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Monday, December 10, 2007

Chalmers says triple possible

Junior came close to program-first against DePaul

By Gary Bedore

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Revenge against DePaul best served hot

It may have been cold outside, but yesterday the Kansas men's basketball team had the heat turned up inside Allen Fieldhouse.

Mario Chalmers believes he can achieve what no Kansas University basketball player "officially" has accomplished before: a triple-double.

"I think I could. I was close tonight. I got a little taste of it. I'll see if I can try to get one next game," Chalmers said after scoring 12 points with nine rebounds, seven assists and seven steals in the Jayhawks' 84-66 rout of DePaul on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.

A triple-double is an individual performance in which a player accumulates double-digit totals in any three of these categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots.

The NCAA didn't recognize stats such as assists and blocks until the 1970s, leading the Journal-World's Bill Mayer to believe Wilt Chamberlain likely had a triple-double in his KU career.

Indeed, Mayer's research unearthed two Chamberlain triple-doubles - 39 points, 22 rebounds and 14 blocks against Marquette in 1956, and 40 points, 13 rebounds and 12 blocks against Colorado in 1957.

Those efforts are not officially recognized in KU's hoops record books.

"Oh, well : (I'll) try to break history," Chalmers said.

The 6-foot-1 junior from Anchorage, Alaska, actually came close to a quadruple-double in just 32 minutes versus the Blue Demons.

"I think it's pretty impressive," Chalmers said, asked what he thought of his line. "I can't get too happy with it right now. I've got to focus in and keep doing better."

Known for his ability to intercept passes and bat the basketball from opposing guards, Chalmers set a career-best mark in steals Saturday.

He'd had six steals in a game five times.

Chalmers, who is KU's single-season steals leader with 97 a year ago, has 29 in nine games this season and ranks fourth in school history with 215 thefts. Darnell Valentine is No. 1 with 336, followed by Aaron Miles (264) and Danny Manning (250).

"I'm not even thinking about the record. I'm just trying to get victories," Chalmers said.

He said a team effort led to several of his steals Saturday.

"I've got to give most of the credit to Russell Robinson for putting on pressure. It allowed me to get easy steals," Chalmers said, adding, "I was just in the right place at the right time."

Chalmers' seven assists were one shy of a career high. His favorite of the game was a high lob pass to Darnell Jackson, who rammed a one-handed slam.

After that play, Chalmers waved his hands to the crowd, imploring the fans to make some noise.

Jackson did the same earlier in the contest after hitting a jump shot.

"Our crowd is our biggest cheerleader. Once they get involved, the place gets rocking. We like when the fieldhouse is rocking," Chalmers said. "The crowd does a good job of getting into it. We just tried to give them an extra boost."

With a batch of highlight-film plays including Russell Robinson's lob to Darrell Arthur for a slam and Sasha Kaun's slam following a dash down the lane, the 16,300 fans had plenty to cheer Saturday.

Chalmers, however, may have had the best day of all.

"He impacted the game by doing a little bit of everything," KU coach Bill Self said. "He had a total game. He and Russell were complete guards. It's the best they've played together in quite some time. They played to their strengths, got everybody else involved, and the game became easier."

It will be a rough week for the Jayhawks, who will be cramming for final exams as well as practicing. Next game is Saturday's nonconference battle against Ohio, set for a 4 p.m. tipoff at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. Ohio, 5-2, will play Maryland on Wednesday night in College Park, Md.

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Comments

LAJayhawk (anonymous) says...

Anyone actually doubt that Chamberlain accomplished a triple double? And anyone doubt that Mayer was actually there to witness it? Perhaps in one of his incoherant ramblings he mentioned that, but it's hard to tell.....

As I said in a post in yesterday's article on Kaun, Chalmers has truly excelled in all parts of his game. I had doubted him for a while because he had, what I believed to be, a cockiness that would end up hindering not only himself, but also this team. I have obviously been proven wrong. Very wrong. His confidence has simply made him an exceptional basketball player. When you generate close to a quadruple-double, you are dominating the floor. Arguably the best all around player in the Big 12 right now.

December 10, 2007 at 5:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Brock (anonymous) says...

I like it when Chalmers is not gathering statistics but is playing stifling, lock-down defense. Denial is not just a river in Egypt.

Brock

December 10, 2007 at 6:08 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JNgohawks (anonymous) says...

Someone needs to update our record books! Give our great players from the past the credit they deserve. It would also help educate future players on the rich history of KU basketball.

