Wednesday, November 20, 1996
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Big 12 south brings new look to old fans
By Neal Shulenburger
Kansan staff writer
Many dedicated fans of Big Eigh basketball may find themselves lost in the Big 12 South Division. The South Division is less recognized by such fans, where four of its six teams are from the now-defunct Southwest Conference.
Baylor (9-18) Last season finished sixth in the SWC.
Head coach Harry Miller's squad hopes that a change of conference creates a turnaround in his team's fortune. The team will not be lacking experience, as all five starters return for the Bears, Junior center Brian
Skinner (17.6 points per game,
9.3 rebounds per game) and senior forward Doug Brandt (12.8 pp,
6.9 pp) were one and two, respectively, in scoring and rebounding for
Baylor in 1995-96. The Bears' Dawon Mannon finished 10th in the SWC in assists with 3.6 per game and third on the team in scoring, averaging 12.6. Baylor also boasts a recruiting class that was rated highly by recruiting experts Van Coleman and Bob Gibbons.
Oklahoma (17-13) Last season finished third in the Big Eight.-Coach Kelvin Sampson's Sooners will be a different team than in 1996-98. They lost all-Big Eight, third team All-American Ryan Minor, starters Ernie Abercrombie, Dion Barnes and Tyrone Foster. Starting guard Nate Erdman (12.8, 5.6 rpg) is the team's only senior. Sophomore center Bobby Joe Evans (5.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg) is Oklahoma's only other returning starter. Center Evan Wiley (3.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and guard Michael Cotton (2.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg) will be asked to produce off the bench. Oklahoma will try to rebuild with five junior college transfers. Guard Corey Brewer (26.3 pgs, 7.3 rpg at
Carl Alary Junior College, and guard Daryl Kelsey (19.4 pg #
Southern Union),
could be key components of this year's squad.
Junior Robert Allison, a medical redshirt last season, might help
out on the perimeter. He averaged 27.8 ppg and 8.9 rpg for St. Gregory's Junior College.
Oklahoma State (17-10) Last season finished fifth in the Big Eight.
Oklahoma State missed the NCAA tournament last year for the first time in five years. Coach Eddie Sutton lost only three lettermen to grad-
ation on a team that was surging near the end of the season. The Cowboys will try to build on a core of four starters
of four starters, with senior forward/guard Chanti Roberts (11.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg), junior forward Jason Skaer (8.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Maurice Robinson (9.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and standout sophomore guard Adrian Peterson (11.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.0 assists per game). The Cowboys will add height with the help of two brothers, Illinois transfer junior Brett Robisch and freshman Scott Robisch. Freshman Alex Weber also is expected to help in the paint.
Texas (21-10) Last season finished third in SWC, NCAA Tournament competitor.
Coach Tom Penders returns entire starting backcourt from a team that won 21 games last year. Guard Reggie Freeman (22.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.9 apg) was the SWC's leading scorer. Sophomore guard Kris Clack (9.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and guard DeJuan Vazquez (5.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg) return as starters to Texas' guard-oriented offense. Junior guard Brandy Perriman was the team's top scorer off the bench last season. He averaged
9. 3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. Help in the paint is expected to come from 6-foot-9 senior reserve
center Dennis Jordan (2.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and 6-8 forward/center Ira Clark, a transfer from Temple Junior College.
Texas A&M (11-16) Last season finished last in the SWC.
Although the school is known nationally for its football prowess, coach Tony Barone hopes four returning starters and a solid recruiting class can help thrust them into the college basketball spotlight. A
key loss for the Aggies will be point guard Kyle Kessel, who led the SWC in assists. Even
without Kessel, Texas A&M's backcourt will not be void of experience this season. Seniors Tracey Anderson (13.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and Derrick Hart (13.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg) finished 1-2 in scoring for the Aggies last season.
Senior forward Gary Nottingham (9.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and junior forward Dario Quesada (11.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg) will be expected to take on the brunt of the scoring in the paint. Sophomore Brad Stricker (5.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg) also started 12 of the final 13 games at center for the Aggies.
Texas Tech (30-2) Reached NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, SWC Champion last season.
Texas Tech is coming off its best season in the school's history. Its only two losses came on neutral
courts. Texas Tech coach James Dickey will have a difficult time topping last season. However, this year's team will
Sox pay highest price for fielder
bear little resemblance to last year's squad. Four of the five starters from last year's team are gone.
The Associated Press
CHICAGO — Albert Belle joined the Chicago White Sox yesterday, agreeing to a five-year contract expected to make him baseball's highest-paid player.
