Kevin Young guns (and runs and rebounds and passes and … )

Kansas forward Kevin Young is supported by teammate Elijah Johnson as he comes down with a rebound before Texas Tech center Robert Lewandowski during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 at United Spirit Arena.

Kansas University junior basketball forward Kevin Young — who sat out last season while working as a student assistant coach at Barstow (Calif.) Community College and earning his associate degree at San Bernardino CC — says he’s had no problem re-adjusting to the demands of major-college basketball.

“I think I’ve been fine,” Young said, issuing an emphatic “no” when asked if he’s come close to hitting the proverbial wall this comeback season. “Conditioning has not been a problem for me.”

Young — who combined for six points and three rebounds while playing 23 minutes in Big 12-opening victories over Kansas State and Oklahoma — scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds while logging 21 minutes in Wednesday’s 81-46 rout of Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.

“I thought he played well. He was the best player off the bench, without question,” KU coach Bill Self said after his Jayhawks improved to 13-3 overall and 3-0 in the league.

“He put the ball down and got it to Thomas (Robinson) for an easy basket. I thought he locked in and played well. It was one of his better games.”

Young, who played two seasons at Loyola Marymount before last year’s layoff, scored 14 points and grabbed four rebounds in 24 minutes in a 78-67 win over Ohio State on Dec. 10 in Allen Fieldhouse. He had 13 points and seven boards in a 100-54 home win over Towson on Nov. 11.

“I just see it as a good game,” Young said of Wednesday. “I think I played a lot better. There’s always room for improvement. We’re just all trying to keep the team as successful as we can.”

Young likes the fact KU won back-to-back games at Oklahoma and Tech after a home victory over Kansas State.

“It was a victory we needed,” he said of Wednesday’s rout. “These road games ... they mean a lot. We need to take them one at a time and get as many as we can.”

Young has high expectations for a KU team that plays host to Iowa State at 3 p.m. Saturday.

“We need to get better — a lot better,” Young said. “I think we are still trying to find ourselves as a team a little bit. If we work out the edges, the sharp edges, we’ll be good.”

Young said he’s feeling positive about his role.

“I am fine with the minutes I get,” said Young, who has averaged 4.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 10.9 minutes per game in 15 games. “Coach knows what he is doing. Like I said before, he played the game, and he’s coached a long time. He knows what he is doing.”

One-game suspension for Petteway: Texas Tech coach Billy Gillispie on Thursday announced a one-game suspension of freshman Terran Petteway.

The 6-foot-6 guard/forward from Galveston, Texas, was ejected for throwing a punch that connected with KU’s Conner Teahan in Wednesday’s game. The foul was a Flagrant 2 foul, which, per NCAA rules, is cause for ejection from a game.

“No one could have a greater appreciation for playing hard more than I do,” Gillispie said. “Our success will be determined by playing hard at the highest level. However, we do not and will never condone an emotional outburst of the physical nature like what happened last night. We will learn how to compete extremely hard in a sportsmanlike manner and represent the Red Raiders in a way of class. That being said, Terran knew he acted wrongly and was immediately apologetic. He understands that he must suffer the consequences for his actions. We will all use this as learning experience and move forward in a positive way.”

Petteway will miss Saturday’s game at Texas A&M.

More on Wednesday’s road blowout: The 46 points allowed were second-fewest allowed by KU in a Big 12 game in the nine-year Self era. KU surrendered 45 versus Colorado (69-45) on Feb. 16, 2008, in Allen; 46 to Nebraska (92-46) on Feb. 17, 2007 in Allen; 46 to Colorado (75-46) on Feb. 14, 2007, in Boulder; and 46 to Missouri (79-46) on Feb. 18, 2006 in Allen. ... The 35-point win over Texas Tech was not only the biggest league road win for KU in the Self era, but biggest overall for KU since a 58-22 win over Missouri on Feb. 23, 1910 in Columbia. ... It was KU’s biggest overall win on the road since a 39-point decision over SMU (97-58) on Jan. 7, 1995, in Dallas. ... The 35-point road-win tied a conference record for margin of victory. Oklahoma State beat Texas A&M, 100-65 on Jan. 3, 1998 in Stillwater.

