“It gives you chills,” said Crider, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound shooting guard/small forward who toiled for Kansas for two seasons and one semester before transferring to Washburn University in January of 2001.

The former Horton High all-stater, who scored 15 points in Washburn’s exhibition opener last Saturday against Dawson’s All Stars, will start for the Ichabods during tonight’s exhibition battle at Kansas.

Tipoff is 7 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse, with a live telecast available on channels 13 and 38 (cable channel 15).

It promises to be a night the former Jayhawk will never forget.

Special to the Journal-World

“I love that school. I love the fans,” said Crider, who signed with KU as part of “John Crider Day” festivities on April 8, 1998, in Horton. “I love that place (Allen Fieldhouse). I’ve not been in there since I left.”

Crider, who admits he’ll be a bit nervous for tonight’s homecoming, left KU for one reason – playing time.

Crider, who averaged 31.1 points and 11.1 rebounds his senior year at Horton High and exploded for 52 in a game against McLouth, never was able to earn meaningful minutes at Kansas.

The writing appeared to be on the wall after he played mop-up minutes in KU’s season-opening exhibition of the 2000-01 season.

Crider asked KU coach Roy Williams for a transfer shortly after that game.

“I just wanted to play. I love playing the game,” said Crider, whose six-hour personal workouts were the stuff legends were made of back during his high school days in Horton.

“I’ve stayed hungry. I feel great getting ready for a game, knowing I’ll play. It makes it more fun knowing I’ll be in the game.”

Williams, who was a high school standout back in North Carolina, but couldn’t make the varsity team at the University of North Carolina, knows that feeling. So he was supportive of Crider when Crider asked for his transfer.

“John Crider is a great youngster from in-state that we hoped would work out here,” Williams said. “We knew it was going to be difficult for him to start with. John was just not very happy. As soon as he told me he was not very happy, I said, ‘Well, then, the best thing to do is see if we can find a place where you’ll be happier.’ I think that’s what he’s found at Washburn.

“Last year, I would check the Washburn box score and I’d check and see how many minutes and shots John got. All of a sudden I was like a parent. I check on John before I’d check to see if they won the game.

“We’ll be very happy to see John, and hopefully our crowd will give him a great, great reception, too.”

Those who know Crider are hoping the reception rivals the loud standing ovation former Jayhawk Adonis Jordan received when introduced as a starter before last week’s exhibition against EA Sports.

“He loved KU. He loved it so much he probably stayed there a year too long. If the people love KU they should cheer him because he’s like them,” Washburn coach Bob Chipman said. “Obviously he’ll be excited. You want to come back and show you can play, one of those deals, but he’s played enough ball that he will be able to settle down and play his game.”

Crider averaged 5.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 22 games last season. That followed his KU career in which he missed 24 of 25 career shots, including all 15 three-point tries.

“His top strength? Just probably the fact every high school girl in Topeka falls in love with the way he looks,” Chipman quipped of Crider. “His strength is his versatility. He is a good jump-shooter, coming off screens. He’s probably best at medium-distance jump-shooting. He has a good knack for the ball, will go get you a rebound.

“He’s not a flashy passer but a solid passer. He can drive it but would prefer to shoot the jumper. Defensively he’ll hound you. Roy taught him that.”

Crider is proud of his defense.

“Coming from KU, you learn to play defense there under coach Williams. He is great,” Crider said. “To play in college you have to play defense. (Offensively) I like to take it to the hole, come off screens. I think I am a confident shooter.”

It took awhile for him to regain his confidence after not making a splash at Kansas.

“That is automatic. You don’t sit on anybody’s bench and not lose all confidence,” Chipman said. “When he got here, he was down. It takes some time getting some success in games. He played well many times last year.”

Admittedly it is easier to make an impact in NCAA Div. II than Div. I.

“There are bigger athletes (in Div. I),” Crider said. “The speed of the game is still pretty fast, but overall there are better athletes in Div. I.”

For the most part, standouts like Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich aren’t found on Div. II rosters.

“The best memory I have is being around the guys,” Crider said. “Nick and Kirk are great. I saw some of the other guys at Washburn’s camp this summer.”