The calendar says today is Wednesday, March 14, 2001.
The calendar lies.
“It’s back to Oct. 15,” said Kansas basketball coach Roy Williams, who who has turned back the clock in an effort to fix what’s wrong with his Jayhawks, who fizzled in Saturday’s 62-57 Big 12 semifinal loss to Oklahoma. “We’re going to longer, harder practices. I feel better already.”
Williams has dug out his mid-October practice plans ones that stress fundamentals, running, sweat, and more running.
“Coach said it was Oct. 16 today,” senior forward Kenny Gregory said after Tuesday’s more than two-hour practice in preparation for Friday night’s first-round NCAA Tournament contest against Cal State Northridge.
“He’s been talking about that the past two days. It’s been a good motivational tool. Guys hate the first couple weeks of practice. They go 21/2 to three hours and you have no games to break them up. We’re doing quick slides, defensive stances. He’s working you mentally to see if you’ll give up and give in.
“We’re back to basics with a lot of competitions winners and losers. Losers have to run. It’s competitive. He’s trying to get that fire back in us,” Gregory added.
The fire may be blazing again in the Jayhawks, who will take a 24-6 record into tournament play.
“Today was one of the best practices we had all season. It was a lot better than yesterday’s and yesterday’s was good,” Gregory said. “This opens guys’ eyes up. We’ve still got things to accomplish. You don’t want to give up too early. Whatever it takes to win.”
Williams isn’t necessarily working the Jayhawks hard because of any on-court bickering between players during the OU game.
Team unity is strong, Gregory said.
“We were never apart. The whole situation is kinda blown out of proportion,” Gregory said. “People say there is turmoil between the team. We were talking the other day. We feel we get along better than any of the past two teams.
“My sophomore year that team was pretty divided. Four guys here; four guys there in different groups. We have a close team.”
“Individually, as a player, things don’t bother me,” he said.
“If I miss somebody on a cut and they’re wide open, they’ll say, ‘Kenny I was open.’ I don’t mind that. Some guys take it different ways. In the heat of the game you might not say it in the nicest way. You have to be able to take that. It’s happened a couple of times this season where guys speak their minds. In the heat of the battle things come across in a different tone of voice. After the game you are disappointed with the outcome, but not thinking about words you had with a teammate in the heat of battle. You have to move on.”
An MRI taken Tuesday showed KU freshman Bryant Nash has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. He’s finished for the season, but will not need surgery.
“We’re definitely disappointed for Bryant. It would have been his first tournament,” Gregory said of the 6-6 native of Carrollton, Texas. “At least it’s not as bad as it could have been as far as an injury.”
Typically that injury keeps a player off his feet about three weeks.
KU signee Aaron Miles has been awarded the prestigious Morgan Wooten Award, which goes to the top high school basketball player in the country in terms of combining academics, leadership and on-court ability. The Portland, Ore., Jefferson High point guard is a brilliant student and member of student government and also a McDonald’s All-America player.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Gregory will be playing Friday’s 6:40 p.m. game in Dayton, Ohio 84 miles from Columbus.
“I actually didn’t want to go back home. I wanted to go somewhere nice warm like New Orleans or San Diego, somewhere I’ve never been before. The good thing is my dad came all the way from Ohio to see me play last weekend. He only got to see two games. Now he gets to see me in person again, hopefully two games.”
Gregory is not pleased he was not named a first-team all-Big 12 player.
“I knew beforehand I wouldn’t make it … I’m used to getting shafted,” said Gregory, who wasn’t picked to the all tournament team in Alaska last season despite dominating the tourney. “I told my AAU coach on Senior Day I wouldn’t be surprised if I didn’t make it. I feel I’m definitely a first-team player in this conference definitely. I’m kind of used to getting a raw deal.”
He was named honorable mention All-America Tuesday however.
Gregory believes the KU team has good leadership.
“I was disappointed to read an article in the paper questioning leadership on the team. The only time leadership is questioned is when you lose.”
Who’s the team leader? “Definitely I am the main leader,” he said. “Seniors are always looked upon for leadership. Luke (Axtell) could be but it’s tough because he’s not been able to participate (injury). It’s hard to get guys to really respond to all the information he tries to give when you’re not playing. Eric is just Eric,” he deadpanned of senior pivot Eric Chenowith.
