THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN SPORTS
MORNING BREW | 7A
Endurance and honor in Alaska
The annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race that stretches across the state's frozen tundra is an epic event that shames even the most demanding sports in the continental states, and this year's race featured record-breaking performances in the "last great race on Earth."
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2011
THE SEASON'S OVER...
NOW WHAT?
Next season's NBA draft could snatch away Kansas' top players
Markieff Morris Junior, PF #27 prospect
Marcus Morris Junior, PF #24 prospect
WWW.KANSAN.COM
PAGE 8A
BY TIM DWYER
tdwyer@kansan.com
Day one of Kansas' 2011-12 season was yesterday. As one ends, so begins the next. But a season can't start without a team, and the Jayhawks are far from set on that front.
from set on that front.
Before Kansas can plan and prognosticate for 2011, it needs to know the decisions of the five Jayhawks who could bolt early for professional careers: Thomas Robinson, Tyshawn Taylor, Josh Selby and, of course, the Morris twins. Marcus Morris, who was recently named a second team All-American by the United States Basketball Writers Association and the Associated Press, is the top prospect for this year. Held likely be a lottery pick — one of the first 14 picks — if he left.
All five said they haven't come to a decision yet, and Taylor was the only one to suggest that he had a pretty good idea of what it would be. Taylor is thought of as likely to return to Kansas because his draft prospects are far more uncertain than the others'.
the others.
"I really don't think I'm one of those guys who's got to make a decision," he said. "Everybody knows who the guys who have to make the decision are. I think know what I'm going to do, but that's not really my focus right now."
that's not really my focus right. The Morris twins both said they'd talk it over with each other, their mother, Angel, and coach Bill Self. Markieff is regarded as only a slightly worse prospect than his brother. He's projected to go anywhere in the mid to late first round.
Robinson said he hadn't thought about it, but when pressed for something more, he said his family will play a role in his decision as well.
go anywhere in the middle and this team," Markieff said. "That's the main thing."
If the twins left, Robinson would step into a role as the focal point of the Kansas offense and improve his draft stock, but the security that an NBA contract would provide him and his sister may be too much to pass up. He's projected as a mid to late first round prospect as well.
"Whatever's best for me and my family," he said, "that's what I'm going to do."
going to do. Selby also said he hasn't considered his future, but acknowledged that he had a decision to make in the coming weeks.
The 2011 draft class is widely thought of as a weak one, and Jared Sullinger's return to Ohio State only weakens it further. Because so many players could be put off by the im p en d i n g threat of an NBA lockout, those who do declare would benefit from getting picked earlier in the draft, which, of course, leads to a bigger contract.
Edited by Caroline Bledowski
Clockwise from left, photos by Chris Bronson, Mike Gunnoe and Jerry Wang
Josh Selby Freshman, SG #43 prospect
Thomas Robinson Sophomore, PF #21 prospect
Tyshawn Taylor Junior, PG #53 prospect
Draft Rankings from espn.com
CRIME
Former Jayhawk Talib investigated after shooting
According to reports from the St. Petersburg Times and The Dallas Observer, former Jayhawk and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer
BY KORY CARPENTER kcarpenter@kansan.com
Aqib Talbil is a person of interest in a March 21 shooting in Garland, Texas, involving his mother, his sister and his sister's boyfriend.
Several shots
Talib
several shots were fired after a struggle between Talib and the boyfriend, Shannon Billings, who was seen fleeing from the scene on foot.
Talib, who lives in North Dallas,
arrived at the home of his sister,
Saran, during a domestic dispute
between she and Billings. Then, according to Billings' comments to the police, Talib brandished a handgun and attempted to strike Billings. A struggle ensued, in which Billings grabbed the gun and began to flee. Talib's mother, Okolo, produced her own gun and fired three shots at Billings before Talib grabbed the gun from his mother and fired two more shots, according to police reports and witness accounts.
According to Dallas Jail records, Billings was later arrested on unrelated charges of interfering with an emergency call and assault with bodily injury, with bond set at $2500.
The Garland Police Department noted that detectives will soon decide if charges will be brought upon Talib or anyone else involved in the shooting.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Since being drafted by the Buccaneers in 2008, Talib has been involved in numerous off-the-field situations, including a fight at the 2008 rookie symposium hosted by the NFL and multiple fights with Buccaneer teammates. Additionally, he received a battery charge last year following a fight with a St. Petersburg cab driver. Talib received community service for the charge and attended anger management classes. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Talib for one game for the incident.
It is not known if Goodell will take action for the latest off-the-field transgression, but his strict reputation as commissioner could lead to another fine and/or suspension for the former Jayhawk.
Aqib Talib, a former Jayhawk, is a person of interest in a domestic shooting. This incident continues a string of violent encounters related to Talib in recent years.
Edited by Dave Boyd
4
COMMENTARY
Seniors worthy of love
BY MAX ROTHMAN
mrothman@kansan.com
So this is how it ends.
For Tyshawn Taylor,
Thomas Robinson, Josh
Selby and the Morris twins,
maybe not yet. They've got some
time to decide on the NBA.
For seniors Mario Little, Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed, their time is done.
Little served as a valuable swingman off the bench who could stretch the floor or play in the paint. But he's somewhat replaceable. It may be difficult to find a similar disposition, but there are others with Little's style of play.
But how do you replace Morningstar and Reed? They aren't exactly your typical recruits.
Sons of the Sunflower State.
Models of fundamentals. Divers for loose balls. Consistency kings — at least until Sunday.
There's no way to be nice about it — both guards stunk it up when their team needed them most.
1
them team needed.
The usually cool Morningstar seemed rattled. He still had that "just hopped out of bed" look, but this time he awoke to nightmares.
He was a creative passer, a judicious ball-handler who could play point or shooting guard, and his rainbow jump-shot always looked good rolling off his hand.
On the court, Morningstar was the defensive ace. Pin him against Alec Burks, Jordan Hamilton or Jacob Pullen. Some scoring is inevitable, but he'll stick to offensive stalwarts like a fresh band-aid.
good training for him.
Reed was a worthy fan favorite. He passed up an offer from Stanford to play for Kansas. He was the closest we had to a sure thing at the free throw line. He was downright deadly from three-point range. He was a model student — a two-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 First Team. He was justly chosen as a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS award that honors student athletes who achieve excellence in "community, classroom, character and competition." He is also, simply put, a really nice guy.
His lobs to the post often fell short, like his overall performance.
He needed a compass to find his jump-shot. His sluggish defensive transitions resulted in several open looks for Virginia Commonwealth three-point shooters.
It is unparalleled to find two Kansas natives representing the state's most meaningful team. And these guys played their roles to near perfection.
Sunday's game may stain our mind for years. But no matter the paltry play of Morningstar and Reed on Sunday, don't allow one stinker to tarnish what should be a rare and golden legacy.
Yet somehow, Reed might have been worse.
Morningstar and Reed converted just 2 of 16 shots, or 12.5 percent. The television talking heads were right; Kansas' guards led to its demise.
Sure, Morningstar and Reed didn't have their best against Virginia Commonwealth. But don't let it taint their legacy. Not one game. Remember them for what they did over the years, not for what they didn't on Sunday.
Y
Edited by Marla Daniels