Sports
University Daily Kansan / Tuesday, February 27, 1990
11
Kansas set to battle Oklahoma
Slowing Sooners down will be key
Kansas Basketball GAME 30
By Molly Reid
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas coach Roy Williams said he hoped Kansas would avoid the night-mire Missouri awoke to Oklahoma on Sunday. The then No. 1-ranked Tigers were ousted by Oklahoma 107-90 in Norman.
Kansas, now ranked No. 1, will play No. 5 Oklahoma tonight at the scene of the coup.
Men's basketball
KANSAS JAYHAWKS
Coach: Roy Williams
Record: 27-2, 10-2
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Coach: Billy Tubbs
Record: 21-4, 9-3
PROBABLE STARTERS
Player Ht. PPG RPG Player Ht. *PPG *RPG
F-Mark Randall 6-9 14.0 6.1 F-Damon Patterson 6-7 11.5 6.0
F-Rick Calloway 6-6 12.9 4.4 F-Jackle Jones 6-8 14.3 7.2
C-Pekka Markkanen 6-10 6.8 4.1 C-William Davis 6-6 15.5 8.4
G-Jeff Gueldner 6-5 10.9 4.7 G-Skeeter Henry 6-7 18.3 5.2
G-Kevin Pritchard 6-3 14.4 2.6 G-Smokey McCovery 6-2 11.3 2.8
Game Notes: No. 1 Kansas plays No. 5 Oklahoma at 6:40 tonight at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, OKla.
Kansas will try to defend the No.1 ranking it regained yesterday after then-No.1 Missouri lost to Oklahoma 107-93. Missouri has defeated the Jayhawks the past two times they were No. 1.
Kansas leads the all-time series with Oklahoma, 112-54, with a 38-34 advantage in Norman.
Radio: KLZR (105.9 FM)
TV: ESPN (cable channel 18)
The Tigers have contributed the only losses to Kansas' season and took the No. 1 ranking from them after both meetings.
Williams and the Jayhawks are familiar with Missouri.
"My God, they were making every shot and running up and down the floor. And that team they were playing is a phenomenal team."
"It's like trying to figure out your scorecard after you walk off the 15th green," he said. "That's not exactly the time to start doing it. This was a big game for me six months ago, and it will probably be a big game today."
The Jayhawks, 27-2 for the season and 10-2 in the Big Eight, are second in the conference, just ahead of the Knicks with a record of 28-3 and 11-2.
Williams said that the conference title was indirectly rooted in tonight's victory but that an evaluation would be premature.
Kansas has met Oklahoma once this season. The Jayhawks beat the Sooners 85-74 in Allen Field House on Feb. 3 but did it in an unusual fashion. Kansas turned the ball more than 21 times and made just 38.3 percent of its field goal attempts, its lowest shooting percentage of the season. Kansas averages 53.8 percent from the field.
Guard Jeff Gueldner said the Jay-hawks' game plan tonight was to control the tempo. Oklahoma is a fast-paced team.
"We want to run, that's the way that we play, but the thing we have to do is stay under control." he said. "I think Coach has been prescribing all year."
"I think that's the kind of trap that a lot of people fall into playing Oklahoma. They just into the rat when they up and down with those abellets."
Gueldner said the key to winning the game was taking a good shot, despite the tempo.
Oklahoma shot 41.5 percent against Kansas in February, but the Sooners were without their second-leading scorer, William Davis. The 6-foot-6 center averages 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds a game.
"I think the big difference tomorrow night is that they have William Davis, Guelderna said. "He basically
scored at will when they needed it against Missouri. I think their players tried to make up for him (against Kansas), and it's hard to overcome them.
em. (against Kansas); and it's hard to overcome losing 18 points and nine rebounds." Gueldner's career-high 13 rebounds were significant in the victory against Oklahoma earlier this month, and Williams said rebounds would be a factor tonight.
"They're a very athletic team," Williams said. "I think rebounding is something we should be concerned about, but I think we've been able to battle most teams on the backboards."
