Jayhawks preparing for 2004 resolutions, Villanova

Jeff Hawkins wasn’t planning to wear a pointed hat and carry a kazoo at 11:59 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

“Do I believe in New Year’s parties? I’ve never heard of the word ‘party.’ Can you define that for me?” Hawkins, Kansas University’s sophomore basketball guard, said with a smile.

“I am not a big party person. I wish school was in session so I could be hitting the books right now,” Kansas City native Hawkins deadpanned with the comedic delivery of a late-night television-show host.

New Year’s Eve didn’t promise to be a rocking time for Hawkins and other members of KU’s hoops team, in the midst of preparations for Friday’s nonconference clash against Villanova (8-2). Tipoff is 7 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse.

“I’m not going wild. It’s the season. C’mon man, it’s the season,” KU junior Michael Lee said, asked if he planned to attend any wild New Year’s Eve bashes.

Like Lee said, it’s the season … the season to make resolutions, and the Jayhawks offered a few for today, New Year’s Day 2004.

“My resolution is to smile more,” Hawkins said.

“Be a little more giving. Share a little more,” Lee said.

One Jayhawk — sophomore Moulaye Niang — plans to eat a little more.

<i>” border=”0″/> 6Sports video: Jeff Graves has improved since suspension</a><a href=</i>” border=”0″/> 6Sports video: Local athletes and coaches make resolutions</a><a href=<i>” border=”0″/> 6News video: Top ten news stories of 2003</a><a href=</i>” border=”0″/> 6Sports video: Big 12 sluggish to start</a></td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> <p>“I have set a goal for myself. I want to gain some weight toward the end of January,” the 6-foot-10, 220-pounder said. “It’s my resolution for the end of the year.”</p> <p>He knows how to attack the weight gain.</p> <p>“By eating more and just whatever it takes to get bigger,” Niang said. “Try to eat more, lift more weights. I’ve lost a couple of pounds. I’m going to try to bring it back.”</p> <p>KU coach Bill Self’s resolution also has to do with food.</p> <p>“Starting Jan. 2 to eat healthier,” Self said.</p> <p>Junior Wayne Simien’s resolution is a simple one.</p> <p>“To be happy, stay positive,” he said.</p> <p>Freshman David Padgett has a resolution that involves the entire KU team.</p> <p>“Just to get it turned around,” Padgett said. “My goal right now is to get this thing going, get ready for conference play. We have one more game before it really starts counting.”</p> <p>The Jayhawks open the Big 12 Conference season Monday at Colorado.</p> <p>Junior Keith Langford will make no resolutions. He is a man who lives in the present.</p> <p>“I just control the day that’s ahead of me,” said Langford, who would like to stay healthy the rest of the season. He’s been battling a nasty case of the flu that’s sapped his energy.</p> <p>“The way I live my life I’m satisfied now. I don’t have changes in my life planned. I just control the day that’s ahead of me. The way I live my life, I’m satisfied now.”</p> <ul> <li>Quickie scouting report: Friday’s foe, Villanova, enters with an 8-2 record and five-game winning streak.</li> </ul> <p>The Wildcats dropped games to Chaminade and Ohio State at the Maui Invitational , a period of time the squad was missing various players because of misuse of a university telephone access code. The suspensions have been completed.</p> <p>Villanova, which boasts one of the most explosive sophomores in the country in Curtis Sumpter, also two of the best guards in the Big East in Randy Foye and Allan Ray.</p> <p>The Wildcats have beaten Temple, Santa Clara, Redlands, LaSalle, Penn, Northeastern, Columbia and UNC Greensboro.</p> <script type=