LAWRENCE — The 2012-13 Kansas basketball team stood together in a ballroom full of flashing light bulbs and clapping hands.
It may be the last time they’re all in the same room.
As the applause began to lower in volume, Kansas coach Bill Self commanded this group for, what may also be, the last time.
“Everybody have a seat except our four seniors,” Self requested. “This may be the last time they have a chance to thank everybody.”
Bill Self and his young Kansas Jayhawk basketball team have high expectations for the 2013-2014 basketball season. By Brennan Keller As the Kansas Jayhawks ended the 2012-2013 season with a crushing 87-85 loss to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet Sixteen, many fans (including myself) are already looking forward to what’s in store for next season. Assuming that freshman sensation and fan favorite Ben McLemore declares for the upcoming NBA draft, the Jayhawks will enter next season having lost their entire starting lineup in seniors Kevin Young, Jeff Withey, Elijah Johnson, Travis Releford, and Ben McLemore. That being said, there are several talented players (including a McDonalds All-American) that have the potential to make the… Continue reading
Jayhawks lose to Michigan in Sweet Sixteen of NCAA Tournament Dylan Gehlbach And that’s the toughest part about the NCAA Tournament. In almost every tournament game, no matter how well (or poorly) a team has played in the game so far, every team has the opportunity to win it or lose it in the final two minutes. As the Kansas Men’s Basketball team returns to Lawrence while the Michigan Wolverines are defeating the Florida Gators, cementing their spot in the Final Four, it shows just how much of a difference those final two minutes can make. The Jayhawks were playing one of their best games of the year against Michigan in the Sweet Sixteen Friday…. Continue reading
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — You could almost say that Jeff Withey blocked history.
Or you could just say that history was driving down the lane, saw Withey and kicked it out to its teammate that missed the shot at history.
Either way, Western Kentucky was nearly the No. 16 seed that did, but Jeff Withey scored 17 points off 7-of-8 shooting and dragged the Jayhawks across the finish line in their 64-57 win over the Hilltoppers.
“Jeff always bails us out,” forward Kevin Young said. “That’s his job. He’s a senior and he’s a leader. We put everything on his shoulders.”
Kansas’ coach, Bill Self, and players spoke to members of the media prior to Friday’s 2nd Round matchup with 16th Seed Western Kentucky. Bill Self Press Conference Jeff Withey and Kevin Young Western Kentucky coach, Ray Harper, and players spoke to members of the media prior to Friday’s 2nd Round matchup with #1 Seed Kansas. Ray Harper Press Conference Western Kentucky Players Press Conference Continue reading
WACO, Texas – Bill Self called Perry Ellis the best player on the floor for Kansas on Saturday, which was both a compliment and an indictment.
Ellis, a freshman forward from Wichita, scored 12 points and went 5-for-7 from the floor in KU’s 81-58 loss at Baylor. The Jayhawks needed him, too, after starter Kevin Young picked up two fouls in the first four minutes.
“He was aggressive,” Self said. “He attacked them. The guys he was scoring on or over or around were legitimate shot blockers that were much bigger.”
Musings at the mid-week:
■ Thanks to everyone for the cards and letters regarding basketball officiating in the Big 12.
■ Well, whatever the correspondence is called in this electronic media world we chatter in.
■ Of all the conclusions, suggestions and allegations, one of the soundest was to be willing to assign any official working in the Big 12 to any game.
■ This would be poorly received by coaches, who have their favorites, but hey, one way to get refs to improve is to believe in them.
■ Watching the same guys work night-in, night-out, gets tiresome.
Check out full video from the post game speeches delivered by Kansas seniors Kevin Young, Elijah Johnson, Jeff Withey and Travis Releford.
Continue reading
Kansas seniors Travis Releford, Jeff Withey, Elijah Johnson and Kevin Young met with the media following KU’s Senior Night win over Texas Tech.
Continue reading
Maintaining greatness isn’t an easy thing to do in today’s parody world of college basketball. To have the expectations that surround the Kansas basketball program every single minute of every single game would be tough for anyone to handle, but that’s how winners roll. Winners want those expectations and they thrive on those expectations. Winners [...] Continue reading