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Wednesday, March 31
Self says reports on frosh Henry a bit premature
NBADraft.net report says KU freshman will turn pro
NBAdraft.net reported via its Twitter account Wednesday that Kansas University freshman guard Xavier Henry has decided he’s entering the 2010 NBA Draft and an “announcement is expected soon.”
Back in the saddle: It may be a long shot, but Teahan jumps into QB battle
KU football coach Turner Gill announced Wednesday that basketball player Conner Teahan will spend the spring football season trying out for the team's vacant quarterback position.
Winner chosen in KUsports.com 2,000th win contest
Jake Perry of Lawrence was selected as the winner of the KUsports.com "Guess the 2,000th Win!" contest.
Ready to rumble: KU football eager to put pads on
Although the start of spring football practice has been accompanied by a fair amount of excitement and energy, there still are a handful of rules that players and coaches must follow. For that reason, Kansas University coach Turner Gill has not put too much emphasis on what he has seen during the first two days of drills.
Reed expected Aldrich’s move
Kansas University junior center Cole Aldrich’s decision to turn pro didn’t shock his roommate of three years, Tyrel Reed.
Hile’s slam helps KU sweep Roos
After hundreds of innings, thousands of hours and countless games, Kansas University softball catcher Brittany Hile did something Tuesday during KU’s doubleheader sweep of UMKC (5-1 and 1-0) that she never had done in her life. With the bases loaded and the Jayhawks and Kangaroos knotted at 0 in the bottom of the third, Hile launched a fly ball to left center field that just kept going. With a simple swing of the bat — producing what Hile thought was a popup when she hit it — Hile had hit her first career grand slam.
Spartans a green-bleeding family
Mateen Cleaves clapped hands and bumped chests with each of the Michigan State Spartans as they filed in for their first video session after advancing to the Final Four.
Kansas announces firm that will conduct review
Kansas University has announced that Foulston Siefkin, LLP, a Wichita-based law firm, will conduct an independent review of Kansas Athletics ticketing and fundraising operations.
Kansas baseball rallies past Little Rock, 9-8
After a slow start, Kansas University’s baseball team used a five-run seventh inning to slip past Arkansas-Little Rock, 9-8, Tuesday at Hoglund Ballpark.
Aldrich: Collison or Big O?
Is Cole Aldrich more like Nick Collison? Or is Aldrich another Greg Ostertag?
Tuesday, March 30
KU women's assistant Karen Lange to become new coach at Mid America Nazarene
Kansas women's basketball assistant Karen Lange, who has spent the last 13 seasons on KU coach Bonnie Henrickson's staff, has resigned her position to become the new coach at Mid America Nazarene University in Olathe.
KU baseball players honored
For the second time in three weeks, Kansas University baseball had two players honored with Big 12 weekly awards.
Withey’s role up in air
All the talk centered on the second-tallest guy in the room. Monday was Cole Aldrich’s day, his chance to say goodbye and thanks and all the routine things a player leaving his school early for the NBA says.
KU's Gill not ready to finalize depth chart
Those observing the Kansas University football team’s first week of spring practices would do well not to read too much into what they see.
Xavier Henry still undecided about NBA Draft
Kansas University coach Bill Self said freshman guard Xavier Henry had not decided whether to put his name in the NBA Draft.
Monday, March 29
How Keegan voted — AP All-America teams
The following is Journal-World sports editor Tom Keegan's ballot for the Associated Press All-America teams.
Collins, Aldrich earn AP All-America status
Collins named to second team; Aldrich third-team selection
Kansas senior guard Sherron Collins and junior center Cole Aldrich both earned Associated Press All-American status Monday.
Cole Aldrich going pro: Junior center leaving KU to enter NBA Draft
Walt Aldrich was watching highlights of his son’s news conference Monday afternoon in his home in Bloomington, Minn., when his beeper went off.
OMG! Omigie promising
Sometimes you just get a hunch about a young athlete. Something about the way he carries himself, the intelligence he displays in an interview, the physical gifts he possesses, how seriously he takes his sport. Kansas University receiver Chris Omigie, who red-shirted in 2009 and has four years of eligibility remaining, qualifies.
Taylor gives documentary thumbs up
Kansas University sophomore basketball guard Tyshawn Taylor, who is featured in the documentary film, “The Street Stops Here,” was able to view an advance copy of the 90-minute movie.
Gill casts his spell on KU football
New Jayhawk era opens with spring drills
Sunday, after nearly three hours on the field for his first official practice with Kansas University’s football team, KU coach Turner Gill had one final test for his troops.
Kansas softball thumped by Texas A&M, 10-1
Kansas University’s softball team wrapped up its first Big 12 Conference series of the season with a 10-1 loss at No. 19/17 Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon at the Aggie Softball Complex.
Kansas tennis falls to Nebraska, 5-2
Erin Wilbert was undefeated, but Kansas University’s tennis team fell to Nebraska, 5-2, on Sunday at the Jayhawk Tennis Facility.
Kansas baseball outlasts Baylor
Kansas University junior reliever Brett Bochy threw six hitless innings, and senior Robby Price had four hits and a career-high six RBIs as the Jayhawks outlasted Baylor, 12-6 in 14 innings, on Sunday afternoon at Baylor Ballpark.
Baylor comes up short
Bears exit tourney in bittersweet fashion
Maybe Baylor finally can escape its past, even if the Bears couldn’t cap their breakthrough season with a perfect ending.
Sunday, March 28
Duke, Coach K back in Final Four
Duke is back in the Final Four, ending an unusually long absence for coach Mike Krzyzewski's team — and keeping No. 1 seeds from being shut out of the title chase.
Michigan State returns to Final Four
The players come and go, the years pass. About the only thing that doesn't change is Tom Izzo and Michigan State's mastery in March.
KU baseball falters, 9-8
Jimmy Waters went 3-for-5 with his fourth home run of the season, but the Kansas University baseball team fell to Baylor, 9-8, on Saturday.
Kansas track wins 15
In its first meet of the outdoor season, Kansas University’s track and field team had 15 individual victories and set several personal records Saturday at the Razorback Spring Invitational.
KU rowing falls at UT
The Kansas University rowing team notched one victory in six races against Texas on Saturday.
Scandal may cut deeper
It’s often said and rightly so that an athletic department is the front porch to a university. It’s what forms a first impression for the masses. It triggers the most emotional responses.
Self, who picked ’Cats, keeps busy in CBS studio
Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self and fellow CBS-TV panelists Greg Anthony and Seth Davis each went for the favorite when asked by studio host Greg Gumbel for a prediction before Saturday’s West Regional final between Butler and Kansas State.
Report: Perkins got $4.4M in 2009
The $4.4 million that Lew Perkins earned last year leading the sports program at Kansas University appeared to make him the highest paid athletic director in the nation, according to a published report.
Kentucky ousted
Huggins, West Virginia in Final Four
Country roads, take me home. Or better yet, Indianapolis.
Kansas softball drubbed, 12-4
An eight-run Texas A&M sixth inning doomed the Kansas University softball team in a 12-4 loss on Saturday in the Big 12 opener for both teams.
Saturday, March 27
Purple people beaters: Cinderella (kind of) Butler dashes K-State’s Final 4 dreams
It's an easy five-mile drive from the Butler campus to the site of its next game, in downtown Indianapolis. Still, it's hard to think of many programs that have taken a longer, more unlikely road to the Final Four. Yes, the boys from Butler did it — defeating Kansas State 63-56 in the West Regional final Saturday to make their trip back home something much bigger than that.
Wichita RB picks Kansas
Wichita Heights running back Dreamius Smith orally committed to Kansas on Saturday.
Weary Wildcats ready for Butler
Kansas State guard Jacob Pullen says he was much more excited than he was tired.
KU baseball rallies in Waco
Five-run inning propels baseball past Baylor, 9-8
Junior Tony Thompson had three hits, including his first home run of the season, while Kansas scored five runs in the top of the fifth inning to erase an early four-run deficit in a 9-8 triumph over Baylor on Friday afternoon at Baylor Ballpark.
It’s time to back the ’Cats
The beauty of sports is that you and only you decide which teams to root for when watching a game. Even so, it comes as a surprise that some television sets in Lawrence seem to be turned on for the sole purpose of rooting against Kansas State.
KU football assistant happy to be back in Lawrence
In the 10 years since Darrell Wyatt last coached in Lawrence, some things have remained more or less the same.
KU's Self to be CBS guest analyst during NCAA Tournament
Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self traveled to New York City on Friday night for his weekend stint as NCAA Tournament studio analyst for CBS.
KU tennis team edges Iowa State, 4-3
In an exciting match that was decided by a three-set tiebreaker, the Kansas University tennis team defeated Iowa State, 4-3, Friday at the Jayhawk Tennis Facility.
Friday, March 26
Duke advances to round of eight, beats Purdue
Kyle Singler scored 24 points and Jon Scheyer added 18, snapping out of a shooting slump just in time to help top-seeded Duke advance to the round of eight for the first time since 2004 with a 70-57 win over Purdue on Friday night.
Michigan State holds off Northern Iowa 59-52
Durrell Summers scored 19 points and Korie Lucious hit a whirling turnaround jumper with 95 seconds left, helping fifth-seeded Michigan State survive a mid-major scare with a 59-52 win over pesky Northern Iowa in the Midwest Regional semifinals Friday night.
