Conference Kings

THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN

CONFERENCE KINGS

10 YEARS OF KANSAS DOMINANCE

GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN

Sometime in the near future, the following time will come:

When it began it seemed impossible. For it to end is just as shocking.

Finally, in 20?? the Kansas basketball program didn’t win the Big 12 championship. The Jayhawks’ remarkable run is over. Year after year of conference championships and now, nothing. A blemish on the yearly banner raised in Allen Fieldhouse.

Instead of blaming the players or Bill Self, let’s try something different. Let’s try remembering and celebrating the golden age of Kansas basketball that included a decade where the Big 12 Trophy lived in Lawrence.

Let’s remember how this all

started, with an Oklahoma State basketball player on the back end of the 2004-2005 season.

Not Bill Self.Title No. 1 started with John

Lucas III. The Cowboys came to Lawrence for one of those legendary games, one that still has a place in the pregame video all these years later. The winner would take a one-game lead in Big 12 play and could control its own destiny.

Lucas had only missed one shot all game when he took a

three at the buzzer to defeat the Jayhawks and take a one-game lead in Big 12 play. Instead, he missed and the streak was conceived.

The next year was a brand new team. Bill Self started his first year with a true crop of his own players. Names like Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush and Julian Wright were freshmen. The Jayhawks started the year with a 4-4 record. They weren’t ranked in the top 25 until February. Still, Self corralled his team to somehow win a share of the conference title.

The true dynasty, the real year that established Kansas and Bill Self as a power, came in 2006-2007. The pieces from the young team one year before stuck around. Sherron

Collins and Darrell Arthur joined the group and Self had a top-10 team in Lawrence.

We all know what happened the following year: 2008, Mario’s Miracle. A championship for the first time in 20 years.

Surely the drop-off would’ve come after that. Blake Griffin was a Sooner and Kansas lost all five of its starters. Somehow Self and Sherron Collins still bested the conference for consecutive title No. 5.

The story continued from there. Kansas won again and again and again. Over and over the Jayhawks won their conference championship.

There was 2012, when Self warned fans of a rebuilding year before the season

started. That team went to the National Championship game.

Somewhere along the way, Kansas fans started to change. In 2014, after that 10th consecutive championship, fans moaned after an unsatisfactory tournament performance. The offseason was filled with rumors and complaints. Expectations were too high and eventually that pressure got to the Jayhawks. It was too much.

So instead of weeping or panicking or going to message boards and Twitter to complain, just sit back and remember how good you had it.

Remember the players like Wayne Simien, Jeff Hawkins and Christian Moody who

kept the program afloat when it could have fallen in the mid-2000s. Or the Morris Twins, Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar, who all won an absurd amount of games in their years wearing crimson and blue. There was Jeff Withey, Travis Releford and Tyshawn Taylor. Names like Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid are NBA studs now, but back then, they were developing and learning on James Naismith Court, all the while winning a conference championship.

Now that the streak is over, soak in how great it was for you.

After all, this day was inevitable.

— Edited by Katie Gilbaugh

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014PAGE 2 UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Fans should enjoy the success before it’s gone

By Mike [email protected]

GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSANAfter defeating Texas Tech on Senior Night, March 5, the Kansas Jayhawks were joined by the 10 consecutive Big 12 Championship trophies they own. Kansas needs three more to tie UCLA for the most consecutive conference titles.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�

��

��

1. ROCK CHALK CHAMPIONS – 2008

Down by nine with less than two minutes to go, Kansas didn’t appear to have much hope. But timely Kansas jumpers and missed free throws by Memphis opened the door for one of the greatest shots in NCAA Tournament history. With three seconds left, Mario Chalmers hit a game-tying 3-pointer to send the game to overtime, which Kansas dominated en route to its first national championship in 20 years. Kansas proved to be the best team in a loaded Final Four field, which included all No. 1 seeds for the first time in NCAA Tournament history.

2. KANSAS CLINCHES A DECADE

OF DOMINANCE – 2014In what was widely

considered the best conference in the country this season, the Jayhawks won the league title with little late-season drama. On Feb. 24, Kansas defeated the Oklahoma Sooners and clinched at least a share of the Big 12 regular season title and did so with three games to go in the regular season. After securing the title outright on March 1, Kansas would go on to celebrate at home on Senior Night on March 5 against Texas Tech, a celebration that included a presentation of each Big 12 trophy from the past 10 years. Only two other schools have won more than 10 consecutive regular season conference titles (UCLA with 13 and Gonzaga with 11).

3. UNLIKELY RUN TO THE

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP – 2012In what was supposed

to be a down year, Kansas quickly became a legitimate national title contender behind the leadership of Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson. Jeff Withey and Travis Releford emerged as

two of the best defensive players in the conference, while Elijah Johnson proved to be a capable compatriot to Taylor. The Jayhawks held off an impressive Missouri team during the regular season to capture its eighth straight regular season conference title. Earning a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Kansas survived early scares in the Round of 32 and Sweet 16 and defeated North Carolina in the Elite Eight to make the Final Four for the first time since 2008. Kansas defeated Ohio State in the national semifinals but would fall to a loaded Kentucky team in the National Championship. This was a team that exceeded everyone’s expectations.

4. KANSAS COMPLETES

COMEBACK IN LAST GAME VS. MIZZOU AS CONFERENCE FOES

– 2012With the Missouri Tigers

heading to the Southeastern Conference after the season, the stage was set for the Border War rivals to play their last Big 12 game against each other. To add to the drama, both teams were ranked in the top five and stood atop the Big 12 standings. Played in Allen Fieldhouse, the Jayhawks overcame a 19-point second-half deficit behind four 3-pointers by Conner Teahan and late game heroics from Taylor and Robinson. The Jayhawks would go on to win by one in overtime, as the Tigers failed to get a shot off on their last possession.

5. BILL SELF VS. ROY WILLIAMS

– 2008 Before facing Memphis in the

championship game, Kansas had played perhaps its best game of the season against the North Carolina Tarheels, the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. North Carolina was 36-2 going into the game

and was picked by many to win the championship. That didn’t seem to affect the Jayhawks as they dominated out of the gates and led 40-12 in the first half. North Carolina cut the lead to four, but Kansas made timely baskets and held on to win 84-66. The game featured a clash between coaches Bill Self and Roy Williams, who coached at Kansas from 1988-2003.

6. JAYHAWKS OVERCOME DURANT, TEXAS IN BIG 12

TOURNAMENT FINAL – 2007Facing who would become

a dominating player in the NBA, Kansas played one of the most entertaining Big 12 Tournament games in recent memory against Kevin Durant and the Texas Longhorns. The Jayhawks faced a 22-point first-half deficit, but would cut the Longhorn lead to five by halftime. The game went into overtime, where Kansas made key free throws late to seal the four-point victory and earn its fifth Big 12 Tournament Championship. Four Jayhawks finished with at least 17 points,

led by freshman Sherron Collins’ 20.

7. ALLEN FIELDHOUSE STREAKSOne of the most impressive

statistics that has come up regarding Kansas’ title streak is that Bill Self has more conference titles (10) than home losses (9). Named the most intimidating and loudest arena in college basketball, Allen Fieldhouse has hosted some impressive streaks over the past decade. From 2007-11, Kansas won 69 consecutive games at Allen Fieldhouse. In addition, Kansas won 68 straight non-conference games at the fieldhouse from 2006-2014.

