Scott McClurg/Journal-World PhotoKeith Langford looks like, and more importantly feels like, the Langford of old — the slashing, sweet-shooting lefty whose game was derailed when he suffered a knee injury in February.
“I almost feel as good as my sophomore year,” Langford said after scoring 15 points off 7-of-10 shooting, including a vicious dunk and a three-pointer, in Kansas University’s 115-70 exhibition basketball blowout of Emporia State on Sunday night at Allen Fieldhouse.
“I’m excited. The last week and a half I had some good practices. I really let go mentally and let my body take over,” added Langford, one of five Jayhawks to score in double figures.
The 6-foot-4 senior guard from Fort Worth, Texas, who had offseason surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee, says traditional rehabilitation has worked, plus the mental and physical benefits of yoga.
Yes, yoga.
“I’ve been doing it awhile now, a month or two, and am starting to feel the effects,” said Langford, who was introduced to yoga by his girlfriend’s mother, a yoga instructor.
“I’d read some articles on it, too. It’s intense-type stretching.”
Langford said his teammates didn’t know about his new hobby.
“I don’t want ’em walking in my apartment and seeing a yoga mat on the floor and candles burning,” he said with a laugh.
How many candles?
“Several,” he said with a grin. “She (girlfriend) has done it several times, too. Maybe that’s when the candles come into play.”
It was lights-out shooting for KU in its exhibition opener, an entirely different contest than coach Bill Self’s first exhibition game a year ago — a 91-87 victory over EA Sports.
The Jayhawks hit 46 of 73 shots (63 percent), including 14 of 28 threes. Wayne Simien made all seven shots, including two threes, good for 17 points, while J.R. Giddens had 22 points off 9-of-14 shooting. Michael Lee scored 11 off 4-of-7 shooting, and freshman Russell Robinson added 11 off 2-of-2 three-point shooting.
“I think the key to us shooting it better is if we share the ball like tonight,” Self said. “We had guys making the extra pass.”
Led by Aaron Miles, who had 12 assists against one turnover, the Jayhawks racked up 30 assists against 17 turnovers.
Self has noticed Langford’s return to form.
“Keith’s been good with his rehab. The last two or three days, you could see a different Keith,” Self said. “Also, knowing Keith, we’re getting closer to the start of the season and playing games. He’s a guy, whenever the lights come on, he picks his game up.”
The younger Jayhawks fared well on opening night. Darnell Jackson had eight boards and six points on his 19th birthday, while Sasha Kaun had four points and four boards and C.J. Giles six points and five boards.
Robinson had 11 and four assists, while Alex Galindo missed four threes and didn’t score as he battles back into condition. He just returned last week from a groin injury.
“I was a little nervous at first. At halftime, coach told me, ‘Have fun, it’s your birthday,”’ Jackson said. “I took that to heart and had a lot of fun. The pep band played ‘Happy Birthday’ for me, which put a smile on my face.”
Self thought the rookie big men played well.
“They all played about the same,” Self said with a grin. “That’s what I’m going to tell them until I decide which one to play more.”
The Jayhawks next will meet Washburn in their final exhibition at 7 p.m. Sunday at Allen Fieldhouse.
6Sports video: Jayhawks perform as expected in exhibition
Hear Self, players: Emporia State post-game
Get the stats: KU vs. Emporia State box score
Photo Gallery: KU vs. Emporia State
Scorecard: Grade KU’s performance against ESU