Tennessee tops Ohio State to reach regional final
One Evan Turner is pretty good. Five Tennessee Volunteers are even better.
Third-seeded Baylor routs 10th-seeded Saint Mary's
BU guards key 72-49 rout
LaceDarius Dunn, Tweety Carter and Baylor had all the fun Friday night, ending what had been an entertaining NCAA tournament ride for Omar Samhan and surprising Saint Mary's.
First spring practice pushed back to Sunday
Spring drills postponed until Sunday
The Kansas University football team's first spring practice of 2010 has been pushed back from Saturday, March 27 to Sunday, March 28 because of the threat of rain on Saturday.
Joe-College.com to close Wednesday as settlement talks continue with KU, Kansas Athletics
Joe-College.com, a T-shirt business whose unlicensed merchandise has riled officials at Kansas Athletics Inc. and Kansas University, will close Wednesday.
James McClinton joins Chicago’s AFL team
Former Kansas University defensive end James McClinton has found a home in the Arena Football League.
KU baseball's Lisher rewarded for hard work
In the high-powered contemporary world of major-college athletics, Brett Lisher is an anomaly — a walk-on who starts.
KU hoops signee Woolridge will represent U.S.
Kansas University basketball signee Royce Woolridge will represent the United States at the 2010 Albert Schweitzer Tournament set for April 3-10 in Mannheim, Germany.
Milwaukee Bucks sign Darnell Jackson
It didn’t take Darnell Jackson long to find a job.
Hey KSU: Embrace history
Kansas University basketball fans increasingly have embraced the school’s brilliant history. By now some are even conversant with the marvelous records and players of the 1930s before there was an NCAA Tournament to stir the pot and create bracket mania.
Thursday, March 25
Pullen's key 3 helps K-State advance to round of 8
Jacob Pullen made a 3-pointer with 31.2 seconds left in the second overtime Thursday night for the go-ahead points in second-seeded Kansas State's 101-96 victory over No. 6 Xavier in the West Regional semifinals.
Wall, top-seeded Kentucky outscrap Cornell 62-45
John Wall saw red in nearly every corner he looked. Cornell's loudest and largest pep rally was held at the Carrier Dome and turned the regional semifinal into an instant road game for Kentucky.
Butler, West Virginia beat Washington 69-56
Da'Sean Butler shook off a sore right hand and helped West Virginia shake off feisty Washington to reach the East Regional finals.
Butler rallies to beat top-seeded Syracuse 63-59
Butler became the latest mid-major team to knock off a top seed in the NCAA tournament.
Down and out: Cold-shooting KU women eliminated by ISU in WNIT
Jayhawks finish with 17-16 record
The Kansas women's basketball team fell to Illinois State, 71-49, on Thursday night in the Sweet 16 of the WNIT in Normal, Ill.
Former KU Athletics Board Chair calls allegations of impropriety 'disturbing'
With an independent review seeking answers regarding operations involving Kansas Athletics Inc.’s ticket office and Williams Fund, others are posing questions of their own.
Elgie powers Jayhawks’ baseball rout of Baker
Zac Elgie was in need of a good, old-fashioned slump-buster entering the Kansas University baseball team’s Wednesday-night matchup with visiting Baker University, and that’s precisely what the Jayhawks’ struggling first baseman got.
Gloom, doom relative
A junior from the Chicago suburb of Western Springs, Ben Pera was driving home from spring break, wondering how in the world he was going to fill a week that was supposed to revolve around watching hype leading up to his school, Kansas University, competing in the Midwest Regional in St. Louis.
KU hoops to play LHS grad’s Rams in K.C.
Kansas University’s men’s basketball team will play Colorado State in the Jayhawks’ annual nonconference game in Kansas City’s Sprint Center next season.
Freshman Davis could be key for KU women
Practice makes perfect, the old adage goes, but not necessarily for Carolyn Davis. Davis, a 6-foot-3 freshman, hasn’t practiced in nearly three weeks, yet has sparkled for Kansas University’s women’s basketball team.
Trading places: Gill allows position changes for KU spring football
When Kansas University football coach Turner Gill takes the field with his team for the first time at 1 p.m. Saturday, he’ll do so with a handful of Jayhawks in new positions.
Wednesday, March 24
Supporters of KU athletics standing behind KU, despite federal and internal investigations
People who support Kansas Athletics Inc. and oversee the university itself are confident that investigations into potential illegal distribution of tickets for Kansas University athletics events will not lead to the discovery of widespread problems.
Perkins names interim director of Williams Fund
KU Athletics Director Lew Perkins announced Wednesday evening that he’s appointed Jennifer Berquist, associate director of the Williams Fund, as its interim director.
Regents vice chair: KU ticket investigation 'goes deeper' than a simple campus matter
An internal investigation at Kansas University — and, by extension, stretching into federal law enforcement — is looking into potentially illegal activities regarding the distribution of athletics tickets.
Gridiron Club: Still in the works
A banner hanging on the facade of Memorial Stadium, pictured above on Tuesday, indicates that the Gridiron Club, a lavish 3,000-seat, $34 million expansion project on the east side of the stadium, is still, in fact, “Coming Fall 2010.”
Macias’ game-winning hit lifts KU baseball
Brandon Macias was an unlikely candidate to produce a game-winning hit.
Ritchie Price making strides at South Dakota State
About the time most of us start playing T-ball or coach-pitch, when the bats are about as big as we are, Ritchie Price was learning the intricacies of baseball.
Loss hurts, but Self excited for future
Bill Self has been able to put Kansas University’s season-ending basketball loss to Northern Iowa in perspective.
Strong support: Ballard well-respected by peers, players at Baker
First came Phog Allen and now there’s Brett Ballard. Tuesday afternoon, Baker University president Pat Long introduced Ballard, a former Kansas University men’s basketball player and 2003 KU graduate, as the school’s 24th men’s basketball coach.
Tuesday, March 23
Cliff's Notes version: Bill Self press conference, 3/23/2010
Here is the Cliff's Notes version of Kansas men's basketball coach Bill Self's comments at his press conference today, summarized by Journal-World sports editor Tom Keegan.
No official word yet on Aldrich, Henry
Kansas University junior Cole Aldrich and freshman Xavier Henry aren’t yet ready to announce whether they’ll be in the NBA or back at KU next season, coach Bill Self said Tuesday at his season-ending news conference.
KU coach Self in no hurry to watch tape of loss
Bill Self spent the Monday lunch hour in his Allen Fieldhouse basketball office, speaking with his secretary, shuffling some papers in and around his desk, sneaking a peek at the Phillies-Yankees game on ESPN-TV, chatting with a Jayhawk player or two and conducting an interview with a Journal-World reporter.
KU-Creighton change
Due to wet conditions at Hoglund Ballpark, today’s Kansas-Creighton baseball game has been shifted from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
KU women overcome adversity
Who would have believed it? Who would have believed Kansas University’s men’s basketball season would end before the KU women were done? Or that this would be the second straight year it happened?
KU-Creighton baseball shifted
Due to wet conditions at Hoglund Ballpark, today’s Kansas-Creighton baseball game has been shifted from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, March 22
KU releases dates for Spring football practices
The Kansas University athletic department released the dates for this year's Spring football practices.
Brett Ballard officially named new basketball coach at Baker
New Baker University basketball coach Brett Ballard believes it’s possible to be a Wildcat and a Jayhawk at the same time.
KU tennis falls, 7-0
Kansas University sophomores Erin Wilbert and Ekaterina Morozova won at the No. 1 doubles position, but Kansas University’s tennis team fell to Texas, 7-0, Sunday.
KU’s loss Baker’s gain
BU’s new coach Ballard ‘all about the Jayhawks’
Brett Ballard, who has been involved with Kansas University’s basketball program as a player and staff member the last 10 years, today takes his expertise over to neighboring Baker University.
Kansas football RB Bourbon fast, elusive
Though he was careful to point out that the comparison was made in a relative sense, Potosi High football coach Mark Casey delivered mighty high praise for running back Brandon Bourbon, a four-star senior signee from Potosi, Mo., who will join the Kansas University football team this summer.
Next year, title possible
Nobody took the premature Kansas University exit from the NCAA Tournament harder than Marcus Morris, who was balled up on the corner of the Ford Center floor, bawling so hard he was shaking.
Sunday, March 21
Kramer sends Purdue over A&M in OT
Determined and undaunted, 6-foot-3 Chris Kramer bulled past one defender 4 inches taller than him. He flipped a layup over another 6 inches taller. Seconds later, he was getting pounded by his own teammates.
Xavier advances with 71-68 victory over Pittsburgh
Dunking on LeBron James made him a sensation on YouTube. Now Jordan Crawford is making a name for himself on a more traditional stage, putting together consecutive big games to lead Xavier into the second week of the NCAA tournament.
Top-seeded Duke advances to round of 16 again
Duke relied on an old, trusted ally to reach the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament. Again.
Michigan State beats Maryland, 85-83, at buzzer
Korie Lucious hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap a frantic finish and give injury-depleted Michigan State an 85-83 victory over Maryland on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Butler leads West Virginia past Mizzou, 68-59
Da'Sean Butler accounted for 19 of West Virginia's 30 points in the first half, then finished with 28 to lead the second-seeded Mountaineers to a 68-59 victory over 10th-seeded Missouri in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday.
Cornell dominates another higher seed, defeating Wisconsin
Louis Dale scored 26 points and Ryan Wittman had 24, helping 12th-seeded Cornell dominate No. 4 seed Wisconsin 87-69 on Sunday to reach the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament for the first time.
Ohio State defeats Georgia Tech in NCAA tourney
Evan Turner rebounded from one of the worst shooting nights of his career with 24 points, and second-seeded Ohio State outlasted foul- and turnover-plagued Georgia Tech for a 75-66 victory Sunday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
KU women hold off Creighton in WNIT, 71-68
Davis propels KU women into WNIT Sweet 16
Carolyn Davis scored 25 points and pulled down 12 boards off the bench, and the Kansas University women's basketball team defeated Creighton in the WNIT, 71-68, on Sunday at Allen Fieldhouse.
Johnson and Triche lead Syracuse over Zags
Wes Johnson scored a career-high 31 points and pulled down 14 rebounds and Andy Rautins added 24 points as Syracuse hit a dozen 3-pointers to stun Gonzaga 87-65 on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
March sadness for Jayhawks: OKC end of the road for KU fans
Down one with 42.8 seconds left, his Jayhawks breathing with new life after staggering all game to catch up with Northern Iowa, Tyshawn Taylor went for the steal. And missed.
Press might have saved Jayhawks
So on top of his trade is Bill Self that he opens himself up to legitimate second-guessing only slightly more often than Halley’s Comet appears, which is about as often as a college basketball coach being asked why he doesn’t apply full-court pressure more often qualifies as a fair question.
‘This is terrible’
Panthers stun KU in second round
Kansas University senior Sherron Collins wept as he made his way from one locker to the next Saturday night in the basement of Ford Center.
KU softball takes two
Junior Brittany Hile’s sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning turned out to be the game-winner as the Kansas University softball team held on to defeat San Diego, 5-4, in the Jayhawks’ final contest of the San Diego Classic.
KU women set for Creighton
What a difference three months makes. Last time Creighton University’s women played in Lawrence, freshman point guard Angel Goodrich burned the Bluejays for a career-high 20 points in Kansas’ 77-56 romp.
KU Athletics worker honored as most inspirational athlete
Local Special Olympian Todd “Leaper” Williams took home a gold medal for basketball Saturday at the State Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament in Hays.
Saint Louis sweeps KU baseball
Despite a pair of three-hit games by junior Brian Heere, 19th-ranked Kansas University was swept in a baseball doubleheader by Saint Louis University, 12-8 and 8-5, on Saturday.
Gary Bedore’s KU hoops notebook
Several Kansas University basketball players were asked about their futures after Saturday’s season-ending loss to Northern Iowa at Ford Center.
KU’s Kuzhil ninth
Kansas junior Iuliia Kuzhil took ninth place in the 200-yard backstroke on the final day of the NCAA swim championships.
Tale of two Chicago guards: Pullen still alive
Two Chicago point guards, neither of whom quite measures 6 feet. About the time one was sitting at his locker inside the Ford Center, trying to complete sentences with a shaky, shaky voice and red eyes, the other was out on the court, completely changing the tone of a game.
KU golfers second
Nate Barbee led Kansas University’s men’s golf team to a championship playoff against Wichita State in the final round of the Desert Shootout, where they fell and finished second. Barbee had a final-round 70.
Northern Iowa relishes victory
'This is a pretty awesome story’
"The Shawshank Redemption” might be in trouble.
Saturday, March 20
Pullen rallies K-State past BYU, Fredette
BYU's Jimmer Fredette got smacked in the face, whacked on the head and then sent home from the NCAA tournament. Jacob Pullen and Kansas State are moving on, thanks to a physical brand of basketball that was too much for even Fredette's prison-toughened game.
Top-seeded Kentucky routs Wake Forest 90-60
Two games, two blowouts. John Calipari's top-seeded Kentucky Wildcats are young and inexperienced, but no longer unproven in the NCAA tournament, during which their average margin of victory now stands at 29.5 points after two rounds.
KU bus making way back to Lawrence, no plan for fans
The bus carrying the KU men's basketball team is on its way back to Lawrence from Oklahoma City.
11th-seeded Washington rolls past New Mexico
Quincy Pondexter and Isaiah Thomas danced to Washington's timeout huddle after finishing yet another second-half fast break with a basket and a bellowing vocal flourish.
Aldrich, Xavier Henry not yet decided on NBA
Collins: 'I'm definitely for sure it's Cole's last game'
Several Kansas University basketball players were asked about their futures in a gloomy KU locker room Saturday.
Baylor beats Old Dominion 76-68 in 2nd round
With its first NCAA tournament victory in 60 years out of the way, Baylor has now earned an extended stay.
Butler holds off underdog Murray State 54-52
Murray State got awfully close to a second straight bracket-busting upset before Butler reminded the Racers which small school almost always plays big in March.
Tennessee Waltz: Vols in Sweet 16 again
J.P. Prince scored 18 points, and Brian Williams and Wayne Chism had 12 rebounds apiece on Saturday to lead sixth-seeded Tennessee to an 83-68 victory over No. 14 seed Ohio on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Saint Mary's stuns 'Nova to advance to Sweet 16
Omar Samhan was an unstoppable Gael force and played the game of his career, finishing with 32 points and seven rebounds to lead 10th-seeded Saint Mary's past Villanova 75-68 on Saturday and improbably into the NCAA tournament's round of 16.
FINAL: Northern Iowa shocks Kansas, 69-67
The Jayhawks' furious rally came up short, as Ali Farokhmanesh hit two free throws with four seconds left to knock the top-seeded Jayhawks out of the tournament.
Baker to hire KU aide Ballard
The Journal-World has learned that Brett Ballard will be Baker University’s next basketball coach. An announcement is expected early next week.
Barbee, Waite lead KU golf team into third
Nate Barbee and Dan Waite fired rounds of 67 to propel the Kansas University men’s golf team to third place entering the final round at the Desert Shootout at Palm Valley Golf Course.
Panther coach Ben Jacobson unconventional
The Panthers give up the second-fewest points per game in the NCAA this season (54.3) and, according to Statsheet.com, are 21-1 this season when their defensive OER is below 1.
KU football strengthens connections in Florida
Don’t look now but the Kansas University football team has made huge advances toward recruiting the state of Florida.
BYU guard Jimmer Fredette tough
His mother is Catholic. His brother is a rapper. He honed his game in prison playing against inmates. He scored 37 points in an opening-round NCAA Tournament double-overtime thriller against a school that won national titles in back-to-back years. And he was recruited to play football for Penn State.
Center stage: Big men Eglseder, Aldrich ready for battle
Underpublicized University of Northern Iowa center Jordan Eglseder knows all there is to know about renowned Kansas University big man Cole Aldrich.
Morrises relish twindom
If Philadelphia hadn’t already been coined the City of Brotherly Love, someone familiar with the city’s basketball-playing Morris twins might have thought to name it that.
Kansas softball team splits
The Kansas University softball team defeated Harvard, 9-1 in five innings, and lost to San Diego State, 10-2, on Friday in the San Diego Classic.
Teahan flirts with football future
Conner Teahan, a junior walk-on on the Kansas basketball team who was highly recruited as a quarterback out of Rockhurst High, said once the basketball season ends, he’ll give thought to whether he wants to resume his football career.
KU swimmer Kuzhil places ninth
Kansas University junior Iuliia Kuzhil took ninth place in the 100-yard backstroke on the second day of the NCAA swimming and diving championships. The swimmer from Cherkasy, Ukraine, finished with a finals time of 52.02 seconds, the fourth-fastest of the competition.
Maryland beats Houston 89-77 in first round
On a night when ACC player of the year Greivis Vasquez was having trouble scoring, Maryland turned to freshman forward Jordan Williams.
Friday, March 19
California pulls away for 77-62 win over Cardinals
California's distractions seem about as distant now as the Pacific Ocean. That disappointing loss in the Pac-10 tournament? Getting sent across the country to open the NCAA tournament? The suspension of a starter?
Ohio State outlasts UC Santa Barbara 68-51
Evan Turner took a back seat to slick shooter Jon Diebler and big forward Dallas Lauderdale, and Ohio State outlasted persistent UC Santa Barbara 68-51 in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday night.
Syracuse overwhelms Vermont 79-56
Wes Johnson had 18 points to lead five Syracuse players in double figures, and the top-seeded Orange beat Vermont 79-56 on Friday night in the first round of NCAA tournament.
Lucas, Morgan save MSU in 70-67 win over NMSU
Kalin Lucas scored a career-high 25 points and Raymar Morgan emerged from a quiet night by hitting key shots down the stretch as fifth-seeded Michigan State edged No. 12 New Mexico State 70-67 on Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
No. 1 seed Duke rolls in NCAA tournament opener
Duke's confident mascot wore a piece of tape across his forehead that read: "Played In, Blown Out." The Blue Devils didn't disappoint.
Georgia Tech toes the line, moves on
Too bad the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets gave up their cell phones. They'd sure love to spread the word about this win.
Bouldin leads 'Zags to 67-60 win over Seminoles
Matt Bouldin and the eighth-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs showed Florida State it still has a way to go in its quest to be considered a basketball power.
Texas A&M beats Utah State 69-53
First-round victories in the NCAA tournament are becoming routine for Texas A&M, although this time it took freshman Khris Middleton to make it happen.
After slow start, Pittsburgh routs Oakland 89-66
Jermaine Dixon and Gilbert Brown scored 17 points apiece and Pittsburgh avoided becoming the latest Big East powerhouse to get knocked off in the first round of the NCAA tournament, overcoming a slow start to rout Oakland 89-66 on Friday in the West Regional.
Missouri stifles Booker, beats Clemson 86-78
"The Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball" is still humming.
Wisconsin avoids upset, beats Wofford 53-49
Not surprisingly, Wisconsin relied on its defense to beat pesky Wofford.
Grant, Johnson lead Purdue past Siena 72-64
Purdue played the us-against-the-world game to open the NCAA tournament. Us won.
KU's next victory: It's in the cards — or is that the socks?
Sure, the Kansas Jayhawks are supposed to win the NCAA Tournament. Oddsmakers say so. All of America says so. The president says so.
No. 12 seed Cornell dominates Temple, 78-65
Louis Dale scored 21 points, Ryan Wittman added 20 and No. 12 seed Cornell beat fifth-seeded Temple 78-65 Friday in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
Crawford scores 28 to lift Xavier over Minnesota
Jordan Crawford scored 17 of his 28 points in the second half and Xavier continued its run of NCAA tournament success with a 65-54 victory over Minnesota in the first round of the West Regional on Friday.
West Virginia defeats Morgan St., 77-50, after slow start
Kevin Jones scored 17 points and second-seeded West Virginia overcame an early scare to open the NCAA tournament with a 77-50 win over Morgan State on Friday.
Wake Forest tops Texas 81-80 in OT on Smith's shot
From No. 1 to one and done: Ishmael Smith's last shot meant one more collapse for Texas.
Jitter bugged: ‘Tight early,’ Jayhawks advance over Lehigh
It’s a well-known fact that no top seed ever has lost to a No. 16 seed in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament.
Gary Bedore’s KU hoops notebook
Kansas University has advanced to a second-round match against Northern Iowa (29-4), a 69-66 first-round winner over UNLV.
Lehigh: Start ‘woke up’ KU
Hawks expected lead
Building an early eight-point lead against Kansas University wasn’t much of a consolation prize for Lehigh’s players following Friday’s 90-74 loss to the Jayhawks.
KU diver Proehl in 23rd after Day One
Kansas University senior Meghan Proehl finished 23rd in the one-meter diving competition on the first day of the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on Thursday at Purdue University.
Two Jayhawk golfers sit in tie for 4th
KU golfers Nate Barbee and Alex Gutesha got off to a good start in Arizona.
Game spurs KU fans’ hopes for another championship
Now that Lehigh is out of the way, you’d think Kansas fans might be ready to brace for the possible: A tough game with No. 9 seed Northern Iowa, champion of the Missouri Valley Conference, loser of four games all year.
KU falls to UMass
The Kansas University softball team dropped a game to UMass Thursday in San Diego.
KSU needs Pullen
Kansas State, which doesn’t necessarily have a future NBA player on its roster, still achieved a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and was playing like it deserved the honor in its opening round game Thursday against overmatched North Texas.
For KU, what’s up is down
Bill Self must be the most disciplined man on the planet to be able to resist the temptation to call a timeout every time his team goes on a double-digit run so that he can air out his players, let them know they’re terrible and tell them every person in the building agrees.
New Mexico needs big 2nd half to hold off Montana
After all of Darington Hobson's big talk about a deep NCAA tournament run for New Mexico, Montana nearly shut up the Lobos right away.
Thursday, March 18
Goins helps Tennessee beat San Diego State 62-59
Melvin Goins made his fourth 3-pointer with 19 seconds left after San Diego State cut the deficit to one point, and Tennessee held off the Aztecs 62-59 on Thursday night to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament's Midwest Regional.
Northern Iowa ends 20-year NCAA drought on late 3
Using a grind-it-out defense and a clutch shot by Ali Farokhmanesh, Northern Iowa is moving on in the NCAA tournament for the first time in two decades.
Pondexter lifts Washington over Marquette 80-78
Quincy Pondexter drove for a tiebreaking bank shot with 1.7 seconds left, and 11th-seeded Washington extended its remarkable late-season run into the NCAA tournament with an 80-78 victory over Marquette in the first round of the East Regional on Thursday night.
Ohio stuns Georgetown in tournament opener
Who knew that all this time Ohio used the regular season as a warm-up act? The Bobcats' time to shine is March.
Bledsoe's eight 3s lead Kentucky past ETSU 100-71
To call this one a yawner would be understating things. Kentucky's blowout of East Tennessee State in the first round of the NCAA tournament was so thorough that fans were sleeping in the stands — and not even the collective laughs of conscious spectators could awaken some of those caught snoozing on large video boards.
FINAL: Marcus Morris scores career high in Jayhawks' 90-74 victory over Lehigh
The sophomore forward contributed 26 points on 12-for-15 shooting, as the Jayhawks overcame a sluggish start to put away the Mountain Hawks in the second half.
Butler surges past UTEP 77-59 in second half
When Shelvin Mack made a steal and quickly hit a 3-pointer in the opening minute of the second half, he had a good feeling Butler could shake its opening-game jitters.
Saint Mary's earns first NCAA win since 1959
Richmond was on the wrong side of an NCAA tournament upset this time, and Saint Mary's is moving on for the first time in more than 50 years.
Murray State stuns Vanderbilt in NCAA opener
Murray State coach Billy Kennedy went with his gut and drew up a play his team had never run before, with Isacc Miles the go-to guy at the end. Third option Danero Thomas became the hero instead.
Udoh leads Baylor past Sam Houston State 68-59
Ekpe Udoh did everything Baylor needed to stave off upset-minded Sam Houston State and end a 60-year drought in the NCAA tournament.
K-State routs North Texas 82-62 in West Regional
Kansas State went over the scouting report and stretched, sat down, then stretched again. As the game before theirs ran into overtime, then a second, the Wildcats weren't sure what to do, the nervousness building with each passing minute.
Villanova tops Robert Morris 73-70 in OT
Scottie Reynolds and No. 2 seed Villanova nearly had their NCAA tournament run end in the biggest of upsets.
Old Dominion edges Notre Dame 51-50
As Carleton Scott's 3-pointer sailed toward the hoop and rattled around the rim, Old Dominion's Keyon Carter was already bracing for the possibility of a tie game. Then the shot popped out, giving the Monarchs the NCAA tournament's first upset.
Fredette, BYU outlast Florida 99-92 in double OT
Jimmer Fredette and BYU survived a thrilling reminder that March Madness is back.
Lawrence orthopedic surgeon recalls 27 years of service to KU athletes
Care given to athletes on voluntary basis make Ken Wertzberger a team MVP
Ken Wertzberger, a Lawrence orthopedic surgeon, recently was honored for 27 years of service to Kansas University athletes. He volunteered at the university from 1979 to 2006, and during that time operated on more than 400 athletes.
KU men's basketball team fourth most valuable, according to Forbes study
KU trails only North Carolina, Kentucky and Louisville among men's basketball teams that generate the most value in magazine's rankings.
KU fans stand tall as NCAA play begins
They say television adds 15 pounds, but the screen also manages to shave six or more inches from KU players, coaches and anyone else wearing crimson and blue on the sidelines at Ford Center.
Lehigh not backing down
Lehigh forward Zahir Carrington didn’t come to Oklahoma City to roll over for top-ranked and top-seeded Kansas University.
Aggies reveling in renaissance
Turgeon has Texas A&M in fifth straight NCAA Tournament
Mark Turgeon, third-year coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, recently put the program’s renaissance in perspective.
Format favors Tigers
Mizzou’s defense tough for tourney teams
The 75-60 loss to Nebraska in the opening round of the Big 12 tournament by no means was a resume builder for the Missouri basketball team.
Oklahoma State a mixed bag
Cowboys have standout in Anderson, but they’ve been inconsistent
Like most teams entering this week’s NCAA Tournament as middle-of-the pack seeds, the Oklahoma State men’s basketball team has been a mixed bag of sorts this season, alternating flashes of brilliance (victories over top-10 opponents Kansas University and Kansas State, for instance) with bouts of mediocrity.
Lehigh basketball notebook
Counting the Big 12 tournament championship game, the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas State Wildcats met three times this season, with the Jayhawks winning all three games.
Recruit changes mind, won't play for KU women
Overland Park Aquinas High girls basketball standout Dashawn Harden reportedly has changed her mind about her commitment to Kansas University.
KU softball falls to Long Beach State, 4-3
Long Beach State overcame a 3-0 first-inning deficit and edged Kansas, 4-3, in college softball Wednesday afternoon.
KU reliever Bochy honored
Kansas University junior relief pitcher Brett Bochy was named on Wednesday to this week’s National All-Star Lineup by the College Baseball Foundation.
Late rally sinks KU baseball, 5-3
Despite three hits from left fielder Jimmy Waters, the No. 19-ranked Kansas University baseball team fell, 5-3, at Tulane on Wednesday at Turchin Stadium.
Texas ‘ready to go’
Longhorns hope to put late collapse behind
The University of Texas men’s basketball team was a popular preseason choice to advance to this year’s Final Four in Indianapolis. Four months later, the Longhorns aren’t a sure-fire bet to escape the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Prognosis looks good for McCray to recover fully
Danielle McCray’s college basketball career may have ended on a sad note, but the future looks bright for the former Kansas University standout.
Wildcats a loose group
The loosest bunch in all of sports? The Kansas State basketball team. Hands down.
Lehigh graduate in Lawrence has ‘fingers crossed’ for tonight
An unfamiliar fight song echoes from Mel and Phyllis Klein’s northwest Lawrence home.
Jayhawks have what it takes
No less an authority than Darnell Jackson says Kansas can win it all
Darnell Jackson, who definitely knows what it takes to win an NCAA basketball championship, likes the postseason potential of the 2009-10 Kansas Jayhawks.
Speedy Collins in no hurry
The moment Sherron Collins slipped into a Kansas University uniform as a freshman, he was the quickest cat on the floor.
Hutchinson running back chooses Jayhawks
Hutchinson High senior Josh Smith, one of the most prolific running backs in Kansas during the past four years, has decided to play football at Kansas University, his coach, Randy Dreiling, told Rivals.com Wednesday night.
Out of the blocks
Can Aldrich, KU swat Lehigh?
Cole Aldrich, who is storming toward Kansas University’s career blocks record in just three seasons at the tradition-rich school, can only imagine how many rejections Wilt Chamberlain had as a Jayhawk.
Gary Bedore’s KU hoops notebook
Kansas University freshman guard C.J. Henry hasn’t received many phone calls or texts from acquaintances wanting tickets to tonight’s Kansas University-Lehigh game in Ford Center.
Frankly, K-State solid contender
Thanks to coach Martin, Wildcats have shot to reach Final Four
The coach calls the players all sorts of unprintable names and the players call him but one name: Frank. Sometimes they put a “shut up” in front of Frank.
Baylor tired of L’s
Defensive turnaround gives Bears new outlook
Ekpe Udoh wants everyone to know this isn’t the Baylor of old. He’s seen that team. And this year’s team is nothing like it.
Wednesday, March 17
Unexpected boost from Boogaard lifts KU in WNIT
Saskatchewan native Krysten Boogaard produced a career-high 37 points in a rare start as Kansas plunked Prairie View A&M, 82-70, in its WNIT basketball opener Wednesday night in Allen Fieldhouse.
Rivalry between Jayhawk, Wildcat fans heating up in Oklahoma City
President Obama may be picking Kansas to beat Kansas State two weeks from now in the Final Four, but the in-state rivalry already is heating up in the stands, on the streets and in the bars of Oklahoma City.
Coach Self encourages Kansas fans to pledge money to fight cancer, based on KU's on-court success
While it’s illegal (wink, wink) to bet on the Jayhawks to win the national title in an office pool, it’s not illegal to put your money behind the team for a great cause.
President Obama’s bracket champ: Kansas
The First Fan appears to be a big fan of basketball programs from Kansas.
10 teams that can win it all: No. 1, Kansas
Jayhawks' shooting, interior defense make them a favorite
Each week in this space, KUSports.com online editor Jesse Newell will take a statistical look at one of the 10 teams that has the best chance of taking this year’s NCAA title.
Welcome home (home): Despite ties to OKC, Self all business
Seventh-year Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self has said many times, and said again after exiting KU’s charter bus Tuesday night at the Downtown OKC Sheraton Hotel, that “Lawrence is home right now.” So what does that make Oklahoma City for the 47-year-old Self, who hails from the nearby suburb of Edmond? “Home, home,” he said with a smile.
Greatest KU games No. 1: A score to remember
Twenty years after first ‘Miracle,’ Manning sees different view of title
It might have been 20 years later, and he might have been coaching instead of playing, but surely former Kansas University basketball standout Danny Manning thought back to his 1988 team’s miracle victory against Oklahoma in the national title game a time or two the day KU beat Memphis for the title in 2008, right?
Bad start just memory for Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Arkansas-Pine Bluff finally found a road trip to its liking.
From Russia, with love: Kaun checks in
Former Kansas University basketball center Sasha Kaun, who clipped the nets and held the NCAA title trophy high in the sky on April 7, 2008, in San Antonio’s Alamodome, e-mailed the Journal-World from his home in Moscow last week to express support for his alma mater entering the 2010 postseason.
KU must revisit Temple
As the Kansas University basketball team begins stalking another NCAA title, it needs to copycat this: Jan. 2, 2010, Philadelphia — Kansas 84, Temple 52.
Jayhawks bring game, young fans bring luck to OKC
KU’s basketball players will be wearing white uniforms for as long as they play in the NCAA Tournament, and they’ll be looking forward to seeing plenty of blue every stage along the way.
Tonight’s foe can feel KU women’s pain
No doubt Kansas University’s women’s basketball season has been marred by the loss of Danielle McCray, the Big 12 Conference’s preseason player of the year. But would you believe virtually the same thing happened to Prairie View A&M?
Tuesday, March 16
KU football returns to ESPN in 2010
Jayhawks' game at Southern Miss to be shown on ESPN
The Kansas Jayhawks' 2010 football game at Southern Miss will be shown on ESPN.
KU men's basketball team performing well in the classroom, too
Jayhawks top academic team in NCAA Tournament
The Jayhawks have the top Academic Progress Rate scores of any of the 65 teams participating in the NCAA tournament.
A dream draw: Lehigh guard has ties to ex-Jayhawks
When former Kansas University basketball player Michael Lee first saw the pairings for this year’s NCAA Tournament, a wild realization rushed into the Portland, Ore. native’s mind.
KU-KSU baseball on Metro
Metro Sports (Sunflower Broadband ch. 37) announced Monday it will televise the final two games of the three-game Big 12 series between Kansas and Kansas State on Saturday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 16, at 2 p.m.
Kansas softball adds game
The Kansas softball team added one more game to its tournament schedule this weekend at the San Diego Classic.
Olathe South junior KU-bound
Those of you with a head for Kansas University men’s basketball trivia probably know the answer to this question: Who are the only three brothers who have earned letters while wearing a KU uniform?
Lehigh freshman impresses KU’s Self
Bleary eyed from watching hours of film on Lehigh University’s basketball team, Bill Self has gained a clearer picture of Kansas University’s first-round NCAA Tournament foe.
Kansas men’s golf seventh at Squire Creek
Nate Barbee’s second-round two-under par 70 helped lead the Kansas University men’s golf team to seventh place out of 15 teams entering the final round at the Squire Creek Invitational at Oakbourne Country Club. He enters the final round tied for fifth place.
Kansas to face Prairie View A&M in WNIT
The Kansas University women’s basketball team was selected to play in the WNIT for the third straight season on Monday night.
KU baseball sweeps Big 12 awards
Kansas University junior outfielder Casey Lytle and junior relief pitcher Brett Bochy were named Big 12 Player and Pitcher of the Week for the week on Monday.
Monday, March 15
How Keegan voted — March 15 college basketball poll
The following is Journal-World sports editor Tom Keegan's ballot for the Associated Press college basketball poll on March 15, 2010.
KU unanimous No. 1 in both polls
The Kansas men's basketball team is the unanimous No. 1 in the latest Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today coaches polls released Monday.
Follow these tourney tips
What happened to all of the upsets? George Mason was only four years ago. It just seems like forever.
Missouri, Clemson to clash in up-tempo battle
The Missouri Tigers are headed to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament.
KU favorite in Vegas
Oddsmakers set line at 2-1
Las Vegas oddsmakers like No. 1 Kansas University as much as the NCAA selection committee, picking the Jayhawks as the top team in the NCAA Tournament.
Kansas softball splits doubleheader
When Kansas University wins a softball game, chances are Alex Jones will have been involved.
KU baseball takes series from No. 1 LSU
Senior Robby Price went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI, and junior relief pitcher Brett Bochy earned his second save of the weekend as Kansas University earned a series victory over top-ranked LSU with an 8-4 victory Sunday in the rubber game of the three-game series.
Kansas rowing ties for third
Kansas University’s rowing team tied for third place with Tulsa at the University of Oklahoma Invitational on Sunday.
Lehigh thrilled to get ‘opportunity’
For Lehigh University’s men’s basketball team, the suspense of Selection Sunday was over early.
Psst! Want to hear a secret?
A few tips to fill out your NCAA Tournament bracket.
Xavier Henry happy to be headed home
Kansas University freshman guard Xavier Henry says it’ll be fun to open 2010 NCAA Tournament play in his hometown of Oklahoma City.
K-State’s first-round test: North Texas
The “firsts” and “bests” keep piling up for Kansas State. In the same year that Frank Martin fashioned the best three-year record of any Kansas State coach, the resurgent Wildcats have nabbed their highest seeding in any NCAA Tournament.
Sunday, March 14
Kansas prepares road trip to Oklahoma City
Kansas University’s first stop on the Road to the Final Four is 316 miles away, and plenty of Jayhawks plan to be making the trip down the Kansas Turnpike and Interstate 35.
Jayhawks surprised by seemingly tough NCAA draw
The Kansas Jayhawks will enter the 2010 NCAA Tournament as the top-rated No. 1 seed and will open play against 16th-seeded Lehigh at approximately 8:40 p.m. Thursday in Oklahoma City.
Valpo edges Jayhawks
Five runs in the last two innings put the Kansas University softball team back in the game, but the late surge was not enough for the Jayhawks to bring home a victory.
Triple jumper DQed
Kansas University freshman Andrea Geubelle fouled on each of her three attempts at the NCAA Indoor track and field meet.
Gary Bedore’s KU hoops notebook
News, notes, numbers and quotes from KU's victory against Kansas State.
KU proves it’s worthy of No. 1 NCAA seed
Denis Clemente, Kansas State’s senior guard, showed Saturday why he’s considered the fastest player in college basketball. He and teammates also showed a remarkable will to win.
Jayhawks eye WNIT
Kansas University, runner-up in last season’s WNIT, is confident it will receive an invitation Monday night when pairings are announced and has put in a bid to serve as a host and requested a Wednesday first-round game, according to a KU athletic department official.
Diver Proehl qualifies
Kansas senior Meghan Proehl placed 19th in three-meter diving at the zone championships.
Rowers start strong
The Kansas University rowing team won five of six races Saturday at the Oklahoma Invitational.
Indianapolis booked up for Final Four
So, Kansas fans, you’re already looking forward to the Final Four: Indianapolis, Lucas Oil Stadium, bars on Meridian and a weekend of revelry matched only by that wonderful trip to San Antonio a couple of years ago, having jammed the River Walk and left with a national championship trophy.
Hard-won hardware: Kansas fends off 'Cats
Cole Aldrich hoisted the Big 12 championship trophy high in the sky for fans to see, then cradled it lovingly while speaking to reporters Saturday night on a confetti-infested Sprint Center floor.
No. 1 LSU rallies, ties series with KU
The top-ranked Louisiana State baseball team needed a two-out, seventh-inning home run from Blake Dean to slip past Kansas University, 4-2, on Saturday.
Pullen, KSU dejected after loss
Jacob Pullen left the court quickly following Kansas State’s 72-64 loss Saturday to Kansas University. He couldn’t stand to see what was going on around him.
Saturday, March 13
Fans savor victory over rival KSU
KU fan Craig Bastemeyer has been waiting for this for the last 25 years.
Rivalry games not always easy for KU-KSU couples
Thomas Morefield and Maren Roesler are not typical Jayhawk and Wildcat basketball fans.
FINAL: Kings of the Big 12! KU takes conference title with 72-64 victory over KSU
Marcus Morris scored 18 points, while Tyrel Reed added 15 as the Jayhawks defeated the Wildcats for the third time this season. Collins was named the tournament MVP.
KU-KSU rivalry puts friendships on hold
Darin Fyffe and Matt Koster have known one another for 10 years.
Kansas rowing delayed
Friday’s Oklahoma rowing Invitational was moved to today due to high winds.
Self wins 200th; KU reaches finals
Bill Self didn’t plan to pop open a bottle of champagne late Friday night at team headquarters, the Downtown Marriott Hotel.
Note to ’Cats: Don’t get ‘chippy’
We’ll find out how smart a basketball team Kansas State is tonight in the Big 12 tournament finals in Sprint Center.
Gary Bedore’s KU hoops notebook
Kansas University today tries for its seventh Big 12 tournament title in the 14-year history of the event. KU is 6-1 in the title game.
KU softball canceled
Kansas University’s softball contest against Valparaiso, scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, was canceled due to rain.
Senior diver Proehl 6th
Kansas senior diver Meghan Proehl placed sixth in the one-meter diving competition on the first day of the NCAA Zone D Diving Championships on Friday.
Finley fifth in shot put
Kansas University thrower Mason Finley took fifth in the men’s shot put, and the women's distance medley relay team took sixth place on Friday at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Iowa State's Brackins to turn pro
Iowa State junior forward Craig Brackins said Friday that he will skip his final year of eligibility and enter the NBA Draft.
KU baseball stuns No. 1 LSU, 11-9
Senior Robby Price and junior Casey Lytle each had three hits and two doubles, Brett Bochy pitched 21⁄3 innings of hitless relief, and the Kansas University baseball team knocked off No. 1 LSU, 11-9, on Friday night at Alex Box Stadium in front of 11,157 fans.
Ags OK with Collins
A&M not dwelling on dustups
With tempers flaring in the second half, Texas A&M’s Donald Sloan said he and Kansas University’s Sherron Collins shared a brief conversation on the court.
Fans share how they ‘bring luck’ to team
Rodney Stephenson is one of the reasons Kansas University won against Texas A&M University on Friday evening. At least he thinks so.
Friday, March 12
Kansas State advances past Baylor
Wildcats, Jayhawks set to square off for Big 12 title
Dominique Sutton had a double-double and a key offense rebound that led to Jacob Pullen's 3-pointer with 2:02 left, helping No. 9 Kansas State survive for an 82-75 win over No. 21 Baylor on Friday night in the Big 12 tournament semifinals.
FINAL: Fired-up KU takes down A&M, 79-66
The Jayhawks used a 16-0 second-half run to pull away, advancing to Saturday's Big 12 championship game.
Friday's KU softball game washed
Friday's 2 p.m. KU softball game against Valparaiso has been canceled.
Fans brave cold to rejoice in style at Big 12 tourney
The cold, dreary weather blanketing Kansas City’s Power and Light District Thursday didn’t keep many Kansas University fans away.
Jayhawks celebrate 2,000th victory
Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins exited a Sprint Center locker room wearing what’s sure to soon be a popular item on sale at your favorite bookstore.
KU softball wins home opener
Although she never watches the show, Kansas University sophomore softball player Kelsey Alsdorf said she knows the cast for the upcoming season of “Dancing with the Stars.”
Aldrich awes Red Raiders
Texas Tech coach Pat Knight says that Kansas University is one of the best half-court defensive teams the Red Raiders have faced this season. The main reason: KU’s 6-foot-11 defensive stopper, Cole Aldrich.
Gary Bedore’s KU hoops notebook
News, notes, numbers and quotes from KU's Thursday victory against Texas Tech.
Kansas’ urgency lacking
As the final seconds ticked away, the fans in blue waved the wheat and chanted the chant. A moment later, the announcement came that this was the 2,000th victory in program history.
Thursday, March 11
Baylor bests Texas, moves on to face K-State
LaceDarius Dunn, benched with three quick fouls in the first half, rebounded with 17 of his 19 points after intermission and No. 21 Baylor made it three in a row over Texas with an 86-67 victory Thursday night in the Big 12 quarterfinals.
No. 9 Wildcats rout Oklahoma State 83-64
Jamar Samuels scored 21 of his career-high 27 points in the first half, helping No. 9 Kansas State turn a rematch into a rout with an 83-64 win over Oklahoma State Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament.
KU women WNIT bound after loss to OSU
The Kansas University women's basketball team has accepted an invitation to play in the 2010 WNIT.
KU women lose opener, earn WNIT bid
Andrea Riley scored 37 points, Toni Young added 16 and No. 20 Oklahoma State put away Kansas 76-69 on Thursday in the first round of the Big 12 tournament.
Texas A&M beats Nebraska, will face Kansas in Big 12 Tournament semifinals
Donald Sloan scored 23 points and Bryan Davis had a key three-point play at the 1:01 mark, enabling No. 23 Texas A&M to stave off upset-minded Nebraska 70-64 in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament on Thursday.
KU coach Turner Gill gives glimpse of his style: building character, with no cussing
New KU football coach visits Leadership Lawrence class
Members of the Leadership Lawrence class on Thursday got a peek inside the mind of new Kansas University football coach Turner Gill.
FINAL: 2,000! Collins, Aldrich lead KU to 80-68 victory over Texas Tech
Jayhawks hit 2,000-win milestone in triumph over Red Raiders.
KU offensive coordinator facing lawsuit in California
KU offensive coordinator Chuck Long is facing a lawsuit in California.
Crews respond to fire alarm at KU's Memorial Stadium
Crews responded Thursday morning to Kansas University's Memorial Stadium after a fire alarm was activated.
KU men hope to stay longer at the Big 12 tournament this year
Bill Self likes to check in with each of his Kansas University basketball players to see how they’re feeling — physically and mentally — heading into the postseason.
KU women have new life
Injuries have taken a toll on Kansas University’s women’s basketball team. And the impact hasn’t been just physical.
KU baseball rolls, 15-0
For the second day in a row the Kansas University baseball team jumped on an inferior opponent and rolled to an easy victory.
No asterisks of infamy for Jayhawks
In all the glitter, glamour and eulogizing during college basketball tournaments and NCAA March Madness, some of the seamier aspects of competing teams in the Big Show get swept under the rug. All you have to do is scan the footnotes of the brackets since 1961 to realize the rather rampant truancy in the system.
Wednesday, March 10
James leads Texas past Iowa State, 82-75
Damion James had 28 points and 16 rebounds, and Texas pulled away from plucky Iowa State on Wednesday night, beating the Cyclones 82-75 in a hard-fought Big 12 opening-round game.
