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Saturday, March 10, 2007

Later, Sooners

Rush keys second-half run that ousts OU

By Gary Bedore

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Brandon Rush's coach ordered him to be more aggressive in the second half.

Maybe more importantly, so did some of his peers, not enthralled with the Kansas University sophomore's three-shot, three-point, first-half effort in Friday's Big 12 tournament quarterfinal game against Oklahoma in Ford Center.

"Everybody in the locker room said something. Mario (Chalmers) said something. He said, 'We need you right now,'" said Rush, who responded with 13 points off 5-of-8 shooting the final half, most off drives to the hole.

His slashing ability helped the Jayhawks awaken from an early slumber - "It was really tough getting up (at 7 a.m.) today," Rush said - and break open a two-point game at halftime to dump the Sooners, 64-47.

The victory pushed the Jayhawks (28-4 overall, 14-2 Big 12) into today's 1 p.m. semifinals against Kansas State (22-10), a 66-45 quarterfinal winner over Texas Tech.

"Brandon is key to our team. When we get him going, everybody gets going," Chalmers said. "I said, 'Come on, just be more aggressive. Attack the basket.' He was like the old Brandon the second half, playing great 'D' and getting in the attack lanes."

Rush's effort, plus a defensive performance that held OU to one field goal in 15 tries the first 15 minutes of the half and 4-of-20 shooting the final 20 minutes, quieted an Oklahoma team that fell to KU, 67-65, just two weeks ago in Norman, Okla.

Go figure

11

First-half field goals by Oklahoma

4

Second-half field goals by the Sooners

0

Second-half three-point field goals by Oklahoma

2:6

OU's second-half assist-to-turnover ratio

3

First-half points by KU's Brandon Rush

13

Second-half points by Rush

20-14

OU's first-half rebounding advantage

20-14

OU's second-half rebounding deficit

"They were getting straight line drives on us," OU coach Jeff Capel lamented after his Sooners fell to 16-15 overall. "Brandon Rush got one on the left wing when he drove it right down the middle. Looked like Moses had a staff and the sea parted right there. That's disappointing."

Rush was one of two Jayhawks to score in double figures.

The other was freshman forward Darrell Arthur, who scored 10 points and grabbed three rebounds with two blocks in 16 minutes.

Not bad for a guy who was floored by a nasty virus after awakening Monday morning. He was able practice part-time this week and answered the call versus the Sooners.

"I was told to not play him more than three minutes at a time, and it maxed out at 10. I broke that a little bit," KU coach Bill Self said. "He was winded at times. It was good he was able to do some positive things. He should be able to go more tomorrow."

Arthur said he was in a world of hurt Monday.

"I woke up feeling pain up here," he said, pointing to his chest. "I had to go see a lung specialist. He told me there's nothing but a little virus there and I should be better by the end of the week. The doctors gave me medication that helped me out. I felt a lot better after I heard I could play in the tournament."

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Jayhawks use big second half to top OU in Big 12 tourney

After a stagnant first period, an inspired Jayhawk's squad held off the Oklahoma Sooners in route to a 64-47 victory in the Big 12 Tournament.

Making Arthur feel worse were early-week Internet posts from somebody who indicated the 6-foot-9, 230-pound freshman had a heart attack and was being treated at the hospital.

"They (doctors) didn't think it was my heart," Arthur said. "I heard about that (message-board post). It upset me a little bit. It wasn't my heart."

Arthur, who Self said had some shortness of breath and lung pain that was deemed a virus after a battery of tests, felt energized Friday.

"I had a lot of bounce," he said. "Julian (Wright, seven points, 15 minutes) was in foul trouble, so I tried to help the team as much as I could, play as much as I could."

Fellow freshman Sherron Collins, who had been scoreless the last two games, rallied for eight points off 4-of-8 shooting, though he missed four threes. Chalmers had nine points and Sasha Kaun eight on a day the Jayhawks held the Sooners to 31.3 percent shooting.

Big 12 tournament scoreboard

Friday's Games

Kansas 64, Oklahoma 47

Kansas State 66, Texas Tech 45

Oklahoma State 57, Texas A&M 56

Texas 74, Baylor 69

Today's Semifinals

1 p.m. - Kansas vs. Kansas State

3:30 p.m. - Oklahoma State vs. Texas

Sunday's Championship

2 p.m. - semifinal winners

Really the only negative for KU again was free-throw shooting. KU hit 11 of 22 charities to OU's 15 of 19.

"We talked about as a staff on the bench we weren't going to talk about free-throw shooting. But to answer your question, 'Yes,''' Self said, asked if he was concerned. "We've got better shooters than 11-of-22. But we're not going to talk. Sometimes the more you talk about missing short putts or free-throw shooting, the more it gets in your head. I don't believe it's in our head to the point where we have a phobia about it or anything. You've got to make free throws in the postseason."

Playing defense like KU does helps in the postseason, too.

"We were focused on defense and rebounding the second half," Rush said. "We were aggressive."

Photo Gallery

Big 12 Tourney: KU vs OU

Now if he can remember to be aggressive the first half today.

"Brandon shied away from taking action the first half," Self said. "We are not going to be a real good team unless we have our best offensive players stepping up and making plays or taking shots."

"When he's making plays, we're at a different level," junior Russell Robinson said. "I always know Brandon will come through. It might take awhile, but I know he's going to get there."

KU vs. Oklahoma

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Comments

mcoan (anonymous) says...

"Julian (Wright, seven points, 15 minutes)"

Dang, Julian, when are you going to be the kind of player who steps up and can be counted on? When you're on, you're REALLY on. When you're flat, the whole team suffers.

Times up! We need consistency from you and Brandon NOW: 15 ppg, 5 rbg, baby...from here on. You two can carry us to a National Championship. Either that, or either (or both) of you will be a key reason we don't get there.

Which is it going to be?

March 10, 2007 at 8:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

mcoan... did you watch the game yesterday? Obviously not. Or you just don't pay attention.

Julian was in foul trouble...in large part because of some ridiculously bad foul calls. When he was on the floor, he did great.

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

notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says...

hey mcoan, give the guy a break....he got in early foul trouble, and was never going to be a factor. Might I add that those fouls were complete horse $hit. Ticky tack crap that shouldn't have even been called in junior high basketball.

March 10, 2007 at 8:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

GIHAWK (anonymous) says...

Poor free throw shooting will spell our doom...

March 10, 2007 at 8:34 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

Mcoan has a point...

Not just talking about the game yesterday, but of late I don't think we've seen the BEST (or the beast?) out of JW. No question that when tourney play begins he's gonna have to kick it up a notch for us to continue our winning ways!

March 10, 2007 at 8:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

patton6 (anonymous) says...

Ya, that 17 and 13 performance against Texas was just pitiful - why doesn't he try hard?!

March 10, 2007 at 9:23 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

MarcoPolo (anonymous) says...

Yeah, mcoan, what rock have you been hiding under? If anyone on this entire team has pulled his weight more this year than Julian Wright, I have no idea who it is.

You fail to see the real beauty of this team....anyone can step up and lead the team to victory. Obviously, you don't pay close attention to the game or you would have known, as others have pointed out, that Julian was in foul trouble. Consequently, he's going to get less minutes, less points, and less rebounds. So what? Rush stepped up. Later today, perhaps someone else will step up, who knows?

This team can win multiple games in the dance without Julian getting double/doubles --- the team is that balanced and that good and no one individual player needs to have a super game every time out, so get off his back...

By the way, did you catch the final score? I believe it was in the "Win" column!

March 10, 2007 at 9:49 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

goldlighting (anonymous) says...

The first foul on Wright in the second half giving him 3 fouls was total crappola, talk about ticky tack. That darn referree should be called-out for that bogus call, sheezzz, 30 feet from the basket and barely touched the OU guard as he ran by. From there Julian was not very effective worrying about his 4th foul.

March 10, 2007 at 9:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mcoan (anonymous) says...

Typical: ANY criticism of any player or the team or the coach at ANY time is treated like treason by you people. Jeez, why not just tell me to move to Missouri! I can still be a fan and not be impressed by every player all the time.

Look, I'm not saying JW isn't a good player who can wow you at times, but he's only scoring 11.8ppg, for petesakes. That's not that impressive for a so-called future NBA player. (How many NBA players scored 12-14 ppg in college? Not many, I'd say.)

To win the big NCAA games, and be a first-round draft pick, someone has to consistently contribute more than that: 30 pts. one night and 3 the next won't get you to the next level or win the tough games coming up.

BTW: Foul trouble is the lamest of excuses. I don't blame refs for players in foul trouble...sorry, but you get in foul trouble, it's your own fault. Maybe not the first one or two, but you quickly learn how tight the refs are calling it and adjust. Or at least you should.

Down the stretch, during a tight game, I believe someone on this team has to be able to say, "Give me the ball, guys. I got your back." He shouldn't have to be begged to step up by his coach or other players, he should "just do it."

That's called leadership. That's NBA potential. I don't see it here. None of these players are at that Danny Manning level, yet. Maybe that's not necessary due to our balance; we'll know soon enough. I hope one of them really turns it on and becomes a star in the next week or so. I would love it.

But, as another poster said above, all that might not matter: you gotta be able to hit your free throws down the stretch. they're free points, for petesakes. You need every one you can get.

March 10, 2007 at 10:05 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bdewitt (anonymous) says...

just thimk what could happen with this team if rush would play aggressive from tip off to final buzzer we need you rush now at tourney time more than ever rock chalk jayhalk 4 life!!!!!!!!!!!

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

jaybate (anonymous) says...

I for one am a little surprised at Brandon having trouble waking up at 7AM for the first round of post season play. I know in college I often stayed out late, partied hard, and awoke late, but I don't recall having trouble getting up early to go to the field house to stand in line for my frat house to get good seats. It strikes me as amazing that he's playing in the game and has trouble waking up. Its increasingly apparent that Brandon is a VERY mellow guy. :-)

Memo to Brandon: mellow is good. Women can't resist it in a package like yours. It will stand you in very good stead some day after hoops if you become a manager of people and have to endure the frustrations they create. Its even good for enduring the drudgery of the practices and long season of basketball and for being a calming influence on your teammates in times of crisis. But Brandon, you've got to amp up the inner electricity just a little for the post season. :-) You're cat quick, so you probably take cat naps. Cool. Maintain them. But not during half time okay? :-)

All in fun people. Every good team or organization I was ever a part of has a mellow, sleepy guy like Brandon and they really do come through in the clutch; just as RR says Brandon does in the story. One thing Brandon Rush does not need is Ambien. :-)

March 10, 2007 at 10:51 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

doctsmith (anonymous) says...

treason for criticizing? No, it's just annoying reading ignorant comments.

March 10, 2007 at 10:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

mcoan - You said: "I can still be a fan and not be impressed by every player all the time."

To be technical, you really can't. To voice criticism of your team at times makes you a 'devotee'...not at all a bad thing.

As a side note, I can't believe any blog poster would question the heart of any one of these players.

By the way, the latest "KU gets no love on cable network sports channels" update: Last night's Sports Center showed the KU highlights 45 minutes into the hour long broadcast. I know we aren't the first order of business for the media types, but this year it seems worse than ever...except for Bilas and Digger who seem to toss in KU's name in any conversation. But, like others have pointed out, Bilas is probably one of most knowledgeable and articulate broadcasters on ESPN anyway.

March 10, 2007 at 11:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

truefan (anonymous) says...

It doesn't matter, we know how good we are and everyone else will find out soon enough.

March 10, 2007 at 11:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jayhawk86 (anonymous) says...

Personally I like the balance of the TEAM over the "go-to" guy approach. How many times did we rely on one or two guys in the 90"s? How many times did one of them get cold or have an off night in the tourney, and we just didn't have the balance to make it up with the other players because they were not used to stepping it up? It cost us early exits in the tourney quite often.
Spread the ball, whoever is feeling it that night take over, and we will go far. Repeat: we don't have to have one or two go-to guys. It is a team game.

March 10, 2007 at 12:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

lalawguy (anonymous) says...

tis4tim -- You have to give Doug Gottlieb credit for keeping KU in the spotlight. He has kept KU among his top 5 since the beginning of conference play. This is while the people who still think Duke and Air Force are top 25 teams claimed that it was mathematically impossible for KU to get a 1 seed.

As for the comments about Wright, think about this: KU has multiple players who score in double figures. As good as Julian is, he will not touch the ball in every possession, and sometime he will pass it to an open player who is as equally a scoring threat as he is. When you are a team like Texas or Ohio State, you only have one or two hot scorers. That is why Oden and Durant score 30 points every game. Julian has to share the ball with as many as six double-digit scorers. When the game is only 40 minutes (and especially if you get into foul trouble), there are only so many opportunities to score. I agree that Julian missed a few opportunities (as did everybody else), but if you expect 20-25 points from JW for every game, then that means that the rest of the team will be struggling to produce. I certainly wouldn't want that.

March 10, 2007 at 5:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )