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Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Jayhawks survive first trip

Unlike last two years, Kansas still unbeaten after hitting the road

By Gary Bedore

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AP moves KU up to #3

The Kansas men's basketball team moves up one spot to #3 in the land after knocking off USC on Sunday. KU makes the jump following Texas' win over former #1 UCLA.

Bill Self warned his Kansas University basketball players about the perils of the road prior to leaving for Los Angeles last Friday afternoon.

"I told the guys, 'First road game ... usually something happens. We'll have to play out of some situations. Something will go awry. We need to focus in and stay tough,'" Self said. "Look at DePaul last year, Maui the year before. Things happen sometimes when you go on the road for the first time."

The Jayhawks, who squandered a 14-point second-half lead and lost, 64-57, to DePaul in KU's first true road game of the season last year (KU did go 2-0 at the Las Vegas Invitational) and opened 1-2 in Maui the year before, survived some crazy happenings in a 59-55 victory over USC on Sunday at Galen Center.

Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush missed dead layups, while Russell Robinson had the basketball roll right through his legs at the top of the key as he fell to the floor and committed one of KU's 22 turnovers (against six assists).

Yet those players all wound up contributing to a come-from-behind victory in KU's initial road test.

"I thought we defended, rebounded the ball, played tough. Even though we didn't play well, we competed hard," Self said Monday in reliving the victory on his Hawk Talk radio show. "I'd take that over playing well, executing and not competing (because then) you have no chance.

"Toughness gave us an opportunity to win the game."

Toughness as in Robinson holding O.J. Mayo to a 6-for-21 shooting performance and Chalmers scoring 17 second-half points, including a deep three that upped a two-point lead to five with 20 ticks left.

"Russell made him look average, to be honest," Self said of the senior's job on Mayo, who finished with 19 points. "The thing that amazes me (about Mayo) is when the shot clock gets to 3, 2, he can get a shot whenever he wants. Not many college players can do that.

"We kept guys fresh enough, and he never came out. I think that was a factor," Self said of Mayo becoming worn out. "He took a lot of jump shots late because he was fatigued instead of attacking the basket.

"Russell did a fabulous job. Mario hit a huge shot. To me, Russell on the exterior - the way he defended - and Darnell (Jackson, 13 rebounds) on the interior were just key for us."

Some of Self's veteran players, including Sasha Kaun, who hit three of four second-half free throws, helped save the day.

"I'd say offensively, no, I didn't think we played mature at all," Self said of the Jayhawks, who hit 37.9 percent of their shots, including four of 17 3s.

"From a competitive standpoint I think it was a factor. There was enough experience out there. I felt the guys understood, 'If we get stops we're not going to lose.' That's what happened. We got stops. I've been on our guys since the beginning of the year: 'We don't guard and we don't rebound.' I can't say that after yesterday. We did both those things. It was a good win. You should never take winning on the road for granted."

Especially early.

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Injury update: Chalmers played well against USC despite suffering a strained groin at practice last week. Self said he's OK and shouldn't miss any time.

Tyrel Reed, who has missed the last two games with a sprained right ankle, "is not quite 100 percent, but not far off either," Self said. "We could have played him (at USC). I didn't think it was the right scenario for a guy (coming off injury)."

Meanwhile, tests on Sherron Collins have shown he's healing well from a stress fracture of the right foot.

"Sherron could be back in days instead of weeks. It's been three weeks today (since surgery)," Self said on Hawk Talk.

"A lot depends on how he responds to a little more serious rehab. Everything looks good. That doesn't mean he'll be back next week, this week. It means we'll take it day to day and see how much he can continue to progress."

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Recruiting: Self, who corralled five players in the early signing period, said recruiting is not over.

"We do need to sign another big guy," he said, asked by a caller about big men prospects. "Marcus (Morris, 6-foot-8) is a big guy, but also a perimeter guy. We'll need to go get us one more. There's not a lot out there. We do think we have potential (to entice) one or two maybe not too many people know about now."

