Challe Barton isn’t playing down the importance of playing a basketball game at Kansas.

After all, Kansas is a perennial power and one of the most storied programs in college basketball history.

Barton and his Oregon State teammates will take on the Jayhawks today at Kansas City’s Sprint Center.

“For me, it’s going to be the biggest game of my whole life and I guess for other players it’s going to be the same thing,” Barton said.

“It’s probably the best team I’ve ever played in my whole life and playing in Kansas is also a different experience because you know how their fans are. I just never played that kind of game before.”
Corvallis Gazette-Times


OSU's last road win over a top 10 team came against No. 6 Washington (72-70 in 1976). The last win over a top 25 team on the road was in 1985 (No. 15 Washington, 52-45). ... Defensive-minded reshman forward Jarmal Reid, who suffered a sprained ankle in Sunday's win over Montana State, is expected to get his second straight start.
The Oregonian


Self has specific memories of Oregon State coach Craig Robinson, a guard on the Princeton team that beat Self’s Oklahoma State squad in the 1983 NCAA Tournament.

Coincidentally, that game was played in Corvallis, Ore., on Oregon State’s homecourt.

“Our immaturity and lack of discipline allowed Princeton to beat us 56-53 running all their stuff,” Self said. “That was the year NC State goes on and wins, and NC State was in Corvallis with us as well.”

These days, Robinson is better known as the brother-in-law of president Barack Obama, whom Self met last year.

“He’s a good guy,” Self said. “You’d think he would have a little bit more juice making recruiting calls over the last four years and the next four years than most college coaches would.”

…Oregon State is 4-1 with a win against Purdue and a loss to Alabama in the 2K Sports Classic.

Forward Angus Brandt, a two-time team captain who averaged 11.3 points and 8.5 rebounds, recently suffered a knee injury and will be out for the season, but they still list three starters at 6-foot-7 or taller.

“They’re really, really long,” Self said. “They’re probably about as a big a team as we’ll play this year.”
TCJ


Kansas junior Kevin Young is slotted into the role as the Jayhawks’ starting power forward. But for now, the designation is hardly set in stone.

Self said he was still searching for more consistent production from the spot after the Jayhawks’ 70-57 victory over San Jose State on Monday. Young finished with six points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes, while freshmen Perry Ellis (four points) and Jamari Traylor (two points) were largely unproductive.

“If we combine those three guys the other night, we got very little out of any of them,” Self said.

For now, the Jayhawks are taking a forward-by-committee approach. Self views Traylor as the best defender, Ellis as the most natural scorer and Young as the best at stealing extra possessions and facilitating offense.
KC Star


BOTTOM LINE: Kansas was at its best last week in the Sprint Center, winning the CBE Classic with two double-digit victories. Oregon State could provide a tougher challenge. And the Jayhawks must be better than they were against San Jose State, especially on the glass and from the three-point line.
KC Star


As one of Oregon State’s top targets in recruiting, Landen Lucas developed a close relationship with Beavers basketball coach Craig Robinson, the brother-in-law of President Barack Obama.

“I never got to meet President Obama, but I did talk to him (Robinson) one time on Thanksgiving when he was in the White House having dinner, so I can say I talked to somebody in the White House,” Lucas, Kansas University’s freshman center from Portland said, smiling.

…“It’s one of the deals in his recruiting process: (If you go to OSU) you get to meet the president. Every year, they play a game in front of him and get to meet him.”

Barring a big surprise, President Obama will not be in Sprint Center tonight. Lucas, who is red-shirting the season (practicing but not playing in games) will, however, still get a chance to meet with Robinson and some of the OSU players he’s played with and against throughout the years.

“When I first saw the schedule, I was looking forward to this game. The coaches have recruited me since eighth grade. They were one of the schools that recruited me the hardest since the first day they could,” said Lucas, whose house in Portland is located about 85 miles from Oregon State’s campus.

“I know a lot of guys on the team, a lot of people from the fanbase. With my dad (Richard) going to Oregon, I’d like to beat them and stuff, but it’s fine (that he can’t play). Hopefully we might get a chance to play them again sometime.”

…“I’m making practices like my games, making it a competitive, spirited environment,” Lucas said. “Trying to help the team as much as I can. It sucks when game day comes around ... obviously you want to be out there playing. I can see where I can assert myself on the floor and next year, having it only be my freshman year, I can bring a lot to the team.”
LJW

The state of Kansas has produced 30 college All-America basketball players through the years, including 13 who were selected to the first team by the Associated Press.

On our radio show this morning, we talked briefly about the top five college players to come out of Kansas and there have been some really good ones who weren’t All-Americans. Former Wichita State forward Warren Armstrong (Jabali) comes to mind.

But for the purposes of this list (and who doesn’t love a list?), I’m going to impose an All-America limit. If a player wasn’t a first-, second- or third-team All-American, he doesn’t get a nod here.

Essentially, this is a list of the greatest college players from either KU, KSU or WSU, and it was tough to put them in order. And there’s a good chance you’ll disagree with some of the rankings. But I can’t let that keep me from having some fun. And remember, this list is for fun, only. Any nasty reaction will be punished accordingly.

Here we go with an interesting Top 30:

1. Wilt Chamberlain – A first-team All-American in both seasons he played at Kansas.

2. Danny Manning – Another two-time first-team All-American who also made the second team once.

3. Clyde Lovellette – Don’t worry, we’ll get to some non-KU players soon. But big Clyde was a two-time first-teamer and a one-time third-teamer.
WE Bob Lutz


Current members of the Williams Education Fund (WEF) will be able to purchase general admission single-game tickets for select men's basketball games in Allen Fieldhouse beginning Thursday, Nov. 29.

Games for sale include: American (Dec. 29, $20), Temple (Jan. 6, $50), Iowa State, (Jan. 9, $50), Baylor (Jan. 14, $50), Oklahoma (Jan. 26, $50) and Oklahoma State (Feb. 2, $50).

In addition, fans can purchase the new "GA Pack" which includes all six games for just $220 - a $50 savings.

WEF members can purchase single-game tickets by logging into their ticket account at KUAthletics.com. They can also contact the ticket office at 800-34-HAWKS. Jayhawk fans who are not WEF members can also take advantage of this advanced sale by joining the WEF with a minimal $100 contribution. Contact the WEF at 785-864-3946 or visit KUAthletics.com for more information.

Originally founded as the Outland Club in 1949 by Dick, Skipper and Odd Williams, the Williams Education Fund is the official fundraising department for Kansas Athletics. Contributors to the Williams Education Fund provide academic and athletic support to over 500 University of Kansas student-athletes representing KU in 18 intercollegiate sports.

Tickets will be available for the general public beginning Monday, Dec. 3. General admission ticket sales are based on student redemption and ticket availability.
KUAD


Kansas 2012-13 MBB Schedule


Kansas 2012-13 WBB Schedule

Missouri basketball guard Michael Dixon Jr. announced his transfer from the school Thursday evening, according to an email from Dave Reiter, director of strategic communications for the basketball team.

…Earlier, Dixon revealed in a text message sent to a friend Thursday afternoon that he is no longer with the basketball team.

This message was sent to Dixon's friend: "Yea I'm done here bro I'm not gonna be here anymore another girl my freshman year pulled this ... on me now it's coming out and everyone is gonna think it's real so I'm thru bro I appreciate you tho just let as many (people) as u can know"

He then wrote in a subsequent message: "I have never harmed anyone"

The texts were forwarded to a Missourian reporter by the recipient, who asked to remain anonymous.

According to a 2010 MU Police Department report the Missourian received Thursday evening, a woman accused Dixon of forcible rape on Jan. 11, 2010.

The news came just two days after a report that another woman tweeted she was also sexually assaulted by Dixon on Aug. 20 of this year.

…The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the woman met with then-Missouri basketball coach Mike Anderson, and that he was sympathetic and even cried during their meeting. But Anderson also told the woman he could do nothing until she moved forward with the accusation, according to the Post-Dispatch.

According to a source who worked in the basketball office in 2010, Anderson said there was no substantial evidence to suspend Dixon indefinitely, but that Anderson knew that if he did not take any action, it would cause a backlash.

"Anderson was like, 'We're going to believe our players,'" said the source, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals. "It was important that they suspend Dixon those first few games because it wasn't in the real season, and they needed him to play during the actual games."

"They weren't adamant about finding the truth out," the source said. "It was good that she dropped it and they weren't going to push it any further."
Columbia Missourian


The alleged victim declined to press charges, she said in a supplemental follow-up interview conducted by Det. Sam Easley, for various reasons “including not wanting her family to know and not going through the pressure and harassment from outside sources.

“(She) stated she was concerned that since Dixon is a basketball player (for Mizzou) that no one would believe her about what happened and she may be persecuted for it.”

That fear included concern about reprisal from Dixon, who she said with descriptions consistent in both interviews forced intercourse upon her despite her protests and struggle.

A nurse who attended the initial interview indicated that “from the injuries sustained, she believes force was involved,” the report summarized.

Dixon also allegedly disregarded being told the accuser was not on birth control, something she said in hopes of deterring him. Afterward, she reported, Dixon said, “If you’re pregnant, you can’t be.”

“She told Dixon she would never get an abortion, and she stated Dixon told her that if he found out she was pregnant he would ‘kick her in the stomach and push her down the stairs,’” the report said. She “stated Dixon was laughing as he was saying this and did not think anything was a big deal.”

But she did, and that influenced some of her thinking as she tried to determine what to do afterward.

“ ‘If he’s going to threaten to do this to me if I get pregnant, what would he threaten to do if I pressed charges or pursued it?’ ” a source close to the woman said Wednesday, explaining what he believed her thinking to be.
St Louis Post Dispatch


There are a few issues with the Michael Dixon Jr. situation at Missouri. I'm not sure why Missouri allowed Dixon to announce he was transferring from the program instead of dismissing him first. The reporting on the story from Kansas City, St. Louis and Columbia paints a much different picture, indicating that the senior guard was accused of two sexual assaults during his time at the school. Dixon, whom the Tigers suspended to start this season, will likely have trouble finding a new home to finish his college career. Based on the news Thursday, I find it hard to believe that another school would take a chance on him. The Tigers did the right thing by suspending him, but could have taken another step and let him go before the stories broke Thursday.
ESPN Katz


College hoopsters can be an honest bunch—even more so under the cover of anonymity. Athlon Sports talked to dozens of college basketball stars from coast to coast—at 50 schools in 18 conferences—and got them to open up on a variety of topics, from the hottest woman alive, to which coach (other than their own) they'd like to play for, to overrated opponents to improper benefits. Their replies are sometimes predictable (Kim Kardashian and Kate Upton, anyone?), sometimes provocative. Read on.
http://www.athlonsports.com/college-basketball/college-basketball-player-survey-record


In a rematch of last season’s Sweet 16 game, No. 7 Florida blew out Marquette 82-49 at the O’Connell Center. The Gators (6-0) have not had a game closer than 13 points so far and have five wins by at least 18.

“We’re just trying to play defense and stay consistent,” forward Will Yeguete said. “Tonight was a really good win. I’m glad we beat them so bad because I really don’t like Marquette. I really don’t like them. I don’t think they really appreciate us.

“They played a little dirty, but we handled ourselves pretty well.”

Florida beat the Golden Eagles (5-2) despite significant personnel issues and a dreadful shooting start.
Palm Beach Post


Last season, the Baylor men’s basketball team fell in the Elite Eight to the eventual national champion Kentucky Wildcats.

Even though every starter from that Kentucky team is gone, the Bears will still get their shot at revenge at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Lexington, Ky.

The Bears have stumbled out of the gate so far with a 4-2 record.

Baylor started the season in the top 25 and has been ranked as high as 16, but losses to Colorado and College of Charleston have dropped the Bears out of the rankings.

Now they are only receiving a few votes.

“We’re upset, but we can only be upset with ourselves,” senior guard Pierre Jackson said after the loss to College of Charleston. “Prior to the game, we didn’t prepare well enough as a team. We didn’t pay enough attention to the scouting report, and they executed well and capitalized on our mistakes.”
Baylor Lariat


“It’s tough coaching new teams every year. This is part of what we have to deal with,” Calipari said. “I didn’t expect us to come in here and play out of our minds, but I would’ve hoped we would’ve competed. … You can play poorly, but you still defend and compete. In other words, two teams just battling each other and Notre Dame wins.

“That’s not what this was. This was Notre Dame throwing around Kentucky.”
LCJ


2012-13 Early Season Events List


Big 12 Composite Schedule

With his college choices whittled down to eight schools, the recruiting process will take a different approach during Jones' junior season. He said he doesn't currently have any plans to pare that list down even more. In fact, he's not sure whether he'll do so at all before making his final decision.

Then there's the question of how he'll announce it. Perhaps on Twitter, like he did with his eight finalists? Or maybe during a hyped TV appearance, which seems to be the way so many top recruits do it these days?

"I don't know yet," he said. "I'm just kind of focusing on the main process."

…In the end, Jones will have a tough decision to make, one that he'll make by weighing more than just each school's basketball program. Academics are among the top priorities, he said. But of course, he'll be looking for the team and the coach that best fits his needs as a basketball player.

Regardless of any pressure he might feel from those in the state of Minnesota, Jones knows the decision is his and his alone.

"I've got eight very good schools," he said. "That's why it's kind of like wherever I end up choosing to play college basketball, I'll be happy with it because I've got eight very good schools I'm considering. You can't really go wrong with any one of those."
FS North


The Harrison twins, Andrew Wiggins, Cliff Alexander, Quentin Snider and Troy Williams are among the nationally renowned high school basketball stars who will descend on Benton, Ky., Friday and Saturday for the 17th annual Marshall County Hoop Fest – a 13-game showcase of top teams and top college prospects.

The 2012 Hoop Fest – to be played at 5,000-seat Marshall County High School – looks to have one of the event’s strongest slates ever, and it figures to be a treat for fans, particularly of the University of Kentucky.

“I think is probably one of the best events in the country this year,” said Marshall County High School athletic director Jeff Stokes, who began organizing the event as soon as last year’s Hoop Fest ended.

The Hoop Fest has three sessions – Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Saturday night – Stokes is expecting sell-outs for both the night sessions. Tickets are $10 per session or $25 for an all-sessions pass.
LCJ


My 2012 KU Alumni games, 2011-12 Border War, Legends of the Phog, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos, Late Night in the Phog, and more now on YouTube

KUAD: Kansas vs Oregon State pregame notes


KUAD: Coach Self presser quotes, video


A student of the game of basketball, particularly the art of shooting, Kansas University freshman guard Andrew White III regularly pores over film of NBA greats Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki and Reggie Miller.

…“What we are going to do in the next hour ... that’s the best way to get through to coach (Bill Self). You’ve got to compete,” White said, speaking right before Wednesday’s practice. “With coach, if you are confident, working hard, defending, rebounding, keeping a competitive edge, that’s what will get you on the court. At this level, it’s not about shooting or defending, it’s about how much a coach trusts you on both ends of the court.”

White, who acknowledged he is a patient person, has found a way to energize himself. Instead of complaining about the four minutes of playing time he received in KU’s last game against San Jose State, he savors each and every second of that stint.

“I get out there and play as hard as I can for that minute, two minutes. I enjoy being out there just for the time I am. That’s my motivation to push for more minutes,” White said. “I know I shoot the ball well. I know defense is something you have to do to stay on the court. I think I’m a good rebounder. I think my defense is coming along. We have a talented group with a lot of guys older than me. There are a lot of things I can do better. Coach wants to see the best out of all of us.”
LJW


For Kansas’ first five games this season, the Jayhawks struggled to find much scoring outside of seniors Angel Goodrich and Carolyn Davis.

In KU’s 101-47 win over 0-6 Grambling State,  the  6-0 Jayhawks got their much needed scoring relief.

The help primarily came from sophomore forward Chelsea Gardner, who led the Jayhawks in scoring for the first time in her career. Gardner controlled the paint against Grambling State’s zone defense, with 26 points and 10 rebounds – the third double-double of her career.

“She’s practiced well,” Bonnie Henrickson said. “I’ve been so surprised she hasn’t performed in games better. It’s been frustrating for her.”

“Today I was more chill and not overexcited,” Gardner said. “I brought a lot of energy to the team.”

…Grambling State’s sophomore guard Cierra Ceazer is a Topeka native and is a graduate of Shawnee Heights High School. Ceazer had a number of friends in family in the crowd, as Grambling State’s fan section would often erupt into a roar whenever Ceazer would make a play.

“It was so special,” Ceazer said. “I feel so much love right here. I was so glad I could come out and play for everybody.”
TCJ


KUAD WBB box score, recap, notes, photos


LJW WBB photos


Kansas 2012-13 MBB Schedule


Kansas 2012-13 WBB Schedule

Jalen Jones scored 20 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and SMU beat Utah 62-55 Wednesday night to improve the Mustangs to 7-1 under new coach Larry Brown for their best start in six years.
AP


Once the shots started falling for Duke freshman Rasheed Sulaimon, it wasn't long before another top-five opponent went down, too.

Sulaimon scored all 17 of his points in the second half of the second-ranked Blue Devils' 73-68 come-from-behind victory over No. 4 Ohio State on Wednesday night.

…The Blue Devils - who beat then-No. 3 Kentucky in Atlanta and then-No. 2 Louisville in the Bahamas - won their 97th straight against non-ACC visitors to Cameron Indoor Stadium.
AP


The attendance-challenged Miami Hurricanes drew a sizable, boisterous crowd for Wednesday night's game against No. 13 Michigan State. And when it ended, many of the fans stormed the court in celebration.

Senior Trey McKinney Jones scored a career-high 18 points and Miami held Michigan State without a field goal for a pivotal 5½-minute stretch in the second half in a 67-59 victory.
Wire


A spokesman said Wednesday that the NCAA expects to release an update Thursday on Longhorns point guard Myck Kabongo, who has yet to play this season because of a question of whether he received improper benefits.

Meanwhile, sources close to the Texas program have told the American-Statesman they anticipate Kabongo’s punishment might be a 10-game retroactive suspension, which would allow the sophomore to play his first game Dec. 19 against 14th-ranked North Carolina at the Frank Erwin Center.

A 10-game ban would mean Kabongo would not be able to play Tuesday against No. 20 Georgetown, in New York City, or against UCLA next weekend at Reliant Stadium.
American-Statesman


Joshua Smith graced the cover of the UCLA basketball game program Wednesday night, an awkward bit of timing considering that the talented but overweight junior center quit the Bruins' team earlier in the day, citing "personal reasons."

Smith's decision, announced several hours before the Bruins faced Cal State Northridge, made him the second player to leave the Bruins this week. Guard Tyler Lamb announced Sunday he would transfer.

The Bruins then rolled over the Matadors, 82-56, playing up-tempo on offense and zone on defense at Pauley Pavilion.

Norman Powell led UCLA with 17 points and Kyle Anderson had 15. Shabazz Muhammad scored 13 points and Larry Drew II had 13 assists.

More troubling for UCLA, though, was Tony Parker, who played one minute before leaving the game with an unknown injury. He remained on the bench for the rest of the night with a walking boot on his left foot.
LA Times


Connecticut found itself left behind in the conference realignment shuffle again Wednesday as Louisville was picked over the Huskies to join the Atlantic Coast Conference, becoming the fifth football member to leave the Big East in just over a year.

UConn had been courting the ACC and was thought to be a leading candidate to replace Maryland after the Terrapins accepted an invitation earlier this month to join the Big Ten.

"I know this may seem like a tough moment for our fans, but we need to focus on the fundamentals of academic success across the university and in our athletic program as well,'' UConn president Susan Herbst said. "We are winners. We win, we like to win and we will continue to play the best possible opponents. We will be athletically successful, regardless of our conference, because of our successes in NCAA competition.''
AP


2012-13 Early Season Events List


Big 12 Composite Schedule

Talk about a star-studded event.

Five postgraduate basketball teams ranked in the top 10 nationally — as well at least seven ACC signees — will be in Waynesboro on Thursday-Saturday to participate in the Best Western Plus Caisson Shootout.

“Fans will see some very, very high level basketball,” said Fishburne postgrad coach Ed Huckaby, whose Caisson squad enters the tournament ranked sixth nationally. “Five of the top 10 teams in the country will be here. ESPNU will be there all three days. There will be very good players, coaches and programs. At the postgrad level, it’s the equivalent of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. There are some very good teams here.”

Massanutten Military Academy comes in ranked No. 1 in the nation, and the team features 6-foot point guard Frank Mason, who has committed to Kansas. Mason played his high school ball at Petersburg High School.
News Leader


11/28/12, 8:16 PM
2014 SG Rashad Vaughn ran me down this list: UNC, Duke, Illinois, UK, Minnesota, Iowa St, Baylor, Cuse, Md, Tex, KU, All but Duke offered.
https://twitter.com/jayjayusatoday


Birthday today for @J30_RANDLE
https://twitter.com/J30_RANDLE


My 2012 KU Alumni games, 2011-12 Border War, Legends of the Phog, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos, Late Night in the Phog, and more now on YouTube

Jeff Withey is changing the definition of a high-percentage shot one block at a time.

Conventional wisdom says shooting percentages vary inversely with distance from the basket — the closer you get, in other words, the better your chances. That’s not always true against Kansas, which speaks to the massive fingerprints Withey puts on a game.

Monday night, San Jose State was better off chucking a 3-pointer than trying to drive against Withey. The Spartans shot 33 percent from long range (7-for-21) and 27 percent (12-for-44) from inside the arc, numbers that have a direct correlation to Withey and his 12 blocks.
TCJ


That's cool and all, but simply looking at blocked shots in one game doesn't do Withey justice for the defensive season that he has put together thus far. Here are a some Withey factoids:

Withey has 37 blocks in KU's first six games. That's the most blocks he's ever had in a six-game stretch, breaking his run of 31 blocks during the NCAA tournament last season, which was a new NCAA tournament record.

Anthony Davis led the nation in blocks last season. The most blocks he had in a six-game stretch was 34.

In the last 12 games, Withey has 68 blocks. Only 37 players in college basketball last season (over the entire course of the year) had more blocks than Withey has in the last 12 games.

If Withey were a team, he would rank 13th in the NCAA in blocked shots.

David Robinson owns the single-season record for blocked shots with 207. It's illogical to assume Withey can continue his current pace -- right? -- but if he did, Withey would break Robinson's record in 34 games. (KU plays 31 regular season games, so the Jayhawks would need to play three postseason games to get there.)
CBS


Triple double for Withey. I don't know if I have ever seen someone improve as much in a short time as Jeff in any sport. Congrats!
https://twitter.com/CoachWeisKansas/status/273406570719752193


11/28/12, 1:31 AM
I know I'm a little late but I wanna congratulate @JeffWithey to the triple double club. #muchdeserved #rockchalk
https://twitter.com/colea45


“I need to go home and basically heal,” Peters said Monday in announcing his decision to leave school after one semester of his freshman year because of the effects of post-concussion syndrome.

The syndrome, which has hampered Peters’ ability to focus, can last up to a year following a concussion.

In Peters’ case, he has suffered five incidents of trauma to the head in the last 14 months. The 6-foot-9, 240-pounder first suffered a concussion at the LeBron James Skills Academy the summer of 2011 — prior to his senior year at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano. His next concussion came playing wide receiver his senior year for Prestonwood’s football team.

At KU, he suffered one concussion in July and another in September. Wearing a protective helmet at workouts following his second concussion at KU, he nonetheless took a shot above the eye, which opened a cut that took about 10 stitches to close. Tests, however, indicated that contact did not result in a concussion.

For the past several weeks, Peters has suffered a loss of focus blamed on post-concussion syndrome. Medication has not helped the situation, necessitating Peters to leave school and his sport behind.

“I don’t know anything except the research that’s been done (on concussions) and hearing from doctors and visiting with Zach’s family. It’s an inexact science what concussions really do and how they affect you years down the road,” KU coach Bill Self said on his Tuesday Hawk Talk radio show.

…A source close to Peters told the Journal-World that the Peters family is pleased with the care shown by KU’s medical personnel, the KU players and coaches. Peters recently changed roommates from Andrew White III to walk-on Tyler Self because, as a walk-on with no playing time concerns, Self might be better equipped to help and watch over Peters.

Zach, in fact, will remain at Jayhawker Towers and be part of the team through the end of finals.

…Self was not pleased with the play of senior point guard Elijah Johnson, who had 13 points off 4-of-9 shooting with five assists against four turnovers in Monday’s 70-57 victory over San Jose State in Allen Fieldhouse.

“He hit his knee against Saint Louis (Nov. 20 in KC’s Sprint Center) and it swelled some. It was sore. He didn’t have near the juice last night,” Self said.

At the same time: “... he’s shot seven free throws for the year — seven,” Self exclaimed of Johnson, who has made six of seven free throws in six games. “Tyshawn (Taylor) averaged shooting 5.5 a game last year. Elijah has shot seven. It tells your right there he is not aggressive and driving the ball at all.

“He is not getting the ball to the paint like he should or like he can. Look at teams across America. I’d say for the majority of teams, the hardest thing to guard is the ball. With us the easiest thing is to guard the ball because we don’t put pressure on people. We have to change it where we are driving it and forcing help and playing behind the help.”

…Self said he could envision playing a November game on a U.S. Navy ship or at an Armed Forces base.

“We’ve been asked to do that a couple times,” Self said, noting KU the past two seasons elected to instead compete in the Champions Classic, which has one more year left to run. “I could see ourselves doing that in the future. I’d rather do what Michigan State and Connecticut did, go to Germany and play in one of the sites (bases) and have a chance to experience that. Ships are great and brings recognition and awareness, but there’s also a great chance you won’t play.”
LJW


KUAD: WBB vs Grambling State pregame notes


For now, Kansas University women’s basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson is going to consider it a positive sign that her team is 5-0 despite ranking last in the Big 12 in three-point shooting.

“I think we can turn it around,” Henrickson said Tuesday. “You have to shoot your way out of it a little bit — get some extra reps and do some more shooting.”

The 20th-ranked Jayhawks, who will play host to Grambling State at 7 tonight at Allen Fieldhouse, have made just 12 of 51 long-range attempts this year (23.5 percent). That would rank as 10th-worst nationally, but KU doesn’t qualify for the NCAA’s leaderboard because it hasn’t made at least four threes per game.

Henrickson isn’t ignoring the numbers, as she’s committed more in-practice time to getting up shots in the last few weeks.

“A lot of it is focusing on the mechanics of your shot,” Henrickson said. “All the things that great shooters do ... just do that consistently. We’ve shot a little bit better in workouts.”
LJW


Kansas 2012-13 MBB Schedule


Kansas 2012-13 WBB Schedule

Louisville will join the ACC. It's a done deal after every president voted in favor of the move Wednesday morning, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.

Presidents have discussed the possibility of Louisville, UConn, Cincinnati and others in recent days but settled on the Cardinals, a huge coup for aggressive UL athletic director Tom Jurich. UConn was in the mix because of its strong academic ties and its location in a strong television market, but Louisville's strong basketball/football presence won out.
ESPN's Brett McMurphy first reported the news of Louisville's winning vote.


The Atlantic Coast Conference has filed a lawsuit against Maryland seeking full payment of the approximately $53 million exit fee for the school's move to the Big Ten.

According to the 10-page lawsuit, the ACC said the school must pay $52,266,342, which is three times the league's annual operating budget for the 2012-13 season.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the lawsuit filed Monday in Guilford County Superior Court, home to the league headquarters in Greensboro.
AP


Tulsa athletic director Ross Parmley was placed on paid leave Tuesday as the university investigates allegations that he may have been involved with an alleged bookie in Oklahoma City.

University President Steadman Upham issued a brief statement saying Parmley will be on paid administrative leave during the investigation. Upham didn't offer details about whether the allegations involved sports betting or other forms of gambling that may or may not be illegal in the state.
AP


Documents that the NCAA is aggressively trying to keep under seal appear to show improper involvement by NCAA staff and committee members in the landmark USC decision more than two years ago.

A judge's decision made public last week -- and obtained in full by CBSSports.com -- shows that at least three persons may have improperly tried to influence the NCAA's powerful infractions committee to find former USC assistant Todd McNair complicit in the Reggie Bush case. Lawyers for McNair are trying to show the association violated its own rules and procedures in investigating their client.

Two non-voting members of the NCAA infractions committee and NCAA staffer allegedly tried to influence voting members inside the 10-person committee. The judge's decision contains excerpts of emails that he has determined show "ill will or hatred" toward McNair.
CBS


Ohio State's 3-point accuracy (47.8%) is better than 194 teams' 2-point accuracy.
https://twitter.com/JohnGasaway/status/273431462064312321


The Pitt basketball program has indefinitely suspended reserve guard Trey Zeigler, who was charged Sunday with two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence.

“The incident involving Trey Zeigler is not only surprising, but incredibly disappointing. Although I believe it was out of character for Trey, he has been immediately suspended until further notice,” coach Jamie Dixon said in a release from the athletic department. “Trey has expressed his deep regret to me and understands and respects the importance of accountability for one’s actions.”
TSN


Missouri senior guard Michael Dixon Jr. was accused of forcible rape on Aug. 20 but was not charged after a Columbia police investigation, according to a police report obtained by The Star.

According to the report, the case was closed Nov. 16 after Tracy Gonzalez of the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office ruled there was insufficient evidence to file charges.

“Based on (the police) review … it was determined that the evidence was not sufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury,” Gonzalez told The Star. “That’s how all of our cases are handled, and this wasn’t treated any different than any other investigation that comes through our office.

“If additional evidence were presented, we could always review (the case) in its entirety and make a charge at that point as well, which is why I can’t get into specifics of the case. But it was a thorough investigation.”
KC Star


Jack Taylor of Grinnell College played his first game Sunday night since breaking the all-time record for points in a game. But some fans are asking -- was it a history-making moment, or just a stunt?

It was no accident that Taylor scored all those points in the game. The strategy behind the feat was all planned out by the coach. So, as Taylor took to the court Sunday night, fans packed the gym to see if that strategy would work again. But Taylor's shooting skills were not enough to lead Grinnell to another victory. The 5'10" shooting guard missed his first three shots against the Statesmen of William Penn University before scoring 21 points in a losing effort. It was a far cry from the mind-blowing 138 points he racked up in last Tuesday's game against tiny Faith Baptist Bible College.

His performance shattered college basketball's single-game scoring record and sent the media into a Taylor-made frenzy. Game highlights showed up on just about every major channel, and newspapers from coast-to-coast jumped on the story. Even some of the biggest names in sports took notice. Los Angeles Lakers' star Kobe Bryant, said, "I mean, I don't care what level you're at, scoring 138 points is pretty insane."

But it didn't take long for the critics to speak up. WFAN sports talk radio host Mike Francesa said, "It's a gimmick! It's not real. They were taking the ball, rebounding it and throwing it back to him. They didn't show you that video."

At issue, Grinnell's unique formula for winning. Their coach has even broken it down into a math equation. Whenever the Grinnell College Pioneers make 94 shots, with at least 47 of them from three-point range, and pull down a third of their missed shots and take 25 more shots than their opponent, all while forcing them to turn the ball over 32 times, they win. Grinnell claims it's worked an amazing, 95 percent of the time. In Taylor's case, he took 108 shots -- that's one every 20 seconds.

Kyle Smith, men's head basketball coach at Columbia University, said, "I really didn't think it was possible...ultimately absurd. If it was part of competing to win in a tight game -- they need 138 to win, that's fine, but if it's a rout, and we're doing it for attention-seeking purposes, I don't see the benefit in that for anyone."
CBS


Picture a big-time college basketball player on the foul line, on national television. Underneath his name on your TV set are the usual factoids: height, weight, hometown. And imagine, next to the word major, you saw the following:

Basketball.

Go ahead, laugh. Not many major college athletes sign up for “serious” academic pursuits to begin with — when’s the last time you saw the kid at the foul line majoring in electrical engineering? These athletes are out there, but they’re rare. So, heck, a basketball major? Why not?

But could a college athlete majoring in, ahem, basketball, be a more intellectually rigorous student than he otherwise would? David Pargman, a professor emeritus of educational psychology at Florida State University, makes a convincing case that a basketball, football, baseball major can do basketball, football, and baseball players a world of good.

…A sports major has drawbacks. “I’m not sure it fixes the clustering problem,” says Joel Cormier, an exercise and sports science professor at Eastern Kentucky University, and secretary of the Drake Group, a college sports reform organization. One lingering problem in college athletics is that jocks are culturally, and sometimes physically, separated from the rest of the students. If they signed up for an academic program only open to other athletes, the divide would be strengthened. “A sports degree that everybody sees as a jock degree, that could encourage an athlete-friendly faculty, only reinforces that,” says Cormier. Jason Lanter, a psychology professor at Kutztown (Pa.) University, and former president of the Drake Group, argues that if schools create a sports major, athletes should have to meet the same admission requirements as other students. “They shouldn’t be given any special treatment,” says Lanter. “If they’re students, they’re students.”
Time


2012-13 Early Season Events List


Big 12 Composite Schedule

Less than a minute into the Express’ first game, in front of about 1,500 fans at Waddell Language Academy on Friday afternoon against Quality Education (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Wiggins sealed off his man under the basket, caught an inbounds pass and, with one step, rose up and threw down a dunk with a ferocity that felt abruptly out of character for an 18-year-old kid with an easy smile and smooth style.

The crowd seemed stunned, as much as anything, by this transcendent moment of next-level athleticism from Wiggins, whose father was a Florida State basketball player and whose mother was a Canadian Olympic medalist.

“I know that’s what they want to see,” Wiggins said, “dunks and crossovers, and I always try to give them what they want.”

Of course, Wiggins isn’t the clear No. 1 prep player in the country—he grew up outside Toronto but chose Huntington Prep as the next stage in his basketball development—just because he can dunk the basketball. His jump shot has developed from streaky to consistently reliable. His passing ability is overshadowed by his more showy talents. He can be a monster on the boards. He’s a smart player born with basketball instincts.

Even with all his individual ability, he still clearly is a team-first player.

…“From any indication Andrew has given us, he’s going to take one (official visit) to Florida State, North Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas,” Fulford says. “Those are the four right now that he’s kind of made a point to say that’s where he wants to visit. Whether that happens or not, and when, who knows?”

Logistics are an issue.

“He wants to start trying to get visits plugged in when he can, but our schedule is brutal,” Fulford says. “We just don’t have many weekends open. I think he’s going to try and do one to Florida State in early December and he’s going to plug in others.”
TSN

If this fall's recruiting class grades turn out to be an accurate indication of future power rankings, then little is going to change in the re-formed Big 12. Bill Self's Kansas Jayhawks remain kings of the conference, and their elite 2013 recruiting class should put even more distance between themselves and the field.

As a conference, the Big 12 has struggled to equal the number of ESPN 100 recruits most of its major conference counterparts have landed. Six of the 10 teams in the league scored top-100 players this fall, but only Kansas, Baylor and Iowa State signed multiple ESPN 100 prospects. And the Jayhawks were the only Big 12 team to lock up a top-25 recruit.

With the early signing period having ended last Wednesday, it's a good time to take stock of how all the Big 12 teams have fared so far in 2013 recruiting. Think of it like midterms, with the spring signing period representing final exams.

We're giving the Big 12 an overall recruiting grade of C-plus, and below are team-by-team grades for all of the conference's 2013 recruiting classes after the early signing period.
ESPN Insider ($)


My 2012 KU Alumni games, 2011-12 Border War, Legends of the Phog, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos, Late Night in the Phog, and more now on YouTube

There is an art to the blocked shot. It takes timing, athleticism and the sort of length that can only be ascertained from life’s genetic lottery.

Kansas’ Jeff Withey possesses all three of these gifts, of course. And if you ask him what makes him such a great shot-blocker, he may bring up his days as a stud volleyball player on the beaches of San Diego. Mostly, though, it’s a feel thing. And how can you explain that?

It’s better to witness it, to watch Withey set up shop in front of the rim and spend the night sending shots back the other way. It was easy to do on Monday night, when Withey recorded a KU single-game record with 12 blocked shots in a 70-57 victory over San Jose State at Allen Fieldhouse.

“Pretty stoked,” Withey said.

Withey’s performance was so dominating — he recorded just the second official triple-double in Kansas history — that it was easy to lose sight of the big picture: The Jayhawks were downright lackluster down the stretch while nearly coughing up a 60-36 lead midway through the second half.

“He won the game for us single-handedly,” Kansas coach Bill Self said.
KC Star


Withey scored six of the Jayhawks' next eight points as the lead slowly grew, and the crowd at Allen Fieldhouse began to realize that he was making history. He surpassed the 10-rebound mark midway through the second half before getting his 10th block to mark the triple-double.

"Most of the time -- I'm guilty of it, too -- we get caught standing around watching Jeff, like a fan or something, and that's when we need to snap back to it," Johnson said. "Jeff saved us a lot of times. There were times I caught myself looking instead of playing."

Unofficially, it was Withey's second time reaching the milestone.

The senior had 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks against Pittsburg State in an exhibition game last season, when All-America forward Thomas Robinson missed the game due to injury.
AP


Withey stretched out his arm as if he were reaching over a volleyball net to stop a spike, something he did many times while playing volleyball growing up in California. His forearm met Jones’ shot with a distinctive thud.

The thud gave Withey his tenth block of the night and recorded his first career triple-double. This was the second time any Kansas player accomplished this feat.

“I’ve been wanting that for a while now and only me and Cole that have it, so it’s pretty special to me,” Withey said.
UDK


At one point during San Jose State senior James Kinney's 30-point explosion at Allen Fieldhouse on Monday, the hot-shooting guard and Kansas University coach Bill Self enjoyed a fun-filled exchange of words.

"It wasn't trash talk at all," said Kinney, a 6-foot-2-inch guard from Champaign, Ill., who provided most of the offense for the visitors during a 70-57 KU victory. "I'm familiar with coach Self because he coached at Illinois, but there wasn't any trash talk. It was all just friendly. It wasn't anything major. I'll always remember that. This is the most historic place I've ever played, and you remember moments like this."
LJW


Blocks, assists and steals were not recorded at KU until the 1970s and the NCAA until the 1980s. Research has shown Wilt Chamberlain had at least two unofficial triple-doubles and B.H. Born one.

Withey’s block total of 12 surpasses the old record of 10 blocks set by both Withey and Aldrich. Withey had 10 versus North Carolina State in last year’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in St. Louis. Aldrich had 10 in that aforementioned game against Dayton.

“I had no idea,” Withey said of his block total, which hit the 10 mark when he batted a Xavier Jones shot with about eight minutes left. “I knew I was getting up there. I didn’t know I had 12, that’s for sure. After the game, C.T., our media guy told me. I was pretty stoked,” Withey added of the news being delivered by Chris Theisen, in charge of basketball media relations.
LJW


Sometimes hearing bad news is good news. One such time occurred as Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self delivered a thumbs-down review of his basketball team’s offensive performance Monday night in a 70-57 victory against San Jose State in Allen Fieldhouse.

Self mentioned in passing that senior point guard Elijah Johnson was not at full strength.

“Elijah’s knee is nicked up,” Self said. “He has no juice, can’t get his shoulder past anybody.”

That bad news qualified as good news because it stands to reason that when Johnson’s knee gets better, so will his performance. When it does, no way Kansas goes 10-plus minutes without a field goal as it did during a second-half drought that turned a blowout into a game.
LJW

KU’s Elijah Johnson was whistled for a technical foul along with San Jose State’s La Vanne Pennington in the second half. The two barked at each other after Xavier Jones was called for an intentional foul on a breakaway by KU’s Andrew White.

“I felt that was dangerous for him to grab Drew like that,” Johnson said. “I asked him, ‘Can he watch those kind of plays with my teammate?’ The referee felt it was more a hostile conversation.”

Self was upset that a point guard received a technical for standing up for a teammate, not a big man.

“That’s the first thing I said (to team), ‘Why are you letting him (Johnson) do that? I mean that’s ridiculous,’’’ Self said. “We haven’t had teams here in the past act that way, ever. It should have been a big guy go get it. C’mon, if you are going to say something to somebody it shouldn’t be your point guard doing it, it is one of your enforcers. So our point guard did it.”
LJW


“Has anybody ever gone 10 minutes in the fieldhouse without making a field goal when you’re up 24?’’ Self asked, disgustedly. “I don’t know if it has ever happened. We were just awful. That was certainly beyond discouraging on how we played during that stretch.’’
TCJ


"I've seen bad offense before, third- and fourth-grade YMCA basketball with no good ball reversal and bad handling," coach Bill Self said. "Our offense surpassed that tonight for the last 12 minutes of the game."

The Jayhawks tacked on a gratuity dunk from Ben McLemore in the closing seconds, but the final score didn’t represent KU’s second-half frustration. After going ahead 60-36, the Jayhawks committed seven turnovers and went 2-for-12 from the field over the final 11:45.
TCJ


Freshman forward Zach Peters is leaving the Kansas basketball program at the end of the fall semester, coach Bill Self announced Monday.

Self said that Peters, a 6-foot-9 forward, was battling lingering health issues and decided he needed to return home to Plano, Texas, to address his health before he mapped out the rest of his college career. Peters had dealt with a nagging shoulder issue, but Self also said Peters had suffered multiple concussions — including two since he arrived at Kansas.

“I hate that this is happening,” said Peters, who added that he needed to return home to heal. “I have really enjoyed my time at KU.”

According to Self, Peters has been diagnosed with four concussions since the beginning of his senior year of high school. He suffered one last summer after arriving in Lawrence and another in September. Peters, who was also a standout football player in high school, is still deciding whether he wants to continue to play sports. Self added that if Peters were his son, he’d probably suggest the same thing.

“He wants to move in a different direction,” Self said.
KC Star


“I really like all my teammates. This was the best situation I could have put myself in to excel in basketball,” he added. “I want to say thank you to KU, the coaches, staff, teammates and fans that have supported me. I wish it didn’t have to end up like this, but it's important for me to do so for my future. I plan on continuing to take classes while I'm home but I will not be playing sports in the near future.”
LJW


Kansas senior guard Travis Releford has been selected as the men’s basketball Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week for games from Nov. 19-25. The weekly honor is voted on by a media panel which covers the conference.

Releford led No. 12/11 Kansas to wins over Washington State (78-41) and Saint Louis (73-59) en route to the championship of the CBE Hall of Fame Classic at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. A 6-foot-6, 210-pound from Kansas City, Mo., Releford averaged 20.0 points and shot 65.0 percent from the field before being named the CBE Classic Most Valuable Player. He also connected on 60.0 percent from three-point range while making 8-of-9 (.889) from the free throw line. Releford is third for the Jayhawks in scoring this season with 11.8 points per game.

It is the second career Big 12 Player of the Week honor for Releford, who received the honor last January. It is the first league weekly accolade for KU this season.
Link

First of all, lest you thought the Bruins' drop from No. 11 to outside the top 25 is the steepest in poll history, rest assured, it is not. According to ESPN Stats and Information's Jeremy Lundblad, Missouri's fall from No. 9 in 2011 was higher -- the only decline steep enough to eclipse the Bruins.
ESPN


ACC/Big 10 Challenge schedule


2012-13 Early Season Events List


Big 12 Composite Schedule

Julius Randle will be sidelined for the next three months with a fractured right foot, according to his mother Carolyn Kyles.

Randle, a senior forward at Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) and a preseason American Family Insurance ALL-USA selection, suffered the injury in the first half of the Lions’ game against Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas) at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest on Nov. 24. Prestonwood, which is ranked No. 14 in the Super 25, was up 10 when Randle left with the injury. They ended up falling 58-48.

Randle, who is ranked No. 2 in the Rivals150, will undergo surgery Tuesday afternoon.

...“He’ll be ready for the postseason all-star games if not sooner,” Webster said. “It’s all a part of the game. These things happen. Now the hard work begins, and it’s a challenge for him. The doctor says three months, but he’s the type of player that will work hard to be ready before that. We’re not rushing anything, but we’ve got work to do.”

Kyles said she's ready to help Randle return to the court.

“We're doing this story now and then we’re shutting things down," added Kyles. "We’re not doing interviews or anything like that. We’re just 100 percent focused on the task at hand.”
USA Today

Andrew White's lil bro

KUAD: Kansas vs San Jose State pregame notes


San Jose State is preparing for Monday night's game against No. 12 Kansas like it's just another game on the schedule.

However, when you're facing one of the elite teams in the nation, a program that played in the title game of the NCAA tournament last season -- in a matchup on ESPNU -- it's a bit more than just another basketball game.

"As a little kid I dreamed about playing big-time basketball," Spartans junior forward Chris Cunningham said. "And, to play in that arena, one of the most historic in college basketball, is exciting."

That historic arena is Allen Fieldhouse, which has a reputation for loud sellout crowds of 16,300 fans.

"We played at Utah State last season," senior guard James Kinney said. "They pack 10,000 in every game. It's really loud. I feed off that ... the crowd, the lights and a nationally televised game. There's not much else you need to get going for a game like this."

…While the Spartans are excited about this matchup against Kansas (4-1), they aren't getting caught up in the all the hype.

"If we defeat Kansas, we'll be excited, but we won't hang a banner in here (San Jose State Event Center)," Nessman said. "We still have to prepare for Montana State."
Marin Independent Journal


Kevin Young is quiet by nature, the sort of laid-back power forward who once agreed to sit on campus and let regular students heave pies at his face for charity.

But to get an idea of Young’s basketball philosophy, it’s best if you ask about his most prized feature: his shapely, and ever growing, Afro. It seems Young’s strategy for getting a haircut sounds a lot like his personality on the basketball floor.

“(You) don’t tell anybody,” said Young, a 6-foot-8 senior. “You just go in there and just get it done.”

For the record, Young isn’t planning any immediate trips to the barbershop. But he will be back in the starting lineup at the four spot when Kansas plays host to San Jose State at 8 tonight at Allen Fieldhouse.

…“Our team was better in Kansas City with Kevin playing,” Self said. “I’m not saying it will stay that way forever, but I’m happy with what Kevin does.”
KC Star


“The ball moves,” Self said. “He’ll throw it to (Withey). He’s not scared to make a mistake. He understands better where to look for Jeff. I think there’s no question Kevin’s presence helps Jeff.”

Young’s experience is what KU needs in November, which doesn’t mean the Jayhawks are ready to write off the upside of freshman Perry Ellis.

KU eventually would like more scoring potential from the power forward spot, but Self is willing to wait for it.

“I’d like to be able to get more scoring out of that spot, and of course the natural person would be Perry,” Self said. “He’s got to go at a pace where he’s comfortable. I think he’s going to get there. I just want everybody getting there by around January 1.”

Ellis provided an initial tease with 15 points in KU’s season opener, but his production in the next four games — 5.5 points and 15 minutes on average — provided a more realistic timeline.

“We got spoiled because he had 15 in a couple of games, but they were easy 15s,” Self said. “Against real guys, you don’t get those easy baskets. He’s got to get where he can score against real guys.”

…San Jose State brings a 2-2 record to Allen Fieldhouse with losses to Houston and New Orleans and wins against Weber State and UC-Santa Cruz.

Senior guard James Kinney leads the Spartans in scoring at 21 points per game.

“They play fast, and they’ve got one cat that can really score,” Self said.
TCJ


“I think we play way too slow,” Self said Sunday. “I don’t think our guards are creating near the pace the game needs to be played at. We need Elijah (Johnson) and Naadir (Tharpe) to create the pace.

“It’s amazing to me. I tell these guys all the time, ‘Everybody wants to go to a place where they play fast, they get there, and they don’t want to commit to playing fast.’ It takes energy to play fast. Elijah more so than anybody ... he is not putting pressure on the defense the way Tyshawn (Taylor) put pressure on the defense. If you take it hard 10 possessions, you may get two free points you didn’t have to earn. We are not taking it hard 10 possessions. His mind-set is, I think, to get us into offense,” Self added, noting starting point guard Johnson at times should decide to “go make a play.”

As far as backup point guard Tharpe ... “He is playing better. He can create havoc and do some things,” Self said. “If you are a little guard and don’t create havoc, people will pick on you eventually. He has to have that mind-set .... ‘Hey, if I am the littlest guy out there, I have to make sure I’m the toughest guy out there and create havoc.’ He improved on that (in wins over Washington State and Saint Louis last week in K.C.).”
LJW


Self does think the Big Ten’s going from 12 to 14 schools will have a “domino effect” on conferences nationwide.

“I think what it does is it speeds up the process for the Big East to not stay intact the way we know it,” Self said. “The Big East has lost Pittsburgh and Syracuse and now with Maryland leaving, they say they want Connecticut now to go from the Big East to the ACC so that makes that league (Big East) that much weaker. I think the Big Ten obviously has the most juice of all the leagues. People say the Southeast Conference ... I still think the Big Ten and Southeast would be one and two and after that, I think the Big 12 falls three to be real candid with you.”

…It’s safe to say freshman forward Zach Peters, who has not practiced yet this season because of a rotator cuff injury, will not be a factor at all this year.

“His health isn’t great. He’s been under the weather sick-wise and he can’t catch a break right now. I really don’t know what his situation is moving forward. He’s got to the point now he’s going to be so far behind we are definitely not anticipating him to be an impact player for us this year. Who knows how it’ll be moving forward. I feel bad for him. I feel bad for us because I think he could definitely help us without question but it just hasn’t been a good situation for him yet.”

Self reiterated freshman forward Landen Lucas will red-shirt, “unless somebody were to get hurt in the near future. I think it’s better for him and us to substitute age 23 for 18, 19. I do think he has a chance to be a really good player.”
LJW


Kansas headlines the field for the 2013 Battle 4 Atlantis.

Seven of the eight teams in next year's field were announced Saturday night after No. 5 Duke beat No. 2 Louisville 76-71 in the 2012 title game.

Joining the Jayhawks are Villanova, Wake Forest, Tennessee, Southern California, UTEP and Xavier.

The eighth team will be announced at a later date.

The tournament started in 2011 when Harvard beat Central Florida in the championship game.
The games are played in the Imperial Arena, a grand ballroom which is turned into a basketball venue.
AP


Brandon Rush was already not coming back to the Warriors this season (which sucks, they could use him right about now with injuries on their perimeter), but now you have to wonder at what point next season he’ll be back.

Rush has torn his MCL as well as his ACL in his left knee. What that means in practical terms is it delays his ACL surgery until likely next month, and that means it will be a challenge for Rush to be back by the start of next season.
NBC Sports


But arguably the biggest positive heading into the Suns' six-game road trip Sunday, has been the play of Morris.

Morris finished with a career-high 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting and looked at ease at the offensive end -- whether in the post or on the perimeter -- for much of the night.

"I mean it's a little different, but coach put me in to be a starter," Morris said of his new role. "You know I've been waiting to be a starter, and I need to produce and that is what I am doing."

Friday's performance marked the second straight game Morris made at least nine shot attempts. In his previous six games, the former No. 13 overall pick shot just 36 percent from the floor.

When asked after Friday's win of why Morris looks so confident with his shot of late, Gentry admitted the spacing has been better with him on the floor at the power forward position.

"Obviously, with Markieff out there he gives us much more spacing," Gentry said. "That opens up the floor not just for post ups, but it also opens up the floor more for him. When the ball is swung, he's in a shooting rhythm of late. So when he's gotten it, he's shot the ball well like he did again tonight."

Morris may have saved his best shot for last against New Orleans. Up just two with under a minute to play in overtime, the former Kansas star drained a three-point shot from the top of the key to keep the Suns ahead for good.
AZ Sports


The best moment? On a night like this one, how could you possibly pick?

There was Justin Timberlake, decked out in a Grizzlies cap, taking his place in the owners' seats with Jessica Biel.

There was Timberlake, not long after, standing up to shake it with the Grizzlies Grannies and Grandpas.

There was Darrell Arthur, checking in for the first time in two seasons, to a huge ovation.

There was Arthur, hitting his first shot, and the entire Grizzlies bench going nuts.
Memphis CA


KUAD: WBB vs Creighton box score, recap, notes


Kansas coach Bonnie Henrickson hit a milestone victory Friday night. But after a somewhat sloppy 76-59 victory over Alabama A&M, Henrickson preferred to talk about the Jayhawks’ struggles on defense.

Never mind that Friday’s win was the 300th of Henrickson’s career.

“I wish it would have been a prettier one,” Henrickson said. “That would have been nice. But I’ve been really blessed in my career to coach really, really talented players.”

Henrickson, who is 300-183 overall and 142-121 at Kansas, may have her best KU squad this season. The No. 22 Jayhawks, 4-0, are finishing their first week in The Associated Press top 25 poll since January 2010.
KC Star


The 22nd-ranked Jayhawks (4-0) didn’t find out their coach was in line for a 300th win until hours before the game. After Davis scored 19 points in 20 minutes, the senior forward said Henrickson’s passion for basketball has made her successful.

“She’s been doing this a long time, and she reminds us about that all the time,” Davis said of Henrickson, who now holds a 142-121 mark in her time at KU after amassing a 158-62 record in seven seasons at Virginia Tech.

“She won’t steer us wrong,” Davis added. “She tells us what we need to know. She’s great at her job.”

Goodrich, who scored 15 points and passed out a game-high eight assists against the Bulldogs (1-3), said Henrickson’s attention to details and dedication have helped her reach this point.

“She’s determined. She is always workin’, workin’, workin’. No matter what,” Goodrich said. “She like never sleeps. She does everything she can to make us prepared, and that’s what makes her so special.”
LJW


Kansas University senior Carolyn Davis joined the 1,400-point club as No. 22 Kansas University remained undefeated with a 58-48 nonconference women’s basketball victory over Creighton on Sunday at D.J. Sokol Arena.

Davis was 5-for-6 from the floor and had 12 points. She has 1,400 for her career.
LJW


KU Volleyball earned the No. 11 overall seed and will host Cleveland State in the opening round at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Allen Fieldhouse.

The Jayhawks weren’t certain they would be hosting while watching Sunday’s selection show. Though the Jayhawks finished the season No. 7 in the RPI, they were ranked No. 20 in last week’s coaches poll.

The top 16 teams in the NCAA are selected as hosting sites.

“I’m sure there’ll be a number of people out there that’ll wonder if we got seeded too high. This team plays with a chip on its shoulder regardless,” KU coach Ray Bechard said. “We can come up with something to get them motivated for sure.”

The KU-CSU winner will face the winner of Friday’s other match-up — between Arkansas and Wichita State — at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

It is the first time in school history KU has been selected to host in the first and second rounds.
LJW


Kansas Athletics has named David Reed, associate athletics director for compliance at the University of Miami (Fla.), associate athletics director for compliance at Kansas.

Reed, in his sixth year at Miami, serves as the lead on all NCAA Compliance-related initiatives there. Among other responsibilities, he researches and interprets NCAA rules for coaches and staff members; prepares NCAA-related waivers; conducts NCAA rules-education sessions for coaches and staff, and supervises and reviews all NCAA-related monitoring systems.

“David is exactly what we were looking for in a compliance director,” KU Director of Athletics Sheahon Zenger said.  “He has terrific experience in rules interpretation, waiver processes and compliance education.  His professional colleagues and references spoke unfailingly about his knowledge, integrity, and work ethic.”
KUAD


Kansas 2012-13 MBB Schedule


Kansas 2012-13 WBB Schedule

It was an unfortunate night for the No. 24/21 Baylor men’s basketball team. After placing third in the Charleston Classic last weekend, Baylor suffered a loss at home to the College of Charleston.

“We’re upset, but we can only be upset with ourselves,” guard Pierre Jackson said. “Prior to the game we didn’t prepare well enough as a team, we didn’t pay enough attention to the scouting report, and they executed well and capitalized on our mistakes.”

The 63-59 loss snapped the 29-game winning streak in non-conference home games Baylor had established. The Bears’ last non-conference loss at home was on Jan. 2, 2009 against South Carolina.

With the score tied 10 times and after nine lead changes, College of Charleston forward Willis Hall scored six consecutive points to break the final tie and allow his team to finish out the upset. Hall finished the night with 12 points and eight free throws.

“Coming into the game, we knew they could shoot the ball,” guard A.J. Walton said. “They’re a team that hasn’t been outrebounded. They stuck to their game plan, they executed well, and capitalized on our mistakes.”

Baylor guard Pierre Jackson recorded 21 points on the night, but his efforts were not enough to give Baylor the win. Tonight was the 14th straight game in which he scored in double figures. He is currently averaging 18.8 points and 6.5 assists per game during the streak.

One of Baylor’s key scorers, guard Brady Heslip, sat out tonight’s game after having his appendix removed on Tuesday. It was the first game Heslip had missed after starting 42 of his first 43 career games.

“You miss his shooting, but you also miss his leadership and poise down the stretch,” Baylor head coach Scott Drew said about the loss of Heslip. “It was a great experience for our young guys. A lot of them have never been in that situation before.”

Baylor ended the night with a 39.3 shooting percentage from the field, compared to the College of Charleston’s 48.8 field goal percentage, making it almost impossible for the Bears to win the battle on the court.

Baylor was outscored by five points in the first half of the game, giving up 31 and only scoring 26, and could not make up the deficit in the second half. The Bears scored only one point more than the Cougars in the second half.

The Bears need to get healthy and reestablish their momentum and energy before they travel to Kentucky on Dec. 1 to take on the Wildcats in a rematch of the Elite Eight game last season when the Wildcats pushed the Bears out of the NCAA tournament. -- Savannah Pullin
Star-Telegram


Frank Haith has always seemed to imply that he will determine when suspended guard Mike Dixon returns to the court. But there increasingly have been rumblings that the decision about when or if Dixon will play this season is not entirely in his hands.

Multiple sources have suggested as much over the past two weeks, and former Missouri guard Kim English seemed to corroborate those with a series of Twitter messages posted early Saturday morning, not long after the 13th-ranked Tigers were blown out by No. 2 Louisville 84-61 in the Battle 4 Atlantis semifinals. MU could have clearly used Dixon's ball-handling in that game as they committed 23 turnovers that the Cardinals turned into 31 points.

At 12:09 a.m., English, whose Twitter handle is @Englishscope24, tweeted: "The Univ of Missouri "student board" is a joke. Acting and making a decision without having actual facts. University should be ashamed!"

He followed that up with this post at 12:22 a.m.: "Michael has handled this situation w/ nothing but poise, class and professionalism. Would be awesome if his University would do the same."

At 12:25 a.m., he wrote: "Thank God we have an AMAZING chancellor who I trust will make the right decision soon. And do what's right by reinstating Michael Dixon Jr."

"Student board" would seem to be a reference to the Student Conduct Committee, which is charged with hearing the cases of students accused of violating the university's standard of conduct. Pages 18 through 20 of the Missouri handbook -- known as the M Book -- outline what the Student Conduct Committee is and its procedures for the formal disposition of cases.

If the committee rules against a student and expels, dismisses or suspends the student from the university, the M Book states that the student has a right to appeal the ruling to chancellor or the person he designates to hear the appeal and that their decision is final "unless it is to remand the matter for further proceedings," the M Book states.

…Dixon, whose Twitter handle is @M1keD1xonJR, had his own tweet after Friday night's game. He wrote: "Our team fought hard. I wish I could b out there helping them. I'VE DONE NOTHING WRONG! Nobody is going to feel sorry for us tommorow. #VCU."

Dixon's tweet was later removed.
Columbia Tribune


It’s too late to nitpick the choice to hand the reins to Weber. He’s on the bench, he’s implementing his system, and the future of the Wildcats program is in his hands.

But for those who lamented the loss of Martin, Wednesday night’s 66-63 win over Delaware in the semifinals of the Preseason NIT did little to inspire confidence that Weber can maintain the level of success that has become customary in recent years.

"We did not play pretty; I mean, that was pretty obvious," Weber said. "It had been so good for us at home and we had defended so well, made shots, and the games came easy. Now it didn't come quite as easy."

The team Weber took over at Kansas State is a group made up almost exclusively of Martin holdovers. The Wildcats returned 12 players from last year’s team, including four starters, and K-State has just one freshman, forward D.J. Johnson, playing considerable minutes.

But in the first true test of the season after routes of North Dakota, Lamar, Alabama-Huntsville and North Florida, K-State didn’t play like the veteran tournament team it is.
Fox Sports


For the first two games of the EA Sports Maui Invitational, the Butler Bulldogs looked like giant-killers, circa 2010 and 2011.

A buzzer-beater versus Marquette followed by a thumping of North Carolina in the semifinals set them up for another magical run, this time in Maui.

Unfortunately for coach Brad Stevens and his upstart Bulldogs, Illinois had other plans.

The Fighting Illini, behind strong performances from guards Brandon Paul, D.J. Richardson and Tracy Abrams, defeated Butler 78-61 in Wednesday's championship game.

While the game itself was periodically tight, the Illini led the entire way. With 10 minutes, 49 seconds left to go in the first half, they got their first double-digit lead and the Bulldogs got it down to single digits for only a brief stretch in the second half.

The win was a major validation for new coach John Groce, who led Ohio to the Sweet 16 last season and has brought his trademark aggressive offensive and defensive schemes to Champaign this season. The team looks completely transformed from Bruce Weber’s past few underperforming squads.

“I need to take a deep breath,” Groce said after the game. “You see the names that are on that trophy and it really puts it into perspective. The quality of this tournament. I think it’s the premier preseason tournament.”
ESPN


The density of the NCAA rulebook has become something of a punch line among athletic officials and sports fans alike in recent years, and one of the myriad regulations placed on college basketball teams limits them to 29-game regular-season schedules.

That limitation stands, except for so-called “exempt events,” which allow programs to participate in multi-team, multi-game early-season tournaments and count them as just one game. In the late 1990s, the NCAA tried to limit teams to two such events every four years, but a judge struck down the restriction in a lawsuit brought about by several organizers of such tournaments.

So, since December 2000, teams have been permitted to play in one exempt event each year, with the caveat that they can only play in a particular event once every four years. Duke has taken full advantage of these opportunities, participating in events like the Maui Invitational, the NIT Season Tip-Off and the CBE Classic. But this year, the Blue Devils opted to try a new event, the Battle 4 Atlantis at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas.

“The exempt-event world is always twisting and turning, and [the scheduling] goes out many years,” said Mike Cragg, senior associate director of athletics. “We’ve got a pretty good cycle of ones we want to do every year, but things come up along the way. Things shift, and it ended up we had an opening relatively soon, and so we jumped at the chance.”
Duke Chronicle


Deshaun Thomas scored 15 of his 21 points as No. 3 Ohio State coasted to a huge first-half lead on the way to a 91-45 victory against overmatched Missouri-Kansas City on Friday night.

The game was the final tuneup for the Buckeyes (4-0) before their ACC/Big Ten Showdown matchup against No. 5 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Wednesday night.
Wire


Two players for No. 1 Indiana have lost their appeals for reduced suspensions.

Freshman forward Hanner Mosquera-Perea and freshman center Peter Jurkin must sit out the remaining four games of their nine-game suspensions including Tuesday night's showdown with No. 9 North Carolina.

The NCAA ruled Nov. 6 both players would have to sit out after accepting benefits from an AAU coach who donated $185 to the school's Varsity Club. The school says those donations stopped in 1992. Under NCAA rules, though, the coach still fits the definition of a booster. Neither would have been suspended had they chosen another school because the benefits are permissible under NCAA rules unless they are provided by a booster.
AP


Even after UCLA signed the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, I had doubts that were masked by the program’s potential.

The additions of Shabazz Muhammad, Kyle Anderson, Tony Parker and Jordan Adams suppressed my concerns. So I bought stock in UCLA and I slotted the Bruins as a top-10 team in ESPN.com’s initial preseason poll. They had to get better, I figured. Too much talent to repeat the woes of 2011-12.

And then, UC-Irvine nearly upset the former powerhouse in overtime. Young players need time to click with veterans, right?

And then, the Bruins lost to Georgetown. C’mon, man. It was Muhammad’s first game.

And then, they fell to Cal Poly 70-68 after leading by 18 points with 11:53 to play on Sunday night. The game ended when the Bruins put the Mustangs on the free throw line in the closing seconds of a tie game. Well, even the best teams lose and … wait a minute. Huh?

It was an indefensible collapse against a program that’s lost to both Fresno State and TCU this season. Yet, it’s reminiscent of the Bruins teams that have all fallen short of expectations since the Final Four trifecta from 2006-08.

The latter teams all finished in the top five of defensive efficiency. Ben Howland hasn’t had a squad that’s even cracked the top-30 since that run.
ESPN


The Bruins just lost to Cal Poly. Lost at home to Cal Poly. Lost at home to Cal Poly for the first time in UCLA history. Lost to Cal Poly period for the first time in program history. Who'd have guessed the first team to win at new Pauley Pavilion would be these anonymous guys?

And not only that, but UCLA blew an 18-point lead with 12 minutes to go. It was the kind of collapse only the most disappointing programs can supply. The final score: 70-68, Mustangs. Yes, Cal Poly's nickname is the Mustangs, which you probably didn't know until now. You very well could've been uncertain Cal Poly even played basketball -- or that there was something called "Cal Poly." (They play in the Big West, by the by.)

Dear lord is Ben Howland in a mess now. The UCLA coach pretty much has to make the NCAAs to keep his job this year, and losses like this do huge damage to reputation and stability in the here and now. Not to mention, it's a real resume-killer when it comes time to pick the teams that go to the NCAAs.

There's zero reason -- absolutely zero -- for a team with all the talent, the future pros, UCLA should lose to Cal Poly, which has never reached the NCAA tournament, let alone had a 20-win season in D-I. (They made the move in 1994.)

And good on the Mustangs for getting a W that could ultimately make their season. But UCLA is the story, and UCLA's story again is an underachieving quagmire of a club that in no way resembles the UCLA that reclaimed its rank among the nation's best programs when it went to three straight Final Fours from 2006-08.

We've gone through this before with Howland and UCLA. It's been an uncertain ride for the past few years, only this time the recruits are there and everyone's patience has about run out. Well, the worst loss of them all has hopefully come to roost. Only thing now is to hope Howland can coach -- actually coach; really, truly, fully coach -- his team out of the dark and get a bunch of four- and five-star recruits to jell like the way they do in Lexington, Lawrence, Durham and Bloomington.
CBS Sports


UCLA guard Tyler Lamb has decided to transfer.

No. 11 UCLA announced Sunday that Lamb has been released from the basketball team. The junior will leave school at the end of the fall quarter.

"We are very sad to see Tyler leave our program," UCLA coach Ben Howland said in a statement. "He is a great kid, and we have really enjoyed having him play for UCLA. We fully support his decision, and we wish him all the best in the future."

Lamb started 32 games for the Bruins last season and played in all 34 games as a freshman. He averaged 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in two seasons.
Link


"A turnover is when a team makes a play and intercepts it. A gift is when you give somebody something. You just give it to them. We're giving things to them right now."

Izzo indicated that players continuing to commit turnovers will begin seeing their minutes cut.

The main target of Izzo's frustration was freshman Denzel Valentine, who tied for the team lead in the category this season after committing five more turnovers in Sunday's 63-60 win against Louisiana-Lafayette.

"When they start turning it over from the very first minute of the game (as Denzel Valentine did), and I'm telling some of the guys the same thing day after day, I'm going to start sitting guys," said Izzo, who substituted for Valentine after the turnover.

Valentine also threw the ball away with a minute left, and Louisiana-Lafayette cashed in with a layup that cut the lead to 62-60, leaving the Ragin' Cajuns two shots to tie the game that missed.

Keith Appling, Russell Byrd and Brandan Kearney, playing in a backcourt that's missing injured guards Gary Harris and Travis Trice, committed four turnovers apiece.
Mlive


2012-13 Early Season Events List


Big 12 Composite Schedule

Greene, Kansas commit, also believes he would beat Taylor’s 138 points.

“About 180! Obviously I’d be super hot if I had the nerve to take that many shots,” says Greene.
Link


Julius Randle limped off the floor in the first half of Prestonwood Christian’s 58-48 loss to Duncanville on Saturday at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest, according to MaxPreps.com.  It appeared to be a foot injury.

“He will be fine,” Jeff Webster, Randle’s AAU coach, told SNY.tv by text.

…Randle will visit Texas Dec 15-16 , Kansas Dec. 28-30 and N.C. State Jan. 25-27, his mother told SNY.tv.

Coaches from Kansas and Texas both watched Randle Friday at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest.
Zags Blog


Rivals: Randle shows off at Hoopfest


Star Sports: Randle, Botley key season-opening win at Hoopfest


11/21/12, 10:04 PM
Flashback: At one time, multiple recruiting analysts had Mitch McGary as the No. 1 ranked player in the country. You heard me correctly.
Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanCBS)


Andrew Wiggins started things off with what the fans came to see Friday night: a dunk on the first possession of the game that rattled the rim and set the crowd to roaring in Waddell Language Academy’s hot and stuffy gym.

“It always motivates me when I see a crowd’s reaction like that,” said Wiggins, the nation’s top high school basketball prospect. “That’s what they want to see.”

Wiggins is in Charlotte with his top-ranked Huntington (W.Va.) Prep team for this weekend’s Charlotte Hoops Challenge.

…So Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton was at Waddell on Friday to watch Wiggins. North Carolina coach Roy Williams recently visited him in West Virginia. Several fans wearing Kentucky and North Carolina T-shirts were in the gym. Fulford said Wiggins will begin scheduling official visits to the four finalists in December.

“I’m seeing which school and which coach I can be situated with,” said Wiggins, who has a teammate – guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes – who has already committed to Florida State. “And we’ll take it from there.”

Telep, who has seen all the great prospects of recent seasons and compares Wiggins to Tracy McGrady as a prospect, thinks he has an idea.

“I don’t know what he’s going to do,” he said. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if the words ‘Florida State’ or ‘Kentucky’ come out of his mouth at some point. He’s got a real strong pull to Florida State. And Kentucky is Kentucky. When it gets to the (recruiting) finals, they’re always either the gold or silver medalist these days.”
Charlotte Observer

Greg Welch and Tony Brown created shirts that read, "Chicago to Provo" with images of Chicago's skyline and Provo's Mount Timpanogos. The T-shirts were purchased with more than 200 donations to the website CougarBoard.com.

Parker, ranked No. 2 in the nation, arrived at BYU for his official visit on Friday and is expected to attend Saturday's game between the Cougars and Cal State Northridge. Parker is also considering Duke, Florida, Michigan State and Stanford. He is expected to commit in December or January.

…Welch never expected to receive enough donations to have 6,000-plus T-shirts made to welcome Parker. He was thinking a much smaller number. Welch wouldn't divulge the specific amount contributed, but said it was "several" thousand dollars.

"I thought we would have a hundred of the shirts," said Welch, who will be handing out T-shirts from a U-Haul truck on private property across from BYU's Marriott Center. "The way the Internet and social media works these days, if something catches fire, you don't know where it's going."

Parker has said he's included BYU partly because he is Mormon, but also because of BYU's recent success. The Cougars have reached the past five NCAA tournaments.
ESPN


My 2012 KU Alumni games, 2011-12 Border War, Legends of the Phog, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos, Late Night in the Phog, and more now on YouTube

11/20/12, 11:53 AM
Not sure he has one. RT @deutschmarine: McLemore's ceiling?
Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops)


Kansas University senior Travis Releford slapped hands with teammate Naadir Tharpe, then with a huge smile on his face, trotted to Sprint Center’s center court to receive his glass MVP trophy late Tuesday night.

“I’m excited for it,” said Releford, a 6-foot-6 senior, after being named the CBE Hall of Fame Classic’s top performer after scoring 23 points — 21 the first half — in KU’s 73-59 victory over Saint Louis.

“My teammates supported me throughout the struggles before I got here. I think it means a lot for my family and the city.”

Releford, who grew up in KC and attended Roeland Park’s Bishop Miege High, entered the two-day event 0-for-11 from three and 6-of-23 overall in the Jayhawks’ first three games.

Saint Louis’ defense elected to play off him during the first half, even though he did hit six of seven shots (two of three from three) in KU’s 78-41 first-round victory over Washington State on Monday night.

Did he feel disrespected by the Billikens?

“Of course,” Releford said. “I’m a player. Any player who is defended that way should feel disrespected. They played off. My teammates and coaches continued to tell me to shoot it. That’s what I did.”

…Withey, who along with Ben McLemore (11 points, six rebounds) made the all tournament team, had four blocked shots and four rebounds to go with 10 first-half points. He finished with seven blocks and five rebounds.

Withey had a highlight-film block of a long three-point attempt by Mike McCall Jr. just before halftime. McCall fouled Withey as he retrieved the ball. Withey hit a pair of free throws — he made 11 of 14 on the night — with 7.9 seconds remaining in the half.

“Jeff was good on both ends,” Self said.

KU’s coach grinned when a reporter asked about Withey muscling the ball into the goal.

“That’s the first time I heard the word ‘muscle’ to speak of Jeff,” Self deadpanned. “He made some good post moves.”
LJW



Withey ran the floor hard to establish position at both ends, didn’t let anybody shove him out of the way and put his signature all over a 73-59 victory in which KU played high-quality November basketball for the second night in a row.

Withey attempted just 12 shots from the field and scored 25 points to go with seven blocked shots, two steals and five rebounds. He scored 12 of his team’s final 16 points, and the closer the game became, the more he impacted it.

Kansas had a double-digit lead from the 9:50 point of the first half until the 3:51 mark of the second half, when Cody Ellis hit a three-pointer to cut the KU lead to 65-56.

In a span of 1:34, Withey scored the next six points on a driving bank, a dunk and two free throws to put the game safely away.

His scoring total matched a career-high…
LJW


With a five-day break sandwiched around the Thanksgiving holiday, the Jayhawks can now feast on turkey and take stock of their season while the Tryptophan takes hold. It’s a season that feels a little more buoyant now, after two solid performances in the Sprint Center. Last week at this time, the Jayhawks were returning from Atlanta after a second-half collapse against Michigan State. What a difference a week makes.

“We got better over here,” Self said. “That was the big key. You gotta try to win two games, but we need to get better. And we accomplished that.”

Consider: Freshman guard Ben McLemore now looks like the efficient scorer that the Jayhawks need, with plenty of potential still untapped. Senior center Jeff Withey is averaging nearly five blocks per game after tying his career high with 25 points and seven blocks on Tuesday.

Forward Kevin Young finally looks healthy, adding a jolt on both ends of the floor. And the KU defense held Saint Louis to just 26.1 percent shooting while forcing 10 turnovers in a smothering first half.

Finally, there was Releford, who left his hometown with some hardware.

“I really think if you don’t worry about scoring, then scoring naturally comes,” Self said. “And I think that’s what happened tonight.”

The Jayhawks have five days to rest before taking on San Jose State at Allen Fieldhouse on Monday. But a week after the disappointment of Atlanta, this felt like an ideal two-night stay in Kansas City.

“We got a lot closer,” Withey said. “And losing like that early, it’s good and bad. It’s bad because you obviously lose, but it’s good because you realize you’re not as good as you think you are.”
KC Star


Crews said turnovers were one of the main reasons his team struggled offensively in the first half. SLU had 10 first-half giveaways before turning it over just twice after halftime.

Perhaps not coincidentally, the Billikens played even with the Jayhawks (34-34) in the second half.

“We came out flat. I don’t know the reason for that,” said SLU forward Cody Ellis, who led his team with 19 points. “We’ve got to be ready to go from the very start.”
LJW


LJW: Withey takes top spot


LJW: Notebook

An Iowa college basketball player shattered the NCAA’s single-game scoring record Tuesday night.

Jack Taylor of Grinnell College put up 138 points in a 179-104 Division III basketball win over Faith Baptist Bible College.

The sophomore guard put up an astounding 108 shots and drained 52 of them. He was also 27 for 71 from 3-point range on his way to breaking the old NCAA scoring record by 25 points. The previous record of 113 was set in 1954 by Bevo Francis.

This is the sophomore guard’s first year with Grinnell.  He transferred to the school from the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse.

Up until Tuesday’s game, he was having a pretty average season. In his first two games, Taylor scored 19 and 28 points, respectively.
Video at the link


Oklahoma State has become the latest Big 12 school to partner with Fox Sports on an additional multimedia rights agreement.

The multiyear deal announced Tuesday allows Fox Sports to televise one Cowboys football game each season, plus men's basketball and Olympic sports that aren't included in the school's television agreement through the Big 12.
Link


Rutgers University’s defection Tuesday from the Big East Conference to join the Big Ten has rekindled the University of Louisville’s interest in a new home for its athletic programs.

And Maryland’s impending departure from the Atlantic Coast Conference has created a possible landing spot.

U of L and Connecticut are logical candidates to fill the new void; now they must convince the ACC that they belong. Jonathan Blue, a member of U of L’s board of trustees, said it is “in a waiting mode,” adding that he hopes the situation will be treated with a sense of urgency.

“I do have confidence in the administration to overcome this,” Blue said. “We just need to do it now.”

On Tuesday afternoon, U of L President James Ramsey held an impromptu news conference at Louisville International Airport, saying he would welcome the chance to join the ACC. He said the university had not had direct contact with the league.

“We’ll keep working every day to position ourselves,” he said, adding later, “Things will play out, and they will play out well for the university.”

The impending race to become the ACC’s 14th team has stirred debate about the importance of market size, academic profile, geography and an athletic program’s success.

With a history-rich and No. 2-ranked basketball team, a thriving football squad and lavish facilities, U of L, on the exterior, seems to be an attractive expansion candidate. Yet the Cardinals have been passed over time and again. Last fall, the Big 12 replaced Missouri by selecting West Virginia over Louisville.

“I think the feeling there was that, in football, West Virginia had the stronger program,” Chuck Neinas, the Big 12’s former interim commissioner, said Tuesday.
LCJ


Morehead State coach Sean Woods is a Kentucky basketball legend. Woods was a member of the “Unforgettables,” a Wildcats squad that endured the aftermath of a major scandal that hit the program with a postseason ban until the 1991-92 season. That year, Woods and Co. reached the Elite Eight, where they were defeated by Duke via Christian Laettner’s famous buzzer-beater.

Woods’ jersey hangs from the rafters at Rupp Arena.

So how will Kentucky fans react to his criticism of the current Wildcats squad, a team his Eagles will face Wednesday?

Woods told the Louisville Courier-Journal Monday that the Wildcats had “a sense of entitlement” when he encountered some of the squad’s players during a fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Sandy:

Morehead State University basketball coach Sean Woods said he will always be a University of Kentucky Wildcat at heart. But the former UK star was critical of the current crop of Wildcats.

Two days before Morehead will travel to Rupp Arena, Woods had some somewhat harsh words about UK’s players. He said he encountered some of the Wildcats while participating in the UK telethon at WKYT in Lexington earlier this month to raise funds to benefit the victims of Superstorm Sandy.

Woods said he didn’t like “the vibe” and sensed a feeling of entitlement.

“These kids don’t know anything,” the Indianapolis native said. “I’ll bet you any type of money that besides the kids from Kentucky that are on UK’s team, they couldn’t tell you anything about one player in the history of Kentucky basketball. When I walked in the door (as a UK freshman) I knew about every player.”
ESPN


After dominating Mississippi State on Monday, the North Carolina Tar Heels got a rude wake-up call versus Butler on Tuesday. On Monday evening I wrote: “North Carolina has much more talent, but the Bulldogs are scrappy and well-coached. The Tar Heels are more of a finesse team. The physicality of Butler could give the Heels problems.” That’s exactly what happened. North Carolina was outrebounded 36-27 and Butler beat them to just about every loose ball.

After the game, North Carolina head coach Roy Williams admitted that he had the better players, but Butler and coach Brad Stevens had the better, tougher team. “They were more physical, more assertive and more aggressive,” Williams said. “They're really good. Brad's clubs are really intelligent. I like their toughness and their intelligence more than their talent, and I'm not trying to put down their talent. But I love their toughness and their intelligence.”

…Most of the NBA scouts and general managers in the audience savaged McAdoo for his performance the past two games. “He looks good in a basketball uniform,” one GM told me. “But after that, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to like. He’s a pretty good athlete, but he isn’t very skilled and he doesn’t go hard all the time. There’s not one thing he does that really stands out about his game. He certainly hasn’t played like a top-five pick.”

…The Texas debacle continued Tuesday with a 59-53 overtime loss to USC. The good news? The Longhorns didn’t get blown out this time and played with more urgency. The bad news? Offensively this team is just a mess. When (or is it if?) the Longhorns get Myck Kabongo back, they’ll be better. But I don’t think he has the talent alone to turn things around. There just isn’t a lot of talent around Kabongo. Sophomore Sheldon McClellan has struggled in Maui, going just 8-for-25 from the field and 1-for-11 from 3. Freshman big man Cameron Ridley was ranked as the eighth-best prospect in the country by ESPN, but he’s looked out of shape and overwhelmed in the early going.It could be a long year, Texas fans.
ESPN Chad Ford


Derrick Marks nearly led Boise State past Michigan State, only to leave his coach upset that foolish fouls had taken him out of the game.

Marks' 24 points, including 11-for-12 work at the foul line, weren't quite enough as he fouled out with 2:37 left and Leon Rice's Broncos lost to No. 15 Michigan State 74-70.

"We just wanted to come in and attack them," said Marks, whose team that already had beaten Texas Southern, Oakland and Louisiana in the five-team Spartan Shootout.

But his coach could only wonder what might have happened if Marks could have stayed in the game instead of letting Michigan State's Keith Appling take over the game.
Link


A Wall Street Journal story on Friday delved into the cultural and political implications of the success of the Kansas State University football team this year, and KU made an appearance.

The story gets a little bit into the relations between K-State and KU, and the description of that will be familiar for anyone well-versed on the traditional stereotypes defining the differences between the two.

"Even by Kansas standards, the Wildcats are unheralded," it says. "Their identity is built around insults, typically cow-related, hurled from the manicured lawns of its larger and more urbane sister, the rival University of Kansas."
LJW


ESPN Battle for Atlantis primer


ESPN NIT primer


2012-13 Early Season Events List


Big 12 Composite Schedule

From a pure numbers point of view, it may be quite a while before you see Kansas play another half of basketball like the Jayhawks played on Monday night.

It’s not that Kansas won’t improve. (It’s November; they will.) And its not that the Jayhawks won’t play better competition than the Washington State team that fell victim to a 78-41 drubbing in the semifinals of the CBE Classic at the Sprint Center.

But for a KU squad that had shifted gears between mechanical and sloppy for the better part of three games, perhaps it was just a little surprising the Jayhawks could slip into overdrive this quickly.

“We knew we had to bring the energy,” senior guard Travis Releford said.

…The Jayhawks ran the floor, knocked down jumpers, and kickstarted the early run with some full-court pressure. Releford, in a three-game shooting funk, busted out by making his first six shots and finishing with a team-high 17 points.

For a player that had begun the year by shooting just 26 percent (six for 23) from the field in three games — a pretty good symbol for the rest of the KU offense actually — it was an efficient performance that will do wonders in the confidence department. And it came in his own hometown.

“It felt great,” Releford said. “Coming into this game, teammates and coaches, they continued to have faith in me in shooting the ball. And they just told me to stop thinking about it and continue being me.”

You might say the same thing for the rest of the Jayhawks.

Senior forward Kevin Young made his first start of the season at the four-spot, providing the sort of glue guy that had been absent while he recovered from a broken bone in his hand. Young had played limited minutes in Kansas’ last two games. But he’d also been sporting a padded glove on his right hand. On Monday, the glove came off. And Young pulled down 10 rebounds, making the sort of energy plays that became his trademark last season.

“Hustle plays,” Young said.

Senior center Jeff Withey continued to assert himself on defense, finishing with five blocks. But Self felt comfortable enough to rest Withey in the first half and play freshmen forwards Perry Ellis and Jamari Traylor.

Early on, freshman Ben McLemore picked up where he left off last Thursday against Chattanooga, scoring 10 points in the opening nine minutes. The stretch including two three-pointers and a putback dunk that claimed teammate Traylor as one of its casualties. Friendly fire, perhaps?
KC Star


11/19/12, 11:13 PM
 I've never been dunked on by my own teammate before lol #poster @Humb1e_Hungry23
Jamari Traylor (@J_mari31)


Balloons and streamers didn’t drop from the rafters after Kansas University’s 78-41 waxing of Washington State on Monday night in Sprint Center.

The Jayhawks, who claimed their 200th victory of all time (against 78 losses) in games played in the City of Fountains, had no reason to don party hats despite the round-number milestone so early in the basketball season.

…“The crowd is disappointing. We’re happy with the people who were here,” Self said. "I know it’s not part of our (ticket) package at all. Hopefully we’ll have a better crowd tomorrow night. For whatever reason, there was a disappointing turnout. Also it’s 9 o’clock on a Monday night. It’s hard to get babysitters on Monday night,” added Self, who was anxious to get back to the hotel, as he was under the weather.

…“They remind me of Davidson in that they are physical. They don’t give up easy baskets,” Self said of the Billikens, who routed Texas A&M, 70-49. “You’ve got to make shots against them. Tonight, A&M didn’t. Their big guys can stretch it. The way they play they could present problems if we are not amped up and ready to go.”
LJW


Ellis, Young and Traylor combined to play 47 minutes and produced 21 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. They made 5 of 9 shots from the field and 11 of 11 free throws.

They all played a part in Kansas blasting Washington State 78-41, a blowout that enabled Self to rest his starters so that they’re fresh for tonight’s game against Saint Louis University in the CBE Classic title game.

“I think it means a lot,” Young said of the trio’s production. “It’s showing how much we all improved at the four spot because all of us play hard to work for that spot, and that’s why there have been so many different changes in the lineups in the last couple of games. It pushes each and every one of us to be able to start.”

Young worked up a pre-game sweat with the rest of the squad in the layup line, and it wasn’t until the team went back into the locker room that he learned he was getting the starting assignment with every-game starters Elijah Johnson, Ben McLemore, Travis Releford and Jeff Withey. Young said it surprised him “a little bit.”
LJW


Woolridge, who played a team-high 33 minutes, finished with five points on 2-for-6 shooting with one assist and five turnovers.

Wearing a black backpack with white headphones around his neck, Woolridge couldn’t hide his disappointment following the rout.

“I know we weren’t expected to win or anything, but to get blown out by 40 ... that hurts,” Woolridge said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s Kansas or anybody else. Just losing by a lot, it’s going to hurt definitely.”

The 6-foot-3 Woolridge did have one standout play, swishing a three-pointer with 10:31 left in the first half over KU guard Elijah Johnson.

“I should have hit a couple more,” Woolridge said, “but it happens.”

The Phoenix native met up with quite a few of his former KU teammates before the game. That included Johnson, who wished him good luck before asking him if he was ready to go.

Woolridge made sure to tell him that he was.

“Those are my friends,” Woolridge said. “I miss them, so it was definitely good to see them and talk to them.”

The sophomore admitted that he had looked forward to Monday’s game for a while, even if it didn’t turn out as he had hoped.

“Kansas came, and they played well,” Woolridge said. “There’s not really much I can say. I wanted to play (better), but their scout was really good. They knew where we were going and what we were doing.
LJW


That clicking noise you could hear Monday night at Sprint Center was the sound of Kansas coming together.

For a half, at least, the Jayhawks saw what happens when all the pieces fit. They had Elijah Johnson setting the pace, Ben McLemore soaring, Travis Releford slashing, Jeff Withey swatting and Kevin Young holding it all together. The result was a nearly flawless first half and a 78-41 victory against Washington State in the semifinals of the CBE Classic.

“That’s probably the best we’ve executed so far this year,” coach Bill Self said.

…“(Young) knows more about what he’s doing,” Self said. “Plus, they played zone to start, and Kevin would be our best zone player. We were probably pretty lucky with that.”

KU turned up the pressure on defense in the first half, which was a calculated strategy to offset the atmosphere. Sluggish ticket sales left plenty of vacant seats at Sprint Center, and the Jayhawks wanted to make sure they didn’t get lulled into a lethargic effort.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be a sold-out arena like we have back home,” Releford said. “We knew we had to bring the energy to bring the fans into the game. We figured we would get out and pressure fullcourt to bring the energy.”
TCJ


Kansas great Clyde Lovellette, who was officially inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday night, sat in the front row during the Kansas-Washington State game on Monday. Lovellette, a 6-foot-9 forward, led Kansas to its first NCAA Tournament title in 1952.

• The Jayhawks improved to 15-4 all time in the Sprint Center. Kansas lost two games in the building last season, suffering a nonconference loss to Davidson and a Big 12 tournament semifinal loss against Baylor.

• The last meeting between KU and Saint Louis came on Dec. 30, 1999, when KU won 71-60 at Kemper Arena. That victory avenged a loss to Saint Louis in 1998.
KC Star


Kansas University freshman forward Zach Peters did not sit on the bench or behind the bench during the Jayhawks’ 78-41 rout of Washington State on Monday night in Sprint Center.

Peters, who has not practiced all season because of a rotator cuff injury, was ill.

“He said he didn’t feel well at all. He was under the weather,” said Self, who also revealed he personally was “not feeling well,” his voice cracking a bit during the postgame.

“We’ve got to come to a resolution soon so you guys quit asking me about it,” he added of Peters’ red-shirt status.

…Of playing a tourney in nearby Sprint Center instead of Maui like last year, sophomore Naadir Tharpe said: “It’s the same, a tournament, one we want to win. We approach it as that.”

Self on the CBE Classic being right down the road from Lawrence: “This tournament doesn’t have same feel as other tournaments. The first two games you play in nobody knows it’s part of the tournament (home wins over SE Missouri State and Chattanooga). I don’t even know if our players realized that. It is just a business trip. They are all just business trips. I like playing in Kansas City. It’s an unbelievable venue.”
LJW


“They lit us up,” Washington State coach Ken Bone said. “They got off to a great start and it never really ended.”

The game was so lopsided that it was hard to blame fans for not shelling out hard-earned money for a 9 p.m. game against such a lackluster opponent. The earlier semifinal wasn’t much better, as Saint Louis embarrassed Texas A&M 70-49.

…The Billikens -- who were picked to finish second in the Atlantic 10 -- got a team-high 21 points from Evans Monday. They also received a huge boost from Cory Remekun, who returned to the lineup after missing the first two games with a knee injury. Remekun finished with 12 points on five-of-six shooting.

It certainly wasn’t obvious Monday, but Saint Louis has already dealt with a lot of adversity this season. Crews was named interim coach in August when Rick Majerus took a medical leave to deal with a heart condition. Last week, the school announced that Majerus wouldn’t return and that Crews was now the permanent head coach.

A foot injury that has sidelined leading returning scorer Kwamain Mitchell certainly hasn’t helped matters. The Billikens, though, have fought through those issues and appear ready to challenge Kansas Tuesday.

“We know they’re a really good team,” Releford said. “We know it’s going to be a tough game.”
ESPN


Bill Self had hoped to visit with, and maybe even coach against, popular Saint Louis University mentor Rick Majerus during this week’s CBE Hall of Fame Classic in Sprint Center.

“He’s been really good to me,” Self said of Majerus, whose serious health problems resulted in Friday’s announcement that the 64-year-old legend will not return to coach Billiken basketball, where he compiled a 95-69 record in five seasons, including last year’s run to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.

“I think everybody in coaching is concerned about his well-being,” Self added.

…The Billikens have started the season without standout guard Kwamain Mitchell, who had foot surgery in mid October. Also, Cory Remekun, a 6-8 senior, missed the first two games because of injury. He returned to start and score 12 points off 5-of-6 shooting versus A&M.

…Blue Ribbon Yearbook predicted the Billikens, who had just 12 turnovers versus A&M to the Aggies’ 19, would vie for the Atlantic-10 title and could claim a top-five seed in the NCAAs. Saint Louis was picked second in the A-10 behind Temple in the preseason coaches poll.
LJW


Kansas 2012-13 MBB Schedule


Kansas 2012-13 WBB Schedule

If the CBE Classic was structured differently, and only winning teams advanced out of early-round games, Saint Louis University wouldn’t have played at Sprint Center on Monday.

And the Billikens wouldn’t have had an opportunity to look this impressive

The team that fell to Santa Clara last week could hardly have been sharper than in the 70-49 victory over Texas A&M in the semifinal game.

Saint Louis will play Kansas or Washington State for the championship today at 8:30 p.m.

The Billikens had plenty going for it, including a return to the lineup of forward Cory Remekun, who had missed the first two games with a knee injury.

Remekun was terrific in his debut with 12 points on five of six shooting, but mostly working in Saint Louis’ favor was its previous effort, a 12-point home loss to Santa Clara.
KC Star


This is clearly a down season for talent at the Maui Invitational. The names on the front of the jerseys are all impressive -- North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, USC, Marquette, Butler, Mississippi State -- but every single program, with the possible exception of UNC, is having a down season.The USC and Mississippi State programs are in shambles. Both teams aren’t even close to being competitive against a solid D-1 team.

Texas, after being blown out by Chaminade, doesn’t look much better. Yes, they were missing point guard Myck Kabongo, but even with Kabongo the Longhorns have major issues. Chaminade shot just 37 percent from the field for the game and it still won by 13.

Illinois dominated USC, but it’s hard to tell whether Illinois is actually playing better under new head coach John Groce or whether USC is just that bad.

Marquette and Butler played the most entertaining game of the day, but it was marred with fouls, poor shooting and mistakes. Neither team boasts an elite player on its squad.

As for North Carolina -- yes it blew out Mississippi State -- but as far as NBA talent goes, the Tar Heels are having a down season too. After forward James Michael McAdoo, it’s unclear whether they have another first-round draft prospect on their roster.
ESPN


2012-13 Early Season Events List


Big 12 Composite Schedule

Clayton Custer, a 6-1 junior point guard from Blue Valley Northwest, on Monday orally committed to Iowa State. He chose the Cyclones over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and South Carolina and others.
LJW


My 2012 KU Alumni games, 2011-12 Border War, Legends of the Phog, KC Prep Invitational, & Jayhawk Invitational Videos, Late Night in the Phog, and more now on YouTube

AP

1. Indiana (3-0)
2. Louisville (3-0)
3. Ohio State (3-0)
4. Michigan (3-0)
5. Duke (3-0)
6. Syracuse (2-0)
7. Florida (3-0)
8. Kentucky (2-1)
9. North Carolina (3-0)
10. Arizona (2-0)
11. UCLA (3-0)
12. Kansas (2-1)
13. Missouri (3-0)
14. Creighton (3-0)
15. Michigan State (2-1)
16. North Carolina State (3-1)
17. Gonzaga (3-0)
18. UNLV (2-0)
19. Memphis (2-0)
20. Oklahoma State (4-0)
21. Connecticut (4-0)
22. Cincinnati (3-0)
23. Colorado (4-0)
24. Baylor (4-1)
25. San Diego State (2-1)

• Others receiving votes: Minnesota 93, Wisconsin 60, Pittsburgh 43, Notre Dame 40, Texas 25, Saint Joseph's 24, Florida State 15, Alabama 13, Marquette 13, Wichita State 13, Saint Mary's 9, Ohio 7, Kansas State 7, Xavier 7, New Mexico 6, Bucknell 5, Murray State 4, Northern Iowa 2, Tennessee 2, Maryland 1

• Dropped from rankings: Notre Dame 20, Wisconsin 22

Coaches/ESPN USA Today


1.  Indiana  (26)

2.  Louisville  (5)

3.  Ohio  State

4.  Michigan

5.  Duke

6.  Syracuse

7.  Kentucky

8.  Florida

9.  North  Carolina

10.  Arizona

11.  Kansas

12.  Creighton

13.  UCLA

14.  Missouri

15.  N.C.  State

16.  Gonzaga

17.  Memphis

18.  UNLV

19.  Michigan  State

20.  Cincinnati

21.  Baylor

22.  Oklahoma  State
23.  UConn

24.  Wisconsin
25.  San  Diego  State

Others  receiving  votes:  Texas  61,  Colorado  59,  Notre  Dame  31,  Pittsburgh  28,  Minnesota  23, Saint  Mary's  18,  New  Mexico  16,  Kansas  State  15,  Alabama  12,  VCU  12,  Florida  State  11, Marquette  11,  Murray  State  10,  Bucknell  9,  Maryland  9,  Ohio  5,  Tennessee  5,  Stanford  4, Belmont  3,  Saint  Joseph's  3,  Colorado  State  2,  South  Alabama  1.

KUAD: Kansas vs Washington State pregame notes


The Jayhawks are heavily favored in this one. KenPom predicts a 68-58 KU victory with 83 percent confidence. The Cougars will have to convert their inside opportunities and limit turnovers, otherwise Kansas could easily run away with the game in front of what amounts to a home crowd.

Motum and Withey will be the most intriguing battle, and will likely decide whether or not the Cougs have a chance on Monday.
cougcenter.com preview


Kansas is a team in transition, which is why coach Bill Self wants to see the Jayhawks in transition as much as possible.

KU’s halfcourt offense has been clunky at times, and until the Jayhawks figure it out, fastbreak points represent an easy source of scoring. If Self gets his wish, the CBE Classic at Sprint Center will be a sprint for the Jayhawks, who face Washington State at 9 p.m. Monday.

“We can’t play fast enough,” Self said. “Hey, let's just call it like it is — we don’t look athletic to me at all. We look athletic in one spot: (Ben) McLemore.

“The other guys are just average athletes as far as being able to run. Are they average athletes? No, but they're playing slow.”

Tyshawn Taylor, KU's point guard last season, basically had three gears: fast, faster and too fast. Elijah Johnson doesn’t possess Taylor’s quickness, but Self thinks KU’s point guards can provide a better pace than they have in the Jayhawks’ first three games.

“It starts with your point guard,” Self said. “Elijah’s playing extremely slow. Our bigs don’t run for a purpose at all. Travis (Releford) isn’t playing fast at all. Naadir (Tharpe) gives us no pace. I’m disappointed in how fast we’re playing.”

…Washington State enters the CBE Classic with a 2-1 record, losing Friday at Pepperdine in overtime. Brock Motum, a 6-foot-10 forward, leads the team in scoring at 17.7 points per game, and former Jayhawk Royce Woolridge starts for the Cougars in the backcourt.

“They run an offense that's very similar or the same offense that Frank (Martin) ran at K-State his last couple years, and it gave us some problems,” Self said. “They've got a nice team.”

…KU played in the Maui Invitational last season and will travel to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis next year, so Self was happy to stay close to home and play in the CBE Classic this season.

“I elected to go to Kansas City,” Self said. “Plus, the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) wanted us in Kansas City. That kind of helps their attendance.”

The location isn't exotic, but the Jayhawks might as well get used to Sprint Center. In addition to two games in the CBE Classic — KU will face either Saint Louis or Texas A&M on Tuesday — the Jayhawks will play Oregon State at Sprint Center on Nov. 30 and will return for the Big 12 Tournament in March. And, if all goes according to plan, the Jayhawks could be back for the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
TCJ


But if Self has seen one troubling trend in the season’s opening weeks, it’s the kind of thing that flies in the face of his basketball DNA.

“We don’t play very tough yet,” Self said.

It’s been a common theme for Self in the season’s first few weeks, as his Jayhawks have lumbered through a couple less-than-pretty performances. The Jayhawks fell to Michigan State on Tuesday in Atlanta before coming out flat against Chattanooga on Thursday night at Allen Fieldhouse. Some of it is to be expected. The Jayhawks have added three freshmen to their regular rotation, and it could take weeks or months before KU is at full tilt.

But unlike last year’s team, which excelled when the games got a little murky, Self is looking for stronger leadership and toughness from his upperclassmen.

“We had two guys last year that were assassins,” Self said, mentioning forward Thomas Robinson and guard Tyshawn Taylor.

…Kansas City is not quite Maui — the tournament where the Jayhawks came together last season — but the friendly confines could fit KU’s needs just fine.

“It’s gonna be good for the young guys to be on the road,” Withey said, “but not really on the road.”

…Self confirmed Sunday that freshman forward Landen Lucas would definitely redshirt this season. The news, which was expected, came during a Q&A with fans at the College Basketball Experience.
KC Star


“Right now, I am set on four starters,” Self said of seniors Jeff Withey, Travis Releford and Elijah Johnson and freshman Ben McLemore. Perry Ellis and Jamari Traylor have started at the other slot.

“I am not even close to being set on the fifth. I don’t know who is better off the bench and who is better starting,” Self added. “We haven’t given Kevin Young a chance to start yet because of his hand (which forced him to miss two exhibitions and the opener). Jamari has played better off the bench than starting. I don’t know what the answer is. We need energy and points off the bench. Our bench for the most part has played OK,” he added, noting he’d like to develop a scorer at the power-forward spot.

…Self said one bench player needs to step it up — sophomore backup point guard Naadir Tharpe.

“His man scored nine straight points on him the other day,” Self said of Chattanooga’s Farad Cobb, who scored 18 the first half. “He (Tharpe) has to run the team, be poised and guard and take care of the ball. The responsibility is easy compared to somebody who has to make shots in order to play well. I just think his effort defensively is at the point where it has to improve, or we’re going to seriously have to go in a different direction. We need him. But if you are not making shots and you are not guarding, that’s a bad combination.”
LJW


It didn’t take former Kansas University basketball player Royce Woolridge long to become a fan favorite at his new school, Washington State.

The 6-foot-3, 175-pound third-year sophomore point guard, who practiced but could not play in games last season according to NCAA transfer rules, flushed a one-handed dunk following a 360-degree spin move, then completed a between-the-legs jam to win the slam-dunk competition at the Cougars’ 2012-13 season-opening ZZU Mania in Pullman, Wash.

“The crowd liked it. My friends from Phoenix were there and loved it. One of them taped it,” Woolridge said.

He is expected to start for the Cougars during today’s 9 p.m. CBE Classic contest against KU in Sprint Center.

…Woolridge takes over at the point for Reggie Moore, a three-year rotation player who was removed from the team in September for a violation of team rules.

Woolridge had been considered more of a shooting guard prospect at KU, where he scored nine points total his freshman season (2010-11) while logging 44 minutes in 16 games.

“I played a little bit of point guard in high school,” the former Phoenix Sunnyslope High player told the Journal-World in a phone conversation. “When I got to Kansas, I got some reps there. I went against Tyshawn (Taylor) and Elijah (Johnson), who are good point guards. When I got here, I knew I had to be a point guard and had to transform.

“I got in the gym and worked on getting a lot of shots up, talking to coach (Ken Bone) to see what he wanted from a point guard.”

…“It’s like my second home,” Woolridge said of Lawrence. “I committed so early. I’d been to Kansas so many times. I have a lot of friends there.

“I still talk to Niko (Roberts, KU junior), my roommate, all the time. I talk to Elijah from time to time. I actually came back and visited Kansas last spring. I got a chance to see everybody. I hung out three or four days to kick it with Niko and see what Lawrence was like. I was missing it.”

Roberts said Woolridge’s return visit proved “how much KU has impact on people. Merv (Lindsay, transfer to New Mexico) wants to come back and visit. When you leave KU, you are still part of the family, and you always want to come back.”
LJW


A healthy dislike for the University of Arizona turned Royce Woolridge into a Kansas fan a few years back.

Wool- ridge, who is from Phoenix, recalls watching on television as Kansas won one of its many heavyweight- on-heavyweight battles over Arizona, and thinking at the time, “Man, I want to go to Kansas.”

So that’s what he did. Woolridge committed to the Jayhawks and coach Bill Self as a sophomore in high school, but decided to head elsewhere after appearing in only 16 games as a freshman.

Now, he’s Washington State’s starting point guard, and will lead the Cougars against his former team in the CBE Classic at the Sprint Center tonight at 7 p.m. in an attempt to shake off Friday’s disappointing overtime loss to Pepperdine.

“It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be intense, though, because they have a lot of fans and it’s going to be crazy,” Woolridge said. “I still talk to a couple of the dudes on the team.”

He should run into one of them often on the court tonight. Woolridge said Kansas guard Elijah Johnson, the Jayhawks’ second-leading scorer, is still a good friend of his.

…He didn’t come to Kansas with delusions of grandeur. But the way his freshman season went, Woolridge said, didn’t bode well for his chances of playing much down the road.

“He (Self) had some plans that he wanted to do that I thought should have went differently, I guess,” Woolridge said. “I just wanted to get a little more playing time, so I decided to leave and find somewhere else to go.

“I didn’t expect to start or play big minutes, but I felt like my sophomore year that maybe I should have been able to play a little bit. But from what he was saying, it seemed like I wouldn’t have been able to.”

WSU assistant coach Curtis Allen received an email from a contact on the AAU circuit informing him that Woolridge had been granted his release and was looking to transfer.

Allen was excited. He’d seen Woolridge play at an AAU tourney in Las Vegas a few years back, but hadn’t spoken with him because he’d been committed to Kansas.

“We knew how good he was,” Allen said. “So as soon as we got the release, we were able to pursue him … we were pretty aggressive in trying to get him.”

…Woolridge has wound up a bigger part of WSU’s rotation than he might have expected. Starting point guard Reggie Moore’s dismissal from the team before the season thrust Woolridge into the spotlight.
Spokesman-Review


Clyde Lovellette

Career

Among college basketball’s first great scoring big men, Lovellette remains the only player to lead the nation in scoring for an NCAA championship team, when he averaged 28.6 points for the 1952 Kansas Jayhawks. He was Kansas’ career scoring leader until Danny Manning passed him in 1988, and only Wilt Chamberlain averaged more points per game in a career than Lovellette’s 24.7

Beyond college

After helping the United States win a gold medal at the 1952 Olympics, Lovellette played in the AAU for Phillips 66 for one season and then went on to an 11-year NBA career. He was a four-time NBA All-Star and played for three NBA champions.

Did you know?

Lovellette was the first to play for an NCAA, Olympic and NBA champion.
KC Star: Profiles of the 2012 National Collegiate Hall of Fame inductees


“There are too many people to thank for being enshrined in the Hall of Fame,” Lovellette said at the ceremony. “It’s always an honor to be inducted to a Hall of Fame. It’s always great to be represented in basketball. That’s been my life ever since I could bounce the ball. Playing for a great coach like Phog Allen and being with a group of guys like Bill Lienhard, Bill Hougland, and Bob Kenney, those are the people that really make the team. Without a staff around you, I wouldn’t be here. I don’t believe one man can win any ballgames. They can have a big impact, but the other four men that are with him, that’s where you develop team play, camaraderie and the real togetherness to win a ballgame.”

Of his game, Clyde said: “I started out with a good hook and then I had a good one-handed shot. The hook shot has sort of gone away because not many people play with their back to the basket anymore. They’re big enough and moving quicker. They’re out there in front where they can see the basket. I shot my shot with my back to the basket, so I couldn’t see the basket. You had to have that touch and distance. It just came natural.”

Lovellette still ranks fourth all-time in Jayhawk history for total points, while his 24.7 points per game marks the second-best scoring average behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s 29.9 points per game. Lovellette’s career average of 10.5 rebounds per game places him fourth on KU’s all-time charts.

“I think anybody who ever played at Kansas is recognized,” Lovellette said. “It’s a great tradition at KU. The people take their basketball to heart. They know the players. They know the old players because their grandpa told them, or uncles or aunts. It’s a family affair at Kansas.”
KUAD


“Clyde was really dominant in his day,” Lienhard said. “If he had the ball around the basket, he got it in there. He was not only a good scorer, but a good shooter.

“You couldn’t dunk in 1952. He had to shoot to get everything in the basket for 28 points a game. Everybody likes Clyde,” Lienhard added of the three-time NBA champion (twice with Boston, once with Minneapolis). “Clyde is a real gentleman, born-again Christian and great guy.”

He also was a “tough guy,” Lienhard added.

“If anybody guarded him too close ... he had a sweeping hook shot,” Lienhard said. “That left elbow would go out when he went in (toward goal). More than one center got an elbow in his jaw on the turn. He was a good scorer, rebounder and very tough.”
LJW


For Clyde Lovellette, the television set inside his home in North Manchester, Ind., is his most trusty portal to his old life.

Lovellette is 83 years old now, and trips back to Allen Fieldhouse are becoming more and more rare. He’s more than 60 years removed from that magical year in 1952, when he led the nation in scoring, won an NCAA basketball title at Kansas and then won an Olympic gold medal in Helsinki, Finland. But if there’s one forgotten advantage in being a legendary figure at a place like Kansas, Lovellette discovers it every time he goes to flip on the television set. More often than not, his Jayhawks are on television.

“I watch them on television as much as I can,” Lovellette said Sunday night.

…So there he was on Sunday night, wearing black cowboy boots to go along with his coat and tie, talking about a lifetime in basketball. There were the early days, when Kansas coach Phog Allen showed up in Indiana and told him that he would win the 1952 title and an Olympic gold medal if he came to Kansas. And there was his long NBA career in the league’s infancy, when he won three NBA titles and matched up with the likes of Bill Russell and former KU star Wilt Chamberlain.

“You had to adapt to him or he’d kill you,” Lovellette said of Chamberlain.

In Lovellette’s days, he mastered the hook shot and the back-to-the-basket game. He also remembers Allen making players shoot their free throws underhanded and frowning upon jump shots.

“They thought you got up in the air and you lost all your senses,” Lovellette said. “They kept you on the ground.”

In so many ways, the game has changed. But some things haven’t. Like Kansas, Lovellette says, which is still winning more than 60 years after he left Lawrence.

“He had a hundred different nicknames,” said Max Falkenstien, the legendary KU broadcaster. “Cumulus Clyde. The Master of the Planks. The Big Turkey gets all the grain.”

These days, Lovellette is living back at home in Indiana. He spent a few years in Michigan, he said, but the cold and snow drove him back home among family members in the Hoosier State.

But he still keeps in contact with a group of players from that 1952 team. Many of them still live around the area, including Bill Lienhard, Bob Kenney and Bill Hougland. Sometimes, they call up Lovellette and wonder when he’s coming back to Kansas.

“I’ve got to come the furthest,” Lovellette says. “But I would come the furthest, just to be with those guys.”

They were men who played the game in a different era. The pace may have been slower. The players may have been skinnier. But for Lovellette, it was still the game he grew up loving.
KC Star


Marcus Morris scored 16 points off the bench on Friday, hitting 6-of-9 shots (including four threes) with three rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 30 minutes.
Link


Markieff Morris scored 16 points off the bench to lead Phoenix on Saturday -- he made 6-of-9 FGs, including two 3-pointers.
Link


Audio: Ric Bucher podcast with Brandon Rush


KUAD: WBB Jayhawks slide past Demon Deacons 64-58 stats, quotes, notes, photos, video



LJW: WBB KU vs Wake Forest photos


Kansas University’s women’s basketball players didn’t let a string of blown layups shake their confidence against Wake Forest on Sunday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse.

Although the Demon Deacons took a two-point lead with less than three minutes remaining following three straight KU misfires from point-blank range, the Jayhawks found their touch down the stretch and held off Wake Forest, 64-58.

“No one was getting really nervous,” Kansas senior forward Carolyn Davis said after scoring a game-high 22 points in 27 minutes. “We just tried to stay in the game, understand our game plan and go out and be aggressive and try to get the score back.”
LJW


Kansas 2012-13 MBB Schedule


Kansas 2012-13 WBB Schedule

We were teased with a true opening day.

We got mesmerized by the 24-hour Marathon.

And if that, in these pre-conference college basketball days of wacky matchups and could-be upsets, isn't enough to be thankful for: This week, we get to feast.

No, I'm not (just) talking about that can-shaped cranberry log, Mama Kay's marshmallow-topped yams or your second cousin's turducken (do people actually eat those?), but about dazzling dunks and missed free throws and that highlight play from some bench guy you've never heard of but won't soon forget.

From Alaska to Maui, from Vegas to Orlando, from the Bahamas to South Padre Island, basketball teams will be carving out some early-season storylines this week.

Here are some issues/teams/players to chew on while you're defrosting the bird, pecaning the pie or making reservations because of last year's deep-fryer incident:
ESPN


2012-13 Early Season Events List


Maryland and Rutgers are in discussions with the Big Ten to possibly join the conference in 2014, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

The person spoke Saturday night on condition of anonymity because neither the conference nor the schools want to publicly discuss their plans.

ESPN.com first reported that the Big Ten was looking into expanding to 14 teams by adding Maryland and Rutgers.

The person says Maryland would have to be ''the first domino to fall,'' but added that an agreement could be reached as soon as this week for both schools.
AP


Remember when Colorado basketball was a bad Big 12 joke?

Remember when the Buffs were road kill?

Remember when some of Jeff Bzdelik's post players had higher grade-point averages than rebounding averages?

When coaches use the "we have to change the culture" cliche, what they're hoping to accomplish is what Tad Boyle has delivered.

CU completed an impressive hat trick here with an 81-74 victory over Murray State in the championship game of the Charleston Classic on Sunday night at TD Arena.

The Buffs (4-0), off to their best start in 14 years, will likely be ranked for the first time since a brief appearance in 2005-06 (No. 25, Feb. 6-12) when the polls are released today.
Boulder DC


SLU interim coach Jim Crews admits that while his staff puts in long nights after most games, the one they put in after Wednesday’s loss to Santa Clara was longer than usual. “It was a late night,” he said.

After a 12-point loss that, if not numerically immense in the final tally, certainly packed some substantive oomph, the Billikens (1-1) find themselves looking for something as they head to Kansas City for two games in two days, starting today at 6:30 p.m. against Texas A&M (3-0) in the CBE Hall of Fame Classic. Depending on the result today at the Sprint Center, SLU would then get either Kansas or Washington State on Tuesday.

“We’ve got to clean things up, big time,” Crews said. “We did everything individually, offensively and defensively (against Santa Clara). Everything was on an island instead of doing things collectively. The bottom line is, there’s good basketball and not good basketball and our goal is to get good basketball.”
St Louis PD


A former University of San Diego basketball star has pleaded guilty in a college sports bribery case.
U-T San Diego reports Brandon Johnson pleaded guilty Thursday to soliciting a current team member to influence the outcome of a game through a bribe.

However, his attorney says the school's all-time leading scorer never profited from the scheme and never personally threw a game.

Johnson and nine others were charged in federal court with running a sports betting business to fix West Coast Conference games.
AP


As a reading specialist at UNC-Chapel Hill, Mary Willingham met athletes who told her they had never read a book and didn’t know what a paragraph was. She said she saw diagnostic tests that showed they were unable to do college-level work.

But many of those athletes stayed eligible to play sports, she said, because the academic support system provided improper help and tolerated plagiarism. When she raised questions or made an objection to what she saw as cheating, she said, she saw no one take her concerns seriously.

Willingham, who still works at the university but not with athletes, said she lodged complaints at least two years before UNC’s academic problems erupted into scandal. She channeled some of her frustration into a thesis for her master’s degree, on the corrupting influence of big-money sports on university academics.

But after attending the recent funeral of former UNC system President Bill Friday, a prominent critic of revenue-driven college sports, and seeing that no one within the program was willing to admit that they had been aware of a problem, Willingham decided it was time to go public.

In a series of interviews with The News & Observer, she said there were numerous people in the academic support program who knew that what was going on was wrong, but they looked the other way, helping to protect one of the nation’s most storied athletic programs.

Among her assertions:
News Observer


Big 12 Composite Schedule

Kansas signed five players during this week's early-signing period, a collection of talent that, on its own, could stand as one of the top recruiting classes in the country.

But KU coach Bill Self still has a few unchecked boxes on his recruiting wishlist.

“I’d like to get one more big guy,” Self said Saturday. “I’d like to get a wing.”

When the week was over, and KU had inked five new players, Rivals.com rated KU’s class as the second-best in the country behind Kentucky.

…“I think it’s a great class,” Self said, “because I think there’s two players in it, that’s nobody’s talking about, that (are) just about as good as anybody at their position in the country, in Mason and Joel.

“It’s incomplete still. We still gotta get another guy or two to make it as good a class as we’ve had.”

The most likely target: Julius Randle, a power forward from Plano, Texas, who ranks as the No. 2 player in the country, according to Rivals.com. Self also reportedly visited Andrew Wiggins, the consensus No. 1 overall player, at Huntington Prep (W.Va.) earlier this fall.

KU is set to have five open scholarships for the 2013-14 season. But that number could change based on early entries to the NBA Draft or other roster defections.
KC Star

A kid who averages 32.4 points per game, who is primed to become the City League’s all-time leading scorer this season, who holds the single-game scoring record with a 52-point performance against Northwest as a sophomore — that kid’s gotta be a prima donna, right?

Sorry to disappoint.

Frankamp barely stands out from the crowd inside his diverse high school, North, where kids from many different backgrounds and cultures know him simply as “Conner.”

He relishes their adulation, but he doesn’t flaunt it. He works hard in school, likes to please his parents and takes out the trash because it’s on his list of chores.

Frankamp is signed, sealed and delivered to play basketball at Kansas, but he reminds himself constantly that those days are in the future. What’s at hand now is his senior year at North, where he will help bring down the oldest gymnasium in the City League while raising, he hopes, a City League championship banner to put in the new gym that opens next year.

“If you didn’t know who Conner was here, you’d never be able to pick him out of a crowd at North,” athletic director Brian Becker said. “He just wants to be a kid, to be a high school student.”

…“At North, Conner has had to do so much,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “He’s scoring, handling the ball. But the great thing about him from his time playing in the summer campus and Junior Olympics is that he’s shown he can really play with other good players. I think a lot of those guys look at him and say, ‘Who is this guy?’ ”

Even with the gaudy scoring numbers, though, North is only 35-31 in Frankamp’s three seasons. He’s been filling it up, all right, but too many times has gone home disappointed from losses.

So he’s not thinking about 35 points a game or breaking records this season. He’s thinking about winning.

…He is a lot like former Claflin High and Missouri State standout Jackie Stiles in that way. So imagine the energy created a few years back when Frankamp worked with Stiles regularly in Wichita to improve his skills.

“Do I remember Conner?” Stiles asked incredulously when asked if she remembers Conner. “Oh my goodness, yes. I remember after my first sessions with him that I called my dad and said, ‘Remember this name, he’ll play anywhere he wants to as long as he keeps working hard and stays healthy.’ ”

Stiles, in her first season as an assistant coach at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, saw her career end because of injuries she suspects occurred because of all the hours she devoted to basketball when she was growing up. You couldn’t lock her out of the gym.

It’s the same way with Frankamp, who is aware of potential wear and tear.

“We try to keep a handle on it,” he said. “I try to take a couple of days off here and there, just to let my body recover. But working with Jackie was a great experience. I learned from her work ethic.”

Stiles saw a part of herself in Frankamp, which is partly why their sessions together were so enjoyable.

“You just don’t see that kind of passion in kids,” she said. “He was just the whole package — very, very special. I feel honored that I had a chance to work with. I grew up as a huge KU fan and I remember watching Danny and the Miracles with my dad. Now I absolutely cannot wait until Conner gets there so that I’ll have that KU connection again.”

…Frankamp can’t wait to get to KU. He signed his letter of intent Wednesday and says playing for the Jayhawks will be a dream come true. He committed to Kansas a year and a half ago without much fanfare.

His star has risen since, thanks to an incredible junior season for North and a summer during which he helped the U.S. win the FIBA U17 world championship in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Frankamp moved from a three-star to a four-star recruit. The buzz that once accompanied Frankamp has become a buzzer. He’s hot but he doesn’t know it. Or at least doesn’t acknowledge it.

“He doesn’t bring any individual attention to him at all,” Squires said. “He’s a very confident young man and he knows what it takes to get the job done. But he doesn’t make waves about it.”
Wichita Eagle


Many of the top postgraduate basketball programs in the country were at Albertus Magnus College this weekend for the annual National Prep Showcase. Sunday’s schedule brought some of the of the tournament’s best matchups, featuring games that included NEPSAC powers Brewster Academy (N.H.), New Hampton School (N.H.), Lee Academy (Maine), Northfield-Mt. Hermon, Tilton School (N.H.), and Wilbraham & Monson Academy.

In total, over 130 Division 1 basketball coaches attended National Prep Showcase to watch some of the top high school hoopers in the nation.

There were no players of higher profile than 6-foot-8 senior forward Noah Vonleh, who helped lead his New Hampton squad to an 82-66 victory over Lee Academy. Vonleh was a dominant presence on the glass and efficient scorer in the post, but he also had plenty of freedom to perform given the great play of his supporting cast: point guard Travis Jorgenson, and guards Anthony Pate, Lincoln Davis, and Mike LeBlanc.

Jorgenson, a senior point guard from Kansas City who decommitted from Missouri earlier this fall, may have been the most consistent player on the floor for New Hampton. He hit several long outside shots and on many occasions fed New Hampton’s slashers and bigs with beautiful feeds that ended in dunks or layups.

“Travis makes us go, he completely controls the tempo,” Huskies head coach Pete Hutchins said, “When he makes a mistake, you’re shocked. He has everyone’s confidence, especially in his ability to go out and lead our team.”

…Clean Sweep For Kiski: Brewster and Tilton have been NEPSAC royalty the past few years, but apparently nobody mentioned that to the squad at Kiski School (Pa.). Kiski knocked off Brewster 79-77 on Saturday night, behind 29 points from senior Rashad Richardson.

Kiski came with the same type of effort defensively on Sunday afternoon, beating Tilton 94-86 despite a furious second half run by the Rams, who were led by Kansas signee Wayne Selden (33 points) and Messier.
ESPN


Andrew Wiggins, the nation’s No. 1 basketball prospect and a top recruiting target of the University of Kentucky, had 17 points (6 of 18 from the floor, 4 of 9 on free throws) and 11 rebounds on Sunday in helping his team, Huntington (W.Va.) Prep, defeat North Carolina’s Christian Faith Academy 61-44 on Sunday at Scott County High School.

There were more than 2,000 fans in attendance, most of whom were wearing some kind of UK apparel. So were UK coach John Calipari, assistants Orlando Antigua and Kenny Payne and UK players Kyle Wiltjer, Jarrod Polson and Brian Long.

Wiggins, formerly the nation’s No. 1 junior who recently reclassified to 2013, signed autographs for a line of dozens of fans after the game. Before that, he spoke with the media, reflecting on his game, the crowd and where his recruitment stands.

…Q. What is you recruiting list if you have a top five, top three, a No. 1?

I don’t  have any specific schools in order. There are a bunch of school recruiting me.

Q. What are some of the ones you’re thinking about the most?

It’s not that I’m thinking about them the most, but the ones recruiting me are Kentucky, Florida State, Kansas, Ohio State and UNC. That’s off the top of my head.

Q. As it relates to Kentucky, what do you think about the class that they have signed?

I think it’s great. The Harrison twins – I’ve never really watched them play in person, but I’ve seen highlights of them. They look unselfish, great teammates. I wouldn’t mind playing with them.

Q. How about your teammate Xavier Rathan-Mayes committing to Florida State? Does that make them more appealing?

Yeah, it does. Me and him are close. We hang out off and on the court. Our relationship is strong.

Q. What’s your timeline for when you want to make visits and a decision?

Spring.
LCJ


Although Luc Richard Mbah a Moute has been recovering from offseason surgery, it hasn't been all bad for him lately. A player found at one of his basketball camps, Joel Embiid, just committed to Kansas. And now Mbah a Moute might have another player on the horizon.

The breakout star of the first day of the National Prep Showcase in New Haven, Conn., was Roger Moute a Bidias, a 6-foot-7 native of Cameroon who plays at Notre Dame Prep (Mass.). He also happens to be Mbah a Moute's younger brother.
CBS


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