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2008-2009 KANSAS BASKETBALL
DECEMBER 30,2008
Aldrich responds to adversity
BY CASE KEEFER
ckeefer@kansan.com
Kansas coach Bill Self allowed his players to return home for three days to celebrate Christmas with their families last week. For Cole Aldrich, the break came at the perfect time.
Aldrich went back to Bloomington, Minn., a day after struggling with only 10 points and four rebounds in an 84-67 defeat to Arizona. He didn't let his performance ruin the holiday, but Aldrich kept thinking about basketball.
Aldrich and Kansas certainly looked refreshed Tuesday as they breezed past Albany in a 79-43 victory. Aldrich responded from his rough game against Arizona with 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks.
"It was a nice time to get away and see some familiar faces and hang out with the family and whatnot." Aldrich, a sophomore center, said. "And try to get our minds right again."
"I'm happy with the way I played," Aldrich said. "Mostly, I'm happy with the way the whole team played. We played pretty well tonight."
Tyler Wauqh/KANSAN
Kansas and Albany players try to control a loose ball during the Jayhawks 79-43 victory in Allen Fieldhouse. Sophomore center Cole Aldrich led Kansas with 20 points.
'Sherron Show' flusters Vols
CASE KEEFER ckeefer@kansan.com
So this is why Kansas coach Bill Self called the season "Sherron's Show" before it began.
Collins had already starred in most of Kansas' 12 games with averages of 17 points and five assists. But the junior guard put together his best performance of the season — and he says his career — in a 92-85 victory against Tennessee.
Collins scored a career-high 26 points, tied a season-high with five rebounds and added nine assists. He stormed the Jayhawks out to a 14-point lead early and held the Volunteers off when they cut the deficit to seven late.
Weston White/KANSAN
"I didn't even get that much sleep last night," Collins said. "And I came out more energized than I've ever been in a game. That's how bad I wanted this game."
Collins tossed and turned in his bed at Jayhawker Towers last night. He kept thinking of the opportunity Kansas (10-3) had to beat a ranked opponent and re-establish itself
Sophomore center Cole Aldrich blocks Tennessee's Tyler Smith's layup during the second half.
after losing two of its last four games.
Collins didn't need to worry at all once the game began. The result was never in doubt. Collins scored seven points in the opening six minutes of the game as Kansas glided to a 25-9 advantage.
"We really didn't have an answer for Collins." Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said. "Collins did whatever he wanted out there."
JANUARY 6,2009
Defensive effort frustrates Self
Weston White/KANSAN
Freshman forward Marcus Morris attempts to block a shot by a Siena player. Coach Bill Self said his team turned in a horrible performance on the defensive end.
BY CASE KEEFER ckeefer@kansan.com
Kansas was unstoppable early, complacent in the middle and resilient late.
That was enough to beat Siena 91-84. But not enough to please Kansas coach Bill Self.
"We were horrible defensively," Self said. "That was a bad defensive team playing tonight."
Self described the performance by both teams as "good offensive basketball". Problem is that's not the style Self, a defensive coach, prefers.
Self wants his team to pester opponents through guarding them tough. He expects Kansas (11-3) to lockdown defensively if it gets an early 20-point lead. And that's exactly what the Jayhawks failed to do against the Saints.
For the first time since the Arizona defeat two weeks ago, Kansas trailed an opponent. Four minutes into the game, Siena led 9-5 before Kansas erupted during a six-minute stretch and went on a 25-1 run.
Junior guard Sherron Collins and sophomore center Cole Aldrich — who else? —
"I just think we shared the ball really well, we finished," Collins said. "And Cole carried us a lot."
That was a theme throughout. Aldrich finished with a career-high 24 points and also had 13 rebounds and four blocks.
"The biggest thing about scoring 24 was just hitting the offensive boards hard and trying to get those easy points like I try to do every time," Aldrich said. "And just the way they set it up."
starred in what appeared to be a first half runaway. Aldrich grabbed numerous offensive boards and added three points. Collins hit an open three-pointer in the middle of the run and recorded two assists.
Siena started to chip away at the imposing 30-10 Kansas lead immediately after a timeout. By halftime, Siena was only behind 51-38. With seven minutes remaining in the game, the Saints cut the lead down to 69-65.
"The biggest disappointment tonight was we broke down defensively," Collins said. "Transition, we didn't do a good job slowing them down."
APRIL 27,2009
THE UNIVERSITY BAY KANSAS