ANSAN
2009
___
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2009
ET
KANSAS 103, PITTSBURG STATE 45
5B
BALL REWIND
Weston White/KANSAN
Redshirt status left for Little, Releford
jjenks@kansan.com
BY JAYSON JENKS
with over 100 points
The sequence of events may seem rather ordinary and bland but Teahan's emergence onto the court Tuesday night carried far more weight than the simple matter of playing time.
Midway through the first half, junior guard Conner Teahan jogged to the scorer's table, squatted and waited to enter the game.
The move, after all, signaled that Teahan wouldn't be redshirted this season, leaving senior guard Mario Little and sophomore guard Travis Releford remaining on the sideline in street clothes.
"It looks like Travis is going to redshirt and (Little) is for sure," Teahan said. "It's one of those things where it was the best decision for me, and that's what I decided to do."
He added, though, that Little and Leeford are both certainly leaning toward taking a redshirt this year, meaning that they couldn't play this season but they also wouldn't lose a year of eligibility.
Yet moments later, after Kansas' 103-45 victory against Pittsburgh State, men's basketball coach Bill Self said that nothing has been officially finalized.
"I think that's probably the percentage play with both of them even though were going to sleep on it a couple more nights." Self said.
Since Kansas' lineup is loaded with five returning starters from last season — and with one of the most highly-touted recruiting classes in the country arriving in Lawrence this year — competition for playing time is expected to be at a premium.
That means, of course, that not every player on Kansas' roster can play a full slate of minutes this season. In turn, Little, Teahan and Releford decided to use Kansas' two exhibition games as a time to determine whether or not taking a
redshirt was in their best interest this year.
"It's hard for any player to deal with redshirting and having to sit out and watch your team play," freshman forward Thomas Robinson said. "At the end of the day, though, they know what's best for them and coach knows what's best for them."
While freshman forward Xavier Henry has a solid grip on a starting spot, Kansas doesn't have an experienced backup because junior guard Brady Morningstar is suspended from the first semester of play.
In Teahai's case, he decided playing this year was his best option.
With that in mind, Teahan and Self decided Tuesday morning that the best option was for him to play this season in order to provide Kansas with a security blanket.
"With the way things played out, it just ended up that I decided not to," Teahan said. "It's a possibility that I may redshirt next year. That's what we talked about today."
Self has said all along that he will play eight or nine players for most of the season.
And as Self noted after Kansas first exhibition game against Fort Hays State Nov. 3, senior guard Sherron Collins and junior center Cole Aldrich will likely see more playing time as the season progresses.
That leaves a handful of players to compete for the final spot of the rotation.
Still, Self said that no decision for Little or Releford is ultimately final.
"Even if you announce a guy is redshirting," Self said, "next week if a guy sprains his ankle you could bring him back out of it."
Follow Jayson Jenks at twitter.com/JaysonJenks.
— Edited by Abby Olcese
Weston White/KANSAN Senior guard Sherron Collins raises his arms to get members of the crowd on their feet after a dunk by sophomore forward Marcus Morris. Kansas won both of its exhibition games against Div. II teams.
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Weston White/KANSAN
COLUMN (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
nothing in the long run. But it was fun for everyone. Except, of course, those wearing bright red jerseys. The Gorillas were as much spectators to the Jayhawks show as those sitting in the stands.
Teahan couldn't finish that one, but it was just the start of a game full of plays that could've made Big Jay's jaw drop. Robinson made the court his own personal playground, even drawing a technical foul for hanging on the rim like a 6-year-old on monkey bars. So when he soared for another Michael Iordan-esque dunk minutes later,
They could do little except watch Kansas' 40-minute highlight reel. It started when Sherrron Collins tossed up a ball for Connor Teahan to slam into the net. It was probably the first alley-oop attempted in the fieldhouse this decade by a white guy not named Aldrich or Collison.
But it wasn't just on the offensive end. If my eyes didn't deceive me, Xavier Henry was grinning as he guarded Pittsburg State's throw-in after Robinson's first dunk. A basketball player enjoying defense goes against everything the sport stands for, but at the same time, it looked perfect.
Aldrich joined in on the fun with his own tomahawk dunk as the first half expired. Maybe instead of hitting three-pointers at the end of nearly every first period like last year's squad, the Jayhawks could just enter half-time this year with ridiculous dunks.
comeback. That team prided itself on its equal efforts and lack of superstars. This year's team might be defined by how many times they appear on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays each week.
he made sure not to hang on.
So sit back and enjoy this year, Kansas fans. Whether the jayhawks are cutting down nets in April or not, it'll be fun to watch. This isn't the same blue-collar team from 2008 that was defined by a two-minute miracle
But make sure you soak in the mind-boggling athleticism while you can. Collins will be gone after this year, and odds are Aldrich joins him. This year is merely a speed bump in Henry's road to NBA stardom, and Kansas will be lucky if Taylor's not gone by next year, too.
For now, however, the team will be performing every week at a stadium near (or not-so-near) you,and itll be worth catching every second.
Follow Joel Petterson at twitter.com/j_petter.
Edited by Samantha Foster
Game to remember
Freshman forward Thomas Robinson
After the game, coach Bill Self said the best sign from Robinson Tuesday night was his activeness. Against a smaller and less athletic team, Robinson filled the stat sheet. He scored 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds, had three blocks and added two steals. It was certainly an impressive outing for the freshman.
Robinson
Stat of the night
Seven. That's the number of Jayhawks who scored in double figures. One of the most appetizing storylines entering this season was the depth and balanced scoring this team appeared capable of producing That was on full display against Pittsburg State.
Quote of the night
Morris
"I don't even know. I probably would have pulled up right there on the court and try to shoot it off the glass or something like that, hopefully make it."
— Marcus Morris when asked what he would have done last year when receiving the behind the back pass from Tyshawn Taylor
Game notes
Self impressed with freshman guard
in his first collegiate game last Tuesday, freshman guard Elijah Johnson scored nine points and added a couple highlight-worthy dunks that drew praise from the crowd.
"I was seriously thinking a month ago that Elijah was the perfect redshirt candidate." Self said. "You know, how can you not redshirt him? Now, he could be a 20-minute-a-game guy. He's really good."
After Kansas' game against Pittsburg State, Johnson also received praise from Self.
After Kansas lopsided victory in the season opener against Fort Hays State Tuesday, Self and his players emphasized the need for more defensive intensity. The Jawhawks did just that against Pittsburg State.
Defense forces 33 turnovers
Kansas forced 33 turnovers and converted those miscues into 40 points.
"When we can guard the ball hot like that," Self said, "we did a pretty good job of getting in the passing lanes and guarding pretty well."
Faster not always better
In their two exhibition games this season, the Jayhawks have shown the ability to run in transition.
"The tendency with young kids is if you play fast, you don't guard because the game gets too loose," Self said. "We can't have that."
That aspect of Kansas 'game was on display last night when the Jayhawks routinely pushed the ball up the court. But Self said that sometimes faster isn't always better.
FIRST HALF
Prime plays
Jayson Jenks
11:14 — Thomas Robinsondouble spin fake for a two-Right, then left (22-14)
10:48 — Tyshawn Taylor- past to TRob for a one-hand dunk (24.14)
18:13 — Once again, Xavier's first shot is a made three responding to a three by Pitt (7-3)
2:38 — Tyshawn Taylor behind the back pass to a trailing Marcus Morris for and 1 dunk-the play of the preseason. (47-19)
2:18 — Thomas Robinson stole the ball and ran down court all alone for a two hand jam following the Marcus Morris dunk. He then had a block on the other end. (49-19)
SECOND HALF
9:36 - 2:16 — Conner Teahan hit a wide open three. This was his first make of the preseason. He then hit another in the final three minutes, equaling his total from last season. (102-38)
15:20 — Robinson grabbed an offensive rebound off a Tyrel Reed missed three for a put-back while drawing the foul.
5:29 — Elijah Johnson bounce passed to Robinson who slammed it with one hand. He received a technical foul for hanging on the rim, which he said was a rookie mistake and he deserved it. (96-34)
4:31 — Chase Buford grabbed an offensive rebound then passed to TRob for another one-hand slam (98-35)
- Corey Thibodeaux
Weston White/KANSAN
Weston White/KAMSA
Sophomore forward Marcus Morris dunks over Pittsburg State Junior Andy Smith. Morris shot 5-7 from the field and four for four from the line for 14 points. Kansas won 103-45.