6B the university daily kansan
sports
thursday, march 4, 2004
VICTORY: Graves, Olson, and Nash get the start on Senior Night
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"The first dunk I went up for, some kid put his hand on the rim, so I kind of got gyped on that," Giddens said. "I guess I got them back."
Nebraska applied a full-court press late in the game, and was able to cut its deficit to 12 points with just over a minute remaining, but couldn't keep its momentum.
Graves, who scored the first six points of the game for Kansas, had two offensive rebounds in one series, and capitalized on the second with a put-back layup.
Graves was a major spark for Kansas all night, despite being in foul trouble. The senior said after the game it was the loosest he'd felt in a game all season.
"I would agree it was one of Jeff's looser nights," coach Bill Self said. "That's what you expect out of him, because those are things he can do. It's a shame he got in foul trouble, because he was on a roll."
Graves was five-for-five from the field on the night, finishing with 10 points and four rebounds in his first start since Jan. 31.
Wayne Simien led Kansas with 22 points off the bench. Brett Olson started in Simien's place for his final game in Lawrence. Giddens was the only other Jayhawk to score in double figures, recording 10 of his 13 points in the second half.
Aaron Miles had seven assists and four rebounds to go with nine points. Keith Langford continued his stretch of solid all-around outings to five with eight points, seven rebounds and a lock-down defensive performance against Nebraska's Nate Johnson.
Perhaps more important than getting revenge against the Cornhuskers was the style in which it was done.
In the first meeting, Kansas and Nebraska both pulled down 31 rebounds, but the Jayhawks
"The intentions are that we'll go about our business and certainly intend on him coming back, but I'm also a realist enough. Wayne won't say this and his parents won't say this, but you want to do what's best for Wayne's family."
Bill Self Men's basketball coach
only shot 36.2 percent from the floor compared to the Cornhuskers' 56.3 percent. Last night, Kansas out-rebounded Nebraska 38-25, and shot an improved 50.8 percent.
The victory may not have been sweeter for anyone than Graves. In the first meeting, he was dressed in street clothes at the end of the bench because Self had been disappointed with Graves' effort in practice.
Aside from a victory, the special revenge circumstances made it an even better finale for Graves at Allen Fieldhouse.
"I think we would have had a chance to beat them there had I been playing," Graves said. "We can't look back, but it was a nice win."
Junior guard Michael Lee tried to shoot over Nebraska's Jason Dourisseau during the second-half of last night's game in Allen Fieldhouse.
Kansas Basketball Notebook
No NBA plans yet for Simien — Wayne Simien gave an emphatic "no, not a chance," when asked if last night's game was his last in Allen Fieldhouse.
"I plan on having my senior sneech next year." Simien said.
"Wayne and I have talked only briefly, and his parents and I have talked only briefly," Self said
Bill Self commended Simien for his loyalty, but does not want him to jump to conclusions. Self wants Simien to focus on matters at hand this season before looking ahead.
regarding Simien's decision following the season.
"The intentions are that we'll go about our business and certainly intend on him coming back, but I'm also a realist enough. Wayne won't say this and his parents won't say this, but you want to do what's best for Wayne's family," he said.
"Right now I don't think there's any thoughts of leaving after this year. But I will say that that is something we need to give some hardcore facts for him to make sure he feels good about a decision. Right now we don't have that, nor are we going to have that for the next month."
Scouts from the Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz and expansion Charlotte Bobcats attended last night's game.
A David Padgett sighting
Things looked grim for freshman forward David Padgett when he sprained his ankle Sunday against Oklahoma, but he logged five minutes against Nebraska and scored two points.
He could have played more minutes if it weren't for foul trouble. Coach Self attributed Padgett's excessive fouls to not moving his feet in the post, which was a side-effect from a right foot and ankle that are both still sore.
Bench provides punch — Not to be lost in the mix were the efforts of sophomore forwards Christian Moody and Moulaye Niang. The fan favorites stepped in for the injured Padgett to play a combined 29 minutes, scoring six points and grabbing four rebounds.
Edited by Collin LaJoie
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