Roy's Boys
Paul Kotz / KANSAN
Kansas senior forward Sean Pearson shoots over a Florida defender. Pearson and freshman Paul Pierce will play small forward
"If you do that, you get more turnovers," Williams said in comparing the pressure defense to the defense the Jayhawks played with Ostertag in the game. "If you get more turnovers, that gets you more lay-ups on the other end. So, all of a sudden your field goal percentage starts up. But the more you gamble
going up. But the more you're going to open up and give them some open shots, too."
The loss of Ostertag's defensive presence may be made up for with a different style of defense, but Williams is concerned about the Jayhawks' rebounding ability and depth at center. He said that the Jay-
three times. Greg was still 7-foot-1. He didn't jump any time, but he was still 7-foot-1, so he was able to come up with that ball."
Although Williams may be concerned about Pollard not having a back-up at the center position, he smiles at the fact that the other positions are loaded with talent.
We basically have a talent at every spot and depth at about every spot.
ROY WILLIAMS Kansas men's basketball coach
hawks would need rebounding help from Pearson and Pierce.
"Both of them are going to need to be big-time rebounders for us," Williams said.
"He did so much for us inside," he added about Ostertag. "He took away the other team's inside game. He got all the rebounds. They jump once. They jump twice. They jump
”
Rayford and Vaughn return at point guard, junior Jerod Haase and Thomas will play shooting guard, Pearson and Pierce will play small forward, and junior B.J. Williams and La Frentz return at the big forward position. The Jayhawks also plan on counting on
McDonald's All-American freshman guard Ryan Robertson, freshman forward T.J. Pugh and sophomore guard McGrath.
"We basically have a talent at every spot and depth at about every spot" Williams said. "We've got to see how the whole thing meshes together."
We'll know in March.
Kansas sophomore guard Billy Thomas surprised some last year as he poured in 49 three-point goals, the second-highest total for the Jayhawks.He had a career-high 19 points in the Jayhawks' first-round NCAA tournament game against Colgate last year.
Paul Kotz / KANSAN
Vaughn, Haase connected on court
By Matt Irwin
Kansan sportswriter
Jacque Vaughn and Jerod Haase are not best friends and they aren't roommates.
Although their personalities on the court arguably mesh together better than those of any tandem of players in the nation, off the court they aren't that similar.
Both agree that off-the-court chemistry is important. But when the whistle is blown and practice or a game begins, they click into their on court personalities.
With a business first approach to the game, Vaughn and Haase have tremendous intensity. But even more intriguing than the focus of these two junior guards is the way they lead the team.
After a 25-6 record, including a Big Eight Conference championship and a No.1 seed in the NCAA Tournament last season, the Jayhawks plan to continue to follow the tandem's lead.
"They feed off each other," Kansas men's basketball coach Roy Williams said. "If they agree on something, the rest of the team usually follows."
That lead begins in practice, where Vaughn and Haase are just as serious as they are in games.
"Last year I had to separate them in our drill groups because every time they were in the same drill group they always won," Williams said. "I don't
There is no one, no one that comes as close to feeling as good about their guards as I feel.
ROY WILLIAMS
Kansasmen's basketballcoach
care what drill it was. I separated them so that hopefully some of that would rub off on the other ones."
"On a consistent basis, Jacque and Jerod are the two best defensive guards I've had," he said. "They play the hardest. They're fantastic people. What makes it even nicer is they can play their tails off."
Williams, who loves good defensive players, said they carry their intensity to the defensive end.
After playing their tails off last season, Vaughn and Haase are now considered as one of the best backcourts in the nation.
Although both have received preseason honors, Vaughn's list is longer. Along with being named the No. 1 rated point guard by The Sporting News, a first team All-American by
"It's a tribute to the guy that runs along side of me," Vaughn said. "I think Jerod brings out the best in me. He's a great person and a player to be on the court with. I know that in any situation I can couit on him. He makes my iob a lot easier."
Williams wouldn't argue if you told him he had the best backcourt in college basketball.
"I wouldn't trade them for anybody else's guards, maybe even in the NBA," Williams said. "Half those guys are jerks. I think we've got two kids that really typify the word studentathlete. I enjoy being around them. There is no one, no one that comes as close to feeling as good about their guards as I feel."
Williams said that despite the similarities, there are also differences that exist between the two that help them mesh together.
"They are the best leaders by example more than anything," Williams said. "Jerod gives you the reckless abandon. Jacque gives you the intellectual approach to it — makes sure Jerod doesn't go out and jump on concrete or anything like that. I think it's a good mix."
ESPN and Dick Vitale, a Playboy Preseason All-American, he is also a John Wooden Award Candidate and a Boost/Naismith Award Finalist.
Despite the honors, Vaughn gives the credit to Haase when they are referred to as one of the best backcourts.
Paul Kotz/KANBAN
Kansas junior guard Jerod Haase along with Jacque Vaughn make up one of the nation's best backcourts.
= Hill • November 18, 2005 ♥
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