Some basketball players dread practice.
Not Kansas University’s Nick Collison, who is having a fine time during KU’s workouts this preseason.
“It’s been more fun practicing this year than any year since I’ve been here,” said Collison, a 6-foot-9 forward from Iowa Falls, Iowa.
On Monday, Collison stayed after the two-hour practice to shoot around on his own.
“Guys are really playing well together,” he added. “We’ve got a lot of experienced guys back who are used to it. We also have new guys bringing new things. So it’s been kind of fun.”
Not as fun as the games, however, and Collison and his teammates say they are eager to return to the court tonight for Exhibition No. 2.
Tipoff for the KU-Fort Hays State game is 7:05 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse. It’ll be shown live on channels 13 and 38.
Collison scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds while playing 20 minutes in last Wednesday’s 98-77 win over EA Sports Central All-Stars. His front court partner, Drew Gooden, had 17 points and two boards in 22 minutes.
“I had two rebounds one defensive, one offensive. It’s my low ever on rebounds. I have to step that up more,” Gooden said. “Defensively we have to force more turnovers out there. We forced 16 eight a half. That’s not enough.”
KU coach Roy Williams wants to see more improved work on the backboards tonight, plus some other things, as KU has its last tune-up before Monday’s Maui Invitational opener against Ball State.
“We need to work more on our 5-on-5 execution, whether it’s offensively the set plays or defensively everybody getting in the same defense trying to get in more game situations and do what we’re supposed to do,” the coach said.
KU went 0-for-12 in converting baskets off set plays in the first half of the EA Sports game.
“Probably every play we called went wrong,” junior guard Kirk Hinrich said. “People were lost out there. I don’t know if it was the crowd or what. It’s people not being in the right spots. On our secondary break there are so many calls. We screwed them all up.”
It might help tonight in that KU’s freshman have a game under their belts.
Frosh point guard Aaron Miles scored 10 points with had five assists and two turnovers in his preseason debut.
“I think Aaron has gotten better and a better understanding,” Williams said. “Defensively the biggest thing is to concentrate to see both the man and the ball. In high school a lot of times he just watched the ball. If you are the fastest, quickest and best player, you can still steal it. You can’t do that at our level.
“Just getting a better feel of trying to do things as fast as you possibly can under control it’s hard to do that when the speed of the game is so much different than what you are used to in high school,” the coach added.
l
Raney, Rhodes return: Former Lawrence High guard Jim Rhodes and Oskaloosa High guard Jonathan Raney will play for Fort Hays State tonight. Raney scored 11 points and Rhodes three in the Tigers’ 101-72 exhibition win over Kansas Dream Builders last Friday in Hays.
“I love that part of it,” Williams said of local products getting to play at Allen Fieldhouse. “I would think it’d be something they really enjoy.”
l
Bradford playing for EA Sports: Former KU guard Nick Bradford, who will play for the Kansas City Knights this season, has been tuning up for the ABA season by touring with EA Sports Southwest All-Stars.
Bradford scored 21 points in EA’s 106-88 loss to Colorado last Friday.
“Colorado is probably in the top two teams that we’ve played so far,” Bradford said of the Southwest team, which has played Utah, Utah State, Arizona, Air Force, BYU, Wyoming and USC.
“The best two we’ve played have been Colorado and Arizona. It’s a good ballclub. They have a lot more quickness. I like their point guard (James Wright). He pushes it up and makes the defense react. Then they have a better down-low presence. (David) Harrison, he’s young, but he’s a presence down there. I think they’re going to do well.”
Bradford went undefeated against CU from 1996-2000.
“They have a chance to beat anybody and everybody in the conference except for KU. I have to stay true,” Bradford told the Boulder Daily Camera.
Some basketball players dread practice.
Not Kansas University’s Nick Collison, who is having a fine time during KU’s workouts this preseason.
“It’s been more fun practicing this year than any year since I’ve been here,” said Collison, a 6-foot-9 forward from Iowa Falls, Iowa.
On Monday, Collison stayed after the two-hour practice to shoot around on his own.
“Guys are really playing well together,” he added. “We’ve got a lot of experienced guys back who are used to it. We also have new guys bringing new things. So it’s been kind of fun.”
Not as fun as the games, however, and Collison and his teammates say they are eager to return to the court tonight for Exhibition No. 2.
Tipoff for the KU-Fort Hays State game is 7:05 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse. It’ll be shown live on channels 13 and 38.
Collison scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds while playing 20 minutes in last Wednesday’s 98-77 win over EA Sports Central All-Stars. His front court partner, Drew Gooden, had 17 points and two boards in 22 minutes.
“I had two rebounds one defensive, one offensive. It’s my low ever on rebounds. I have to step that up more,” Gooden said. “Defensively we have to force more turnovers out there. We forced 16 eight a half. That’s not enough.”
KU coach Roy Williams wants to see more improved work on the backboards tonight, plus some other things, as KU has its last tune-up before Monday’s Maui Invitational opener against Ball State.
“We need to work more on our 5-on-5 execution, whether it’s offensively the set plays or defensively everybody getting in the same defense trying to get in more game situations and do what we’re supposed to do,” the coach said.
KU went 0-for-12 in converting baskets off set plays in the first half of the EA Sports game.
“Probably every play we called went wrong,” junior guard Kirk Hinrich said. “People were lost out there. I don’t know if it was the crowd or what. It’s people not being in the right spots. On our secondary break there are so many calls. We screwed them all up.”
It might help tonight in that KU’s freshman have a game under their belts.
Frosh point guard Aaron Miles scored 10 points with had five assists and two turnovers in his preseason debut.
“I think Aaron has gotten better and a better understanding,” Williams said. “Defensively the biggest thing is to concentrate to see both the man and the ball. In high school a lot of times he just watched the ball. If you are the fastest, quickest and best player, you can still steal it. You can’t do that at our level.
“Just getting a better feel of trying to do things as fast as you possibly can under control it’s hard to do that when the speed of the game is so much different than what you are used to in high school,” the coach added.
l
Raney, Rhodes return: Former Lawrence High guard Jim Rhodes and Oskaloosa High guard Jonathan Raney will play for Fort Hays State tonight. Raney scored 11 points and Rhodes three in the Tigers’ 101-72 exhibition win over Kansas Dream Builders last Friday in Hays.
“I love that part of it,” Williams said of local products getting to play at Allen Fieldhouse. “I would think it’d be something they really enjoy.”
l
Bradford playing for EA Sports: Former KU guard Nick Bradford, who will play for the Kansas City Knights this season, has been tuning up for the ABA season by touring with EA Sports Southwest All-Stars.
Bradford scored 21 points in EA’s 106-88 loss to Colorado last Friday.
“Colorado is probably in the top two teams that we’ve played so far,” Bradford said of the Southwest team, which has played Utah, Utah State, Arizona, Air Force, BYU, Wyoming and USC.
“The best two we’ve played have been Colorado and Arizona. It’s a good ballclub. They have a lot more quickness. I like their point guard (James Wright). He pushes it up and makes the defense react. Then they have a better down-low presence. (David) Harrison, he’s young, but he’s a presence down there. I think they’re going to do well.”
Bradford went undefeated against CU from 1996-2000.
“They have a chance to beat anybody and everybody in the conference except for KU. I have to stay true,” Bradford told the Boulder Daily Camera.
Some basketball players dread practice.
Not Kansas University’s Nick Collison, who is having a fine time during KU’s workouts this preseason.
“It’s been more fun practicing this year than any year since I’ve been here,” said Collison, a 6-foot-9 forward from Iowa Falls, Iowa.
On Monday, Collison stayed after the two-hour practice to shoot around on his own.
“Guys are really playing well together,” he added. “We’ve got a lot of experienced guys back who are used to it. We also have new guys bringing new things. So it’s been kind of fun.”
Not as fun as the games, however, and Collison and his teammates say they are eager to return to the court tonight for Exhibition No. 2.
Tipoff for the KU-Fort Hays State game is 7:05 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse. It’ll be shown live on channels 13 and 38.
Collison scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds while playing 20 minutes in last Wednesday’s 98-77 win over EA Sports Central All-Stars. His front court partner, Drew Gooden, had 17 points and two boards in 22 minutes.
“I had two rebounds one defensive, one offensive. It’s my low ever on rebounds. I have to step that up more,” Gooden said. “Defensively we have to force more turnovers out there. We forced 16 eight a half. That’s not enough.”
KU coach Roy Williams wants to see more improved work on the backboards tonight, plus some other things, as KU has its last tune-up before Monday’s Maui Invitational opener against Ball State.
“We need to work more on our 5-on-5 execution, whether it’s offensively the set plays or defensively everybody getting in the same defense trying to get in more game situations and do what we’re supposed to do,” the coach said.
KU went 0-for-12 in converting baskets off set plays in the first half of the EA Sports game.
“Probably every play we called went wrong,” junior guard Kirk Hinrich said. “People were lost out there. I don’t know if it was the crowd or what. It’s people not being in the right spots. On our secondary break there are so many calls. We screwed them all up.”
It might help tonight in that KU’s freshman have a game under their belts.
Frosh point guard Aaron Miles scored 10 points with had five assists and two turnovers in his preseason debut.
“I think Aaron has gotten better and a better understanding,” Williams said. “Defensively the biggest thing is to concentrate to see both the man and the ball. In high school a lot of times he just watched the ball. If you are the fastest, quickest and best player, you can still steal it. You can’t do that at our level.
“Just getting a better feel of trying to do things as fast as you possibly can under control it’s hard to do that when the speed of the game is so much different than what you are used to in high school,” the coach added.
l
Raney, Rhodes return: Former Lawrence High guard Jim Rhodes and Oskaloosa High guard Jonathan Raney will play for Fort Hays State tonight. Raney scored 11 points and Rhodes three in the Tigers’ 101-72 exhibition win over Kansas Dream Builders last Friday in Hays.
“I love that part of it,” Williams said of local products getting to play at Allen Fieldhouse. “I would think it’d be something they really enjoy.”
l
Bradford playing for EA Sports: Former KU guard Nick Bradford, who will play for the Kansas City Knights this season, has been tuning up for the ABA season by touring with EA Sports Southwest All-Stars.
Bradford scored 21 points in EA’s 106-88 loss to Colorado last Friday.
“Colorado is probably in the top two teams that we’ve played so far,” Bradford said of the Southwest team, which has played Utah, Utah State, Arizona, Air Force, BYU, Wyoming and USC.
“The best two we’ve played have been Colorado and Arizona. It’s a good ballclub. They have a lot more quickness. I like their point guard (James Wright). He pushes it up and makes the defense react. Then they have a better down-low presence. (David) Harrison, he’s young, but he’s a presence down there. I think they’re going to do well.”
Bradford went undefeated against CU from 1996-2000.
“They have a chance to beat anybody and everybody in the conference except for KU. I have to stay true,” Bradford told the Boulder Daily Camera.
Some basketball players dread practice.
Not Kansas University’s Nick Collison, who is having a fine time during KU’s workouts this preseason.
“It’s been more fun practicing this year than any year since I’ve been here,” said Collison, a 6-foot-9 forward from Iowa Falls, Iowa.
On Monday, Collison stayed after the two-hour practice to shoot around on his own.
“Guys are really playing well together,” he added. “We’ve got a lot of experienced guys back who are used to it. We also have new guys bringing new things. So it’s been kind of fun.”
Not as fun as the games, however, and Collison and his teammates say they are eager to return to the court tonight for Exhibition No. 2.
Tipoff for the KU-Fort Hays State game is 7:05 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse. It’ll be shown live on channels 13 and 38.
Collison scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds while playing 20 minutes in last Wednesday’s 98-77 win over EA Sports Central All-Stars. His front court partner, Drew Gooden, had 17 points and two boards in 22 minutes.
“I had two rebounds one defensive, one offensive. It’s my low ever on rebounds. I have to step that up more,” Gooden said. “Defensively we have to force more turnovers out there. We forced 16 eight a half. That’s not enough.”
KU coach Roy Williams wants to see more improved work on the backboards tonight, plus some other things, as KU has its last tune-up before Monday’s Maui Invitational opener against Ball State.
“We need to work more on our 5-on-5 execution, whether it’s offensively the set plays or defensively everybody getting in the same defense trying to get in more game situations and do what we’re supposed to do,” the coach said.
KU went 0-for-12 in converting baskets off set plays in the first half of the EA Sports game.
“Probably every play we called went wrong,” junior guard Kirk Hinrich said. “People were lost out there. I don’t know if it was the crowd or what. It’s people not being in the right spots. On our secondary break there are so many calls. We screwed them all up.”
It might help tonight in that KU’s freshman have a game under their belts.
Frosh point guard Aaron Miles scored 10 points with had five assists and two turnovers in his preseason debut.
“I think Aaron has gotten better and a better understanding,” Williams said. “Defensively the biggest thing is to concentrate to see both the man and the ball. In high school a lot of times he just watched the ball. If you are the fastest, quickest and best player, you can still steal it. You can’t do that at our level.
“Just getting a better feel of trying to do things as fast as you possibly can under control it’s hard to do that when the speed of the game is so much different than what you are used to in high school,” the coach added.
l
Raney, Rhodes return: Former Lawrence High guard Jim Rhodes and Oskaloosa High guard Jonathan Raney will play for Fort Hays State tonight. Raney scored 11 points and Rhodes three in the Tigers’ 101-72 exhibition win over Kansas Dream Builders last Friday in Hays.
“I love that part of it,” Williams said of local products getting to play at Allen Fieldhouse. “I would think it’d be something they really enjoy.”
l
Bradford playing for EA Sports: Former KU guard Nick Bradford, who will play for the Kansas City Knights this season, has been tuning up for the ABA season by touring with EA Sports Southwest All-Stars.
Bradford scored 21 points in EA’s 106-88 loss to Colorado last Friday.
“Colorado is probably in the top two teams that we’ve played so far,” Bradford said of the Southwest team, which has played Utah, Utah State, Arizona, Air Force, BYU, Wyoming and USC.
“The best two we’ve played have been Colorado and Arizona. It’s a good ballclub. They have a lot more quickness. I like their point guard (James Wright). He pushes it up and makes the defense react. Then they have a better down-low presence. (David) Harrison, he’s young, but he’s a presence down there. I think they’re going to do well.”
Bradford went undefeated against CU from 1996-2000.
“They have a chance to beat anybody and everybody in the conference except for KU. I have to stay true,” Bradford told the Boulder Daily Camera.
