Sunday, December 3, 2006

‘We gave this one away’

By Gary Bedore

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KU vs DePaul

ROSEMONT, ILL. — Just off the top of his head, Brandon Rush rattled off multiple reasons for Kansas University's second-half meltdown against DePaul on Saturday afternoon at Allstate Arena.

"We gave this one away due to lack of defense, mental mistakes, leaving people open and stupid fouls," Rush, KU's sophomore forward, said after the No. 5 Jayhawks' 64-57 loss to the unranked Blue Demons.

Rush scored three points off 1-of-7 shooting. He also had four assists and three turnovers and missed three of four three-point tries in a game where KU squandered a 14-point second-half lead.

"At the end, they started making shots. They were getting every call they wanted, so they were going to the free-throw line," Rush added.

The Demons hit 19 of 26 free throws to KU's nine of 14.

Rush's counterpart, Sammy Mejia, scored 23 points, 18 in the second half with Rush guarding him much of the time.

"He was tough. He goes to the offensive glass," Rush said of Mejia, who had seven offensive rebounds, eight total. "He started making wide-open shots. We were leaving him open, and he started converting (including eight straight points in pivotal 14-0 run)."

Rush had arguably his worst game in two seasons at KU. At one point, he and Mario Chalmers kept passing the ball back and forth before Rush finally missed badly on a layup try.

"I didn't think Mario would pass it the last time. When I laid it up, their little guard hit my elbow up, and it made me shoot it higher," Rush said.

More buzz about KU's loss to DePaul

Comments

cobweb (anonymous) says...

Rush should be embarassed getting badly outplayed by no-name guards. He stands around on offense and is never constantly in motion wanting the ball like Reddick did at Duke. The whole team bogs down when its supposed best player doesn't show up. Self has tried everything except benching him. I believe the kid has Chenoweth Disease. I'm not sure there is a cure.

December 3, 2006 at 9:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

crimsoninracine (anonymous) says...

I'm sure there will be the usual morons who will try to act like they know something about basketball and will try to shoot me down. But, that's fine. Maybe they'll learn something themselves at some point. We're terribly overrated. No, don't start singing that "one game" song and dance. We're an average team at best. You see, when you rise up and beat Florida, but play down to the competition against Oral Roberts, Ball State, and DePaul, you're just an average team. We're that team, not because our coach is aweful (although he's not doing much to make our guys tougher...I agree with cobweb, the bench might be a great motivator...would Rush like watching Stewart take all his minutes?). We're that team because our players are soft. We just don't have very many really tough guys. Wright is soft against weaker teams. Rush is almost beyond soft against every opponent. Chalmers is mega-soft. Am I the only one who notices that Chalmers spends most of the game trying to officiate it? He's got so much talent, but seems to be a pampered, prima donna softie. Our tough players are Robinson (why is he our offensive option at the end, when we needed a basket? Just shows Chalmers' lack of toughness that he didn't want the shot himself) and Jackson (who's quite possibly the worst big man KU has had during my lifetime (do you still think Giles was no loss?). Kaun is tough, too, but isn't playing yet. Collins and Arthur are young, but may be as tough as anyone. Still, Wright/Rush/Chalmers are supposed to be our big three, yet they are completely unreliable in a game where we're the overwhelming favorite. Do you suppose they read their own press clippings too much? The saddest thing is that we'll bow out in the first round again this year (mark my words). Here's why...we'll play great basketball throughout the Big 12 conference, because those are conference games...they're big games...our softies will get fired up for those games because they matter. We'll earn a high seed in the tournament, which means we'll draw an average team in the first round (Bucknell, Bradley). We'll play down to our competition and become the model upset victim once again. Which, in the end, doesn't really make us an upset...it makes us just average. I'm a lifelong KU fan..I bleed crimson and blue. No question, this group of Jayhawks is way overrated. Top ranked teams show up to play, no matter the opponent.

December 3, 2006 at 10:26 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

FlaHawk (anonymous) says...

The talk about all the NBA Lottery picks makes me sick. If Rush is the best of this bunch, then I would not want to be their agent for a few years! Overrated ... if you can no tget up for a ORU or DePaul how you going to play 82 games plus playoffs in NBA! I agree that they are soft and Self's system needs hungry players to work. The old half court offense is not for overhped and soft players. Where is a Moody or Hawkins that had little talent but were ready topush and pull to get time on the court. KU has a very short rotation and Self has boxed himself into a corner. Toomuch talent and no one wants to play 0 mnutes night in and night out.

December 3, 2006 at 10:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

WrightStuff (anonymous) says...

Why wasnt this game anywhere on TV is the same stuff that is happening with the NFL where were guna end up paying practically pay-per-view for each worthless regular season outing....seriously though i couldnt even find trhe espn U channel on cable

December 3, 2006 at 11:23 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

KU beat Florida, so by definition they aren't average, unless Florida is less than average.

On the other hand, they are probably overrated. They have no post men and are trying to play as if they had them; this puts a huge load on Wright, who is out of position in the paint, and Arthur, who is too young to be consistent.

Soft?

I don't think so. This group muscled with Texas and OU last year and with Florida this year.

I think the problem is straightforward: Rush is in a funk. He's not on the same page with Self. You can read it in the quotes. They don't assess the games the same way. They don't see the same problems. Hence, the best player on the team and the coach are not pulling in the same direction.

I believe the cause of Rush's problem is that last year Self told Rush to carry the team on his back offensively and he did it. This year Self seems to have asked Rush to be just another option and "let the game come to him." Brandon AND the team seem confused by Brandon's new role.

Self has a choice to make very soon. Is he going to give the team back to Brandon, or is he going to keep hoping for a diversified team to emerge. A diversified team would be best, but what would be best is not always what can happen. Self has a tough call to make.

My guess is that Brandon is sulking about the role Self has asked him to play. He sees it is not leading to getting drafted and jumping to the NBA at the end of the season.

Chances are this will all resolve by the end of December, but it isn't going to be pretty for awhile.

And bottom line, this IS a team without centers and those kinds of teams live and die by the trey, so up and down performances are unavoidable.

December 3, 2006 at 2:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justdoit23 (anonymous) says...

Come on Rush you can do it!!

you should Just run over players!!

Dunk em!

I dont mind if you get offensive foul!!

Just go in and try to put the damm ball in the basket slaming it!!

December 3, 2006 at 3:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

pimp11 (anonymous) says...

You guys are idiots. KU wins = all you bashers will be back on the band wagon.

The group of guys that we have this year is young. Probably in the top 3 talent wise out of all NCAA.

Until we find out who needs to play what roles we are going to play to the level of our opponents.

Example: Oral Roberts, we played their style of ball and let them hang around and we couldnt finish.

Florida, high intensity march madness type of atmosphere, almost gave the game away with mental misstakes, but found a way to win behind Shady Arthur's clutch shots.

Depaul: played their tempo, didnt run, played solid D but no one stepped up. Shady was doubled most of game and the Hawks havent seen that this year. Another example of being young and not being able to handle the situation.

Bill Self was known for Defense at Illinois. Yes, we are playing D but thats once in awhile. KU doesnt know what type of team they are. Do we want to run and put points up? Or do we want to turn the D on and win that way.

Either way, once the Hawks find out "who they are" and " what their roles are" then watch out. I am sure I will see all you bashers riding high on the band wagon again.

December 3, 2006 at 10:29 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

saad007 (anonymous) says...

I hope it's not until after an early loss in the ncaa tournament that we'll find out what type of team we really are. Once again, that's self's job!

December 4, 2006 at 7 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

saad007 (anonymous) says...

and by the way, whoever said rush is the best player in the team is wrong. Rush WAS the best player in the team the first half of last year's season. Since then, he has been average, if not mediocre, except very few games. Unfortunately, it looks like he started this season as poorly as he finished last season.
I respect his modesty and team-oriented spirit, but unfortunately we need more. We need someone to take charge, and he certainly doesn't have the guts to be the ONE.
Maybe he should stop thinking about the NBA, because the way he's playing now won't get him anywhere close to an NBA locker room.

December 4, 2006 at 7:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

saad007 (anonymous) says...

P.S: both Self and the players need to stop with those lame excuses and start doing something about them. Also, Some of our players need to re-think about the value of wearing a KU jersey! We won't go anywhere if they keep turning it on and off as they please. When u play for kansas u're expected to give your best day in and day out! That's what made us acquire the tradition we have right now.
Rock Chalk!

December 4, 2006 at 7:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

coachp4 (anonymous) says...

A few random thoughts after the first 8 games:

1. The transition game is very undisciplined. The outlet pass seems to have been forgotten - too much dribbling after a defensive rebound. Spacing is very shoddy - get wide! Ball needs to be in the middle and distributed from the top of the circle at the offensive end.

