4B the university daily kansan basketball preview / tuesday,november 11,2003 Senior season is Graves' new world Kansan file photo Senior forward Jeff Graves became an integral part of the Jayhawks' run to the Final Four last season. The Lee's Summit, Mo., native is one of three seniors leading this year's squad. By Chris Wintering cwintering@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter What a difference a year makes. Just looking at Kansas senior forward Jeff Graves proves that to be true. He's at least 30 pounds lighter, he's in great shape and he's more confident. But what's the main difference between Graves this year and Graves last year? "Less drama," he said. "I felt like I was growing gray hair or something last year." A car accident before the season last year left Graves with a serious concussion. It also contributed to his coming to school overweight and out of shape, which quickly landed him a permanent membership in Roy Williams' dohouse. At media day last year, Williams said Graves was not even a part of the team because he couldn't complete a mandatory run for team members. Williams' comments and the media's criticism made Graves feel like he really wasn't a part of the team last year — that is until the NCAA tournament. Graves played well in the tournament and said he felt like he was in the best shape of the season at that time. His strong tournament included a double-double in the national championship game. Graves said he wanted to build on the tournament and turn all of last year's negatives into positives this year. "Last year helped me as a person and helped me realize you can't take things for granted, and if you do you get punished for them," he said. "I'm a lot more mature person and I see the big picture now." By staying active in the off-season and eating right, Graves said he was coming into this season in shape and ready to play. More importantly, he said he had the confidence he lacked last season. As my confidence rises I feel I'll fall into the system even more. Last year I didn't feel like I was a last of the team and this year I Coming in prepared leaves Graves in position to earn a starting spot this year, according to coach Bill Self. Self said he had not decided on who the starters were yet, but did mention Graves as a candidate. do," he said. "Coming in the right way and being in the right condition and physically and mentally prepared helps that." "Graves is a returning guy who has got his body right. He looks great and he is probably in the best shape he has been in a while," Self said. "His weight's down and he is coming off a great finish last year, so on paper you're looking at him." Regardless of who starts, coach Self said that Graves would get a lot of playing time. Self's offense is run through the post players, so Graves will also get the opportunity to excel this season. "If they can position themselves to make a lot of easy baskets they will have a chance to be successful. Usually, strong bodies and good feet give you the best chance to do that," Self said. "I think Jeff Graves will be great for what we want to accomplish." With his performance in last year's tournament, and a year to get better, there has even been speculation about Graves playing in the NBA. "I try to separate myself from that and concentrate what's going on at KU. If the NBA's next, it's next," he said. aren't, Junior Wayne Simien said he thought Graves had a chance to play professionally. "To play in the national championship game with every NBA scout for every NBA team sitting there and to put up a strong double-double, the opportunities are endless for that guy." His hard work in the off-season and last year has not gone unnoticed by his other teammates, either. Junior guard Keith Langford said Graves had made a 180 degree turn from last year. "It makes you want to work that much harder when you see him make that change," Langford said. "I think he'll be a dominant player at times this year." Graves might be shying away from NBA talk, but his teammates — Edited by Dave Nobles 2003-2004 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE 2003-2004 WEEK Nov. 10 Sparta Praha (ex) Lawrence 7 p.m. Nov. 16 St. Louis Goldstar (ex) Lawrence 2 p.m. Nov. 21 at UMKC Kansas City, Mo. 7 p.m. Nov. 28-29 at Oregon Classic Nov. 28 Kansas at Oregon Eugene, Ore. 10:30 p.m. Nov. 29 Kansas vs. Sacramento State Eugene, Ore. 8 p.m. Dec. 6-7 Holiday Inn/Jayhawk Classic Dec. 6 Kansas vs. Cal State Fullerton Lawrence 12:30 p.m. Alabama State vs. UTEP Lawrence 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7 Consolation Game Lawrence Noon Championship Game Lawrence 2 p.m. Dec. 13 Ball State Lawrence 7 p.m. Dec. 20-21 at Denver Tournament Denver, Colo. Dec. 20 Kansas vs. Texas-Arlington Denver, Colo. 1 p.m. Denver vs. Lafayette Denver, Colo. 3 p.m. Dec. 21 Consolation Game Denver, Colo. 1 p.m. Championship Game Denver, Colo. 3 p.m. Dec. 29-30 at Dartmouth Blue Sky Restaurant Classic Dec. 29 UNC Wilmington vs. Fairfield Hanover, N.H. 6 p.m. Kansas at Dartmouth Hanover, N.H. 8 p.m. Dec. 30 Consolation Game Hanover, N.H. 6 p.m. SCHEDULE Championship Game Hanover, N.H. 8 p.m. Jan. 3 San Diego Lawrence 2 p.m. Jan. 7 Texas Lawrence 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at Missouri Columbia, Mo. 7 p.m. Jan. 13 Colorado Lawrence 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at Kansas State Manhattan 2 p.m. Jan. 21 at Baylor Waco, Texas 7 p.m. Jan. 24 Missouri Lawrence 3 p.m. FSN Jan. 31 Oklahoma State Lawrence7 p.m. Feb. 4 at Texas Tech Lubbock, Texas 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at Nebraska Lincoln, Neb. 7:05 p.m. Feb. 11 Kansas State Lawrence7 p.m. Feb. 14 at Oklahoma Norman, Okla. 4 p.m. FSN Feb. 17 Iowa State Lawrence 7 p.m. Feb. 21 Texas A&M Lawrence 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at Colorado Boulder, Colo. 8 p.m. Feb. 28 Nebraska Lawrence 2 p.m. March 4 at Iowa Ames, Iowa 7 p.m. March 9-13 Big 12 Tournament Dallas, Texas TBA By Joey Berlin jberlin@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter Bill Self's instructions for senior forward Bryant Nash this season boil down to two words Don't think. "I want him to play with reckless abandon," Self said. "I don't want him to be a deep thinker, worrying about making mistakes. I want Bryant Nash to just go play." But there's a huge difference between "athlete" and "basketball player," and Nash's deficiencies in the latter category kept him from significant game action. When he saw floor time, by his own admission, mind games became a problem. Since arriving at Kansas in 2000, Nash has had a reputation as one of the team's best athletes by displaying blazing speed and a tremendous vertical leap. Kansas' depth problem last season pushed Nash and another end-of-the-bench regular, Michael Lee, into former coach Roy Williams' rotation. While Lee flourished, playing solid defense and knocking down half his three-point attempts, Nash made little impact. In 12 minutes per game, he averaged 2.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and had more turnovers, 29, than assists, 17. But Nash had his moments, particularly in situations that allowed his leaping ability to take over. There was the occasional spectacular slam following a missed shot and a few emphatic swats of opposing shots. Healso provided one of the signature moments of Kansas' season against Texas after tumbling to the floor when he was fouled on a three-pointer. After seeing (FSN-Fox Sports Net) the shot had gone in, Nash, still on the floor, pumped his fist through the air. "I think you can make a huge mistake with him, trying to limit him on what he can and can't do," Self said. "I just want Bryant to be a runner-jumper, make athletic plays, because he can make plays that you can't coach." Nash doesn't lack confidence. Despite hitting just six of 30 threepoint attempts last year, he describes himself as "a pretty good shooter." And he's not shy about telling you who the fastest Jayhawk is. As the last guy in the rotation, Nash figures to lose as much playing time as any of last year's regulars. Four talented freshmen are expected to compete for minutes, including McDonald's All-American J.R. Giddens, who should see time at Nash's main position, small forward. Nash said he had to play with his instincts, rather than his head, to avoid losing minutes. "I'm just trying to get rid of thinking about those mistakes," Nash said, "because thinking about those mistakes just leads to other ones. Once the mistakes happen, just let it go." "Up and down the court, I'm the fastest on the team," he said. "I mean, you might hear J.R. say, 'Hey, I'm faster than you, B-Nash. B-Nash, I'll beat you in a footrace.' But J.R. knows better, man." The freshman group's talent may limit Nash's opportunities to contribute in his final year, but with Self now in charge, he said he saw a chance to start over with a "blank slate." Self agreed. "I think that Bryant Nash probably feels, 'Hey, I got a new lease on playing time here,'" Self said. "Which he does." At least as long as he doesn't think about it. Edited by Dave Nobles Senior forward Bryant Nash was a career reserve under former Kansas coach Roy Williams. Nash hopes to play a bigger role for Kansas this season. Kansan file photo FRAMEWOODS kansan.com NewsNewsNewsNewsNewsNewsNewsNewsNewsNow Chili's supports KU Athletics No matter what you're hungry for...from Big Mouth Burgers to our famous Baby Back Ribs and everything in between... No Pace Else Grill's Like Chili's! Gift card available year around · Visa, MC Discover, Amex, Diner's Club accepted X ---