Kansas looking ahead following losses

By Gary Bedore     Dec 2, 2002

Yes, the sun still shined in Lawrence the mornings after Kansas University’s men’s basketball losses Wednesday night and Friday night.

And at least one Jayhawk player preferred to look at the bright side as the Jayhawks carry on after dropping back-to-back games to North Carolina (67-56) and Florida (83-73) at the Preseason NIT last week in New York.

“We played two good teams,” sophomore point guard Aaron Miles said. “We’re going to bounce back and be all right.

“I felt really pleased with our performance in the second half,” Miles added of a second-half effort against Florida that saw KU cut a 19-point deficit to two, surrendering after a barrage of Gator three-pointers. “We showed a little heart and enthusiasm.”

In New York, KU exhibited some offensive woes from the outside, hitting just five of 25 three-pointers.

Miles was asked which player he could envision stepping up for the departed Jeff Boschee this season to sink the deep shot.

“Everybody else on the perimeter,” the 6-foot-1 guard said. “I missed two (against Florida), but as long as they feel good, I’m confident. I was going to shoot the next one, too. I feel every time I’m going to make it.”

Miles hit four of 18 shots in the two games in New York, icing one of five threes. For the year, he’s averaging 5.3 points a game off 23.1 percent shooting (six of 26). He’s made two of eight threes and logged six assists per game.

“It’s not like I’m hunting for them, but I expect to make them,” Miles said of three-point shots. “Everybody is going to drop down and have us try to beat them from top. They don’t think we have good shooters, so we’ll have to show them.

“I am trying to be offensive minded. I’m going to try to attack the defensive boards a little bit so we can help start the fastbreak quicker.”

Miles averaged 7.1 points a game his freshman year on 40.4 percent shooting. He hit 13 of 45 three-pointers and had 252 assists against 102 turnovers. He crushed the Jayhawks’ freshman assist record and dished out the second most assists in a season in KU history.

“I feel very confident in my ability to shoot the ball,” he said. “I worked all summer on my jumper.”

¢

Food, glorious food: On Sunday, the Jayhawks had a late Thanksgiving dinner at the home of KU coach Roy Williams and his wife, Wanda. The Jayhawks, of course, were in New York on Thanksgiving Day.

Williams described the dinner during his KU basketball class several weeks ago at the Lied Center.

“We have 49 pounds of turkey and ham, five pies, 300 rolls from scratch,” he explained. “Wanda does every bit herself. Last year she made over 300 rolls, pecan pies, pumpkin pies. We had four turkey breasts, one full turkey. Stuffing one turkey is all I did.”

It’s one of the Williams’ favorite days of the year. Roy Williams lives for his wife’s dinner rolls, noting he hid several last year, since the year before they were gone by the time he entered the food line.

“In the recruiting part I tell ’em, ‘It’s a family. I’ll be concerned about you the rest of your life.’ It’s one of the things we do as a family,” the coach said.

¢

Gregory in England: Former Kansas player Kenny Gregory is playing for the Chester Jets in the British Basketball League. He averaged 25 points and 4.6 rebounds in four games. Gregory, a 6-foot-5, 208-pound guard, is hitting a sizzling 64 percent from the field. He’s made five of 10 threes.

¢

Boschee heads home: Former Kansas guard Jeff Boschee signed his book “Long Shot” at bookstores in North Dakota over the weekend.

The 22-year-old Boschee, a native of Valley City, N.D., is selling his book in both Kansas and North Dakota.

He says he’s now leaning toward playing pro ball next season after this year of recharging his basketball batteries. The book chronicles his case of burnout during his junior year at KU.

“I’d like to play for a few years, whether it’s overseas or I get picked up here,” Boschee told the Associated Press on Saturday at a signing in Minot, N.D. “My goal, though, is to be a college coach someday. I’ve learned so much from coach Williams. He’s a guy who has taught a lot of college coaches.”

Boschee is enjoying his first winter without organized basketball since he was in elementary school.

“It’s been nice to walk into practice every day and not get yelled at,” Boschee said. “I still work out with the (KU) team, but it’s stress-free : nice and relaxing.”

Kansas looking ahead following losses

By Jim Baker     Dec 2, 2002

Yes, the sun still shined in Lawrence the mornings after Kansas University’s men’s basketball losses Wednesday night and Friday night.

And at least one Jayhawk player preferred to look at the bright side as the Jayhawks carry on after dropping back-to-back games to North Carolina (67-56) and Florida (83-73) at the Preseason NIT last week in New York.

“We played two good teams,” sophomore point guard Aaron Miles said. “We’re going to bounce back and be all right.

“I felt really pleased with our performance in the second half,” Miles added of a second-half effort against Florida that saw KU cut a 19-point deficit to two, surrendering after a barrage of Gator three-pointers. “We showed a little heart and enthusiasm.”

In New York, KU exhibited some offensive woes from the outside, hitting just five of 25 three-pointers.

Miles was asked which player he could envision stepping up for the departed Jeff Boschee this season to sink the deep shot.

“Everybody else on the perimeter,” the 6-foot-1 guard said. “I missed two (against Florida), but as long as they feel good, I’m confident. I was going to shoot the next one, too. I feel every time I’m going to make it.”

Miles hit four of 18 shots in the two games in New York, icing one of five threes. For the year, he’s averaging 5.3 points a game off 23.1 percent shooting (six of 26). He’s made two of eight threes and logged six assists per game.

“It’s not like I’m hunting for them, but I expect to make them,” Miles said of three-point shots. “Everybody is going to drop down and have us try to beat them from top. They don’t think we have good shooters, so we’ll have to show them.

“I am trying to be offensive minded. I’m going to try to attack the defensive boards a little bit so we can help start the fastbreak quicker.”

Miles averaged 7.1 points a game his freshman year on 40.4 percent shooting. He hit 13 of 45 three-pointers and had 252 assists against 102 turnovers. He crushed the Jayhawks’ freshman assist record and dished out the second most assists in a season in KU history.

“I feel very confident in my ability to shoot the ball,” he said. “I worked all summer on my jumper.”

¢

Food, glorious food: On Sunday, the Jayhawks had a late Thanksgiving dinner at the home of KU coach Roy Williams and his wife, Wanda. The Jayhawks, of course, were in New York on Thanksgiving Day.

Williams described the dinner during his KU basketball class several weeks ago at the Lied Center.

“We have 49 pounds of turkey and ham, five pies, 300 rolls from scratch,” he explained. “Wanda does every bit herself. Last year she made over 300 rolls, pecan pies, pumpkin pies. We had four turkey breasts, one full turkey. Stuffing one turkey is all I did.”

It’s one of the Williams’ favorite days of the year. Roy Williams lives for his wife’s dinner rolls, noting he hid several last year, since the year before they were gone by the time he entered the food line.

“In the recruiting part I tell ’em, ‘It’s a family. I’ll be concerned about you the rest of your life.’ It’s one of the things we do as a family,” the coach said.

¢

Gregory in England: Former Kansas player Kenny Gregory is playing for the Chester Jets in the British Basketball League. He averaged 25 points and 4.6 rebounds in four games. Gregory, a 6-foot-5, 208-pound guard, is hitting a sizzling 64 percent from the field. He’s made five of 10 threes.

¢

Boschee heads home: Former Kansas guard Jeff Boschee signed his book “Long Shot” at bookstores in North Dakota over the weekend.

The 22-year-old Boschee, a native of Valley City, N.D., is selling his book in both Kansas and North Dakota.

He says he’s now leaning toward playing pro ball next season after this year of recharging his basketball batteries. The book chronicles his case of burnout during his junior year at KU.

“I’d like to play for a few years, whether it’s overseas or I get picked up here,” Boschee told the Associated Press on Saturday at a signing in Minot, N.D. “My goal, though, is to be a college coach someday. I’ve learned so much from coach Williams. He’s a guy who has taught a lot of college coaches.”

Boschee is enjoying his first winter without organized basketball since he was in elementary school.

“It’s been nice to walk into practice every day and not get yelled at,” Boschee said. “I still work out with the (KU) team, but it’s stress-free : nice and relaxing.”

Kansas looking ahead following losses

By Jim Baker     Dec 2, 2002

Yes, the sun still shined in Lawrence the mornings after Kansas University’s men’s basketball losses Wednesday night and Friday night.

And at least one Jayhawk player preferred to look at the bright side as the Jayhawks carry on after dropping back-to-back games to North Carolina (67-56) and Florida (83-73) at the Preseason NIT last week in New York.

“We played two good teams,” sophomore point guard Aaron Miles said. “We’re going to bounce back and be all right.

“I felt really pleased with our performance in the second half,” Miles added of a second-half effort against Florida that saw KU cut a 19-point deficit to two, surrendering after a barrage of Gator three-pointers. “We showed a little heart and enthusiasm.”

In New York, KU exhibited some offensive woes from the outside, hitting just five of 25 three-pointers.

Miles was asked which player he could envision stepping up for the departed Jeff Boschee this season to sink the deep shot.

“Everybody else on the perimeter,” the 6-foot-1 guard said. “I missed two (against Florida), but as long as they feel good, I’m confident. I was going to shoot the next one, too. I feel every time I’m going to make it.”

Miles hit four of 18 shots in the two games in New York, icing one of five threes. For the year, he’s averaging 5.3 points a game off 23.1 percent shooting (six of 26). He’s made two of eight threes and logged six assists per game.

“It’s not like I’m hunting for them, but I expect to make them,” Miles said of three-point shots. “Everybody is going to drop down and have us try to beat them from top. They don’t think we have good shooters, so we’ll have to show them.

“I am trying to be offensive minded. I’m going to try to attack the defensive boards a little bit so we can help start the fastbreak quicker.”

Miles averaged 7.1 points a game his freshman year on 40.4 percent shooting. He hit 13 of 45 three-pointers and had 252 assists against 102 turnovers. He crushed the Jayhawks’ freshman assist record and dished out the second most assists in a season in KU history.

“I feel very confident in my ability to shoot the ball,” he said. “I worked all summer on my jumper.”

¢

Food, glorious food: On Sunday, the Jayhawks had a late Thanksgiving dinner at the home of KU coach Roy Williams and his wife, Wanda. The Jayhawks, of course, were in New York on Thanksgiving Day.

Williams described the dinner during his KU basketball class several weeks ago at the Lied Center.

“We have 49 pounds of turkey and ham, five pies, 300 rolls from scratch,” he explained. “Wanda does every bit herself. Last year she made over 300 rolls, pecan pies, pumpkin pies. We had four turkey breasts, one full turkey. Stuffing one turkey is all I did.”

It’s one of the Williams’ favorite days of the year. Roy Williams lives for his wife’s dinner rolls, noting he hid several last year, since the year before they were gone by the time he entered the food line.

“In the recruiting part I tell ’em, ‘It’s a family. I’ll be concerned about you the rest of your life.’ It’s one of the things we do as a family,” the coach said.

¢

Gregory in England: Former Kansas player Kenny Gregory is playing for the Chester Jets in the British Basketball League. He averaged 25 points and 4.6 rebounds in four games. Gregory, a 6-foot-5, 208-pound guard, is hitting a sizzling 64 percent from the field. He’s made five of 10 threes.

¢

Boschee heads home: Former Kansas guard Jeff Boschee signed his book “Long Shot” at bookstores in North Dakota over the weekend.

The 22-year-old Boschee, a native of Valley City, N.D., is selling his book in both Kansas and North Dakota.

He says he’s now leaning toward playing pro ball next season after this year of recharging his basketball batteries. The book chronicles his case of burnout during his junior year at KU.

“I’d like to play for a few years, whether it’s overseas or I get picked up here,” Boschee told the Associated Press on Saturday at a signing in Minot, N.D. “My goal, though, is to be a college coach someday. I’ve learned so much from coach Williams. He’s a guy who has taught a lot of college coaches.”

Boschee is enjoying his first winter without organized basketball since he was in elementary school.

“It’s been nice to walk into practice every day and not get yelled at,” Boschee said. “I still work out with the (KU) team, but it’s stress-free : nice and relaxing.”

Kansas looking ahead following losses

By Jim Baker     Dec 2, 2002

Yes, the sun still shined in Lawrence the mornings after Kansas University’s men’s basketball losses Wednesday night and Friday night.

And at least one Jayhawk player preferred to look at the bright side as the Jayhawks carry on after dropping back-to-back games to North Carolina (67-56) and Florida (83-73) at the Preseason NIT last week in New York.

“We played two good teams,” sophomore point guard Aaron Miles said. “We’re going to bounce back and be all right.

“I felt really pleased with our performance in the second half,” Miles added of a second-half effort against Florida that saw KU cut a 19-point deficit to two, surrendering after a barrage of Gator three-pointers. “We showed a little heart and enthusiasm.”

In New York, KU exhibited some offensive woes from the outside, hitting just five of 25 three-pointers.

Miles was asked which player he could envision stepping up for the departed Jeff Boschee this season to sink the deep shot.

“Everybody else on the perimeter,” the 6-foot-1 guard said. “I missed two (against Florida), but as long as they feel good, I’m confident. I was going to shoot the next one, too. I feel every time I’m going to make it.”

Miles hit four of 18 shots in the two games in New York, icing one of five threes. For the year, he’s averaging 5.3 points a game off 23.1 percent shooting (six of 26). He’s made two of eight threes and logged six assists per game.

“It’s not like I’m hunting for them, but I expect to make them,” Miles said of three-point shots. “Everybody is going to drop down and have us try to beat them from top. They don’t think we have good shooters, so we’ll have to show them.

“I am trying to be offensive minded. I’m going to try to attack the defensive boards a little bit so we can help start the fastbreak quicker.”

Miles averaged 7.1 points a game his freshman year on 40.4 percent shooting. He hit 13 of 45 three-pointers and had 252 assists against 102 turnovers. He crushed the Jayhawks’ freshman assist record and dished out the second most assists in a season in KU history.

“I feel very confident in my ability to shoot the ball,” he said. “I worked all summer on my jumper.”

¢

Food, glorious food: On Sunday, the Jayhawks had a late Thanksgiving dinner at the home of KU coach Roy Williams and his wife, Wanda. The Jayhawks, of course, were in New York on Thanksgiving Day.

Williams described the dinner during his KU basketball class several weeks ago at the Lied Center.

“We have 49 pounds of turkey and ham, five pies, 300 rolls from scratch,” he explained. “Wanda does every bit herself. Last year she made over 300 rolls, pecan pies, pumpkin pies. We had four turkey breasts, one full turkey. Stuffing one turkey is all I did.”

It’s one of the Williams’ favorite days of the year. Roy Williams lives for his wife’s dinner rolls, noting he hid several last year, since the year before they were gone by the time he entered the food line.

“In the recruiting part I tell ’em, ‘It’s a family. I’ll be concerned about you the rest of your life.’ It’s one of the things we do as a family,” the coach said.

¢

Gregory in England: Former Kansas player Kenny Gregory is playing for the Chester Jets in the British Basketball League. He averaged 25 points and 4.6 rebounds in four games. Gregory, a 6-foot-5, 208-pound guard, is hitting a sizzling 64 percent from the field. He’s made five of 10 threes.

¢

Boschee heads home: Former Kansas guard Jeff Boschee signed his book “Long Shot” at bookstores in North Dakota over the weekend.

The 22-year-old Boschee, a native of Valley City, N.D., is selling his book in both Kansas and North Dakota.

He says he’s now leaning toward playing pro ball next season after this year of recharging his basketball batteries. The book chronicles his case of burnout during his junior year at KU.

“I’d like to play for a few years, whether it’s overseas or I get picked up here,” Boschee told the Associated Press on Saturday at a signing in Minot, N.D. “My goal, though, is to be a college coach someday. I’ve learned so much from coach Williams. He’s a guy who has taught a lot of college coaches.”

Boschee is enjoying his first winter without organized basketball since he was in elementary school.

“It’s been nice to walk into practice every day and not get yelled at,” Boschee said. “I still work out with the (KU) team, but it’s stress-free : nice and relaxing.”

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