2. The half court offense seems to be run like it is a walk-through. They look like they are going half-speed. How about setting a real screen? Need to step up the intensity and play with a purpose.

3. The Offensive rhythm comes to a stop when Rush gets the ball. Pass - pass- pass- STOP.

4. Rush runs off the floor to the bench harder than he plays at the offensive end.

5. Arthur is the real deal.

6. While not the most talented, Morningstar at least "gets" how to play the game. Would like to see a few more minutes from him.

7. No need to panic - we'll be all right!

December 4, 2006 at 8:34 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

I am reserving judgement 'till the non-conference season is over. If I did otherwise, I might across as being very sour and bitter and angry... probably best to hold 'till at lest 10 or 12 games have happened.

No more calling D.Arthur 'Shady' okay? It's a dorky nickname for a college guy. High school is okay but not now, not here.

(holding my breath for another few games...)

December 4, 2006 at 9:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

areyouserious (anonymous) says...

Shady...........Shady..............Shady...............errrrr Shady!!

December 4, 2006 at 12:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

Some people will consider it sacrilege for me to say so, but sometimes the truth hurts, so here it goes. I think the mental let-downs is a by-product of the coaching style/philosophy. Bill Self constantly berates the players, and sometimes deservedly so. But sometimes it has to be coaching. A good coach instills toughness and mental preparedness!!! Look at Coach K at Duke, our dearly departed Roy Williams, and what about Dean Smith? How many teams of underachievers did they ever coach? Not many between them all. Some, yes. But not many. Bill Self has been plagued with underachieving teams since he's been at Kansas. Some of you may be catching yourself in the middle of a disturbing thought right now: Bill Self is no Coach K. Bill Self is no Dean Smith. Bill Self is no Roy Williams. (Congrats on the new contract, though!) I for one and willing to step out and say maybe the COACH needs to start accepting some responsibility to change things from the top down! Are you listening Bill?

December 4, 2006 at 12:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jehillia (anonymous) says...

Look, KU needs a leader on the floor...and I'm not talking about RussRob...I'm talking about an ENERGY guy who is going to get in the face of all the players when they are not playing up to there capabilities. I'm talking about a guy who knows what it means to play with the name Kansas on the front of thier jerseys. Coach Self can olny challenge his players so many times. The bottome line is we need a player who gets fired up for every single game, not just Florida

December 4, 2006 at 2:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkaloogie (anonymous) says...

jross--
I agree. I'm not saying Self sucks or should be fired, but he seems to blame the players instead of taking responsibility. People keep saying that the players need to learn from the losses. What about Self? Is he learning?
I don't think it's fair to compare Self to DSmith, Roy, or Coach K, because he's still young and may yet become great. But those other coaches didn't get where they are by blaming players.
Bottom line, Self has yet to show he is a great coach. Good maybe, but not great.

December 4, 2006 at 3:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

johnsont1 (anonymous) says...

crimsoninracine--in your incredibly lengthy critique of the 'softness' of kansas basketball players, you seem to be pretty dang cliche. you say that chalmers/wright/rush are our big three-wrong. if we had a couple of people to rely upon, we would be much more consistent in that everyone would be playing their role. you say that we can get fired up for big 12 play against bad teams and not for a tournament game against bad teams. that logic doesn't make sense. it's obvious that we're a pretty soft team, but that's because of self's offense, not because of the individual players. look for a change in our offense, namely the pace of the game as the season matriculates, like last year. the two first-upsets were flukes, and you cannot base this team's fate upon recent seasons--it's a changed team, coach--a whole different mentality. it's way to early to make predictions about the rest of the season after looking at a couple of games.

December 4, 2006 at 4:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Mollyolly1986 (anonymous) says...

Okay so here are a few things to think about:

1. Its December 4th
2. Brandon Rush is a sophomore!
3. The Jayhawks have lost a game or two before.
4. If you guys are such serious fans that you leave comments on here why are you jumping ship after two losses. Or do some of you just enjoy hearing yourselves talk about basketball so if it works out one way or another you can say I told you so!
5. The only game that matters today is the one they are going to play tonight so why doesn't everyone sit back, watch and enjoy the game, because unless you are playing or coaching it(which I highly doubt) thats pretty much all you can do!

December 4, 2006 at 6:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )