KU Notebook: Axtell expected to play despite bad back

By Gary Bedore     Feb 3, 2001

Bad back and all, Luke Axtell will play in today’s Kansas-Texas men’s basketball game at Allen Fieldhouse.

Axtell, KU’s 6-foot-10 senior guard from Austin, Texas, practiced Friday after learning an MRI showed he has a slight bulging disk in his back.

Axtell will continue to practice and play in games while receiving daily treatment.

He appeared labored at times at practice Friday, needing to stretch on the sidelines about two-thirds of the way through the Jayhawks’ workout.

Texas tougher at home

The Longhorns, who have won 25 straight home games, own a 2-4 road mark. Included is last Saturday’s 80-52 loss at Arizona.

“When you are at home, teams have a bit of a comfort zone, a little bit of a security blanket,” Texas coach Rick Barnes said.

“When you go on the road and things aren’t familiar to you, that’s when you need tremendous trust and confidence in your teammates.”

Defenses dandy

Texas has failed to hit 40 percent of its shots in six of its last eight games. The Longhorns have held opponents to 38 percent shooting.

“More than anything else, Texas does a great job of guarding people,” KU coach Roy Williams said.

“UConn goes in there and loses (60-56 on Jan. 15) because Texas just shut them out for a long stretch at the end of the game. It’s typical of Rick’s teams.”

Barnes returned the compliment to Williams’ Jayhawks, who have held foes to 37.7 percent shooting.

“I think the biggest difference between this year and last (for KU) is defense,” Barnes said Friday before UT’s afternoon practice at Allen Fieldhouse. “They are a much better defensive team. They are older, wiser. They really play well together. I don’t think they foul as much. They are smarter.

“For us, we are a lot like where they were a year ago. We are still learning. The other night I looked out there and we had four freshmen on the floor.”

Starting center James Thomas, a 6-8 frosh, averages 7.9 points and 7.2 boards. Other freshmen who contribute: Brandon Mouton (7.0 ppg), Royal Ivey (3.2 ppg) and Brian Boddicker 4.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

Much at stake today

Today’s game could have Big 12 title implications. The Longhorns enter 5-2 in the league; KU is 6-1.

“Where we are right now, we are more concerned with what we’re doing and trying to improve as a basketball team,” Barnes said, downplaying the “showdown” implications of the contest.

“This has a lot of meaning. It’s for first place in the Big 12,” Texas guard Maurice Evans said. “I think it’s a great rivalry. Two teams one North, one South division. Both schools have had a lot of success.”

Williams sees a KU-UT rivalry developing.

“Over time, the relationship you have with every school in the conference gets better,” Williams said.

“That in itself helps the rivalry you have between schools. No question the success Texas has had … they’ve stepped in (the Big 12) quicker competitively over a consistent basis. Texas Tech has had a couple good runs. Texas has been more competitive (thus far) than the other three (Texas) schools have.”

Pad on Collison’s elbow

KU sophomore Nick Collison wore a black pad on his right elbow at Friday’s practice. Collison banged his elbow at last year’s Big 12 Tournament and it has been somewhat sore of late.

Big day for Evans

Barnes on Wichitan Evans playing his first game in Allen Fieldhouse:

“I’m sure anytime you come home … with so many people (44) from Wichita coming to see him play, I’m sure it’s special to him,” Barnes said. “I don’t know how he’ll handle it. He’s handled things well before. The thing about Maurice is he wants to be really good. He’s willing to work at it to do the things necessary to get better.”

Kelly has friends here, too

Texas junior Darren Kelly, who averages a team-high 17.2 ppg, has left 10 tickets for teammates and friends from his old school Salina’s Brown Mackie College.

Portland signees shine

KU signees Aaron Miles and Michael Lee led Jefferson High of Portland, Ore., to a 98-74 victory over Roosevelt on Wednesday night at Jefferson’s gym. Lee, a shooting guard, hit his first six shots and scored a game-high 34 points. Miles, a point guard, had 22 points. Jefferson High improved to 14-2 and 11-0 in the Portland Interscholastic League. Jefferson has won 42 straight league games.

Assistant sports editor Gary Bedore can be reached at 832-7186.

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