Rock 'em, sock 'em | KUsports.com

Brandon Rush envisions raised eyebrows from players and coaches all across Big 12 country today when they check out this score: Kansas 87, Oklahoma State 57.

So much for the eagerly anticipated early season conference showdown between the teams tapped first and third in the league's preseason poll.

"This game was a statement game to the rest of the Big 12 (that) we're ready for the conference," KU sophomore forward Rush said after combining with center Sasha Kaun for 34 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday in Allen Fieldhouse.

Each had 14 points the first half as KU cruised to a 47-30 lead. They were instrumental in helping the Jayhawks claim what OSU coach Sean Sutton called "an old-

fashioned butt kicking."

"You win big at home against a Top 10 team like Oklahoma State, it sends a pretty big statement to everybody else," Rush added after a game between No. 6 KU and No. 9 OSU.

The Jayhawks, who had 17 steals (the second-highest total by KU in a Big 12 game), were kind to just one member of the OSU traveling party Wednesday.

That's coaching legend Eddie Sutton, who was presented a rocking chair and picture of him embracing former Jayhawk Kirk Hinrich during a touching halftime ceremony.

Photo Gallery

KU vs OSU

Everybody else wearing black and orange took it on the chin.

OSU's Mario Boggan, who was harassed by Kaun early, missed 12 of 16 shots en route to eight points. JamesOn Curry, who was shadowed by Russell Robinson, was never a factor, missing five of eight shots and scoring 12 points.

"Our plan was to cut the two heads off - Curry and Boggan," Rush said of the players who entered with a combined scoring average of 41 points for a team that averaged a whopping 84.9 a game.

"We try to play everybody like they are great scorers, but, yes, our guys knew they averaged 41 a game," Self said of the duo, who combined for just 12 points off 4-of-15 shooting the first half. "We're not going to play that well, making shots and having things fall right for us every game, but there was certainly great intensity. Our pressure was great."

The Jayhawks, who hit 56.7 percent of their first-half shots and 57.6 percent for the game to OSU's 32.1-percent mark, threw in some full-court press to wear down the Cowboys.

Rush and Kaun were particularly effective out of the chute for KU, Self indicating, "Brandon and Sasha did as much as anybody to set the tone for the game."

Rush, in fact, had 10 points and Kaun six as KU blazed to a 25-8 lead, and Mario Chalmers picked up four early assists on a night he finished with seven points, six assists and six steals.

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2006-07 Jan. 10 KU-OSU Hoops

Rush was aggressive in taking it to the basket after fielding several phone calls from his mother on game day.

Yes, it was Mrs. Rush who deserves credit for the sophomore preseason All-American hitting nine of 10 free throws to go with his four floor shots in eight tries.

"My mama : all she does is call me up on game day. (She says) 'Attack the rim, attack the rim.' I proved tonight I can do it," Rush said.

"Maybe some people : the coaching staff told him that. Maybe he's hearing it from different people," Self said of a more aggressive Rush.

The Jayhawks (14-2, 1-0) did see a 23-point lead dip to 13 points (53-40) after a three by Curry five minutes into the second half.

But KU hit OSU (15-2, 1-1) with a 16-5 spurt to boost the lead back to 20 points (69-45) at with nine minutes to play.

KU received a big boost from guard Sherron Collins, who had 10 points and six assists in 22 minutes, subbing for Russell Robinson.

Go figure

32.1

Oklahoma State's shooting percentage against KU

51.3

Oklahoma State's shooting percentage coming in

57.6

KU's shooting percentage against OSU

48, 18

Points in paint for Kansas, OKlahoma State

17

Steals by Kansas

2

Steals by Oklahoma State

23, 8

Points off turnovers for Kansas, Oklahoma State

4

Blocked shots by KU's Julian Wright (and by all the Cowboys combined)

Robinson (four assists three steals, seven points, 18 minutes) had some foul woes.

Regardless, Kansas ended up handing OSU its worst loss since last season's 34-point setback at Texas.

"I'm sure people will say they are back to the way people expect 'em to play, but I don't know if that's completely the case," Self said. "We have a good team. We have a good team that went to Stillwater (Self's first year), and it was 26-8 (OSU early en route to 20-point win). These things happen sometimes when you go on the road. It was fortunate for us it was Oklahoma State's first true road game."

Yet the Jayhawks will take it and move on to Iowa State (2-0 in the Big 12) for Saturday's 1 p.m. tipoff in Ames.

"Every time we play a big opponent, we step up and blow the game out," Rush said, aware the Jayhawks were inconsistent in the intensity department at times earlier in the nonconference season. "Now we go play a tough team on the road. Their fans will be into it. Then we play Missouri Monday (at Allen). There are a lot of tough games to be played."

KU vs. OSU

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jayhawker_97 (anonymous) says...

what did i tell ya all..? it's easy!! we won it easily!! bring any other big-12 on, baby.. we'll beak 'em, crush 'em and chew 'em like m'n'm..!! number one all the way.. and Roy W, here we come.. better be ready for Billy & the kids!!!

January 11, 2007 at 1:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

DerekR25 (anonymous) says...

Now that's a killer instinct!!! When they started creeping back in, what did we do? We guarded harder!!! That's the way we play "D"! Way to go boys! And man, how about Kaun? Playing like a beast, through double teams and sometimes tripple teams. Awesome!!!! Go Hawks!!!!

January 11, 2007 at 6:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mitch (anonymous) says...

The next step is to show the same solid play and intensity at Hilton. The confidence factor may finally be up to snuff. At the home of the Cyclones they will need all their mojo to take the crowd out of it and win their first conference road game. Go 'Hawks!

January 11, 2007 at 7:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

palewhale (anonymous) says...

"Every time we play a big opponent, we step up and blow the game out," Rush said

Seriously, you won in OT against Florida. You and Mario were smiling and laughing in the last minute of regulation and then almost blew it.

"You win big at home against a Top 10 team like Oklahoma State, it sends a pretty big statement to everybody else," Rush said.

Don't get too cocky yet, wait until you cut some nets down.

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

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

Jayhawker_97...

I'm not too proud to admit when I'm wrong. I didn't see it playing out like it did last night, but apparently you did. Good call!

Rock Chalk

January 11, 2007 at 8:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jayloco (anonymous) says...

Come on palewhale, cut Rush some slack. You can't deny that when this team sees a prominent name on the front of the opponent's shirt, they play with a lot more intensity and fire. Anyone would. I don't think he is being cocky, just simply showing a growing confidence in himself and teammates.

If you don't think that win last night put some other Big XII teams on alert, then you are naive. Players, coaches, etc. take notice of blowouts like this. KU just needs to make sure that they realize that they have a huge target on their back and need to play with the fire and intensity they played with last night the rest of the season.

January 11, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

Feast your eyes...

what about jackson's dunk last night???? If you go to the article entitled: "Jayhawks trounce Cowboys in first conference action" they show it almost exactly half way into the clip. The amazing thing about that play was that all five OSU defenders were in the paint as well as other Jayhawks, yet Darnell threw it down with authority!!!

How about his confidence though? Did anyone see Jackson making the strides he has this season? Awesome!

January 11, 2007 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says...

Im tired of everyone bashing rush and his comments. Let him say what he wants, because at least he can back it up.

January 11, 2007 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KUMatt2001 (anonymous) says...

loved it, jross!

Reminiscent of Raef's famous throwdown over Mizzou at Allen Fieldhouse!

January 11, 2007 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BigTamale (anonymous) says...

Has everyone noticed how Russ Rob's minutes have gone down the last few games?...we may have a "changing of the guard" at that position.

Collins had only like 3 more minutes than Russ Robb, but it wouldn't surpise me to see Collins eventually start by the end of Big 12 play.

Overall good play by the hawks...and ditto to jross's post about Darnell.

January 11, 2007 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TrueBlue92 (anonymous) says...

I"ll say it again:

I think the only thing this team needs now is some dunk practice!!!

January 11, 2007 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

speedy (anonymous) says...

i humbly apologize forall previous comments. the game was awsome and maybe coach self is getting better. roy who? go hawks!

January 11, 2007 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hesshawk (anonymous) says...

What a statement !! The defense last night was superb, and they can take good defense on the road and it will carry them if the offense struggles.
Looks to me like the 'Hawks are putting it all together, and it's going to be a treat to watch them the rest of the season
Rock Chalk

January 11, 2007 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

KUMatt...

I remember that one...WELL! One of the reasons for the signs fear raef.

Palewhale and Notabandwagon...

As far as Rush's comment ("Every time we play a big opponent, we step up and blow the game out") I don't necessarily believe on the one hand that every big game will be lopsided or even turn out a win, but on the other hand you gotta love the fact that Rush and others approach the marquee matchups brimming with that kind of confidence, don't you? I mean really! I, for one, don't want to douse that enthusiasm because playing timidly adversely affects a player's game. While I would caution against taking anything for granted I love Rush's confidence and I say more power to him!

January 11, 2007 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jayloco (anonymous) says...

Man that dunk by Jackson was sick. I especially liked the 3 chest thumps afterward. Jackson is a gritty guy who gives us valuable minutes down low. With Arthur, Kaun, Jackson and Wright playing at their best, this is a team that is loaded. Outside shooting, interior scoring, awesome defense. Could be a fun season.

Good Point Big Tamale. I like the fact that Collins is coming into his own. Hopefully he will follow the road of Chalmers. Chalmers, as I remember, was a little hesitant at first and Self even reduced his playing time early on because of mental mistakes and timidness on the court. Then, come Big XII season, he started to shine and never looked back. Hopefully, the same story will unfold with Collins. Collins can definitely move the break and helps us with finishing those turnovers.

Hope the Hawks can keep it up and bring home another Big XII crown!

January 11, 2007 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

IdDoAnything2Win (anonymous) says...

I got a question for everyone...has anyone ever thought that this team is so good, it wants good compitition...I mean it's no excuse to be playing down to DePaul's or Oral Roberts level. Maybe this team knows it's good, and wants better compitition...Every big game this team steps up, we just got to play every game like it's a big one! Rock Chalk!

January 11, 2007 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jhawks1987 (anonymous) says...

we are not where we are without Russell starting and playing with his determination and experience.....he gives this team so much energy by setting up plays....and collins coming off the bench to give him a breather is also a great thing.....so let's get behind all the jhawks....they ALL played great last night.....hopefully they will take from this game and get better each week

January 11, 2007 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mr_lawrence (anonymous) says...

16-0? OKState, A&M, Texas all in the Phog...

And I don't think Collins is replacing Robinson, at least not for a while. Russell is SOLID; he's just been under the weather and a bit sore. I do think we'll see a lot of platooning at the 1,2,4, and 5 spots. It seems certain though that Rush will play 35-40 a night.

January 11, 2007 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jayhawks4life (anonymous) says...

wow i love our transition. I hadnt seen much of the transition game thus far but last night was phenominal! Sasha played awesome, Brandon is a stud, and our defense is smothering. I liked the move to put rodrick stewart in. he had at least two rebounds that I saw. Look for the hawks to go late into March with that type of fire and passion.
let's go hawks.

January 11, 2007 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Roysoldboy (anonymous) says...

A comment on Robinson's limited minutes due to foul trouble. I didn't see Curry score much with Robinson on him and then in the middle of the game he started taking Collins to school too often. Rush got on Curry and all of a sudden Curry was silent again. I think Collins is playing great and giving great minutes in place of the other two smaller guards but he is quite a way from taking Robinson's spot.

Rush still is the best defensive player on the team. He took Noah out of the Florida game and then went down about 11 inches and took Curry out of that game. He doesn't get the steals that Chalmers does but he does play some great defense.

This team is ready to unload on the conference.

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

NavyHawk (anonymous) says...

To all the fans who filled The Phog to the rafters especially the students, mega-kudos! If you flipped the channel to the OU-CU game on FSN you would have seen only about 4000 or so at Lloyd Noble. The students were noticably absent!

Oh!! By the way I only switched stations during KU-OSU timeouts. That was an outstanding game and I didn't want to miss a moment of it!

Keep up the intensity Hawks!!!

January 11, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

I was euphoric about last night's game...last night. This morning, when I had stopped pumping my chest like Jackson after his dunk, I looked at the box score objectively and here is what I saw.

ku still has a serious rebounding problem. On a night when they win by 30 over a team as short handed as KU was when it was without Kaun and Giles earlier, they are only +5 on total rebounds, -4 on offensive rebounds, their four big men combine for only 16 rebounds, and Kaun gets only 5 in 26 minutes. 5? And Arthur could only reach 1 in 14 minutes? And this happened AFTER Self supposedly had them work on blocking out? This kind of rebounding from the big men is going to kill KU against a solid rebounding top ten team playing with a normal number of players.

The other stat that stands out is the total number of TOs--17--and the TO advantage--+15. That TO advantage alone almost counts for the point spread we beat them by. Yes, yes, we played wonderfully on defense. Yes, yes, Self threw several defensive wrinkles and looks at OSU to keep them off balance. But I don't see many of our top ten opponents with a full team allowing us a +15 TO advantage. So, despite the euphoria of a 30 point win, we're not 30 points better than a top ten team with a full assortment of its players. As Brandon said, we just had one of those nights where everything went right for us.

The best news is that Collins continues to improve, which means we can have his 3pt gun in more often, which we desparately need to get our trey percentage up to snuff. I don't see Collins beating RR for starter, because he still makes more defensive mistakes than RR (I believe Curry faked him out of his jock once), and because there's nothing wrong with giving the upper classman the starting nod and the frosh slightly more minutes. The important thing is that we have TWO PGs who can play now. It means we can put alot more pressure on the point, which also allows our wings to gamble more, because now they've got Kaun and Wright offering serious backup when they make a mistake. The result on a night like last night is lots of strips.

This rebounding problem is fixable, if they can just keep working on it and solve it before they meet a really good rebounding opponent.

At present, the only team to really fear in the B12 is Texas. Durant is awesome. By March, they're young team is going to be better than KU's young team was at the end of last season. It will be really fun to see if Julian can shut Durant down. If he can, we win big whenever we play them. If not, it will be a very tough game.

January 11, 2007 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says...

The Surgeon General never said anything about smokin cowboys.

January 11, 2007 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

jaybate...

Theres a reason why our offensive rebounds were low. We didn't have a lot of opportunities to rebound because most of our shots were going in!!! Our big men weren't HAVING to rebound that much cause it was Phi Slamma Jamma all night long. OSU had more opportunities to rebound on their offensive in cause their shots were clanking.

January 11, 2007 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

DBK (anonymous) says...

I think there is one facet of this that I haven't seen addressed (I probably just missed it). What we may have had last night were two coaches, both from the same "learning tree" (Eddie Sutton), who were so familiar with each other that the team with the more talented players prevailed.

I remember something similar happening a few years ago when we faced Matt Doherty and UNC. They handed it to us pretty good, and after the game, I remember their players saying things about how "familiar" the offensive sets we were running looked to them. Just a thought.

January 11, 2007 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

wtarush (anonymous) says...

I hear silence in "Self-Hater" land.

January 11, 2007 at 12:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bmkjayhawk (anonymous) says...

I haven't read the above comments, so if anyone has mentioned this, sorry for the repetition. But you know what I like? If you look at the homepage of kusports.com, with the picture that stands behind "Rock 'em, Sock 'em", it looks like every single one of those guys is just having an awesome time. From what I can tell, there have been no issues thus far in terms of coming together as a team for one common goal. That will play a huge role in the successes and failures of this season as well.

January 11, 2007 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Leprechaunking13 (anonymous) says...

that's cause the self haters are eating their words at the moment

January 11, 2007 at 12:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

It doesn't happen often, but a wonderful thought just tickled my brain. In the face of a chorus of those who would caution not to count chickens prior to their imminent hatchings, let me propose a hypothetical situation.

KU wins out in the conference (all the pundits agree this is doable because the tougher conference games are being played at home). We then get a first round bye in the Big XII tournament and go on to win it (hey why not? We've already beaten OSU and the likes of Florida). Doesn't this justify a case for a number one seed in the NCAA tournament?

wtarush...

Yes, there is quiet in Self hater land. Reasonable people should give him the benefit of the doubt and allow him time to prove his philosophy works here. It sure looks good this year with good wins over Florida, BC, USC (cali), USC (carolina), and OSU. But incidentally, its also been quiet in Roy hater land. Maybe people are becoming exhausted of the whole coaching carousel debate..."maybe".

DBK...

I think youre right. Theres no question simply based on talent up and down the roster that KU is better on paper than OSU.

January 11, 2007 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

By the way, it's about time for Jim Jones to make a ridiculous remark about Bill Self. I haven't seen any trace of him yet, but we all know he's lurking out there somewhere...

(cue the "Jaws" theme)

January 11, 2007 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

Wow--great win last night, the kind of win that validates all the speculation about conference championships and no.1 seeds from the FANS--my only hope is that the TEAM isn't thinking the same thing at this point.

It takes a heckuva lot of discipline and mental toughness to go undefeated in conference play, and as we all know this team has a tendency to overlook certain games. ISU would certainly qualify, wedged in between Okie St. and Mizzery. I hope the boys are setting their focus on ISU and ISU alone because Hilton is always a very tough place to play no matter how good or bad the Cyclone team we face.

Speaking of the 'Clones, I can remember another classy coach, Bobby Orr, bringing great ISU teams into AFH years ago followed by some pretty darn good Tim Floyd teams just to name a few...oh yeah, and does anyone else miss 'Mayor' Hoiberg just a little? Or how about (my personal favorite) the strong candidate for ugliest man on the planet, Jackson Vroman and his cheering section, 'Vromies Homies??'...Just a mere few of the many memories of our foe from Ames

January 11, 2007 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

phoenixjayhawk (Rodney Stice) says...

Great game last night. I expect the intensity to be at the ISU game on sat.

January 11, 2007 at 1:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says...

what if there were no hypothetical questions?

January 11, 2007 at 1:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tdub (anonymous) says...

wtarush, I was just thinking the same think about the lack of Self haters. It seems a strong defensive philosophy can serve KU well! As long as KU keeps this up, jimjones won't be around. Upsets and failures of a college basketball program were all he had to capitalize on to make him feel like a man. That's been taken from him now, and he's probably off playing with his Truman the Tiger doll.

January 11, 2007 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )