Monday, January 8, 2007

Self rants, KU rolls

Jayhawks inspired by coach's 'T'

By Gary Bedore

Advertisement

Columbia, S.C. — Bill Self sometimes loses his cool behind padlocked doors at practice.

Rarely, however, does Kansas University's basketball coach cause a stir during games, certainly not the public display of emotion that resulted in a technical foul - one that caught the attention of his players in the early going of a 70-54 victory over South Carolina on Sunday at Colonial Center.

"When coach got his technical, he was really angry, really mad. We figured we better get it going. We didn't want to get yelled at, too," sophomore guard Brandon Rush said after a game that eventually put a smile on the face of KU's fourth-year coach.

Self was not a happy camper five minutes into the game when Julian Wright dove to the floor to chase a loose ball and was hopped on by a couple of Gamecocks' players. Officials ruled a tie-up; there was no foul called on the play.

Realizing there's a new point of emphasis this season requiring officials to call fouls on players that leap into piles, Self made a mad dash down the bench area, then he got in the face of an official well outside the coach's box.

He was hit with the 'T' - believed to be just Self's third in four seasons at KU.

"I didn't know if I really deserved it. I thought I was barely out of the box," Self cracked, realizing he ventured WAY out of his allotted space. "I deserved that one, that's for sure."

But Bryce Sheldon hit just one of two free throws, and KU responded with seven straight points - five from Mario Chalmers (he had a fabulous game with 19 points and five steals) and two from Rush.

Led by Chalmers, KU continued its sizz and built a 27-13 lead with 5:39 to play in the half.

"When coach got the technical, Mario got in the huddle and said we need to pick it up. It led to energy," Rush said.

Chalmers scored 13 points and had four steals the first half. He agreed he fed off Self's anger.

"We took coach's energy and applied it to the court," Chalmers said.

Photo Gallery

KU vs. South Carolina

Self, whose Jayhawks had not played a road game since blowing a 14-point lead in a loss to DePaul on Dec. 2, was asked by a media member if the 'T' was planned to instill some fire in his 13-2 team.

"Did I get it on purpose? No, I am not that quick a thinker," Self said. "It pretty much happened simultaneously with the play."

As far as what made him so upset : he wouldn't go there.

"By Big 12 rule, I can't comment on officiating, so I will not," he said, abiding by a new league rule requiring coaches to stop talking at all about calls.

Self did admit to being extra intense prior to the game, KU's last nonconference game of the season.

"There's something about this weekend that got me fired up, watching guys play games that count all across America," Self said.

He was referring to the start of conference play. KU gets a later start than most, opening against Oklahoma State at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Allen Fieldhouse.

Self was so juiced for Sunday's contest he nearly received a second technical, which would have meant automatic ejection. He had to be restrained by assistants in arguing a call late in the first half.

"Jank kept saying, 'Knock it off,''' Self said with a smile, referring to assistant Tim Jankovich.

Coach Joe Dooley had escorted Self back from center court following the initial technical.

The intense Jayhawks followed their coach's lead on the defensive end, holding South Carolina to 38.8 percent shooting while snatching 10 steals and forcing 16 turnovers.

Really the only letdown came during SC's 15-5 run to close the first half - one fueled by two threes from Evaldus Baniulis - that cut the gap to 32-28 at the break.

KU had been outboarded 20-11 at intermission, but wound up winning the board battle, 31-28.

"The guys will tell you we'll focus on rebounding the next couple of days," Self said.

Sasha Kaun, who had no boards while playing just three minutes because of foul problems the first half, had six rebounds the final 20 minutes.

"Sasha kept saying, 'Not my fault,''' Self joked of Kaun on the first-half board discrepancy. "I thought Sasha was key the second half."

So was Darrell Arthur, who had five of his 17 points in a 7-0 stretch that upped a 49-42 lead to 56-42.

"He looked like the 'Shady' of the first couple of weeks of the season," Self said of Arthur, who had been in a funk of late.

KU's lead reached 16 points (62-46) at 4:39, and it was apparent KU would not squander a big lead as it did at DePaul, when it blew a 14-point lead in the final 14 minutes.

A key for KU was the return of the 3-2 zone defense, which KU employed with 11 minutes left and KU up, 51-42.

"Our defense the first 15 minutes was excellent, borderline as good as it has been all year," Self said. "We lost some aggressiveness because of foul problems. The biggest thing in going to zone is they were in the bonus so early again. We thought they'd live on the free-throw line if we didn't go to it."

As it turned out, SC hit eight of 19 free throws to KU's four of 15.

Jayhawks vs. Gamecocks

Comments

kylecisnum1 (anonymous) says...

man... we have got to start making some free throws!

January 8, 2007 at 5:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Chicago_JHawk (anonymous) says...

I believe that's a typo...KU was 4 of 5 from the line, not 4 of 15.

January 8, 2007 at 6:13 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

coolhawk (anonymous) says...

I think Self loosing his cool was justified and about time. I lost my cool with this team a couple of weeks ago. Sometimes you need a swift kick in the___ !

January 8, 2007 at 6:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

carterpatterson (anonymous) says...

The North Georgia Spodcaster Fan Club party mobile drove from Atlanta to Columbia for the game. There was a LOT of Blue in the stands. The officiating on both sides was horrible. Coach Self had a very legitimate beef for the no foul-jump ball call that landed him a T.

I'm not sure if you could hear it on TV, but after the USC crowd left the game with 3 minutes left, the Rock Chalk Chant filled the Colonial Center.

You would have thought that being down on 12 with 3 minutes left that USC would have gone to a press or a half court trap to try to get back into it. They essentially gave up and their home crowd was not happy.

January 8, 2007 at 6:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

TrueBlue92 (anonymous) says...

Dear North Georgia Fan Club,

I can most certainly confirm that the Rock Chalk Chant was heard CEARLY on the national broadcast (I live in Olathe). Those of us watching the game made multiple comments about it; in fact we were laughing about it, cheering about it, and frankly amazed by it!!

Hats off to the KU Nation this preseason!! The team had tremendous support at both true away games and at the neutral floors. rock chalk jayhawks!!!!!

January 8, 2007 at 7:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mitch (anonymous) says...

Yes, we heard the Rock Chalk Chant on TV. Pretty cool to hear that level of support so far from home. Good also to see some more success with zone defense. Adds another dimension to their game and keeps opponents guessing about what's next. Go 'Hawks!

January 8, 2007 at 7:03 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

esubrett (anonymous) says...

Looks like we found out what it takes to get this team going. Self should get a T right out of the gates every game.

January 8, 2007 at 7:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

palewhale (anonymous) says...

Okay, I know KU played a good game and I'm very pleased. But one thing keeps bothering me...

They don't block out. This team should be an offensive and Def. rebounding machine. Watch the games and count how many times they stick their body on an opposing player and ride them out from under the basket. I guess some of that is jumping to block shots as opposed to staying on the ground. Once you go after a ball in the air you're out of position for the rebound.

It seems they rely too much on long arms and leaping ability and not fundamentals.

btw, I counted zero block outs yesterday, not a one.

January 8, 2007 at 7:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

baceman (anonymous) says...

Finally, the passion comes out.

Anyone who has seen my past comments knows I've been wondering when we'd see the passion from coach. This was our missing ingredient.

I'm still mad @ Roy but he had the passion during games. It's fuel for the playing fire. Without it, immature kids play with whatever the mood of the day is. With it, and with this talent, watch out.....

January 8, 2007 at 8:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

baceman (anonymous) says...

Posted by baceman

Finally, the passion comes out.

Anyone who has seen my past comments knows I've been wondering when we'd see the passion from coach. This was our missing ingredient.

I'm still mad @ Roy but he had the passion during games. It's fuel for the playing fire. Without it, immature kids play with whatever the mood of the day is. With it, and with this talent, watch out.....

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

Topside (anonymous) says...

Self was totally justified and it is about damn time refs started calling fouls for this crud. Players jumping on another player who has been on the ground for 1-2 secs deserve a foul they didn't have a real shot at the ball. Julian had control of the ball until he was jumped on, and almost injured to boot!! Self was right on. That is like hitting a QB out of bounds in football in my opinion.

January 8, 2007 at 8:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

This game is the classic example of how everything COULD go wrong, but our guys did a spectacular job of not buckling under the pressure. I have ALWAYS desired for Self (and past coaches) to ride the officials' butts some time. Sure, he gets slapped for the T... but it always helps fire up a team. And it can get in the refs' heads too, a little bit... that "Hey, i just need to ignore this guy and call the game as I see it". I could definately see this game turning into one of those games where we don't get any calls, our guys get frustrated and start waiting for someone else to do something, their crowd gets really into it, they get hot (like at end of 1st half)... and next thing you know, we're down 10. This game was a HUGE step in the right direction for KU... not by the results, but by the attitude of our coaches and players. It wasn't just one guy, many stepped up as leaders... including our head coach. We didn't necessarily always have to have the "T", but we need some animation over there... like a "removing of the jacket" we used to see all the time. That rubs off on the players, there's no denying that.