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Legion leaves Kentucky: First-year Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie, whose team is off to a 4-2 start, has lost a promising freshman to transfer.

Alex Legion, a McDonald's All-America guard out of Detroit, who averaged 6.7 points while logging over 17 minutes a game, missed practice Monday and informed his coach of his desire to leave.

Foxsports.com reports "the move primarily concerned Gillispie and not playing time." The Web site said, "Don't be surprised to see Legion wind up in the Big Ten."

He considered KU for a time after asking out of his letter of intent with Michigan last year.

"You always hate to lose a valued member of your program, and Alex was definitely that," Gillispie said. "He has tremendous potential as a player and a student, but most importantly, he is a wonderful young man. We hate to see him leave, but if he can be happier elsewhere then all you can do is wish him the best."

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Comments

yates33333 (anonymous) says...

In Sunday's game I thought Rush looked slower than last year. I hope he has healed properly and can get back to last year's standard. Otherwise, it looks like this year will be another one of those nearly made it years.

December 4, 2007 at 6:19 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

husbus (anonymous) says...

he did just come off major knee surgery ... over a month early.

December 4, 2007 at 6:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

Yes, Rush is slower than he was last year. It's been said repeatedly by Coach Self that he doesn't expect Rush to be full speed until the conference season. Playing in these games is part of his rehabilitation. Give the kid a chance. Also, when Collins comes back, this team will be Coach Self's most complete team yet. If KU doesn't make it to the final four, it will rank just below the '92 and '97 teams in terms of underachieving. If that happens, then it's time to start questioning Self's coaching ability. Until then, enjoy the season.

December 4, 2007 at 7:43 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

Wow. Not a ringing endorsement for Gillespie. Anyone know if there was anything else going on with Legion there?

December 4, 2007 at 7:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Yeah, we have a stretch of games where I believe we should limit Brandon's participation.

December 4, 2007 at 7:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Toto_the_great (anonymous) says...

Thank the stars Legion didn't come here. Maybe he will end up at UMinn with Tubby.

December 4, 2007 at 7:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

The kids today are just pampered whimps!!!! Gillespie probably was just being your typical "demanding" coach.

December 4, 2007 at 8 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

I'll bet the loss of Legion ends up being a blessing for Gillespie.. just like all of the losses Self has had. That just means you get another scholly for someone who will probably be tougher and more of a team player.

December 4, 2007 at 9:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

tis4tim,

Legion was originally going to Michigan because he wanted to play for Tommy Amaker. He said that when he signed. When Amaker was fired, Legion decided to reopen his recruitment and chose Kentucky, I think after Tubby Smith left, though.

He's a Michigan kid that really wanted to go to U of M and stay close to home. He may just go back home and play at Detroit next year.

December 4, 2007 at 9:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

I may be way off base here, but the way I was raised it was always "when you make a commitment, you HONOR that commitment." It may not be peachy and fun all the time, but that's life. You see something through from start to finish, and you'll be a better man for it in the end.

I just don't get it.

December 4, 2007 at 10:32 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

I understand where you're coming from bmcmich1, but these days kids are committing to coaches, not schools, and it's not the kids fault. The coach of a division I basketball program will essentially act as a father figure for these kids. So the school isn't that important, it's the mentor that each student-athlete will be playing for. That's just how it is now. Commitments that should be honored are the coaches contracts.

December 4, 2007 at 10:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

Makes sense, but didn't that Legion kid commit to UK when Gillispie was already the coach?

December 4, 2007 at 10:44 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

Legion looked an awful lot like Willie Warning: a productive player but saddled with a 'me-first' attitude. These kids should play golf or tennis since they are so focused on themselves.

Gillespie sounds like he handled this kid the same way he handles all of his other players and Legion just didn't cotton to being 'one of the guys.' He wanted to be THE guy. Since he wasn't being coddled, he chose to leave. Gillespie had a classy response as he chose to continue to look forward and not back.

