longer than I have. “They have a fine team chemistry, and you can't just go out and look to stop one player. You can do that and try to stop one player so do it is try to stop Nebraska's team.” Williams said he thought there were a few similarities between this year's Cornhusner team and last year's 30-5 Jayhawks. For example, each team was picked last in the competition in some press conference publications. "We were both experienced clubs and each had about seven or eight guys who were good basketball players and didn't mind sharing the load," he said. "No one thought they had to do everything all by themselves. The fact that no one expected anything from them I think is a rallying point. The biggest thing is both teams were well-talented than people liked to talk about." Senior forward Mike Maddox said he also thought there were similarities between last year's Jayhawks and this year's Cornshuskers. "They have a lot of players who have played together for three or four years, and that makes a good mix," Maddox said. "They also play very unselfishly, which is one of the things we did best last year." Senior forward Mark Randall, who captured the Big Eight Conference player-of-the-week award for his play against Kansas State and Iowa both teams would be ready for tonight's showdown for first place. Kansas Basketball GAME 20 "It's a big game, and one we've been looking forward to since Saturday," he said. "This is a big opportunity for us. Actually, we have bunch of small opportunities to get to a greater opportunity at the end of the season." KANSAS JAYHAWKS Coach: Roy Williams Record: 15-4 PROBABLE STARTERS NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS Coach: Danny Nee Record: 18-3 Player Ht. PPG RPG F-Alonzo Jamison 6-6 11.5 6.6 F-Mike Maddox 6-7 8.2 3.2 F-Mark Randall 6-9 14.9 5.5 G-Terry Brown 6-2 18.5 3.7 D-Adonis Jordan 5-11 11.7 2.9 Player Ht. PPG RPG F-Tony Farmer 6-9 11.7 6.8 F-Carl Hayes 6-8 15.5 5.9 C-Rich King 7-2 12.9 7.8 G-Bea Reid 6-8 10.3 5.1 G-Clifford Scales 6-2 10.5 3.0 Game Notes: Kansas will play Nebraska at 7:05 tonight at Allen Field House. Kansas leads the series against the Cornhuskins 131-63, and the Jayhawks are 31-6 in Allen Field House against Nebraska. Kansas has won the last three meetings, including both games last season, and has won 12 out of the last 15. Both teams are currently ranked in The Associated Press Top 25 Poll. Nebraska is 15 and Kansas is 18. Radio: KLZR (105.9 FM), JKHK (9.7 FM) TV: WIBW (Topela), KZKC (Kansas City), KWCH (Wichita) KANSAN Graphic Shadow play Alex Ewy,逸 freshman, drives past Shane Parr. Overland park sophomore, during a basketball game in Veterans Park at 19th and Louisiana streets. About 15 members of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity decided to take advantage of the weather . Two weekend victories encourage team By Mark Spencer Kansan sportswriter The Kansas men's tennis team' busy schedule prevents coach Scott Perelman and his players from reflecting on one match for very After beating fourth-ranked Tennessee last weekend, however, they can't be blamed for dwelling on it. After trailing 0-1 in the third set, Kansas junior Paul Garvin swept six straight games from Tennessee's lead to seal the victory for the Jayhawks, 5-4. "I think everyone feels really good about it." Perelman said. Pereman said the win was the best in Kansas tennis history, but news of the biggest upset of the college seasoneater traveling slowly around the country. Junior Rafael Rangel said that the team was proud of its accomplishment, but that it was eager to play again. "It takes it a little while to get through the grapevine," Perelman said. "Most people don't believe it." Perelman said that he feared a "I thought Saturday night would be a test," Perelman said. "I hoped we would play with confidence. As it turned out, we did." Friday's victory against Tennessee and Saturday's victory against Wisconsin will help set a standard for the rest of the season. Perelman said. "Both nights were a total team effort, and I think we have a lot of confidence right now," Perelman said. letdown against Wisconsin after the emotional victory against the Volunteers. The Jayhawks are also playing with a solid lineup because of the "It allows us to play our three best doubles teams when he's there," Perelman said. return of junior Patrick Han from a foot injury, Perelman said. The doubles teams of seniors Craig Widley and Chris Walker, Rangel and Garvin and freshman Rhain Han went 5-1 during the weekend. Rangel said the 20th-ranked Jayhawks surely would move up in the March 12 poll, but the team did not put much faith in the rankings. "It's all the coaches voting," he said. "If they don't like you, they won't vote for you." Team optimistic about Nebraska Lady Jayhawks hope for victory despite two close losses last week Rv Lana Smith Kansan sportswriter The Kansas women's basketball team will be on the road to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers at 7 tonight in Lincoln. Neb The Jayhawks were defeated by Iowa State on Saturday at Allen Field House but were optimistic about the Nebraska game, especially after 'I'm shooting for the Big Eight tournament. I'm not pleased where we are right now, because I know we can play better.' Marian Washington Women's basketball coach their victory, 83-63, against the Corn huskers two weeks ago. "They're still fighting pretty hard," Kansas assistant Coach Mitch Shea said. " Their attitudes are