But this was a great feeling game in the respect that it was easier to identify who did NOT step up than who DID. We so badly need a leader? Then I wish everyone would stop trying to force Rush or Robinson, because it is clearly not in their makeup. Rush was so-so... Robinson was about as bad as I've seen him. And if it's not obvious by now that Chalmers is not the man, then I don't know what games everyone else is watching! This is no different than our conference season last year. Rush disappeared and Mario carried us. Those that don't believe that, go back and watch the tapes! I saw some things out of everyone else that are really exciting. I think despite the early foul trouble, Sasha played great. Arthur finally started scoring again, although his rebounding was suspect. I imagine with his confidence on the rise, other areas will pick up. Collins, despite not hitting his threes, still found ways to score. He's one of those that will always be consistent because of his ability to do this. No offense to Robinson & Rush, I do like them as players and as people, but the 5 I like to see on the floor the most are Chalmers, Collins, Wright, Arthur and Kaun.

Of course between Kaun and Arthur, one is ALWAYS going to be on the bench with foul trouble, so I don't get to see this 5 very often!

January 8, 2007 at 8:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

Huh? Why? It'd be worthless if they did... you trying to be funny?

Good humor comes from tickling the funny bone that is hard to reach. This attempt is too easy to see and reach. Why bother? Not funny... just crass.

I'm always open for some good humor though. Try again. I like to laugh. The sheer fact they are called 'Gamecocks' is funny enough. What else do you have for us?

January 8, 2007 at 11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawks4life (anonymous) says...

I was at the game and wow what a great showing from the KU faithful. the rock chalk chant rang through the place after all their fans left. It was great. I loved bill's tech, and the guys looked like they were having fun! That is key. and in conclusion Mario is a stud.

January 8, 2007 at 11:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

sleeperhawk (anonymous) says...

I and my was at the game also.

We got there about 2:30 and the place was already loaded with Jayhawk fans. The people collecting tickets even asked out loud where are the Gamecock fans. A bunch us laughed.

It was great saying the Jayhawk chant again after 30 years.

Talking with a couple of Gamecock fans, I asked them shouldn't they be p!ssed if a visiting team fans came in shouted out their team chant? These Gamecock fans were not even miffed. That is how bad they follow their teams here.

All I can say is , go jayhawks, from Columbia, SC

January 8, 2007 at 12:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

b_asinbeer (anonymous) says...

I agree baceman, we finally see some emotion out of Bill Self, something that has been missing and was much needed. If I was a player, I would want my coach to show some intensity during the game also (not just in the locker room or at practice, etc.)

January 8, 2007 at 12:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Shelby (anonymous) says...

Is Gary Bedore a 12-year-old?

January 8, 2007 at 12:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhawker137 (anonymous) says...

It was great being at the game seeing all the KU faithful, and it was also nice to hang out with KU fans and alumni so far from home. The Atlanta chapter was great. Thanks for taking in the kids from Raleigh, and making us feel welcome!!
On the game, I am glad this is being typed as I have lost my voice from yelling so much!! Coach had every right to charge onto the court, that call, and the hard foul on Mario Charmers, should how frustrated the fans and their team was because our defense was so intense. No one can saying anything bad about these kids today, that fought off adversity on all ends and came away with a great win.
The Chant at the end was the icing on the cake, one of the USC fan's said, "This sounds like a death chant." My wife turned and said," It is, your team is dead!"
To the people that were there, thanks for the great memroies with the coaches, team, and all the new friends that we have found so far from Kansas, thanks for everything! Hope to see and hear from you all soon.

January 8, 2007 at 1:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

Are you ready for the bottom line? 'Cause here it is. Given the way the conference schedule is set up this year, the Jayhawks have every opportunity to roll in Jan and Feb. Anything less than a 2-seed in the dance is unacceptable. That's just the way it is. I'll be coming up from OK for the game on Thursday. Let's get it done. I know AFH will be rockin'.

January 8, 2007 at 2:55 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

Make that Wednesday

January 8, 2007 at 2:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jayhawk86 (anonymous) says...

That was a fun game to watch. I think the Jayhawks played a very solid game, and were hitting on most cylinders. Mario was outstanding and I think that Brandon played a very good all around game.

