Posted on Tue, Nov. 10, 2009

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Jets want to continue with DI exhibitions

BY TONY ADAME

The Wichita Eagle

The Newman men's basketball team doesn't want its foray into playing Division I basketball teams to end after just one year.

In fact, after playing Wichita State respectably in an 81-69 exhibition loss Saturday at Koch Arena and with another Division I exhibition Wednesday at North Texas, the Jets would like to make the games a habit.

"We think this has been an incredible experience for us, to be able to open up in front of more than 10,000 people," said Newman athletic director Vic Trilli. "We're in the market for two games a year against somebody... and we'd definitely like to (play WSU) again."

Newman would also like to get in on games against either Kansas or Kansas State, both of whom spread their exhibition games between the four other Division II schools in the state — Fort Hays State, Pittsburg State, Emporia State and Washburn.

"Right now, we're trying with K-State and the same with Creighton," Trilli said. "We can't express how much we appreciated the opportunity to play WSU. Without (WSU coach) Gregg Marshall, this never would have happened."

KCAC scenarios — There's a lot on the line when undefeated, No. 6 Ottawa plays No. 13 Friends on Saturday in Wichita.

The Braves have already clinched a share of the KCAC title but can claim it outright and clinch a berth in the NAIA playoffs — and a first-round home game — with a victory.

If the Falcons can find a way to win — it would be their fourth straight title — it becomes a little more complicated. A Friends victory means a three-way title between the Falcons, Ottawa, and McPherson, which beat Friends 60- 38 in the season opener.

Using the league's tiebreaker scenarios, if Friends wins by more than 19, it receives the automatic bid to the NAIA playoffs. If it wins by less than 19, McPherson gets the automatic bid, which would be the first postseason game in school history.

Either way, one of the three teams will be sweating out the 16-team tournament selection process, which guarantees nine automatic bids to conference champions across the country and seven at-large bids. It's likely the KCAC will get two teams in, but three is a long shot.

"I'll be cheering for Friends on Saturday," McPherson coach Brian Ward said. "Just not to win by more than 19."

No Cessna this year — For those wondering why the Region VI football title game isn't at Cessna this year, the reason is that in the offseason Jayhawk Conference athletic directors voted to return the playoff format to highest-seed hosting.

Sunday's game features No. 8 Butler at No. 2 Fort Scott. If the Greyhounds win, they will most likely play for the national title on Dec. 6 in the Citizens Bank Bowl at Pittsburg.

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