The contract was thought to be worth $52.5 million during five years, which would be baseball's richest in both total package and average annual value.
the temperamental 30-year-old outfielder led the Indians to the American League pennant in 1995. It was the team's first pennant since 1954, and the team's second straight division title.
"It was a tough decision," Belle said at Comiskey Park.
Cleveland withdrew its offer the following day.
Belle made $5,675,000 last season, the option year of a deal he agreed to in March 1993. He hit 48 homers and drove in 148 RBIs last season. In the strike-shortened 1995 season, he hit 50 home runs and 50 doubles.
"It was unfortunate things didn't work out," Belle said. "I'd like to put all the things behind me, and I'm looking forward to bigger and better things. This is a chance where I get to have a fresh start."
Belle was the prized free agent this season, and the Florida Marlins were expected to be Cleveland's chief competitor. But Belle turned to the White Sox after the Marlins failed to make an overwhelming offer last Friday, the first day free agents could talk money with new teams.
White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas, who Belle needed to hit more home runs, appeared with Belle at a news conference.
Thomas said Belle was the shot the White Sox needed.
"It's an early Christmas present," Thomas said. "I'm happy. I always wanted to play with him."
"I'm sure I could have shopped around and got more money," Belle said. "I was very excited about being a part of that lineup."
Chicago was seventh in the AL last season with a .281 batting average and eighth in home runs with 195.
White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who also owns the Chicago
Bulls, now has the highest-paid players in two sports. Michael Jordan's $30.14 million, one-year deal with the Bulls is the highest average salary
in team sports.
"It's not about money, it's about winning," said Reinsdorf, whose basketball team has won four NBA titles in the 1990s.
While details weren't available, Belle's package was thought to exceed both Barry Bonds' $43.75 million, six-year contract with San Francisco and Ken Griffey Jr.'s $8.5 million average salary under his $34 million, four-year deal with Seattle.
Belle has been known as much for his outbursts as for his money and hitting, but Belle suggested he wanted to put the controversy behind him.
"I'll continue to be Albert Belle," the outfielder said. "I'm not going to change my personality. My No. 1 priority is to produce."
After being pressed by reporters, Belle said, "The bad guy image you gave me, right? My main concern is what goes on on the field. I can't please everyone."
He was suspended this season for two games and fined $25,000 by Budig for throwing an elbow into Milwaukee second baseman Fernando Vina.
In July 1994, Belle was suspended for using a corked bat in a game against the White Sox at Comiskey Park.
And Belle also took a bat to a thermostat in the Indians clubhouse in a dispute about the temperature, earning the nickname "Mr. Freeze."
"There was a situation at the end of the season where I bumped my head and had amnesia," Belle said. "I can't remember back that far."
Third time's a charm for Red Sox position
The Associated Press
BOSTON — After 50 days and at least two rejections, the Boston Red Sox finally have a new manager.
Spurned by Jim Leyland and Whitey Herzog, the Red Sox hired former Toronto manager Jimy Williams yesterday to replace the fired Kevin Kennedy.
"Being here and answering questions if I'm a short-term solution or a second choice, it doesn't bother me a bit," Williams said at Fenway Park. "I'm happy to stand here in front of you and say I am in fact the manager of the Boston Red Sox."
Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette spent seven weeks searching for Kennedy's successor, at least twice settling on candidates only to be turned down. With Leyland and Herzog out of the picture — and Felipe Alou under contract in Montreal — Williams became the choice.
Williams, 53, has not managed in more than seven years — since he was fired by Toronto with a 12-24 record early in the 1989 season. Overall, he had a 281-241 record in three-plus years at the Blue Jays' helm.
"I don't think I'm that far removed," he said, adding that his time in Toronto has prepared him for a second chance at managing.
Williams has been the third-base coach for the Braves since 1990. With manager Bobby Cox, who was Williams' predecessor in Toronto, Atlanta has gone to four of the last five World Series.
The Red Sox have been to four World Series in 51 seasons and haven't won since 1918.
"This city wants something bad," Williams said, flashing the World Series championship ring he earned with the Braves. "I know what it wants: It's called a championship."
Boston's last AL East title was just two years ago, but Kennedy was fired after the 1996 season, at least partially because he sided with the players during feuds with the front office.
Kennedy's firing led to near-
revolt in the Red Sox clubhouse.
revolt in the Red Sox clubhouse.
