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KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | THURSDAY, FEB. 18, 2016
KU looking to move past "d--- move"vs. K-State
Brannen Greene walks off the court in defeat as the K-State fans storm the floor in last year's game in Manhattan. Greene dunked at the end of this year's game in Allen Fieldhouse, which Kansas coach Bill Self called a "d—— move."
File Photo/KANSAN
SCOTT CHASEN
@SChasenKU
As the final seconds ticked away in Kansas' blowout win over Kansas State, junior guard Brannen Greene dunked the ball on an open hoop, angering his coach, Bill Self, who called it a "d--- move" in his radio postgame interview.
Since that time, many expected Greene to be in Self's proverbial doghouse. Instead, after playing just one minute against TCU, he's seen additional time on the floor. And Greene is taking advantage of that extra time, averaging 10 points and four rebounds per game in his last three contests.
"Playing better," Greene said. "That's what gets you on the court."
However, while Greene might be focused on the on-court product; the dunk remains a talking point
leading up to the game in Manhattan.
Greene is trying to stay out of the noise. He said after the last game that he tried to keep his eyes forward and tune everything out, adding he does expect to receive a hostile reaction from the crowd in Manhattan, whether or not it will actually affect him.
"It won't faze me much. I don't really care too much about it. [The dunk] was meaningless," Greene said. "But I do apologize. I'm sorry for it. I'm just ready to play, honestly. It's all about the basketball game."
With regards to the game itself, the Jayhawks are entering a venue in which they've failed to win for the last two years. In fact, the last time Kansas beat Kansas State in Bramlage Coliseum, Travis Releford, Jeff Withey and Ben McLemore led the charge.
The team held Kansas State's Rodney McGruder, who averaged just south of 20 points per game in his junior and senior seasons, to 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting, as Kansas moved to 17-1 on the season.
Only two current Kansas players appeared in that game: Jamari Traylor, who failed to record any statistics in two minutes of action, and Perry Ellis (eight points, four rebounds).
And after the team's last game against Oklahoma State, Self acknowledged that if Kansas wants to pick up the win, the team must play better than in not only the previous game, but also the last game against Kansas State.
"Manhattan, for us, is probably as tough a road [venue] as we'll have," Self said. "We've got to play a lot tougher than we did the first time we played them."
Even with the game still days away, the team is locked in and ready for the contest. The fact that the Jayhawks haven't won there in the last two years is something that was on the minds of the players after the game against Oklahoma State, and it's likely something they'll continue to dwell on if they aren't able to get the job done this time around.
"We're ready for this," Junior guard Wayne Selden Jr. said. "I haven't won there."
He wasn't the only one to make that comment.
"I haven't won there since I've been here. Me, Wayne and Frank — we haven't won since we've been there," Greene said. "[We're] definitely looking forward to that game."
For Kansas, a win would give the team a seven-game winning streak, not to mention its first three-game road winning streak in over two years. The last such streak came between Jan. 8 and Jan. 25 in 2014. In that stretch, the Jayhawks defeated the Oklahoma Sooners, Iowa State Cyclones and TCU Horned Frogs.
But it's much more than that.
A win Saturday would also keep the Jayhawks alone in first place in the Big 12, after West Virginia fell on the road to Texas Tuesday. It will be one of the last road games for the Jayhawks as well, afterward they'll have just two road tests remaining — at Texas and at Baylor — before Big 12 play concludes.
Tip from Manhattan is slated for 5 p.m.The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN2.
- Edited by Mackenzie Walker
Kansas baseball wants to emulate Kansas City Royals' bullpen and success last season
Pie Photo/KANSAN Baseball coach Ritch Price answers questions from the media.
File Photo/KANSAN
▶ WESLEY DOTSON
@WesleyDee23
Kansas baseball coach Ritch Price did his homework on the Kansas City Royals and their Major League-best bullpen.
During Kansas baseball's annual media day on Wednesday, Price said he wants to use his bullpen similarly to how Kansas City has over the past few seasons.
"The strength of our team, other than [starter Ben Krauth pitching] on Friday, is our bullpen," Price
Krauth is the ace of the Kansas rotation and will be toeing the rubber on Friday nights once again. He held that position last year and then he was awarded Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors. It will be up to Krauth to get the Jayhawks off to a good start in every series with a strong outing on Friday nights.
said. "You also have to have the right people if you're going to do that, and we think we have guys that can be effective in those roles."
Still — even Krauth admits — it's nice knowing he has a strong unit to back him up this season.
Likewise, the Royals relied heavily on their dominant bullpen once again last season, and it helped produce their first World Series championship since 1985.
"It's going to be really fun to watch from a starting pitcher's standpoint." Krauth said.
"I find it really unique how the swing of baseball is going right now with power arms in the bullpen." Price said. "You look at the Yankees and they had one of the best bulpens in baseball and they go trade
As a team, the Jayhawks had a 5.56 ERA last season, which ranked last in the Big 12. The inconsistencies of the bullpen played a vital part in that, but it vastly improved as the season progressed and has now become a weapon for Price.
for Aroldis Chapman.
Price wants that same success with his bullpen this season. Many of his relievers have made improvements over the offseason.
"So now you can make an argument that they have three of the best closers in baseball on the same team. People are copying the Royals."
People are copying the Royals."
Ritch Price Baseball coach
Sophomore Ryan Ralston struggled mightily in his freshman season. His 12.96 ERA was the highest of any reliever on the team last season, but Price believes he can make some major strides in 2016.
"Ryan . Ralston has made really good progress," Price said. "He's made remarkable progress from his freshman season. He came in as a high-profile recruit and really struggled throwing strikes. He got better as the summer went on and I think he's made really good progress over the fall."
Redshirt freshman Zack Leban is another reliever with tremendous upside. He can throw anywhere between 88-94 MPH on his fastball and can mix in three different pitches.
"He's got a great breaking ball and a great change-up." Price said. "I'm really excited about the potential he has as well."
The Jayhawks will also have seniors Sam Gilbert and Hayden Edwards, as well as sophomore Casey Douglas and junior Jeremy Kravetz, returning to the bullpen this season.
Junior Stephen Villies will also be returning to anchor the bullpen. He is considered one of the best closers in the nation.
Villines converted 13 saves last season and struck out 56 batters in 53 innings pitched.
"Stephen is obviously special in the back end," Krauth said. "By the time he leaves here, he's going to have the record for saves. We have one of the best closers in the country."
Mirroring the bullpen culture that the Royals have created is an important goal for Price. It should play a major role in the success of the Jayhawks this season.
"We finally feel like we have the guys that can get it done," Price said.
The first chance for the bullpen to get it done will be this Saturday in the season opener, when Kansas hits the road to take on Little Rock. The first pitch will be thrown at 3 p.m.
— Edited by Brendan Dzwierzynski
SUA brings former MU linebacker Michael Sam to KU
BRIAN MINI
@daftpunkpop
Student Union Activities announced Tuesday that former Missouri standout and NFL free agent Michael Sam will speak at the University April 6.
After redshirting his freshman year, Sam went on to become a major contributor for Missouri and was named the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
"Our committee has been in the process of looking for a spring speaker for a few months now," Coordinator for the Current Events Committee Collin Cox wrote in an email. "The purpose of our committee is to plan events that challenge students and the Lawrence community to engage in current event topics sparked from social issues."
When he was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 2014 NFL draft, the defensive end made history, becoming the first openly gay player to be drafted in an American professional sports league. After training camp with St. Louis, Sam spent time with the Dallas Cowboys and then in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes.
Cox added, "He is making a special trip to KU to speak for this event, and we are beyond thrilled to have him."
The event will take place at 7 p.m. in Woodruff Auditorium. Admission is free.
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- Edited by Madi Schulz
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