The Jayhawks, who had two-a-days on the first day (Sept. 24), finished Boot Camp a day early as a reward from their ever-demanding coach.
“I think it put it through the roof,” Ellis said of his personal conditioning. “We’ll just see where it goes from here.”
The Jayhawks now will taper a bit leading up to Late Night in the Phog and the start of the 2012-13 season a week from today in Allen Fieldhouse.
“I believe it was one of the better ones we had,” Self said Thursday, referring to his 10th KU Boot Camp. “We got off to such a bad start we had to repeat last Monday morning’s workout in the afternoon. Guys at that point in time realized the only way they’d want to do this was do it together, be positive and have great attitudes.
“I think they were feeling kind of sorry for themselves at the start of it and nervous. It got really good. We were hard on them, still I think they got a sense of pride from this one. I was pleased with it. Now, that doesn’t help you get the ball in the basket. I think we’ll draw from this over the course of the season, which I hope will be a big positive for us.”
LJW
Just saw my boy @F_Mason15 in the Kansas City Airport. #Loaded
https://twitter.com/AndrewWhite03/status/253979113977696256
Andrea Hudy’s office is filled with exactly the sort of memorabilia you’d expect the University of Kansas’ assistant athletic director for sports performance to have—NBA jerseys from former students, a photo of the nine national championship rings her teams have won and signed basketballs.
Hudy, 40, clearly likes to win. But the key to her success isn’t in a frame. It’s written in the lower corner of a white board on her wall, a list of core values including trust, care, hard work, knowledge and, perhaps most important, authenticity.
“I never want somebody to be what they aren’t,” says Hudy, who is strength and conditioning coach for the KU men’s and women’s basketball teams and who manages the Anderson Family Strength and Conditioning Complex for all KU sports except football. “Authenticity is huge.”
Lawrence Business Magazine: Women of Impact
Is Brandon Rush the early front-runner to be the Warriors' starting small forward?
He was playing with the first unit Wednesday - when the team separated into clear first-, second- and third-unit groups for drills on the second day of training camp - but head coach Mark Jackson said not to read too much into the early pairings.
"That's just the way I broke it up," Jackson said. "I wanted to make sure that Steph and Klay were together (on the first team), because they haven't played a lot together. Other than that, it was mix and match. ... A lot still has to play itself out."
SF Gate
Emotions aside, in what little time the team has had together, Robinson has made a pretty substantial impression on his teammates.
“His motor is ridiculous,” Cousins said of Robinson. “For him to be that big, his motor is crazy.”
Hayes shared almost the same sentiment when asked about the rookie. But I doubt the Kings veteran and his teammates have yet seen the effects that losing has on the young power forward.
That will be one of the challenges of this Kings’ campaign. How does Robinson deal with playing for a franchise that is mired in six consecutive losing seasons? Can he move past the team’s record and focus on improving? Can he be the catalyst that helps the team turn things around? Only time will tell.
Alongside Jonathan Santiago, here is our interview with the T-Rob from his first of many media days.
Link
Register for a seat at the premiere of ESPN Film's 30 for 30 "There's No Place Like Home" live at the Lied Center of Lawrence on October 13th at 7 p.m. Your tickets will then be reserved at will-call. Registrations will be good up until the event or until space is filled. Space is limited to 2,000 seats.
LJW
30 for 30 "There's No Place Like Home" debuts on 10/16
The University of Kansas men’s and women’s basketball teams will celebrate the beginning of the 2012-13 season at the 28th annual Late Night in the Phog Friday, Oct. 12, in Allen Fieldhouse.
The 2012 Late Night in the Phog, presented by Hy-Vee, will run from 6:30 p.m. to approximately 9:30 p.m. Admission is free; doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Children 12 and under will not be admitted without an adult, and the Fieldhouse doors will be closed when the arena reaches capacity.
With school in session, all university parking lots will be by restricted by permit only until 4:30 p.m. Public parking prior to 4:30 p.m. is available in the parking garage just north of Allen Fieldhouse with a $1.50 per hour rate.
As is tradition at Late Night, fans are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items, which Kansas Athletics will donate to “Just Food” of Douglas County.
For the sixth-straight year, Metro Sports of Kansas City will air Late Night as part of its Midnight Madness show. KU television hosts will be Nate Bukaty and former Jayhawk guard Greg Gurley. ESPNU’s Sean Farnham will be at Late Night providing live cut-ins for ESPNU’s Midnight Madness programming, which will run from 8 p.m. until midnight (Central) featuring 11 schools throughout the telecast. Additionally, KLWN Radio in Lawrence will provide coverage with Sean Levine and former KU great Bud Stallworth calling the festivities.
The entire Late Night in the Phog can be seen and heard via the internet via AT&T Jayhawk All-Access, KU’s online network via KUathletics.com.
KUAD
Kansas 2012-13 Schedule
Big 12/College News
North Carolina says Roy Williams' second kidney tumor isn't cancerous.
The school announced the test results Thursday night, a day after the Hall of Fame men's basketball coach had a biopsy of the tumor discovered on his left kidney. The school says the tumor is the same kind of non-cancerous growth that was surgically removed from his right kidney on Sept. 19.
AP
Chris Walker took over Thursday as Texas Tech's interim head basketball coach, replacing Billy Gillispie.
Walker and athletic director Kirby Hocutt have a verbal agreement for a six-month contract as interim coach. Hocutt said details of the agreement would be available once a contract is signed.
Gillispie resigned Sept. 20, citing health concerns and with the university investigating allegations that he mistreated some of his players. He led Tech to an 8-23 record in his only season in Lubbock.
FW Star Telegram
UK’s relationship with the “world wide leader in sports” has a new element.
The UK men’s basketball team will be the subject of a new multi-part series on ESPN, the network announced Friday.
The series will consist of 30-minute weekly shows airing on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. The first three episodes are scheduled to air Oct. 17, 24 and 31. The series, All-Access Kentucky, will chronicle head coach John Calipari’s efforts to prepare his team to defend its national championship from Big Blue Madness on Oct. 12 through the start of the regular season. Additional segments and highlights from the series will be produced for other ESPN shows and platforms.
“Our mission at ESPN is always to serve sports fans and with many new player on the Wildcats this year, there is enormous interest surrounding this team,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN’s executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, in a news release. “All-Access Kentucky gives us an opportunity to deliver something entertaining and unique that helps bring fans closer to a sport they love.”
According to the news release, the series “will be a trip inside the lives of Coach Cal, his staff and the players, the fight for playing time, what happens in the weight room, the inside jokes and pranks.”
Press Release
The fan fest on the pier, the concert for charity and the gala dinner connected to the Nov. 9 San Diego State basketball game on the Midway Museum have all been canceled, and the game could now be in danger.
A half-dozen sources told UT San Diego that the Aztecs’ season-opening game against Syracuse on the deck of a retired aircraft carrier is in jeopardy of being called off, although a final decision isn’t expected for another day or two.
San Diego Union Tribune
ESPN Tip-Off Marathon schedule
2012-13 Early Season Events List
Recruiting
Peters or Jordan, each of whom have been on Maryland's radar for months now, will be the likely candidates to fill that role. Peters is a local four-star who's always liked Maryland; Jordan is from Philly and slightly less-highly regarded, but not by much. Neither come close to the talent of the Harrisons, but both would be welcome additions to almost any program in the country.
To that point, though, Maryland's backed themselves in a slightly difficult situation. They made it clear that the Harrisons were their primary targets; even though the recruited both, it was obvious to anyone with eyes who they really wanted. In essence, they slow-played both Jordan and Peters. And Maryland, being not-Kentucky, can't really afford to do that without losing ground. To wit, Jordan has cancelled his Maryland Madness visit, opting to visit Syracuse instead, while Peters, once considered a Maryland lock if the Terrapins would have him, now has Kansas trailing him hard. Maryland was once considered the leader for both; now, they're arguably behind the eight ball in both circumstances.
Peters, in particular, will be an interesting case, because he seems to be the preference. A crafty ballhandler with good size, though perhaps not exactly a true point guard at this point in time, he blew up over the summer and drew all kinds of big interest. Kansas, in particular, put the full-court press on him lately, at the exact same time he probably started to realize that he was Maryland's Plan B. That's not a flattering or encouraging combination for Turgeon.