Jose Canseco demanded to be traded. Mo Vaughn ripped Duquette in absentia, refusing to meet with management and vowing to play out his contract in sullen silence. Roger Clemens, who has since filed for free agency, was also a big fan of Kennedv's.
Williams, known as a disciplinarian in Toronto, said he was ready for whatever problems might arise.
"You've got to talk," Williams said. "You can't choose up sides and say, 'Let's see who wins this battle.'"
Williams inherits a team that got off to a franchise worst 2-12 start in 1996 but finished third in the division with an 85-77 record. Kennedy compiled a 171-135 record overall, but he was fired Sept. 30, the day after the regular season ended.
Williams said he wanted a unified team.
Duquette began his search with 18 to 20 candidates but quickly offered the job to Leyland. After Leyland chose Florida instead, Duquette reportedly offered the job to former Cardinals and Royals manager Whitey Herzog.
Herzog balked initially, but when he had second thoughts the Red Sox reportedly wondered about his commitment and his fit with a developing team and went for Williams.
Williams indicated yesterday that he was inclined to leave John Valentin at shortstop and bring back Clemens and Canseco. Whether Duquette will accede to his new manager's wishes remains to be seen.
Under Williams, Toronto finished fourth in the AL East in 1986, second in 1987 and tied for third in 1988. All three teams finished above .500, and the last two were each two games out of first place.
"He's enjoyed success every step of his career," Duquette said. "We hope that his hard work and magic and winning ways in Atlanta will help him lead the Red Sox to a championship."
Ohio State coach passes on quarterback question
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — To spite Michigan and the media, Ohio State coach John Cooper will not reveal his starting quarterback until gametime Saturday.
Asked yesterday why he would wait to announce whether he was going with Stanley Jackson or backup Joe Germaine, Cooper said: "Just to give you guys something to think about this week. To give Michigan something to think about this week."
No. 21 Michigan (7-3) may have enough to think about, coming off back-to-back losses to Purdue and Penn State. No. 2 Ohio State, which last week clinched its first trip to the Rose Bowl in 12 years, defeated Purdue and Penn State by a combined 80-21.
But Cooper, whose team is favored by 16 points, talked as if his team had to rely on the element of surprise to win.
In his general comments even before the first question, Cooper had an edge in his voice.
"Our quarterback situation, if you're coming to the game Saturday—and I assume all of you are—then you'll know who's going to be our quarterback," he said. "We're not going to announce who the starting quarterback's going to be."
The Buckeyes are 10-0 with Stanley Jackson starting, but he has struggled for most of the second half of the season. Joe Germaine has come off the bench to become the star at the position.
Jackson has thrown fewer passes each of the last five games; Germaine's attempts have increased in each of the last four. Germaine has passed for five touchdowns the last three games, Jackson hasn't run or passed for one.
On Sunday, Ohio State offensive coordinator Joe Hollis said: "We can't afford to waste series. Each series is very important, because you don't know how many series you're going to get."
Germaine was on the field in the fourth quarter of the Buckeyes' two closest calls, a 17-14 victory against Wisconsin on Oct. 12 and last week's 27-17 victory at Indiana.
Jackson didn't play in the second half against Indiana. At times he
"Which one of them starts, come to the game Saturday and find out, OK?"
John Cooper Ohio State football coach
appeared to be almost disinterested as he stood on the sideline, even though Ohio State trailed 10-7 in the fourth quarter.
"We don't have a controversy." Cooper said. "Both of them will play. Which one of them starts, come to the game Saturday and find out, OK?"
Cooper, who is 1-6-1 against Michigan since coming to Ohio State, was upset that Michigan coach Lloyd Carr had not said — and the media had not asked — if Clarence Williams was healthy enough to start at tailback for the Wolverines.
"I'm surprised you all haven't asked that question," Cooper said, his voice rising. "Didn't Lloyd tell you yesterday at the press conference whether he's going to play or not? You didn't ask him that? Didn't he carry twice last week? Don't I have these stats right? How come he wasn't asked that? You're asking me about our quarterback and you don't even ask about who they're running back's going to be.
“It’s a big deal who our quarterback’s going to be, but it’s not a big deal who their running back’s going to be.”
Michigan representative Bruce Madejl laughed when asked about Williams and said there was no gamesmanship involved.
"We had Chris Howard rush for 120 yards and he was our offensive player of the game," Madej said. "Williams got a bruise to his knee early in the game. He ran Sunday and he's running today. I just talked to our head trainer, Paul Schmidt, and he said, 'If he has a bigger injury than the bruise, I don't know about it.'"