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KANSAS STATE 84, KANSAS 75
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2008
MEN'S BASKETBALL WRAP-UP
BASKETBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
miss. They made 12 of 26 threepointers and several of them came during times when Kansas was starting to come back. They made 18 of 24 free throws. Self and Rush said most of the loose balls went their way, too.
"It just wasn't our night." Rush said.
But Kansas State's victory wasn't lucky. Its players came through. Freshman Jacob Pullen scored 18 points in the second half and didn't miss a free throw. He, Beasley and Walker - all freshmen - combined to score 67 points. It was the biggest game of their short careers, and they stepped up. The same couldn't be said for the Jayhawks.
Kansas' players had been through NCAA Tournaments, Big 12 Championships and countless rivalry games. They didn't show it, though. Collins said the guards often got into the lane then threw the ball away. Darrell Arthur played brilliantly offensively but hurt himself by picking up his fourth foul early in the second half.
The performance was far different from those the Jayhawks gave in other tight games against Arizona, Southern California, Missouri and Georgia Tech. In those games the Jayhawks played with poise, made big baskets and controlled the ball.
"Tonight, we didn't," Arthur said. "We didn't take advantage of our opportunities."
Because of that, the Jayhawks not only lost their perfect record but lost their position atop the conference. Kansas is now one game behind the Wildcats, who are still undefeated in conference play.
It's the first time the Jayhawks have lost, and Self said the players can use it for their benefit if they improve. A big test for Kansas likely won't come until Feb. 11 at Texas. The Jayhawks will know how much they improved then. For now, they'll just have to hurt.
"This could be a good thing for us in the long run," Self said, "but certainly, it stings."
W.BASKETBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
about to collide with Earth. When a call went their way, it was like Bruce Willis in Armageddon saving the world all over again.
It's cliché, but Kansas State simply wanted it more. Tonight, Beasley wasn't stepping on the court to prove he was the best player in college basketball against the No. 2 team in the nation. He was doing what he was brought to the Little Apple to do — beat Kansas.
He did it all, too. Kansas State coach Frank Martin may have been the one in the suit and tie, but it was clear Beasley was in charge. He instructed his teammates offensively and defensively, hit big shots and even cleaned the floor on three
occasions.
Believe it or not, Beasley and the Cats may have helped the Jayhawks in the long run. This way, there's no talk of an undefeated season to get distracted by and there's no way Kansas will be satisfied prematurely The Jayhawks will still win the Big 12 and they'll still receive a No. 1 seed come tournament time.
"We weren't going to run the table," Self said. "I wish we could but that wasn't going to happen."
So let Kansas State enjoy accomplishing its season's mission. Kansas' list of objectives is still too long to let this one derail it.
—Edited by Madeline Hyden
PRIME plays
Jon Goering/KANSAN
First Half
18:55- Nothing but air. Michael Beasley fires up an airball. This lets the Kansas players know that Michael Beasley is at least mortal. He won't score in the first nine minutes of the game.
16:02- Beasley says he and Walker are the two best dunkers on the team and you could see why here. Walker threw it down, energizing the crowd and giving the Wildcats an 11-5 lead.
5:13- Beasley makes a three pointer to give K-State a 31-29 lead. KU ties it up on the next possession, but the Wildcats never trail again.
14:56- Any time a small man dunks, it's good for his team. This quieted the raucous crowd for a while and started a KU comeback.
Sophomore forward Darell Arthur hangs his shoulders in disbelief as he is whistled for a foul during the first half of the game. Foul trouble kept Arthur on the bench for much of the game. Arthur finished with 12 points and seven boards, but played just 17 minutes in the game.
Second Half
13:33- Another whistle. Arthur picks up his fourth foul, after being in for just three minutes.
9:58- Beasley drives through a crowded lane for a dunk. He gives KSU a 57-45 lead, and the crowd gets louder than it's been all game. This has to go down as one of the best crowds in Big 12 history.
7:08- Darrell Arthur makes two free throws to pull Kansas within six at 57-51. The Jayhawks have made six of six free throws in the last three minutes to go on a 6-0 run.
4:10- A loose ball rolls over to Beasley, who is spotting up for a three-pointer. He connects, and K-State leads 67-57. That's the way the game went for the Jayhawks.
K-State forwards Ron Anderson and Luis Colon celebrate their team's first home victory against Kansas in 25 home games Wednesday night at Bramalea Coliseum in Manhattan. After the final buzzer the crowd stoked the court to join the players in celebration.
Mindy Ricketts/KANSAN
game notes
LONG REGULAR SEASON STREAK
This loss didn't just end a good streak for this season. It ended a great one that went back to last season. The Jayhawks had won 28 straight regular season games. Of course, it ended a 24-game winning streak versus K-State, too. The Jayhawks are now 174-89 against the Wildcats.
MEAN TO MORNING STAR
The crowd was hostile, even to those who didn't play. Brady Morningstar, who is redshirting this season, found that out early. He ran out of the tunnel when the team was announced, and a fan immediately shouted an obscenity at him.
When Arthur was in the game, he was aggressive. He took 12 shots in just 17 minutes and pulled down 7 rebounds. That's the Arthur coach Bill Self wants to see, except for the foul trouble. The fouls limited him and the Kansas offense.
GOOD FOR ARTHUR
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