UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Friday, March 21, 1997 3B Jayhawks look strong matched against Arizona B.J. Williams could prove secret weapon for 'Hawks B. J. Williams was not just in the "zone" during last year's Sweet 16 game. He was in the "Arizona." B. J. played more like a combination of L.J., K.J., and M.J. last year against Arizona in the NCAA Tournament. The 6-foot-8, 206-pound senior came off the bench to help spark the Kansas Jayhawks to victory, 83-80. Williams grabbed nine rebounds and scored a career-high 18 points in 27 minutes. He even outscored and outbred Baef LaFrentz and Baef LaFrentz SPORTS COLUMNIST Scot Pollard, who combined scored eight points and snatched eight rebounds in 48 minutes against the Wildcats. So the question leading up to the Kansas (34-1)- Arizona (21-9) game tonight is: Have the Wildcats found a defense to stop B.J. Williams this time? fmmm ... I'm pondering ... Hmmm. The next question is: Will Williams play as big a role as he did last year? Now, I'm not a member of the Psychic Friends Network, but I doubt it. I think Kansas' starting frontcourt of LaFrentz and Pollard will be big factors against Arizona, even though the Jayhawks didn't play well against the Wildcats last year. Like ESPN Sportscenter, here's my own "Breakdown" section. On paper, the starting backcourt matchup between Kansas and Arizona is pretty even. Jacque Vaughn and Jerod Haase, combined, have averaged 22.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 9.3 assists a contest. Arizona's starting backcourt of Mike Bibby and Miles Simon, combined, have averaged 29.7 points, 7 rebounds and 9.8 assists a game. Simon missed 11 of the Wildcats' 30 games. The statistics of both starting small forwards also is consistent. Paul Pierce has averaged 16 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Jayhawks this season. The Wildcats' Michael Dickerson is the team's leading scorer. He has averaged 20.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists a contest. Although the perimeter players on both teams match up, the frontcourt comparison is a mismatch. Kansas' frontcourt of LaFrentz and Pollard, combined, have averaged 29.3 points, 17.7 rebounds and 3.2 blocks a game. It also has a size advantage and has outscored Arizona's front-court by 11 points and outrebounded it by 4.6 boards a game. Arizona frontcourt players Bennet Davison and A.J. Bramlett, combined, have averaged 18.3 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. Some may think previous statistics don't count for much in a game of this importance, but NCAA Tournament experience does. Among Arizona's expected starters tonight, Simon is the only one who started in last year's Sweet 16 game. The Jayhawks did not lose a starter from last year and have more NCAA Tournament experience. Arizona lost four starters — former Kansas forward Ben Davis, Corey Williams, Jim McLean and NBA rookie Reggie Geary — from last year's team. Kansas also has a deeper bench than Arizona and a secret weapon in B.J. Williams. Although Williams' scoring average is just 2.8 points a game, I think he still will be a factor (especially on the boards and the defensive end). If Arizona pays too much attention to LaFrentz and Pollard, Williams will be there to pick up the slack. Just like he did last year. And if Williams leads the Jayhawks to victory by outscoring and outrebounding both Pollard and LaFrentz again, then I'll think about giving Dionne Warwick a call. one with comments or suggestions can send them to sports@kansan.com and selected messages will be printed. TALKING BACK Thanks a lot for your continued good work. The coverage on basketball has been excellent. Keep up the good work all the way to the title. During the past year, I supported the KU women's basketball team. From a distance, I got to know the players and the coaches. Through them, I experienced the highs and lows of the season. In the team's loss against Vanderbilt on Monday night, I wanted to reach out to each of the players and coaches and say, "Thanks." Thanks for making me proud to be a supporter of women's athletics. Thanks for consistently representing the University with such class. Thanks for continuing to practice and play while knowing that you will never have the same fan base as your male counterparts. My particular thanks to the senior class: Patience, Jennifer, Shelly, Angie and Tamecka. You gave your fans many thrilling moments as you played with heart and determination. I wish each of you the best in your future. I hope to be fortunate enough to see some of you continue to play in the American Basketball League or the Women's National Basketball Association. Again, thanks for the memories. I'm already looking forward to next season. One Royal moves up as another moves out The Associated Press HAINES CITY, Fla. — One former All-Star relief pitcher trying to make a comeback with Kansas City was all smiles yesterday while another was sent fuming to the minors. Mitch Williams, who set single-season save records with two National League teams, was asked to go to Triple-A Omaha after pitching one hitless inning and getting the victory in a 5-4 win against Pittsburgh. Also pitching one inning of scoreless relief yesterday was right-hander Jeff Montgomery, who continued to show steady progress after coming back from shoulder surgery. It was the second spring appearance for Montgomery, who was Kansas City's alltime save leader last year but underwent surgery in September after blowing 10 save opportunities and seeing his ERA balloon to 4.26. "It looks and feels normal," said Montgomery about his shoulder. "My velocity is in my normal working range." See what a difference two-thirds water will make. Water. It's cool. Refreshing. Soothing. And it's one of the reasons these lenses are so comfortable. Make an appointment with our office today to get SofLens66TM contacts. You'll love them because they can provide all the benefits of disposable lenses. So they're really low maintenance. If you're looking for comfortable contacts, call us to get into the water with SofLens66™ lenses. We'll help you decide if they're right for you. BAUSCH & LOMB ©1997 Brace & Lomb Incorporated. All rights reserved worldwide. Brace & Lomb and Self-Lende are trademarks of Brace & Lomb Incorporated. Private Parts$^R$ Booty Bounce$^R$ Empire Strikes Back$^Q$ Vegas Vacation$^Q$ Marvin's Room$^13$ Fools Rush$^{10,13}$ Love Jones$^R$ 4:10; 7,10; 9,40 4:00 4:00; 7,00; 9,50 4:20; 7,20; 9,30 4:20; 7,20; 9,30 7:10; 9,50 4:10; 7,10; 9,40 S3 50 ADULT Before * Healing * Doctors 400 AD Adult * Implanted * Teams Hollywood Theaters VARSITY 1015-MASSACHUSETTS 841-5191 BEFORE 6 PM-ADULTS $3.75 (LIIMITED TO SEATING) SENIOR CITIZENS - $3.50 DIVINE BRASCO $ ^{\text{R}} $ 801-5191 HILLCREST 925 IOWA 6. 15 7.15 9.15 STIR WHEEL PS 405,738,925 JUNIOR II JUNIEL PE 590,738,925 SORBAN X 405,738,925 ASSOCIATE ROWER X 415,045,915 RETURN OF THE JEW PE 408,738,925 CINEMA TWIN ALL 3110 IOWA B41-5191 $1.25 101 DILMATIONS $^6$ 4,45,765,928 BEARS & BUTTERED 30 AMERICA PE13 5,90,728,928 Hair Experts Design Team SHOWTIMES FOR TODAY ONLY $ 5 Off Discover Hair Design not valid with any other offer EXPIRES 3/30/97 Our Difference Holiday Plaza • 25th & Iowa 841-6886