December 10, 2007 at 7:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Timmay97 (anonymous) says...

Anyone have an estimate on what KU scores per game in transition baskets? This is why having quality guards, who can play defense is so important to a basketball team. It all begins with Chalmers and Robinson. They are relentless.

Think about it....KU's weak spot in defense is the small forward position. Hence Chase Budinger's outburst. I still don't think Rush is 100% (cause he is a good defender) but that is currently where KU will get hurt. The opposing teams big swingman.

Saturday was KU's best performance of the year in my opinion. They will be extremely hard to beat playing that well. Even Kaun showed a huge improvement. He actually powered the ball to the basket while staying in control. He played within his abilities. And his free throw shooting is improving (though I won't get my hopes up on that).

December 10, 2007 at 7:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

Timmay97--

Good question about the percentage of transition points in the game. I dont know where you could go to even find that information.

KUs weak spot in the defensively is their perimeter defense. Even our best guys are playing it soft right now. With the exception of Aldrich, the bigs are showing good but our guards are giving too much cushion.

Remember, there are MANY areas of improvement that need to be addressed and one game's performance shouldn't mask that. Can anyone say "rebound"? How about "half court offense"?

December 10, 2007 at 8:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

leonard (anonymous) says...

I agree that a mobile forward like Budinger gives us fits...and Rush is not the answer. He is an adequate face up defender.

But even pre-injury he was a poor off the ball defender...just chasing his man. His reputation as a lock down defender is way over-rated.

However, having said that, our overall defense is excellent. The relentless pressure of our guards and team defense covers a multitude of individual defensive sins...as it should.

Great win against DePaul. Sasha and Darnell showed improvement on the boards...especially on the offensive glass.

December 10, 2007 at 8:15 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

Oh, meanwhile our women are 8-1. Like the football squad, I think a few wins early in the season are kinda just flashes in the pan. People are waiting to see if this women's team is for real. Is Henrickson the next Mangino? Maybe not, but I guarantee the women have been talking about the example of the football team. I bet theyre tired of mediocrity.

Many people give Lew Perkins props on what he did at UConn. As you know they had a great women's BB team while he was there. What do you bet he wants to see the same thing here?

December 10, 2007 at 8:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

JNgohawks,

I think KU could recognize Wilt's accomplishments, but they would be "unofficial" triple doubles because the NCAA didn't recognize those stats (blocks, assists) until the 70's.

I do agree with the fact that we generate a lot of points in transition. This is great, but what worries me is that we may become too dependent on getting runouts and not execute in the halfcourt if we run into a team that doesn't turn the ball over very much. Our ball pressure can still be used to disrupt other teams offensively, but we have to be able to get our own baskets in the halfcourt if we aren't getting layups and dunks off steals.

December 10, 2007 at 8:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

coloradojayhawk (anonymous) says...

The announcer on Saturday said Danny Manning was KU's greatest player ever. He's too new to KU sports to remember Wilt, but, with all respect to Danny who led them to the NC, I'd give the title to Wilt (I'm too young to have seen him at KU, but I've been reading enough to make a judgement, imho). They're two of the top ones to ever play the game and we're fortunate to have had them both.

As for the women, I just looked at their schedule and it looks to be a big-league schedule. Few small schools and a lot of "BCS" opponents. Kudo's to them and I hope Bonnie's Belles keep it up.

December 10, 2007 at 8:26 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bradywaters (anonymous) says...

Leonard-

I think you have failed to realize that until Rush's acl tear, he was arguably our best on ball defender. He was given the toughest task at hand last year in the tournament, outside of Julian guarding Durant in the big12 tournament, in UCLA's Aaron Afflalo. When he becomes 100%, watch out. KU's transition game will become better. Their half-court offense will become better. Rush still goes up to the basket weak at times. Oh ya, and wait until Sherron Collins gets to 100%, KU is going to be deadly.

December 10, 2007 at 9 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

cscher (anonymous) says...

Brock,

Great quote! Denial is not just a river in Egypt. I'm going to use that one!

December 10, 2007 at 9:10 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

leonard (anonymous) says...

bradywaters,

No, I didn't fail to realize. Pre/post injury, Rush has been an adequate defender when guarding the dribbler...and a lousy defender when guarding his man without the ball.

Time after time his teammates have to bail him out...and time after time...our bigs have picked up unneeded fouls covering for Rush's defensive lapses.

His height and quickness make him an okay defender...but his defensive fundamentals are woeful...and his defensive reputation is over-hyped.

December 10, 2007 at 9:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

oldalum (anonymous) says...

Leonard: Bill Self seems to disagree with you. Does that mean you have more expertise?

December 10, 2007 at 9:33 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

speedy (anonymous) says...

having seen both wilt and danny play. wilt was better but danny was so fast at turning and scoring that i,d rate him right up with wilt. wilt scored from futher out a few feet and was so much taller and dom. the games.
wilt impacted the game more. " wilt rules" were made to stop him! MJ never had any rules to stop him. wilt was the greatest by far as a pro.
rem. wilt only played two years for KU. danny 4.
i,ve also watched bill russel play w/o the wilt rules. i can only ponder what wilt would have been like w/o goal tending and all of lane restrictions.
KU was lucky they both played for KU!!!!

December 10, 2007 at 9:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

leonard (anonymous) says...

oldalum,

Jay Bilas said, "He's becoming a better defender. He's learning how to play every play." when speaking of J.R. Giddens.

Coach Self echoed those sentiments and agreed that J.R. is only going to get better on the defensive end of the floor.

Along with many fans, I recognized that JR couldn't play defense...does that mean that we had more expertise?

Of course not!. It means that he's the coach and I'm a fan...with eyes.

December 10, 2007 at 9:50 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

Cscher.. that quote is as old as the river in Egypt, so don't preclude it with "As a really original poster on a KU websited once said..."

Leonard, what games have you been watching the last 3 years? You are right in the fact that our bigs are picking up fouls because of either "lapses" or over-aggressiveness of others. The "over-hype", as you call it, is coming from D-I college basketball coaches. You're not going to convince anyone here than you know more than almost all the coaches in college basketball, who I am sure would be happy to explain to you the holes in your theory that Rush is an overrated defender.

Rush is the one on the guy who teams design plays with multiple picks and screens to get him open... he's got the toughest assignment. He's going to get beat as often as others, not because he's equal in ability, it's because he has the toughest task.

Brady's right, you are definitely failing to realize something.

December 10, 2007 at 10:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bradywaters (anonymous) says...

well said Lebowski, the dude. The best pound-per-pounds defender on our team is Russell, but he can't match up on a Chase Budinger, or Durant type player. With Brandon's heights, athleticism, wingspan, and knowledge, he is the ideal player you want guarding the other's top player. Not sure if Leonard has missed a couple games over the years we have got to enjoy Rush, but how many swats has he had in big games? I can recall a couple back-to-back in the victory of Texas.

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

kmarti49 (anonymous) says...

ok random question but: does anyone know how/where the students have the large cutout headshots of the players made??

December 10, 2007 at 10:23 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kutravis (anonymous) says...

kmart...
photoshop and kinkos. technology is great!

December 10, 2007 at 11:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

cscher (anonymous) says...

Hey Lebowski. I hadn't heard it before. But there's no reason to be a smartass. It would be nice to be able to read comments that aren't written by somebody who becomes a tough guy when he gets behind a computer. I doubt you'd say that if we were sitting in a bar.

December 10, 2007 at 12:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

hey cscher...

kinda the pot calling the kettle black dontcha think? youre saying there's no call for certain things, then turn around and issue thinly-veiled threats?

C'mon, guy! No need for that...

December 10, 2007 at 2:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

GitS (Christian Hinton) says...

Cscher:

I think Lebowski was trying to make the point that you shouldn't give him credit for originating the comment because it is an old (but good) one.

I wouldn't e too quick to assume he was trying to be "tough," especially after you gave him props.

December 10, 2007 at 2:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

cscher (anonymous) says...

Whoah! Nobody was threatening anyone! I just pointed out that this guy made a remark about me complimenting something that I read! I was giving credit to Brock for saying something that I thought was humorous. My point was that this other person wouldn't make an effort to do whatever he was trying to do with what he said if we were strangers talking in a bar, or any other public place for that matter. It's not about fighting or anything, it's just not something that you do. People seem to become quite a bit bolder when they're behind a computer screen, that's all.

December 10, 2007 at 2:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

eckert (anonymous) says...

Danny had a triple double his junior or senior year.
I will look up the date when I get home.

eckert

December 10, 2007 at 3:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

wannabe (anonymous) says...

cscher, I would say that to you or Brock in a bar and would not have been offended in the least if The Dude had said it to me. I thought it was funny not "tough"
To quote the great Sgt Hubka: "lighten up Francsis"

December 10, 2007 at 3:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kcmostwanted (anonymous) says...

