Kansas sure looked pretty on offense during the first half of Tuesday’s 79-61 rout of Oklahoma State.
Fast-break layups, three-point shots, dunks … a little bit of everything contributed to the No. 4-ranked Jayhawks’ 53-31 halftime lead against the country’s No. 6 squad.
“I was not surprised at the way we played. I know our capabilities,” freshman point guard Aaron Miles said.
The 6-foot-1 floor general from Portland, Ore., hit three field goals in three attempts and canned three free throws, finishing the first half with nine points, five assists and no turnovers just three days after the Jayhawks’ 10-point loss at UCLA.
“I wanted to get out early and establish myself and the team,” said Miles, not disillusioned after Saturday’s performance in L.A., which included 1-of-4 shooting, five turnovers and three assists. “I wanted to push the ball, take care of the ball and make sure we got a shot every time. Turnovers come when I am not strong with the ball. When my teammates are open, I have to get it to ’em and not try to force it.”
The lopsided victory improved KU’s record to 14-2 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 play heading into Saturday’s battle against No. 5 Oklahoma. Tipoff is noon at Allen Fieldhouse.
“We have to play every game like it’s a championship game,” Miles said.
In retrospect, the Jayhawks might have been lacking some intensity in Saturday’s loss at UCLA.
“UCLA gave us a reality check,” junior forward Drew Gooden said after scoring 13 points in a 22-4 game-opening run Tuesday. He finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. “We were No. 1 and went in there and weren’t as focused as tonight. If we came in and lost this game (to OSU) it could make us or break us. We came in, took the crowd out of the game early by playing tough defense. Plus, we came out on fire (offensively) and opened a big cushion.”
KU ran the Pokes out of the gym early.
“Coach challenged us to step up, come out here and stop them on their home court,” KU freshman Wayne Simien said. “We just knew what we had to do. We did not play anywhere near our potential at UCLA. We had to do the things that got us this far. Unfortunately we had to lose (Saturday), but we stuck together after a tough loss , toughened it out and played well.”
Coat tales: Simien watched with interest as KU coach Roy Williams ripped off his suit coat late in the game and placed it at the end of the bench.
“He was pretty upset,” Simien said. “I was waiting for the coat toss but we didn’t see it,” he added with a smile.
A year ago, Williams threw his jacket into the stands during KU’s home game against Texas. At that time, he was miffed at a play by Gooden. This time?
“I don’t know … I think he thought we were getting a little complacent,” junior Kirk Hinrich said.
Williams said after the game he was infuriated by some “silly turnovers” in the second half.
Williams, by the way, left for California on a recruiting trip after the game. He has been recruiting on virtually all the Jayhawks’ off days this semester.
Record setter: Jeff Boschee on Tuesday broke KU’s all-time three point shooting record. He has 271 in his career, one more than Billy Thomas.
“Ideally I wanted to break it in front of the home crowd,” Boschee said.
He’ll likely be recognized in some fashion before Saturday’s game.
“Something like that would be up to coach. I’m not pushing for anything like that,” the humble Boschee said. “It was not on my mind tonight. I didn’t realize I broke the record until we were in a timeout. I tried to not look at it too much. I’ll think highly of it when my playing days are over.”
SI cover boys?: Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl has been both in town and on the road with the Jayhawks for the past two games. He’s working on a major piece on the Jayhawks.
Kansas sure looked pretty on offense during the first half of Tuesday’s 79-61 rout of Oklahoma State.
Fast-break layups, three-point shots, dunks … a little bit of everything contributed to the No. 4-ranked Jayhawks’ 53-31 halftime lead against the country’s No. 6 squad.
“I was not surprised at the way we played. I know our capabilities,” freshman point guard Aaron Miles said.
The 6-foot-1 floor general from Portland, Ore., hit three field goals in three attempts and canned three free throws, finishing the first half with nine points, five assists and no turnovers just three days after the Jayhawks’ 10-point loss at UCLA.
“I wanted to get out early and establish myself and the team,” said Miles, not disillusioned after Saturday’s performance in L.A., which included 1-of-4 shooting, five turnovers and three assists. “I wanted to push the ball, take care of the ball and make sure we got a shot every time. Turnovers come when I am not strong with the ball. When my teammates are open, I have to get it to ’em and not try to force it.”
The lopsided victory improved KU’s record to 14-2 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 play heading into Saturday’s battle against No. 5 Oklahoma. Tipoff is noon at Allen Fieldhouse.
“We have to play every game like it’s a championship game,” Miles said.
In retrospect, the Jayhawks might have been lacking some intensity in Saturday’s loss at UCLA.
“UCLA gave us a reality check,” junior forward Drew Gooden said after scoring 13 points in a 22-4 game-opening run Tuesday. He finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. “We were No. 1 and went in there and weren’t as focused as tonight. If we came in and lost this game (to OSU) it could make us or break us. We came in, took the crowd out of the game early by playing tough defense. Plus, we came out on fire (offensively) and opened a big cushion.”
KU ran the Pokes out of the gym early.
“Coach challenged us to step up, come out here and stop them on their home court,” KU freshman Wayne Simien said. “We just knew what we had to do. We did not play anywhere near our potential at UCLA. We had to do the things that got us this far. Unfortunately we had to lose (Saturday), but we stuck together after a tough loss , toughened it out and played well.”
Coat tales: Simien watched with interest as KU coach Roy Williams ripped off his suit coat late in the game and placed it at the end of the bench.
“He was pretty upset,” Simien said. “I was waiting for the coat toss but we didn’t see it,” he added with a smile.
A year ago, Williams threw his jacket into the stands during KU’s home game against Texas. At that time, he was miffed at a play by Gooden. This time?
“I don’t know … I think he thought we were getting a little complacent,” junior Kirk Hinrich said.
Williams said after the game he was infuriated by some “silly turnovers” in the second half.
Williams, by the way, left for California on a recruiting trip after the game. He has been recruiting on virtually all the Jayhawks’ off days this semester.
Record setter: Jeff Boschee on Tuesday broke KU’s all-time three point shooting record. He has 271 in his career, one more than Billy Thomas.
“Ideally I wanted to break it in front of the home crowd,” Boschee said.
He’ll likely be recognized in some fashion before Saturday’s game.
“Something like that would be up to coach. I’m not pushing for anything like that,” the humble Boschee said. “It was not on my mind tonight. I didn’t realize I broke the record until we were in a timeout. I tried to not look at it too much. I’ll think highly of it when my playing days are over.”
SI cover boys?: Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl has been both in town and on the road with the Jayhawks for the past two games. He’s working on a major piece on the Jayhawks.
Kansas sure looked pretty on offense during the first half of Tuesday’s 79-61 rout of Oklahoma State.
Fast-break layups, three-point shots, dunks … a little bit of everything contributed to the No. 4-ranked Jayhawks’ 53-31 halftime lead against the country’s No. 6 squad.
“I was not surprised at the way we played. I know our capabilities,” freshman point guard Aaron Miles said.
The 6-foot-1 floor general from Portland, Ore., hit three field goals in three attempts and canned three free throws, finishing the first half with nine points, five assists and no turnovers just three days after the Jayhawks’ 10-point loss at UCLA.
“I wanted to get out early and establish myself and the team,” said Miles, not disillusioned after Saturday’s performance in L.A., which included 1-of-4 shooting, five turnovers and three assists. “I wanted to push the ball, take care of the ball and make sure we got a shot every time. Turnovers come when I am not strong with the ball. When my teammates are open, I have to get it to ’em and not try to force it.”
The lopsided victory improved KU’s record to 14-2 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 play heading into Saturday’s battle against No. 5 Oklahoma. Tipoff is noon at Allen Fieldhouse.
“We have to play every game like it’s a championship game,” Miles said.
In retrospect, the Jayhawks might have been lacking some intensity in Saturday’s loss at UCLA.
“UCLA gave us a reality check,” junior forward Drew Gooden said after scoring 13 points in a 22-4 game-opening run Tuesday. He finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. “We were No. 1 and went in there and weren’t as focused as tonight. If we came in and lost this game (to OSU) it could make us or break us. We came in, took the crowd out of the game early by playing tough defense. Plus, we came out on fire (offensively) and opened a big cushion.”
KU ran the Pokes out of the gym early.
“Coach challenged us to step up, come out here and stop them on their home court,” KU freshman Wayne Simien said. “We just knew what we had to do. We did not play anywhere near our potential at UCLA. We had to do the things that got us this far. Unfortunately we had to lose (Saturday), but we stuck together after a tough loss , toughened it out and played well.”
Coat tales: Simien watched with interest as KU coach Roy Williams ripped off his suit coat late in the game and placed it at the end of the bench.
“He was pretty upset,” Simien said. “I was waiting for the coat toss but we didn’t see it,” he added with a smile.
A year ago, Williams threw his jacket into the stands during KU’s home game against Texas. At that time, he was miffed at a play by Gooden. This time?
“I don’t know … I think he thought we were getting a little complacent,” junior Kirk Hinrich said.
Williams said after the game he was infuriated by some “silly turnovers” in the second half.
Williams, by the way, left for California on a recruiting trip after the game. He has been recruiting on virtually all the Jayhawks’ off days this semester.
Record setter: Jeff Boschee on Tuesday broke KU’s all-time three point shooting record. He has 271 in his career, one more than Billy Thomas.
“Ideally I wanted to break it in front of the home crowd,” Boschee said.
He’ll likely be recognized in some fashion before Saturday’s game.
“Something like that would be up to coach. I’m not pushing for anything like that,” the humble Boschee said. “It was not on my mind tonight. I didn’t realize I broke the record until we were in a timeout. I tried to not look at it too much. I’ll think highly of it when my playing days are over.”
SI cover boys?: Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl has been both in town and on the road with the Jayhawks for the past two games. He’s working on a major piece on the Jayhawks.
Kansas sure looked pretty on offense during the first half of Tuesday’s 79-61 rout of Oklahoma State.
Fast-break layups, three-point shots, dunks … a little bit of everything contributed to the No. 4-ranked Jayhawks’ 53-31 halftime lead against the country’s No. 6 squad.
“I was not surprised at the way we played. I know our capabilities,” freshman point guard Aaron Miles said.
The 6-foot-1 floor general from Portland, Ore., hit three field goals in three attempts and canned three free throws, finishing the first half with nine points, five assists and no turnovers just three days after the Jayhawks’ 10-point loss at UCLA.
“I wanted to get out early and establish myself and the team,” said Miles, not disillusioned after Saturday’s performance in L.A., which included 1-of-4 shooting, five turnovers and three assists. “I wanted to push the ball, take care of the ball and make sure we got a shot every time. Turnovers come when I am not strong with the ball. When my teammates are open, I have to get it to ’em and not try to force it.”
The lopsided victory improved KU’s record to 14-2 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 play heading into Saturday’s battle against No. 5 Oklahoma. Tipoff is noon at Allen Fieldhouse.
“We have to play every game like it’s a championship game,” Miles said.
In retrospect, the Jayhawks might have been lacking some intensity in Saturday’s loss at UCLA.
“UCLA gave us a reality check,” junior forward Drew Gooden said after scoring 13 points in a 22-4 game-opening run Tuesday. He finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. “We were No. 1 and went in there and weren’t as focused as tonight. If we came in and lost this game (to OSU) it could make us or break us. We came in, took the crowd out of the game early by playing tough defense. Plus, we came out on fire (offensively) and opened a big cushion.”
KU ran the Pokes out of the gym early.
“Coach challenged us to step up, come out here and stop them on their home court,” KU freshman Wayne Simien said. “We just knew what we had to do. We did not play anywhere near our potential at UCLA. We had to do the things that got us this far. Unfortunately we had to lose (Saturday), but we stuck together after a tough loss , toughened it out and played well.”
Coat tales: Simien watched with interest as KU coach Roy Williams ripped off his suit coat late in the game and placed it at the end of the bench.
“He was pretty upset,” Simien said. “I was waiting for the coat toss but we didn’t see it,” he added with a smile.
A year ago, Williams threw his jacket into the stands during KU’s home game against Texas. At that time, he was miffed at a play by Gooden. This time?
“I don’t know … I think he thought we were getting a little complacent,” junior Kirk Hinrich said.
Williams said after the game he was infuriated by some “silly turnovers” in the second half.
Williams, by the way, left for California on a recruiting trip after the game. He has been recruiting on virtually all the Jayhawks’ off days this semester.
Record setter: Jeff Boschee on Tuesday broke KU’s all-time three point shooting record. He has 271 in his career, one more than Billy Thomas.
“Ideally I wanted to break it in front of the home crowd,” Boschee said.
He’ll likely be recognized in some fashion before Saturday’s game.
“Something like that would be up to coach. I’m not pushing for anything like that,” the humble Boschee said. “It was not on my mind tonight. I didn’t realize I broke the record until we were in a timeout. I tried to not look at it too much. I’ll think highly of it when my playing days are over.”
SI cover boys?: Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl has been both in town and on the road with the Jayhawks for the past two games. He’s working on a major piece on the Jayhawks.