good, and they've won seven games left in the conference." "I'm shooting for the Big Eight tournament," Washington said. "I'm not pleased where we are right now, but我知道we can play better. I know we can do more. That's what I am after." Coach Marian Washington said she was focusing her attention on the remaining games in the Big Eight Conference. The Cornhuskers have one of the Women's Basketball tallest teams in the conference, with three starters over 6 feet. Nebraska sophomore forward Karen Jennings was one of those key playing powers that Kansas had to contend with in the teams' last season. During the Jan. 23 Kansas-Nebraska game, Jennings scored 23 points for the Cornhuskins, grabbed seven for nine from the free throw. She scored 29 points last week against Oklahoma State, even though Nebraska was defeated 68-46. Washington said the Jayhawks were looking forward to tonight's game. Kansas lost two close games last week, Washington said. This can be attributed to the Jayhawks' giving up 15 points in many shots from the free throw line. She said Kansas could not afford to do that again. "We gave our opponents too many opportunities." Washington said. Washington said she thought the team would bounce back in its defense, which proved to be the Jayhawks other problem area last "They're very competitive, the Lady Jayhawks," Washington said. "We don't like to lose." Probable Starters for Women's Basketball
KansasPos.Ht.PPGRPG
23 Terrilyn JohnsonF5-1110.18.9
32 Danielle ShareefF5-96.03.2
54 Marthea McCloudC5-105.96.4
21 Stacy TruittG5-810.94.6
33 Kay Kay HartG5-78.83.1
Nebraska Nebraska 14 Kristi Dahn G 5-11 7.4 2.0 22 Sue Hesch F 6-1 9.3 6.5 51 Karen Jennings F 6-2 18.9 8.0 55 Kelly Hubert F 6-1 6.2 6.6 24 Meggan Yedsena G 5-8 8.0 3.6 Melissa Unterberg/KANSAN Rose reacts to decision Statement says he never admitted guilt CINCINNATI — Pete Rose issued a statement yesterday that didn't address Monday's decision to exclude him from the Hall of Fame ballot. But the former Cincinnati Reds manager once again said he never had admitted betting on baseball games. "I believe that it is not proper for me to make any detailed comments." Rose said in a statement issued by the firm that handles his public appearances. "It is a matter simply beyond my control. I am still paying my debt to society. I am not aware of the loss of my life behind me and go on." The Associated Press The major league baseball career Sports briefs "That is not true," Rose said in the statement. "The agreement commissioner (Bart) Giamatti and I signed dated Aug. 23, 1989, stated in the fourth paragraph, 'The commissioner will not make any formal findings or determination on any allegations against the allegation that Peter Edward Rose bet on any major league baseball game.'" hits leader said he wanted to "correct an erroneous statement by many of the media and others that I am on the media's illegible list for betting on baseball." However, Giamatti said at a news conference the following day that he had concluded that Rose bet on major league games. Top high school players to sign to college teams Today is the first day high school players can sign national letters of intent, and most of the top players have already chosen a school. The magazine's No. 1 running back, Marquette Smith of Winter Park, Fla., has narrowed his choices to Florida or Florida State. The top receiver, Mike Miller of Willowville, Texas, will attend Notre Dame. SuperPrep magazine's top-rated quarterback, Donnie Davis of Burlington, N.C., is going to Georgia Tech. Top-rated defensive lineman Jason Layman of Sevier County, Tenn., will attend Tennessee, and No. 1 defender Michael Dunn of Columbus, Fla., will head to Florida State. SuperPrep's top-ranked linebacker, Jamir Miller of El Cerrito, Calif., will go to UCLA. Tony Dorsett's son will play college football at his father's alma mater. Anthony Dorsett, a 5-foot-11, 160-pound receiver-defensive back from Richardson, Texas, has decided to play at Pittsburgh. Dorsett's high school coach, Mike Jenkins, said the player didn't want a lot of publicity about his decision. "I think you can understand." Jenkins said. "There will be a lot of pressure on him because of his name." Tony Dorsett won the Heisman Trophy in 1976 and went on to become the second-leading rusher in NFL history. He played for the Dallas Cowbacks from 1977 to 1987 and the Denver Broncos in 1988-89. Tennis players compete in Rolex tournament Mallon gains LPGA victory by two strokes Senior Jeff Gross will enter the men's singles unranked. Junior Eveline Hamers will compete in women's singles as the eighth seed. Hamers is undefeated this year with a 5-2 record. Four Kansas tennis players will compete in the Rolex National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships, which start tomorrow in Minneapolis. LAKE WORTH, Fla. — Meg Mall won the rain-interrupted LPGA Classic with two strokes less than rookie Dana Lofland, Mallon finished the two-day round at 71 for a total of 276, 12 under. Lofland, who tied for the second, two holes to play, shot a 20 for a 278. Dottie Mochrie, Tammy Green and Laurel Kean were tied for third, two more shots behind. Association names best sportscaster and writer SALIBURY, N.C. — Chris Berman of ESPN was named the sportscaster of the year and Peter Gammons of The Boston Globe the sportswriter of the year, both for the second straight year, by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. From staff and wire reports