These are trying times for Danny Manning.
“It’s been very frustrating,” said Kansas’ 6-10 basketball center, admitting the Jayhawks’ three-game losing streak has rubbed him the wrong way.
“I’ve gotten the ball in crunch time. I haven’t gone out and done the things I need to do. Against Notre Dame, I missed a one and one free throw. Against Nebraska, I dribbled the ball off my leg. My teammates are getting me the ball. I have to do something with it.”
He hopes the Jayhawks will bust out of their recent “rut” tonight against Oklahoma. Tipoff is 8:05 at Allen Fieldhouse.
Yes, Manning’s free throw miss at Notre Dame was pivotal in an 80-76 loss. His late turnover killed KU in a 70-68 setback at Nebraska.
Also, his 12-shot, 21-point effort Saturday against Kansas State’s 3-2 zone defense – one that surrounded Manning with two to three Wildcats at all times – was also generally acclaimed as unacceptable.
“We lost three ballgames we were in a position to win,” Manning said. “We’ve lost two games on the road, then again at home. That’s something we’re not accustomed to, losing at home.
“We’re trying to bounce back. It’s frustrating, but I can’t show my frustration on the court. Once I get frustrated at people sagging, packing it in, I can’t concentrate on the game. I can’t get caught up in talking to the refs, begging for calls. I’ve gotta go out and do what I can.”
Life’s been miserable for Manning the past five games, since 6-10 Marvin Branch was declared ineligible. Without Branch, the Jayhawks are 0-4 against Div. I teams.
Teams are simply mugging Manning, forcing Danny, who hit a pair of three-pointers against Kansas State, to venture out from around the goal.
“I’ve been given the freedom to go out on the perimeter but to get in rebounding position. I just haven’t,” said Manning, who is averaging 23.3 points and 8.2 boards. “I’ve been trying to post up. Coach Brown wants me to step out on the floor to get people off my back. If I can dart out, then in, it’s easier.”
It’ll also be helpful if Manning’s teammates sink open 15-footers.
“I think our guys want to step forward and give us offense,” Manning said. “It’s a matter of ’em recognizing a good shot from a bad shot.”
Manning and the Jayhawks have been through slumps before, hence he hopes this one will end.
In a way, the Jayhawks are still trying to find themselves offensively since the losses of Branch and Archie Marshall (to injury). Also Chris Piper has been ineffective because of injuries, while both Mark Randall and Sean Alvarado have been red-shirted.
“Last year, we had a team that had been together awhile,” said Manning. “The spacing (on court) was good. There was balance on the floor, keeping the middle open. Now teams are sagging. Maybe if Oklahoma sags, we’ll hit the 15-footer.”
And perhaps, before it’s all over, Manning will rally and earn national player of the year honors after all.
“That’s something I’m not worried about,” he said. “You turn on the TV, ESPN, and see great players from the Big East, Big Ten, Pac 10. Not a single player is head and shoulders above the rest.
“It’d be a very nice honor,” he noted, when pressed on the matter. “Not only for myself, but for the team, coaching staff and the university. I just want to go out and do things, stay within expectations of myself. If we work hard, the team will win and maybe I’ll receive some kind of postseason honor.”
Coach Larry Brown certainly believes that’s possible…if Manning starts to give maximum effort.
“He was much more active last year. Last year he demanded the ball. This year, he’s much more straight up,” Brown said. “I show him films every day. When the ball doesn’t come, he’s gotta demand it or get an offensive rebound.
“Last year, we played exactly the same way. He’s seeing the same kinds of zones. But he was more assertive and had two experienced guards (Cedric Hunter and Mark Turgeon) who took an unbelievable amount of pressure off him. They knew how to get him the ball. The bottom line is we have to step forward and hit a jump shot (to take heat off Manning).
“If we’re to be competitive, he’ll have to play his best basketball. He’ll do it,” Brown continued. “I saw a similar thing last year. That’s what I admire most about him. He kept plugging and the last 20 games, he was phenomenal.”
The bottom line really is…Manning simply must play well, regardless.
“I’ve told Danny they won’t pay him money (in NBA next year) to look good in a program. Losing Archie and Marvin has added responsibility, but it’ll prepare him for what people will expect later, too.”
Manning agrees the tribulations may help him down the road in the NBA.
“Personally it (this year) has not been up to my expectations,” Manning said. “I didn’t think we’d have as many losses at this point. It’s been hard, but it’ll help us all out as athletes and human beings as far as adversity and making adjustments.”
