Kansas University men’s basketball coach Bill Self has advice for KU fans who wish to attend Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage at Horejsi Center.
“We’d certainly encourage everybody to get there early,” Self said of the 4 p.m. workout in KU’s volleyball arena/basketball practice facility, which seats 1,300 spectators.
Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. and likely swing shut about 30 minutes later if, as expected, Jayhawk fans flock to the sole pre-Canada-tour practice open to the public.
Self said he hoped fans who were denied admission understood that holding the scrimmage in 16,300-seat Allen Fieldhouse wasn’t practical during the summer.
“We obviously apologize to the fans who want to come and can’t get in,” he said. “We have to do it in Horejsi. The humidity is too bad in Allen. Because of the heat and humidity … tonight we’ll start practicing in Allen and have to move over (to air conditioned Horejsi) because of the guys’ perspiration.”
A year ago, KU power forward Wayne Simien strained his groin after slipping on a wet floor. He was bothered by the injury most of the season.
“If it was in Allen, we’d spend the whole time wiping away perspiration,” Self said.
The fans who do line up and enter Horejsi on Saturday for the free event will witness a game-day atmosphere. Refs, KU’s cheerleaders, dance team and pep band will be on hand.
“We’ll play it like a regular game even though we’re not ready to play a game,” Self said. “I don’t know how many minutes we’ll go. I don’t know how we’ll split it up yet. We’ll use a combination of veterans with young guys to make the teams more balanced.”
He hopes all 17 Jayhawks will play, though several have been hobbled by minor injuries sustained at KU’s first five pre-Canada practices. They are: Christian Moody (sore hip), J.R. Giddens (sore shoulder) and Darnell Jackson (sprained ankle). Also, Keith Langford, who is not yet 100 percent following offseason knee surgery, tweaked his back at a recent workout.
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“One thing I want to get out of it,” Self said, “is to springboard this team, to let ’em understand, especially the young guys, how special it is to be a basketball player at the University of Kansas.
“I’d think even a scrimmage like this … these freshmen will be shell-shocked at the atmosphere. I think it puts pressure on players, saying, ‘I better work. I’ve got a lot of people counting on me.’ I think all those things are a positive.”
One recruit will be in town for the scrimmage — C.J. Miles, a 6-foot-5 guard from Dallas, who makes his official visit to KU this weekend. Miles, who will visit Arizona on Sept. 10, also has Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Texas on his list.
“Michael Lee came back in the best condition and more prepared to practice than anybody else,” Self said. “Michael is noticeably different than last year. He’s a senior. He just wants to go out in style. He has a better body, is in bigger shape, more confidence, better game. Mike, Aaron (Miles) and Jeremy Case probably maximized their time this summer as well as anybody for skill development. Other guys did an OK job; these guys did an exceptional job.”