Oklahoma State shoots down OU, 81-67
Watching his team during its shootaround before the Big 12 tournament, Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford was concerned. The normally loose group of players were quiet, spending nearly 20 minutes saying barely a word.
Nebraska upsets Missouri, 75-60
Brandon Richardson scored 19 points and No. 12 seed Nebraska took command with an early 16-1 run and shocked No. 5 seed Missouri 75-60 Wednesday in an opening-round upset at the Big 12 tournament.
Sharp steals show at KU Pro Day
KU running back runs best 40 and lifts most weight
The Kansas University football program held its annual Pro Timing Day on Wednesday at Anschutz Pavilion.
Texas Tech opens Big 12 tournament with 82-67 victory
Texas Tech coach Pat Knight called one timeout to urge his team to play better defense. They didn't, so he had to call another to get his point across. Finally, the Red Raiders got the hint.
10 teams that can win it all: No. 2, Duke
This Duke team not overrated
Each week in this space, KUSports.com online editor Jesse Newell will take a statistical look at one of the 10 teams that has the best chance of taking this year’s NCAA title.
KU baseball routs Saint Mary, 10-0
There were no plans for a banquet, no champagne in the winning clubhouse.
KU freshman Henry: Buffs’ Burks deserving of rookie honor
Xavier Henry — who is having one of the best seasons of any freshman in Kansas University basketball history — didn’t ask for a recount after learning he’d been out-voted for Big 12 frosh of the year.
KU men's golf 15th
Nate Barbee finished in a tie for 28th place and the Kansas University men’s golf team placed 15th at the Louisiana Classics at Oakbourne Country Club.
Davis day-to-day for KU women
Bonnie Henrickson is keeping her fingers crossed that freshman standout Carolyn Davis will be cleared to play in the Big 12 tournament.
Former Jayhawks aim to impress NFL scouts at Pro Day
NFL scouts already evaluated Darrell Stuckey, Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier at the combine last month in Indianapolis, but there’s a different group of Kansas University football players waiting for their turn under the microscope.
Greatest KU games No. 2: Danny and the Miracles
Twenty-two years. A long time. Bodies are thicker and hair is thinner. Memories tend to grow wispier, too.
Tuesday, March 9
Chief concern: Self troubled by Jayhawks’ inconsistency this season
Bill Self and his wife, Cindy, spent some quality time together in front of the TV over the weekend, not watching the Academy Awards, but re-runs of a special basketball team — the 2008 national champion Kansas Jayhawks.
KU men's golf team in 15th
Freshman Alex Gutesha was the top first-day finisher for the Kansas University men’s golf team as it enters the final round of the Louisiana Classics at Oakbourne Country Club in 15th place.
Austin QB commits to Red Raiders
Dreams of Todd Reesing Part II will have to be put on hold for at least another couple of seasons.
Monday, March 8
KU athletics director places Williams Fund official on administrative leave
A point man for helping Williams Fund donors connect with Kansas Athletics Inc. — including access to postseason basketball tickets — has been placed on administrative leave by Athletics Director Lew Perkins.
KU's Collins, Aldrich selected to AP's All-Big 12 first team
Kansas University’s Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, who were named to the Big 12 coaches’ first-team all-conference squad Sunday, were honored in the same way by conference media members Monday.
KU's McCray, Davis earn All-Big 12 recognition
Danielle McCray earned second-team All-Big 12 honors despite missing more than half of the conference basketball season due to a knee injury.
Self: KU assistant coach Dooley has not been offered East Carolina job
A Foxsports.com report that Kansas University basketball assistant Joe Dooley has been offered the head coaching job at East Carolina apparently is incorrect.
How Keegan voted — March 8 college basketball poll
The following is Journal-World sports editor Tom Keegan's Associated Press ballot for the March 8, 2010, college basketball poll.
KU back to No. 1 in both polls
After posting victories over Kansas State and Missouri last week, the Kansas men's basketball team moved back into the top spot in both national rankings after previous No. 1 Syracuse fell to Louisville on Sunday.
KU women’s golf fifth at Duramed
Senior Emily Powers fired a team-best 77 in the final round as she helped lead Kansas University to a fifth-place finish at the Duramed/Rio Verde Collegiate on Sunday.
Kansas baseball beats up on Hawkeyes
If nothing else, the Kansas University baseball team’s 15-7 victory against Iowa on Sunday at Hoglund Ballpark was a good indication that, with or without All-America third baseman Tony Thompson, the KU offense still can swing it.
Aldrich, Collins on All-Big 12 team
Kansas University’s Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich on Sunday were named first-team All-Big 12 by the conference coaches for the second straight season.
Kansas softball goes 1-1 on final day of tourney
Allie Clark drove in two runs and limited Western Illinois to just one hit from the pitcher’s circle as Kansas University’s softball team blanked Western Illinois, 3-0, Sunday in the Coach B Classic. Later Sunday, Clark and teammate Brittany Hile each homered, but the Jayhawks suffered a 5-2 loss to SIU-Edwardsville.
Kansas tennis rolls over New Orleans
Kansas University’s tennis team blanked New Orleans, 4-0, on Sunday.
Gill settling in
New Jayhawks coach making himself at home
Kansas University football coach Turner Gill wants you to know two things about his first few months in Lawrence. First, his new town does not yet feel like home.
Markieff secret weapon
No player has done a better job off the bench for Kansas than the team’s most underrated player, 6-foot-9 sophomore post man Markieff Morris.
Sunday, March 7
KU men will not hold open practice at Big 12 Championship
Kansas will not participate in an open practice on Tuesday at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., because it is a top four seed in the upcoming Big 12 Championship.
Four Jayhawks named All-Big 12; Cole Aldrich chosen as Defensive Player of the Year
Xavier Henry included on conference All-Rookie team, Aldrich included on All-Defensive squad
The Big 12 Conference announced Sunday its All-Big 12 award winners for the 2010 season.
‘Awesome’ KU football seniors honored
Several underclassmen received their due, but Saturday’s 2009 Kansas University football awards ceremony at the Kansas Union was all about the seniors.
KU relay team meets NCAA standard
The Kansas women’s 4x400-meter relay team of Denesha Morris, Taissa Makhmayeva, Shayla Wilson and Taylor Washington ran a season-best time of 3:37.80, which met the NCAA provisional standard, on Saturday.
KU tennis team falls, 7-0
Senior Kunigunda Dorn and freshman Sara Lazarevic won at the No. 2 doubles position, but it wasn't enough as the Kansas tennis team fell, 7-0, to Tulane on Saturday in New Orleans.
Tiger beatdown
Mizzou-killer Reed sparks KU’s rout
Kansas University combo guard Tyrel Reed pumped his chest twice with his right fist, then stared in the direction of Missouri’s Antlers after cashing his third lethal three-pointer against the rival Tigers on Saturday afternoon in Mizzou Arena.
Marcus’ hard knock proves revealing
The closeness of a team sometimes reveals itself after one of its members emerges on the right side of a scary situation.
Big 12 recap: Cyclones work overtime to clip ’Cats
Diante Garrett scored five points in overtime, and Iowa State stunned Kansas State on Saturday, snapping a 21-game losing streak to ranked teams.
Gary Bedore’s KU hoops notebook
No. 1-ranked Syracuse’s loss to Louisville on Saturday means Kansas University will move back to No. 1 in the polls on Monday.
Thiry leads KU women's golf team
Junior Grace Thiry fired a 73 Saturday to help the Kansas University women’s golf team maintain its fifth-place standing after Round Two of the Duramed/Rio Verde Collegiate.
KU baseball team prevails against Iowa
The storylines were plentiful Saturday during the Kansas University baseball team’s 8-4 victory against Iowa.
Tigers lick their wounds
Sure, Kansas University has lost only twice this season and will be the new No. 1 in the polls Monday.
Aggies ruin Senior Night for KU women, 78-54
Carolyn Davis joined the list of injured Kansas University women’s basketball players, and the Jayhawks were thumped again. With Davis shelved due to a concussion suffered during Friday’s practice session, Texas A&M had little difficulty disposing of the demoralized Jayhawks, 78-54, on Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse.
KU softball splits in Illinois
Despite an RBI pinch-hit single from sophomore Kelsey Alsdorf in the seventh inning, the Kansas University softball team’s rally fell short as Southern Illinois defeated the Jayhawks, 3-1, Saturday at the Coach B Classic.
Saturday, March 6
No. 14 Texas A&M women rout KU, 78-54
The Kansas women's basketball team suffered its worst home loss of the season Saturday, falling 78-54 to No. 14 Texas A&M on Senior Night at Allen Fieldhouse.
FINAL: KU overwhelms Missouri, 77-56
Five KU players scored in double figures as the Jayhawks closed out the regular season with a runaway victory over the Tigers.
Mizzou Arena magic
Tigers 16-1 at home this season; KU 2-3 at arena
Recent Kansas University basketball history indicates no lead is safe in Mizzou Arena.
KU medley relay team breaks school record
Not only did the Kansas University women’s distance medley relay team turn in its best performance of the season Friday evening at the Alex Wilson Invitational, but the quartet of Rebeka Stowe, Taylor Washington, Cori Christensen and Lauren Bonds recorded the best time in school history.
