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2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

Friday, March 28, 2008

‘Nova yardstick for Robinson

By Tom Keegan

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Detroit — It would be difficult to find two situations much more different from Russell Robinson as a freshman at Kansas University and Russell Robinson as a senior.

If things stay that way through tonight, Robinson will be flashing that trademark smile.

Robinson spent most of his freshman year on the bench, sometimes sulking. As a senior, he's a third-year starter praised for his consistent team-first attitude.

The Villanova game, a 83-62 loss in blizzard-bombarded Philadelphia, typified his freshman season.

Robinson hopes tonight's Midwest regional semifinal game in Ford Field typifies his senior season.

"It wasn't a great experience," Robinson said, looking back on the Villanova game of three seasons ago. "If I remember correctly, that game sent my freshman year down into a spiral. ... We lost by 21. That was the first time getting back to the East Coast, playing in front of my mom and dad. I didn't feel I played as much as I should have played, and when I did play, I didn't play well. So I had a little attitude about that game. I was close to home and didn't play well, and to top everything off we got snowed in."

Robinson played five minutes and had three turnovers in that last meeting.

The college experience is all about growing up.

Why should it be any different for basketball players? It isn't.

The maturation process is full of highs and lows, and for Robinson, the Villanova game was a low point.

"Everything happens for a reason," Robinson said. "That freshman year made me a better player and a better person off the court, and I'm really grateful for that."

Robinson said his parents, Russell and Theresa Robinson, who were in attendance for Senior Day, will not make the trip to Detroit.

"I don't know why," Robinson said. "I guess that will be motivation for me to make sure they are able to see me play again."

It's motivation to get to San Antonio for the Final Four.

As is common for a freshman, Robinson was open to the idea of transferring for a time and decided to stay at Kansas.

"I didn't want to be known as a quitter," he said. "It's been everything I thought it would be times 10. It's been a great college experience. I'm able to do something special now and make the most out of it."

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Comments

KUDAD (anonymous) says...

I was at that Philadelphia game. It was a set-up. Under the floor was the ice for hockey games, the air was intensely humid with the heavy snow starting about the time the doors opened, and the KU players slid and slipped on the condensation such that it wasn't worth getting injured in a non-conference contest just days after the conference season had started. Why Villanova didn't slip around like we did, I can't answer, except that they had more chances to experience that and may have made a shoe switch.

As far as this Ford Field venue, I hope the players can feel like they are just playing on an outdoor court, and not let the cavernous surroundings bother them.

March 28, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KU (anonymous) says...

We've got to win tonight for the Seniors. We can't have their first college loss to Villanova and their LAST college loss to Villanova. Can we?

March 28, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Great point, KU. Talk about a potentially painful paradox. Apropos alliteration aside, I think we will be okay tonight :o)

March 28, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kataboom (anonymous) says...

dont be afraid ye of little faith. i expect a blowout. all cylinders are firing for ku in my book & no one from philly, not even rocky, is gonna be able to take the whipping the jayhawks have planned for tonight.

rock chalk jayhawk.

March 28, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

leikness (anonymous) says...

Stinks his parents can't make it. I really don't know and am just putting this out there, but is it because of financial reasons? If so, that's one area I think the NCAA could improve, allowing schools to pay for parent's flights for a specified number of games a year. Is that unreasonable?

March 28, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhwk5288 (anonymous) says...

leikness...i agree
i would want my parents there if it was me and if it was financial, I think that it would be completely reasonable to pay for parents trips to games...especially tourney games like this one.

rock chalk jayhawk

ku 86 Vnova-70

March 28, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

And speaking of paying people to go to games, apparently Davidson is paying for nearly 20% of their student body to go to the game in Detoit.

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebask...

March 28, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

leikness (anonymous) says...

I thought KU should have done the same thing for the OB

March 28, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

j_leib (anonymous) says...

leikness - I thought they pretty much did. Didn't they buy down something like 7000 student tickets from $125 to $50? Granted it's not "free" but you can get tickets to the Detroit games for $25.

Also, love Russell's comments about not being a quitter. Hope they ask Padgett about it if we face Louisville or RoyBoy if we face Carolina!

March 28, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

Of for God sake, give Padgett a break! He did nothing wrong, and I'm sick of people harping on him. It would be tough for anyone to put up with the ridiculous amount of cr*p he got for basically playing like a freshman--and a pretty good one at that. I'm glad that Padgett has done well at Louisville.

March 28, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

easyfive (anonymous) says...

I could not believe it was the students that ran Padgett out of town. You always hate to see a jhawk fall out of the nest. But i think he was pushed.

March 28, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ralsterKUMed95 (anonymous) says...

All I remember is Padgett saying he wanted to be more of a "face the basket/shooting forward type of player". He apparently knew nothing about Bill Self's High/Low offense--ask DJack and Shady if there are opportunities to hit face-up jumpshots in this offense! I never understood his stated rationale...but who cares now.
Go Hawks! And thank you Russell for staying, and everything you mean to this team--I hope you get your dream of a National Championship. This alum is proud of you regardless!

March 29, 2008 at 12:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

Yeah, I admit the rationale he gave didn't make sense. And who knows the exact reason(s). But if someone's not happy in a place, they're getting a huge amount of flack from so-called "fans," and they're not playing for the coach who recruited them, they should have every right to leave, and the fans should wish them well.

March 29, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )