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KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | MONDAY, DEC. 5, 2016
Haase receives warm welcome at KU
The Stanford coach and former Kansas guard says returning to Allen Fieldhouse 'means a lot'
Stanford coach Jerod Haase talks to his players during the first half of the game on Saturday. Kansas won the game 80-74
Associated Press
SKYLAR ROLSTAD @SkyRolSports
Most honorable guests at Allen Fieldhouse aren't opponents. Most never even played basketball. Legendary Kansas coach Larry Brown was an exception last week against Long Beach State, but otherwise the Fieldhouse cheers for Kevin Richardson, a member of the Backstreet Boys who visited for Kansas' win over UNC Asheville last Friday, or Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers quarterback who visited for a game in 2014.
Stanford coach Jerod Haase was an exception. The former Kansas guard was welcomed by a roar from the crowd as he was introduced over the PA. Fond memories came rushing back as Haase saw himself in the pregame video.
"For me personally, it means a lot [because of] the reception and the relationships and experiences I had here," Haase said.
Haase's Stanford Cardinal lost 89-74 in his return to Allen Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon.
In the 13 years since he left Kansas, Haase said a lot about Allen Fieldhouse has changed. Rather than bringing back
old memories, Haase took some new ones with him on the way out of Lawrence.
"I think I will probably remember the first time at shootaround today when I walked into the arena and saw what it looks like," Haase said. "It looks phenomenal. It has a bit of a different feel than when I played to be honest. But they have done a good job of keeping it up and making
it pristine."
Haase played at Kansas under Roy Williams, then spent four years as a KU assistant coach under Williams before following him to North Carolina in 2003. The point guard played alongside Paul Pierce and Jacque Vaughn, averaging 12.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in his three years from 1994 to 1997 at Kansas.
Over a five-year head coaching career, Haase has already proven a winner. Since moving on from Kansas under Williams, he succeeded at UAB in earning a conference title and the first NCAA tournament appearance in three years. He took the job at Stanford ahead of this season and leads an experienced team that figures to be a bubble team
come tournament time.
To Haase's Stanford players, the homecoming in Lawrence started before the team got in the gym.
"I'm not surprised at all," Stanford forward Reid Travis said. "Right when we got off the plane, people were running to shake his hand. Someone was telling me on the plane ride over here that he's a legend. We definitely saw that with the
ovation."
There are few blasts from the past anymore at Allen Fieldhouse that don't intersect with the Bill Self era. In a coaching career that spans 13 years and a national championship, Self has added plenty to Kansas basketball history. Self expressed his appreciation that the fans acknowledged Haase.
I think I will probably remember the first time at shootaround today, when I walked into the arena and saw what it looks like."
Jerod Haase Stanford coach
Ashley Hocking/KANSAN
"I think it's great," Self said. "I definitely agreed with the fans to recognize him in the matter in which they did so I think that was probably very cool for Jerod and his family and probably good for his players to see. I wasn't around. I wasn't in the league when Jerod played, but I knew him from afar, you know, how hard he played and how hard he competed and those teams were really good."
Ashley Hocking/KANSAN Sophomore guard McKenzie Calvert prepares to pass during the second half of the women's basketball game on Nov. 27, Kansas beat North Dakota 76-71 in overtime.
Associated Press Kansas guard McKenzie Calvert defends Alabama forward Ashley Williams on Sunday. Alabama won 71-65 in overtime.
Associated Press
Kansas suffers overtime road loss to Alabama
▶ SEAN COLLINS
@weanzie_3
The Crimson Tide had one opportunity left, and a miraculous three-ball from junior Hannah Cook was all that was needed to force the Jayhawks into overtime.
The stage had been set for a road victory in Tuscaloosa, Ala. With three seconds left in the game, sophomore guard McKenzie Calvert sunk two free-throws to put Kansas up three points over Alabama.
For Kansas coach Brandon Schneider and the Jayhawks, overtime meant an
Schneider had a goal going into Sunday's matchup: prevent the Crimson Tide from getting out in transition. Only four fast-break points were allowed in four quarters and extra time, and Schneider was pleased.
all-out effort, but the Jayhawks still came up short in a 71-65 overtime loss.
"We came into the game with a very specific plan to try to take them out of transition," Schneider said. "I
["Cook] made an incredible shot, an off-balance, leaning three," Schneider said in his post-game interview.
Jurior guard Jessica Washington had an important 10 rebounds. That is a factor Schneider can use in his point guard, but her shooting has struggled. As offensive-minded as Washington is, 3-for-15 from the field, including no three pointers, was rough. The Jayhawks as a whole only shot 31 percent on the night, with five assists.
thought, plan-wise, I was really proud of our kids."
Shooting woes only seemed to get worse, and those frustrations can weigh on an offense that hasn't shot well in the past.
for us to have success, we're going to have to distribute shots more evenly and get three or four people in double figures and get off to better starts."
Brandon Schneider Kansas coach
Earlier in the season, Schneider stressed the importance of "togetherness" after a loss to Missouri State. The Jayhawks couldn't get anything to fall and moved the ball too little to find shots that weren't highly contested.
"For us to have success, we're going to have to distribute shots more evenly and get three or four people in double figures and get off to better starts," Schneider said after the Missouri State game.
A similar theme emerged against Alabama on Sunday, and while the Jayhawks' defense was much improved and stuck to the game plan, the offense
Overtime on the road isn't a disappointing place to be. The Jayhawks have been blown out this season and recovered to win three-straight games. Sunday's matchup proved that Schneider can put together a strong defensive game plan and get his young team behind it, but ball movement has to improve to get points up on the board.
couldn't get the job done.
- Edited by Chandler Boese
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