NCAA notebook

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Feb 11, 2006 by Capital-Journal

Stinson: I don't

think about NBA

The possibility of an early jump to the NBA isn't just something KU fans fret over as it pertains to freshman Brandon Rush. Iowa State faithful are keenly interested in the leanings of junior guard Curtis Stinson, who will bring his game to Allen Fieldhouse for a 3 p.m. matchup today against the Jayhawks.

"I don't think about the NBA," Stinson recently told the Des Moines Register. "Getting to the NCAA Tournament is what I think about. If coach recommends that I go to the NBA, then it will happen. I wouldn't know. I just play."

THE FOUL DISPARITY in Iowa State's 66-63 loss Wednesday at Kansas State upset Cyclones coach Wayne Morgan, who said, "you guys are smart enough to know (what) I can't discuss. You can look at the stat sheet. One thing jumps off the page."

Iowa State was called for 20 fouls, while K-State was called for 12. The Cyclones were 1 of 4 from the free throw line, while the Wildcats were 19 of 25.

The Cyclones' tendency to settle for perimeter shots has created a season-long disparity at the foul line. ISU has attempted 406 free throws, while opponents have attempted 535. Iowa State shares the Big 12's top free throw percentage (.727) with Oklahoma State.

KU RECRUIT Cole Aldrich, a 6-foot-11 center from Bloomington, Minn., who has committed to the Jayhawks, will probably miss the remainder of his high school season with a stress fracture in his lower left leg.

Aldrich, a junior, is averaging 17.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.7 blocks for Jefferson High School.

KU TIP-INS

- KU sophomore center C.J. Giles continues to wear tape to protect a sprained right thumb, which he injured prior to playing Wednesday at Nebraska.

- Sasha Kaun, the Jayhawks' other sophomore center, has snagged seven rebounds in each of the last three games. He is shooting a team-best .686 in conference play.

- The average margin for Kansas in Big 12 play is plus 13.7. Of the Jayhawks' wins this season, all but the 59-58 squeaker over Oklahoma were by double-digit margins. - Iowa State ranks last in the Big 12 in scoring defense (73.2) and field goal percentage defense (.457). Nonetheless, it leads the league in steals (10.1). KU leads the league in assists (18.1).

K-State women

look for sweep

The Kansas State women shoot for a second straight season sweep of a Big 12 Conference opponent in two games, as the Wildcats play host to Iowa State at 2 p.m. today at Bramlage Coliseum.

K-State is coming off a 67-62 win over Colorado to sweep the season series with the Buffaloes, and now, the Wildcats have the chance to do the same against the Cyclones. The Wildcats beat Iowa State 73-65 on Jan. 29 in Ames, Iowa.

Iowa State's leading scorer, Lyndsey Medders, is not expected to play due to a sprained foot injury she suffered against K-State in the first matchup, in which she had 30 points.

MAYBE MISSOURI WILL REVIVE the Kansas women's basketball team.

Sluggish defensively and ineffective offensively of late, KU coaches and players have questioned the Jayhawks' pride and intensity.

The Border Showdown tends to --- at least temporarily --- remedy those types of problems. Kansas (14-7, 3-7 Big 12) travels to Missouri (16-6, 6-4 Big 12) today at 3 p.m. KU swept the season series last year, but dropped its opener in the Big 12 tournament to the Tigers.

Topekan Crystal Kemp has scored in double figures 22 straight games and averages 19.2 points. LaToya Bond leads Missouri with 18 points per game.

Cowboys' Sutton injured in accident

Oklahoma State head basketball coach Eddie Sutton was hospitalized Friday after being injured in an automobile accident, OSU officials said.

Sutton was traveling to the Stillwater airport to fly with the team to College Station, Texas, where the Cowboys play Texas A&M today.

Sutton, 69, was taken to Stillwater Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition, said Shyla Eggers, a spokeswoman for the hospital.

From staff reports

Kansas coach Bill Self upon hearing the news Friday that Quin Snyder would coach Missouri through the remainder of the season.

"I've known Quin a long time and I'd hope he'd at least be given an opportunity to at least finish the season," Self said.

The two met while working a 1985 summer camp together at KU, where they were paired as roommates. Self was a coach and Snyder, who was just getting ready to enroll at Duke, was a counselor.

"I hate to see this for anybody in the profession," said Self, "but sometimes administrators have to make decisions that benefit more than just an individual. But certainly, I wish the decision hadn't come to this."

Since beating Kansas 89-86 in overtime in a Jan. 16 matchup in Columbia, the Tigers lost six straight by a collective margin of 17.8 points. Missouri plays at Kansas on Feb. 18.

Snyder went 5-10 against Kansas.

Cowboys' Sutton injured in accident

Oklahoma State head basketball coach Eddie Sutton was hospitalized Friday after being injured in an automobile accident, OSU officials said.

Sutton was traveling to the Stillwater airport to fly with the team to College Station, Texas, where the Cowboys play Texas A&M on Saturday, said Gary Shutt, director of communications for OSU.