As die-hard KU basketball fans are well aware, Late Night With Roy Williams and the start of hoops season is approaching quickly.
Late Night With Roy No. 15 will be held the night of Friday, Oct. 11. No specifics have yet been released, but you can expect doors to open 6 p.m.-ish with the festivities to start about 10 p.m. Dat’s the way it usually works.
Normally 5,000 to 6,000 fans enter in the first wave once the doors open, with the building 3/4 full about 9 or 9:30 p.m. The building is usually full about 10:30 p.m.
KU officials haven’t had to turn anybody away the last 3-4 years so even those who’ve arrived at midnight for the short scrimmage have been able to find a seat.
Admission is free and seating is first come first served. KU will release specifics in the opening days of October, so stay tuned.
Q-Gary-I read ljworld info daily also I am a KU graduate and Life-Time Alumni. How do I sign up to get a KU basketball signed by next year’s team?? I have about a 10 year old KU Card signed by Roy Williams and Tom Watson Roy at his office and Tom at the TPC in Point Vedra Beach, Fla.
Tom signed first-then Roy signed the same card-probably unique. Thanks for any info- Larry –(track and CC runner under Bill Easton F and S years (not quite good enough to run with McNeil and the guys in a meet).
A-Hi. You can purchase autographed basketballs at kustore.com during the regular season. The Jayhawks gather for an hour or two early in the season and sign basketballs in assembly line fashion. The balls then are sold during the season with proceeds going to charity.
p.s. Don’t know if your Roy/Watson autographs on the same card are worth mega bucks or not. It’s interesting because those two guys are friends. Golf great Watson, in fact, consulted Williams several years ago before captaining the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Watson asked Williams stuff about motivating players in a team setting.
Watson and Williams have been teammates the past two years at the TD Waterhouse Celebrity Skins game in Kansas City, winning both times against Baseball Hall of Famer George Brett and a Senior Tour member.
Believe me, George Brett can whack a golf ball a long ways off the tee. Tom Watson is the master of chip shots and beautiful 150-yard lofted shots toward the cup. Roy is a great putter. I think he’s about a 5 handicap, something like that.
Hard to believe, isn’t it, that golf season is about over and winter and hoops are near.
Q-Great Q & A column; we always enjoy your pieces. We’d like more “what are they doing now” stuff like the update you gave on Eric (Chenowith). For instance the two Jeffs. Best wishes for your continued success. Dick and Linda, Vermont – relocating to Colorado
A-Hey, thanks for the best wishes. I bet you loved living in scenic Vermont. I’ve always wanted to ski at Smugglers. Have you ever been there? Is it worth the trip to Vt. to go to Smugglers for skiing?
As far as updates … ex-Jayhawks Jeff Boschee and Jeff Carey are still in school … at KU.
Boschee, who will work as an intern in KU’s basketball office this school year, ultimately wants to be a coach. He has a book coming out in October called “Long Shot.” He’s not ruled out playing pro ball once he attains his degree.
Carey, who was married this past summer, is working on his MBA, also at KU.
I’m sure both are going to enjoy being “regular students” this school year. A lot of the Jayhawks who don’t move on to the NBA, really do enjoy taking it easy one year. It’s fun, but not always easy being a college basketball player.
As far as updates on ex-players, keep reading. I try to write as much as I can about former Jayhawks. And good luck with your move to Buff country.
Q-Dear Gary,
I was just watching the new sport Slamball on TNN and I was surprised to see former Jayhawk Jelani Jalisse playing for one of the teams! Have you seen Slamball, and what are your opinions of it and of Jelani finding a place there? Ryan
A-I watched Slamball the first week and haven’t watched it since. I guess it’s destined to die because it’s received absolutely no attention nationally. I sort of liked it, though.
I especially liked the dunks off the trampolines. Jelani had a bad game that first night when I watched. I have no idea how he’s done since. I heard he got hurt in one of the games, which isn’t surprising since players are flying all over the place in Slamball.
I always liked Jelani as a person, but for whatever reason, he was a turnover waiting to happen at KU. FYI … this just in. I have been told his team won the SlamBall championship.
Good for Jelani.
I’ll try to locate him and write an update on him.
Q-I hate to be looking so far ahead already but after this year, KU will lose Collison and Hinrich. I was wondering what recruits are on the way for next year to help keep KU on top. I know the Padgett kid is high on the list, but one kid isn’t gonna make the difference. Skeptical in Seattle.
A-So far KU has received two commitments from J.R. Giddens, a 6-5 jumping jack from Oklahoma City and Jeremy Case, 6-0, from McAlester, Okla.
Giddens is one of the country’s top 15 prep players, will certainly be named a McDonald’s All American next spring. Case he’s the son of former Oklahoma State standout Win Case is a guy who does not appear on anybody’s top 200 lists. That obviously is no concern to Roy Williams, who loves this kid.
I saw some tape of both Giddens and Case and I can definitely see why Roy desperately wants the duo. In the clip of an Oklahoma Athletes First AAU game in which the two appeared as teammates, I saw Giddens score off an acrobatic dunk, also stick a 15-footer and driving layup off a no-look feed from Case.
Case also hit a driving layup and 14-footer in the clip I watched.
Roy would like to corral two or three additional players.
KU is in the hunt for Omar Wilkes, 6-4 of Los Angeles, David Padgett, 6-11 from Reno, Nev., and others like Brian Butch, 6-11 from Appleton, Wis., and Ronnie Brewer, 6-5, of Fayetteville, Ark., and others.
Roy doesn’t discuss recruiting with the media, so I can’t tell you what RW is thinking. He’s been after Wilkes and Padgett a long time. He also likes Butch a lot. Wilkes and Padgett are down to the final weeks of recruiting and both still have KU at the top or right near the top of their lists.
Q-Gary — Is it true that Jeff Boschee will be sitting on the bench this next season with Roy? Tifani
A-Nope. Jeff won’t be on the bench this season.
As an intern in the basketball office, he’ll be involved with the program, but won’t be allowed to sit on the bench. I would think he’d be in the row behind the bench, somewhere close to the bench. He’ll also be visible all over town signing his book. And he’ll likely be practicing with the Jayhawks.
Q-Why isn’t Raef building a house in Lawrence like the rest of his B-ball alums? KU fan in Iowa.
A-Raef LaFrentz of the Dallas Mavericks has decided to make his hometown of Monona, Iowa his offseason home. Last year he bought some property in Iowa where he and his dad can enjoy the outdoors. Raef does like Lawrence, however. He usually makes it back once a summer. He was here this summer for Jacque Vaughn’s wedding I believe.
Q-Gary,
Here’s a quick question for you. The ku football team changed the uniform colors to a dark blue. Is the basketball team changing anything with their uniforms??? The ku royal blue hoop uni’s are sharp. Keep up the good work.
Tim
Scottsbluff, NE
A-I haven’t heard about a drastic change in uniform colors in basketball. Personally, I think people would be upset if KU went to a deep blue hue in hoops.
Remember how KU fans freaked when Larry Brown unveiled yellow jerseys one game at Coastal Carolina? The yellow outfits made KU look too much like Mizzou, Jayhawk fans suggested.
Q-Hi Gary, a couple questions for ya. I am from Lawrence, but live in Seattle now; I wanted to know how I could see all of the Jayhawks games this year on cable. My whole family, and our friends are planning on seeing the Jayhawks in Portland on Dec. 7th, and I wondered if you knew how we could get tickets.
Thanks in advance!
Kevin
A-To receive info on how to purchase the games via cable call 1-800-GET-SPOR. That’s the number for DirecTV. You can buy a TV package through that company I’m told. For tickets to the game in Portland I’ve been told KU will have no tickets available aside from tickets that go to the players and coaches. So you’ll have to order them through the Rose Garden in Portland or by calling the University of Oregon’s ticket office.
Q-Gary:
With the Hawks playing Oregon in Portland this season, I can only assume that there will be a return game in Lawrence or KC soon. Is this true and if so, do you know when it is? Also, are the UCLA and UofA contracts only two games apiece? If so, are there any plans to extend those contracts? Finally, are there any other marquee non-conference series on the horizon? I really wish we would renew our rivalry with Kentucky. Thanks.
Richard in Austin
A-Good question. Oregon will play KU in Kansas City’s Kemper Arena during the 2003-04 season. Cal will play KU in Kemper the following season.
The UCLA and Arizona home and home series both expire this year. I don’t think they’ll be renewed at this time, perhaps in the near future, however. Roy is a great friend of Zona’s Lute Olson and Roy loves playing games in California, a recruiting hotbed.
He also loves the tradition of Pauley Pavilion.
As far as future schedules, you can bet KU will play San Diego or SD State as a “home game” for freshman Moulaye Niang. If David Padgett signs with KU, you can count on a game at Nevada Reno. If Brian Butch inks with KU, count on a game in Chicago or Milwaukee or River Falls or somewhere. If Omar Wilkes signs with KU, more trips to Cali are certainties.
Roy loves to play games where his recruits are from.
It’s been rumored KU and Memphis will begin a home and home next year, but I’ve been told that is not the case.
Don’t expect a KU-Kentucky series anytime soon. Kentucky’s coaches throughout the years have never really had a desire to play KU. And I don’t think Roy likes the bad blood between the schools as a result of KU piling up 150 points on Rick Pitino many years ago.
If you ask me …
I can envision a series against someone like an Illinois. Bill Self likes playing KU since he worked here a year and he and Roy get along well.
Don’t discount a series against somebody from the ACC like N.C. State or Maryland. Roy likes to get back home once in a while.
Perhaps Roy will try to schedule Hawaii now that the NCAA has restricted teams to one overseas exempt event every four years.
I could envision a series with UNLV now that good guy Charlie Spoonhour is out in Vegas. If Spoon asked Roy about a series, Roy might agree since they are pals. We’ll have info on the future schedules as it becomes available and don’t forget to ask Roy about it on his call in show this year. He likes filling in the fans sometimes more than the media.
Q-Greetings Gary from Hays, Kansas, America!
A couple of questions for you 1. Is coach planning on using the 3 guard offense this year and do you think he will use that as a recruiting tool for the ‘6’5& 6’7′ players that can play the big guard/small forward role.
2. How well do you think Jeff Graves will fit in the offense? Yes, he’s big but can he move down the court in a high powered offense?
A-Yeah I think Roy will use the three guard offense again this year. I’d expect a starting five of Miles, Hinrich, Langford, Simien and Collison with Hawkins and Moulaye Niang or Bryant Nash first off the bench. I would have expected Graves to be first of the bench but now he’s a huge question mark because of his reporting way out of shape and his concussion slowing him down.
If Graves if able to shed some weight and catch on to the system quicklybig ifs right now, I guess Roy could go big with Simien, Colly and Graves in the lineup at the same time with two guards. I’d tend to think the three guard offense however will be the rule rather than the exception.
As far as recruiting, sure I bet Roy uses that in recruiting. He can tell guards that KU loves to run. I don’t think it’s a major selling point in recruiting, however. Roy mostly sells the fact his program has a chance to make the Final Four every year, KU is on TV all the time; KU has a family atmosphere and KU is a good school, stuff like that.
Q-Gary I was just wondering if you knew what day the basketball walk on tryouts were. I have always wanted to give it a try, and I just wanted to know when it was. Thanks Fredrik
A-KU’s coaches haven’t revealed the dates of the tryouts yet, but they usually begin the Sunday after Late Night running through the following Tuesday. KU’s coaches alway require prospective players to bring a physical examination form from your doctor, so you might get a head start and obtain one of those soon.
I’ll print the info as soon as I get it so stay tuned. But like I said, I’d count on tryouts beginning the Sunday after Late Night and running 2-3 days. That’s how it’s been the last eight years or so.
Q-Hi Gary! I love your columns! How do you think KU will do this year?? With Hinrich and Collison leading the way, do you think our super sophs will step up?? How far do you think they can go? Krista
A-Krista, I think KU will do very well. I would think KU is a Final Four contender again provided the Jayhawks stay healthy. On paper, KU isn’t very deep in fact KU is as shallow as the drought stricken Mississippi River unless some guys come out of nowhere and prove they are indeed capable of playing quality minutes.
The verdict is still out on Mike Lee, Bryant Nash, Moulaye Niang. Even Jeff Hawkins is a question marks til he proves he can play quality minutes against rugged college competition. With Graves reporting too big, KU’s depth really is a concern. Bryant Nash figures to play 10 or more minutes a game as long as his broken thumb heals nicely, which it figures to do.
I do like the sophomores. I see no reason sophs Simien, Langford, Miles and Lee can’t have banner seasons to go with Hawkins, who is a second year player after red-shirting.
Simien is a force down low. He may need to be a big more aggressive offensively. Miles has been fantastic with a great assist to turnover ratio last year. Lee needs to stick the open three and play some defense. And Hawkins needs to handle the basketball without turning it over and get the ball to KU’s big men. Also stick the jumper when open.
Q-This is a dumb question, but my friend and I studying genetics in a class and were discussing this. Out of all the players that are so tall, like a Collison or Pollard, are any of their parents really tall or is it just by chance they ended up so tall? We were just wondering how common it was for a taller player like that to have really tall parents.
Allison
A-I don’t think it’s a dumb question. It’s actually a great question. I’ll have to do some additional research and get back to you.
I do know for a fact neither of Eric Chenowith’s parents are especially tall and he turned out 7-2. But I believe a grandparent or somebody in Eric’s family was tall. Nick’s dad and mom aren’t very tall. Ostertag’s parents aren’t exceptionally tall either.
Scot Pollard’s dad, however, was very tall and played in the NBA. His mom is pretty tall, too, in the 5-10, 5-11 range as I recall.
This might make for a good project for genetics class. I’ll ask some of the guys how tall their parents are once we start interviewing them during the season and see if I can come up with a better answer for you.
Q-: Keith Langford thrived under pressure last year. But how do you think he will do this year now that he must become a leader and that the spotlight is on him? Adam
A-I think he’ll perform well with the spotlight on him. Truthfully, I think the spotlight is on anybody and everybody who plays at Kansas. Remember all the games are on TV and KU has many nationally televised games, as many or more than any team in the country.
So the pressure is really on ALL the guys who enter games, don’t you agree?
Keith has the ability to take it to the hoop and also can hit the jumper. He is money from three-point land during offseason pickup games.
I see no reason Keith would backslide. He is a hard worker, has a good attitude, has a lot of ability. Hard workers usually do not backslide and he is a hard worker.
Q-A co-worker graduated from Michigan State Univ in the late 80’s. He harbors hard feelings about a midwest regional game (NCAA tournament) that KU “stole” due to a clock error (1986?). What is the story behind this? I graduated from KU in 1998 and the “blood” was spilled before my time. Denise
A-That’s mighty interesting that he’s still upset about a game played in ’86. It’s time to get over that one and move on, methinks.
As far as that game in question, KU tripped Michigan State, 96-86, in overtime in the ’86 regional semifinals at Kemper Arena. It was a game Michigan State players, coaches and fans felt never should have reached overtime.
KU was trailing 80-78 when forward Archie Marshall hit a basket with :08 left.
The Spartans believe that shot never should have counted. They feel the game should have been over at that point.
Why?
Because with 2:21 left, a MSU player hit a pair of free throws. Someone on the Spartans’ bench noticed about 10 seconds later the clock still read 2:21.
No adjustment was made by the refs despite a furious protest and KU went on to win the wacky game and ultimately advance to the Final Four where a great KU team lost to Duke in the national semifinals.
Michigan State fans forever will feel they were ripped off.
“I thought,” coach Jud Heathcote said, “it was a phantom game.”
p.s. I like the way you worded that, ‘the blood was spilled before my time.’ Nice writing!
Q-Any new news, on the Padgett, Wilkes, Butch, Gardener recruiting battles? Michael
A-Not really, but that of course can change at any time. Recruiting is that kind of animal.
David Padgett (KU, Arizona, North Carolina) has completed his campus visits as has Omar Wilkes (KU, UCLA, Cal). UCLA and Stanford might be strong contenders. Gardner of course picked Missouri last week. Brian Butch (KU, Wisconsin, Marquette, North Carolina, Arizona) who visited KU last weekend and had a good time, still has Wisconsin to visit. I would say KU has an excellent to supurb chance of landing both Padgett and Wilkes, a fair chance of landing Butch, but hey, anybody who tells you they know what is going to happen in recruiting (aside from recruits and their parents) is a liar. Hey … a lot of times even the college coaches don’t know what’s going on in recruiting.
Q-When was the last time the Jayhawks put a team on the floor without having a guy listed as over 6-10? Chris
A-In 1990-91, Mark Randall was the tallest contributing player at 6-9.
Q-What is the chance Late Night with Roy would ever be telecast? That is one improvement we would love. Phyllis
A-Actually our guys on the TV side at Sunflower Broadband tell me it will be on Cable Six in Lawrence on tape delay on Saturday but not on the Jayhawk Network.
(editor’s note: we’ll also have digitized video highlights of the festivities online right here at KUSports.com)
Q-Hi, Gary,
Have you heard yet about KU’s plan to charge people to listen to the radio broadcast of KU sports on the Internet this year? They say (at http://www.kuathletics.com/audio_video/yahoo.html) tthat people will have to pay $5.95 per month or $29.95 per season to get the Jayhawk Radio Network feed, the weekly press conferences, and HawkTalk. I e-mailed the KU Athletics feedback address, and I got a (very nice) response (copied to Doug Vance) from someone at ESPN Regional telling me that they were going to have to charge by next year anyway and that this allowed them to keep some of their archived content.
I guess I don’t understand how KU can’t keep providing this service to the many KU fans outside the area for free, while Missouri, Kansas St., and most of the rest of the Big 12 can.
I pay $90 per year to watch KU on ESPN Full Court, and I’m not particularly inclined to start paying for the radio feed, especially when I can listen to the opponents’ broadcast for free! It’s not the same as listening to Bob and Max, but it’s better than paying extra.
It seems like the basketball program brings in enough money to cover costs like this and keep loyal, distant fans happy.
Any comment or additional news? I know the LJW tried to charge for KU basketball content some years ago (around 1996, I think), and that went away in a hurry.
Chris
A-Yeah, I’ve heard about this. I feel your pain. I’m sure it’s a hassle paying for this internet site and that internet site. Money doesn’t grow on bamboo shoots, after all.
ESPN Plus’ position is they have 220 programs available and they think it’s a reasonable amount to charge for all the games and press conferences. Like you, I also have been told that they were going to have to charge anyway next year and this allowed them to provide additional content.
I guess we’ll have to wait and see if the other schools charge next year. I’ve been told they will charge next year.
The fans’ position is they already pay donations to the Williams Fund and support KU and KU should give this service for free. Total cost is about $20,000 and KU or ESPN Plus should pay, fans say. That 20,000 bucks, they maintain, is a small price to pay if fans no longer donate to the Williams Fund because of this.
I do feel your pain, especially those who indicate they are having problems logging on and gaining access. Overall I have mixed emotions. Businesses either charge money for these things or get advertising to pay for it all. Papers like the J-W have gone the advertising route to provide our stories for free. So I don’t know what to tell you. I guess you’ll have to vote with your wallet and/or pocketbook and /or write letters to KU AD Al Bohl over this.
Q-Let’s see if I have this right. We have a new football coach whose main thrust is to bring discipline to replace anarchy, but he can’t even discipline himself to lose excess fat. We have a new Athletic Director who has promoted the sale of tickets to games that we will lose by more than 50 points. How will that help us in the future?
Reasonable people might conclude that our best football prospects are at a lower level, which does not mean Ball State or UNLV. It means Washburn and Ft. Hays State, which is about where our skill level is right now. How low can we go?stephen
A-Let me answer these questions.
As far as Mark Mangino’s discipline … I really have no comment on that. I mean the guy is overweight. So are a lot of people. Isn’t something like half the population in America overweight? So who cares about that, not me. It’s his decision as to what he looks like.
I am not so shallow I will look at a guy’s weight and say that means squat.
Fat, skinny, can’t we all get along?
Believe me, Mangino will have a disciplined team. He’s hard nosed and his weight does not stop him from being a disciplinarian.
That said … I am not saying I am supporting everything about Mangino. I think his media policies are ridiculous and his decision to not comment on some matters is insulting.
Promoting tickets to games KU will lose by 50??
Athletic departments either draw football fans or get rid of football like Wichita State did several years ago. KU has to try to fill the stadium even if the Jayhawks do get waxed by 50.
How low can KU go? I’d assume pretty low. KU is down in football right now, no question about it.
It started when Glen Mason accepted the Georgia job, then decided to remain at KU. Recruiting was in a shambles because of that. He left the following season meaning KU had two straight bad recruiting years.
Terry Allen, followed Mason with five fairly rotten seasons, including some horrible recruiting efforts. So you are looking at what, seven straight years of futility.
It will take a while to come back, folks.
And what’s to say if Mangino does turn it around he will stick around? Are we led to believe he’s gonna make this his final destination? I guess it’s possible, but his mentor, Stoops, has been linked with other jobs the past couple offseasons, though to his credit he’s stayed at OU. There are lots of questions regarding football at KU, few answers as to how to make it a winner.
Q– What is KU’s all-time record against Iowa State in basketball? And what is Roy’s record against Iowa State. I work with an ISU alum that needs to be put in his place. Thanks! ason
A-KU is 153-56 versus Iowa State. Roy is 21-11 versus ISU.
Q– Why can’t basketball start tomorrow? Erin
A-Creative question with a simple answer. Cause the calendar doesn’t read Oct. 11.
Q-Gary,
How is Moulaye Niang looking this summer in the KU player pick up games? Does he have any offensive ability? Will he be redshirting next year? Dirk
A-Moulaye has looked fairly nimble in the pickup games I’ve seen. In one game, he stuck a 10 footer over Scot Pollard. Scot likes him, but says he’s a little “raw.” He runs well and has some ability. I have been told the players are impressed with him. I would think a red-shirt year would be helpful. However, Roy can’t afford to red-shirt Moulaye. Moulaye is gonna have to play some this year.
Q– Gary: What local channels will be broadcasting the games when not on National TV. IE 13, 38, 62?? dick
A– It’s normally channels 13 and 62 locally. Cable Six here does all the home games.
Q-Hey Gary, do you need a ticket to get into Late Night With Roy? Dan
A-Nope. No ticket is needed. Late Night is free of charge on Oct. 11.
Q-Is the Ron Zook that is now coaching Florida related to the Zook that played football at KU?
A-Good question, but no, they are not related. However Ron Zook did coach at KU.
Q-Gary, I’m an ’83 KU alum from Sioux City. I would like to see the Holy Cross game on 11-19. How can I get good tickets. I haven’t seen a game at Allen since college. Also, I was a water skier for KU. Do they still have a team? ThanksScott
A-I have been told KU still does have a water ski club team. For Holy Cross tickets call 1-800-34-Hawks starting Oct. 11. Cost is 15 bucks a ticket.
Q-What kind of success did Mark M have recruiting? How many of the true freshman were from his efforts vs Terry A’s? Who is the key assistant in the recruiting process? Did K state and Okla use Juco players during their comeback? Tom
A-I think he did pretty well with his first recruiting class. You never know for a while with football recruits because most get red-shirted. I will say this: It has been eons since KU football has signed a so-called top 50 player.
KU basketball is great because the Jayhawks sign top 50 players. I don’t know if and/or when KU will ever be able to attract top 50 players in football. KU’s program simple is too far behind the tradition-rich schools. The good news is there are plenty of players to go around who can make a program competitive at least.
As far as the key recruiters, I think like most schools, KU gives each assistant an area in recruiting.
Mangino says he wants to sign the best players in Kansas and the Kansas City area. He also says he wants to recruit the Big 12 region with an emphasis on Texas. He said he also will recruit California cause KU has a solid alumni base there and some from Ohio and Pennsylvania where he grew up. Yes, I believe KSU has used a lot of juco players in the rebuilding process, don’t know about Okla.
Q-Is it legal for basketball coaches to actually go visit players during the season? I mean to actually go watch high school games? Jess
A-Sure. As long as it’s a contact period. Coaches can go to games to assess the talent of players and also to go check up on kids they’ve signed. Roy goes to a ton of high school games each season.
Q-Gary,
My son and I are planning on attending Late Night for the first time. We have a 5 hour drive to get to Lawrence from Oklahoma City. What time do we need to get to Lawrence to get a seat? I’d hate to make that drive and not be able to get in. Thanks! By the way, love your column. Mark
A-Normally the doors open at 5 or 6 p.m. Considering you are traveling such a long distance, you probably want to get there by 8 to 9 p.m. I guess. Better safe than sorry. Thanks for loving the column.
Q-Do you think Coach Williams has a legitimate chance to recruit David Padgett and Otis Wilkes? Also what is the skinny on Marcus Dove, whose name has just surfaced?
Kevin
A-Sure KU has a great shot at landing Wilkes and Padgett. Marcus Dove, 6-7 from the Bay Area, says he’d love to come to KU. He just needs to receive an offer. I think KU is interested but there are some other guys ahead of him on the recruiting lists.
Q– Gary, I am a student studying this year at Pepperdine University in Heidelberg, Germany. I also am a diehard Jayhawk fan. I was wondering what would be the best way to follow the Hawks this b-ball season. Thanks, Kevin
A-Well the best way is to read kusports.com. As far as radio, you may have to order that thing on yahoo the folks were asking about earlier. That way you can get the games on radio via the internet.
Q-Fresno St. football coach, Pat Hill terminated the services of a promising sophomore wide receiver this past weekend for conduct unbecoming a Bulldog. The police were not involved in this “incident” the nature of which has yet to be revealed to the public. I understand you still have a purse thief on your team. My question is…What message regarding standards of conduct is it that your coach wants to send to our youth and the public in general? Dick
A-Good for coach Hill. From everything I’ve read and seen on TV, he’s a good guy as well as coach. As far as the KU purse thief still being on the football team, well, I guess I again have mixed emotions. I think players who break the law probably should be suspended one full season. But as a human being I also believe in forgiveness. So there’s the other side of the story that says let the guy get sentenced, pay his due to society, then be allowed to continue playing football. Try forgiveness in your life, you’ll like it.
Q-My mom LOVES KU basketball more than anything…she won’t even let us talk to her during the games…she takes headphones to our concerts! I was just wondering when tickets go on sale and where I can get them the easiest? I was wanting to get her a ticket because she has only gone to one game. If you could please email me back and let me know as soon as possible that would be great! (Or if you could get me behind the bench seats!!! :)… Thank you for all of your help. megs
A-I actually do not have access tickets. If I did, I’d help ya out. I can tell you tickets to the NIT games will go on sale Oct. 11 and they will be available. Call 1-800-34-HAWKS.
Q-What is the name of the guard recruit out of Oklahoma KU got last year and when does he join the team. Stats also appreciated. Noel
A-J.R. Giddens of Okie City averaged 25 points a game with 7.2 rebounds last year. Jeremy Case of McAlester averaged 25.7 points a game. So KU is adding two high scorers. They join the team next year.
Q– Isn’t this an awfully huge problem if Jeff Graves isn’t able to get in shape for the season? It sounds like Niang is too raw to contribute much, and those 2 are the only possible backups to Collison and Simien, who needs backups. Collison has a history of foul trouble, while Simien seems to have a bit of an injury history. Not only that but have we seen him log 30 minutes a game? He could be foul prone as well. I guess my question is, how bad does Graves look now? Did he look overweight at 255 in juco? David
A-Yeah, I think you’ve identified a problem. KU doesn’t look like the deepest team in the universe. Collison will have to play 34 minutes without fouling; Kirk a ton of minutes. KU may have to play its starters 35 minutes per game like Iowa State did that one year with Fizer and Tinsley, et. all. I think Graves looked a bit overweight in juco, but not extremely overweight. He gained a lot of weight after hurting his knee early last season.
Q-Gary, Why do you answer questions? I have to open this file and it takes me 20 minutes to read all the frickin questions and stupid (bleep) answers. I’m at work and have work to do. I don’t want to read them all but there might be something in here I need to know. Why don’t you just save me the grief and quit answering questions? It’s not like you really know anything. Tobias in Columbia.
A-Thanks for the ringing endorsement. I don’t know why I answer the questions. Why do birds fly? Why do mountain climbers climb? Why do guitarists guitar? Those are questions to ponder until next time. Are you in Columbia, Mo. or the country of Columbia? Just wondering.