Maybe it was just me, but I never was in doubt, even when USC made their run at the end of the 1st half. The players never looked panicked, and showed great poise. This shows signs of maturity.

It is nice to have a day when all the morons are not out calling for Coach Self's head or giving 10 page dissertations on whats wrong with the Hawks. Those so called "loyal fans" do not seem to be as quick with praise as they are with the critisizm. I wonder why that is?

January 8, 2007 at 3:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Coaches do have to inspire players, if only because other coaches do, too.

I don't think Self has been the pussy cat everyone thinks he has been most of this season. He seems to me to belong to the Wooden school of concealed fury. Wooden reputedly used to sit on the bench looking like a very even tempered guy, but he was supposedly constantly needling the referees every time they came by him. And though he didn't show histrionics, or curse and yell, I have heard more than a few of his players and assistants say hearing him say "oh good gracious!" through clenched teeth and pinched lips communicated the ferocity of his competitiveness quite as much as any string of profanity from Bob Knight. Wooden's players lived in considerable fear of his disapproval and knew that he suffered neither fools nor slackers. When he said jump, or run, under his breath through clenched teeth, it was a muffled, but fearsome snarl. Bill Self looks to me like he has plenty of ferocity behind the fraternity brother face. And I suspect that there is considerable needling and biting commentary going on, while the eyes and mouth of Bill Self are narrowed and a half smile is being expressed.

Note the players were quoted in the story above saying they didn't want to get yelled at next. That tells me they've incurred his wrath on many occassions and all it takes is seeing it flashed at others to rekindle their desire to avoid it.

And frankly, I believe Self when he says he was juiced up for the game and that his action was not premeditated.

Coaches, like players, operate in the moment.

But at the same time, I think Coach Self knows instinctively that the bond between a coach and his players hinges on simultaneously asking them to do things they think they are not capable of doing AND then protecting them while they are trying.

Clearly, when you ask players to dive for loose balls and take risks with their bodies, you MUST protect them at all costs from the risks that come with doing as you ask.

January 8, 2007 at 3:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Coach Self proved he was a leader of men in that moment, not just a coach. He threw himself into the frey to get them what they deserve...a fair shake and protection from being physically harmed. His players will not forget that the rest of the season. And that is more important than all the "energy" they might have gotten from him at that particular moment. They know now, that though he has ridden them into the ground like dogs, at times, and has criticised them and made them feel lower than snakes at times for failing to execute and do their duty, they now know that this man will take on a buzz saw to protect them. This is the Marine Corps model adapted to college basketball. It is no coincidence that Self calls pre-season "boot camp." Boot camp is where you turn civilians into team players. But it is during the moment that you see an officer, whom you have come to be suspicious of because he has not seemed to come through the same brutal experience you have, and asked you to do things you didn't think you could do, come instinctively and totally to your defense in the heat of battle when he did not have to under the rules; that is when esprit d'corp is achieved.

There will be many battles to come. There will be much more to learn. This week they will learn about rebounding AGAIN. But one thing has changed now permanently. They know the leader will watch their backside no matter what and that he is not afraid to take the lead in a chaotic situation. It is symbolic perhaps, but it is also real. He left his role, his allocated place on the sideline for them. He risked for them. He stood up for them. He entered the arena, where they have to survive. He did not hide like a coward on the sideline.

Can Self create a situation like that? No. Does he know that a situation like that will arise each season? Yes. Does he know he must rise to the occassion once or twice each season to be an acknowledged leader of his own team? You bet. But you can't fake the intensity or the circumstance. Your players know you too well. You have to rise to a real occassion with real emotion.

The coach can throw them out of the gym a couple of times a season. He can yell at them. He can tell them how dedicated he is to them. He can draw up great plays and game winning strategies that build confidence. But at some point every great coach has to seize a moment during the season in which he ferociously and authentically comes to the aide of his players in the heat of battle. It is the only way to build the ultimate bond.

Its a tightrope coaches walk.

January 8, 2007 at 3:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

TrueBlue92 (anonymous) says...

I completely agree, Jayhawk86!!!

January 8, 2007 at 3:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkjayhawk4ku11 (anonymous) says...

self needs to throw his jacket into the crowd. Roy used to always do that and it was the coolest T

January 8, 2007 at 3:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jetaylor (anonymous) says...

I drove from Augusta GA where I am now a second year medical student to see my first game since graduating from my beloved KU! I as well was impressed with all the jayhawk faithful that were there. It goes to show you how many jayhawks there are all over this country. Lets hope this fire continues throughout the rest of the season! GO KU!

January 8, 2007 at 4:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ku98 (anonymous) says...

I was patiently waiting for someone to mention the old "jacket in the crowd" move that Roy used to do. Enough about Roy already! I think Self simply knows how to remain calm and composed during games, but I guarantee you that players know not to mess with him at practice. I can't wait for the day Self brings a national championship to KU... something Roy never did in 15 years despite having the best team in the country at least 3 or 4 separate years.

January 8, 2007 at 5:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhyphene (anonymous) says...

The USC crowd left with 3 minutes left in the game? Sounds like Allen Fieldhouse the past few years.

January 8, 2007 at 6:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAJayhawk5 (anonymous) says...

Great win! Suck it, JimJohnson!!!!

January 8, 2007 at 6:55 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

(about ku98...) "Where do you all get this guy?"

He's waiting to pounce on someone for mentioning Roy, when by his own admission he had him on his mind too. Someone call the resident neurologist to ensure he's oriented to person, place and time.

And Jayhawk86...regarding your assertions:

"Those so called "loyal fans" do not seem to be as quick with praise as they are with the critisizm [of Bill Self] . I wonder why that is?"

I beg to differ, sir. I have been critical of Self on occasion but I was the very first to make a post praising him (feel free and unfettered to correct me if I'm wrong). I wrote this in the "Extra Minutes" post prior to the article entitled "Self Rants, KU Rolls":

"I gotta tell ya...it was good to see coach self get lathered up on the bench. Man, I've been waiting all season to see this. Oftentimes you can look at Self and almost read it on his face that he's concerned with his image. I've labelled him as "wooden" a time or two. But today Self looked every part of a KU Coach! No chance in hell that he's reading this but if you're out there, coach, the Jayhawk fans will forgive you for getting T'd up if you bring that kind of fire to the bench night-in, night-out. I've been critical of Self at times, but I will say it from my own mouth that Self brought his best today and I guarantee it translated to the players."

See, the problem is some of you fail to understand that objective criticism can be constructive and engaging in it doesn't make one moronic; on the contrary, it makes them level-headed and reasonable-minded because no coach will get it right all the time. Mentioning that as a fact should not subject those of a fair perspective to your incessant needlings over how quickly critics respond and what not, whilst you pine away with impatient fingers on a stopwatch. foolishness! Constant bashers of Self are no more guilty than those here who constantly praise him! Where is equity? Where is balance and reason? I think it most appropriate to apply critique as it is warranted: praise when it is due and criticism when it is also, or do you not agree?

January 8, 2007 at 9:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

FlaHawk (anonymous) says...

This was oneof Self's better coached games. His passion was great and he defensive strategy was very well conceived and executed. The ole 3-2 zone looked pretty neat in the second half. USC was cold and it game the HAWKs a bi gboost. Can not use the zone all the time, but nice to see it appropriately used yesterday!

January 8, 2007 at 9:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jayhawk86 (anonymous) says...

Jross, I do believe that that quote was prefaced by

"It is nice to have a day when all the morons are not out calling for Coach Self's head or giving 10 page dissertations on whats wrong with the Hawks."

This is obviously meant for those who come here to only chime in with idiotic comments and calls for the coach to be fired. While I do not always agree with what you have to say, it is obvious that you are an intelligent person that is passionate about the Hawks. hopefully you realize the difference between morons with pointless comments and intelligent critisizm.

By the way, for you morons, hows that hire turgeon thing coming along?

January 8, 2007 at 9:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

Fair enough, then Jayhawk86. I am loathe to beleaguer dead points, and it seems this one is sufficiently settled with your clarification. With respect to the nature of our agreements/disagreements here, I return your sentiment: I do find your posts at least thought-provoking and rational whether I agree with them or not. Just to have it said, I dont go posting on here with the intent solely to piss someone off, but I have on occasion inadvertently done so in defense of a position. Nevertheless I'd root alongside many here who I disagree with on a point-by-point basis solely in the name of supporting the Hawks, because that is the greater priority.

January 8, 2007 at 9:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ku98 (anonymous) says...

Hey jross, why don't you go back to your parents' basement and put one of those Kansas videos together. That's the only good thing you do around here.

January 8, 2007 at 10:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

As this post lacks any substance regarding KU basketball, I wont pay much lipservice to it.

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