Visiting teams do not fare well against Kansas University on Senior Day.
The Jayhawks have won 19 straight home finales entering today’s Big 12 Conference battle against Oklahoma State at noon in Allen Fieldhouse.
Two of those 19 have come against Eddie Sutton’s Okie State teams.
“I’m getting tired of us closing out the year there,” said Sutton, who is 9-18 overall against KU — 1-10 at Allen Fieldhouse.
“I think in the 13 years I’ve been here, we’ve had to do that several times. It’s always tough playing Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse. But that makes it doubly tough. It’s a great setting for college basketball,” said Sutton, who has also coached at Kentucky, Creighton and Arkansas.
The veteran coach realizes Allen Fieldhouse will be at a fever pitch today for the swan songs of seniors Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison.
KU’s last loss on Senior Day was a 60-58 decision to Nebraska March 2, 1983. That was coach Ted Owens’ final home game at KU.
The Jayhawks, who have won 24 of the last 26 Senior Days, do not want to lose today.
“Coach stressed last night that he wants these two seniors to go out right and everybody needs to do their part to make sure that they go out the right way,” KU sophomore Michael Lee said.
¢
Collison attends grandmother’s funeral: The Jayhawks practiced at 7 a.m. Friday so KU senior Collison could head home for the funeral of his grandmother, who died this week in Iowa. Collison is expected to be back in time for today’s game.
¢
OSU at a glance: Oklahoma State, 20-6 overall and 9-4 in the league, is coming off a 62-57 loss Monday to Texas Tech in Stillwater, Okla. The Cowboys have dropped four of their last six games. Victor Williams leads OSU with a 15.5 scoring average, and Ivan McFarlin grabs 6.8 boards.
McFarlin, a 6-foot-8 junior from Missouri City, Texas, averaged 12.6 points and 8.1 rebounds in the Cowboys first 16 games. He’s averaged 7.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in their last 10.
“We thought something might be wrong with him with the way he’s been playing,” Sutton told the Daily Oklahoman, revealing McFarlin was put through some medical tests.
“Everything checked out so I guess it’s more mental than physical. We keep hoping he’ll get it going.”
¢
No speech from Olson: As reported earlier this week, KU senior Brett Olson will be back with the KU team next season and not go through Senior Day activities today.
¢
Padgett here: KU signee and McDonald’s All-America pick David Padgett, 6-11 of Reno, Nev., will attend today’s game.