Sean Alvarado – yes, the same Sean Alvarado who scored just 44 points all last season – netted 17 in Saturday night’s Blue-White intrasquad scrimmage at Allen Fieldhouse.
The 6-9 senior center swished six of eight floor shots and five of seven free throws. He also grabbed eight rebounds, blocked one shot, an, oh yes, paced his White squad to an 88-85 victory.
“I think I did all right,” the soft-spoken, former Hutchinson Juco player said. “I felt comfortable, a lot more relaxed compared to last year. I think I have improved some.”
His coach and teammates second that notion.
“Sean has really improved. He’s more relaxed and understands better what we’re trying to do,” fifth-year KU coach Larry Brown said.
“He is playing with a lot more confidence,” noted sophomore guard Kevin Pritchard, who, along with Mike Masuccie and Archie Marshall, contributed 13 for the winners.
“He’s starting to realize the situation here and understand coach Brown’s philosophy. his hands have gotten a lot better.”
“He gets better every day at practice,” praised center Marvin Branch, who scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Blues. Blue teammate Danny Manning led the way with 27 points and 12 boards. “He’s getting better because he works hard. He wants it. He’s trying.”
Exhibiting a nifty baby hook shot, Alvarado scored nine straight points during a stretch midway through the first half. That flurry kept the Whites in the game.
“Our team hustled, rebounded, did the little things tonight,” Alvarado said. “I felt good, partly because I’m in better condition this year. That helps a lot, too.”
He might be in better shape next season.
“I’d like to red-shirt him,” coach Brown said. “But we haven’t decided for sure yet.”
“I would do it if coach wants me to,” Alvarado said. “I can’t graduate this year anyway, so it could be a possibility. I want to do what I can for the team. I’ll still be going up against Marvin at practice, trying to make him better.”
Like Alvarado, Blue team member Milt Newton scored 17. Keith Harris totaled 15 and Scooter Barry 10 for the Whites. Newcomer Otis Livingston totaled a game-high nine assists for the losing team.
He tossed a high-arching pass to Manning, good for an alley-oop dunk in the second half. That brought a roar from the 7,000 Fieldhouse fans.
The 6-0 Livingston skied high to block one of Alvarado’s shots. Trouble is, he hacked Alvarado on the play.
“I thought I had it clean,” Livingston said with a grin. “I thought somebody else fouled him.”
The spirited game was close throughout. The Blue squad, which trailed by a game-high six points (81-75) with three minutes left, nearly tied it at the buzzer.
Jeff Gueldner, who had 10 points, launched a three-point, buzzer shot that barely flipped out.
The Jayhawks were to scrimmage again at 4 p.m. today in Great Bend to continue a rugged stretch of practice games.
“We’ve got to do it during the season. We might as well learn about it now,” said Brown.
“I thought it was a good game. I was pleased with everybody, but we didn’t rebound as well as I’d like. I was pleased with the effort and conditioning.”
NOTES
Denver nuggets coach Doug Moe attended the game. “Larry, you were magnificent,” a grinning Moe told Brown outside the locker room. “It was good, enjoyable,” he added in a more serious tone…Brown said his starting lineup was up for grabs. “Danny has a good shot,” he grinned, referring to phenom Manning. “And Pipe (Chris Piper) may be up there too.”…
BLUE-WHITE BOX SCORE
Blue (85)
Danny Manning 11-17 4-7 27, Marvin Branch 5-11 8-13 18, Otis Livingston 3-5 2-2 8, Milt Newton 5-9 6-9 17, Jeff Gueldner 4-6 2-2 10, Mark Randall 1-1 1-4 3, Mike Maddox 1-5 0-0 2. Totals 30-54 23-37 85.
White (88)
Kevin Pritchard 5-10 5-8 15, Lincoln Minor 1-4 0-1 2, Archie Marshall 6-12 0-1 13, Sean Alvarado 6-8 5-7 17, Chris Piper 1-5 1-3 3, Mike Masucci 3-10 7-13 13, Scooter Barry 5-6 0-1 10, Keith Harris 5-10 5-7 15. Totals 29-65 23-41 88.
Blue4243-85
White4444-88
Three-point goals: Blue 2-6 (Manning 1-2, Newton 1-3, Gueldner 0-1); White 1-4 (Pritchard 0-1, Marshall 1-2, Piper 0-1).
Rebounds: Blue 30 (Manning 12, Branch 7, Newton 5, Livingston 4, Randall 2); White 35 (Alvarado 8, Masucci 8, Harris 8, Barry 3, Marshall 3, Minor 2, Piper 2, Pritchard 1).
Assists: Blue 16 (Livingston 9, Manning 4, Maddox 2, Branch 1); White 13 (Barry 6, Minor 3, Alvarado 1, Piper 1, Masucci 1, Harris 1).
Blocks: Blue 3 (Manning 2, Branch 1); White 2 (Alvarado 1, Harris 1).
Steals: Blue 2 (Manning, Randall); White 11 (Masucci 3, Barry 3, Minor 2, Harris 2, Marshall).
Total fouls: Not available.
Attendance: 7,000 (est.)