4A | SPORTS
FOOTBALL (CONTINUED FROM 10A)
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24 2009
Mangino said Monday that he would have preferred the situation be handled in a different way.
"If someone is going to have an investigation into something, that's fine. I don't have a problem with that," Mangino said. "You would not like for it to be leaked out before anything has been done and even before the investigation actually starts. From that aspect you don't like it. But you know what, you live with it."
Mangino reiterated that point during his 10-minute call with
members of the media yesterday. He made a point to say that Kansas' players were focused and that the layhawks were zeroed in on becoming bowl eligible.
"It hasn't played out yet, and it isn't over," Mangino said. "You can only focus on the things you can control in life and that's what I'm doing."
"I talk to my players about this constantly. Let's take care of the things we have control over. Let's work on those The things we can't control, we can't let it take up our
For his part, Mangino continues to emphasize that neither he, nor his team, have lost any focus as a result of the media attention created by the internal investigation.
time because it will stop us from achieving what we want to achieve."
"You keep coaching the kids. You keep doing what you like to do. You have confidence in yourself and in your players," Mangino said. "And you try to focus on winning games. That's what we do here. That's why I coach here and that's why the players play here. They want to compete.
Beyond the off-the-field issues. Kansas has plenty to fix on the field as well.
They want a chance to win. That's what my focus is."
Kansas has lost six consecutive games, falling to 5-6 before the season finale against Missouri in Arrowhead Stadium Saturday.
But even if the Jayhawks knock off the Tigers, six victories do not guarantee a spot in a bowl game - something that has settled in with Kansas' seniors.
"It's tough because if we pick up
this next game, it's our sixth win,
and we're not guaranteed a bowl,
senior defensive back Justin Thornton said. "It's definitely important because we feel like we've been a big part of building the program up."
Last year's Border Showdown produced arguably the most memorable highlight from the 2008 season. In the final minute of the game – and with Kansas trailing – senior quarterback Todd Reesing floated the winning touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Kerry Meier.
"I'm sure a lot of people will talk
For updates about coach Mark Mangino over break, check out Kansan.com.
VOLLEYBALL
about the way the game was last year and how it ended up. But for us it's a chance to end this streak we've been on and get bowl eligible," Meier said. "And of course, wed like nothing more than to beat Missouri."
Edited by Nick Gerik
Seniors prepare for final week
BY ZACH GETZ
zgetz@kansan.com
This week, four Kansas seniors will step on the KU court for the last time as Melissa Grieb, Paige Mazour, Katie Martinicch and Brittany Williams prepare for their final match as Javahawks.
"I can't remember the last time I didn't play sports, so it might get a little emotional," Grieb said. "I'm just going to focus about coming out hard and playing Tech."
Mazour said she was sad her career was coming to an end.
UP NEXT
"I'm going to cherish what I have left and do as well as we can," Mazour said.
Kansas has a 15-13 (7-11) record and a victory would
Kansas at Texas Tech
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. tonight
WHERE: Horesi Family
Athletic Center
Kansas at No. 2 Texas
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28
WHERE: Austin, Texas
give the team its first winning season since 2004. Texas Tech is still without a victory in Big 12 Conference play, has a 2-25 (0-18) record and has won only two sets in the conference.
Though Texas Tech hasn't had much success as far as victories, the team has been getting much better as the year goes on, coach Ray Bechard said.
"It's a new coach putting in a new system, and now that they've had 25 matches, they'll probably see more statistical results than what they saw earlier in the year," Bechard said.
Kansas also needs to take the match seriously to ensure the victory, Grieb said.
Spend $20 or more & receive a FREE Sml. order of Pokey Stix
Beachard said a victory against Texas Tech was important in ensuring a winning record, building more conference wins and for the seniors' last experience on the court.
"You can't fall asleep on Tech," Grieb said. "They are playing really well at the end of the year, so we'll give them just as much respect as anybody else."
"I'm sure they'll come in here loosey-goosey with not much to lose, and we need to respond to that," Bechard said.
After Texas Tech, Kansas finishes out the season in Austin, Texas, against No. 2 Texas. Texas has lost only five sets all year in conference play and its only loss came from No. 8 Iowa State. Texas also hasn't lost at home since October 2006.
— Edited by Abby Olcese
WOMEN (CONTINUED FROM 10A)
Follow Zach Getz at twitter.com/zgetz.
are just numbers, but their meaning is not all forgotten.
"It's kind of in the back our minds," Jacobs said of Xavier's lofty rank. "We've just got to keep the focus."
Xavier coach Kevin McGuffobaists one of the finest front courts in the nation, led by junior forward Amber Harris and junior center Ta'Shia Phillips, a teammate of McCray's on the USA National Team this summer and last year's Atlantic 10 player of the year. The two bruisers post double-doubles regularly and should keep sophomore forward Aishah Sutherland and junior center Krysten Boogaard busy in the paint.
to have to stay out of foul trouble."
"We've got to be able to hold our own on the boards," Henrickson said. "Krysten and Aishah are going
Yet Xavier's backcourt is not to be overlooked simply because of the towers up front. Junior guard Special Jennings was a preseason Atlantic 10 third team selection and freshman guard Katie Rutan was just named Atlantic 10 rookie of the week after schooling Arizona State for 13 points and shooting 3-of-4 from three point range.
"Both teams will be trying to run," Henrickson said of the game plan.
No. 9 Xavier is currently sitting at its highest ranking in the school's history after taking the Atlantic 10 title (25-7, 13-1), leading the nation in field goal percentage and placing third in rebounding margin last year. This may be the toughest test for Kansas so far this season, and
should serve as an ideal barometer as to how ready this team will be when Big 12 competition rolls around.
"If we are fortunate enough to beat them, we'll know how good we can be." Morris said.
Despite the high stakes, the team does still plan to have some fun in the tropics.
"I did hear we'll get a chance to go on the beach and ride some jet skis," Morris said.
Henrickson said, however, that she'll be abstaining from the turkey.
she'll be abstaining from the turkey.
"I think I'm getting chicken," Henrickson said.
Follow Max Rothman at twitter.com/maxrothman.
The No.9 Xavier Musketeers seem to have a knack for generating turnovers. Over an 11-minute stretch against the then-No.14 Arizona State Sun Devils, the Musketeers forced nine turnovers.Also, in that game the Musketeers had 15 steals. If Xavier is as active defensively as they were against Arizona State, No.19 Kansas will have to be on top of its game defensively and prevent Xavier from getting points off of any turnovers created.
KEY TO THE GAME Points off turnovers
After a rocky game against Michigan last Sunday, senior guard Danielle McCray will need to make a quick turn around if the Jayhawks are going to have a good chance to knock off the Musketeers. If McCray can get back on her "A" game and if her teammates continue the stellar play they exhibited against Michigan, Kansas will be tough to beat. It also doesn't hurt that the Jayhawks are playing the Musketeers on a neutral court in the Bahamas.
KEEP AN EYE ON Danielle McCray
OPPONENT TO WATCH Amber Harris
Xavier Musketeers junior forward Amber Harris has earned a double double in every single game her team has played this year. She even earned one in limited playing time in an exhibition game against Indianapolis. Even if Harris doesn't have a big game she will likely draw plenty of attention from junior center Krysten Boogaard and sophomore forward Aishah Sutherland, freeing up other Musketeers to wreak havoc in and around the paint.
- Andrew Taylor
ATTENTION
We made this type large so as not to cause eye strain.
Minimize your risk. CoventryOne offers personal health insurance that's reliable, affordable and easy.
Call us today at 866-795-3995, x4902 or visit minimizerisk.com.