Lawrence Journal-World 11-16-13

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Saturday, November 16, 2013

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KU men’s runner qualifies for NCAAs ———

Kansas men’s, women’s teams place 5th J-W Staff Reports

John Young/Journal-World Photo

KANSAS UNIVERSITY RECRUIT CLIFF ALEXANDER, SECOND FROM RIGHT, hangs out with members of the KU men’s team Sunday at the KU women’s season-opening game against Oral Roberts. Alexander’s girlfriend plays for the women’s team. The current Jayhawks, from left, are Evan Manning, Jamari Traylor and Joel Embiid, at far right.

Alexander “ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B

“Coach Self is a great guy. I thought Bill Self could develop me and get me where I want to be. We have that type (of) relationship,� Alexander noted. “I want to get where I want to be (NBA) fast. I didn’t want to have time to waste. He has a lot of titles under his belt, a lot of pros. It’s why I wanted to go to the University of Kansas.� Also ... “I decided I didn’t want to stay home. I just wanted to get away. I’ve been living here 17 years. I wanted to experience something new.� Alexander, whose girlfriend attends Kansas, acknowledged that he likely would not have chosen KU had Chicago Whitney Young High big man Jahlil Okafor chosen KU on Friday. Okafor and Minnesota point guard Tyus Jones selected Duke over runner-up KU on the same signing show on ESPNU. “I’d probably have gone to Illinois,� Alexander said, adding that he has nothing against Okafor and in fact likes him a lot. “He’s like another brother to me. We have a great relationship,� Alexander said. Alexander said he actually would like to be reunited with another buddy in Lawrence. JaQuan Lyle, who decommitted from Louisville, is consid-

I want to get where I want to be (NBA) fast. I didn’t want to have time to waste. He has a lot of titles under his belt, a lot of pros. It’s why I wanted to go to the University of Kansas.� — Kansas University basketball commit Cliff Alexander, on KU coach Bill Self

did a great job recruiting him. “He played a big role ever since he stepped foot on campus at Kansas. We’ve been talking. We built a great relationship. He was one of the guys to offer me when he was at Illinois (as assistant),� Alexander said.

ering UConn, Memphis, Louisville and others. “He’s gonna be a Jayhawk,� Alexander said, with a smile, of the player who has yet to be recruited by KU. KU has signed Kelly Oubre, 6-7 shooting guard, from Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada. Alexander’s commitment fills KU’s current allotment of two available scholarships — those of senior Tarik Black and certain one-and-done Andrew Wiggins. KU could also lose Wayne Selden, Joel Embiid and/or Perry Ellis to the NBA, and there’s always the possibility of transfers. For now, “I’m very relieved,� Alexander said. “This can stop the phone calls. I can concentrate O on school and basketball More signings: SMU now. When I get to (KU), I’ll play my role and get coach Larry Brown landed where I want to be, win a No. 2-ranked Emmanuel Mudiay, 6-5 point guard national championship.� O from Prime Prep Academy Howard key recruiter: in Dallas. ... No. 3 Stanley Alexander said KU as- Johnson, 6-6 small forward sistant Jerrance Howard, from Mater Dei in Santa a former Illinois player, Ana, Calif., chose Arizona.

professional gbedore@ljworld.com player.�

Here’s the reaction of several individuals in the basketball world following Chicago Curie High senior power forward Cliff Alexander’s commitment to Kansas University on Friday: Curie High coach Mike Oliver to ESPN Chicago: “People just don’t know; this thing came down to the last hour. As far as 2 p.m., he was still deciding between Illinois, DePaul and Kansas. His gut feeling was Kansas.�

basketball consistent back-to-thebasket moves, Alexander is going to be an absolute Nick Irvin of Alexan- force. ... The Jayhawks der’s AAU team, Mac Ir- will obviously see Andrew vin Fire to Journal-World: Wiggins leave for the “He’s a power forward NBA, although center Joel all the way, not a center, Embiid and guard Wayne very aggressive on both Selden are also potential ends. He blocks shots, re- lottery picks. Tarik Black bounds, is real tough in is the lone senior and Althe paint, just like you like exander will slide in perit.� fectly as his replacement.� Scott Powers, ESPNChicago.com on the fact Alexander has not yet signed a letter-ofintent: “Alexander has also yet to qualify. Oliver said recently he fully expected Alexander to get the necessary test score and grades to qualify, but that’s another part of the equation. In the end, Alexander may decommit from Kansas, commit to Illinois, then decommit from Illinois and finally sign with DePaul. Or, he might just remain Kansas’ recruit.� Eric Bossi, Rivals.com: “Alexander is a physically intimidating power player. He uses his strength, long arms and attacking nature to go right at the rim. He can make jump hooks and is developing touch to eight feet. Perhaps his biggest strength is his rebounding. Alexander grabs rebounds above the rim and often snatches them away from opponents.�

Baker soccer wins HAAC title game J-W Staff Reports

OLATHE — The thirdseeded Baker University men’s soccer team defeated top seed MidAmerica Nazarene, 1-0, to win the HAAC Conference Tournament Championship on Friday at MNU’s home field. BU sophomore Andrew Miller scored the winning goal in the 71st minute off a corner kick from Chris Tuso. The goal was the first of Miller’s career.

