If you see Archie Marshall on campus, downtown or in the aisles of your favorite grocery store, go ahead and ask about Kansas baksetball, college hoops or even world affairs.
But please, Marshall pleads, do not inquire about his right knee.
“To my friends – the people who know me – it’s not even an issue. It’s something that happened in the past,” said Marshall, who red-shirted last season while strengthening his knee – the one he ripped during KU’s Final Four semifinal loss to Duke two seasons ago.
“It was a setback,” Marshall said. “But I feel great now. Hopefully, after we play a few games and people see there are no problems, they’ll put it to rest.”
Of course it’s only natural for folks to wonder about Marshall’s knee. The surgery, performed by KU team doctor Ken Wertzberger, was termed a “major reconstructive procedure.”
“Nobody has every come back from his injury,” Jayhawk coach Larry Brown said. “Mitch Kupchak retired. Bernard King has taken two years off.
“Archie has worked so hard and he expects so much. He’s playing without a brace. It’s a miracle he’s playing at all.
“To show you his desire, when Archie got hurt (With KU up 59-55 with 8:10 left), he went into the runway at Reunion Arena (in Dallas) and was running up and down to show he could play. The knee was blown out and he’s trying to get back in the game.”
Following the injury, Marshall never considered contacting others who’ve suffered tears of the anterior cruciate ligament. He elected merely to follow the orders of Wrtzberger and KU’s trainers and concentrate on his own well-being.
“I know people who have had the same surger,” the 6-6 forward said. “But I haven’t talked to them. Dr. Wertzberger, Mark Cairns and Lynn Bott (KU trainers) worked with me on rehabilitation. A lot of people were considerate, supportive. I thank them all.
“It was tough in the beginning. It was a hell of an experience, I’ll have to admit. I’d never want to be in that situation again. But once you get over the early part (on crutches), it’s basic. That’s why, to me it is not an issue any more.”
Actually, Marshall put the issue to rest last summer. He played for Kansas State coach Lonnie Kruger’s Big Eight Select team that played in China.
“As far as the knee is concerned, I had no problems,” Marshall said. “But I didn’t play well on the trip. I was terribly rusty. It gave me a chance to get back on the court. I didn’t play as well as I can. I tried to force a lot of things instead of let the game come to me. Now, I’m starting to relax more, fit in.
“The trip was a lot of fun. We got a chance to meet a lot of people and players from different countries. Coach Kruger is an excellent coach. He’s easy to get along with, a great person. I enjoyed playing for him.”
That test behind him, the Tulsa, Okla., native is now hoping for an enjoyable senior campaign, both on a personal and team level.
“I will try not to think about the injury,” said Marshall. “There are times I do. I won’t lie. At times I do hesitate. There are certain situations, like when I make a cut or go for a rebound that I may hesitate. I do not favor my knee. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I just see myself not always going as hard as I like. I feel it’ll come and I’ll be able to contribute to the team.
“The competition out there is tough. If you listen to people talk, they say it’s Missouri and Oklahoma ,” continued Marshall, who averaged 7.0 points and 3.8 rebounds his junior season. He excelled in the Jayhawks’ five NCAA tournament games, scoring 47 points and grabbing 29 rebounds in a substitute role.
“They reate as the top two in the Big Eight. Everyone else can be right up there. It’s a strong league. Hopefully we’ll be able to come together and have a great year.
“We have good new talent in guys like Marvin Branch, Lincoln Minor, Otis Livingston, Mike Maddox and Mike Masucci. These guys can all play.”
Marshall is ready to fill in wherever he’s needed. Even from the three-point stripe where he showed uncanny range during practices late last season.
“If the opportunity to shoot is there, I’ll take it,” the former Seminole, Okla., Juco standout said. “But it is not something that’s on my mind. It can be part of my game, but basically I’m just going to do what coach Brown wants.
“I’ve learned a lot from him,” Marshall added. “I’m ecstatic about coming here. I know I made the right choice.”
He also considered offers from Oklahoma and Texas Christian.
“KU basketball is big. It was big before I came here, it’s big now and it’ll be big when I leave. It’ll be even bigger when I leave.”