Fans up for honor: KU’s student section has been nominated for the Naismith Student Section of the Year Award. Fans can vote for KU at facebook.com/ILoveCollegeHoops. The Naismith Student Section of the Year Award is presented through a partnership of The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) and Atlanta Tipoff Club. It is “dedicated to celebrating fans that love college hoops and provide support to their college basketball team with devotion and passion.”

“We’ve known for a long time that KU’s student section is the best in the country,” KU’s Self said in a release. “It would be neat if our fans visited the I Love College Hoops Facebook page and make sure our students win this award.”

The Naismith Student Section of the Year Award will be determined through two rounds of public votes, combined with voting by the Naismith Awards Board of Selectors. About 80 schools representing 21 conferences are vying for the title.

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dw3c 1 year, 4 months ago

Muck Fizzou

GBJayhawk 1 year, 4 months ago

I think that they ought to poll the various announcers that come in to do games at AFH. They've seen lots of arenas, the student sections, felt the atmospheres... Almost every time I watch a game, if it's someone who hasn't been there or isn't used to AFH, they ALWAYS comment on the incredible energy and atmosphere. THERE IS NO PLACE BETTER FOR HOOPS, ANYWHERE!!!

Hilton Magic? Pifff. Octagon of Gloom? Please, take me to the library for some noise! Mizzou? What's that smell?? Is there a feedlot around here??

Rock the Chalk, Folks!!

baldwinjhawk 1 year, 4 months ago

The Octagon of Douche wasn't even sold out for Mizzou. Pathetic

BleedCandB 1 year, 4 months ago

Or Baylor. I bet the KU game is the last sell out for the year in Mancrappin. Just goes to show that their fans really do care more about KU losing than their own team winning. That's no way for a top 25 program to act. Sad days over there.

ralster 1 year, 4 months ago

Sherrontagon-o-gloom. He ripped their purple pussy hearts out. I give Sherron props...

rrockchalk 1 year, 4 months ago

Hmm.. Dean Smith center?..or maybe Rupp? Those are nice KU alums- but lets go with Naismith Court and Allen Fieldhouse!

Alohahawk 1 year, 4 months ago

I guess Hawaii isn't a state. At least not according to the people at the "Facebook/Love College Hoops" voting page.

Don't worry, though. I'll still be voting for my Jayhawk fans in the stands.

RCJHGKU!!!!!

KansasComet 1 year, 4 months ago

Great attitude Kevin Young. You will go far in life!

jhawk7782 1 year, 4 months ago

Agree and his skills are much better than expected.

BigManU 1 year, 4 months ago

What a great quote by KY:

“I think we are still trying to find ourselves as a team a little bit. If we work out the edges, the sharp edges, we’ll be good.”

The edges, the sharp edges.....................what a great line! The kid is smart and knows exactly what to say! Loved the Bill Self quote as well. KY knows what he's doing................ nothing like a little public brown nosing to get a couple of extra minutes.

I think it's pretty well known that Tharpe will get "Spot" minutes most likely from here on out, but the one thing that concerns me is Teahan going forward. I'm not so much worried about him in Allen Fieldhouse because his shooting percentage and his overall effort level is better, however, his neutral and road woes concern me a little. He's definitely not all there away from AF so something to keep tabs on as KU gets deeper into conference play.

KansasComet 1 year, 4 months ago

I enjoyed reading your post. If Tharpe can shoot like he did with hands in his face against Texas Tech, then his minutes could increase. I enjoy having Kevin Young on this team, I think he is a great teammate. If Teahan does not produce on the road, then his minutes could decrease on the road. He is not shooting great of late, but he does not appear to be playing scared anymore.

BigManU 1 year, 4 months ago

Thanks Comet! Much appreciated! Can't wait for the Saturday/Monday games. That's when you know you're in the heart of conference play!

jhwksrock 1 year, 4 months ago

Actually, I think it is Teahan's defense that is keeping him on the floor. I never would have thought it, but he has come a long way. He has the shooting ability to be a game changer, but when he is off, like he has been in several games, he still plays smart, hard, and he defends. Tharpe needs to work on his D a lot if he wants more PT!

jhawk7782 1 year, 4 months ago

Fundamentally sound.. Better all-around athlete than most think.. Conner will give Self that 'safe' option in close games. Don't expect a lot more and Conner will deliver...

Speakeasy 1 year, 4 months ago

How could the Jayhawks' 35-point win over SMU in '95 tie a conference record when it was achieved three years before OSU's 35-point win? The writer should have said it set a conference record, which was later tied.

4jhawks4ku 1 year, 4 months ago

Read it again...slowly

tundrahok 1 year, 4 months ago

I had to read it several times. The qualifiers are important; on the road, in the conference vs overall....

AlBerg 1 year, 4 months ago

It says that the 35 point road win (this year) ties the conference mark set in '98. SMU isn't in our conference so that is not a conference record.

sj3324 1 year, 4 months ago

They beat SMU by 39... The win Wednesday night tied OSU's from 1998.

JayhawkJohn 1 year, 4 months ago

That part I get. The part I don't get; if this is the record for margin of victory on the road then why would OSU over Texas A&M in Stillwater count if OSU won in Stillwater? I believe that is their home court.

sj3324 1 year, 4 months ago

It simply tied the conference record for margin of victory(regardless of location!) The SMU game was not a conference game...

lv_jhwk 1 year, 4 months ago

Better question...how does OSU's win count as a road game when it was supposedly played in Stillwater?

JayhawkJohn 1 year, 4 months ago

+10000

JayhawkJohn 1 year, 4 months ago

I went to the trouble of looking it up. The game was actually played at College Station not Stillwater. Maybe Gary Bedore needs someone to proof read his articles before they are posted!!

lv_jhwk 1 year, 4 months ago

As I figured. Nice work!

JayhawkJohn 1 year, 4 months ago

Thank you. A little research goes a long way.

sj3324 1 year, 4 months ago

It doesn't say it is for the largest margin of victory on the road, just largest margin of victory in conference! They just throw in that KU's was on the road...

AlBerg 1 year, 4 months ago

Sports Illustrated on Monday's Baylor-Kansas matchup - "Allen Fieldhouse is where upstart Big 12 title dreams go to die... if you want to be the champ, you have to beat the champ." So pumped!

AlBerg 1 year, 4 months ago

Pumped about the game that is.

tom123kufan 1 year, 4 months ago

As i stated a month ago...this is KU. No matter who is on the roster and no matter what the press is saying...if you want a Big 12 Season Championship you are going to have to first go through Lawrence Kansas.

OakvilleJHawk 1 year, 4 months ago

Please feel free to vote for the Kansas student section..I know I will.....however, be warned that at best we will gain second place since the powers that be have already sent the trophy out to be engraved for the "Duke Crazies"!!!

"It ain't right...it ain't fair...it's just the way it's gonna be." [movie quote but I can't remember the darn movie!!]

BigManU 1 year, 4 months ago

The only reason the "Cameron Crazies" are always perceived as the best because they named their student section and it stuck. It's a marketing ploy that has worked and ESPN bought into it.

It's never too late to change people's attitudes or mindset! KU and Kansas just need to come up with a name for it's student section so it will "Stick". I'm not good at coming up with names, but I'll get knock out a few to try and get it started.

1) Ballin Phoggins

2) Fieldhouse Bullies

3) Jayhawk Bawkers

Like I said, not good at this so I'll leave it up to Jaybate and Oakville! They are good at the lists.

chaggs 1 year, 4 months ago

Phog Phanatics (too similar to the Phillies mascot, perhaps)

jhwksrock 1 year, 4 months ago

Or maybe the foggin fanatics.

jhwksrock 1 year, 4 months ago

Mother phoggin fans? The rock chalkin phog fanatics?

Also, They aren't always percieved as the best. I think anyone who travels to various settings recognize KU fans and the fieldhouse. They just have a bigger media market (same reason they always have easy brackets come march). The East coast is where the people are.

BigManU 1 year, 4 months ago

Now that gave me a good laugh!

I do like the Phog Phanagtics!

BigManU 1 year, 4 months ago

oops! No "G" in there!

kubasset 1 year, 4 months ago

Phog Horns

JCAR2510 1 year, 4 months ago

The "BLUE PHOG!" "Red Phog" "James' Phog" "Hawkin' Phog" "Waving Phog" "Fieldhouse Phog" "C & R Phog"

Random thoughts

Keep it Going!