BU’s Cameron Zimmerman had two shots, while Ben Coyle and Tuso had one apiece. Goalkeeper Matt Bickley had six saves for Baker (14-5-2). The Wildcats advance to the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship opening round, which will begin Saturday. Opening-round pairings will be announced during a selection show, which will air at 1 p.m. Monday on naia.org.

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Latillia Alexander, Cliff’s mother, to Chicago Tribune: “John Groce is great. I know, most definitely, John Groce would care for him on and off the court, but I think Bill Self will get him to the next Oliver to Chicago Sun level.� Times: “It (decision) went down to the wire. Adam Zagoria of ZagsHe went with his gut blog.com: “KU comes out feeling. I’m an Illinois of this (signing period) in guy. At end of the day, good shape with Cliff AlCliff went with what he exander and Kelly Oubre felt was right for him. as their dynamic duo. Ou(KU coach Bill) Self al- bre is really good & slides ready has that reputation into (Andrew) Wiggins’ for getting guys to the spot.� NBA and (Illini coach John) Groce is probably Jeff Borzello, CBSsgoing to get there in two ports.com: “Alexander is years.� as college-ready as anyone in the country, and his Oliver to Chicago Tri- strength and build will enbune: “He’s going to go able him to be a dominant down there and give it force next season in the his all. We don’t want to Big 12. Alexander is an exput any number on years. tremely strong rebounder, Whatever God’s willing — and his 260-lb. frame gives one year, two years, three him the edge in most batyears — I think eventu- tles on the boards. He’s ally he’s going to reach his very tough and has a good dream of being an NBA motor. Once he develops

Sophomore Hannah Richardson led the Kansas women with a 20:41.3 time in the 6K, good for 11th place. Rounding out KU’s top five were: Nat- Richardson alie Becker (27th, 21:12.4); Malika Baker (46th, 21:34.1); Nashia Baker (50th, 21:38.8); and Courtney Coppinger (84th, 21:56.6). Top finishers for the Kansas men were: Buchanan; Evan Landes (17th place, 30:52.6); Josh Munsch (19th, 30:52.5); James Wilson (27th, 31:06.0); and Tyler Yunk (82nd, 32:10.0). Buchanan, Landes, Munsch and Richardson earned all-region honors.

O

More on Okafor, Jones: Duke landed the country’s No. 1- and 5-rated players, according to Rivals.com, in Okafor and Jones. They were true to their word of being a package deal. “We just wanted the best opportunity to win,� Okafor said. ESPN.com says Okafor and Jones are “the most notable package deal in college basketball since Greg Oden and Mike Conley committed to Ohio State in the 2006 class, but it’s unprecedented in that they never have played together on either the high school or AAU level. Instead, their joint playing experiences have come primarily with USA Basketball, beginning in October 2010 and continuing with subsequent selections in each of the next two summers to national teams that won gold medals while traveling to Mexico and Lithuania.�

Coaches, scouts chime in on Cliff By Gary Bedore

AMES, IOWA — Kansas University junior Reid Buchanan ran a careerbest time and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Cross Country Championships on Friday, and he did it all with one shoe. Buchanan lost his right shoe in the first four minutes of the men’s 10K at the N C A A Midwest Regional and went on to place 12th with a Buchanan personalbest time of 30:43.3. The Kansas men’s team did not automatically qualify after finishing fifth — one point away from tying for fourth — but Buchanan snagged

the final individual spot for Saturday’s national championships in Terre Haute, Ind. KU’s women also finished fifth as a team. The two Jayhawk squads learn today if they received atlarge bids to the NCAA Championships. “Our men had a great race today, and our front four really stepped up,� KU assistant coach Michael Whittlesey said. “Reid was outstanding and really ran well down the home stretch to sew up that fourth and final automatic spot. I’m also tremendously proud of what the women have done this year. They came into the season not even ranked in this region, and they just kept taking little bites and working at it. It just shows what a great year and race it was for them to get up to fifth.�

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