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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 9
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
"His leadership role is going through the roof. Whenever I have a question on the court, or second-guess something, I always go to him for advice. He is getting us all involved, and that is what we need from our point guard."
Andrew Wiggins ESPN
FACT OF THE DAY
Tharpe earned an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention for the 2013 season.
ESPN
TRIVIA OF THE DAY
Q: What is Naadir Tharpe's career high scoring performance?
A. Tharpe scored 23 points in a win at No.8 Iowa State on Jan.13.
ESPN
Jayhawks need a fearless Tharpe to lead through tournaments
THE MORNING BREW
Think of the point guard as a drama film. There are different tricks to the trade, none are exactly alike, but most viewers know a good one when they see one. "The Godfather," "Titanic," Kirk Hinrich, Aaron Miles. On the other hand, everyone knows a bad one when they see one. "The Last Airbender," Stanley Hudson from "The Office."
Like a good movie, a good point guard can come at it from a variety of ways. Some point guards facilitate. Some point guards create. Some point guards score. It's not about how it gets done, but if it gets done. By the end of the film, or game, you're either left satisfied... or wanting a refund and a have at the director's (point guard's) neck.
you need a Robin Williams to tell Matt Damon it's "not his fault" in "Good Will Hunting." You need a Tyshawn Taylor to make a tough play against North Carolina in the Elite Eight. When the movie or game, is on the line, you hope to God you have a good player. There is a reason why the point guard is called basketball's quarterback, or the main actor. He calls the plays, protects and distributes the ball and leads the team to victory.
Last season, Kansas was ousted by point guard Trey Burke and the Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet Sixteen. In the matchup of point guards, Burke outplayed Kansas' Elijah Johnson, but
mostly because he played without inhibition. When things looked bad, he held out hope, and when the game got tight, he relaxed. The same cannot be said for Johnson.
Burke had 23 points on nine of 21 from the field. Johnson had 13 points on four of eight shooting from the field. From just eyeballing the numbers, Johnson was far more of an efficient player that night. But efficiency isn't everything in this game. Especially in March.
Close games are the norm in the NCAA tournament. Having a point guard that thrives in those close, lategame situations can be the difference between a Sweet Sixteen appearance and a Final Four. Johnson missed the front end of his one and one that would have given Kansas a two-possession advantage with 12 seconds left. Trey Burke stepped right into his game-tying 3-pointer as time ran out, sending the game to overtime. Burke made big shots in the extra period, while Johnson
passed up a game-tying layup with three seconds left in overtime, and Kansas had to force up a contested three. It missed, and the Wolverines kept dancing. Kansas headed home.
After the game, Johnson reflected on his play down the stretch.
"We played like we were trying to hold onto something instead of just continuing to play." Johnson said.
Burke sang a different tune.
"We never had the mindset that we were going to lose the game," Burke said. "When we were down 14, we knew anything could still happen. It's March, anything can happen."
In every single Jayhawk loss this season, that's right, all eight of them. Tharpe did not attempt a single free throw. But in some of Kansas's best wins
Since his freshman season, Naadir Tharpe has seen his rebounds, assists, steals and points per game rise. This could be credited in large part to his increased playing time, 29.4 minutes per game (up from 19.4 in 2012 and 5.5 in 2011), but Tharpe has also been more efficient than ever before. His field goal, 3-point and free throw percentage have ascended, along with his rebounds, assists, steals and points per game. He has scored in double digits 11 times this season.
on the season, he found his way to the penalty stripe and put them through. He hit three of four in the Duke win, five of six at Oklahoma, six of seven at Iowa State, four of four versus Oklahoma State, three of three at Texas tech and six of six versus
Oklahoma.
See, when Tharpe is shooting free throws, several things are happening. He is penetrating and getting into the lane. He is knocking down free-bees at an 85 percent rate. He is throwing lob passes to Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid. All of this done fearlessly.
This Kansas team is dangerous. Bill Self roams the sidelines, Embiid protects the rims, Perry Ellis works his magic in the lane, Wiggins runs the floor in transition and Wayne Selden Jr. slashes and scores. All of these pieces will need to be gelling if Kansas hopes to tour North Texas. But none are more important than the point guard. Kansas needs a fearless Tharpe if they want to cut down the nets. I think they will get one. Roll out the red carpet for number 10, the spotlight is yours.
This week in athletics
Edited by Jamie Koziol
Wednesday
Men's Basketball TBD Kansas City, Mo.
Thursday
Men's Basketball TBD Kansas City, Mo
Friday
Men's Basketball TBD Kansas City, Mo.
Softball Northern Illinois 3:30 p.m. Lawrence
Track
NCAA Indoor Championships
All day
Albuquerque, N.M.
Women's Golf
Insperity Lady Jaguar
Intercollegiate
All day
Augusta, Ga.
Women's Tennis
lowa State
3 p.m.
Ames, Iowa
Baseball
Texas
6 p.m.
Austin, Texas
Saturday
Men's Basketball TBD Kansas City, Mo.
Women's Golf Inspirity Lady Jaguar Intercollegiate All Day Augusta, Ga.
Softball Jackson State 10-30 a.m. Lawrence
Women's Rowing Louisville Invite Day one Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Baseball Texas 1 p.m. Austin, Texas
Track NCAA Indoor Championships All day Albuquerque, N.M.
Sunday
Women's Golf Insperity Lady Jaguar Intercollegiate All day Augusta, Ga.
Women's Tennis
West Virginia
11 a.m.
Morgantown, W. Va
Softball
Nebraska
1 p.m.
Lawrence
Women's Rowing
Louisville Invite
Final results
Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Baseball
Texas
1 p.m.
Austin, Texas
Monday
Women's Rowing
Spring Training
TBA
TBD
Baseball
New Mexico
7 p.m.
Albuquerque, N.M.
Tuesday
Women's Rowing
Spring Training
TBA
TBD
785-864-4358
JOBS
Naismith Hall, a private university halls serving the University of KS, is accepting applications for Summer Resident Advisors; Apply in person at 1800 Naismith Drive, Lawrence, KS
Local catering company seeking part-time event staff. Contact:
sayhi@culinariafoodandwine.com.
Full/Part time workers needed for vegetable farm. Call 842-7941 leave message with your experience.
Naisim Hall, a private student residence hall serving the University of KS, is accepting applications for Resident Director and Summer Resident Director; Apply in person at 1800 Manshivr Dr, Lawrence, KS
CLASSIFIEDS@KANSAN.COM
HAWKCHALK.COM
Nursery attendants wanted.
Sundays 8am-12noon, Some evenings.
Send resume to L. Atchison.
Trinity Lutheran Church, bafr 473-4730;
email litchison@tclawrence.org.
Sunflower State Games seeks energetic and responsible summer interns to assist in event planning and promotions for Olympic Style Sports Festival. Email sunflowergames@sbcglobal.net or call 785-235-295 to inquire.
HOUSING
3 BR and 4BR Available Aug.
Close to KU. All appls. Must see.
Call 785-766-7518.
3 BR, 2BA townhomes avail. Aug. 1
2808 University - $1300/month
Adam Ave. - $1200/month
Deposit - one month rent
Pet Friendly! Call Garber Property
Management 785-842-2475
Large 3BR, 2BA, garage, W/D. FP-
Jana Drive. Call/text 785-331-5360
www.lawncepm.com
NOW LEASING FOR FALL! Call for details!
Chase Court Apartments
785-843-8220
HOUSING
No Leasing for Summer & Fall
1-4 BR Apts/Townhouses, Bus,
Pool, Quiet, Small Pets OK 785-
843-0111 www.holidayygmt.com
Summer lease June-July 38R, 2 BA. Near KU. All Apples. Wood floors Call 785-841-3849
THE
THE UDK
Walk to campus/downtown.
28R/1BA, W/D storage
901 Illinois; Call/text 785-331-5360
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