Kansas distracted

By Gary Bedore     Dec 23, 2000

Journal-World File Photo
Ohio State's George Reese (40) found his path to the hoop blocked by Kansas' Kenny Gregory, right, and Eric Chenowith last year. KU defeated the Buckeyes, 80-67, last Dec. 16 at Allen Fieldhouse.

? Kansas University’s holiday travelers will be making a mad dash for the exits after today’s nonconference men’s basketball game at Ohio State.

The Jayhawks with the exception of Columbus, Ohio, native Kenny Gregory, who already is home for the holidays will be hustling to get to the airport for flights to their hometowns.

“I think it’s always a distraction,” KU coach Roy Williams said of the Jayhawks’ final game before winter break.

The players aren’t required to return to Lawrence until Wednesday night to begin preparation for next Saturday’s Sprint Shootout game against SW Missouri State at Kansas City’s Kemper Arena.

“Right after the game, everybody is scattering so quickly to go home. We have such close connections after the game,” Williams said.

It won’t help that the 3:15 p.m. game will be televised by CBS, the network known for its lengthy TV timeouts.

“The game being on CBS with such extended time outs (21/2 minutes), we might not have guys get home for Christmas because of the length of time outs,” Williams said. “Maybe that’s something I should bring up with the rules committee that kids didn’t get home for Christmas because they sold too many cases of deodorant.”

KU’s challenge today will be to forget Christmas for a couple of hours and concentrate on the task at hand beating 8-2 Ohio State, a team known for its stingy defense.

The Buckeyes rate No. 1 among Big Ten teams in field-goal percentage defense (35.8) and are No. 2 in scoring defense (56.1 ppg). The Buckeyes are third in the conference in rebounding defense, allowing foes just 29.4 boards a game.

“They are sound defensively. They have a great shot blocker back there in Ken Johnson, who erases some mistakes they do make,” Williams said. “They are athletic, strong.”

The 6-foot-11 Johnson averages four blocks per contest.

Williams said the Jayhawks can’t be intimidated by Johnson, who had seven blocks in Wednesday’s win over Robert Morris and nine earlier this season versus UMass.

“He affects everybody’s offense a great deal. We still have to try to go there,” Williams said. “We still have to try to make him make even more plays. We’ve got to challenge him inside. We can’t say we’ll go to something else just because he is there.”

KU’s strength is the inside play of Eric Chenowith, Drew Gooden and Nick Collison.

“We’ll try to make the inside important in all areas,” Williams said.

Another key could be the play of Gregory, a probable starter despite the fact he has missed three straight games with a stress fracture in his right foot.

“I don’t think he’s in basketball shape at all,” Williams said of Gregory, who missed two weeks of practice before returning Monday. “His foot has improved a great deal. He said the pain does not resemble what he had before. I can also break him down after four or five trips down the court. He looks winded.”

Gregory figures to start in the game in his hometown.

“I was even going to start Jacque Vaughn his senior year in Los Angeles and he couldn’t play at all,” said Williams, who considered starting Pasadena, Calif., native Vaughn broken wrist and all for ceremonial purposes during a game at UCLA Vaughn’s senior year. Vaughn begged off, saying it’d be a distraction for the team.

“Unless something weird happens, Kenny will start,” Williams said. “I think he’ll get a warm reception. He’s always been very positive about Ohio State. He’s been a big Ohio State football fan to say the least. One of his best friends is Joe Cooper, their All-America linebacker. I’m sure there will be some whistles or boos just because he plays for Kansas. Other than that, I think he’ll get a warm reception.”


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