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Sunday, March 11, 2007

Extra Minutes: Kansas 88, Texas 84 (OT)

By Ryan Greene

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2006-07 March 11 KU-UT Hoops

Some thoughs...from Oklahoma City

Gary Bedore, Journal-World KU men's basketball beat writer

"Great win to battle back from a 22-point deficit to win.

It's the greatest comeback in KU history and a nice way to enter the NCAAs.

Chalmers' big three, Rush's defense on Durant, Jackson's block, Robinson's bucket and free throws...all combined for the victory.

KU fans must be proud of this team. If anybody has a complaint at this stage, he/she needs to get his/her head examined.

Great win, great season."

Tom Keegan, Journal-World sports editor

"You hear a lot of talk about how 'talented' the Kansas University basketball team is.

Another word fits this team even better: Tough.

You don't come back from a 22-point deficit against the best player in the nation without having a lot of toughness. You don't go 30-4 overall and 17-2 against Big 12 teams without being tough."

Ryan Greene, KUSports.com editor

"This was truly what March basketball is all about. And you could easily forgive KU if they were to let their hair down and be hooting and hollering a ton in the locker room.

But this team has something the last couple just hasn't - blinders. They're not distracted at this point, and appear 54 times more locked in than they were at the beginning of the season.

Poor Kevin Durant. True, he's only played the Jayhawks twice, but KU is already to him what Florida was to Peyton Manning in his days as a Volunteer.

The moment of the day without question was Darnell Jackson, making a game-clinching block of D.J. Augustin, then hitting a pair of free throws with his mom about 50 feet to his left. The junior big man let the tears flow freely after the final buzzer sounded."

Ryan Wood, Journal-World sports reporter

"What a game. Kansas was down for a nine-count, got up, came all the way back and then delivered with clutch shots, clutch blocked shots and just an all-out gritty effort.

A 30-4 record entering the tournament is outstanding. Kansas is set up as well as it could be for a title run."

Inside the numbers

22: The KU deficit, which at one point was 32-10, was the largest one overcome in Jayhawk basketball history. Take a second and soak in how far back that actually dates. To anyone who didn't believe, KU proved to them they had the toughness to go with the talent on Sunday.

1: With the win, KU officially nabbed a one-seed for the NCAA Tournament. It's the first time since the 2001-02 season in which the Jayhawks have done so. The bracket looks daunting, with traditional powers such as Villanova, Kentucky, Indiana, UCLA and Pitt sitting below KU in the bracket. It's going to be an interesting couple of weeks.

37: It's hard to discredit the 37-point splurge Texas freshman Kevin Durant put out Sunday. It gave him a record with 92 points for the tournament as a whole. It surpassed the previous record, 79, held by Iowa State's Marcus Fizer.

87: KU shot 87 percent from the free throw line, or in plain english, the Jayhawks were 20-of-23. It's been a bugaboo for KU for as long as anyone can remember, but in a tight game, the team came through. Most notably coming through at the stripe were two of KU's more maligned foul shooters - Darnell Jackson (6-of-6) and Russell Robinson (3-of-4).

20: The progression back to normalcy peaked Sunday for Sherron Collins, scoring 20 points and hitting crucial shot after crucial shot. He hit two huge three-pointers, and was again a monster around the rim. Collins pulled down six rebounds on top of everything else he did.

3: Brandon Rush blocked three shots - two of which were in the game's first 30 seconds. He saved his third and final swat for Texas' late scramble to produce points. It was just another cherry on his 19-point, 7-rebound, aggressive effort. He also played solid defense on Kevin Durant, limiting his touches for most of the second half.

Just in case you missed it...

Balance again won the battle against individual punch. The list goes on and on of KU players who each ahd a moment in the sun Sunday. Darnell Jackson's clutch finish, Mario Chalmers' three at the end of regulation, Brandon Rush's defense on Kevin Durant...it all added up to arguably the most thrilling game KU has played all season. Also, Durant again deserves a gold star. Incredible line - 37 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks - with NBA stars Tyson Chandler and Chris Paul oohing and aahing from the front row behind the scorer's table.

Hopefully you didn't miss it...

The entire aftermath of the game seemed like a great moment for no one more than Darnell Jackson. With everything the KU junior has been through in the last year, his mother was four rows behind the Jayhawk bench, watching her son put the final stamp on KU's second conference championship in a week. He began to cry afterwards, getting hugs and words from all of his teammates in a game played in his hometown. A great day for one of KU's elder statesmen.

They said it...

Bill Self on this year's team entering the tournament as opposed to last year's: "Last year, we were the youngest team in the field of 65. I'm so proud of those guys last year in winning the league and winning the tournament, but that's not enough at KU, and I understand that. I think we're better equipped. There's no guarantee of success, but I think we're better equipped this year. I think we'll be able to handle distractions better.

Bill Self on Sherron Collins' performance: "We had no chance to win unless he was really good today, and he was fabulous. And he had that one week where he went stale and couldn't make a basket, but today the game was his, and I love it when he's in attack mode like that.

Bill Self on Kansas State getting the NCAA Tourney snub: "It's not surprising at all that Texas Tech got in. They deserve to get in. I think it was disappointing that Kansas State didn't get in, from a league standpoint. I've said all along that I thought K-State deserved to be in, and they played their way in...From the outside looking in, from my perspective, this league this year had the coach that won the 880th game, all-time record, had the best player in the country, had the most clutch player in the country, who's different than the best player, it also had KU-Texas, Texas-Oklahoma State, A&M-Texas, that were probably three of the five best games in college basketball this year, and you don't get four teams. To me a team 10-6 in our league, if you watch us play, how could a 10-6 team not get in? We had that two years ago with Colorado. Whatever we need to do as a league and as coaches to improve scheduling and help with conference RPI, whatever it is, we need to look into doing it because this is ridiculous."

Darnell Jackson on his late block of D.J. Augustin: "I just told myself if he drives, just jump straight up in the air and try to get the ball, don't bring my arm down to foul him. I just wanted to tape it, didn't want to hit it hard, because they would get it back."

Darnell Jackson on his emotions getting the better of him after the final horn: "It's just because everytime I go out and play I play for my grandma and my mom. Everything they've been through, I lost my grandma in a car wreck, and my mom's still suffering injuries from the car wreck, I tell myself everytime I go out there I'm going to play for my mom, my grandma and coach Self. They helped me get through a lot through last season and this season."

Julian Wright on playing in the NCAA Tournament in his hometown: "It's cool, but it's more than just going home. It's going and trying to take care of business."

Mario Chalmers on coming back on Texas again: "We looked at the scoreboard, it was kind of like the game at Lawrence, they weren't missing many shots in the first half, and we just kept thinking they can't stay hot like this...We knew that we did it once before, figured they weren't going to make shots all night. We've got a lot of warriors on this team. We've got a lot of fighters."

Russell Robinson on hitting the two late game-clinching free throws: "Shots you just have to it. You've been practicing them all year. Championship on the line, you've just got to buckle down and find some way to make 'em."

Brandon Rush on the close nature of Sunday's game: "It was down to the wire, but I think we need these types of games right now, because these are the types of games we're going to face in the tournament."

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Comments

fabolous_bg (anonymous) says...

Wow...what a game! I can't wait until next week. Way to go Hawks!!

March 11, 2007 at 8:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

planohawkfan (anonymous) says...

did anyone else see the offensive foul on kansas with 6:05 left in the second?

texas got a 1 and 1 off of it.

I thought that you can't shot free throws off of an offensive foul.

was anyone else wondering?

March 11, 2007 at 9:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JNgohawks (anonymous) says...

I thought Julian was from chicago?

March 11, 2007 at 9:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JNgohawks (anonymous) says...

planohawkfan, we were already over the foul limit

March 11, 2007 at 9:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rohdek (Kyle Rohde) says...

He is. We play in Chicago next weekend. Hopefully he and Sherron play better than they did when we were in Chicago to play DePaul.

March 11, 2007 at 9:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ralsterKUMed95 (anonymous) says...

WOW! What a gritty, determined effort. KU proved a lot of different things tonight--toughness, focus (look at the FT %) and the greatest of "team" wins. EVERY player of ours did something key, even Sasha and Darrell, who both can attest to the physicality of this win. With Mario out, Russell hit a BIG jumper late and 2 clutch free throws... Darnell's toughness and key block, and 100% FT shooting... Key stat in 2nd half showed KU Bench points: 20 and TX: 3. The way we split our minutes, consider us having 8 starters, each bringing his own separate, complimentary piece. No more hollering about Sherron vs. Russell--Instead it is #3 AND #15 AND #4, etc...their minutes are not that different--I like 'em all.
The greatest comeback in the history of KU Basketball...we ALL should be proud of the heart in these young men!! We watched the 4th qtr/OT with tears of joy, trembling with all the adrenaline and overflowing Jayhawk pride! Take it as far as you can, guys! And my utmost respect to Coach Self for orchestrating such an ego-less team. I am thrilled to be 100% behind Coach & the team, win or not. I know we all want more in the Big Dance, but that phrase about stopping to savor the roses along the way--what a golden bouquet these 2 games vs TX...

March 11, 2007 at 9:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kevbo (anonymous) says...

Woohoo!

March 11, 2007 at 9:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fansincewilt (anonymous) says...

The foul came after the basket by Chalmers. The basket counted, so the call was not a player control foul or the players would not have been awarded a free throw. The only way that the basket by Mario could count was that he had already released the ball. I think it is a bogus call. It should have never been called but since it was and the ball had already been released, the free throws had to be awarded.

March 11, 2007 at 9:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

trueBlueFan (anonymous) says...

planohawkfan, I was wondering the same thing at first, but if you noticed, i think they gave chalmers the basket anyway. I believe they called it something else other than a "player control" foul, since it was after the shot or something. but if i'm wrong anyone, please let me know because that was a confusing turn of events.

March 11, 2007 at 10:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

yates33333 (anonymous) says...

If you expect a game to be refereed accurately at this time of the year you better watch soccer. The only thing more frustrating than the refereeing is the announcing. They are both hard jobs, but announcing pays better.

March 11, 2007 at 10:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rushlover22 (anonymous) says...

I absolutely love Darnell Jackson. What a sweetheart. He's gone through so much. He's such great guy. Great game for the team. Great win!! For once, the boys did good on free throws. I'm excited for the Big Dance. One game at a time boys let's go!! rock chalk jayhawks!!!!

March 11, 2007 at 10:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

isolve4x (anonymous) says...

I just can't say enough about how exciting and fun these guys are to watch! And to play through such adversity (again) makes me believe in them even more! Everybody stepped up like a champion today!

I'm so happy for Darnell, and WOW what great recognition of the situation to block that shot and then grab it. A lot of guys would have swatted it into the stands.

Congrats guys!! Savor this for just a little bit!! You definitely earned it! See you in the big dance!

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

moorobs5 (anonymous) says...

I want Fraschilla to announce all our games in the tournament. We have won all the games he has covered this season. Go Hawks. My tape ran out with 40 sec in regulation but I think I figured out from the articles.

March 11, 2007 at 10:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

97jhawk (anonymous) says...

I thought the single game record high for an individual player was during a Big XII tourney game was 38pts? Idiot Ron Franklin made the same stupid comment during the game coverage. Saying Durant supposedly got the record with 36pts at that time. So guys, might wanna go back and check your stats on that one. Pretty sure the record is 38 and Durant didn't get it with 37.

March 11, 2007 at 10:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BigTamale (anonymous) says...

ku will play friday at 6:10 pm

March 11, 2007 at 10:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CasperCorps (anonymous) says...

Great fricken game!!! Its almost impossible to single out an MVP in the game. Everyone was clutch... Keep up the defense guys and were gonna do well in the tourney..Rockem Hawks....

March 11, 2007 at 11:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kc_wildfire (anonymous) says...

Big 12 Single Game Tournament Scoring Record is 38 points by Marcus Fizer in 2000.

Durant did get the record for most points in a Big 12 Tournament w/ 92 points, bettering Fizer's 79.

Keep it going Hawks!!!

March 11, 2007 at 11:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

dagger108 (anonymous) says...

Did I hear correctly that RR got the cold virus that had hit DA earlier? Makes his late game performance all the more significant.

March 11, 2007 at 11:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Strikewso (anonymous) says...

Durant's performances against Kansas will NEVER be compared to Peyton Manning's games against Florida. Durant carried his team in both games and was a star in every sense. Texas never would have been close without him.

March 12, 2007 at 12:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

Durant has shown against the Hawks that he is one of the best freshmen ever to play college basketball. Having said that, Strikewso is right, he is not Peyton Manning against Florida. Against Florida Peyton always choked. Durant actually raised his game against the Hawks. Still, this win proves that KU has a great TEAM rather than one or two great individuals.

When the first half seemed to be spinning out of control, Julian kept the TEAM in it. When they started making their first run in the first half, Mario got the TEAM going. During the second half push, Sherron led the TEAM's charge. After Durant was going crazy, Brandon led the TEAM defense to stifle him. With the game in doubt, Mario sent the TEAM to overtime (huge shot by the way). After Mario fouled out, RussRob hit two big free throws (and a big time jumper) to keep the TEAM on top. Then it was Darnell's turn to preserve the TEAM win with a block (the most fundamentally sound play I have seen in a while) and two perfect free throws to close out a perfect day at the line for DJ. That's a TEAM win if I have ever seen one. Even Sasha and Darrell contributed in limited minutes.

Great defense and balanced scoring will lead this TEAM to the promised land.

March 12, 2007 at 8:12 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

phoenixjayhawk (Rodney Stice) says...

Great win!!!
I was reading a sports clip on yahoo about predicting the winning team. The so called expert picked UCLA to beat KU to reach the final four, and then beat one of the Texas teams.

He stated that KU allows big leads early all of the time, and UCLA's defence would not allow them to come back to win.

This person must have only seen 2 games that KU played. I watched KU play almost every game. I also watched the Pac-10 play every weekend (i live in phoenix, az). I watch basketball monday thru sunday.

The Pac-10 is a much weaker conference top to bottom. I do not see UCLA making it out of the second round. I do want KU to play them in San Jose, CA and kick their butts like the team did against Arizona in '03.

Keep on winning!! 6 games left.

March 12, 2007 at 11:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

phoenixjayhawk (Rodney Stice) says...

The sports writer name is Dan Wetzel. here is the site:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news?sl...

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

March 12, 2007 at 11:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

countryjayhawk (anonymous) says...

wow what a great story Darnell Jackson is, instead of Roy getting emotional, we have Darnell, i like that seeing that though. Kind of looking ahead his senior day should be something special. Thats awsome though, he plays for 3 people, his grandmother, his mom, and Coach Self.

March 12, 2007 at 4:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )