Section B · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, February 14, 2000
Jayhawks solve mystery behind slump
Kirk Hinrich is fouled by Kenyatta Dix on a fastbreak layup in the second half. Hinrich made both freethrows. Photo by Jay Sheperd/KANSAN
Three-point shots help earn victory
By Matt Tait
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
During Kansas' weekly press conference Thursday, sophomore point guard Jeff Boschee called the Jayhawks' recent scoring slump a mystery. Saturday in Manhattan, Boschee made like Sherlock Holmes and solved the case, leading the Jayhawks to a 94-65 trouncing of in-state rival Kansas State.
The solution was elementary, my dear Watson, as Boschee knocked in six three-pointers on his way to a career-high 24 points. Those six three-pointers tied his career high, matching his performance earlier this season against Illinois, when he also hit six in an 84-70 loss.
"Jeff Boschee has gone through a long period of time here where he hadn't shot the ball very well, and I think he came back alive today and put the ball in the basket for us," Kansas coach Roy Williams said.
Kansas' 94 points on Saturday marked the highest point total for the Jayhawks in nearly a month. It also seemingly ended Kansas' scoring drought on the road. In four consecutive road games — all losses — the Jayhawks did not break the 70-point mark.
"I think the defensive pressure we had caused some turnovers and let us get out there and run," Boschee said. "I think it does help with a quicker lineup out there, and tonight we were knocking down shots."
The quicker lineup included
Boschee and Kirk Hinrich in the backcourt, with regular offguard Gregory moving to small forward in place of an injured Nick Bradford.
Those three pushed the tempo faster from the start, wreaking havoc on the outmanned Wildcats. After K-State scored the first bucket of the game, Kansas unleashed a 19-2 run on the hapless Wildcats on the way to a 50-23 halftime lead. In the second half, Kansas State got no closer than 25 points.
Boschee, however, was not the only Jayhawk to light up the scoreboard. Four Jayhawks scored in double figures and two others were a bucket away. Freshmen Nick Collison and Drew Gooden chipped in 13 each, and Kenny Gregory poured in 17 on 8-of-9 shooting — several of them lauvps and dunks.
"Everything fed off of our defense," Gregory said. "We were just running the floor, keeping fresh guys, and getting easy layups on the other end."
Those easy layups contributed to Kansas' 49 percent shooting for the game, and the fast-paced tempo helped open up outside shooters. The Jayhawks shot an impressive 44 percent from three-point range.
After last Monday's 86-53 embarrassing loss to Oklahoma State, the Jayhawks reversed roles on Saturday and did some embarrassing of their own. And while Kansas State, at 1-10 in the Big 12 Conference, is not the most formidable opponent, the blowout did restore some of the team's confidence.
"It's a great feeling," Boschee said. "And I think it gets the bad taste out of our mouths from the other night."
Bottom right: Nick Bradford battles with Quentin Buchanan for a loose ball in the second half. Bradford had seven points in limited playing time.
Top right: Nick Collison and Drew Gooden converge on Kansas State's Tony Kitt in the second half. Collison and Gooden combined for 26 points and 24 rebounds. Photos by Jay Sheperd/KANSAN
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