Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in Kansas University’s men’s basketball locker room?
Suffice it to say there’s little danger of one player punching another as allegedly happened in Seton Hall’s locker room after the Pirates’ loss to Georgetown on Saturday.
It’s generally as quiet as a library in the dressing area after KU losses. A lot of loud happy talk follows victories.
Take for instance the scene following Saturday’s 94-82 victory over Texas Tech at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas.
KU center Eric Chenowith joined media members who surrounded Drew Gooden, who had just scored a career-high 23 points.
“Drew Gooden … are the Raiders going to win the Super Bowl?” Chenowith asked Richmond, Calif., native Gooden, who like Orange, Calif., native Chenowith, is a big Raiders’ fan.
“I think the Titans are going to lose and we’re going to get the Raiders going and we’re going to be in the Super Bowl,” Gooden said.
Indeed, Gooden’s crystal ball was correct.
He correctly predicted Baltimore’s shocking victory over Tennessee Sunday in Nashville.
The Ravens and Raiders will meet Sunday in Oakland with a Super Bowl berth at stake.
“We’ll then get the Vikings,” prognosticator Gooden added, referring to the Raiders possibly playing Minnesota in the Super Bowl at 5 p.m. on Jan. 28 in Tampa, Fla.
Chenowith respected Texas Tech big men Andy Ellis and Cliff Owens before Saturday’s game in Lubbock, even more so after playing against the dynamic duo. They combined for 28 points and 15 boards in KU’s 12-point victory.
“I thought they were strong. They are ‘diesel,”‘ Chenowith said.
Massive Shaquille O’Neal of the Lakers has a rap compact disc entitled “Shaq Diesel.”
“Owens was real strong. Ellis … he really has a lot of skills,” Chenowith said of the 6-11 Ellis, who drifted out and hit a three-pointer.
KU junior walk-on guard Lewis Harrison, who has been bothered by pain in his left shoulder, was slated to have an MRI on the shoulder with results to be determined today. He may miss some practice time because of the injury.
John Crider’s status with KU’s team still hasn’t been announced.
Crider, KU’s junior guard from Horton, is expected to transfer to Washburn for the second semester.
“My understanding is it is like we left it several weeks ago. He’s wanting to come but the final decision has yet to be made,” said Washburn coach Bob Chipman, who killed a rumor that Crider has already joined Washburn’s team.
Crider and family members have no comment on the player’s situation. Chipman noted that it would be Williams who makes any announcement involving Crider.
Crider played sparingly in KU’s first exhibition game, and shortly after, expressed displeasure with his minutes and role on the team. He hasn’t practiced the past several weeks because of a quadricep injury.
He has visited with Chipman on Washburn’s campus and it’s expected he’ll soon become an Ichabod player. He’d be eligible next season with one or two years of eligibility remaining. Playing in the first exhibition costs him a year of eligibility unless he wins an appeal to the NCAA.
Rumors that the Jayhawks are recruiting David Harrison, a 7-foot senior center from Brentwood, Tenn., are not true.
“There’s not any interest in Kansas,” Williams said Monday on his Hawk Talk radio show. Colorado, North Carolina and Vanderbilt appear to be his leaders.
Williams said he’d solely concentrate on big forwards or centers next recruiting year. KU will have two scholarships to give in next year’s class.
“We’d still like to find a big guy between now and spring,” Williams said of completing recruiting this year. He’s signed guards Aaron Miles and Michael Lee of Portland, Ore., guard Keith Langford of Crowley, Texas and power forward Wayne Simien of Leavenworth. KC Sumner guard Jeff Hawkins has agreed to join the program as a red-shirt walk-on his first year, then go on scholarship the following year.
“We loaded up with guards this time. We do not need that in the following class,” Williams said.
Williams would expect to see former Celtics coach Rick Pitino in the college ranks again.
“I think he loves basketball period. I think he enjoys college basketball,” Williams said. “I think the financial situation the Celtics offered him a few years ago is something he couldn’t turn down. He’s a fantastic basketball coach at any level and I expect to see him back in the college game.
“At the pro level your hands are tied a bit. I think one of the reasons he left Kentucky is he thought the prospects were good of getting Tim Duncan. The pingpong balls (in NBA draft) did not come up their way and they (Celtics) did not get Tim Duncan.”
Pitino has been tied to openings at Indiana and UNLV and could be a candidate at UCLA if Steve Lavin is fired.