New KU volleyball assistant named
Former Ball State standout Todd Chamberlain has been named an assistant volleyball coach at Kansas University, coach Ray Bechard announced.
KU women’s golf team in fifth
Junior Meghna Bal shot a 74 in the first round of play at the Duramed/Rio Verde Collegiate to help Kansas University finish day one of the tournament in fifth place.
KU baseball splits doubleheader with Iowa
After handling the Hawkeyes, 8-1, in the home opener, the Kansas University baseball team did little right in Game 2 of Friday’s doubleheader, which ended with a 5-3 loss to the University of Iowa at Hoglund Ballpark.
Reeling KU women to entertain No. 17 Aggies
Four losses in a row is a tailspin, not a crash dive.
KU cross country team earns honor
The Kansas women’s cross country squad earned All-Academic Team honors, it was announced Friday by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Reed big against Missouri
Fathers who coach their sons would do well to follow the blueprint drawn by Stacy Reed, father of Kansas University junior guard Tyrel Reed: Coach him until you can find a better coach for him, and then enjoy watching him play.
Friday, March 5
Aldrich says NBA not a done deal yet
KU junior still pondering future
Cole Aldrich heard the fans' chants of "One More Year" at the end of Wednesday's Senior Day victory over Kansas State.
4 KU women honored
Kansas University seniors Danielle McCray, Porscha Weddington and Kelly Kohn were all selected to the first team Academic All-Big 12 team on Thursday, while redshirt freshman Angel Goodrich earned second-team honors.
Don’t bet against Kansas
Talk about assets — this Kansas basketball team is loaded with them as it begins a realistic quest for another NCAA title.
What Keegan Says
The Lakers have Jack Nicholson. Kentucky basketball has Ashley Judd. The Red Sox have Stephen King. And now, finally, after all these years of basketball dominance, Kansas University has a celebrity fan.
KU baseball adds two games
The Kansas baseball team announced Thursday that it will add a pair of home games to make up for contests lost due to inclement weather.
Thursday, March 4
Townsend explains giving out KU tickets
An adult film actress by the stage name of Samantha Ryan had the Internet world buzzing Thursday after posting on her Twitter account that she attended Wednesday’s Kansas-Kansas State basketball game with tickets provided by KU assistant coach Kurtis Townsend.
To chagrin of Wildcats, Jayhawk fans turn Manhattan 'KS' rocks into 'KU'
As you drive on Kansas Highway 177 toward I-70 near Manhattan, you see a rock sign on the hill that reads "KS."
RB Miller commits to Kansas
There may be a Powercat on his high school helmet, but Blue Springs (Mo.) High junior running back Darrian Miller recently made it clear that he prefers Jayhawks.
Gary Bedore’s KU hoops notebook
Little did Sherron Collins know it, but he was in for a surprise feast following Wednesday’s Senior Night victory over Kansas State.
Undefeated Nebraska routs KU women
Nebraska’s seniors made a pact not to cry when they were honored before their last game at the Devaney Sports Center.
Tough Love: Gritty KU sends Collins out winner
Bill Self, who preaches toughness as much as any college basketball coach in the country, wrapped his arms around Sherron Collins with 30.4 seconds remaining in Kansas University’s 82-65 victory over rival Kansas State on Wednesday night in Allen Fieldhouse.
Jayhawks rise to challenge
Lost amid the tears shed by Sherron Collins and teammates who will miss him and chants for Cole Aldrich to return for “One more year!” came an emphatic answer to a question that dominated conversations in every establishment in town Wednesday.
’Cats love Collins, too
KSU respects ‘best player in country’
Kansas State freshmen Wally Judge and Rodney McGruder have faced Kansas University guard Sherron Collins just twice in their young careers.
KU baseball times changed
Due to rain in the forecast for Saturday afternoon, the Kansas University baseball team has changed the schedule for its four-game series with Iowa.
Morningstar reminisces
Buddy recalls Collins’ early years
Sherron Collins walked through the Jayhawker Towers door for the first time four years ago with a single bag in his hand.
Wednesday, March 3
FINAL: Big second-half run pushes KU to 82-65 victory over K-State
The Jayhawks used a 27-10 spurt in the second half to send senior guard Sherron Collins to a win in his final home game.
Family of former KU athletics director Frederick files suit against city, gas utility
The suit alleges that both the city of Lawrence and Black Hills Energy were negligent in failing to ensure that a pothole at Sixth and Kasold was fully repaired after repair work was done in the area.
10 teams that can win it all: No. 3, Syracuse
Inside play makes Orange dangerous
Each week in this space, KUSports.com online editor Jesse Newell will take a statistical look at one of the 10 teams that has the best chance of taking this year’s NCAA title.
Greatest KU games No. 3: ‘It wasn’t such a big deal’
KU’s 1952 title-winners recall Lovellette, Dean Smith’s smoking
Three members of the 1952 national championship basketball team who reside in Lawrence gathered for coffee on a recent morning and looked back one more time on Kansas University’s first NCAA Tournament title.
Big inning dooms KU baseball against Arkansas
Arkansas right fielder Jarrod McKinney’s three-run homer capped a five-run fifth inning, which powered the No. 15 Razorbacks to a 15-3 victory over No. 25 Kansas University Tuesday afternoon at Baum Stadium.
Mother’s day: Senior Night special for Collins’ mom
Sherron Collins — who readily admits to being a “mama’s boy” — tonight gives his mother the best present ever.
KU women face tall order at NU
It’s certainly not over until it’s over, but the outlook isn’t rosy for Kansas University’s women’s basketball team.
’Cats set sights on streak
K-State, Kansas gird for another ‘Showdown War’
Kansas State’s basketball team halted rival Kansas’ 55-game homecourt win streak on Jan. 30, 1988, in Allen Fieldhouse. That incredible stretch ranks as the third-best in Jayhawk history. At 7 tonight, the No. 5-ranked Wildcats (24-4, 11-3) are in town hoping to put an end to the Jayhawks’ current 58-game streak, which is just four games off the school-record 62-gamer set from 1993 to ’98.
Don’t forget Aldrich
Not everybody playing in his last game in Allen Fieldhouse gets to give a speech tonight.
Tuesday, March 2
Stuckey shines at final day of NFL Combine
Former Kansas University safety enjoyed a banner day Tuesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
Collins ‘pulse’ of KU men's basketball team
Sherron Collins says the most memorable game of his four-year Kansas University basketball career — besides the obvious 2008 national title game against Memphis — is an 80-77 home victory over Missouri his freshman year.
Wilt’s record revisited
Where were you 48 years ago today?
KU’s Bonds honored
Kansas senior Lauren Bonds was named to the Div. I Cross Country All-Academic list, announced Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
KU pitcher Selik recognized by Big 12
Kansas University senior right-handed pitcher Cameron Selik has been named the Big 12 Conference’s co-Pitcher of the Week.
Stuckey ready for his turn at NFL combine
Darrell Stuckey always has been one of those cerebral football players.
Ready for the rafters? Collins hopes to have jersey hanging in Allen Fieldhouse one day
Sherron Collins, who promises to give a heartwarming speech after Wednesday’s Senior Day/Sunflower Showdown clash against Kansas State, just might be back for an encore presentation in, say, 2015.
Monday, March 1
What Keegan says: You're right, I am biased when it comes to Syracuse
Guilty as charged. I’m a little biased when it comes to Syracuse University. But unlike the e-mailers who bombarded me Monday when they discovered I had put the Orange No. 3 on my Associated Press ballot, my bias is in favor of Syracuse, not against it.
How Keegan voted — March 1 college basketball poll
The following is Journal-World sports editor Tom Keegan's Associated Press ballot for the March 1 college basketball poll.
Jayhawks fall one spot to No. 2 in both polls this week
KU still grabs six first-place votes
After falling in Stillwater to Oklahoma State, the Kansas Jayhawks found themselves falling to second place in the AP Top 25 poll out Monday morning.
KU-Gonzaga baseball canceled due to rain
Because of heavy rain, Kansas University’s schedule finale in the Peoria Baseball Showdown on Sunday against Gonzaga has been canceled.
Briscoe, Meier have OK showing at NFL combine
Sunday, in Indianapolis, former Kansas University receivers Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier ran decent but not dazzling times during their workout at the combine in front of scouts, coaches and doctors from all 32 NFL teams.
Collins cautions tears will flow
Guard promises emotional Senior Day
Sherron Collins may need a tissue or two at the conclusion of Wednesday’s Sunflower Showdown in Allen Fieldhouse.
Fathers know best
Any athlete who might equate a spot on the bench with a career death sentence needed to look a couple of rows into the stands at a recent Kansas University women’s basketball game to be reminded otherwise.
Vertelka’s 1-hitter lifts KU softball, 9-0
Senior pitcher Sarah Vertelka limited Austin Peay to one hit, and Kansas University collected 10 as the Jayhawk softball team wrapped up the UTC Frost Classic with a 9-0, five-inning victory on Sunday.
Kansas tennis rolls over UTEP, 4-1
Junior Maria Martinez, sophomores Erin Wilbert and Ekaterina Morozova and freshman Sara Lazarevic all recorded singles victories as Kansas University’s tennis team cruised past UTEP, 4-1, to stop a Miner seven-match winning streak Sunday.
