KANSAN
3. 2009
THE UNIVERSITY MARY KANSAN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2009
KU 70, NU 53
5B
ETBALL REWIND
Weston White/KANS 15th double-
to hide the howdown the 12 champion was excited performed with
ll the emphas-
sus is for all tl
out our guys a
and its a hug
have conference. There
Self's feeling me were a t
bad," Self sai
n't our be
bad."
ted by Casey Mii
Ryan McGeeney/KANSAN
Freshman forward Quintell Thomas sprints to reclaim a loose ball from Nebraska's Cookie Miller during Saturday's 70-53 victory in Allen Fieldhouse.
Aldrich most efficient without the mask
BY TAYLOR BERN
tbern@kansan.com
Before stepping into the center ring of James Naismith Court for Saturday afternoon's tipoff, Cole Aldrich smiled to the crowd. The sophomore center, who played without a mask for the first time since he absorbed Ryan Anderson's elbow on Jan. 28 at Nebraska, was showing off his new grin.
It featured a gaping hole where his left front tooth used to be.
Aldrich chipped the tooth at Kansas State and then lost it completely at practice on Friday. Aldrich said it's the third time he's lost that tooth.
It didn't seem to matter to him on the court, where he slipped in a mouth guard and recorded his 15th double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Aldrich also dished out two assists and blocked two
shots, the second of which was his 100th block at Kansas.
Anticipation for tonight's game against Oklahoma has been building since the game at Kansas State and Aldrich said he was impressed that Kansas stayed focused for both games in between.
"Everybody's biggest fear was just looking over the games," Aldrich said. "We didn't really do that."
Aldrich went through shoot-around without the mask before the Iowa State game Wednesday night, but decided he wasn't quite ready. On Saturday, he opted to leave it off.
Aldrich proved there was no pain by twisting his nose around for reporters. Last week doctors said the decision to wear it was up to him, and Aldrich finally
"I felt that it was just the time to try it without," Aldrich said. "It's been three and a half weeks now, and I felt fine."
felt comfortable enough without it.
In the last three games (two with the mask and one without) Aldrich averaged 20.3 points and 10 rebounds per game. Still, his sans-mask performance was the most efficient of the three as Aldrich needed just 11 shots and 26 minutes to dominate a team that held him to zero points and zero rebounds in the first half of their last meeting.
The decision pleased coach Bill Self, who has said he felt the mask hindered Aldrich's sight.
After Saturday's game, Aldrich said he was looking forward to the Oklahoma game and a matchup with Player of the Year candidate Blake Griffin.
"I've known Blake for awhile, and he's a beast," Aldrich said. "He tries to dunk everything around the rim and grab every board."
Last year against Oklahoma, Aldrich played 13 minutes off
the bench while Griffin played only five minutes because of a knee injury. Self said he doesn't mind seeing the opposing team's best player on the bench, except when it's because of an injury.
"I had somebody text me the other day, saying, 'You guys should have absolutely no problem with OU if you guys just go play . . . that's of course if Blake doesn't play.'" Self said.
That Saturday afternoon joke turned into a possible reality Saturday night, when Griffin suffered a concussion against Texas. He looked punch drunk for the entire second half and is questionable to play tonight.
The stage was set for an epic post-battle. If Griffin doesn't play then Aldrich, removable tooth and all, could be the new face of the Big 12, at least for a night.
- Edited by Sam Speer
Junior guard Sherron Collins locks onto a Nebraska player during the first half of the Jayhawks' 70-53 victory over the Cornhuskers.
Ryan McGeeney/KANSAN
NEW at kudining.com NetNutrition. an online nutrition analysis program, allows you to view nutritional & caloric value of every menu item at any KU Dining location!
Over 20 Locations Campus-wide.
Professional Catering For Memorable Events.
Dining Options For Any Schedule.
Quick And Friendly Service.
Delicious Food.
endless possibilities.
UP NEXT
Kansas vs. Oklahoma Lloyd Noble Center Norman, Okla. 8 p.m.
Contributing To Student Success
TV: ESPN (Channel 33)
Check Kansan.com for running commentary from the Lloyd Noble Center as Kansas attempts to knock off Blake Griffin and Oklahoma on Big Monday.
VIEW FROM PRESS ROW
Sherron Collins chucked a three-point shot toward the basket at the end of the shot clock with 10:41 remaining. Somehow, it swished. The Ringling Brothers shot made the score 48-35. Better yet, it showed that Saturday wasn't Nebraska's day in case that wasn't already apparent. Other highlights immediately followed, including freshman forward Markieff Morris' putback slam and a three from sophomore guard Brady Morningstar. But by then, the game had already been decided.
IT WAS OVER WHEN ...
GAME TO REMEMBER ...
Senior center Matt Kleinmann
Kleinmann
They aren't going to put Kleinmann's late dunk in the Allen Fieldhouse pre-game video, but Kleinmann's bumbling lunge toward the basket will be remembered. It was the fifth-year walk-on's first points in Big 12 Conference play this season. The Kansas bench erupted with cheers when Kleinmann sort of dunked with 11 seconds remaining. Kleinmann played one minute with two points and one rebound.
GAME TO FORGET ...
Junior guard Mario Little
Little
Kansas coach Bill Self loves to say that the law of averages usually prevails in basketball. Reference Little Mario. Earlier in the season, Little made 11 straight shots from the field and looked like the third cog in the Jayhawks' offensive machine. Now, Little hasn't made a shot in three games. He's missed nine in a row. Against Nebraska, he went 0-for-4 from the field and two of his attempts had no chance to go in.
STAT OF THE NIGHT ...
22. That's how much the Jayhawks out-rebounded the Huskers on Saturday, Kansas grabbed 46 rebounds, while Nebraska recorded only 24. Some disparity is expected because Nebraska is the smallest team in the Big 12, but 22 is a monstrous margin.
Case Keefer
PRIME PLAYS
FIRST HALF
7:24 — Usually a spot shooter Brady Morningstar dribbled through the lane in between all five Nebraska defenders before dumping an assist to Travis Releford.
11:29 — Markieff Morris had one of his best games of the season, which included three blocks. One of those came as Nebraska tried to force up a shot at the end of the shot clock. Morris' block forced one of the Cornhuskers' 10 turnovers.
0:02 — Cole Aldrich grabbed Tyshawn Taylor's missed shot and layed it in. Kansas has now made a shot in the final seven seconds of the first half in eight of its last nine games.
3:45 — Sherron Collins scored his eighth point in two and a half minutes with a long jump shot that bounced off the rim and dropped in. The shot put Kansas up 11, its largest lead of the first half.
SECOND HALF
9:56 — Markieff's season highlight came on Saturday with putback slam after Quintrell Thomas missed his shot. Nebraska called a timeout and twin brother Marcus Morris sprinted off the bench to help Markieff celebrate.
0:11 — Matt Kleinmann scored for the first time since Dec. 30 with a half dunk/half layup that sent the Fieldhouse into hysteresis despite its ugleness.
5:34 — Tensions were a little high because of the animosity towards Cookie Miller. After forcing a jump ball with Mario Little, Nebraska's Paul Velander tried to diffuse the situation by giving him a hug.
10:42 — Collins was unstoppable Saturday, which includes his three-pointer to beat the shot clock. Collins just heaved it towards the basket and laughed down court after it went in.
GAME NOTES
STEPHENSON MAKES OFFICIAL VISIT
Kansas fans chanted his name, raised posters with his name and asked for his autograph.
Taylor Bern
Lance Stephenson, a 6-foot-5 guard from New York rated as the No. 9 recruit in the nation by Rivals.com, was a first-class celebrity at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday. Stephenson, who is averaging more than 30 points and 12 rebounds per game at Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, was on his official visit to Kansas on Saturday.
Stephenson, a McDonald's All- American, will not decide where he will attend college until after his high school season ends. According to Rivals.com, Stephenson is choosing between Kansas, St. John's, Maryland, UCLA and Wake Forest.
SPOTTED IN THE CROWD
Stephenson wasn't the only notable on hand to witness Kansas' 17-point victory.
Former Kansas standouts Dave Robisch and Jeff Boschee attended the game, as did Nebraska football coach Bo Pelini.
The PA announcer recognized Robisch and Boschee during a timeout. Robisch played for the Jayhawks from 1969-1971 and averaged 21 points for his career. He still ranks eighth in school history in scoring. Boschee made 338 three-point shots in his career, the most in Kansas history.
UNPOPULAR COOKIE
Kansas fans hadn't forgotten about the skirmish between junior guard Mario Little and Nebraska guard Cookie Miller in last month's 68-62 Kansas victory in Lincoln, Neb.
Every time Miller touched the ball, boos greeted him. Miller finished the game 1-for-4 from the field with two points and six assists.
Little, however, looked to be in the middle of another fracas late in the second half when he wrestled with Nebraska guard Paul Velander for a loose ball. Little ripped the ball away from Velander and appeared to yell something at him.
But the two made up seconds later with a hug at midcourt.
— Case Keefer