New Kansas State basketball coach Bob Huggins held his introductory news conference Thursday in Bramlage Coliseum, jokingly referred to as “Allen Fieldhouse West.”
“I didn’t know that,” former Cincinnati coach Huggins said, informed by a reporter of rival Kansas University’s success – an 18-0 record – in Bramlage.
Overall, KU has won 23 straight games in Manhattan, including the last five KU-KSU contests played in Ahearn Fieldhouse.
“Somebody told me one time to have a rivalry you have to win once in a while, otherwise it’s not much of a rivalry,” Huggins said.
“I am kind of into hanging banners. I always thought the best way to hang banners was to win all of ’em at home. We’ll work really hard at holding service here.”
Huggins, 52, was successful on the court at UC, leading the Bearcats to a 399-127 record. He had problems off the court, including a conviction for drunken driving in 2004. Also, there were several off-the-court problems involving players and NCAA probation.
KU coach Bill Self has followed Huggins’ career.
“I don’t know Bob personally. I’ve had a chance to be around him some,” Self said. “I respect the job he and his staff have done at Cincinnati. It will generate in-state interest and credibility to the program. I’m sure he’ll have the fans excited at K-State.
“I would think Bob being there will add to the interest level of the rivalry. He’s a very competitive person and coach. The rivalry is already great, but it will add even more interest.”
Huggins could be bringing two of the top junior players in Ohio with him to KSU. O.J. Mayo, a 6-foot-5 guard, averaged 28.8 points last season at Cincinnati’s North College Hill High. Mayo’s teammate, 6-6 Bill Walker, averaged 22.4 points a game. They are now considering KSU.
“I don’t know how much we will cross paths (in recruiting),” Self said. “He and his staff will try hard to recruit the area. I’m sure we’ll go head-to-head from time to time.”
It’s believed K-State did not express interest in KU assistant Tim Jankovich, a KSU grad, instead focusing on head coaches such as Northern Iowa’s Greg McDermott, the new coach at Iowa State, and Southern Illinois coach Chris Lowery.
¢ Aldrich update: Future KU center Cole Aldrich averaged 16 points and 13 boards his junior year for Bloomington (Minn.) Jefferson High (18-8). Aldrich suffered a stress fracture in his left fibula and was hobbled late in the season. He scored 24 points in the squad’s finale against Eden Prairie. Aldrich will participate for Minnesota Magic’s AAU team this summer and will play for a U.S. all-star team in Germany.
¢ No word from Arthur: Darrell Arthur, a 6-9 forward from Dallas, is not expected to choose a school before Wednesday’s McDonald’s All-America game in San Diego. Arthur this week told the Dallas Morning News he was considering KU, Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma and Arizona. He said he might take an unofficial visit to Arizona.
“I’m just looking for a sign,” Arthur told the paper. “All the colleges are good colleges. I’m looking at, ‘What’s the best fit for me? What coach will look out for me like I’m his son?’ I need some guidance.”
¢ Juco tourney: KU’s coaches are scouting the national junior-college tournament in Hutchinson this week. It’s believed the juco ranks have been weakened the past couple of years since the rise of prep schools.
