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2008-2009 KANSAS BASKETBALL
NCAA TOURNAMENT, MARCH 27, 2009
Big two not enough against Spartans
Collins, Aldrich combined for 37 points and 16 rebounds but Kansas still eliminated in the Sweet Sixteen in Indy
BY CASE KEEFER ckeefer@kansan.com
INDIANAPOLIS - It had to end like this.
INDIAN OLDS - it had to be the most
not necessarily in the Sweet Sixteen at Lucas
Oil Stadium in a 67-62 defeat to Michigan
State. But from the beginning of the year, it
was clear that Kansas would
in that time thatRNs would go as far as Sherron Collins could take it.
In the end, Collins willed the Jayhawks to a 65-60 lead with just more than three minutes remaining against the Spartans. And no further than that.
From there, Collins, a junior guard, committed a key turnover, made a key foul and
missed a key free throw. Then, it was over.
"I can take the loss or whatever," Collins said. "I take it on my shoulders."
But it's not that simple. Because without Collins, the Jayhawks would have never stood a chance against the Spartans. He played a game-high 38 minutes, scored a game-high 20 points and led Kansas out to a 32-19 lead in the first half.
No, the blame could go around to everyone after the loss. Collins' teammates knew it.
SHERRON COLLINS Junior guard
"Everybody that played in the game did things that if they think back, they could be like 'Well, this out'."
be like, well, this cost us this game," freshman guard Tyshawn Taylor said.
Taylor was part of one of the major problems. Before the Sweet Sixteen, Kansas coach Bill Self talked about how players other than Collins and sophomore center Cole Aldrich needed to contribute more than they had in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.
"I can take the loss or whatever. I take it on my shoulders.
Didn't happen again. Collins and Aldrich — who finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocks — accounted for 60 percent of Kansas' offense.
"Sherron and I will do anything for us to win," Aldrich said. "Sometimes, that's what it comes down to."
Collins, specifically, carried the burden. He got a one-minute break before checking back
Three minutes later, Collins had helped the Jayhawks regain the lead at 60-55 with two baskets off of nifty drives through numerous Spartan defenders. Perhaps one more field goal would have clinched a Jayhawk victory and forced the Spartans into desperation.
"Sherron and I will do anything for us to win. Sometimes, that's what it comes down to."
COLE ALDRICH Sophomore center
"Basketball this time of year comes down to one or two possessions," Self said. "And that's certainly what happened tonight."
Michigan State won those possessions. The Spartans recovered from their five-point deficit and tied the game at 60 in less than two minutes after point guard Kalin Lucas drove the lane to free Ravmar Morgan for a dunk.
Collins raced to the basket on
Collins raced to the basket on the other end, but got careless with the ball and lost it when attempting a pass to Aldrich. Turnovers plagued the Jayhawks all night. Collins had six of Kansas' 19.
"The biggest thing." Self said, "was we turned the ball over."
Taylor said the biggest thing was that Kansas just couldn't get a stop with the game on the line. Michigan State's possession after Collins' turnover was the best example.
Lucas, who finished with 18 points and seven assists, blew past Collins and rose for a 10-foot
jump shot. Collins fouled him and the shot still swished. After the three-point play, Michigan State led 63-60.
"I got an 'and-one' called on me." Collins said, shaking his head. "It was a big play."
After Collins' two uncharacteristic gaffes, he still received a final shot at redemption: a free throw.
With 19 seconds remaining and Kansas trailing 65-62. Colling
got to the line for a one-and-one. Collins, who earlier in the season set the Kansas record by making 35 straight free throws, shorted the first attempt and Michigan State corralled the rebound. The Spartans had knocked off the defending national champions.
"I think we were relying too much on Sherron to make plays for us," Taylor said.
That was the story all year. Most of the time, it worked. This time, it failed.
Weston White/KANSAN
Sophomore center Cole Aldrich puts his arm around junior guard Sherron Collins as they walk to shake hands with the Spartans. Kansas' season ended with a 67-62 defeat, but both players have a chance to reach Indianapolis again next season.
APRIL 27, 2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN