Kansas University junior guard Jeff Boschee couldn’t remember the last time he didn’t attempt at least one three-pointer during his two-plus seasons as a Jayhawk.
“Yeah, it has been awhile,” Boschee said with a chuckle following KU’s 92-61 victory over Div. II North Dakota on Friday at Allen Fieldhouse.
Boschee couldn’t remember for good reason. For the first time in his collegiate career all 70 games Boschee on Friday didn’t uncork at least one shot from beyond the arc. The Valley City, N.D., native and only McDonald’s All-American ever selected from his home state is accustomed to thriving from three-point range. His 163 made three-pointers rank fourth in KU history and his 426 three-point attempts rank fifth.
He had made at least one three-pointer in 64 of his previous 69 games.
“They did a great job defending the perimeter,” the 6-foot-1 Boschee said of the Fighting Sioux. “They were hugging me or holding my jersey. It did get frustrating a little bit, but you have to go with the flow and take the win.”
Boschee finished with four points all in a 21/2-minute span in the second half and attempted just four shots against North Dakota. His first score came with 16:15 left in the second half.
With teammates Drew Gooden, Nick Collison and Eric Chenowith punishing the Sioux down low, Boschee said there was no need to pop from outside.
“The shots weren’t there tonight,” Boschee said. “We did have a huge advantage down low and a big emphasis was to get the ball down low. Our big guys were doing a good job of scoring.
“They did switch a lot of screens on the perimeter. They did a good job talking defensively.”
Before KU’s home opener, Boschee was antsy. North Dakota was added to the Jayhawks’ schedule because of Boschee’s ties to the state. Next year, KU will travel to Grand Forks, N.D., to play the Fighting Sioux.
“I was actually kind of nervous about this game,” Boschee said.
Several familiar faces greeted Boschee afterward. His parents, Floyd and Rosann, and his high school coach Bob Suko were in attendance.
“He’s the same kid, but he’s a lot bigger and stronger than he was in high school,” Suko said. “That’s his big quality how level-headed he is. He’s the same kid today that he was when I met him as an eighth-grader.”
Suko, who no longer coaches basketball and lives in Willmar, Minn., was making a two-for-one trip to Kansas this weekend. He’ll be in Manhattan today watching Texas-San Antonio play the Wildcats. Tyrone Terry, a freshman at UTSA, also played for Suko at Valley City.
“This trip has worked out pretty good,” Suko said.
It was a good trip for Boschee’s parents as well. They usually make the 10-hour drive to Lawrence 10 times a year and didn’t want to miss this one.
Boschee’s father wasn’t surprised how well North Dakota defended his son.
“I’m sure those boys from North Dakota want to show they can play a little ball too,” Floyd Boschee said.
The Boschees are already thinking about KU’s trip next year to Grand Forks, about two hours from Valley City.
“There’s going to be a lot of people there to watch him play,” Floyd said.
Jeff can’t wait either.
“It will be a fun experience to play in North Dakota one last time,” Jeff said.
Three-point goals: 9-34 (Munlin 4-5, Brandt 3-17, Behrens 2-7, Jacobson 0-3, Walker 0-1, Jenkins 0-1). Assists: 15 (Badding 3, Jacobson 3, Munlin 2, Behrens 2, Brandt, Sheplee, Walker, Jenkins, Sebesta). Turnovers: 9 (Badding 3, Behrens 2, Munlin 2, Jacobson, Jenkins). Blocked shots: 4 (Behrens 2, Walker 2). Steals: 10 (Walker 3, Brandt 2, Behrens 2, Munlin 2, Sheplee). |
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Three-point goals: 3-6 (Hinrich 2-3, Gregory 1-2, Kinsey 0-1). Assists: 26 (Hinrich 9, Collison 5, Boschee 4, Gregory 2, Kinsey 2, Chenowith, Gooden, Carey, Harrison). Turnovers: 15 (Collison 3, Hinrich 3, Gregory 2, Gooden 2, Kinsey 2, Chenowith, Ballard, Carey). Blocked shots: 5 (Collison 3, Chenowith, Gooden). Steals: 5 (Collison 2, Gregory, Harrison, Zerbe). |
