Scott McClurg/Journal-World PhotoLINCOLN, NEB. ? Then a wide-eyed Kansas University freshman, Keith Langford hit a crucial three-pointer to beat Nebraska, 88-87, on Feb. 24, 2002, at sold-out Devaney Center.
A steely eyed senior veteran, Langford tied a career high with 27 points Saturday, again lifting his Jayhawks — this time to a 78-65 victory over the Cornhuskers before another sellout crowd of 13,821.
After scoring as many points as he did against Arizona on Jan. 25, 2003, the sweet-shooting lefty was asked if he saw red when playing the Big Red in Lincoln.
“It’s totally coincidental. Stuff like that happens,” Langford said. “My freshman year, it was one shot. I’m glad it didn’t make or break me. Coach (Roy) Williams made a big deal out of it at the time making sure that shot didn’t make my whole year or define my career.”
It didn’t.
Langford has had a monster career, which has included two Big 12 Conference titles and two Final Fours.
He had grown concerned lately that he hadn’t been doing his part in helping KU win league title No. 3.
“Looking back at some previous games in the season … coach and I talked about me needing to get off to a good start,” said Langford, who has changed his shoes at halftimes of numerous games — his superstition for not playing well the first 20 minutes of basketball. “If I can put two good halves together, it’ll really help the team.”
Langford scored 11 points off 5-of-11 shooting in helping KU bag a 36-31 first-half lead over the Huskers. He opened the second half with back-to-back threes, giving KU a double-digit lead.
“There may be different reasons,” Langford said of some of his slow starts. “Missing a couple of shots early, not getting involved with touches of the basketball.
“The light is clicking. I have to play to my ability for this team to win. We’ve relied so much on Wayne (Simien), Aaron (Miles). I have to do my part.”
Saturday, his quick start may have been helped by the fact coach Bill Self was concerned about an early 11 a.m. start time, the same time KU was waxed by 21 points at Villanova.
He had the Jayhawks do defensive shell drills during pregame warm-ups.
“Yes, it’s a concern,” Langford said of the early wake-up calls. “Playing an early game today, we didn’t know where the energy would come from. It’s why coach had us do defensive shells in pregame.”
“I don’t like it. It’s too early,” Self said of playing “brunch ball.”
The players had mixed emotions.
“It was an early wake-up call,” Christian Moody said after scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds. “You are eating breakfast, and you want to be back in bed.”
“I enjoyed it,” Simien said. “Sitting around the hotel all day waiting for games is torture.”
KU has been torturous on its Big 12 foes and will take an 8-0 league mark into Wednesday’s 8 p.m. game at Kansas State.
Can KU go unbeaten in league?
“TBA, TBA,” Langford said, abbreviating the saying “to be announced.”
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