Boulder, Colo. ? Kansas University freshman Brandon Rush, who didn’t score in the first half Wednesday after burning Kentucky for a career-high 24 points last Saturday, erupted for 17 points the second half.
“I wasn’t into the game. My mind-set wasn’t right,” said Rush, who missed four shots while playing 15 minutes the opening half, KU leading 29-27 at the break. “I sat down and talked to myself at halftime. The second half I relaxed. My head was in the game.”
Rush said the high altitude of Boulder was a factor in his getting “winded” the first half. He hit five of seven shots the second 20 minutes.
“Coach said it’s a mental thing, but it really does (affect you),” Rush said. “Even Roby (Richard, CU guard, 15 points, 6-of-18 shooting) told me that he gets winded.”
KU coach Bill Self grinned when told of Rush’s statement about the altitude.
“Brandon says a lot of things. He also said Ashley Judd was looking at him at the Kentucky game,” Self said.
Of Rush’s second-half play versus the first, Self said: “He didn’t play well the first half. I told him he was bailing them out, shooting too many jumpers. He needed to drive it. He did a better job the second half driving it.”
Self praised Rush’s defensive job on Roby. “He did a good job. He made him earn them.”