Boschee’s allegiance firmly with Jayhawks

By Gary Bedore     Mar 18, 2009

Nick Krug
Barstow head coach Jeff Boschee, a former standout at Kansas University, gets after his team in the locker room during halftime of the Barstow School's 64-33 victory over Seabury Academy. Boschee is in his first year as head coach of the Knights.

Native North Dakotan Jeff Boschee is thrilled North Dakota State University has advanced to the NCAA Tournament in its first year of Div. I postseason eligibility.

“I was excited when they won their conference tournament and was hoping they’d upset somebody (in NCAAs). After I saw they were playing KU … I don’t want them to upset anybody,” former Kansas University shooting guard Boschee said with a laugh.

The most prolific three-point shooter in KU history has a bunch of buddies who attended N.D. State, which is located in Fargo, just 55 miles from Boschee’s childhood home of Valley City.

“Right when they announced it (on Sunday), I got some texts from friends who went to school there and live in Minneapolis now,” Boschee said of the site of Friday’s 11:30 a.m. battle between KU and the Bison.

“They’re talking about how it’ll be a home game (for Bison). I read somewhere they sold 12,000 seats in the first two or three hours. A lot of people in North Dakota are excited, especially since it’s their first time in the Big Dance.”

Boschee, who has a 43-9 record in his two seasons as boys basketball coach at The Barstow (Mo.) School, was recruited a bit by N.D. State. As a high Div. I prospect, however, he never considered N.D. State or University of North Dakota, where his brother, Mike, starred.

“Other than going to their camp, I have no ties to the school (N.D. State),” said Boschee, named Mr. North Dakota Basketball in 1998. “I think KU will be fine. They (Bison) have fifth-year seniors and one really good guard.

“KU has many guards and Cole (Aldrich) in the middle. We need to match their intensity because you know North Dakota State will be fired up and ready to go. I’m sure coach (Bill) Self will have them focused after the Baylor game (last Thursday’s loss) and play with intensity like they did in every single game they won.”

Boschee who is KU’s career leader in three points made (338), has fallen to No. 2 on the Big 12’s all-time charts.

Texas shooting guard A.J. Abrams passed Boschee late this season.

“It was inevitable it (would) get broken. He’s a great shooter and has the green light. He’s an excellent player,” Boschee said of Abrams.

Boschee, 29, not only is a high school coach, but also runs the Jeff Boschee Basketball Academy. He holds camps throughout the state of Kansas.

He will marry KU grad Jamie Simpson in August. For information on The Jeff Boschee Basketball Academy, check the Web site jboscheeacademy.com.

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