BIG 12 PLAYERS
Kansas outfieldier LES WALROND was chosen as the Big 12 Conference baseball player of the week. Walrond batted .692 (9 for 13) in the Jayhawks' three victories against Texas-Arlington last week. He reached base 10 times out of 14 plate appearances and scored three runs.
albums and Nebraska pitcher Steve Fisher was chosen as the Big 12 pitcher of the week. He allowed just one hit in 6 1/3 innings in Nebraska's 3-0 win against Creighton last week. He struck out a career high 13 batters and walked just three.
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN SPORTS
Les Walrond
BASEBALL COMPETES IN HOME OPENER
In its first Big 1.2 Conference game of the year, the KANSAS BASEBALL TEAM beat conference rival Nebraska 3-0 yesterday at Hoglund-Maupin Stadium.
It was Kansas' home opener and the team's first game since sweeping a series with Texas-Arlington last weekend. Full Story on 4B.
ARKANSAS TROUBLES
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 26,1997
The University of Arkansas froze the salaries of athletic director Frank Broyles and basketball coach Nolan Richardson after admitting to four violations of NCAA rules, but the university denied allegations that it had lost control of its MEN'S BASKETBALL program.
The school also said they would forfeit a basketball scholarship this year and next and deny scholarships to junior-college transfers for two years. Arkansas, which won the NCAA championship in
1994, didn't elaborate on the reason for the salary freeze for the 1996-97 fiscal year, saying they were disciplinary actions.
SECTION B
Vaughn, LaFrentz make player-of-the-year finals
A list of finalists — 12 men and 12 women — for the 1997 Boost-Nai-sim Award, which honors the college basketball player of the year, was released yesterday.
Kansas forward Raef LaFrentz and guard Jacque Vaughn both made the list. Vaughn is averaging 10 points and six assists per game. LaFrentz is averaging 19 points and nine rebounds per game.
The other men's finalists are:
The other men's tinaiists are:
Tim Duncan, Wake Forest
Chaucey Billups, Colorado
Danny Fortson, Cincinnati
Jerald Honeycutt, Tulane
Brevin Knight, Stanford
Ron Mercer, Kentucky
Shea Seals, Tula
Maurice Taylor, Michigan
Keith Van Horn, Utah
De Juan Wheat, Louisville
Missing from the list of women's finalists was Kansas guard Tamecka Dixon, who is averaging 21.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.5 steals per game. She is the leading candidate for Big 12 Conference Player of the Year and was the Big Eight Conference Player of the Year in 1996.
The women's candidates are: Kate Starchird, Stanford
- Kate Starbird, Stanford
- Shalonda Enis, Alabama
- La'Keshia Frett, Georgia
- Tracy Henderson, Georgia
- Chamique Holdsclaw, Tennessee
- Marion Jones, North Carolina
- Clarisse Machanguana, Old Dominion
Ticha Penicheiro, Old Dominion
Nykesha Sales, Connecticut
Kara Wolters, Connecticut
Tora Suber, Virginia
—Kansan Staff Report
Tina Thompson, Southern California
The finalists were selected by a board of coaches, journalists and administrators. The winners will be announced on Sunday, March 23.
Chiefs try out Elvis Grbac, may make an offer soon
KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Kansas City Chiefs worked out Elvis Grbac yesterday, and coaches planned to be in Tempe, Ariz., today and tomorrow to try out Arizona State quarterback Jake Plummer.
Grbac had visited the Chiefs last week but did not go through a workout. He then went to Atlanta to meet with new coach Dan Reeves before making another visit to Kansas City.
The Falcons traded two draft choices to the Houston Oilers for Chris Chandler yesterday.
The Chiefs also had looked at Chandler and at Heath Shuler of the Washington Redskins.
Kansas City also had considered Jeff George, who was waived by the Falcons after the sideline argument with coach June Jones.
Grbac's agent said the Chiefs had indicated that Grbac, who has been San Francisco's backup for Steve Young, was on the top of their list.
"From a talent perspective, he's no Throne, 1 choice," agent Jim Steiner said. "Now, they have to be consistent on that with the dollars. We've talked in some generalities and parameters on salary. But we haven't talked specifics. We're on the same page. We've got a little way to go, but that's the challenge in negotiations, to bridge the gap."
The local media reported that the Chiefs would offer Grbac $4 million a year.
Grbac had said during his initial visit that he thought the Chiefs were a tight end and wide receiver away from being a Super Bowl contender.
Free agent wide receivers Andre Hastings of Pittsburgh and Qadry Ismail of Minnesota and linebacker Terry Wooden of Seattle also worked out with the Chiefs Monday.
The Associated Press
Big 12 title within reach
Women staying focused for final games of season
By Tommy Gallagher
Kansan sportswriter
The No. 11 Kansas women's basketball team has a chance to clinch a share of the Big 12 Conference title when it plays Nebraska at 7 p.m. today at Allen Field House.
With a one-game lead over No. 12 Texas in the Big 12, Kansas forward Shelly Canada said the team controlled its own destiny. The home games against Nebraska tonight and Oklahoma on Saturday are the final two regular-season games for the Jayhawks.
"We have to remain focused and worry about Kansas, not about Texas," Canada said. "We want the title all for ourselves. We don't want to share it with anyone. We control our own destiny, so we would rather win it ourselves than having to look and see what Texas did."
Canada and the other four Kansas seniors — guards Tamecka Dixon and Angie Halbleib, and forwards Patience Grayer and Jennifer Trapp — have never lost to Nebraska.
The Jayhawks defeated Nebraska 67-59 on Feb. 2 in Lincoln, Neb.
Nebraska women's basketball coach Angela Beck said that the Cornhuskers could not focus on any one player because Kansas had too much depth.
Pride led Kansas with a careerhigh 19 points and had eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Dixon had 17 points and seven rebounds.
"Kansas is going to take what we give them, but anyone can hurt us during the game," Beck said. "If we focus on Dixon, Pride will kill you. If we focus on Pride, Halbleu will kill you. This team has tremendous balance inside and outside, so we'll really have our hands tied."
Kansas shot 35.9 percent from the floor, while Nebraska shot 41.1 percent. Despite the better shooting percentage, turnovers plagued the Cornhuskers as they committed eight more turnovers than Kansas.
Neither team shot particularly well in the first meeting.
"We need to take better care of the ball this time," Beck said. "Without a doubt, Kansas is one of the top teams in the conference and probably a top-10 team. We'll need to stay focused and play solid defense to win."
Forward Anna DeForge, who averages 17 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, leads Nebraska. She was 4 for 14 from the floor in the first meeting, including 0-4 from behind the three-point line. DeForge finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Guard Nicole Kubik had 16 points in the first meeting, including a 5-8 performance from behind the three-point line. For the season, Kubik is shooting 35 percent from the floor and 29.5 percent from behind the three-point line.
Kubik's performance caught Kansas by surprise last time, but Canada said both teams will know what to expect from tonight's game.
"When we played them last time, they were 16-1 and had a lot of momentum and confidence," Canada said. "We weren't playing our best that day, but we managed to get the win. We definitely want to play better this time because they're a tough team to play and a tough team to beat."
Women's Basketball
Nebraska (18-6) overall, 8-6 in the Big 12) Probable Starters:
G Nicole Kubik, 5-10, Fr.
G Sheila McPherson, 5-5, Fr.
F Tina McClain, 5-10, Sr.
F Anna DeForge, 5-11, Jr.
C Charlie Rogers, 6-2, Fr.
Kansas (21-4 overall, 12-2 in the Big 12) Probable Starters:
G Tamecka Dixon, 5-9, Sr.
G Angie Halbleib, 5-10, Sr.
F Lynn Pride, 6-2, Fr.
F Jennifer Trapp, 6-1, Sr.
C Nakia Sanford, 6-3, So.
Time: 7 p.m. today
Place: Allen Field House
Radio: KJHK-FM, 90.7
Senior forward Shelly Canada pushes her way up the court against K-State Saturday.
Kansas guard Jacque Vaughn gets fouled on his way to the basket during the Jayhawks' game against Kansas State on Saturday in Allen Field House.
Geoff Krieger/KANSAN
Kansas takes best shot of opposing teams, fans
By Bill Petulla
Kansan sportswriter
The cream always rises to the top.
Take Monday night for example, as Kansas was clinging to a four-point lead against Oklahoma with 4:30 remaining. Jayhawk guard Jacue Vaughn took an outlet pass the length of the court and threaded the ball through two Sooner defenders, sinking a layup and getting fouled in the process.
Vaughn calmly sank the ensuing free throw while the roaring Oklahoma crowd tried desperately to distract him. Vaughn went on to score five of the Jayhawks' final 11 points to give Kansas a two-point victory, 70-68.
Tyler Wirken/KANSAN
Although Vaughn, who is averaging 10 points and six assists per game, has been a consistent contributor throughout the season, Kansas men's basketball coach Roy Williams said he is disappointed that Vaughn most likely won't receive any post-season accolades.
"It's a shame that you (the media) won't vote for him for awards because he missed the first part of the season," Williams said.
"But he's been there in conference play, and I'm a lot better of a coach because he's out on the court," he said.
One post-season distinction that hasn't eluded Vaughn is the Boost-Naismith Award. Vaughn and forward Raef LaFrentz were selected for the elite list of finalists yesterday.
Kansas players and coaches have mentioned repeatedly that they have gotten every team's best shot this season. The Jayhawks have also gotten the best shot from opposing fans.
Hostile Environments
"We go to UCLA and the crowd was crazy," Williams said. "At Colorado the crowd was huge. At Texas Tech, it was the first time they were scalping tickets outside."
Monday night's game at Oklahoma wasn't any different. There were 12,875 Sooner fans crammed into the Lloyd
Noble Center, a new record. Keep in mind that the center only has 11,100 seats.
The Jinx
Williams will be featured in the March 6 edition of Sports Illustrated. Kansas alumnus Bill Frakes is the photographer for the story.
No Let Down
Kansas' win against Oklahoma came
just two days after the Jayhawks defeated Kansas State 78-58 in the seniors' final home game.
Vaughn said few teams in the country could have accomplished the exhausting feat.
"After the emotional and physically draining day it was on Saturday and to have one day in between, then travel and play, that says a lot about our team," Vaughn said. "Not too many teams in the country could do that."
Pat Ruel finds off-season not so golden
By Tommy Gallagher Kansan sportswriter
After working as Kansas 'offensive coordinator for the last nine years, Golden Pat Ruel now sits on the sidelines waiting for the next phone call about a new job.
He has received four job offers since Kansas football coach Terry Allen replaced G Mason in December. But he wants a job near his Lawrence home because his wife, Martha, is the assistant vice chancellor for student affairs at Kansas.
"If my wife wasn't working, I'd be forced to consider a job that maybe I didn't want," Ruel said. "If I were to take a job somewhere, it has to be good for me, as well as the whole family. Money's not a factor, so I'm content with waiting for the right job."
Moving was not a top priority for Ruel, but there were plenty of opportunities.
Mason offered Ruel the same duties as he had at Kansas - assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach - at the University of Minnesota. His salary would have been $50,000, which was $20,000 more than he earned last season.
He declined the offer.
Louisville made a similar bid to Ruel, but he declined. Most recently, Ruel was offered an offensive assistant coaching position with the New England Patriots. NFL assistant coaches reportedly earn more than $125,000 per year, according to ESPN.
he declined the offer.
Louisville made a similar bid to Ruel, but he declined.
He declined that offer as well.
He declared that offer as well,
"I didn't want to take a job, move the family, and then hate the job and move back," Ruel said. "That would be a great disservice to the coaches involved, and in particular, my family. To put them through that sort of scenario would be wrong of me."
For Ruel, this is the first off-season away from football since he was a player. He has been an assistant coach at six colleges.
"Not having anything to do during the off-season is driving me crazy," Ruel said. "The last six weeks I've been catching up on my reading, and I've done some home repair that I never quite got around to doing. I've also realized ESPN does not have a good selection of shows to choose from during the afternoon hours. It's awful."
Ruel currently read Hard Road To Glory, a book written by Arthur Ashe, Jr. For Ruel, the hard road to glory will have to come with a lot of patience. Until then, he will wait for the perfect job opportunity while his wife continues to work at the University and provide for the family.
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