Upstart Wolfpack next up for KU

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor soars in for a breakaway jam to cap off the game for the Jayhawks with seconds remaining against Purdue on Sunday, March 18, 2012 at CenturyLink Center in Omaha.

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KU v. Purdue

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Press Conferences & Post-Game Interviews

KU coach Bill Self

Kansas coach Bill Self talks to reporters following the Jayhawks' 63-60 victory over Purdue on March 18, 2012.

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Press Conferences & Post-Game Interviews

KU guards Elijah Johnson and Tyshawn Taylor

KU guards Elijah Johnson and Tyshawn Taylor talk to reporters following the Jayhawks' 63-60 victory over Purdue on March 18, 2012.

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Press Conferences & Post-Game Interviews

Purdue's Matt Painter, Robbie Hummel and Lewis Jackson

Purdue coach Matt Painter and players Robbie Hummel and Lewis Jackson talk to reporters following the Boilermakers' 63-60 loss to Kansas on March 18, 2012.

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KU vs. Purdue

• Box score

Omaha, Neb. — No. 2-seeded Kansas University will meet No. 11 seed North Carolina State on Friday in the Sweet 16 in St. Louis.

Game time is 9:17 p.m. at Edward Jones Dome.

The Wolfpack of the ACC defeated No. 3 seed Georgetown, 66-63, on Sunday in Columbus, Ohio.

N.C. State, 24-12, is in the middle of a storybook season under first-year coach Mark Gottfried, the nephew of former KU football coach Mike Gottfried.

Taking over a program that went 15-16 a year ago, Gottfried is the first Wolfpack coach since Jim Valvano to win 24 games in a season. The Wolfpack is in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005 and second time since 1989.

N.C. State, which is 6-1 in its last seven games, led in the second half of games against Indiana, Stanford and Duke this season, but lost all of those games. N.C. State is 2-8 against RPI Top 50 teams, with quality victories over Texas, Virginia, St. Bonaventure and UNC Asheville.

On Sunday, guard Scott Wood (6-foot-6 junior, Marion, Ind.), guard C.J. Williams (6-5, senior, Fayetteville, N.C.) and forward C.J. Leslie (6-8 sophomore, Holly Springs, N.C.) scored 14 points apiece. Wood hit four threes. Richard Howell (6-8 junior, Marietta, Ga.) grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. Lorenzo Brown (6-5 sophomore, Roswell, Ga.) contributed 12 points.

“It’s a great win for our program,” Gottfried told the Raleigh News and Observer. “But, you know, really you just look at this group of guys … to me what stands out is how they’ve gotten better, and they’re continuing to get better.”

N.C. State has won national titles in 1974 and 1983. In its previous trip to the NCAAs, the Wolfpack lost in the Round of 32 in 2006.

KU is 10-1 all-time vs. N.C. State. KU beat the Wolfpack, 75-67, on March 23, 1986, in the NCAA regional final in Kemper Arena in Kansas City.

“We’ll be excited to play them,” KU junior Jeff Withey said. “They’ve had a great season and have a great team.”

Great game: KU coach Bill Self on Robbie Hummel, who scored 22 points the first half and finished with 26 overall on 9-of-13 shooting.

“I’ve been a fan from afar for a while,” Self said. “With everything he’s gone through (two ACL tears), I thought he deserved to play great in the NCAA Tournament. He was fabulous. I’m happy we won the game, but if we were going to win, I was happy to see him have a good game. He deserves it. I kept telling everyone we would win the game, but I didn’t know if I was believing it.”

Self was asked if going to the Sweet 16 grows old: “No, no, it’s not getting old,” he said. “I think there have been three years we haven’t gotten to the Sweet 16 since I’ve been at Kansas. To play in the NCAA Tournament is great, but to feel the full benefit from an exposure standpoint you need to get to the second weekend because there are only 16 teams getting publicity rather than 68.”

Dehydration: Self asked if Tyshawn Taylor was leg-weary playing two days after being dehydrated.

“I don’t think so. He was trying to force too much. I don’t think it had anything to do with him being leg-weary.”

All-staters: Future KU players Perry Ellis and Conner Frankamp were named first-team all-state Sunday by the Wichita Eagle.

Ellis, a 6-8 senior forward, averaged 25.8 points and 9.4 rebounds for state champion Wichita Heights (23-2).

Frankamp, a 6-1 junior, averaged a City League-record 32.3 points a game for Wichita North (15-8).

He hit 66 percent of his shots (51 percent from three) and 93 percent of his free throws. He has 1,641 career points, fifth best in City League history.

Other all-staters: Semi Ojeleye, 6-7, junior Ottawa High (32.2 ppg); Clay Custer, 6-0, sophomore, Blue Valley Northwest (19.0 ppg) and Micah Swank, 6-1, senior, Pratt (22.3 ppg). Joe Auer of Wichita Heights was coach of the year.

Otis Livingston, I presume?: Former KU guard Otis Livingston worked as a color announcer for CBS at Midwest Regional games in Columbus, Ohio, last weekend.

Shabazz’ dad sayz: The father of Shabazz Muhammad, a 6-6 senior from Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, tells Zagsblog.com his son will visit UCLA in early April then announce his college choice April 9 or 10. He has taken official visits to Kansas, Texas A&M, Kentucky, Duke and is considering UCLA, Duke, Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky and UNLV. Muhammad will also play in the McDonald’s All-American Game March 28 in Chicago and the Jordan Brand Classic April 14 in Charlotte, N.C.

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kusportsdotcom 1 year, 2 months ago

Frankamp is my future favorite Jayhawk. Just a fun fact... his 93% free-throw mark would be good for 20th all time in single season NBA free throw percentage. It's also 3 percentage points higher than the career NBA free throw percentage leader. Frankamp's a scorer. I couldn't be more excited. How awesome is it to get some Kansas talent like him and Ellis coming to KU???

nuleafjhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

Can we do something to get him graduated early and have him in Lawrence for NEXT season?

We are in dire need of a consistent sharpshooter and from what I've seen, he pretty much fits that description.

JayhawkJohn 1 year, 2 months ago

He is no where near ready for NCAA division one basketball. He is a good shooter but the rest of his game is lacking. Size will be a problem for him in division one as well. He is exciting to watch though.

drgnslayr 1 year, 2 months ago

You are right about his size. He can't make himself grow taller... but he can hit the weight room and add some inches to his small frame.

He is a scrappy kid. One that shouldn't ever be underestimated because he plays with so much heart and is one of the best natural scorers ever to come out of the state. He will be a factor as a Hawk.

But... he will help himself immensely by adding some size and strength before coming to Lawrence. D1 is so different from HS ball.

westtexjayhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

I see him as a player sort of like that paperboy that played at Ohio State a few years back....what was his name....Chuck Something...anyway, that freakin' kid could score from anywhere, at any time.

AlBerg 1 year, 2 months ago

I'm all over this Frankamp bandwagon but I hope he comes in ready to play defense. With Self, if you don't play d then you don't play. Man it would be nice to always know we have a guy that can hit the open shot in the corner. It would open up our post game.

kustrong 1 year, 2 months ago

Off topic, but needs attention. Tonight on "Around the Horn (ESPN)," one of the commentators got 3 points for terming "going Kansas" as a team who under achieves in the tournament...guess its like getting "Munsonded." It hurts, but it holds weight. It can no longer be based on East Coast bias or officiating, if KU tumbles to NCSU in the Sweet 16 is that a problem?

I would like to know every ones predictions and expectations. Does KU have what it takes, to take to capitalize on NCSU and UNC? Is KU overrated?

Rock Chalk

Strikewso 1 year, 2 months ago

Statistically, we supposedly have one of the best tourney record the past 10 years or so, at least in terms of games won. The Elite 8 losses and glaring upsets stand out, but we've done well in the tourney.

kufaninmo 1 year, 2 months ago

Unfortunately, yes they have a point...but u should look at it from the perspective that because we always have such high expectations to do well, that this is true. In other words, and I'm speculating based on tournament wins, but as far as getting "upset", I would fail to believe we are any worse off than other teams: in fact I'd bet KU is much better off than the average major conference team in regards to being upset in the tournament...but KU is almost always in a position to win an NCAA championship so it's a good stat to some extent!

Cmill1221 1 year, 1 month ago

Thats such BS!!!! the same people who say we underachieve also said taht we were going to finish 5th in the BIG12 Last year after losing Aldrich and Collins and again this year. How can we underachieve in the tournament when we make it to the elite8 after being picked to finish 5th in our confrence. The media idiots need to make up their minds. Dont listen to that TRASH!

KULA 1 year, 1 month ago

Unfortunately, it has happened so often that it's becoming a talking point for the talking heads. And now they've even coined a phrase for it. And yes, if we lose to NC State, that's a major problem. Remember, they were pretty much one the last four in.

Strikewso 1 year, 2 months ago

I told you guys about him. OU put him through their three-point drill and did better than any of their best three-point shooters. He is a sharpshooter all the way. The only question is whether he's quick enough to play Self's brand of D1 defense, but there is no doubt he can shoot the lights out.

GBJayhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

Going to the Sweet 16 getting old? Hmmm, let me see,,,,

N O !!!

kusportsdotcom, I'm with you about being jazzed about homegrown talent for the Hawks. I know that these other guys are great, and after four years they really feel like true Jayhawks, but when you're a native son, it just makes it that much more special, for all of us. Really looking forward to having these two in KU colors!!

Rock Chalk, Jayhawks, (present and future!!!)

Alohahawk 1 year, 2 months ago

Am highly anticipating Ellis and Frankamp playing as Jayhawks. However, must keep reminding myself that Ellis is a year ahead of Frankamp.

If I remember correctly, Wichita Heights had won the state championship three years in a row. How did they fare this season? And, any word whether Ellis won his 4th straight Kansas Gatorade POY?

baldwinjhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

Yes and Yes!!! Ellis all time leading scorer in Wichita city league history over Darnell Valentine, Antoine Carr, Cliff Livingston, Aubrey Sherrod, Greg Dreiling, Ricky Ross, Conner Frankamp, Adrian Griffin and Taj Gray. Not bad company

raprichard 1 year, 2 months ago

According to the article, Wichita Heights won again but they did lose two games this year, which ended the consecutive win streak they had going.

rockymtnjhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

The article says that Heights won again.

rockymtnjhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

Well, maybe I should correct that. The article refers to Height as state champion with two losses. They had those losses this year, so I'm thinking they were state champions again this year.

JayhawkJohn 1 year, 2 months ago

They lost their last two regular season games but cruised through the playoffs to win their fourth straight state title.

Alohahawk 1 year, 2 months ago

Mahalo to all above for answering my question. I just overlooked the "state champion Wichita Heights" when I first read the article.

mpann1818 1 year, 2 months ago

If KU wins it all Shabazz comes to Lawrence. Otherwise he goes to Kensucky.

Lash 1 year, 2 months ago

Don't know if Shabazz is a fit. Maybe a Selby who had a bad start and never settled in.

actorman 1 year, 2 months ago

Selby was just starting to look pretty good when he got hurt. We'll never know if he would have been great without the injury, but it appeared he was headed in that direction.

truehawk93 1 year, 2 months ago

I've taken the attitude of if he comes to KU great, if not, oh well. He has too much going on right now. Howland is desperate to turn that program around. I've got a feeling that Shabaaz is visiting UCLA to tell Howland that he is or is not going to UCLA. Rumor is they have been he frontrunner through ths entire process.

Any word on Shabaaz's NCAA issue?

jjjjjhok 1 year, 2 months ago

Johnson, Releford, Withey, Ellis & McLemore; which one of those guys gets moved to the bench so Shabazz can start for one year?

No thanks Shabazz, go be a mercenary somewhere else, we're in pretty good shape without the sideshow.

konkeyDong 1 year, 2 months ago

I don't think Shabazz is choosing us anyway, but the answer to your question is BMac.

TulsaJayhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

I agree, we don't need the disruption to players who have bought in to the program.

billhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

Any word on if KU is recruiting this guy - Semi Ojeleye, 6-7, junior Ottawa High (32.2 ppg)?

It would be pretty amazing to have three quality native Kansas starters!

ATL_Hawk 1 year, 2 months ago

Doesn't look like he's been offered by Kentucky, or by KU:

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/124763/semi-ojeleye

billhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

Thanks for the link! His PPG is almost identical to Frankamp, and he's practically next door, so I would imagine we've scouted him...

bayareajhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

It's Willie Cauley from Olathe that's going to Kentucky.

Brock 1 year, 2 months ago

Wisconsin leads for Ojeleye. They were the first to offer.

baldwinjhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

Self hasn't shown any interest in Ojeleye. I've watched him play and he is an amazing shooter but is kinda lazy defensively. You know how Bill is about that...

BigManU 1 year, 2 months ago

That's actually not true..........Self and Kansas have shown interest, but not full court. Ojeleye was at the Kansas/Missouri game at AFH.

AsadZ 1 year, 2 months ago

OAD has not worked well for KU/Self. I also felt that it had an effect on team chemistry when we landed X and Selby. Personally I have nothing aginst them and I really appreciated them for coming to KU.

While we all want most talented players on the roster, considering the circumstances I am not so sure if Shabazz will be good fit for KU and HCBS system.

SDSurferFan 1 year, 2 months ago

Nc st plays a more traditional offense that should suit ku. A few perimeter shooters but not like Hummel.

SDSU was down 3 with 5min to play then their weak front court finally was their Achilles.

I'm not an expert on them after watching one game but it appears they are a good team vs smaller teams. However they got beat vs teams with strong front courts--- fl st, duke, UNC, cuse....

SDSU plays four guards and their 'big man' is a generous 6' 7" with bad knees. They killed them up front.

Ku wins by 12!

BCRavenJHawkfan 1 year, 2 months ago

Those loses you cited were due to good 3 point shooting by the opposition and poor 3 point shooting by them.

But with good defense we really don't need a rain of 3's, as long as we are money on the 12ft jumpers and bunnies.

JayCeph 1 year, 2 months ago

Let the analysis begin: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/pregame/NCAAB_20120323_NCST@KS

Phoghorn 1 year, 2 months ago

Forget North Carolina. Just forget 'em! One game at a time. If we drop this one, there will be no KU-NC...or KU NC Banner. No looking ahead, Jayhawks!

gammimc 1 year, 1 month ago

Especially if KU doesn't play any better than they did against Purdue. Sorry folks, but that was pitiful. It sure won't cut it the rest of the way in the dance. Unless we step it up several notches, I don't even want to see us against NC.

ku_foaf 1 year, 2 months ago

I remember when Mark Gottfried played on some really good Alabama teams when Mike Gottfried was KU's football coach.

OK, Otis Livingston, was famously tossed from the team very shortly before the 1988 NCAA tournament, along with Mike Masucci. Wasn't there a 3rd player tossed? I cannot remember a name, although I could look it up in my book at home...

We had already lost Marvin Branch to eligibility, and three other players, if I recall correctly we lost SEVEN players from the squad.

The three I mention only played one season at KU, and none finished it. It was a completely different team in Dec 87 than March 88

gchawk 1 year, 2 months ago

Interesting post. I didn't remember that Otis on the team until one of the other commentators called him a former KU player. Why was he booted from the team, my memory is failing me?

nashhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

You're thinking of Archie Marshall, who had a career ending knee injury just before the conference season started.

ku_foaf 1 year, 2 months ago

I believe that lone loss to NC State was in the 1974 Final 4, when they were national champs tucked in among the UCLA championships?

actorman 1 year, 2 months ago

Nope, KU lost to Marquette in that Final Four. I can still remember that game well; I had just started becoming a KU fan that year. KU was up by 1 at the half but ended up losing by 11. N.C. State ended UCLA's streak of seven consecutive championships in the other Final Four game that year in an incredible, 3-OT thriller, then went on to beat Marquette for the championship.

actorman 1 year, 2 months ago

I just looked it up and I stand corrected: they lost to Marquette by 13, not 11.

BayHawkaholic 1 year, 2 months ago

Remembering one of my favorite road trips. Regionals were in Tulsa that year over Spring Break. With no other plans, four of us piled in a car, drove down, simply walked up to the window and bought tickets. We watched KU beat Creighton, and then a miraculous comeback over Oral Roberts in overtime - before the 3-pt shot counted!.

It was AFH South! What a party. My Dad (a former manager for Phog Allen) brought me up on JoJo White and Dave Robish. But I fell Beak-First in love on my own that season.

We watched the defeat by Marquette back home, then had to watch UCLA and Bill Walton shame us in a consolation game. But that was the year my hope sprung eternal.

cajayfan 1 year, 2 months ago

Why oh why the late start for the next game....? I think this is part of the team's lack of focus in first half, sitting on their butts all day getting tense and distracted. Any input on this that would make me feel better?

actorman 1 year, 2 months ago

They decide based on which game is more appealing. I'm guessing that if Michigan had made it through as the 4 seed, UNC-Michigan would have been the late game, but it was pretty obvious that KU-N.C. State would be more appealing than UNC-Ohio, which will probably be a blowout (even with UNC's injury).

gardenjay 1 year, 2 months ago

If Shabazz is a one-and-done prospect then I say forget him. I like him, I just get tired of treating college ball like the NBA. These kids make no money and get a college education, that was always the idea.

Not that I agree with universities making tons of dough off of them while they risk ruining their bodies. I think they should be paid in stock from a fund of the game receipts during their tenure, but only after they graduate from college with a 4-year degree. This would apply to all the revenue sports, and the lower grossing ones simply share a smaller pot of money; non-revs just get the scholarship.

Having a kid come in for one season to hang out only to increase their NBA stock and not be part of the broader and less entertainment oriented college experience? Bleah.

Alohahawk 1 year, 2 months ago

I like that idea, that a player who stays for 4 years, and graduates, earns a portion of the gate. But that creates sort of a "Catch 22", because the players wouldn't have the use of the money until they graduated.

One other problem that could arise is which players get how much? Would all scholarship players be given the same amounts, or do the heavy hitters earn more? I'd say all earn equal shares.

And if a players "paycheck" is based on gate receipts, then, those schools generating the most gate receipts have a heavy recruiting advantage over small "gate" schools. This would promote building huge arenas. As much as KU fans love AFH, we all know if more tickets are available, KU could sell them. Wonder if an architect/engineer could figure a way to add some upper tier "wings" to the outside of AFH, adding about 3000 to 6000 more seats? It really wouldn't be any different from some of the football stadium sized arenas some of the schools have. Maybe some flying buttresses would be needed to add support. Shape them like wings and make AFH into a huge Jayhawk shape. (Just joking)

gardenjay 1 year, 2 months ago

I liked the problem you posed about 'paycheck' ; I didn't think of that one. I guess one way would be to standardize the 'paycheck' throughout the country, where high-rev schools subsidize the others.

AFH could use more seats, that's for sure. I have to say, that crazy idea of AFH having a Jayhawk shape is reminiscent of the basillicas in Italy, which have footprints the shape of a cross. I would only add, let there be an open beak so that the 130 decibals can roar out of it onto ...a nearby neighborhood. Anyway, there is a historical precedence for the Jayhawk building. I mean, we all know the KU fan base is crazy, and it might follow that the building should support the fan base.

Alohahawk 1 year, 2 months ago

LOL Let the AFH crowd roar through the open beak, amplifying it all the way to Columbia, Mo. Eat your hearts out. Mizzery.

nashhawk 1 year, 2 months ago

They get about $150,000 worth of free education, free books, free meals, and free rooms. They're getting compensated pretty well. And did I mention, walking away with no Federal Student Loan debt?

NJHAWK 1 year, 2 months ago

Somehow people miss this angle.

gardenjay 1 year, 2 months ago

Also free concussions, guaranteed for the high-rev football players - what a bonus! They could get a better education without concussions.

So, put a value on life-long chronic injury to body and brain; surely it's not worthless, because who wants to risk their life for an over-valued $150,000 sports science degree?

AznSnSaTioN 1 year, 2 months ago

Conner Frankamp is Jay Burson 2.0. I can't wait to see this kid play for KU, we're in for a treat. RCJH!!!

yates33333 1 year, 2 months ago

Charles Barkley said that NC State is a much better team than Purdue. I say if they have a better player than Robbie Hummel they ought to use him, they haven't so far this year. I was thinking after the game if Hummel isn't an All-American the powers-that-be have established high qualifications.

JayHawkFanToo 1 year, 2 months ago

According to Ken Pomeroy, Purdue is 21 and UNC 36; Sagarin has them 23 and 33. UNC has been playing well lately and if not for the refs, it should have beaten UNC in the ACC Tournament; although John Henson, UNC best defender and ACC Defensive Player of the Year did not play. NC State has a more traditional line up and KU should match well. If KU plays to its season averages, it should win. I would trust Bob Knight's opinion a heck of a lot more than Barkley's.

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