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Jayhawk Flashback: Georgia Tech, 1/1/2005

Blog: The Newell Post

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By Jesse Newell

May 8, 2009

Unfortunately for Kansas fans, there's no way fast forward to next year's football and basketball seasons.

In the meantime, I figured we might as well go ahead and take a look back.

This will be the first installment of "Jayhawk Flashback." The idea with this blog will be to dip back into the 6Sports vault to find great games from KU history.

We're going to start with one of the best recent games in Allen Fieldhouse: KU vs. Georgia Tech on Jan. 1, 2005.

The highlights of the game are below.

A few thoughts:

• It's funny for me to see Luke Schenscher at the 1:02 mark, then later in the video. Every time I see him, I think about my friend Whitey, who believed Schenscher had the magical ability to transport himself from one end of the court to the other.

I laughed at first, but later agreed with him. It always seemed like I saw the 7-footer block shots on the defensive end and get rebounds on the offensive end. But I never saw him get from one end of the court to the other.

Even now, if you asked me what Schenscher ran like, I couldn't tell you.

• Speaking of Schenscher, he was a main part of one of the worst thought-up stories I can remember. In 2004, when Georgia Tech played Connecticut in the finals, I remember Yahoo! Sports ran a story hyping the game as perhaps the best matchup of centers in NCAA Championship history.

I've got no problem giving props to Emeka Okafor. He was good.

But Schenscher? Seriously? His 9.2 points per game were sixth on his own team.

And he was one half of the best center matchup in the history of the NCAA Championship?

I think Patrick Ewing and (then-named) Akeem Olajuwon might disagree.

• Remember how much Aaron Miles improved his three-point shot from his junior year to his senior year? Here you go.

Miles made 28 of 84 threes as a junior (33.3 percent).

He made 40 of 80 three-pointers as a senior (50 percent).

That's one of those statistics (and improvements) perhaps overlooked because of Bucknell.

• Did Alex Galindo have two bigger three-pointers in his career than he did in this game?

• I get tired about hearing that Keith Langford was a poor shooter. Look at the difficulty (and magnitude) of the shots he made in this game.

He's also sixth on the KU all-time scoring list, ahead of names like Paul Pierce, Kirk Hinrich, Wayne Simien, Jeff Boschee, Dave Robisch and Kevin Pritchard.

Seems to me like you have to be at least a decent shooter to accomplish that.

• How J.R. Giddens make that turning, twisting layup (5:20)? And why did he turn and twist to begin with? It looked like Tech's Jarrett Jack was well by him. Style points, I guess?

• It's funny to me that this is a "Jayhawk Flashback," yet Matt Kleinmann still is celebrating on the KU bench (5:24).

• "Get it to your senior and end this thing right now!" - 6Sports' Kevin Romary (6:00), with 12 seconds remaining in overtime. How did he know? Right after that, Miles passed it to Langford, who — sure enough — won the game with a jumper.

Romary must have been channeling his inner Miss Cleo.

• Speaking of Langford's final shot, I remember watching it live at the time and thinking it was not good shot selection. After watching the replay, I can't say I've changed my mind.

Langford did have a knack for making tough shots, though.

• Pause your video at 6:34. Christian Moody and Alex Galindo (with two hands raised) are both wide open. They both still probably should have known in that situation, Langford most likely wasn't going to pass up a shot.

• It's a little hard to see, but if you stop the video at 6:47, you can do some celebrity spotting behind the KU bench. In a blue, Kansas, No. 34 jersey is Julian Wright, and two spots down from him in a black, Chicago Bulls, No. 12 Kirk Hinrich jersey is Tyrel Reed. I can't quite tell if that's Sherron Collins in between them in the light blue shirt.

• Without cheating and re-watching the 7-minute, 31-second video, can you tell me what Luke Schenscher runs like?

Comments

stupidmichael (anonymous) says...

I remember that game.

I don't remember the night before.

May 8, 2009 at 9:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

seansmall (anonymous) says...

I just remember hearing stories about the crowd at the game. My favorite was that somebody brought a sign that said: "Schenscher: Australian for Suck".

May 8, 2009 at 9:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jnewell (Jesse Newell) says...

seansmall — Regarding the crowd, IIRC Jack said to Miles during the game that Allen Fieldhouse was wild and that he understood why he and Langford decided to go there.

Being there, it was definitely one of the loudest games I've been to at Allen Fieldhouse.

May 8, 2009 at 9:34 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Hawksj (anonymous) says...

For the most part, all of the guys who transferred away from Bill Self in the past 5 or so years kind of flamed out (Giddens was the exception).

Watching Galindo make the impact he did as a freshman at KU, I thought he'd be a star on the lower level (Florida Atlantic?), but he was just an above-average player there.

Giles was a complete bust. Micah Downs went from seriously considering skipping college all together to not even being a non-NBA prospect.

Was there somebody else who transferred in those first few years? It seems like I'm forgetting somebody.

May 8, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

rohdek (Kyle Rohde) says...

Other things about that game..

It was unbelievably hot/humid in AFH that day, even though it was January, because it was over 70 degrees outside.

When Keith hit that shot, the crowd roar was the loudest I'd ever heard. I didn't miss a game between 2001 and 2005 and that one took the cake. Amazing, can't even hear the person next to you screaming type noise.

May 8, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jnewell (Jesse Newell) says...

Hawksj — Omar Wilkes and David Padgett are two more transfers.

May 8, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...

Nick Bahe was the other guy, he went to Creighton.

It was definitely an awesome game. I remember that my brother and his girlfriend (now wife) were visiting and I had to step over them as they were both sleeping on the floor of my Meadowbrook studio apartment when I left at 8am to get in line at the door.

What an awesome game, and they gave us those worthless blue foam sticks to wave in the air. Was that the game when they honored Darnell Valentine at the half?

May 8, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jnewell (Jesse Newell) says...

plasticJ — You are right about Valentine:

http://etc.lawrence.com/galleries/KUv...

May 8, 2009 at 10:19 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Self4Prez (anonymous) says...

That is the best cure for a NYE hangover ever!

May 8, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

tdub (anonymous) says...

As far as AFH loudness goes, that moment ties Nick Collison's three against Texas in '03 on my list.

May 8, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

patton6 (anonymous) says...

Jacque's three to beat Indiana is up there as well.

May 8, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUballer (anonymous) says...

Keith, what a beast.

Also, isn't one of those espn announcers a Big 12 announcer now? I remember him from some of the games this year.

May 8, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

stupidmichael (anonymous) says...

Regarding Langford's shooting ability...

Langford was money around the rim. He never seemed to miss when he got to the basket and that's why he shot just under 50% from the field for his career.

However, he shot a sub-par 3pt percentage (32.7%) for his career and only shot 65% from the charity strike. (http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/play...)

I would classify Langford as a great scorer with an average jump shot (at best).

May 8, 2009 at 2:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

worrynotjhawk (anonymous) says...

This game proved to be a telling sign of how smart of a coach Self is. Even with the best player (Simien) injured and the team trailed by enormous amounts for almost half, he got the players to get the job done.

Great Flashback! I was there too, it was the second loudest game I've been at in the Phog (I think). The game against Oklahoma either that year or the year after was the loudest I've been a part of. Very fun, and super exciting.

Can't wait for next year. Rock Chalk!

May 8, 2009 at 3 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUball14 (anonymous) says...

Oh my...Keith was the man back in the day, his game winner was crazy

May 8, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kranny (anonymous) says...

I thought Langford was one of the best athletes the Hawks ever had. Seemed as if he lost some explosiveness and hops after the dunking injury to his knee. With the exception of that G Tech game I always felt that Langford couldn't hit the big outside shot when we needed it. His free throws were bad enough that defenders simply hammered him when he went to the rack. Case in point the Baylor loss at Baylor. I am still disappointed in Miles and Langford's attitudes when Self came on board. I felt that they never truly bought into Self's system and the team paid the price early in the tourney. There is no way they should have lost to Bucknell.

May 8, 2009 at 8:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BannerforKirk (anonymous) says...

I we sure that's Julian in that highlight? I thought he never took a visit here. And would he be visiting with Ty and Sherron, that would be a weird combination.

May 8, 2009 at 9:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kjhkcapn (anonymous) says...

I remember this game too. Redemption from Arizona a year or two prior. It was the opposite game. The whole arena was sleep-deprived, hungover and deflated for two-thirds of the game, and were screaming their hearts out for the rest, battling the shakes. Then the city took a collective nap. Awesome.

And god I miss Shoes Langford. Had his jersey on the other day; had me reminiscing. :)

May 8, 2009 at 11:55 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jnewell (Jesse Newell) says...

Banner — He had already committed.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/jan...

It might not be Sherron, but it's definitely Tyrel. I know he had a black Hinrich jersey, and you can see his dad next to him, too.

May 9, 2009 at 12:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Jesse - great stuff. Thanks.

There's no denying the statistics - Langford was a great scorer - but I don't remember Langford being a great shooter, either. However, he had a knack for making big shots and he could get to the rim better than most any KU player in recent memory.

I wonder if X will have Langford's ability to create on the wing? Wouldn't that be sweet . . .

May 9, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ObiWan (anonymous) says...

That was the loudest I've ever heard the Phog (up until the last couple seasons). Christian Moody got us a huge stop taking a charge under the basket. If I remember correctly, that set up Keith's bucket...or maybe it was at the end of regulation. It may be in the video, but I can't get it to play on my work computer.

May 9, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ObiWan (anonymous) says...

Kranny, I think you're right about Langford and Miles. Langford, in particular, was unbelievable under Roy. He really thrived as the third or fourth option in a fast-paced offense. Once he became the first option in a slower offense, he often forced shots, or completely disappeared. As far as being a shooter goes- he made them when they counted. He beat Nebraska on a buzzer-beating three his freshman year, and came up with huge buckets and free throws in both FF runs. In fact, In the '03 FF, I believe he was 18 of 20 from the floor, or something ridiculous like that. I think Keith was the most tragic victim of the Roy divorce.

May 9, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

" I think Keith was the most tragic victim of the Roy divorce."

Very insightful comment, Obiwan. I'm not sure which game that was, but he did go crazy against somebody during that run.

May 9, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

HowMuchRice (anonymous) says...

Nice job Newell. That Georgia Tech bunch was an incredibly fun team to watch.

Here are two things that stick out from that game:

1. Langford's shot, obviously
2. I remember Will Bynum unleashing this sick dunk in traffic. It was awesome considering he was 5-10 or so.

May 9, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mlubyRN (anonymous) says...

I like the flashbacks Jesse. Keep em coming this summer. It helps to quench our thirst for KU BBall and the long wait we have till November. Thanks!
Btw, can you get any old stuff from the Roy days?

May 9, 2009 at 2:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rohdek (Kyle Rohde) says...

Love the Jayhawk flashback idea - other recent ones to highlight would be KU vs. Texas 2003 and KU vs. OSU 2005. Those two, along with G Tech above, are three of my favorites games while I was at KU.

May 9, 2009 at 2:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Eurekahwk (anonymous) says...

How could you forget what Luke Schenscher runs like? He is the oafiest motherm#cker I've ever seen in my life. He bobs from side to side, and his rack of hair follows closely behind as his head falls to the side he is bobbing to. I hated him on appearance alone. How annoying.

May 9, 2009 at 4:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

"Micah Downs went from seriously considering skipping college all together to not even being a non-NBA prospect."

Wow, so you're saying he became an NBA prospect?

Did anyone else notice that immediately after the game, J.R. was showing his usual class by holding out his jersey in the face of Jack rather than going over to celebrate with his teammates? It's that kind of complete lack of sportsmanship that makes me glad he didn't finish his career with KU.

As for flashback games, how about the one against UCLA where KU was down by 19 at the half and won by 15? That was truly remarkable. And of course (if there's any footage of it) I would love to see something from the 150-95 stomping of UK in '89.

May 9, 2009 at 5:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

"Schenscher: Australian for Suck"

Classic!

May 9, 2009 at 5:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

frompekka2sasha (anonymous) says...

That game took every ounce of energy I had because of the intensity and the heat in AFH. My buddy and I went to Jefferson's after the game and just shook our heads over and over while drinking many beers. It was like we had no energy left to talk but we were communicating quite well without speech.

I saw Jacque's 3, the GT game and the Texas comeback. I've had a blessed life on this planet. There is no doubt about that one. I nearly quit my job to go to the Indiana game because my boss said I couldn't take off early that day. I decided it was worth the risk and told him I HAD to go. Lucky me :-)

May 9, 2009 at 6:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

dmoneyball (anonymous) says...

I'd really be impressed if Mr. Newell could get his hands on some video of the 1966 2OT game vs. Texas-Western. I know if you go to ncaaondemand.com you can search for it there, but they only make available copies for games that have a high demand. So everybody go to that website and give em your name and email to show that you're interested, the more people we get in on it the better chance we could all buy our own copy of that game.

May 9, 2009 at 6:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kranny (anonymous) says...

Actorman,
I think Newell is referring to Downs saying his senior year that he was thinking about skipping college and going straight to the draft meaning he went from being McD AA/NBA prospect(supposedly) to being a basketball afterthought.

May 10, 2009 at 11:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hail2olku (anonymous) says...

Loudest AFH moments in my memory:

1) Jacque's fast-break-spin layup against UCLA in '95
2) Raef's put-back dunk against mizzou in '97
3) Jacque's 3 pointer against Indiana in '94

May 10, 2009 at 12:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

alexwishawk (anonymous) says...

HCBS's toupee looks a little poofier than it does now.

May 10, 2009 at 10:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

shorty47116 (anonymous) says...

I live in Ohio and this was the first of the 3 games I have ever been to. Absolutely amazing!!! It is one thing I will never ever forget.

May 10, 2009 at 11:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

I got his meaning, kranny, I was just making fun of his grammar: the double negative communicated the opposite of what he wanted to say.

May 11, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

drgnslayr (anonymous) says...

That was fun... good idea for a summer series to keep everyone coming back to the site. Keep'em coming!

May 11, 2009 at 6:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayhawkPurist (anonymous) says...

Jesse,

Great content. You'd have quite a following if you made these flashbacks a weekly occurrence during the offseason.

Thanks for bringing so much energy to the website, and for thinking of unconventional ways to serve the KU fan base. Great work!

May 11, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

PikesPeakSmitty (anonymous) says...

Great idea Jesse, keep the memories coming...

I was very bummed to see Galindo transfer... I saw the fire in his eyes and thought he was going to be a superstar. Stupid move Alex.

Langford is undervalued in my memories... sorry Keith, I'll try to remember you better:) Nice job in Italy, now come home and play with Mario or Brandon.

Was Wayne hurt then?

May 12, 2009 at 10:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

esj2003 (anonymous) says...

This game was epic. The best game I've ever been to. I sat right behind the home bench. I'll never forget; before the game Jarret Jack got a cup from the Gatorade cooler and drank it. While he did that he jarred with some of the fans, albeit playfully. He and I both said something, then I took his Gatorade cup after he set it down for a second and crushed it under my foot. Got a nice pat on the back from my friends, haha. Confession: I pulled that cup out of the trash, put it in a zip lock bag, and hung it on my wall at home.

May 13, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

barchawk (anonymous) says...

I was there, but I was chucking in a concourse restroom for most of the first half. It was a good New Years...

May 27, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KU1992 (anonymous) says...

i remember i was in the fifth row behind GT's bench and when he made that shot the guy in front of me was screaming so loud his wife's hair kinda blew back. That game was awesome. Analysts were talking about how loud it was for the rest of the year, during other teams games!

May 30, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )