Photo Gallery

KU vs. Washington

Brady dandy

Kansas University coach Bill Self credited sophomore Brady Morningstar for his work on the back line of KU’s 2-3 zone defense.

“To me, Brady was the unsung hero,” Self said, adding that Morningstar (five assists, no turnovers) also “did a great job feeding the post.”

Eight men used

Self basically used a seven-man rotation, with Quintrell Thomas netting six minutes as the eighth man.

“We stuck to seven. We’ll shorten it,” Self said of the rotation, “although it could be different guys — Travis (Releford), Conner (Teahan), whoever on a given night.”

Charging

KU was called for several charging fouls on the night.

“We’re out of control, like a runaway train,” Self said.

Sweet swat

Tyshawn Taylor had a vicious block of Isaiah Thomas on a first-half breakaway layup try.

“I was mad because I just turned it over. I took my anger out on the ball,” Taylor said with a smile.

KU vs. Cuse

KU will face Syracuse and standout guard Jonny Flynn tonight. Game time is 9:15 p.m., or 30 minutes after the 6:45 p.m. game between Florida and Washington.

“People say they have the best guard in the country. I’m not arguing that. I think our guy (Sherron Collins) is pretty good, too,” Self said.

It’s a rematch of the 2003 NCAA final, which Syracuse won.

“I’ll mention something to our team about that, but they were in seventh or eighth grade at the time,” Self said, indicating, “this will be a great early-season game for both of us.”

Awards

KU athletic director Lew Perkins at halftime was presented the first Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Civic Giant Award. The award goes to “a leader who has been a good friend to Kansas City and who has made a lasting and healthy difference in our community at large.”

Also, in partnership with the National Association of Basketball Coaches, Werner Ladder presented KU coach Self a pair of ladders in honor of KU’s 2008 NCAA title. One ladder, used to cut down the championship nets in San Antonio, was given to Self. A second ladder was signed by Self and will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to Self’s Assists Foundation.