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KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | MONDAY, OCT. 3, 2016
Missy Minear/KANSAN
Sophomore forward Carlton Bragg Jr. looks for a dunk during the scrimmage at Late Night in the Phog on Oct. 1.
Bragg shines in 'one of the best' Late Night events
Missy Minear/KANSAN
Missy Minear/KANSAN University student Jordan Stiers shows her $10,000 check from coach Bill Self. Brennan Bechard, director of basketball operations, made a shot from halfcourt to win the prize.
▶ BRIAN MINI
@brianminimum
Usually Late Night in the Phog is a chance to introduce new players on both the men's and women's team, but this year KU Athletics brought out new events as well.
And for that, it received praise from coach Bill Self.
"I thought it was one of the best ones we've had," Self said about this year's Late Night.
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The night started with four Olympians who attended Kansas, highlighted by Kyle Clemons who came decorated with his gold medal from the 4x400 relay in Rio.
After that, the basketball festivities began, beginning with women's coach Brandon Schneider. Schneider
also introduced former player Tamecka Dixon, who spoke to the crowd.
With all the new events and faces at Late Night, there was one repeat performance.
With $10,000 on the line, director of basketball operations Brennan Bechard was chosen to attempt a half court shot. After barely missing his practice shot, Bechard nailed the second attempt, which sent Allen Fieldhouse into a frenzy.
"I was hoping my name wouldn't be called to be honest," Bechard said. "I'm glad it worked out."
After the women's scrimmage, the surprise guests for Late Night came out. Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko opened with the song "KCMO Anthem" and
finished appropriately with their original song, "Rock Chalk Jayhawk."
For the men's team, the annual dance-off was judged by the coaches in a segment called "Dancing with the Jayhawks." The winning team consisted of seniors Frank Mason III, Landen Lucas and Tyler Self.
As for the men's scrimmage, the Crimson and Blue teams tied at 48 points each. Mason and sophomore guard Lagerald Vick and led the Blue team with 12 points each, while sophomore forward Carlton Bragg Jr. dominated the game for the Crimson team with 18 points.
"I just got a new role," Bragg said of his emergence. "I'm the same person I was last year. I still bring
a lot of energy, I just have to bring it on the court as well."
For the men it was the debut of highly touted freshman Josh Jackson who finished with nine points. Mississippi State transfer Malik Newman impressed with 12 points while shooting 2-for-3 on three-point shots. Sophomore guard Lagerald Vick also scored 12 points.
After the game, Self remembered a few days ago that he asked his team who would lead the team in scoring. Mason was voted leading scorer, but the vote was split multiple ways.
"We could probably have six or seven guys who could lead us in scoring," Self said.
New-look Kansas team showcased at Late Night
▶ MATT HOFFMANN
@MattHoffmannUDK
Everything seems new in the Kansas women's basketball program: a new season, two new transfers and four extra games this offseason. Even the way the team scrimmages at Late Night is different. Yet, Late Night in the Phog seems familiar. The pep band, dancing, skits and cheerleaders greet the Kansas faithful every single year. As it has for the last 32 seasons, late night signals basketball season is near.
Redshirt sophomore guard McKenzie Calvert and redshirt junior guard Jessica Washington are the newcomers. This year, the team received four extra games during a European tour.
Unlike last year, the women played for 12 minutes, as opposed to the men's 20, and only played against the men's practice team. The women won the scrimmage 34-13.
For both Calvert and Washington, getting on the floor in front of the home fans was a relief.
"The crowd got us really hyped up, we've been waiting a long time to get out there," Washington said.
"Getting out there with those girls and not having to just watch was really fun," Calvert said.
Washington and Calvert played seven minutes each. Washington co-led the team in scoring with six points while Calvert had five. Senior guard Timeke O'Neal also scored six points.
While the team shot 58.3 percent from the field including 50 percent from three-point range. Schneider isn't taking anything from the scrimmage.
Schneider told fans in attendance that "this is about celebrating the best basketball fans in the country."
Schneider's discourse with fans also included some words likely directed at two top-15 recruits in attendance. A rarity as of late for the program.
"This is an exhibition to let the fan base get eyes on them," Schneider said. "T'll be a lot more concerned about practice on Tuesday."
"It's important that they can feel what basketball is at the University of Kansas," Schneider said.
For all the new-car smell surrounding the program
"Those nerves and jitters shake off whenever you start playing or dancing," she said.
"I enjoyed it the whole time," Washington said, "there was a lot going on but it was a lot of fun."
As far as artists go, senior forward Jada Brown picked Meek Mill, Calvert picked ASAP and Washington picked Young Thug according to Calvert.
Rapper Tech None delivered a live musical performance between the men's and women's scrimmages, at times quite literally shaking Allen Fieldhouse.
Brown also hosted a dancing with the Jayhawks skit in which three separate groups of men's basketball players performed.
some things never change, like players dancing at Late Night.
Schneider, however, is partial to the videos played over the jumbotron often including former Kansas greats.
"I really like the videos that honor past players," he said. "It's intelligent to connect the eras and how big basketball has been here for a long, long time."
Baxter Schanze/KANSAN Redshirt junior Jessica Washington dribbles during the Women's basketball scrimmage at Late Night.
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