Of course rush has the hardest task... I think being between 6-5 and 6-8 you'll have the hardest task where ever you go or what ever level you play on...

Just think about it for a sec... I mean those big swing players are tall enough to "somewhat" bang with the bigs and athletic enough to shoot over/get around smaller guards.

You couldn't put DA on chase because he doesn't have enough lateral quickness and Mario/Rod/Russ are too small that Chase would shoot over them all day...

All i'm saying is that at BR's height in the NBA you're guarding Kobe, Dwade, Tmac, Lebron, Melo...and the list goes on and on....Obviously most of the time it's their best player so they're bound to score thier points...Just because their best player who touches the ball 100+ times a game scores 20 doesn't mean BR is a bad defender..I think it means the other player is just a very good scorer... :)

A player could be defensive player of the year and allow opponents to drop lots of points..i think there are many other aspects to D than just how many points opposing teams score.

As for BR he's a legit College defender, and our best option at guarding that big Swing player

December 10, 2007 at 3:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

cscher (anonymous) says...

Thanks, wannabe. You mean, "Francis."

December 10, 2007 at 3:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

Yes cscher, was just lightly razzin ya, didn't intend to offend you. For that I apologize.

I sometimes have a big mouth, and my wife and all my friends would quickly tell you that yeah, I would have said it right there in the bar. I have no "filter"! :)

But in person, I doubt very seriously you would have been offended, because my tone and expression always keep it light bro. Till next time...

Jeffrey

December 10, 2007 at 4:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

kcsmostwanted wished goodwill to all KU students taking finals this week (on another post)...

id like to second that!

go hawks! study hard...we're proud of ya!

December 10, 2007 at 5:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bayareajhawk (anonymous) says...

Lebowski, you are a clown. You always crack me up. Nice Stripes quote too, wannabe. Good stuff all around. Although I think you meant to tell MC Escher that he shouldn't "prelude" his statement by praising brock's use of a classic line for originality (remember when Stewart Smalley said it to Charles Barkley on SNL? Hilarious.). It would be kind of strange if a prelude precluded the clause to follow.

(I'm sure I made a grammatical error in there or something, somebody correct me and keep this pedantic chain going!)

December 10, 2007 at 6:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

In the midst of all this final week smack, I am still staggering from Wilt having blocked fourteen shots. What IS the KU record for most shots blocked by a mortal and not Wilt?

fourteen?!!!

Wilt wasn't just beasting. He was beasting the beast!!!!!!!

December 10, 2007 at 8:29 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

bayarea...

I wont attempt to correct your grammar, no. Clearly you are adequately intelligent enough to do that yourself. It just seems circular to me to snipe at keeping the hypercriticism going (it is unclear to me, at least, whether theres cynicism in your parenthetical statement or not) after youve stuck your big toe in it yourself.

And with that I await your snide remarks...

December 10, 2007 at 8:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Stephen F. Austin, not Steve Austin, the $6 million dollar man, beat OU.

Capel is not the next Coach K. He's the next Coach Q. Quinn Snyder. Say, where is the Queen these days?

I think I hear Mother Warren reading the fine print in Willie's LOI looking for a way to get her impulsive son up to Lawrence and under Bill's wing.

December 10, 2007 at 9:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Muska (anonymous) says...

Quin is coaching in the NBADL...and oddly enough, Keith is on his team...

December 10, 2007 at 11:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

wretch~

December 10, 2007 at 11:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

scootja32 (anonymous) says...

triple double? who cares about #s lets get some more Ws

December 10, 2007 at 11:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bayareajhawk (anonymous) says...

jross, I was just joking around. I think it's funny how everyone criticises each other for typos/grammatical mistakes/malapropisms on the internet, as seen on this website. I suppose I was trying to be ironic, but as I have been sequestering myself in a room studying for finals for the past couple of weeks my sense of humor is probably a little off at the moment.

December 11, 2007 at 11:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bayareajhawk (anonymous) says...

P.S. I wasn't sniping in the parenthetical comment. I really wanted someone to keep the chain going! For some reason it was amusing me yesterday...

December 11, 2007 at 11:51 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

fair enough...I retract...

December 12, 2007 at 1:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Kirk (anonymous) says...

Brock is right. I don't give damn about individual statistics.

This team won't ever make the final four shooting for individual highlights.

December 13, 2007 at 3:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )