What this means…from press row
Gary Bedore, Journal-World KU men’s basketball beat writer
“There was nothing to be learned from this one, the opponent was so inferior.
I did see fans smiling on the way out of Allen Fieldhouse, however, which I guess is a good sign. Folks enjoyed seeing a bevy of KU dunks and the return of the running game.
Winston-Salem State did hit more threes than the Jayhawks, which probably is a concern.
Again, however, nothing can be learned from this. If the fans in attendance enjoyed the rout, good deal, but really it meant nothing. Add a ‘W’ to the win column and move on.”
Tom Keegan, Journal-World sports editor
“When Sherron Collins is on the court, Kansas plays at a faster pace. Faster doesn’t always mean better, but it is nice to know that there is an instant answer if the Jayhawks go back to that sluggish style that dogged them for many early season games.
Collins has one thing in common with New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd – He seems to travel even faster when dribbling than when sprinting without the ball.”
Ryan Greene, KUSports.com editor
“It was nice to see the Jayhawks play with some swagger yet still have, as I like to call it, ‘productive fun.’
Being stressed out and worriesome was a sore spot for KU before the first semester came to a close, but maybe the time off from the whole school part of being a student-athlete has actually helped the players relax. Bill Self said after the game that he thinks so.
That will be huge Saturday, when KU plays one of the nation’s most physical and experienced teams in Boston College. Fans should look forward to Brandon Rush going head to head with BC’s Jared Dudley, who is one of the most well-rounded, polished players college hoops has to offer. Should be a treat.”
Inside the numbers
7: That’s how many dunks KU wound up sending home, and there were plenty of highlights to go around. Several of those throwdowns came on lob plays, and Brandon Rush had a huge one-handed slam off of a feed from Case, which came right after Rush swatted a Rams’ three-point attempt. More importantly, those dunks helped KU seize momentum throughout the game.
8: That’s how many points junior reserve guard Jeremy Case, who Self repeatedly has called his team’s best shooter, scored. It was long overdue for Case, who missed most of the season’s start with a groin injury. Self has made it clear that he wants the sharpshooter in his regular rotation. Taking advantage of Tuesday’s opportunity against a defensively undisciplined opponent was big for Case, who also hit two threes, had four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
29: That was the total number of assists the Jayhawks doled out, led by eight from sophomore Mario Chalmers to go with his nine points. KU was able to get out in transition to create most of those easy hoops, and that was boosted by forcing 24 Winston-Salem State turnovers. Another example of the domino effect which can make a good team look great.
Just in case you missed it…
Sasha Kaun’s progression off of his knee injury continued as he started his first game of the season, logging 18 minutes and producing 11 points and six boards. He was just as active as he was against Toledo 10 days ago, and simply continued to make KU a deeper team.
Hopefully you didn’t miss it…
Brandon Rush’s second half was phenomenal. He started it off by scoring seven straight points out of the break, and then blocked back-to-back Winston-Salem State three-pointers, turning one of them into a transition dunk, as he tied with Julian Wright to score a team-high 15 points. Also, Sherron Collins played solid at break-neck speed, scoring 11 points and notching three assists, in an effort which could help him bust out of a slump over the past couple of weeks.
They said it…
Brandon Rush on having more fun on Tuesday than earlier this season: “It’s about having a smile on your face. I think I smiled the whole night, laughing at Sasha getting hung (missing a dunk in transition by hitting the front of the rim). I think that was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen in a game…I think some of our fans think we look like we’re depressed or whatever. I just started smiling tonight, I think it helped a lot. No depression at all, I’ve got nothing to be depressed about.”
Sasha Kaun on taking a ribbing from Rush about said failed dunk attempt: “I know he was (laughing at me). He always gives me a hard time.”
Bill Self on his team being less stressed since the end of first semester: “This is in no way an excuse, but we’ve had a tough deal with our class schedules. You guys knwo, when you talk to the guys (before practice), it’s 4:30, 4:45, 5:00. And they have tutors at 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00, so it’s been a full day when they leave this building at 11:00 at night and then they do the same thing again…Since school’s been out, even during finals week, it’s like there wasn’t as much pressure on them.”