Kansas pulled down 54 rebounds against the Sooners, which is well above its 38.3 rebounding average. Omaha had 39 rebounds for the game.
Williams said that Kansas must play its best game to beat Oklahoma that one of the things that would make it tough was the Sooners' depth.
"You can't just point a finger and say you have to stop one guy," Williams said. "We're not going to aim our guns to stop Jackie Jones. We're going to try to slow Oklahoma down."
Jones, a 6-8 forward, averages 14.3 points and 7.2 rebounds a game. He outscored all other Sooners on Feb. 3 against Kansas with 18 points and contributed a game-high 28 in the victory against Missouri on Sunday
Gueldner said Kansas would take on Oklahoma's crowd and 44-game winning streak as well as the start-and-goal game at the Jayhawks take the floor tonight.
"They're playing extremely well right now and especially at home," he said. "They've got the winning streak on their side, and that's just another emotion that's on their side. We don't have to be consistent on the road this year, and hopefully we'll do the same (tonight)."
Coach pulls team from play
By Paul Augerl
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas men's tennis coach Scott Perelman has pulled the 29th-ranked Jayhawks from the H.E.B. College Championships in Corpus Christi, Texas. The championships will begin Thursday and will end Saturday.
"It's been very tiring to play day after day," Perelan said. "Not much has changed, but guys a chance to rest and go to classes. I think it was a smart move."
The Jayhawks returned to Lawrence Sunday after a five-day, three-match event at the USTA/ITCA National Indoor Team Tennis Championships in Louisville, Ky. Kansas lost all three matches.
"It is very tiring after playing in such a quality tournament," No. 5 singles player Carlos Fleming said. "We haven't practiced outdoors. But
Men's tennis
we could've been ready to play if
(H.E.B. J.) tournament was indoors."
Kansas begins regional play March 8 at Alvamar Tennis and Swim Club against Southwest Missouri State. The Jayhawks are 4-6 overall and have not won since a 6-1 victory against Drake on Jan. 27.
Chris Walker returned to the singles lineup after a nine-month recuperation.
John Falbo, Kansas' 1st single player and the 11-ranked NCAA Division I player, reinjured a pulled stomach muscle against Arkansas at the national tournament Saturday. The junior All-American first pulled the muscle at the Roles National Indoor meet Feb. 8.
"That was the first time I played back-to-back days," Walker said. "My arm definitely needs the rest. I think the layoff is best for me. We need to rest the small nagging injuries."
Kansas finished last among the 20 teams at last weekend's tournament. They were 9-1 year E.B.E. tournament. The Jayhawks were 8-6 this time last year.
Baseball talks hit snag, stop again
NEW YORK -- Baseball talks came to an abrupt halt and the start of the regular season in danger.
Febr. scheduled to meet with the union's executive board Tuesday in Phoenix, agreed the stalemate might postpone regular season openers on Anil 21.
Owners and players did not meet as expected Monday and union chief Donald Fehr left town, saying he wouldn't return to the bargaining table until management makes new proposals.
The owners' lockout reached 12 days with talks stalled over salary arbitration eligibility.
'Hawks get in swing for first home game
By Brent Maycock
Kansan sportswriter
After winning only one of its four road games this season, Kansas will play its home opener against Washoe at today at hoglund-Maupin Stadium.
The Jayhawks are fresh off of a split with Arkansas, which was
Kansas baseball
ranked ninth in the Collegiate Baseball/ESPN preseason poll. With its 10-4 drubbing of the Razorbacks on Saturday, Kansas won its 1,000th baseball game in a span of 92 seasons. It also was the Jayhawks' first victory against Arkansas in Fayetteville since 1964.
"It was really a gigantic win for
Kansas coach Dave Bingham
paid."
Freshman second baseman Jeff Berblinger said the team's confidence was a key to its success against Arkansas.
"The key to winning on Saturday was that we only left four on base," Bingham said. "Mark Moore and Gerry Camara both drove in three fourth and fifth spot in the order. That is where we hurt the week before."
