Kansas University’s men’s basketball team finished in the top 10 nationally in four categories in the final 2005-06 season statistics tabulated this week and now available at NCAAsports.com.
The Jayhawks (25-8) placed first of 326 teams in field-goal-percentage defense (37.0). KU placed fifth in assists per game (17.8), sixth in scoring margin (13.8) and ninth in steals per game (9.8).
Kansas placed 20th in the country in rebound margin (5.4) and blocked shots (5.6), 29th in field-goal percentage (47.4), 33rd in scoring defense (61.3), 42nd in scoring offense (75.2), 44th in three-point field-goal percentage (38.0) and 140th in fouls per game (18.2). Also, KU was No. 173 in threes per game (6.2), No. 226 in free-throw percentage (67.2) and No. 228 in turnovers per game (15.6).
Among the national leaders:
¢ Saint Joseph’s, free-throw percentage, 79.9
¢ Texas A&M Corpus Christi, field-goal percentage, 50.1
¢ Long Beach State, scoring offense, 83.3
1
KU’s rank nationally in field-goal-percentage defense
5
KU’s rank in assists per game (17.8)
226
KU’s rank in free-throw percentage
228
KU’s rank in turnovers per game
¢ Air Force, scoring defense, 54.7.
As individuals, KU’s Mario Chalmers ranked 14th in the country in steals per game (2.7). Russell Robinson was 35th in steals per game (2.3) and No. 74 in assists per game (4.6).
Adam Morrison of Gonzaga led the country in scoring at 28.1 ppg, while Louisiana Tech’s Paul Millsap was rebound leader at 13.3. The field-goal percentage leader was Randall Hanke of Providence (67.7), and free-throw percentage leader was Blake Ahearn of Missouri State (93.6).
¢ Great expectations: The Jayhawks, who return 85.2 percent of their scoring, 84.0 percent of rebounding, 77.1 percent of assists and 80.0 percent of minutes played, have been ranked high in early, post-2006 NCAA Tournament polls for next season.
Jeff Goodman of foxsports.com has tapped the Jayhawks the No. 1 team in the country, ahead of Ohio State, North Carolina, Florida, UCLA, Texas, Memphis, Georgetown, Wisconsin and Louisville.
“The Jayhawks lost for the second straight year in the first round, but don’t expect that to happen next season with Bill Self’s club,” Goodman said. “They return their top seven scorers, including Brandon Rush – and they will add heralded freshman point guard Sherron Collins to the mix. Expect Julian Wright to assert himself as one of the most versatile players in the nation.”
Rivals.com’s Ryan Bartow also ranks KU first, followed by UNC, Ohio State, UCLA, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Memphis, Georgia Tech and Louisville.
SI.com ranks KU fifth. Florida is first, followed by UNC, UCLA and Memphis.
ESPN’s Andy Katz taps KU second behind Florida. North Carolina is third, followed by LSU, UCLA, Ohio State, Memphis, Texas, Alabama and Pitt.
“Kansas will be tested plenty in the Big 12 by Texas, but the Jayhawks have the talent and motivation to soar,” Katz said.
Jake Curtis of the San Francisco Chronicle has KU second behind North Carolina. UCLA is third, followed by Tennessee, Texas A&M, Alabama, Ohio State, Duke, Wichita State and Florida State.
Gregg Doyel of cbssportsline.com picks KU sixth behind UNC, Florida, UCLA, Ohio State and Texas.
¢ Dooley interviews: KU assistant Joe Dooley interviewed for the head-coaching job at UNC-Wilmington on Wednesday, meeting with a four-person search committee, Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo and Seahawks team members. Texas assistant Rodney Terry will interview today, with North Dakota State head coach Tim Miles’ interview not scheduled until next Thursday.
It’s believed UNC-Wilmington will not name a coach this weekend. The university athletic director and board members have roles in the biggest non-sports event of the year – Wilmington’s Azalea Festival – which will not stop for the coach search.
¢ Ceremony on Tuesday: Tickets are available for the KU men’s basketball awards ceremony, set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Kansas Ballroom. To obtain tickets, which are free, call the Williams Educational Fund at 785-864-3946. The ballroom seats 700, but if it fills, standing room only will be available.
¢ More on Arthur: Darrell Arthur, a 6-foot-9 senior forward from Dallas’ South Oak Cliff High leaves today for this weekend’s Roundball Classic in Chicago without having committed to a college. South Oak Cliff coach James Mays told Rivals.com that KU, Texas, Baylor and Oklahoma remained the finalists. The Roundball game is set for 3 p.m. Sunday at Chicago’s United Center.
