Gary Bedore’s KU hoops notebook

By Gary Bedore     Mar 18, 2010

More first round content

Check out these stories for more insight before KU’s game against Lehigh:

Out of the blocks

Speedy Collins in no hurry

Lehigh basketball notebook

Lehigh not backing down

Henrys’ homecoming

Kansas University freshman guard C.J. Henry hasn’t received many phone calls or texts from acquaintances wanting tickets to tonight’s Kansas University-Lehigh game in Ford Center.

“My circle texted me, not many random people. They know me and ‘X’ don’t want to put up with any distractions,” said C.J., who, like brother Xavier, hails from OKC.

“There are no distractions,” added C.J., who did enjoy visiting with his high school coach at the Jayhawks’ hour-and-15-minute practice Wednesday at the Henrys’ alma mater, Putnam City High.

“I’ve got family here. I’m taking care of Xavier. We have to play two games.”

Older brother C.J. said he normally doesn’t have to say a lot to Xavier, who is mighty mature for a college freshman.

“He’s pretty self-motivated,” C.J. said. “He gets himself ready for the game. I may step up and give him some pointers during the game because he listens to me, but nothing really to get him going.”

C.J. wishes he, like his brother, could be a big factor in the NCAAs.

But the reality is he has had an injury-plagued season. First he was held back by offseason surgery on his foot. He also has had some knee woes and most significantly, a severely bruised tailbone that pretty much shelved him for the entire Big 12 season.

“It was in practice before the Iowa State game. I jumped up to block (Jeff) Withey. He kind of bent over. I flipped over him and kind of landed on my back,” Henry said. “That was a freak accident with Jeff that happened. My knee was a previous injury I got in baseball (playing for Yankees farm team).

“I’m not frustrated,” he added. “We’re doing well, are 30-something-and-2 (32-2). I’m just happy the team is doing well. I just try to prepare the guys everyday in practice to get better so we keep winning.”

There’s no guarantee C.J. will stick around for a second season at KU, with brother Xavier expected to enter the 2010 NBA Draft.

“I mean, shoot, all I know is about today,” C.J. said.

Of Xavier, he said: “Eventually, he wants to play in the NBA. I know he wants to do that. I don’t know whether it will be this year or two or three years down the line. I don’t know. When he feels he’s ready, I think he’ll go.”

C.J. said there was a time he wondered what it’d have been like had he spent this season at Memphis, a place he sat out last season because of injury.

“I wanted to play for coach Cal,” he said of John Calipari, who bolted Memphis for Kentucky. “I was just unfamiliar with what they had coming back and the new staff. I’m happy where I’m at.”

And he’s currently happy to be in his hometown of OKC.

“We’re excited to come back and see close friends and family and excited for our Kansas fans who can drive here,” C.J. said. “It’s a good seed, a good spot. Ford Center is a good place to be at.”

No distractions

Xavier Henry said he’s experienced no distractions in OKC. “It’s a distraction if you let it be one,” Henry said. “I’ve been staying away from my phone, trying to not get too caught up in this. It’s always good to come back home. I always enjoy coming home. If I wasn’t playing, I’d love to be home.”

Defense

KU sophomore Tyshawn Taylor likely will open defensively on C.J. McCollum, Lehigh’s standout freshman guard who is the Patriot League’s player of the year.

“I know I’ll start out on him,” Taylor said. “I look forward to it. It’ll be a challenge. I think we’ll be fine defensively. If we do our stuff, do what we practice, we’ll be fine.”

McCollum averages 18.9 points and 4.9 boards.

“He can shoot. He can score. He has the green light to do whatever he wants,” Taylor said.

Bucknell revisited

There were a lot of questions about Bucknell at Wednesday’s media session. As a No. 3-seed, KU lost to No. 14 Bucknell, 64-63, on March 18, 2005, in Ford Center. Today, of course, is March 18, 2010.

“It’s obviously a great conference,” KU enter Cole Aldrich said of the Patriot League, which has Bucknell and Lehigh as members.

“I may have mentioned it once,” KU coach Bill Self said. “I won’t dwell on that. That’s bringing up negative things. What we want is to be in attack mode.”

Of the Bucknell issue, Self said: “There’s similarities that we’re playing a team from the Patriot League and playing in Oklahoma City, that kind of stuff. But you know, we have a different team, and this is certainly a different team than we played in ’05.”

No pressure

The Jayhawks were asked if they feel pressure entering as the tournament’s overall No. 1 seed:

“Everybody wants to be No. 1,” KU sophomore Markieff Morris said. “We don’t take too much out of being No. 1, just look forward to the game we’ve got.”

“We worked hard to get here as the No. 1 seed,” Taylor said. “That was one of our goals, to try to be No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. These next couple games are the most important. We have to prove we’re No. 1.”

Purples

The Jayhawks are in the same locale as Kansas State, which meets North Texas today in the first round.

“I don’t know if they’re pulling for us,” Taylor said of the Wildcats, “I’m not sure we’re pulling for them, but I like those guys. They’re good guys. I love the good competition. I’m rooting for my Big 12 teams. I guess I can say I hope they do well.”

“They are cool on the court sometimes, and other times we don’t like each other,” Morris said. “But the past couple games, we’ve been real cool. I root for Big 12 teams.”

No time yet

The winner of today’s Lehigh-KU game will meet either UNLV or Northern Iowa on Saturday. That game time will be revealed tonight.

Fan of Collins

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan tells USA Today he’s rooting for Kansas in the NCAA Tournament.

It’s because he used to play pickup basketball games with Sherron Collins when Collins prepped at Chicago’s Crane High School.

“He comes from a very, very tough neighborhood and has done the right thing, stayed in school,” Duncan told the paper. “He’s a tough kid from Chicago. I’m biased, but he’s got a lot of heart. He’s the kind of kid where the right experiences changed his life forever. Having watched him since he was 14, it’s nice to see him have the opportunity he’s having now. That’s sort of what it’s all about.”

Of Duncan, Collins said: “He’s got game. We played a lot of pickup when I was in high school. He gave me a lot of advice about how to act on and off the court, about choosing a college and stuff like that.”

Fan favorites

KU held a 40-minute shootaround in front of about 1,000 fans Wednesday at Ford Center. Travis Releford, Jeff Withey and Elijah Johnson had a few crowd-pleasing dunks in the final minute.

Gary Bedore’s KU hoops notebook

By Gary Bedore     Mar 14, 2010

KU vs. K-State

Nick Krug
Kansas guard Tyrel Reed elevates to the bucket past Kansas State forward Curtis Kelly and teammate Xavier Henry during the second half Saturday in Kansas City, Mo.

Box Score

Keegan: KU worthy of No. 1 NCAA seed

Kansas fends off ‘Cats

Pullen, KSU dejected

Reed on fire

Tyrel Reed, who scored a career-high-tying 14 points in a victory over Missouri this season in Allen Fieldhouse, burned Kansas State for a personal-best 15 points in Saturday’s Big 12 tournament final in Sprint Center.

“Nothing too special. I was a recipient of my teammates playing well,” said the junior guard from Burlington, who hit three of four shots (including two threes in two tries) and seven of nine free throws.

“I don’t worry about anything. I just shoot the ball, whether it’s a clutch time or beginning of the game. I feel I’m a good shooter at all times. I enjoy being in the moment, stepping up and knocking down shots.”

His teammates certainly respected his effort against a gritty KSU team.

“Tyrel is our designated three-point shooter,” senior Sherron Collins said. “He came through for us again.”

“We’ve come to expect that from Tyrel,” noted sophomore Tyshawn Taylor. “He’s a good player. I’ve known that for a long time.”

KU’s fate

It’s all but certain KU will be awarded first and second round NCAA Tournament games at Oklahoma City’s Ford Center (Thursday, Saturday) when sites and pairings are announced at 5 p.m. today on CBS.

If KU is No. 1 seed in the Midwest Regional, the Jayhawks could march to St. Louis for Friday/Sunday games the following week.

“We’ll watch it as a group,” Self said of today’s TV show. “I think we’ll go to Oklahoma City. To be honest, K-State should go there, too. That’s fine. It means nothing to me. We’ve not excelled in Oklahoma City at times.”

KU lost to Baylor in the first round of last year’s Big 12 tourney in OKC and lost to Bucknell in the first round of the NCAAs in 2005. However, KU won three games in the Big 12 tourney in OKC in 2007.

Bumps, bruises

Collins “bumped his knee,” Self said of KU’s senior leader. “Hopefully, that’s not an issue. He’s hopefully on an uptick. He really played well.”

Going home

Playing in OKC will please former KU player Carl Henry, father of freshmen Xavier and C.J. Henry. Carl, who lives in OKC, thinks freshman starter Xavier would fare well playing in Ford Center.

“I think that’d be great. There’s nothing like coming back home and playing in front of Oklahoma City people. Many of them only get to see him play on TV,” Carl Henry said Saturday from his seat eight rows behind KU’s bench.

“I don’t think he will feel pressure,” Carl added of Xavier, who, like C.J., starred at Putnam City High. “He just plays the game. There’s no pressure in coming home. You just play the game.”

Carl, whose sons played for his Oklahoma City Athletes First AAU program, commented on decisions both players will have to make shortly after the season ends.

Xavier has to announce whether he’s entering the NBA Draft by the league’s deadline date of April 25.

“Actually we’ll sit down at the end of the season and see where he is, talk about it, then we’ll deal with it,” Carl said, adding that, “if he’s high in the draft, he has to go (pro).

“To me, we have to see how he feels, see if he wants to come back,” Carl added. “There’s a lot of stuff that plays into it if you want to go pro, like where they (NBA officials) have got you on the mock draft, what they are saying, then you decide whether you want to go or not.”

Carl said Xavier is only thinking about trying to win a national championship. Once the season ends … “it shouldn’t take long (to decide) because they moved the date. The way they do things now you have to decide really quick whether you are coming back or staying in.”

C.J. Henry has been limited by injuries and also will have to make a decision on his own future.

“C.J. … that’s another thing … we’re going to sit down and talk. I know he’s going to visit with coach Self and whatever comes out of that meeting, that will determine what he’s going to do,” Carl said.

“He could do a lot of things. He could go overseas. He could decide to stay at Kansas. He could sit out and go to another school. He could go to the D-League (NBA Developmental League). Actually, he could put his name in the (NBA) Draft. Nobody’s seen him play but an hour (this year because of injuries).”

Stats, facts

Junior center Cole Aldrich and senior guard Collins were named to the all-tournament team with K-State’s Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen and Texas A&M’s Donald Sloan. Collins was tourney MVP. It is the first all-tournament team honors for each, while Collins became the sixth KU player to take home MVP honors. … KU is 7-1 in Big 12 title games. … KU has won six in a row over KSU and 10 straight over the Cats in conference tourney play, seven in a row in the Big 12 tourney. … Aldrich pulled down eight rebounds, moving him into 10th place on the KU all-time rebounding chart (842). Aldrich moved past Clyde Lovellette (1950-52), who collected 839 rebounds. … KU held Pullen to just 13 points after allowing the junior guard to score 20 or more in its previous two meeting this season. … KSU committed just five turnovers, tying Missouri (Jan. 25) for a KU opponent season low.

Self on the ‘Cats

“I think their team could seriously make a Final Four run. I don’t know if we’ll play anybody who pursues the ball like K-State in the tournament. I thought they competed so hard, and we did, too. I would feel good regardless of who you are playing. But having a chance to beat in what our estimation is one of the best teams in the country in a great atmosphere against your state rival in Kansas City, I think makes it a little bit more special than if we had been playing somebody else.”

Gary Bedore’s KU hoops notebook

By Gary Bedore     Mar 13, 2010

KU vs. Texas A&M

Nick Krug
Kansas guard Brady Morningstar yells at his teammates to pick up the intensity during the second half March 12, 2010 in Kansas City, Mo.

Box score

Self wins 200th; KU reaches finals

Keegan: Cats, don’t get ‘chippy’

A&M OK with Sherron

On to the title game

Kansas University today tries for its seventh Big 12 tournament title in the 14-year history of the event. KU is 6-1 in the title game.

KU’s opponent in the 5 p.m. contest is Kansas State, an 82-75 winner over Baylor in Friday’s second semifinal.

The Jayhawks have faced KSU just twice in the finals of a conference tournament. K-State beat KU, 79-58, in 1980, and KU defeated the Wildcats, 80-68, in 1981, in the old Big Eight Conference tourney at Kemper Arena.

“It’ll be a physical game,” KU center Cole Aldrich said, well aware the Wildcats outrebounded KU twice this season.

KU defeated the Cats, 81-79, in overtime on Jan. 30 in Manhattan despite being outboarded, 38-37. KU won again, 82-65, on March 3 in Lawrence despite being outrebounded, 35-28.

“K-State is so fast,” KU coach Bill Self gushed. “They’ve got great guards, guys who can shoot the ball and rebound. They play as hard as any team in the country.”

Guard Jacob Pullen scored 22 and Denis Clemente 13 in Manhattan. Pullen had 20 and Clemente 21 in Lawrence.

KU was led by Aldrich (18 points, 11 rebounds) and Sherron Collins (16 points) in Manhattan. Xavier Henry had 19 points, Collins 17 in Lawrence.

“K-State is really tough. Pullen and Clemente are really good guards,” KU guard Tyshawn Taylor said. “They’re good and make you work for everything you get.”

Self is 14-2 versus KSU. K-State coach Frank Martin is 1-5 against KU.

Title talk

Of the title game, Pullen said: “We just want to win the Big 12 tournament. We wanted to win the regular season and felt we lost it at Kansas. We just want to get a ring. It’s our goal, and we have it in front of us tomorrow.”

Martin added: “Playing in that game … the conference championship … it’s what it’s all about. I’m happy for K-State, those who take pride in K-State. We go against the best team in the country. We’ve been nose-to-nose with them twice. KU is great. I’ve got to believe it will be the best environment of any conference championship game in the country. I just hope we play well. If not, it will be a long day.”

Cole milestone

Aldrich scored nine points against Texas A&M, becoming the 52nd player in KU history to top the 1,000 mark. He has 1,003 in 108 career games.

“It’s pretty cool. So many people have played here,” Aldrich said of KU. “I go work hard every day. That’s really all I try to do.”

Aldrich also posted three blocks, giving him 245 in his career. He passed Eric Chenowith (242) and Nick Collison (243) and needs 13 more to tie Greg Ostertag as KU’s all-time leader in blocked shots. Aldrich has played at KU three years, Ostertag four.

Aldrich said a key to Friday’s semifinal victory over Texas A&M was KU entering into a zone defense down four points. A 21-2 run ensued.

“It’s one of those things, we rarely play zone,” Aldrich said. “I don’t know if we confused them, but we started playing well offensively, and that pumped juice in our veins.

“The first half we played really dumb, uncharacteristic of us,” he added of committing 12 turnovers in falling behind 38-35 at the break. “A&M’s defense had a lot to do with that. I think Brady and Tyrel’s threes opened it up for us.”

Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed connected on back-to-back threes that cut a 47-40 deficit to one point with 14 minutes left.

Words

Texas A&M’s players appeared to be miffed the Jayhawk bench came out to mob Henry, who hit a big three with 7:22 to play. Some words were exchanged. Also, a double technical was called on Markieff Morris and Bryan Davis at 6:41 after Davis and Collins inadvertently bumped into each other.

“I felt we met at the perfect time, in the center of the court,” Taylor joked. “It was just the heat of the battle. It’s all love at the end. We all got in line and shook hands. We respect their team.”

Stats, facts

KU is 31-2 overall and 8-4 in Big 12 tournament semifinal games. … KU is 16-1 all-time against Texas A&M and 5-0 in games played against coach Mark Turgeon. … KU is 4-1 on the season when trailing at halftime. … Self is now 200-42 in seven years at KU and 407-147 overall. He’s 13-3 in conference tournaments at KU. … KU is 2,001-795 all-time, a game ahead of North Carolina for second place on the nation’s all-time win list. … Aldrich’s three blocks marked the 28th time this season he has recorded three or more blocks. … Collins scored a game-high 26 points, the most points he has scored in game since he recorded 28 points versus Baylor on Jan. 20. His career high is 33 versus Cornell. “I think it was one of my best games, not the best,” Collins said. … Henry scored 15 points, upping his career total to 460. He needs 36 to tie Danny Manning as all-time leading freshman scorer in school history. … Henry has scored in double figures in 25 games. He has 10 or more points in nine of his last 10 games. … Markieff Morris’ 10 points marked his seventh double-figure scoring game. “I just try to come in and provide energy. That’s what coach tells me to do all the time,” Morris said. … KU committed 12 first-half turnovers, which is its season average for a game. The Jayhawks finished with 19 turnovers, which the Aggies turned into 19 points. Texas A&M collected 12 steals off of KU’s miscues, marking an opponent season high.

Gary Bedore’s KU hoops notebook

By Gary Bedore     Mar 4, 2010

KU vs. KSU

Mike Yoder
KU fans pull down posters of Sherron Collins at the end of KU's 82-65 win over the the Kansas State Wildcats Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Box Score

Tough love

Jayhawks rise to challenge

Morningstar reminisces

‘Cats love Collins, too

Party time

Little did Sherron Collins know it, but he was in for a surprise feast following Wednesday’s Senior Night victory over Kansas State.

“He’s got a big dinner waiting on him in his apartment. His mom, Linda (Morningstar) and some of the other mothers have it all ready for him,” Collins’ uncle, Walt Harris, said after watching his nephew score 17 points and dish four assists in his final home game.

“He doesn’t know anything about it. His teammates will be there. All the players are going back there.”

Walt was pretty sure what was on the menu for Collins, his 26 friends and family members visiting from Chicago and others.

“Chicken wings are his favorite,” Walt Harris said.

Henry excels

KU freshman Xavier Henry, whose 15 points the first half helped keep the Jayhawks comfortably in front (45-38) at intermission, said the Jayhawks wanted to win it for Collins.

“We’ve been talking about it a lot. We knew it was his last time running out of the tunnel. I told him it was his last time getting taped, last time eating (pregame) dinner in there,” Henry said of the new locker room lounge. “We knew it would be emotional for him. We wanted to be behind him.”

Henry finished with 19 points.

Asked if it was his final game in Allen Fieldhouse, Henry, who is expected to be a one-and-done player, said: “I don’t know yet. I’ll weigh my options and talk it over with coach and stuff.”

Academic honor

KU’s Cole Aldrich and Tyrel Reed on Wednesday were named to the 2010 Academic All-Big 12 team. Aldrich majors in communication studies and Reed in exercise science with a minor in business. It takes a 3.2 GPA or better to make the squad.

Stats, facts

KU wrapped up the league title and spot in a first-round Big 12 tourney game at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 11, in Sprint Center. … KU has won 59 straight home games.

Gary Bedore’s Kansas basketball notebook

By Gary Bedore     Feb 7, 2010

KU vs. Nebraska

Nick Krug
Kansas teammates Marcus Morris and Tyshawn Taylor (10) celebrate a Morris bucket in the second half, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Box Score

Fanning the flames

Marcus Morris old reliable again

Withey gives Jayhawks early lift

Foul disparity frustrates head Husker

Self’s X factor

Kansas University’s basketball team had a so-so week, claiming an overtime victory at Colorado on Wednesday and 75-64 decision over Nebraska on Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse.

It’s nothing to be concerned about, junior center Cole Aldrich said after his eight-point, six-rebound effort against NU.

“Every year that I’ve been here, coach (Bill) Self writes numbers on the board and says, ‘We’re going to play great X amount of games. We’re going to play OK X amount of games. And then we’re going to play terrible X amount of games.’ Those games you play all right to bad, you’ve got to find a way to win,” Aldrich said. “That’s kind of what we’re doing right now. We’ve just got to defend and make sure they don’t get easy buckets any more.”

He said Self does that “usually toward the beginning (of season). You’ve got to find ways to win,” Aldrich stressed. “I think we haven’t played spectacular defense by any means, so that’s one thing we’ve got to get back to doing is moving our feet and playing good defense because that’s going to win us a lot of games.”

Technically speaking

Self picked up a technical foul the first half. It was a game both Self and NU’s Doc Sadler appeared enraged over the officiating. Sadler stopped to speak with KU athletic director Lew Perkins after the game, apparently discussing the work of the officials.

Frederick award

NCAA officials recognized former KU athletic director Bob Frederick as the inaugural winner of the NCAA’s administrator’s sportsmanship award at halftime. The NCAA’s John Blanchard and Robert Vowels made the presentation to Frederick’s widow, Margey. The award goes to an NCAA administrator who “shows the highest respect for intercollegiate athletics, demonstrates respect for competition, student-athletes, coaches and officials, and encourages student-athletes to demonstrate positive sportsmanship and integrity.”

The NCAA officials announced Saturday that the award would be named after Frederick.

Motivation

KU coach Self ripped into the Jayhawks during a timeout early in the second half with NU up, 43-39. The Jayhawks immediately responded on a 28-5 roll.

“He knows how to get you going,” guard Sherron Collins said. “He challenged us, and we responded. It wasn’t no milk and cookies. Him jumping on us was something we needed. He’s a good motivator and that’s what he did. He motivated us.”

Looking ahead

Much of the postgame was spent talking about Monday’s 8 p.m. game at Texas. KU enters 22-1 overall and 8-0 in the league. Texas is 19-4, 5-3 after Saturday’s loss at Oklahoma.

“I don’t think it’s a statement game, but it’s a big game. In the Big 12, every game is a statement game,” Collins said. “We want to win to keep moving forward.”

Stats, facts

KU extended the country’s No. 1 homecourt win streak to 55 games, which ties as the second longest in KU history. … KU has won 15 straight versus NU. … KU leads the all-time series 168-71, including a 50-7 mark in Allen. … After KU led 37-33 at halftime, Nebraska took a 43-39 lead, marking the first time KU has blown a halftime lead this season. … Brady Morningstar dished four assists, marking the 10th game he has had three assists or more. …. With his four three-pointers, Collins moved into fourth place on KU’s all-time three-point field goal list. He has 208. … Collins had six assists and moved into ninth place with 489 on Kansas’ career assists list past Ryan Robertson (1996-99).

Gary Bedore’s KU basketball notebook

By Gary Bedore     Jan 7, 2010

KU vs. Cornell

Nick Krug
Kansas forward Marcus Morris hits Cornell center Jeff Foote with a hard foul during the first half, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2009 at Allen Fieldhouse.

• Box Score

Keegan: This one was wonderful

Collins rescues Jayhawks

Big Red not intimidated

Morningstar locks down

Reed’s big bucket

Tyrel Reed’s one bucket was a big one. His three from the corner, following a pass from Sherron Collins, gave the Jayhawks a 61-60 advantage with 3:55 left.

“I’ve been on Tyrel to be more aggressive. He wasn’t aggressive the entire game,” coach Bill Self said. “I told him to put himself in a position to shoot it. For that play, Brady (Morningstar) set a great fade screen for Tyrel.”

Ivy material?

KU junior Cole Aldrich, who is expected to be named a first-team Academic All-American following the season, was asked if he could hack it at Ivy League school Cornell.

“Eh, that’s tough (question),” Aldrich said. “We’ve got great academics here, but the Ivy League and all that is tough. I’ve got to give those guys props. It’s hard enough just playing basketball and going to school. Going to one of the most prestigious schools in the country would be that much more difficult.”

Stats, facts

Collins had 15 of KU’s final 22 points. … KU is 3-0 versus Cornell and 14-0 versus the Ivy League. … KU trailed at the half (41-38) for the first time all season. … Cornell’s nine threes were the most by a KU opponent this season and the most since North Dakota State made 10 in the NCAA Tournament last season. … Collins’ 33 points were the most by a Jayhawk since Julian Wright scored 33 at Missouri on Feb. 10, 2007. … Collins’ 13 free throws were the most since Russell Robinson had 14 against Baylor on Feb. 9, 2008. … Collins moved into 16th place all-time on the Kansas career scoring list with (1,542) passing Drew Gooden. … Aldrich’s nine rebounds give him 646, passing Roger Brown for 17th on the Jayhawks’ all-time list. … Kansas’ five-point victory was the closest nonconference win at home since the Jayhawks defeated Arizona, 76-72 in overtime, on Nov. 25, 2007.

Gary Bedore’s KU basketball notebook

By Gary Bedore     Dec 23, 2009

KU vs. California

Nick Krug
Kansas guard Sherron Collins breaks up a pass to California forward Jamal Boykin during the first half, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Box score

Making merry

Taylor continues his hot streak

Lie inspires Marcus

California comes close

Lawrence natives have made life plenty miserable for California’s Golden Bears.

Lawrence High graduate Stephen Vinson was the unofficial star of the game in KU’s 69-56 victory over the Bears on Dec. 10, 2005, in Kansas City, Mo.

“That was in Kemper Arena, right?” said Free State graduate Brady Morningstar, who burned the Bears for seven points off 3-of-4 shooting and dished seven assists against two turnovers with two steals in Tuesday’s 84-69 victory.

Morningstar also played great defense on Cal’s Patrick Christopher, who had 21 points, but six in the last 15 minutes.

“Coach (Bill) Self has talked about that game. He’s referenced it before,” Morningstar added of the KU victory in Kemper. “I don’t think we have it out for Cal. We have it out for ourselves … to win.”

Morningstar said Christopher, who hit nine of 18 shots, was difficult to corral.

“I tried to get a hand up, but he was still hitting them,” Morningstar said.

Of his own assists, Morningstar said: “I tried to get the big guys the ball. If I’m open, I’ll shoot. If not, I pass.”

He first lobbed a pass over the defense, then fired a bullet pass to Markieff Morris, resulting in two key buckets the final half.

“He was open on the high side the first time. The second time he was in the middle. I threw it overhand, and he caught it with one hand. I thought I threw it too hard. It was a great catch,” Morningstar said.

Those two buckets helped KU snatch a 53-48 lead.

Morningstar, by the way, said he’d be heading to New York today to spend Christmas with his sister.

Marcus on Withey

Marcus Morris had an interesting comment on center Jeff Withey, who did not enter the game, coach’s decision:

“Jeff Withey’s a great player,” Morris said. “I think he’s going to be one of the best big men to ever play at KU. He’s a good player. Once Jeff gets rolling, he’s going to add to (our front line), and we’re going to become better.”

Stats, facts

KU has won 49 straight home games. … KU is 15-3 all-time against Cal. … Self won his 180th game at KU against 40 losses. … The 11 made free throws are the fewest for the Jayhawks this season, and the 17 free-throw attempts tie for the fewest attempts. … KU has held 85 straight opponents to under 50 percent shooting. … KU’s 17 second-half assists are the most in a half since 18 against UNC Asheville in 2003.

Gary Bedore’s KU basketball notebook

By Gary Bedore     Dec 10, 2009

KU vs. Radford

Nick Krug
Kansas center Cole Aldrich backs up against Radford center Artsiom Parakhouski during the first half, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Box Score

Off to a fast start

Fieldhouse one-stop shopping for scouts

C.J. Henry gets chance

Highlander has highlight

Talking big

Kansas University junior center Cole Aldrich, who helped hold Radford big man Art Parakhouski (21 points, 13 rebounds) to zero points the first half, praised the 6-foot-11, 270-pound senior for bouncing back in the second half.

“He was big. He was good, too,” Aldrich said, noting Parakhouski reminded him of former Nebraska center Aleks Maric. “He’s a heck of a player, obviously, to be held to nothing at the half and get some ‘and-ones,’ make some free throws and finish with 21. That’s big for him.”

Aldrich, who was not double-teamed, finished with 15 points and nine boards.

“I tried to be more patient in the post,” Aldrich said. “The first half, I missed some real easy shots I usually make. The second half I got my feet under me and finished well.”

Minutes

Self admitted the rotation could grow soon when Brady Morningstar and Jeff Withey become eligible for the Dec. 19 game against Michigan.

“We could have some issues,” Self said. “I do think if guys buy in and play shorter minutes and play harder, definitely I think we can have a happy team.”

Football talk

Self was asked if he had a preference on who would be named the new KU football coach: “No, because I don’t know any of the candidates personally. I may have met a couple of ’em casually. I don’t know. I know Lew (Perkins, A.D.) must be working hard because he wasn’t here tonight, I think in large part because the weather didn’t allow him to get back (from New York). He’ll get a good guy. He’ll get his guy. Whoever it is I think will be a good fit. Nobody’s asked me if I was interested.”

Gary Bedore’s KU basketball notebook

By Gary Bedore     Dec 7, 2009

KU vs. UCLA

Nick Krug
Kansas forward Marcus Morris delivers a dunk before the UCLA defense during the second half, Sunday, Dec 6, 2009 at Pauley Pavilion.

Box score

UCLA falters in post

Markieff answers Self’s call

Keegan: Thanks to Self, KU reloaded better than UCLA

Minutes

Kansas University freshman power forward Thomas Robinson played just one minute and freshman guard Elijah Johnson just four.

“Thomas didn’t get to play much. He had a dunk opportunity slip through his hands. He tried to dunk one-handed as opposed to two,” KU coach Bill Self said. “Elijah only played four minutes. I was going to play guys I felt gave us the best chance to win.”

Freshman C.J. Henry (sore right knee) was available but didn’t get in the game.

Film session

Self showed his team tapes of UCLA’s 68-55 victory over KU in the 2007 Elite Eight last week.

“There were 10 hard-playing, aggressive dudes out there at all times in that game. They beat us fairly handily,” Self said. “This game did not have the same feel (as Sunday’s in which KU led by seven at halftime). Any time you can get a big road win against a quality opponent with a name like UCLA, we will not apologize. We’re proud to get a win.”

Poked in eye

UCLA freshman Reeves Nelson (nine points, nine rebounds) was poked in the eye by Marcus Morris while driving to the hoop in the second half. Nelson tried to return to the game wearing what appeared to be sunglasses, but exited shortly after. He was taken to the Ronald Reagan Medical Center for observation.

“He drove it, and Marcus went to reach and poked him in the eye. He still made the shot,” Markieff Morris said of Nelson. “He got poked hard and still made it.”

“I thought Nelson played real well. Unfortunately he got poked in the eye,” Self said.

Henry scores 16

Freshman Xavier Henry had 16 points off 5-of-9 shooting. He hit four threes in seven tries.

“When we’ve been poor offensively, we’ve had some individuals step up. Xavier didn’t play that well offensively at all, but he made big shots,” Self said. “The way we play and the way UCLA plays, it wasn’t far off from being tight down the stretch.”

Morningstar attends

Suspended KU junior Brady Morningstar did not participate in warmups but attended the game. He is expected to return to action against Michigan on Dec. 19. “I just decided to take him on the trip,” Self said, indicating no change in Morningstar’s status. … Jeff Withey, who is not eligible to play until Dec. 19 in accordance with NCAA transfer rules, did not make the trip. Transfers cannot travel until they are eligible to play in games.

Faces in crowd

Former KU guard Carl Henry, father of the Henry brothers, attended his first KU game of the season. … Ex-Jayhawks Eric Chenowith, Bud Stallworth and Scot Pollard also attended.

Hardwood Series

Sunday’s game was part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series.

Other results thus far: Nebraska 51, USC 48; Texas Tech 99, Washington 92 (OT), Texas 69, USC 50; Baylor 64, Arizona State 61; Kansas State 86, Washington State 69; Missouri 106, Oregon 69; Oregon State 74, Colorado 69 and California 82, Iowa State 63.

Chol on hand

Angelo Chol, a 6-foot-8, 205-pound junior from San Diego, was scheduled to attend the game, according to Rivals.com. Rivals.com’s No. 19-ranked player in the Class of 2011 has a list of several schools, including KU, UCLA, North Carolina, Florida and Georgetown.

Stats, facts

UCLA leads the all-time series against KU, 10-5. … KU is 7-0 for the third time in the Self era (2004-05, 07-08). … KU held UCLA to 36.1 percent shooting. The Jayhawks have held 81 straight foes under 50 percent. No team has shot better than 40 percent vs. KU this year. … KU’s bench outscored UCLA, 24-10. … Cole Aldrich finished with three blocks and has at least three rejections in every game this year. … Aldrich (12 boards) has had 10 or more boards the last three games. … Sherron Collins is three points shy of Wilt Chamberlain for the 21st spot on KU’s career scoring list. … Xavier Henry (16 points) has scored in double figures in every game.

Gary Bedore’s Kansas basketball notebook

By Gary Bedore     Dec 3, 2009

KU vs. Alcorn State

Nick Krug
Kansas guard Sherron Collins hikes up his shorts and stares down an Alcorn State opponent during the second half, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Box Score

KU shows no mercy

Keegan: Musings during massacre

Robinson mocked

Braves: ‘It’s disheartening’

Sore knee

Kansas University freshman guard C.J. Henry participated in warmups but did not play because of a sore right knee, the same knee that has given him problems off and on since the start of the season. Coach Bill Self said Henry is listed as day-to-day.

Johnson with nine dimes

Freshman guard Elijah Johnson had nine assists — same as the entire Alcorn State team.

“Elijah is so unselfish and a great playmaker,” KU junior Conner Teahan said after collecting six points, seven rebounds and one of KU’s 28 assists. “He’s so athletic. He’s probably the best athlete on our team.”

And one of the most unselfish players on the team.

“I enjoy setting up people to have success,” said Johnson, a 6-foot-2 combo guard. “It’s the point guard’s job to pass the ball and have everybody comfortable out there.”

Johnson put up four shots total, three the second half, failing to score on a night he had four rebounds and a steal to go with his nine assists in 21 minutes.

“I had nine assists and no points. Coach wanted me to be aggressive, to shoot. I didn’t want to make him mad,” said Johnson, who was 0-for-2 from three.

Just one stoppage

Self called just one timeout the entire game — with seven minutes to play.

Had he ever coached a game where he called zero timeouts?

“Sure,” Self said. “I probably haven’t gone very many games. The only reason I called a timeout was to sub, but it was the first full one of the second half. There was not much being said in timeouts over there.”

36-0 run

Self said “probably not” when asked if any of his previous teams had ever taken part in a 36-0 run.

Obviously, his memory was quite good, considering the Jayhawks’ 36-0 run, which came after Alcorn State scored the game’s first four points, was largest run in school history and second biggest run in NCAA history. Utah State scored 37 straight in a game against Idaho in 2006.

“That team struggled tonight,” Self said of the Braves. “We did play decent in spurts.”

Stats, facts

KU is 6-0 for the third time under seventh-year coach Self. … KU has won 46 straight home games. … KU is 4-0 against Alcorn State all-time, and 15-0 against current members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. … KU is now 100-6 in Allen Fieldhouse under Self. … Self is 175-40 at KU, 382-145 overall and 3-0 versus Alcorn State. … Alcorn State’s 31 points were the fewest allowed by a KU team since 1951, when Oklahoma State scored 27 (March 10, 1951, in Stillwater). It also marked the fewest points by an opponent in Allen Fieldhouse. It was the fewest points allowed to an opponent in Lawrence since Idaho’s 28 on Dec. 11, 1946, at Hoch Auditorium. … Alcorn State’s 12 first-half points were the fewest by a KU opponent since Northern Arizona’s 10 in the first half in 2007. … The 41-point halftime lead was KU’s biggest since a 41-point margin over Emporia State on Dec. 14, 2002. … KU’s 21 steals, which tied for second most in a game in school history, were most since 21 against Pittsburg State on Nov. 28, 2001. … KU’s 34 three-point attempts were the most since putting up 34 against Temple on Dec. 22, 1995. … The Jayhawks’ 61 rebounds are the most since grabbing 63 boards against Oregon on March 25, 2002. … Alcorn State’s 30 turnovers were the most by a KU opponent since Colorado’s 30 on Jan. 27, 2007. … The Braves’ 12 field goals were the fewest by a foe since UNLV’s 12 on March 22, 2008. … Sherron Collins’ five three-point field goals and 12 three-point attempts both matched career highs. Collins’ three steals also tied a season high. … Tyshawn Taylor’s five steals were a career high. … Cole Aldrich’s 16 rebounds were a season high. He also added three blocked shots, increasing his streak to six straight games with at least three blocks.

Gary Bedore’s KU Basketball Notebook

By Gary Bedore     Oct 17, 2009

Richard Gwin
Several basketball recruits were in attendance at Late Night. Pictured, from left to right, are Royce Woolridge, Josiah Turner, Josh Selby, Doron Lamb and Harrison Barnes.

Recruits welcomed

Five top high school basketball prospects received a loud, enthusiastic ovation as they entered Allen Fieldhouse through the northwest tunnel at Friday night’s Late Night in the Phog.

They included three uncommitted high school senior prospects from the Class of 2010 on weekend visits to Kansas University: Harrison Barnes, a 6-7 forward from Ames (Iowa) High; Josh Selby, a 6-2 point guard from Lake Clifton High in Baltimore; and Doron Lamb, a 6-4 shooting guard from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.

Barnes, who is Rivals.com’s No. 2-rated player, is considering KU, Duke, North Carolina, Oklahoma, UCLA and Iowa State. No. 4-rated Selby is considering KU, Baylor, Indiana, Kentucky, Miami and Syracuse. No. 21-rated Lamb is considering KU, Arizona, Kentucky and Oklahoma.

Also on hand was Royce Woolridge, a 6-3 senior guard from Sunnyslope High in Phoenix, who has orally committed to KU. Woolridge is Rivals.com’s No. 117-rated player. Woolridge broke into a big smile when KU athletic director Lew Perkins shook hands with the player before the action.

Josiah Turner, a 6-3 junior shooting guard from Sacramento (Calif.) High, also attended.

Taylor’s back in action

Tyshawn Taylor, who suffered a dislocated left thumb on Sept. 22, had five assists and four turnovers in the 20-minute scrimmage.

“They cleared him to play today,” KU coach Bill Self said. “I thought he looked really out of sync. That doesn’t bother me at all. He’s been out a month.”

Henry brothers losing weight

Self said Friday that Xavier Henry and C.J. Henry both have lost some weight since arriving on campus.

“C.J. came in over 200. He’s about a buck ninety-eight,” Self said.

“Xavier came in at 230 plus. He’s probably down to 220. He’s a strong, powerful athlete. There’s not many 18-year-olds like that.”

C.J., who suffered a knee injury and stress fracture in his foot last year at the University of Memphis, has been banged up since he has been on Kansas’ campus.

“He’s healthy, but there’s something nagging all the time. Right when he got healthy, he hyperextended his elbow, so he missed some time,” Self said. “I hope,” he added of C.J. having a healthy season. “That’s the way he’s been. He fights it every day.”

Self’s thoughts on playing Digger

Self had the line of the night while impersonating ESPN announcer Digger Phelps in a skit.

“I believe Kansas has the best point guard in Sherron Collins, a very good recruiting class, impressive players, and now we know they’ve got a little fight in them,” Self cracked.

He was asked if it was good to put the hoops team’s feud with the football players behind and joke a little about it.

“I wasn’t really joking. It was just a play on words,” Self said. “We’ve been reminded a lot by you guys (media) of what has transpired. It is what it is. It did happen.”

Gary Bedore’s KU basketball notebook

By Gary Bedore     Oct 9, 2009

Boot Camp ends

Thoroughly pleased with his players’ effort, Self canceled today’s final Boot Camp conditioning session in the Jayhawks’ new practice facility.

“We’ve been going real hard, probably the hardest I’ve ever had a team do Boot Camp,” Self said following Thursday’s final session of the 2009-10 preseason. “We’ll have a team workout tomorrow, give them the weekend off and next week let them get their legs back under them (leading up to next Friday’s Late Night in the Phog).”

Freshman Jeff Withey, who has been ill this week, will be back in action at individual drills by Monday, Self indicated.

“We all made our (sprint) times. It was a challenge to get there, though,” Self said. “We’ve got some sore bodies right now. I’m sure these guys right now would like to be in hot, cold tubs.”

Of the end of his last Boot Camp, Sherron Collins said: “That was the first thing out of my mouth today when Boot Camp was over: ‘Last one ever.’ It was great, especially the last moments. Knowing I don’t have to get up at 5:30 in the morning again for coach Self is a real big deal. But it’s been great.”

More on Taylor’s car

810 WHB radio Thursday repeated what former KU player Scot Pollard and associate AD Jim Marchiony told the Journal-World, the K.C. radio station and other media outlets Wednesday: The 1997 Chevy Tahoe involved in a non-injury accident last September is owned by KU guard Tyshawn Taylor, not Pollard. Markieff Morris was the driver of the Tahoe, which according to a police report, was registered to Pollard. An insurance policy for Taylor (on the Tahoe) was issued on Aug. 27, the station reported.

Gary Bedore’s KU basketball notebook

By Gary Bedore     Feb 27, 2009

McHale comparisons?

Some analysts have compared Kansas University’s Cole Aldrich to former NBA great Kevin McHale.

“Well, they are both tall, they are both white, and they are both from Minnesota so there’s obviously some similarities, and both have funky shots,” KU coach Bill Self said with a laugh.

“So there are four similarities. He doesn’t quite have the footwork McHale had in his heyday. Cole does have pretty good feet for a guy as young as he is.”

Aldrich said the comparisons are “flattering.”

“(McHale) is a legend back home. He is a big-time player back home for the University of Minnesota,” said Aldrich, a native of Bloomington, Minn. “It is really great to be compared to him in smaller aspects of my game. I aspire every day to be half the player he was. He was unbelievable.”

Aldrich was asked again Thursday if he’s thinking about entering the NBA Draft after this season.

“I don’t think about that at all,” he said. “I’m more worried about Missouri and the pressure (attack) coming in here on Sunday. I’m worried about all sorts of different things, the way we can be successful on Sunday, playing Texas Tech on Wednesday, then finishing with Senior Night against Texas on Saturday.”

Proud Collins

Self congratulated Sherron Collins after his 26-point outburst, which included three late threes Monday at Oklahoma.

“I told Sherron, ‘Down the stretch, that’s as good as I’ve seen you.’ The first thing out of his mouth was, ‘How good was the freshman (Tyshawn Taylor, 26 points)?”‘ Self related.

“Sherron is taking great pride in helping (Taylor) along.”

Late in half

KU has scored in the final three seconds of the half 14 times in 28 games.

“Part of it is luck, part of it is doing good things,” Self said. “A lot of it is guys just stepping up and making plays. We’ve been able to score several times twice in the last minute. That can be a four- or five-point swing in 60 seconds. You feel pretty good about yourself going into halftime when that happens.”

Robertson award

KU’s Collins on Thursday was named a finalist for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, which goes to college basketball’s player of the year. Other finalists: DeJuan Blair, Dante Cunningham, Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Blake Griffin, Tyler Hansbrough, Luke Harangody, James Harden, Ty Lawson, Jerel McNeal, Jodie Meeks, Hasheem Thabeet, Jeff Teague and Evan Turner.

Gary Bedore’s KU Basketball Notebook

By Gary Bedore     Jan 17, 2009

Colorado’s Higgins breaks FT record

Colorado sophomore guard Cory Higgins broke the Big 12 and CU school record with 40-consecutive made free throws Jan. 5 at Southern Methodist University.

He made all five attempts against Western State on Jan. 7, improving his total to 45 straight over eight games.

The 6-foot-2 Danville, Calif., native missed his first toss last Wednesday at Missouri, snapping the streak at 45.

The old Big 12 record was 39, set by Joey Graham of Oklahoma State in the 2004-05 season. The CU record was 39 set by Rob Gonzalez during the 1982-83 season.

“I try not to think about it,” Higgins told the Boulder Daily Camera newspaper before the MU game. “I just go through the same routine. But it’s in the back of my head.”

Higgins rallied to hit his final six versus Missouri, thus has a new streak going into today’s CU-KU game (2:30 p.m., Coors Events Center).

The NCAA record for consecutive free throws made in a season is 73 by Villanova’s Gary Buchanan during the 2000-01 season.

“Higgins is good,” KU coach Bill Self said of the player who averages a team-leading 17.5 points a game. He has 42 assists, 41 turnovers.

Young Buffaloes working on confidence

CU’s starting lineup includes two freshmen, one sophomore, one junior and one senior.

“Confidence kind of fluctuates moment to moment,” second-year coach Jeff Bzdelik told the Boulder Daily Camera. “With young players, hopefully they forget fast and are more resilient.”

He is focused on not a quick fix, but building a program.

“There is no shortcut to consistent success unless you’re going to compromise the integrity of the university. And then it’s usually just a flash in the pan,” he told the Camera.

“If we want to build this thing right, you build it from the ground up with young players. They’re going to have ups, and they’re going to have downs.”

Colorado carries unpleasant streak

The Buffs beat Nebraska and Oklahoma in home games during Bzdelik’s first season in Boulder.

The Buffs, however, have lost 22 straight Big 12 road games. Their last victory was a 80-78 win at Okie State on Jan. 21, 2006. Senior Jermyl Jackson-Wilson is the only Buffs player to have won a Big 12 road game. He was red-shirting that 2005-06 season.

Only one holdover from Patton era

Junior guard Dwight Thorne II is the only member of his seven-man class recruited by Ricardo Patton (now at Northern Illinois) who is still in the program.

“I don’t know why it can’t be this year,” Thorne said of winning. “We’ve taken our share of lumps already. As soon as we figure out what we need to do to consistently win games and close out games, we’ll be OK.”

“I’m sure nobody expects anything from us,” Higgins added. “We’re all we have. And we’re confident in each other.”

Local product of note

Casey Crawford, a 6-9 sophomore forward, attended Blue Valley North High. Crawford, who has started four games for Colorado, averages 6.4 points and 1.9 rebounds a game.

Quotable

Self on the Buffs’ 107-62 Big 12-opening loss to Missouri on Wednesday at Mizzou Arena.

“Obviously it was a great outing for Missouri and a bad one for Colorado. Colorado hasn’t been giving up that many points. Even after that, they are in the upper 60s for the year,” Self said of the Buffs, who have allowed 66.5 ppg while scoring 67.6.

“They’ve always been a team statistically that can keep the score in the 60s. Playing away from home, as we know, it can get away from you sometimes.”

Self looking for road toughness in Boulder

Self, on what it will take to win on the road, where KU is 0-2 this year:

“We have fought good at home. We just haven’t fought as hard as we have to away from home. We’ve not grinded it out when things are not going well away from home. There’s a natural progression that needs to take place.

“Ask anybody who plays team sports: Is it more fun to celebrate in the home locker room or visitor’s locker room? They’d say visitor’s locker room. It may not be the appearance of as much fun. You’ve got the hoopla at home, the fans patting you on the back. There’s something about that core group of guys being successful on somebody else’s turf you take great pride in.”

KU targeting Juco players

Kansas has scouted a pair of players from Mario Little’s former school, Chipola (Fla.) Junior College, according to Rivals.com.

They are: Justin Brownlee, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound small forward, and Casey Mitchell, a 6-4, 215-pound shooting guard. Brownlee also has Oklahoma State on his early list, and Mitchell is also interested in UAB, Tennessee, Alabama and Texas A&M. Both players are in the recruiting class of 2009.

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