Nick KrugAs part of the American Cancer Society’s Coaches Vs. Cancer Three-point Attack, individuals, businesses and organizations yearly pledge money for each three-pointer made by Kansas University’s basketball teams.
“It’s a good thing we’re not raising money on free throws, watching Sasha last night,” KU coach Bill Self joked Thursday at a Coaches Vs. Cancer luncheon at the Holidome.
Sasha Kaun, KU’s 6-foot-11, 246-pounder, was a beast inside, hitting 10 of 11 floor shots. But he clanged seven of 10 free throws in KU’s 96-62 exhibition rout of Fort Hays State on Wednesday night at Allen Fieldhouse.
As a team, the Jayhawks cashed 19 of 33 free throws for 57 percent and 35 of 63 floor shots for 55.6 percent.
“He will get fouled. He’s got to get where he makes free throws a lot better,” Self said. “His shot has improved tremendously. He may not shoot 80 percent, but he should be 65, 70 percent on the year. He played terrific.”
The Jayhawk coach remained upbeat about his team’s 2005-06 debut the day after the contest.
“I thought we were pretty good. I don’t think we were great. I think the competition wasn’t fabulous,” Self said. “Sometimes you can get away with playing bad because they don’t make you pay.
“For the most part, we were sound. We were nervous. The crowd last night … it was an amazing crowd for an exhibition game.
“It’s going to get better as we go,” he continued, referring to the Jayhawks’ play. “We’re not going to be exceptional every night. It’s going to be a fun team to support, (just) don’t expect too much too soon.”
The Jayhawks played unselfish basketball with 24 assists on 35 baskets.
“The guys seem to be playing with a purpose to help Kansas win, as opposed to satisfying their personal egos,” Self said immediately after the luncheon in an EA Sports Maui Invitational media teleconference with all eight coaches for the Thanksgiving-week tournament in Hawaii.
“I feel this will be the deepest team we’ve had and the most athletic. We’ll have to score by committee, also. We don’t have Wayne,” he added, referring to last year’s leading scorer, Wayne Simien.
KU had a committee of five in double figures Wednesday. Kaun was followed in points by Brandon Rush (17, off 6-of-9 shooting), Jeff Hawkins (11), and C.J. Giles and Mario Chalmers (10 each).
Rush was on the mind of both the Maui questioners and luncheon guests Wednesday.
“Brandon is physically pretty mature,” Self told the Maui audience. “He still doesn’t know how he has to play to be a great collegian. Last night, he gets 17 and 10 in his first game. As he gets more comfortable, he could become a guy who can get you 15, 16 a game. He’s been a treat to coach.”
The Holidome crowd wanted to know if Rush would be around campus more than a year or if the NBA would steal him away.
“I wouldn’t bank on more than three (years),” Self deadpanned. “I think Brandon Rush is having the time of his life. I think he feels important. I think he has great self-worth right now.
“Brandon didn’t come here to stay one year. He came to help Kansas. I don’t think he’s a one-and-done guy. He’s never told me he wanted to do that. Hopefully, that’s not the case, but if he’s ready, he’s ready. Right now, I don’t think there’s any doubt people say there’s a lot of work he needs to do.”
The Jayhawks had the day off Thursday. Today, they’ll begin preparations for Monday’s 7 p.m. battle against Pittsburg State at Allen Fieldhouse.
¢ Lute impressed: Veteran Arizona coach Lute Olson says the field in Maui is the toughest he ever has seen assembled for a regular-season tournament.
KU and Arizona will be joined by UConn, Michigan State, Maryland, Gonzaga, Arkansas and Chaminade. UConn, Michigan State, Gonzaga and Arizona are preseason Top-10 teams.
“There are going to be some great basketball games, and I feel very strongly every team will come out of that tournament with positives to build on,” Olson said. “It’s way the teams have to go into it: ‘This is the best of the best. Let’s learn from it whether it’s a win or a loss.”’
KU will meet Arizona in a first-round Maui game at 8 p.m. on Nov. 21.
¢ If you want to give: For more information about cancer or the Coaches vs. Cancer program, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour help line at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the group’s Web site at www.cancer.org.
