Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 29, 1998)
Thursday, October 29,1998 Page 7 UT’s Brown looks forward to Huskers After the Kansas State game, I thought it would have been a dream to be 5-2 at this point." Mack Brown Texas coach 1^— By Jay Saunders Staff writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. - With only two years under its belt, the Big 12 Conference has arrived on the national scene of women’s college basketball. Last season, six teams played in the postseason, including four in the NCAA Tournament. At times, as many as five teams were ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. Coaches from around the Big 12 said the conference is shaping up as a national power this season. “I've been really impressed with the conference,” Texas Tech Coach Marsha By Andrew Strnad Staff writer Although he's spent a great deal of his 24-vear coaching career away from the Midwest,Texas Coach Mack Brown has found it hard not to love the tradition of the Comhusker football team. Brown, who spent three years at Iowa State as offensive coordinator and one year at Oklahoma performing the same duties, has always had a liking for the Husker option game. This Saturday, the first-year ^ jj l \ ^ Longhorn coach will get his first chance to see the NU option game up close. “I’ve always loved Nebraska," Brown said. “You almost have to love the way they play with the option and their great tra dition.” Brown Tile feeling may not be mutual on Nebraska's side, at least with the fans, as Texas upset NU m the 1996 Big 12 Championship Game and spoiled the Huskers' opportunity to claim a third straight national title. Brown, who was coaching North Carolina at the time, is concerned with this game, primarily because after beginning the season 1-2, the Longhorns have won four straight and are looking to go to a bowl game. “After the Kansas State game, 1 thought it would have been a dream to be 5-2 at this point,” Brown said. “We‘re very pleased with how the guys have responded, and now the focus is to be bowl-eligible.” One factor Brown cannot control is who will start at quarterback for NU - Bobby Newcombe, Eric Crouch or Monte Christo. “They're going to line up and hit you right in the mouth.” Brown said. “They're just really good at what they do ” On a broader scale. Brown looks at this weekend's game as a chance to show the country that Texas is once again a program that defines football. “In the Big 12, Nebraska has lived up to what it's supposed to be. I feel pressure to get Texas back into the mix." Big 12 looks to hold national spotlight Colorado has shot at both titles By Crystie Nichols Staff writer The competition will be fierce at this year’s Big 12 Conference Championships cross country meet, held at Pioneers Park on Saturday. On the women’s side, a number of teams will be vying for the No. 1 spot, while in the men’s division Colorado will be the runners to beat as they try to defend their title. CU also is one of the favorites for the women, having already dominat ed the first two Big 12 meets. In 1996, the Buffaloes defeated runner-up Missouri 30-78 in Ames, Iowa. Last year, Colorado once again was victorious after it finished first, out-distancing runner-up Nebraska by 75 points. The Buffaloes are the four-time defending conference champion, having won the two final Big Eight titles in 1994 and 1995. Another favorite on the women's side is Baylor. The Bears dominated the Southwest Conference by win ning the championship meets from 1990-93 before joining the Big 12. Nebraska Cross Country Coach Jay Dirksen said he thinks Baylor will finish with good standing in this year’s meet. “For the women it will be an inter esting race,” Dirksen said. “There are six teams that could take it. “On paper Baylor looks good, Kansas State is looking strong, Texas, Oklahoma State, Nebraska and Colorado will also do well.” On the men’s side, Colorado is a two-time defending champion. In 1996 CU beat out Nebraska to claim victory 66-70 in Ames, Iowa. Last year the Buffaloes led the pack, outscoring runner-up Iowa State by placing four of their top five scorers in the meet’s top eight. Another contending team is Texas, which won 30 titles in the 66 For the women it will be an interesting race. There are six teams that could take it.” Jay Dirksen NU cross country coach Southwest Conference. The Longhorns won two of the later SWC meets in 1991 and 1993. Dirksen said Colorado is again the favorite. “They are very strong,” Dirksen said. “Their No. 2 runner was killed in a bicycle accident, so they will have some extra motivation.” Despite the competition, Dirksen said, the team isn’t going in afraid. “We respect all,” Dirksen said. “Fear none.” Sharp said. “One through 12, this may be the best conference in the country.” The Big 12 has picked up where it left off at the end of last year. Five teams are ranked in various preseason polls. Texas Tech, which is ranked sixth by the women’s basketball news service, is the highest ranked team in the polls. Even though the Red Raiders have earned the top preseason rankings in the media polls, the Big 12 coaches have tabbed Kansas the No. 1 team The Jayhawks return all five starters from last year’s team that made it to the Sweet 16 of the tournament. KU is led by junior Lynn Pride. Pride, who averaged 15 points per game last season, has been named the presea son player of the year by the coaches. Please see WOMEN on 8
