Scott McClurg/Journal-World PhotoRodrick Stewart agonized on the bench as Nebraska’s final possession unfolded on Wednesday night at Allen Fieldhouse.
“I wanted to be out there so bad,” said Stewart, Kansas University’s 6-foot-4 basketball transfer from USC. “I’d do anything to help us get a win.”
Eligible to practice but not play in games until December, Stewart, who has been on campus the past 10 days, said he was confident his new teammates would find a way to hang on. He was assured when Corey Simms’ last-second three-pointer clanged and KU won, 59-57.
“I didn’t have a doubt because they know how to win,” Stewart said of the 14-0 Jayhawks.
He and his teammates had a spirited practice Thursday in preparation for Saturday’s 11 a.m. game against Villanova in Philadelphia.
Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo“Today was the best practice I had the whole year, getting back in shape,” said Stewart, whose twin brother, Lodrick, has continued with his sophomore season at USC. “We scrimmaged today. I was busting my tail on all the drills, everything. It was a good practice for the whole team, probably the best practice they had all year.”
KU coach Bill Self lauded Stewart’s effort.
“He was good today. He played defense two straight hours,” Self said of Stewart, who averaged 4.4 points a game at USC his freshman year and was academically ineligible first semester before transferring.
Stewart said he likely would play combo guard at Kansas.
“I am an athlete. I do a little bit of everything. I am a leaper, though,” he said, smiling. “This is a dream come true for me because these are the players I’ve always looked up to. Aaron Miles has been one of my idols. He’s a leader on the court.”
Seattle native Stewart worked out with future Jayhawk Micah Downs of suburban Seattle during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
“He is something else,” Stewart said. “He’s come a long way since the last time I saw him play.”
Will Downs show up at KU or test the NBA waters?
“That’s what I don’t know,” Stewart said. “Last I heard he put his name in the draft, but he’s got to make the decision best for him.”
The 6-8 Downs hasn’t officially applied for the draft, of course, instead stating he would consider turning pro if he was deemed a first-round selection as his senior year progressed.
¢
Langford speaks: Keith Langford, who had been off-limits to the media since Jan. 6 after criticizing referees after the Texas A&M game, is speaking again.
“Nah, I didn’t (miss talking), but I’ve got to give you all something good to write now that I’m back,” Langford deadpanned. “The stories lost a little zip, but I don’t want to read about some controversy.”
Of KU’s play against NU, he said: “We had a letdown. We didn’t play with as much energy as we need to. I attribute it to we had a brain-freeze. It happens.
“I think it set a stage for a couple weeks when we go to Lincoln. It’s going to be very interesting,” he said of the Feb. 5 rematch.
Langford said he had been dejected since his Final Four rings were stolen from his Fort Worth, Texas, home a couple weeks ago.
“I doubt they’ll be found. I can’t see the original ones brought back. Hopefully the school can help me out and help replace them. There’s nothing I can do about it now except play ball and take my mind off it.”
¢
Off day: Self says he can understand why his seniors had an off-day against Nebraska.
“I know when you are seniors, in your last year, you are playing for a lot of things, none more important than Kansas,” Self said. “Still, there are a lot of things you are playing for, pressures (in trying to make NBA), but one thing that is totally unacceptable is the energy. You have to have great energy, enthusiasm.”
¢
Moody, freshmen: Self said it was likely Christian Moody (ankle sprain) would return to the starting lineup Saturday. Moody had missed the last two starts, and C.J. Giles had taken his place.
Giles started and logged three minutes, then wasn’t heard from again Wednesday.
“Though he didn’t play much, I was not impressed with his play or his energy. He has to be a high-energy guy,” Self said of Giles. “He’s also been nicked up and had a bout of the flu … going through those things, too.”
The freshmen have been up-and-down most of the year.
“Without picking on Alex (Galindo), the last 44 minutes he has one rebound,” Self said. “Against Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Georgia Tech and Kentucky, he had 18 in the same amount of time.
“I don’t think we are clicking right now. We can play a lot better. I don’t think we are close to reaching our ceiling.”
Especially on the boards.
“It blows my mind,” Self said, “how we can outrebound Kentucky and Georgia Tech without Wayne (Simien) and play other teams with Wayne and we’re rebounding the ball worse. We talked today, ‘You guys think Wayne is supposed to get ’em.’ Everybody has to rebound.”
6Sports video: Nebraska game too close for KU
Stewart itching to play
Sign up for cell phone updates
Sign up for e-mail updates