Notes and quotes while wondering if Sasha Kaun is how you say Sasha Cohen in Russian :
Speaking of Kaun, would you believe NBA scouts rate Kansas University’s sophomore post man higher than teammate Brandon Rush? Both Kaun and Rush are listed as probable first-rounders on at least one 2007 NBA mock draft with Kaun six notches higher. Kaun may not have the greatest hands in the world, but he has two uncoachable attributes – he’s 6-foot-11 and he can run. :
Lawrence High product Kevin Hooper is in the Detroit Tigers spring camp as a non-roster invitee. Most likely, Hooper will start the season with Detroit’s Triple-A farm team in Toledo, where his spirited play made him a fan favorite last summer. Now 29, Hooper may never have enough bat to play in the major leagues, but his versatile glove and inner fire remain valuable commodities. :
Iowa State men’s basketball coach Wayne Morgan, asked about standout guard Curtis Stinson continuing to play after injuring a finger against Oklahoma State the other night, said it. “If he breaks his hand again, we’re like ducks on the water on the first day of hunting.” :
The late Curt Gowdy may have been a broadcasting icon, but long-time KU basketball fans will never forget how Gowdy butchered the names of five Jayhawks during a 1978 NCAA Tournament telecast. Even though sidekick Al McGuire tried to correct him, Gowdy continued to use Clint Jones for Clint Johnson and Darrell Valentine for Darnell Valentine. Then there were Wilmer (Wilmore) Fowler and Donnie Van (Von) Moore. Gowdy also pronounced Ken Koenigs as Koy-nigs instead of the correct Kay-nigs. :
Those who believe in the old sports axiom that they all even out must be pointing a finger at Oklahoma University’s men’s basketball team. The Sooners have won three one-point games while losing two by one point (one to Kansas) and another by two points. :
With two regular-season games remaining, it appears the KU women’s basketball team will be the No. 10 seed in the Big 12 Tournament, meaning the Jayhawks would play the No. 7 seed at 6 p.m. March 7 at Reunion Arena in Dallas. Kansas was the eighth seed last year. :
No one can say Big 12 basketball’s Neals aren’t the real deals. Iowa State’s John Neal and Oklahoma’s Michael Neal are shooting 48 and 45 percent respectively from three-point range. :
Speaking of three-pointers, I assume Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie has given Joseph Jones the red light. Jones, one of the Big 12’s best big men, has attempted 17 threes this season and made only two. :
Now eligible for Medicare, the legendary Bob Knight has clearly mellowed in his dotage. It’s been 21 years since Knight, then men’s basketball coach at Indiana, threw a chair across the court. Moreover, Knight hasn’t been hit with a technical foul since 2003. :
Now that eight Lincoln, Neb., residents have split the largest Powerball jackpot in history, it makes you wonder if anybody will ever hit the jackpot in Lincoln again. I’m thinking specifically of Nebraska football coach Bill Callahan. :
