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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 1995)
Consistency, home court wins give Sooners successful season Coach gives credit to good-luck outfit for latest victories By Trevor Parks Staff Reporter After three consecutive wins over teams ranked in the top 20, Okla homa coach Kelvin Sampson took Sunday off to go on a recruiting trip. But Sampson made sure he didn’t miss the chance to speak to the media during the Big Eight coaches’ weekly teleconference Monday. Sampson answered questions in midair, while he was on board a plane returning to Oklahoma City. The first-year Sooner coach had nothing but good things to say through a static connection. He said his team had done a great job during this crucial stretch of the season. “We didn’t sit back and have any illusions,” Sampson said. “The thing I’m most proud of is that our team stayed consistent.” The No. 16 Sooners have been consistently good as shown by their 21-6 record. Oklahoma is also third in the Big Eight with an 8-4 record. After beating then-No. 9 Missouri 94-89 last Saturday, Oklahoma then beat No. 1 Kansas 76-73 two days later and continued the winning streak by beating No. 18 Oklahoma State 82-74 Saturday. Winning those three games at home left the Sooners with a 15-0 record in Norman this year. That marked the fifth time in the 20-year history of the Lloyd Noble Center that the Sooners had gone undefeated. Also Oklahoma improved to 5-0 at home against No. 1 ranked teams. The Sooners have defeated UNLV, Arizona, Missouri, and Kansas twice in that streak. Last year, Oklahoma struggled at home, going only 9-5 in Norman. Sampson said his first season at the Lloyd Noble Center had been a memorable one. “Playing at Lloyd Noble was a tremendous advantage,” Sampson said. “I’m starting to realize that it is some place special.” One other thing that helped Sampson over the stretch was being a little superstitious. Over the three-game stretch Sampson has worn a blue denim shirt with khaki slacks. He said he didn’t intend to change that in the future. “I’m not sure I should pack any thing else,” Sampson said. “I don’t need it off the court, but I do need it on the court.” Sampson said he might need his good-luck outfit as the Sooners play two more games against ranked teams — Iowa State and Missouri — to close out the regular season. Oklahoma has struggled on the road, going only 2-4 in road games this year. No matter what happens in those games, Sampson said he was happy with the way his team had progressed. “It’s fun to watch us develop,” Sampson said. “We’re playing to our ability level, and that is my goal, to get us as close to that as possible.” "UNFORGETTABLE! - SISKEL & EBERT Thursday, March 2 - Saturday, March 11 ^ Monday - Fridays at 7p.m. Saturdays at 1 & 7 & Sunday at 3 & 7. j Despite injuries, team succeeds at tournament By Jeff Griesch Senior Reporter The Nebraska baseball team de livered some big hits in San Diego this weekend, but the Comhuskers took some hits too. Outfielder Mel Motley unleashed thejComhuskers’ biggest blow when he connected on a 3-run home run in the seventh inning to beat Oklahoma Jg|te 6-5. Motley’s homer gave the Cow boys their first loss of the season after an 11-0 start. Even more impressive than what the Huskers did against Oklahoma State was who they did it without. The Huskers beat the Cowboys without Darin Erstad, Todd Sears and David Crain, and Coach John Sanders said the Huskers proved something to him Sunday. “It shows that we are on the road to having a team with some mentally tough people,” Sanders said. “We found reasons for winning instead of excuses to lose.” Crain was the first Husker to leave the Arthur Gallagher Tournament. The senior catcher suffered a con cussion in the opening game Friday against New Mexico State. The Lobos’ Andre Champagne collided with Crain while trying to score from third on a ground ball to shortstop Darin Petersen. Crain blocked the plate and Petersen’s throw was in time to beat Champagne, but the blow knocked Crain out of the game. He was taken to the hospital Fri day and released. He still had a head ache after Saturday’s games and re turned to the hospital Saturday night. Patrick Johnson took over for Crain and made the all-tournament team. Johnson, a sophomore catcher from Salt Lake City, Utah, went 7 for 16 at the plate with two runs scored. “Patrick Johnson filled in and did an excellent job,” Sanders said. Freshman first baseman Todd Sears suffered a concussion after be ing hit on an attempted pickoff play, in the seventh inning of a 6-1 loss to San Diego State, Saturday night. Sears hit his first career home run in a 10-2 win over Southern Utah and a game-winning homer in the sev enth inning of a 6-5 victory over the Aztecs earlier Saturday. He was taken to the hospital and released early Sunday morning, but he missed the Oklahoma State game. Sears didn’t take the only hit of the weekend either. Darin Erstad was also injured against San Diego State while diving for a ball in left field. Erstad continued to play, and hit a home run to prevent a shutout Satur day night, but he missed Sunday’s game against the Cowboys because of a bruised right shoulder. Right-handed pitcher Sergio Betancourt was the first Husker to leave Saturday’s second game with the Aztecs after feeling something pop in his right elbow. Betancourt took himself out of the game with a strained right arm. Sanders said he was happy to see the Huskers rebound from the inju ries. “I think we have the potential to have a team with more depth than we have had in the past,” Sanders said. “We had some guys step up, and that is definitely a positive sign.” Owners, players still indoors as baseball strike continues SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP)—The warm and sunny afternoon was per fect for baseball, but the baseball strike, which completed its 200th day, kept major leaguers indoors as talks resumed Monday. In Florida, the Philadelphia Phillies canceled their exhibition opener Friday against the Baltimore Orioles, the only team refusing to hire replacement players. Atlanta Braves president Stan Kasten said there was no chance owners would drop their plan to use replacements, who vary from older minor leaguers to retired maj or leagu ers. “Until we have a deal, that’s what we ’re going to continue to do,” Kasten said. “We’re not going to close down. If you do that, there are not going to be jobs for ushers, ticket takers, park ing lot attendants, front office people.” The bargaining session was the first devoted to the issues since Feb. 7, when President Clinton summoned both sides to the White House. ‘‘I don’t want to set any deadline because there’s enough pressure as it is,” Selig said before meeting with union head Donald Fehr and media tor W.J. Usery. The main issue was the owners’ demand for a luxury tax. At the White House meeting, Usery suggested a compromise of a 50-percent luxury tax on the portion of payrolls above $40 million. Own ers said they reluctantly would ac cept, but the players said it would act as a salary cap. Back Row Left to Right: Troy Dumas, Marlon Jones, Rod Thomas, Charles McClendon, Luther Harding, Terry Goods Middle Row Left to Right: Steve Sims, Byron Berry, Donta Jones, DonNevins, Eric Stokes Front: Sedric Collins KAY In recognition of the closing of Black History Month 1995, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity has continuously pursued excellence in academics and achievement in every field of human endeavors since 1911. Eighty-four years ago, ten determined young men at Indiana University overcame adversity, struggles and negative demeanor by bonding together to form a brotherhood which has become a worldwide positive element for young black men. On April 15,1916 the Eta chapter was founded here at the University of Nebraska and today continues to uphold the quality and traditions started by those ten honorable men. Some of our community endeavors include National Guide Right Program, Kappa League, continued support of The Malone Center, and financial aid for the Francisco Renteria funeral services. Personally, we at Eta chapter strive to have a graduating member every year and aid in their future success. We, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity challenge you, our brothers and sisters to strive towards your own excellence. ‘Without struggle there is no progress.* Frederick Douglas ■So, struggle on because we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us.' Phil, i: 13