Kansas.com: KU Jayhawks

Jayhawks celebrate, dominate

J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:15 CST

If one thing has been proven in the seven-plus months since the Kansas Jayhawks cut down the nets in San Antonio, it's that nobody knows how to celebrate success like KU and its fans.

Tens of thousands of people showed up in April for the parade down Massachusetts Street. KU raised one temporary national championship banner during "Late Night in the Phog," knowing all along that the permanent one would be unveiled on Tuesday night.

Twelve minutes before what would eventually become an 85-45 Kansas domination of Florida Gulf Coast, the lights went out in Allen Fieldhouse.

The current Jayhawks -- eight of whom were not a part of the 2008 team -- locked arms and watched yet another video commemoration of Mario Chalmers' Miracle. The KU students held up their camera phones and pointed them toward the North, where a blue covering fell and revealed the banner that joined identical ones from 1922, '23, '52 and '88.

And, with that, the celebration of 2008 was over for good, or, at least until the five-year reunion.

JAYHAWK REPORT

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:36 CST

Recruit picks Memphis

Xavier Henry, the No. 3 player in the 2009 college basketball recruiting class according to Rivals.com, chose Memphis over Kansas on Tuesday morning in an announcement that aired on ESPNU.

Henry, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Putnam City High in Oklahoma City, will join his brother C.J. with the Tigers. Henry's father, Carl, played for the Jayhawks during 1983-84.

The Jayhawks have already filled their available scholarships for next season with the signings of power forward Thomas Robinson and point guard Elijah Johnson. KU coach Bill Self has said, though, that he would like to sign a third.

Jersey City, N.J., shooting guard Dominic Cheek, the No. 16 overall player, visited KU for "Late Night in the Phog" and would appear to be the most likely option at this point.

ORU women top Shockers

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:36 CST

The Oral Roberts women took an early xx-point lead and never let Wichita State cut the lead under 12, beating the Shockers 89-76 on Tuesday night in Tulsa.

Oral Roberts used a 14-4 run midway through the first half to grab a 13-point lead with 5:24 left in the first half. ORU's Janae Voelker, a junior from Newton, hit back-to-back three-pointers to cap the run.

WSU trailed by 19 at halftime. Oral Roberts built the lead to 23 points in the second half before the Shockers began to chop away at the deficit. Wichita State cut the lead to 12 late in the game, but couldn't get closer.

"I'm proud of them for fighting back, just disappointed in how they started the game," WSU coach Jody Adams said of her players in a postgame radio interview.

Wichita State senior Marcy Sudbeck scored a career-high 24 and had 10 rebounds. Marisah Henderson had 15 points and eight assists, but also had eight turnovers.

Family important to KU recruit

J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:40 CST

The telephone line went silent.

Elijah Johnson had been talking about his senior season at Las Vegas' Cheyenne High School and his desire to win a state championship. He had been talking about what it's like to be Sin City's most popular high school basketball player and dealing with the pressure that comes with what his coach describes as "rock star status."

Then Johnson was asked about his little brother, 8-year-old Marcel. Suddenly, Johnson was quiet. Thirty seconds went by, and no word from Johnson. Then he hung up.

The people close to Johnson, who signed a letter of intent to play at Kansas on Monday, said he was introverted. But this? Either he didn't know what to say about Marcel, or he just didn't feel like talking about his brother, who was born with autism.

Johnson's silence in this case was fitting; Marcel doesn't have the ability to speak. Elijah has had to learn how to communicate nonverbally with Marcel.

Jayhawks survive UMKC scare

J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:40 CST

Freshmen often talk about how nervous they were before their first collegiate game, but it's doubtful that many of them over the history of college basketball were as nervous as Markieff Morris.

Morris' two exhibition games with the Kansas Jayhawks were largely nondescript. Entering Sunday's regular-season opener against UMKC, Morris was so nervous that he was telling just about everybody about it. At KU's pregame shootaround, Morris mentioned to Sherron Collins that his hands were sweaty.

"I even grabbed his hands to see how sweaty they were," Collins said. "Pretty sweaty."

Luckily for No. 23 KU, a 71-56 winner over UMKC, Morris' hands dried up enough to hold onto 15 rebounds in the Jayhawks' victory. Morris, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Philadelphia, played 29 minutes because of foul trouble for Cole Aldrich and Morris' twin brother, Marcus, in the first half. Markieff is hopeful that his bout with pregame nervousness is over.

"I'm a freshman," Morris explained. "I'm still young. I'm starting to get used to it. Now, I shouldn't be nervous anymore."

JAYHAWK REPORT

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:40 CST

Sunday's box score

UMKC (56)

	Min	Fg-a	Ft-a	R	A	TO	F	TP
Hmphry	19	1-5	2-4	4	2	1	2	4
Brumagin	30	5-13	0-0	4	1	0	4	14
Johnson	18	2-9	1-2	2	0	0	4	7
McKny-J	20	1-3	0-0	2	3	1	3	2
Hamilton	27	4-8	2-3	5	1	6	5	13
Mushatt	32	2-12	4-6	10	2	1	4	8
Dibble	15	0-2	1-2	2	2	1	3	1
Akinptde	11	1-3	0-0	0	0	2	4	2
Brady	10	1-1	0-1	0	0	1	2	2
Ford	18	1-6	1-2	3	1	2	1	3
Totals	200	18-62	11-20	36	11	14	32	56
Team reb.	4
Percent	29.0	55.0

KANSAS (71)

	Min	Fg-a	Ft-a	R	A	TO	F	TP
Thomas	12	0-3	3-7	4	0	0	0	3
Aldrich	22	5-7	3-4	5	2	1	3	13
Collins	37	6-11	3-4	3	2	4	2	16
Mrngstr	22	1-4	3-4	2	1	1	0	5
Reed	34	5-10	2-2	4	0	1	2	12
Teahan	4	0-2	0-0	0	0	0	3	0
Taylor	19	2-4	3-6	3	2	2	4	7
MkMorris	29	0-3	7-10	5	3	4	3	7
McMorris	8	1-1	0-0	3	0	2	2	2
Releford	13	3-3	0-0	2	1	0	2	6
Appleton	1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	200	23-48	24-37	46	11	15	21	71
Team reb.	5
Percent	47.9	64.9
UMKC (0-2)	32 24 -- 56
Kansas (1-0)	32 39 -- 71

Three-point goals--UMKC 9-31 (Brumagin 4-8, Hamilton 3-5, Johnson 2-5, Humphrey 0-1, Dibble 0-1, Akinpetide 0-1, McKinney-Jones 0-1, Ford 0-4, Mushatt 0-5), KU 1-13 (Collins 1-4, Mark Morris 0-1, Morningstar 0-1, Teahan 0-1, Taylor 0-1, Reed 0-5). Steals -- UMKC 4 (Brumagin 2, Mushatt, Humphrey), KU 6 (Taylor 2, Releford 2, Collins, Aldrich). Officials -- Tim Kelly, Ron Tyburski, Jerry Heater. A -- 16,300.

Not a banner night

JAYHAWK REPORT

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:06 CST

First quarter

Key play: Texas running back Vondrell McGee ran 14 yards for a touchdown to give the Longhorns a 7-0 lead.

Key stat: 1 of 4. KU's lack of success converting on third down.

Second quarter

Key play: Trailing 7-0, KU running back Angus Quigley fumbled the ball to the Longhorns at the KU 38-yard line.

KU BOX SCORE

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:06 CST

Scoring

Texas	7 7 21 0--35
Kansas	0 0 7 0-- 7

Attendance--51,930

First Quarter

Tex--McGee 14 run (Bailey kick), 7:59.

Second Quarter

No. 4 Texas overwhelms Jayhawks

J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 01:35 CST

The Kansas Jayhawks were not in the mood for excuses after their 35-7 loss to Texas.

Their quarterback, Todd Reesing, practiced only once this week due to injury and was clearly not himself. But not even Reesing could buy the idea that his ailment had anything to do with the Jayhawks' anemic offensive performance Saturday. The explanation was pretty simple, actually.

"It wasn't the kind of effort we needed to beat a team like Texas," Reesing said.

A team like Texas. The implication is obvious. Kansas, now 6-5 overall and 3-4 in the Big 12, is not a team like Texas. Nor were the Jayhawks very much like Oklahoma or Texas Tech.

"Physically," Reesing said, "we've just been a little outmatched against those teams. They've had a little better talent."

KU's Teahan will get his shots

J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:06 CST

Kansas guard Conner Teahan missed all three of his three-point attempts in KU's exhibition games, but his teammates haven't been fooled. The guy can't miss in practice.

"He makes me mad sometimes, because coach will say, 'We have to get a stop,' " KU guard Sherron Collins said. "And all they do is throw the ball to Teahan and he shoots a three and it always goes in. Sometimes, I have to foul him on the arm when coach can't see it."

Teahan, a sophomore from Leawood, made a name for himself last season by coming off the bench late in games and swishing threes. This year, he is expecting more from himself. Teahan, a walk-on with the skill set of a scholarship player, is battling for playing time with five other guards not named Sherron Collins.

In the two exhibition games, Teahan was overshadowed by fellow sophomores Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed, who started and averaged 14 and 9.5 points per game, respectively. KU coach Bill Self said that Morningstar and Reed have earned the right to be a part of the rotation to start the season. But Self also said that the development of Morningstar and Reed shouldn't affect Teahan's chance to play.

"There's going to be some games when Conner plays as many minutes as those guys play," Self said. "There's times we could play really small and play Conner at the four. I see Conner as a big guard or wing, and really, when it gets down to it, we need Brady and Tyrel playing the two-guard slot."

KU seniors savor final moments

J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:47 CST

John Larson wants to run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, and Micah Brown imagines a life making movies.

Some of the Kansas seniors will continue playing football after this season, but the majority will open doors that no longer lead to a locker room. For those Jayhawks, today's final home game against the Texas Longhorns will be a mixed bag of emotions. Sadness because their careers are about to be over. Joy because the world outside the Anderson Family Football Complex will soon be theirs for the taking.

"When you're in season, KU football, you see about three places," said Larson, a senior defensive end out of Pembroke Hill. "You see the campus for your classes, you see the Burge Union, then you see here (the football complex). That's about it."

Larson wants to see more. This spring, he is going to Ronda, Spain, where he will participate in a language immersion program. He's always wanted to learn Spanish.

"It will be a great chance for me to get out and see the world," Larson said. "I'll be able to travel to Morocco, Portugal, Amsterdam, Paris, Italy."

TEXAS AT KANSAS

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:47 CST

11:30 a.m. today at Memorial Stadium (50,071), Lawrence

Radio: KFH, 1240-AM, 98.7-FM

TV: FSN, Ch. 34

WHAT'S AT STAKE TODAY

For UT: Staying clear of a stumble, then becoming OU's biggest fans a week from today.

NO. 4 TEXAS AT KANSAS

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:39 CST

When: 11:30 a.m. Saturday

Where: Memorial Stadium, Lawrence

Records: UT 9-1, 5-1 Big 12; KU 6-4, 3-3

Radio: KFH, 1240-AM, 98.7-FM

TV: FSN, Ch. 34

THREE THINGS ABOUT TEXAS

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:39 CST

1. The Longhorns are the winningest team in the country during the Mack Brown era (1998-present) with a record of 112-26.

2. Texas has won 26 of its last 30 true Big 12 road games.

3. Texas QB Colt McCoy is the team's leading rusher, carrying 101 times for 449 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Longhorns will use a running back by committee approach with Vondrell McGee, Foswhitt Whittaker and Chris Ogbonnaya.

Key matchup

Kansas' linebackers vs. McCoy. The Longhorns will use a lot of zone-read options for McCoy, which allow him to keep the ball or hand off to a running back depending on the defense. KU's run-stuffing linebackers Mike Rivera and Joe Mortensen need to read McCoy and react in time to make sure he doesn't hurt them with his feet.

Reesing keeps firing bullets

J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:39 CST

Around here, there's still a feeling that Todd Reesing is capable of anything.

Forget the interception in the last minute of the South Florida loss. Forget the three picks in the third quarter of the Texas Tech loss. None of that matters here at the Anderson Family Football Complex, where Reesing's teammates believe he's "definitely got some magic up his sleeve" and his offensive coordinator takes time each day after practice to "thank God that I'm coaching him."

Last season, "Thank God for Todd" shirts flew off the shelves in Lawrence, and it seemed quite plausible that Reesing had been sent to the Jayhawks by some higher pigskin power. At the time, he could do no wrong. But with KU sitting at 6-4 and staring at tough games against Texas and Missouri, Reesing has been unable to play the role of savior for his team this season.

Reesing was asked whether 2008 has been disappointing for him, and his response sounded like a prepared statement.

"I don't think it's been disappointing," Reesing said. "I feel like I've been able to do my job better than I did last year. I'm completing a higher percentage of passes. I know people are going to want to point that I have more interceptions. Well, I've also thrown the ball more times per game, and it's been a little bit tougher here and there to try and make plays."

Collins suit is dropped

RICK PLUMLEE — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:39 CST

The civil suit that accused Kansas basketball player Sherron Collins of sexually assaulting a woman was dismissed Thursday morning in Douglas County District Court.

The woman's lawyer filed the motion Thursday requesting the suit be dismissed with prejudice. Judge Jack Malone signed the order approving the dismissal.

Chris Burger, Collins' lawyer, was not surprised the woman wanted the dismissal.

"I imagine she just recognized there were a lot of factual holes to what she had to say," Burger said.

Jim Wisler, the lawyer for the 36-year-old Lawrence woman, said he had no comment.

Mangino rant still resonates at KU

J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:41 CST

Nick Reid will be watching on Saturday.

The former KU linebacker is living in Wichita, working construction for his father's company and just bought his first home. His future is unfolding in front of him, but way too often, Reid's mind veers to the past, to a missed tackle and a missed opportunity for the KU program he helped build from the ground up.

It was Nov. 13, 2004, and the 3-6 Jayhawks were leading the 8-1 Texas Longhorns 23-20 with 1 minute to play. On fourth-and-18, Texas quarterback Vince Young dropped back to pass and then took off with the ball. Eleven yards downfield, Reid was there waiting for him, but Young dodged him and ran for the first down. The Longhorns, of course, went on to win 27-23, leaving the Jayhawks crushed.

"It was heartbreaking," Reid said. "I still talk about it today."

Reid had never been so down after a loss. Of course, he had no idea that his coach was about to come to the rescue. KU coach Mark Mangino thought about what had happened -- the Jayhawks could have run the clock out if not for a questionable offensive pass interference call on KU's Charles Gordon that negated a first down and forced a punt -- and made a calculated move.

KU lands 5-star recruit

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:45 CST

Kansas coach Bill Self explained the lay of the land to recruit Thomas Robinson during his recruiting visit on the weekend of Sept. 20.

The Jayhawks were going to take one big man for their 2009 recruiting class, so it was first-come, first-serve for Robinson, a five-star power forward from Washington D.C., and center Daniel Orton, who was also on his official visit that weekend.

Robinson, who liked KU from the moment he stepped on campus, suddenly felt like he was on the clock.

"I don't have to commit before Sunday, do I?" Robinson asked.

"No," Self responded, "you don't have to commit before Sunday."

Aldrich is all good Jayhawks blitz through exhibition

J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

Cole Aldrich nailed one of his two 16-footers in the first half of Kansas' 103-58 exhibition victory over Emporia State on Tuesday night, and KU coach Bill Self was a tad conflicted about it.

Sure, Self wants Aldrich to take that shot -- the 6-foot-11 sophomore center worked on it all summer. But, on this particular trip down the floor, Aldrich was playing with a small lineup, and there would have been nobody inside to rebound if Aldrich had missed. Self told Aldrich that it wasn't a good shot.

"We just didn't give ourselves a chance to have a good possession if the ball doesn't go in," Self said.

Who was Self kidding? Everything was going in for the Jayhawks in the first half. KU made 24 of 30 shots for a slightly surreal mark of 80 percent from the field.

"How many offensive rebounds did we have in the first half?" Self asked before answering his own question. "Two. So we got two of our six misses back."

Harris tries to adjust in Kansas secondary

J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

Kansas coach Mark Mangino says that Chris Harris is more comfortable at the nickel back position than he was at cornerback. But Harris, the sophomore defensive back, isn't so sure.

"I was getting real comfortable at corner," Harris said. "Moving in the middle of the season is kind of hard. I gotta learn a lot more stuff. I gotta do safety and nickel back. I'm not as comfortable as I was."

No player has felt the freefall of the Kansas defense in 2008 like Harris. A year ago, as a freshman, he came out of nowhere to start at cornerback opposite Aqib Talib and earned the Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year award. In the preseason, it was not rare to hear his teammates cite Harris' development as a reason that the Jayhawks may not miss Talib, the first-team All-American.

Now, relegated to nickel back and backup free safety behind Phillip Strozier, Harris has no choice but to believe that Mangino's decision will pay off for him down the road.

"You just gotta trust the coaches that they're putting you in a position to make plays," said Harris, a native of Bixby, Okla., a suburb of Tulsa. "That's the best thing you can do as a college football player is trust your coaches."