"We felt like we could beat them, and we showed that we could," he said.
During the Arkansas series, Bingham said he was pleased with the improvements in his team's hitting with men on base. In the two games against the Razorbacks, Kansas left a total of seven runners on base.
In two games against Texas Christian on Feb. 17-18, the Jayhawks stranded 20 runners. The Jayhawks' fourth and fifth hitters were a combined 2 for 15 against the Horned Frogs, but they were 7 for 18 against Arkansas.
Bingham said that junior college transfer Mike Bard has been a key addition to the team. Bard leads the team in hitting with a .538 average, and he had a stretch where he reached base on 10 consecutive plate appearances snapped Sunday.
"Mike Bard has been tremendous," Bingham said. "I guess it's an understatement to say that I'm pleased."
Bingham said the Jayhawks needed to use the Washburn game to gain confidence in their hitting, especially in the bottom part of the lineup.
"My who's goal is to see some of the guys who aren't hitting as well gain some confidence," he said. "We've really been fortunate that Gerry Camara, Mike Bard, Denard D'Angelo have actually played great. We need some help out of the other five spots in the order."
Bingham said he would not change his lineup for the game against Washburn, despite Kansas' past domination of the Ichabods. Although Kansas leads the all-time series 55-18 and has a 35-3 advantage at home, Bingham said that Kansas could not overlook the Ichabods.
"Washburn has traditionally been a good Division II team," he said. "Last year, we had two five-run wins against them. They were both solid games, but essentially our talent came out in the end."
Brett ready to play, has no hard feelings
The Associated Press
LEAWOOD — George Brett said yesterday that his unhappiness about his contract was cleared up in a meeting with Kansas City Royals owner Ewing Kauffman and that he was ready to play baseball.
Brett, in the last year of a five-year contract, was told in the meeting Sunday that the Royals would not renegotiate the deal. But he said he was glad simply to have had the meeting with Kauffman.
"It's against club policy to renegotiate contracts, I can tell you that right now," Brett said with a laugh during an unusual session at his home when a reporter asked General Manager John Schuerholz about the policy.
The Royals first baseman, who got the 2,500th hit of his career last September, acknowledged that an outburst last month in Spokane, Wash., probably ended any chance of a contract adjustment.
"I thought something was going to be done until I sounded off," Brett said. "Then I really tied their hands. The Royals have always had a policy
must renegotiating contracts. If they would do something for me now, then every player on the team would be in there."
Brett signed a third five-year contract, a so-called lifetime contract because it included real estate deals with co-owner Avron Fogelman, in 1986. After this year, the Royals have options on Brett for the next two seasons.
"It's not the money. It's the pride," said Brett, who called reporters together to apologize for his earlier statements. "Everybody would like to make more money. Everybody knows how much I make, and I know I'm not going to get any sympathy. I just wanted to be treated better.
"I've signed three five-year contracts. Every time, for the first two years it's been great, and the last three it hasn't."
Schuerholz said, "When you team with these things and deal with them honestly, you put them behind you. That's what George has done, and it's helpful for him and it's helpful for the team."
KU faces jinx of No.1 spot after return
Bv Molly Reid
Kansan sportswriter
After only a week-long hiatus from the No. 1 spot in all three national college basketball polls, Kansas has returned.
During both stays at the apex of the Associated Press poll, Kansas has recorded its only season losses. The first visit to the top spot Jan. 8 lasted two weeks, until Missouri beat the Jayhawks 95-47 on Jan. 20 in Columbia. The Tigers then held the title until Feb. 12, when it was awarded back to the Jayhawks after Mizzou lost to Kansas State on Feb. 8 in Manhattan.
The CNN/USA Today, Associated Press and United Press International polls moved the Jayhawks back to the top yesterday after Kansas, Minnesota and Oklahoma State 70-58 and Oklahoma upset then No.1-ranked Missouri 107-90 Sunday.
Kansas coach Roy Williams said it was the competition and not a jinx that ended Kansas' short stays at the top.
The new rankings were released the day before the Kansas-Missouri game in Lawrence. With the 77-71 loss to Missouri the next day, the No. 1 ranking was traded back.
This week's scenario does not include a game against the Tigers. But it does include the team that routed Missouri 107-90 Sunday.
"I think that (competition) had more to do with it than any jinx," he said.
Rec. Previous
1. Kansas (41) 27-2 2
2. UNLV (14) 24-4 4
3. Missouri (5) 25-3 1
4. Connecticut (1) 24-4 6
5. Duke (1) 23-5 3
(tie) Oklahoma 21-4 10
7. Georgetown 21-4 10
8. Michigan 20-5 7
9. Purdue 20-5 9
10. Syracuse 20-5 11
11. Georgia Tech 20-5 8
12. Arkansas 22-4 13
13. La Salle (2) 25-1 14
14. Michigan St. 25-1 15
15. LSU 21-6 12
16. Oregon St. 21-4 17
17. Minnesota 19-6 18
18. Illinois 19-6 19
19. Xavier, Ohio 23-2 19
20. Clemson 22-5 23
21. Louisville 20-7 16
22. Loyola Marymount 22-5 22
23. Arizona 19-6 21
24. New Mexico St. 23-3 24
25. Georgia 19-6 -
Others receiving votes: St. John's (75), Housen (34), E. Tenn. St. (21), SW Missouri St. (12), Virginia (12), Louisiana Tech (10), Ala.-Birmingham (6), Alabama (6), Texea (5), Brigham Young (4), N. Carolina St. (4), Idaho (3), Indiana (2), Memphis St. (2), UCSB (2)
*First place votes in parentheses
Lacrosse Club takes over No.1 spot
By Rob Wheat
Special to the Kansan
It took all night for Kansas to establish itself as No.1 against Missouri in the Big Eight Conference.
The KU Lacrosse Club won the Kansas City Midnight Indoor Lacrosse Tournament against the Missouri club in a final game that lasted until 6:30 a.m. and was decided by an 11-10 victory.
Kansas kept Mizzou scoreless during the last five minutes of play, and Denver, Colo., sophomore John Sheehan, scored the winning goal with 2:53 remaining in the championship game.
The victory wasn't in basketball, though.
Wichita senior Scott Reinecke was the high scorer in the tournament with 14 goals and five assists.
"We were just dead tired by the last game, but we dug deep and played hard because it was for the championship and because it was an important game," he said. "We had to get them back for beating us in basketball."
The Lacrosse team started out the tournament with a 7-4 victory against St. Louis-Michelob and went on to the championship after beating the Kansas City Lacrosse Club in a 14-11 decision.
Marc Roskin, Northbrook, Ill., senior and goalie for the team, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after he had 38 saves in the team's three tournament games.
The Missouri club and the Kansas City club will both have a second chance against the Jayhawks this weekend when the KU Lacrosse Club kicks off its outdoor season Saturday against Missouri at Shenk Complex. Kansas will face the Kansas City club Sunday.
"We like playing a very physical game against Missouri. They have a bunch of great passers and shoot well, but our defense hits and checks harder." Reinecke said. "There should be a lot of knee scraps and bruises the morning after."
"At first it was hard to catch and throw, and I still not sure what I'm doing on the field, but I'm learning as I have." Donegan said.
Dan Donegan, Leawood junior,
started playing Lacrosse a few
weeks ago but said he got some
tournament experience.
He had one assist.
Mike Beaty, president of the Lacrosse club, said most of the members of the team were people who had never had experience playing the sport before. He said a lot of them are unaware of the thought people who played ice hockey or football seemed to pick it up faster.
"People get so charged up about the sport after they play it they could even talk about it for hours," Beaty said. "Hardly anything compares."
Beaty said that he started organizing the club in Fall 1985 but that it had been playing other teams using an official schedule for three years. He said the club was financed by the University.
D
Marc Roskin practices as goalie for the KU Lacrosse Club.