Columbia, Mo. ? All along, Russell Robinson has been yearning for some responsibility.
Since hitting the freshman wall sometime around the start of Big 12 Conference season in January, the Kansas University men’s basketball guard has been clawing to climb over it.
After Sunday’s performance in a 72-68 loss to Missouri — a solid effort, but not sensational — Robinson is hoping he finally cleared that wall in time to help the Jayhawks this postseason.
“It’s been tough,” Robinson said of the slump, which cost him significant minutes until Sunday, “but me and Moulaye (Niang) were on the bench talking, and he said, ‘Never give up,’ and I didn’t do that. Today, my number was called, and I tried to do as much as I can.”
He did didn’t burn up the stat sheet — one point, one assist — but the most reassuring line for the Jayhawks came under the turnover category. In 11 minutes, Robinson didn’t have a single giveaway.
His minutes gave the Jayhawks a sliver of hope that post-Keith Langford life might go a little smoother than dreaded for KU — if it, indeed, comes to that.
Langford left just three minutes into the game after aggravating a left ankle sprain he suffered in practice last week.
His status remains a huge question mark, but coach Bill Self said, “I don’t think it’s very good,” after the game.
That made Robinson the X-factor for the Jayhawks, the best option left to fill in at guard with Jeff Hawkins already in the rotation before Langford’s injury.
Robinson wanted the responsibility for months, but he’s beginning to realize he doesn’t need to take on too much of it.
“Once you’re in the game, everybody’s focusing on ‘Dub,’ and it takes pressure off you,” Robinson said of Wayne Simien. “I just went out there and tried to do what I can.”
Robinson’s scarce playing time since Big 12 Conference play started made Sunday’s performance all the more welcome for his confidence.
It was just the third time in the last 17 games he logged more than 10 minutes in a game.
“I haven’t given Russell the chance to play much lately,” Self said, “but I think everybody on the team would tell you they thought he did a pretty good job.”
The jury still may be out on whether Robinson can continue to help KU — and if Self will continue to trust him on the floor.
Whatever the case, Robinson insists he has not been discouraged by his role recently — and was certainly not ready to look elsewhere for a better situation.
“I look at this whole thing as a learning process, and I try to take as much as I can from it,” Robinson said. “It’ll help me next year.
“But, yes, I’m happy here.”