About a month ago Kirk Hinrich sat in front a computer typing responses to an online chat on ESPN’s web site.
Kansas’ junior guard answered all the important questions, like if he has a girlfriend (he does) and his favorite food (nachos).
So those might not be the kind of questions hard-core Jayhawk fans might have asked. Lucky for them he answered real questions, too.
Hinrich, who started every game for Kansas last season and averaged 11.5 points and 6.9 assists, responded to queries about a three-guard offense, what kind of impact freshman guard Aaron Miles will have on the team and if this is the year the Jayhawks will return to the NCAA Final Four.
But don’t think he had much of a clue about what he was doing.
When it comes to computers Hinrich is about as clueless as a tone deaf piano tuner.
“I don’t really do much with computers,” he said before he made is online chat debut. “All I know is that I’m answering questions.”
That’s a good thing for Kansas fans. Instead of holing up in his room last summer surfing the Internet or downloading bootlegged MP3’s Hinrich used the time off to get bigger, stronger and faster.
“Kirk is stronger and more explosive than I’ve ever seen,” coach Roy Williams said. “He went through the conditioning like it was a walk in the park.”
Hinrich said he “lifted a lot of weights and worked on my game” between is sophomore and junior years. Whether he put so much focus on conditioning and basketball last summer was self-driven or because he felt pressure from freshman point guard Aaron Miles isn’t clear.
But Hinrich didn’t seem too worried about Miles taking away some of his time at point guard.
“I think I’ll probably play the point,” he said. “Maybe not as much as last year, but whatever helps the team win. I’m glad that Aaron’s here. He’s a great player and he’s going to play a lot.”
Hinrich’s position as the incumbent point guard is similar to senior guard Jeff Boschee’s when Boschee was a sophomore and Hinrich was a freshman. Boschee split time with Ryan Robertson at point guard during his freshman season and started his sophomore year as Kansas’ point guard, but gave to Hinrich midway through the season.
For his part, Boschee doesn’t think Hinrich would have a hard time adjusting to another position if Miles gets extended playing time at point guard.
“Nick Bradford played four positions when he was here,” Boschee said. “I don’t think it’s too hard to learn two of them.”
Miles has also drawn comparisons to former Kansas all-American point guard Jacque Vaughn, who played point his freshman year. But Williams said he is in no hurry to let Miles control the Jayhawks’ offense and unseat Hinrich.
“I do expect big things from Aaron, but it’s pretty doggone good that the guy in front of (Miles), Kirk, had such a great year,” Williams said. “I expect Kirk to be even better this year. But we don’t have to have Aaron step forth because that guy in front of him, Kirk, is pretty good.”