Now, we just need to keep Gillespie from stealing all our recruits... ;)

December 4, 2007 at 11:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

justanotherfan,

Thanks for getting me up-to-date.

Looking at my comment, I seemed to indict Gillespie. I didn't mean to make it sound that way. I tend to agree, though, with the above posts that if the guy who recruited a player bolts, the kid should not be beholden to the university.

December 4, 2007 at 12:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JHawk252 (anonymous) says...

Regarding recruiting -- Self said we may be able to entice one or two big men that not too many people know about. Anybody know if we're recruiting abroad?

December 4, 2007 at 2:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

If that's the case, does Magnus Ver Magnusson have a son that plays basketball? That guy would be a FORCE! Rumor has it that MVMII is 6'11'' 295 and can bench press four Yugos now.

December 4, 2007 at 3:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

lalawguy (anonymous) says...

If Legion is looking for more playing time, then Kansas is NOT the place he needs to be.

As for the early road woes, I thought the same thing as Coach Self did: that KU always struggles its first time out of Allen Field House. I know I'll get flack for suggesting this, but I think Kansas should try to schedule one road trip every November to a low-major school just to shake those road jitters. For example, had Kansas traveled to Northern Arizona last month instead of playing them at AFH, then I think the Jayhawks would have played a more solid game on Sunday at USC.

December 4, 2007 at 3:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fansincewilt (anonymous) says...

With Rush at 80% and no Collins, I felt we did very well at USC, a quality team that I think will climb in the polls. A very positive note is the play of Jackson. I think he has decided that this will be a great year for Kansas. I think he may be right. With Rush getting back to a healthy condition, Collins to return soon, and a surprising Jackson, things are looking pretty good for Kansas fans. I'm beginning to like the ball going to Jackson. Teams are going to have to guard his jumpshooting ability which will open up Chalmers and Rush from the perimeter and Arthur down low. Great options. This is looking good. Self's offensive strategy is really coming on and the defense is stellar. When Collins returns, the Hawks are beginning to look very, very strong.

December 4, 2007 at 9:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bobsarobot (anonymous) says...

yeah, let's start questioning self's ability to coach. you are a moron. self is an awesome coach. how about the next time your girlfriend rolls her eyes after you doink her for 90 seconds we all show up at your place and question your manhood.

December 4, 2007 at 10:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kcmostwanted (anonymous) says...

Is it just me or is USC just a scrappy team... man! every game i've watch them play (including the memphis game tonight)... the teams have been playing out of sync... their offense looks horrible as well as the other teams they have played... I guess that's what happens when you put 10 great athletes on the floor at the same time...everyone is trying to move so fast it looks more like a football game..

Oklahoma game = scrappy
Kansas game = scrappy
Memphis game = scrappy

USC has had probably the hardest schedule so far in NCAA.....

As for Legion's departure.....It doesn't surprise me one bit... remember that Acie Law III wanted to leave when Billy G first got to A&M...He's a good coach but the reality of living up to the promises he makes these recruits are going to catch up to him....
Legion is a wing player/slasher....and Billy has 2 more of those guys coming in next year in Liggins and Darius Miller...Not a big loss

December 5, 2007 at 12:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

cap10d (anonymous) says...

It took the #2 team in the country-Memphis overtime to beat the Trojans on a nuetral court.I thought the Hawks handled themselves well on the road in winning at usc!rock chalk jayhawk!

December 5, 2007 at 1:32 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

fansincewilt (anonymous) says...

The USC-Memphis game further shows the great talent at KU. The Jayhawks handled the Trojans much easier than did Memphis. Memphis never had the breathing room that Kansas had even with Rush at less than 100% and no Collins. I tell you this is going to be a great team. Go Jayhawks.

December 5, 2007 at 9:44 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jsquared29 (anonymous) says...

Not putting away teams when the opportunity arises is going to come back to kill us against more experienced teams. However, that was a sick three.

December 5, 2007 at 4:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )