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Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Rush might play Thursday

By Gary Bedore

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Rush not ruled out against Washburn

Don't rule out KU basketball star Brandon Rush for Thursday's contest against Washburn.

Don't be surprised if Brandon Rush makes his season debut on Thursday against Washburn.

"I won't announce if he'll play or not," KU coach Bill Self said before Wednesday's practice. "That'll probably be a game-time decision as football coaches put it. He's close to playing in games, yes," Self added.

Rush, who had right ACL surgery on June 1, and has been practicing full go with contact a couple weeks, said he's "ready. It's up to coach, whatever coach says. I'm dying to play. I told them that and they know I'm ready to play."

Rush said the doctors also gave him the OK. "They said I can go," Rush said.

Self as of mid afternoon had received signed letters of intent from Marcus and Markieff Morris, 6-foot-8 and 6-10 twin brothers from Philadelphia, who attend APEX Academies (prep school) in New Jersey, as well as Mario Little 6-5, sophomore from Chipola (Fla.) Community College. Letters of intent also will be coming from Quintrell Thomas, 6-8, St. Patrick High, Elizabeth, N.J., and Travis Releford, 6-5, Roeland Park Miege.

Bill Self on the three signees: "We have always liked to recruit interchangeable parts," Self said. "These three signees are all versatile players that can play multiple positions on the floor. All can post. All have good ball handling skills and all have great length."

Bill Self on the Morris twins: "We feel Marcus and Markieff Morris are two of the most underrated players in the country. Both twins are very skilled as they can both shoot the ball with range and also have an inside game. Markieff is a big forward that can play either spot on your front line. He is a very good low post player. Marcus is a very skilled, do-everything wing when he has the ball. He is a tall perimeter player that can also go inside. The twins experienced great success in high school having won two state championships (2006, 2007) and have been very well coached by Dan Brinkley at Prep Charter."

Bill Self on Mario Little: "Mario is a versatile guard who can play the wing or he could be a two guard. He's a very good scorer and he will bring an element of toughness to our program. With coach Greg Heiar, Chipola plays a very similar style to that we do and he has been very well drilled in his stay at Chipola."

For more on these stories, pick up tomorrow's Journal-World and log back onto KUSports.com.

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Comments

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

A great game to get his legs back under him. I hope to see him on the hard woods. 10+ minutes would be great... 8 points, 4 boards, a steal and a block.

Sounds great, no?

November 14, 2007 at 3:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

DocBean (anonymous) says...

If I were Brandon I'd be dying to get back out there against a team like Washburn. Stats matter when it comes down to Player of the Year nominations, and with Collins out he could put up some good numbers tomorrow night without needing to play a lot of minutes.

If Brandon wants to jump up the list in the eyes of the pro Scouts he needs to be in the running for player of the year, and they need to see that he can recover from injury quickly.

November 14, 2007 at 3:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Teapot9 (anonymous) says...

I dont like the sound of this one bit. This is way too soon in my opinion. I think he should hold off until Jan 1. at the earliest.

November 14, 2007 at 3:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

billiken_hawk (anonymous) says...

January 1? that sounds a little extreme... I would say until Dec 1 as planned at the latest. If the docs say he is good to go, then why not? He isnt going to be putting up monster stats right away anyway. this is going to mostly be trying to get his rhythm back. You don't realize how antsy he'd be by Jan 1 if he is perfectly heathy. If it was me, I would go.

November 14, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hometownhawk (anonymous) says...

Well, Teapot9, seeing as how you don't preface this comment by revealing your true identity as Rush's doctor or Coach Self, you really don't have all the facts needed to make that decision. I agree with your sentiment that there's no reason to hurry him along at all, but the coaches and medical staff are well aware of that fact, and will do what's best for Brandon in the long run. If he's ready to go, he's ready to go.

November 14, 2007 at 3:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

killabees (anonymous) says...

Self and the medical staff aren't going to rush Rush back before he's ready. It's bad for Rush, and bad for the team.

Let him get a few minutes here and there to build up to game speed and improve his confidence about playing on his knee.

Especially against a team where Rush doesn't feel a whole lot of pressure to perform.

November 14, 2007 at 3:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bdsnook (anonymous) says...

No way I would play Brandon tomorrow. We cannot afford a slip-up after Sherron going lame. Be conservative, Bill, and rest Brandon up a couple more weeks!

November 14, 2007 at 3:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

afilmer (anonymous) says...

why are there people wanting to sit brandon when the doctors say he can play? the docs are not comprimising his recovery by signing off on his knee, they are announcing his recovery.

the only reasons b-rush should be sitting on the bench:
1) he is not in b-ball shape
2) we are giving garbage time to the walk-ons
3) he has fouled out
4) he can't find his uniform

his knee is healed. let's go get 'em b-rush.

November 14, 2007 at 3:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

97jhawk (anonymous) says...

The KU medical staff has the player's best intentions in mind. There's no way Coach Self would sacrifice the guy's whole season if it was too early. Self is fully aware of the risks if B-rush was brought back too soon. You know B-rush's well being is numero uno and the rest falls into place after that. Besides, Self knows he has a better chance of getting that "ring" if Rush can play the entire season. I'm sure the main reason to put him in a game like this is because the competition won't be too stiff and he won't have to play extremely hard. He can kinda ease into it and see how his knee reacts after playing a few minues in a real game situation. I say throw him in for a few minutes and see what happens. Have him come off the bench though. Get the score up about 15pts and then have him throw off the warm-ups and see what rhythm he might be out of....but I'm no coach.

November 14, 2007 at 4:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ChiJayhawk21 (anonymous) says...

If he's ready... he's ready. Good luck Brandon!

I am more worried about playing SoCal without Collins. Mayo is the real deal and it's in L.A.!

November 14, 2007 at 4:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

Rush probably won't play the type of minutes that we are used to from him until January anyway, because he needs to get in shape and get used to the contact/pace of the game again after five months of sitting and watching and running on a treadmill, or playing with limited contact.

He also has to learn to trust his knee again, something that will take some time. If he's ready to get a few minutes against Washburn, he should get them.

November 14, 2007 at 4:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

I wouldn't play Brandon simply because it's Washburn... and we don't need him, yet... and it's an ACL injury. If you all-trusting geniuses think that the doctors are always right, you have some serious gullibility issues you need to deal with.

Every extra week Brandon gets to get stronger just helps the odds of him avoiding another injury a little more.

November 14, 2007 at 4:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hometownhawk (anonymous) says...

Sorry Dr. Lebowski, didn't know you had such a leg up on the medical profession. Could I make you my PCP since you know more than the doctors?

November 14, 2007 at 4:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

I'm not really all-trusting, and I've never even been remotely close to being a genius, but I'm going to go ahead and trust the docs on this one for one simple reason: If Brandon goes out there not ready and re-injures himself, it's Doc's A$$ both financially and professionally.

This isn't 40-50 yrs ago when the doctor/trainer could just throw a player back out there whenever without fear of reprimand; this is the age of litigation, and believe-you-me that no doctor with even half a brain is gonna let a player get back on that court unless he is 100% sure that player is 100% ready.

November 14, 2007 at 4:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ku_fan25 (anonymous) says...

i think he should wait a little longer but i also think it would be okay to play if he gets limited time like maybe 10-15 mins that would be fine by me and if the doc says hes good then thats good with me

November 14, 2007 at 4:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mikeowens (anonymous) says...

I agree with teapot9 and everyone else who says Rush shouldn't be anywhere near the court against Washburn.

What is the point? Games don't matter until January. Start using him at the beginning of December in limited minutes and let him get his wood legs under him gradually. Then he'll be ready for league play.

November 14, 2007 at 4:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

RckChalkJeff (anonymous) says...

Hey Lebowski,

Think of how strong Brandon would be if he just sits out the rest of the year!!!!

Rush said the doctors also gave him the OK. "They said I can go," Rush said.

Sounds like he can play...if they want...sorry Dr. Lebowski

November 14, 2007 at 4:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

killabees (anonymous) says...

hometown- could I get some of that PCP too?

ChiJay- don't worry, that crowd in LA will be a Kansas crowd.

November 14, 2007 at 5:08 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CasperCorps (anonymous) says...

He wasn't planning on being here anyways so any minutes we get from him is just bonus..

November 14, 2007 at 5:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkjim80 (anonymous) says...

While I think it is great that he is ahead of schedule, and may be about ready, I would also sit him against Washburn, for the following reasons -

1 - We don't need him for this game. I know he wouldn't play a lot anyway, but this is the type of game that we need to see more of the young guys and other reserves, and see what they got. Any stats he puts up for this game won't be looked at positively since we are playing a D-2 school.
2 - By sitting him for this game, you allow him another six days to get ready for the next game against Northern Arizona, and then another three days before we play Arizona. By this time he will start building the minutes back up.

Let's not rush things, no pun intended.

By the way, is Saturday sold out yet? It better be soon, if not already.

November 14, 2007 at 5:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kerbyd (anonymous) says...

I have been a registered nurse for 24 years, working specifically with orthopedic type injuries. The trainers, physical therapists and docs know a hell of a lot more about it then you yahoos. He has as much or more chance of getting hurt in practice as he does in a game and he is going full contact in practice. Leave it to the pros.

November 14, 2007 at 6:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

lalawguy (anonymous) says...

I am so impressed that there are so many KU fans that are doctors! I have to agree that if Self feels comfortable returning Rush against Washburn, then Rush must be doing well. Why else would we bring him back for such a (relatively speaking) insignificant game?

I did not get a medical degree from the KU Med Center (or anywhere for that matter), but I trust the doctors if they are clearing Rush to play. Let's just hope that Sherron has a speedy recovery, and that the rest of the Jayhawks stay healthy for the entire season!

November 14, 2007 at 7:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmkjayhawk (anonymous) says...

It's not that we're doctors (obviously), it's just that we are all very aware of how important Brandon Rush is to the potential successes of the University of Kansas men's basketball team this season, and no one wants to take a chance.

November 14, 2007 at 8:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

supermario15 (anonymous) says...

only reason to let BR play vs Washburn is to get him as well conditioned as they can for the Arizona game

November 14, 2007 at 8:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

wincojhawk (anonymous) says...

Rust never sleeps...Rush must go!

November 14, 2007 at 8:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kylecisnum1 (anonymous) says...

do what it takes i guess. id hate to see him for longer than 10 minutes though, especially against washburn, since this is a lot sooner than expected. thats aweseome to hear the recovery has gone so smoothly! my attention for basketball has been lost right now due to the success of the football team.

November 14, 2007 at 9:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

tdub (anonymous) says...

afilmer, you hit my thoughts right on the head! His knee is fine, it has been physically sound for awhile now, he's just trying to fight through the atropy and fatigue of his leg muscles to get back into game shape. Let him play against wimps like WU to prep him for the big-time foes.

jayhawkjim, all of the games are sold out for the season, the extra tickets are those returned by the visitors that haven't been sold by KU yet.

November 14, 2007 at 10:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Yahweh (anonymous) says...

Dear Santa:
I have one early wish for an X-mas present.

'Ol "Bee Arr" back in action Thursday.

I can't wait to see how well Brandon (hopefully) will play!!! I hope he can jump back into the swing of things. His strongest point has always been his mid- to long-range jumper. I assume since his ACL injury he has only gotten better at the: 1. Pop, 2. Shot, 3. Drop routine. I don't expect him to cut the opposing defenses like construction paper quite yet with his drives, but I have the feeling that his fundamentals will have improved some. I hope he worked on his left hand a bit whilest in his tiger-yellow jersey. We need to get him out of that cowardly yellow shirt before it tears the ACL of his soul.

Go Biggest Blue!
Go KU!

November 14, 2007 at 10:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kulove (anonymous) says...

here's the deal.... the doctors gave him clearance to play, let him play, his knee isn't going to get any stronger practicing or whatever everone else thinks he needs to be doing. let him get his timing back, Selfs biggest concern, and ease back into playing DI bball with a pud opponent, apparently everyone would like for him to sit on the bench till the arizona game and then go out there and score 30, thats unrealistic and kinda idiotic

November 14, 2007 at 11:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

didjabuti (anonymous) says...

Does anybody remember a few years ago when Washburn had a really good squad and played us really close? Like 79-70 or something? Being out on the east coast I can't say I have any idea of what Washburn is doing but growing up in Topeka I always feel that every year they have a chance to have a great team. I'm just saying that we all expect Washburn to be pud team cause they're Div II-A, but if the Hawks aren't ready and this is one of their up years the first half at least could be interesting. The Bod's always play us hard and want to win even when it's an exhibition. They may not be quite A-Sun level, but they're probably not far off and can draw on all the recent upsets for motivation. This post probably has the wrong tone. I'm still expecting a Hawks win like everybody else. But bottom line, this is a good game for Rush to come back in as long as he's healthy. He'll be able to get some good minutes against quality competition and the coaches can get a good guage of where he is. Ok, I better stop before I reach jaybate length.

November 15, 2007 at 12:23 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkAZ (anonymous) says...

the initial return time was December 1st, with a month on either side. That's what Self has been telling us from the start. If I'm not mistaken, we're in that time slot right now. If the doctors say he's good to go, then he should go.

November 15, 2007 at 12:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KanKu (anonymous) says...

"That'll probably be a game-time decision as football coaches put it."

Uh oh, looks like 100 converted someone. 100, are you happy now. Tard.

November 15, 2007 at 1:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

yahweh, that comment about the "ACL of the soul" is priceless. I'm going to hang on to that one for a long time... I'm still laughing! Oh, make it stop. My side hurts.

Keep up the good work! Rock Chalk~

November 15, 2007 at 9:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )