Kansas University’s basketball players — including the handful or so who attended KU’s home volleyball matches throughout the 2015 season — did not view tape of their just-completed win over Oregon State on their 45-minute bus ride from Sprint Center to Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday night.
They were tuned into the Jayhawks’ five-set Elite Eight volleyball victory over USC, being shown live on ESPN2.
“We were all watching it on the way home,” KU assistant coach Kurtis Townsend said of the victory that assured KU a spot in the Final Four and semifinal match against Nebraska at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Omaha, Nebraska.
“I heard the guys cheering in the back every time we got a point. They are fans and really like volleyball,” Townsend added on Monday’s “Hawk Talk” radio show.
Perhaps the most interested TV viewer of all was KU director of basketball operations Brennan Bechard, son of 18th-year KU volleyball coach Ray Bechard.
“We watched the first game on the bus, got home in the middle of the second set,” Bechard said. “I watched it with my wife (Danielle) at home.”
There were many highs and lows.
“We were really excited after the first two games (KU jumped to a 2-0 lead), getting more and more nervous as it went on. It wasn’t looking very good at the end of that fifth set, but it definitely was fun to watch at the end,” Brennan Bechard said.
The Jayhawks battled back from deficits of 4-0 and 13-9 in the final set, scoring the final six points to prevail, 15-13.
“I was kind of in shock. Those last six points, I was staring blankly at the screen not knowing if they could pull it off. That last point … I was kind of just jumping around the living room,” Brennan said.
It’s the first Final Four in Jayhawk volleyball history.
“I’m obviously very excited, after all these years and how he’s kind of built the program step by step,” Brennan said of his dad. “Finally getting to the biggest stage, I couldn’t be more proud.”
A native of Grinnell, Ray Bechard grew up as a huge KU sports fan and still attends as many KU hoops games as he can. Brennan Bechard played for KU from 2007-09.
“Obviously, this has been his dream school,” Brennan said of Ray. “He wanted to take this program to the highest level. Getting to the Final Four, he’s done that. I’m so happy for him and my mom (Pam) as well, who has been with him the whole way and has invested almost as much in it as he has. I’m ecstatic for those two and everyone in the program.”
The volleyball team (30-2) has had just two five-set matches all season — a loss to Texas and win over USC.
“Everyone knows their role,” Brennan said. “How they’ve meshed … as long as they win, everyone’s happy. We’ve had a lot of teams like that with coach (Bill) Self, obviously. Those are the most fun teams to have. Everyone’s on the same page, everyone’s for the team and good of the program.”
Brennan hopes to attend Thursday’s KU-NU match, and, if all goes well, Saturday’s NCAA final.
“We have early practice Thursday. I’ll probably sneak out early,” Brennan said. “I’m glad they don’t play until 8:30. If they could play well and win, I’ll try to get there after our game on Saturday (vs. Montana, 1 p.m., Allen; NCAA final is 6:30 p.m.).”
Brennan said his papa is not just happy to be going to Omaha. KU, which joins NU, Minnesota and Texas as part of a strong field, seeks the NCAA crown.
“He wants the title,” Brennan said. “They are still young (losing three seniors), but like any great teams, you never know when you’ll get back again. They are happy to be there, but I know they are not satisfied.”
Of coach Bechard, KU assistant Townsend said: “I talked to him today, and he had a great comment. I said, ‘You’ve got (to play) Nebraska in Omaha.’ He said, ‘None of those fans have gotten on the court and helped ’em dig the ball out or block a spike.’ He said, ‘We’ll be fine.’ When I watched the USC game, it looked like Kansas fans were louder than USC’s (in San Diego). It’s great our people went out and supported ’em. I know they’ll have the same support this week.”
Self, Kruger combine: KU coach Self and Oklahoma’s Lon Kruger will treat a fan (and guest) to a seat behind either the KU or OU bench for the Jayhawks’ game against the Sooners on Jan. 4 in Allen Fieldhouse. A $10 donation to Coaches Vs. Cancer gives a fan the opportunity to win free transportation and room and board in Lawrence, also a signed jersey of one of the two teams. The losing coach has agreed to pose in a selfie with the winning fan, wearing a baseball cap of the winning team. For a video of Self and Kruger explaining the contest, go to http://ljw.bz/1J8gMRM
Goolsby nets high honor: KC Run GMC 17-and-under coach L.J. Goolsby has been named head coach for the United States Nike Hoop Summit team, it was announced Monday. Players such as Josh Jackson, De’Aaron Fox, Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles, Marques Bolden and Jarrett Allen will play for the U.S. against an international all-star team on April 9 in Portland.
Storming talk: Self on the Big 12 teleconference was asked about court storming in the wake of Des Moines Register reporter Randy Peterson breaking his leg when fans hit the court following Iowa State’s win over Iowa.
“We’ve had enough warnings that something bad could occur from this. We’ve had opposing fans put their hands on opposing players. We’ve had two broken limbs (Peterson; also, a ref broke his hand in a court storming after KU at ISU a couple years ago), and both occurred within our league,” Self said. “I’m sure the commissioner and athletic directors are discussing … are very, very aware. Certainly it’s something (debate) that does not need to proceed any further because we’ve had enough warnings. Something very negative could potentially happen. That would be something we could not get back if that occurs. I hope it can be corrected. I’m not saying totally eliminated, but if it can’t be corrected, it has to be eliminated.”