And yet there are still some encouraging factors. He's a local kid who seemed to love Maryland early in the process, for one. Just as importantly, he's a D.C. Assault and Under Armour guy, and at some point that whole brand thing has to work out in Maryland's favor. This is Dalonte Hill's wheelhouse; he's done good stuff to rebuild Maryland's D.C. relations, but at some points results have to be expected. Peters will be a good litmus test. But with Kansan stars in his eyes and the possibility of feeling somewhat spurned by Maryland, there is ground to make up.
Link
Power forward/center Julius Randle, the No. 3 overall prospect in the Class of 2013, will be on town on his official visit for the Florida-LSU game. He’ll be hard to miss. The 6-foot-9, 225-pound Randle has a body type similar to former Gator power forward Al Horford. He’s not quite Patric Young-sized, but on a college weight training plan, would likely fill out his frame.
“He’s excited about (the visit),” said Chris Mayberry, Randle’s high school coach at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas. “He went to Kentucky a couple of weeks ago, so this will be his second official visit.”
…Randle’s interest in UF is an example of Florida coach Billy Donovan’s offseason stint with USA Basketball paying recruiting dividends. Donovan coached Randle last June during Team USA’s gold medal-winning performance in the FIBA Americas Championships in Brazil.
“I don’t know if the interest level (in Florida) would be there had Julius not played for Coach Donovan,” Mayberry said. “I think he saw that Billy cared about him as a person as much as a basketball player.”
Having previously coached at Orlando First Academy, Mayberry has a strong relationship with Donovan. Mayberry coached current Florida freshman shooting guard Dillon Graham for three seasons.
“Knowing Billy the way I do, he’s a very personable guy and I know he’s already made a good impression on Julius,” Mayberry said.
Florida already has commitments from the number six (point guard Kasey Hill) and number eight (forward Chris Walker) prospects in the Class of 2013. Both are expected to sign letters of intent next month. Randle is on record saying that he will not make his official announcement until next spring.
“I don’t see him making a quick decision,” Mayberry said. “He’s going to go through the process, take all of his visits.”
Randle isn’t the only big man Florida is targeting in 2013. Last week, Donovan and Marquette coach Buzz Williams went to a private workout at The Rock School in Gainesville to watch 6-foot-11 2013 center Joel Embiid. A source close to Embiid said Donovan came away impressed with the workout.
Florida currently has 14 scholarship players on its roster, one over its scholarship limit. That includes a pair of transfers (Center Damontre Harris and forward Dorian Finney-Smith) who won’t be eligible to play until 2013-14. The Gators will lose at least three players following this season — senior guard Kenny Boynton, senior guard Mike Rosario and senior forward Erik Murphy. Junior forward Patric Young could also possibly declare for the NBA draft if he has a strong season.
If Young leaves, Florida would have 10 scholarship players remaining. That would open up a third spot for Randle or another prospect from the 2013 class.
Gainesville Sun
The Harrisons chose the Wildcats over Maryland and SMU.
"We liked coach (John) Calipari's fire to win and we want to win a national championship," Andrew said.
Added Aaron: "Also, Coach Calipari did not guarantee anything and we liked that."
…"Coach Calipari told us, 'We want you to come to Kentucky, but it is not going to be easy,' " Aaron Sr. said.
Academics won over the twins' mom.
"I liked the wall with the GPA of the players on it," Marian Harrison said. "The GPA of the players that went to the NBA was great, and they are continuing to work toward getting their degrees."
ESPN
Simeon Career Academy (Chicago) forward Jabari Parker, the nation's No. 1-ranked senior, has scheduled an official visit to Florida to go along with his upcoming visits to Duke and Michigan State, his high school coach said Thursday.
Parker will visit Florida from Nov. 2-4, according to Simeon coach Robert Smith. Parker also is scheduled to visit Duke on Oct. 27 and Michigan State at an unknown date.
With the three visits scheduled, Parker is expected to add only two more schools to his official top-5 list.
…Smith believes there is a common thread between the schools Parker has picked for his official visits.
"For the most part, they got great coaches," Smith said. "They all have great history. They all have guys who played at his position and played in the NBA. The schools themselves are three great academic schools. Those are things they look at.
"He's looking at schools to see how they can prepare him. He watched the ESPN movie 'Broke' the other day, and we had a conversation about that. He saw how a lot of people financially were out of money now. That's something he's really looking at. He doesn't want that to happen."
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
RSS Feed