THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2006
KU 82-UF 80 5B
BASKETBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
Florida's starters scored a combined 29 points in the first half and combined for 29 points after halftime.
Jared Gaby/KANSAN
Of course, Kansas didn't expect Florida to roll over. The Gators were crushing opponents before Saturday, winning by 40.5 points per game. Self drilled that fact into his players to keep them focused.
"Coach used that as motivation last night," Robinson said. "He said, 'Hey, if you don't do what you've got to do, you're going to get beat by 40.'
Jarod Gab/KU NSAI
What Self said clicked as the lajwahys matched the Gators' inten-
ket during the second half of Saturday's game against Florida. Chalmers had 13 points and five assists, which
time and scored six of Kansas' 12 overtime points, finishing the game with 19 points.
sity, even when Wright's production dropped off.
Although finishing with a teamhigh 21 points and 10 rebounds, Wright added just four points after halftime. His teammates picked him up. Arthur, Robinson, and sophomore guards Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush combined to score 41 points after the half.
Following two of Arthur's free throws that brought Kansas to within one, 80-79. Wright came up with a steal and called timeout before Florida could get a jump ball call. On the ensuing possession, Chalmers found Rush underneath for a lay-in to put the jahwacks up 81-80.
Wright said the victory was a result of players looking to make plays, rather than looking at the scoreboard and waiting for someone to do something.
This attitude had been absent from the Jayhawks until Saturday. With the results it got against Florida, this Kansas team might have finally figured out how to win games.
Florida rallied in the second half and at the end of regulation, the game was knotted 70-70. It was only fitting that Arthur would be the Jayhawk who took over in the extra session.
Because of foul trouble, Arthur played less than three minutes in the first half, so he took full advantage of the five extra minutes. Arthur grabbed three key rebounds in over-
After missing their shot on the next possession, the Gators were forced to foul and sent Robinson to the foul line. Robinson missed his second free throw and Florida went for the victory. Forward Corey Brewer got the ball in the left corner, but his three-point attempt clanked off the iron as time expired, giving Kansas a hard-earned victory.
Kansan sportswriter Shawn Shroyer can be contacted at sshroyer@kansan.com.
"We're not going to always blow a team out," Wright said. "Once we have a mentality that we just play simple and make plays, eventually the scores take care of themselves."
MEETING
Taunson Green, Florida guard, for a basket. Robinson scored 12 points for the Jayhawks. His final free throw wasat against Florida 82-80 in overtime.
Edited by Kristen Jarboe
(CONTINUED FROM 1B)
everybody's attention, and got everybody going in the right direction."
The payoff was evident in the 82-80 overtime victory against Florida. Five players finished the game with double-digit points as the Jayhawks moved the ball effectively and efficiently.
After the game, coach Bill Self said he saw the difference in his
players from the first basket through the thrilling finish.
"I really think there were thoughts subconsciously about trying to please other people or play a certain way," he said. "Tonight there was none of that; it was just about Kansas winning. We showed a lot more maturity tonight than we have in our previous games."
That maturity started with Wright, who played 42 minutes of basketball and scored a team-high 21 points. He teamed up with Arthur to shut down the Gators' inside attack, led
by last year's Final Four MVP Joakim Noah.
Wright was the most passionate of the Kansas players, wearing as much emotion as he does tube socks. During Friday night's meeting, he spoke passionately about the need to unite as a team.
"We just tried to fire each other up," he said. "Once we start feeling like that, that's what is going to propel us to the next level."
Self said that the level of intensity displayed Saturday was what he was looking for and acknowledged there
had been some tension on the team.
"They haven't been real happy with me," he said. "And I haven't really been happy with them."
The players addressed that anger on Friday night and united as a team. Now they will try to maintain that intensity for the rest of the season.
Kansan senior sportswriter Michael Phillips can be contacted at mphillipsk@ansan.com.
Game Trends
— Edited by Catherine Odson
FIRST HALF
19:33 mark
Kansas takes its first lead of the game
SECOND HALF
3. 15 mark Florida takes its first lead since the opening basket of the game
OVERTIME
4:31 mark
4:16 mark
Florida forward Al Horford gives Florida 71-70 lead with free throw
3:50 mark
Kansas forward Darrell Arthur gives Kansas 72-71 lead with a put-back
Florida guard Lee Humphrey gives Florida 74-72 lead with a three-point
3:41 mark
Arthur fies the game 74-74 with
an up-and-under move and draws a fifth foul on Horford, ending his night
1:39 mark
Florida guard Taurean Green gives Florida 80-77 lead with three-pointer
1:29 mark
Arthur cuts Florida lead to 80-79 with two free throws
0:30 mark
0:11 mark
Rush gives Kansas 81-80 lead with a score underneath
Kansas guard Russell Robinson extends Kansas lead to 82-80 with a free throw
0:06 mark
Florida forward Corey Brewer missed three-point attempt that would have given Florida the victory
Jared Gals/KANSAN
Coach Bill Self yells encouragement to his team during the second half of the game against Florida at the Las Vegas Invitational. Five players on the team finished in double figures for the Jayhawks.
Jared Gab/KANSAN
Ardurrell Arth, freshman forward, goes up for a dunk, but the ball is knocked from his hands by Florida's Marseese Speights. Arth made several critical free throws during the game.
quotables
"Every time he had the ball in his hand, he made a play."
— Darrell Arthur on Julian Wright
"There was no great X and O strategy...that was just basically the way we're supposed to be playing night in and night out. We didn't do anything special!"
- Coach Bill Self
"At the end of the day, there's a lot of great basketball left."
—Florida center Joakim Noah
» "I wish I could stretch them a few inches taller, but I can't do that."
Ball State coach Ronny Thompson
"Unfortunately we were [looking forward] a little bit. Coach stressed to not look ahead...we didn't challenge them, we didn't give them our all until it got close a little. We've just got to come out in every game energized...we can't look past anybody."
Freshman guard Sherron Collins
UP OR DOWN
What should happen to Sasha Kaun and Damell Jackson's playing time?
While Darrell Arthur and Julian Wright have played up to and even above their preseason hype, Jackson and Kaun provide the Jay hawks with a completely different look. They may not bring the highlight reel dunks of their younger counterparts, but they're two experienced, savvy defenders who deserve an
opportunity to show off their abilities.
Erick R. Schmidt
Kaun and Jackson are important role players, but that's what they are: role players. Daniel Arthur had just 16 minutes against Fibrida and in that time scored 19 points. It's easy to see that he's one of the most talented members of this team and Kansas will do even better with him on the floor more and Kaun and Jackson filling in when necessary. — Jonathan Keahing
EVERYONE NEEDS to understand that Kaun isn't 100 percent healthy or in shape. Once he is, his defense and intensity in the paint will be invaluable. Jackson has been and akways will be a good change of pace player off the bench. If Kansas needs points, these may not be the best two options, but for a hard-nosed physical presence down low, Kansas can ask for two better options than Kaun and Jackson.
— Shawn Shrayer
Jackson may not be the Jayhawks best big man, but he was capable
fully healthy
against Florida's frontcourt Kaun should be able to contribute more when he's
Michael Phillips
Though neither Kaun nor Jackson
jit up the box score
on line Go.
tory their defense was key against Florida's front court. As long as those two continue to play solid defense in the paint, the Jay Hawks will continue to improve.
Ryan Schneider
J