Media day at CenturyLink Center

By Staff     Mar 19, 2015
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Kansas forward Perry Ellis talks to the media at the Centrurylink Center in Omaha, NE. Friday March 19, 2015.

*The NCAA Tournament already is in full swing in some cities, but in Omaha, Nebraska, the games don’t start until Friday. That means today at CenturyLink Center, players and coaches from Kansas University, New Mexico State, Wichita State and Indiana will only be talking basketball (and going through a pseudo practice which will be open to the public).*

*This will serve as your landing spot for the media day, and we’ll check in as we can to update you on what’s being said about Friday’s Round of 64 games — and the Sunday could-be game between KU and WSU, when that inevitably gets brought up.*

*Check back in throughout the day for updates.*

**– 7:43 p.m. update– By Matt Tait**

Just filed this story about New Mexico State big man Tshilidzi Nephawe that includes where his nickname “Chili” came from, what he’s playing for and why he’s proud of his homeland of South Africa.

Kansas guards Kelly Oubre, Jr. and Wayne Selden Jr. answer questions during a press conference at Centrurylink Center in Omaha, NE. Thursday March 19 2015.

Had a lot of fun interviewing him and writing this one. Just a really, really good dude.

New Mexico State’s ‘Chili’ plays to represent South Africa

**– 5:08 p.m. update–**

KU sent sophomore Wayne Selden Jr. and freshman Kelly Oubre jr. to the bright lights of the stage for Thursday’s press conference.

Said Oubre of his upcoming first tourney:

> “Guys like Wayne, Perry, Jamari,
> they’ve pretty much just calmed me
> down throughout this whole process and
> told me to take every game, one game
> at a time, one possession at a time;
> don’t take anybody for granted and
> pretty much just play with a free
> mind. Try to take care of business for
> the name across your chest.”

*– Listen to what they had to say: [Selden and Oubre discuss preparing for NCAAs][1]*

**– 4:55 p.m. update –**

At his press conference Thursday afternoon, Kansas coach Bill Self opened by talking about the excitement and urgency of playing in the NCAA Tournament.

> “Obviously we’re excited to play in
> another Tournament and something that
> we definitely do not take for granted,
> and the guys have worked real hard to
> put themselves in a position to be
> here. And, of course, being in Omaha
> is like a double bonus to us. It’s
> certainly close for our fans. But even
> more importantly to us, it’s a great
> venue, it’s a great setup and a great
> city, and we have experienced a little
> bit of success the last couple of
> times we’ve been here, so we’re very
> happy to be here in Omaha.”

*– Listen to the complete press conference here: [Bill Self talks expectations, New Mexico State][2]*

**– 4:47 p.m. update — by Matt Tait**

The Jayhawks were in, by far, the smallest locker room I’ve seen them in during an NCAA Tournament (New Mexico State’s was not any bigger) and it was incredibly packed during the entire open locker room session.

Jamari Traylor was so far back in the corner of the locker room that he just hung back in his locker and stayed out of sight. I was able to get back into the corner eventually and I asked him how the past four days had been for the health of the Jayhawks.

“We’re good, man,” Traylor said. “Everybody’s healthy, feeling good and ready to go.”

Down the row from Traylor, Brannen Greene held the edge and that made the access to him easy in and easy out. I talked to Greene a lot about the difference between the feeling he has this year at the tournament and the feeling he had last year, as a true freshman.

The basic answer was this: Instead of having his head on a swivel and being a little bit in awe of all that takes place here, from the media hype to the fan frenzy to the intensity of the games himself, Greene feels much more comfortable and enjoys that he knows what to expect.

“Your energy has to be at an all-time high at a tournament like this,” Greene said. “And I think we all know that now. Instead of worrying about all of the things going on around us, we can focus more on basketball and getting ready to play.”

**– 4 p.m. update –**

The Kansas locker room was crowded with working media Thursday afternoon, but our photographer Mike Yoder got in there for video.

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2015/mar/19/36150/

**– 2:20 p.m. update –**

You can’t tell a whole lot from these open “practices” that the NCAA Tournament holds for the fans, but Brannen Greene — just like his teammates — worked on his shot during the session.

Some fell, some didn’t. But that’s the way it goes when three or four players are shooting at once.

If KU wants to turn a corner and start playing at a higher level on offense, they’ll need Green to find that shooting touch again.

Here’s a look at all of the perimeter players going through drills Thursday afternoon.

**– 1:33 p.m. update –**

**– 1:05 p.m. update –**

**– 12:53 p.m. update –**

** — 12 p.m., from Benton Smith — **

Just got back from the New Mexico State locker room and the Aggies seem loose and confident.

They pride themselves on playing disruptive, turnover-focused defense and they hope that creates easy offense for them.

NMSU opponents average 13.2 giveaways a game this season, so it’s not a ridiculous number. But that mindset can get under opponents’ skin, and that can be just as beneficial.

Both point guard Ian Baker and sixth man D.K Eldridge talked about that peskiness and pointed to it as one of NMSU’s strengths.

Check back for video from the locker room and quotes from the Aggies (23-10).

[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/podcasts/press_conferences_postgame_interviews/2015/mar/19/selden-and-oubre-discuss-preparing-ncaas/
[2]: http://www2.kusports.com/podcasts/press_conferences_postgame_interviews/2015/mar/19/bill-self-talks-expectations-new-mexico-state/

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