BASKETBALL PREVIEW
12C THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Robinson
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2005
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Hawkins, the experienced veteran might have the upper hand early on, but Robinson is not far behind. With the McDonald's All-American point guard Mario Chalmers breathing down both of their necks, Robinson said he expected the competition to get heated, which he said was not necessarily a bad thing.
"It is definitely competition because we're all competitive." Robinson said. "I don't think it's an issue though. I think the best will be out there on the floor and I am just going to try to be the best."
That is part of Robinson's new attitude. Instead of expecting minutes to be handed to him, he knows now he has to earn them. Along with minutes, Robinson is earning the respect of his teammates.
"Russ definitely has a lot of confidence," senior forward Christian Moody
said. "Personally I love to play with Russ because he really does have that confidence. You got a taste of it last year at the beginning of the season. He played really strong and I am looking forward to seeing that again this year."
Robinson's evolution from a pup to a pit bull could be crucial on this young Kansas team. In close games last year, the ball always seemed to find its way into Keith Langford or Wayne Simien's hands. In their absence, the Jayhawks will need Robinson's confidence to shine through in close games.
"Just like pit bulls are real confident, Russ is real confident." Moody said. "He just always has a real determined look on his face. He will get in your face on defense and he goes to the basket real strong. It's almost like when you need a big bucket he is not afraid to take it."
Edited by Patrick Ross
Stewart
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Kansas was the perfect fit from the beginning. Stewart, who has been friends with sophomore C.J. Giles since seventh grade, already knew most of the guys on the team before he even arrived at Kansas.
"I remember going down to Portland and playing Aaron and Mike's team, they were ranked really high and we beat them," Stewart remembered. "Then they came up to Seattle, we beat them."
Stewart moved to Lawrence in early January, right before the start of classes.
Baby Freeze
When Stewart takes the court on Dec. 19, he will be wearing a number familiar to Kansas fans. If everything goes as Stewart plans, the player wearing that No. 5 jersey won't be much different than the one Kansas fans have seen for the last four years.
Stewart will flat out tell you he chose the No. 5 because when he first got to Kansas Keith Langford was a player that he looked up to.
On the court, Stewart would usually be the one guarding Langford during practice. He got the nickname "Baby Freeze."
"One of my favorite players when I got here was Keith," Stewart said. "He helped me a lot. When I had to guard him, he was 'Big Freeze' and I was 'Baby Freeze.' It was just something that we joked about
last year so I thought it would be good if I got his number."
Stewart struggled last year to adjust to being at Kansas, especially without his brother. He said Langford was influential in helping him persevere through the transition.
"When I got down here it was hard for me because it was my first time being away from my brother." Stewart said. "He hung out with me every day and made sure that I was O.K. When I had problems I would go to him and ask for advice. He helped me a lot."
When his time comes, Stewart hopes to fill the shoes of Langford. At 6"4" and 200 pounds, Stewart could be the most athletic player on the team.
"We all knew Rod was a good dunker," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "If he could become great defensively he could really help the team because he is really athletic and he's tough."
Stewart said he was a player that brought energy to a team. He prides himself in his defensive ability, but also said he believed he had the opportunity to be a leader on the Jiahwakes' young team.
"I try to pattern my game after guys like Dwayne Wade, just guys that are real athletic." Stewart said. "I love to play defense, and I'm kind of a scrappy player on offense and defense. A lot of highlights, you'll see a lot of highlights."
- Edited by Patrick Ross
Hawkins
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is Hawkins' to lose, especially at the beginning of the season.
"I think a lot of the reasons Jeff hasn't had the opportunity to prove himself is because he came in recruited in the same class as Aaron Miles, and no matter how well Jeff played, Aaron was always a little bit ahead." Self said. "But those days are past and Jeff appears to me to be very hungry and I think he is a talented guy and I don't think anybody has really seen how talented he is in the last four years. But hopefully this year he will be able to show that."
With experience being the biggest deficiency on this Kansas team, Hawkins's familiarity will be an advantage for him early in the season. But Hawkins knows that he will be valued most as a leader.
much as I can from coach and listen to him and learn from him on how I can become a better leade;” Hawkins said. “I'm starting to understand it a little better, but I am still learning. But I definitely want to take on roles as being a leader and help these young guys out.”
"This year I am trying to learn a
Throughout the summer workouts, boot camp and the first couple weeks of practice, Hawkins has worked with the younger players, especially the freshmen, to give them a taste of what it's like to play basketball at the NCAA level. Hawkins said although the freshmen kept him on his toes, he enjoyed his responsibility as a teacher.
"I'm just trying to let them know quick that it's not high school anymore." Hawkins said.
"Not that I am trying to put myself in a better position than them. I'm trying to help them learn that's how it is going to be when we go to Missouri, when we go to Texas. I am just trying
to get up on them like they're going to get up on them," he said. "If they can handle the pressure with me then they can handle the pressure with them."
Hawkins said he wasn't going to go easy on the freshmen because he wanted them to improve.
Not to mention he is providing some good laughs for Mario Chalmers, Micah Downs, Julian Wright, Brandon Rush and sophomore transfer Rodrick Stewart. Hawkins said he could put up with a missing shoe or a piece of trash if it helped to build team chemistry.
"It's actually kind of fun in a way because it lets you know that they are comfortable being around you," Hawkins said. "We all know they can play, but if I can help them to fit in and help us grow together as a team, then I will have done my job."
- Edited by Patrick Ross
Peas and Carrots. Steaks and Basketball.
Make sure to watch the Hawks at
LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE
3050 Iowa St. (785) 843-7000
Remember: Alcoholic Beverages are only allowed on the hill 3 hours before a game and at halftime.