8. NO RETURNING STARTERS, NO

PROBLEMDuring Kansas’ conference

title streak, Kansas won three Big 12 titles (2005-06, 2008-09, 2013-14) without a returning starter. In the 2005-06 season, freshmen Brandon Rush, Julian Wright and Chalmers led the Jayhawks to a 25-8 record, which also included a Big 12

Tournament Championship. With everyone gone from the starting five of the National Championship team, Collins and Cole Aldrich transitioned from bench players to two of the best players in the Big 12 in the 2008-09 season. This season, Kansas boasted the second-best recruiting class in the country, including Andrew Wiggins, the unanimous number one recruit in the nation.

9. BLOCK PARTY

Some dominant players have manned the paint for Kansas in the last five years, notably Aldrich, Withey and Joel Embiid. All three of these players were skilled shot blockers who also contributed on the offensive end. Each player has earned the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award (Aldrich has two), and each player made a name for himself in the Kansas record books. Aldrich recorded the first official triple-double (13 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocks) in Kansas history in

the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. Withey recorded Kansas’ second official triple-double three years later and also set the Kansas record for blocks in a game in the process (16 points, 12 rebounds and 12 blocks). Embiid’s eight blocks against Oklahoma State set a Kansas record for a freshman.

10. WAYNE SIMIEN’S SENIOR NIGHT – 2005

A Leavenworth native, Simien averaged 15 points and 8.3 rebounds in his Kansas career and led Kansas to two Final Four Trips in 2002 and 2003. One of the best games of his career came on Senior Night, when he scored 25 points and grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds in his last game in Allen Fieldhouse against the Kansas State Wildcats. The win also clinched the Big 12 regular season title for Kansas and marked the first of the 10-consecutive regular season conference titles.

— Edited by Julie Etzler

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014 PAGE 3THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN

Top 10 moments from a decade of triumphMEN’S BASKETBALL

GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSANTraditions abound and energy is always palpable in Allen Fieldhouse, especially from the student section. On Feb. 24 the raucous cheers of the famous student section filled the court as they watched their senior Jayhawks leave James Naismith court for the last time.

In-store only. Expires: 4/6/14

O�er expires: 4/30/14

If you don’t have your 10-straight t-shirt yet, we still have a limited supply!

While supplies last. Discount good on in-store and online purchases.

If d ’t h e your irt yet

30% OFFKU JERSEYS30% OFFKU JERSEYS

Thanks to the Team for a Great Season! ImmanuelLutheran Church

& the University Student Center

Worship Study Fellowship Friendship

2104 Bob Billings Pkwy. (15th & Iowa)

Holy Thursday Worship Service at 7:00 P.M.

Good Friday Worship Service at 7:00 P.M.

Easter Worship Services: SUNDAY, 8:30 A.M. AND 11:00 A.M.

Bible Study: SUNDAY, 9:45 A.M.


MEN’S BASKETBALL

College basketball sounds off on 10 straight“Yes, what Self did this season — win the Big 12 — is what Self does every season. I know you’re used to it and, at this point, I know you expect it. But the fact that Self makes it look easy doesn’t mean that it is, you know, easy, and I’ll stand by that statement forever unless you can hit me with a long list of coaches who have A) won 10 consecutive league titles, or B) done it three times without a single returning starter.” - Gary Parrish, CBS Sports Columnist

“There may have been some NCAA tournament upsets along the way, and some have been more dramatic than others, but in the biggest sample sizes, against some of the best college hoops talent of the past decade, Self’s Kansas program has prevailed. It’s a ridiculous, mind-blowing run of success, and we don’t talk about it enough.” - Eamonn Brannan, ESPN

“Even by the high standards of a team whose rosters have featured Wilt Cham-berlain and Coach James Naismith, who invented the sport, the current run under Self is historic.” - Ben Cohen, Wall Street Journal

“Nothing in college basketball is more impressive than Bill Self winning 10 Big 12 titles in a row.” - Kim English, former University of Missouri Point Guard

“When Self started this run at Kansas, it was the beginning of the end for Quin Snyder at Mizzou, Jim Wooldridge was treading water at K-State, and Colorado and Baylor were the league walkovers. Over that span, The Streak has endured 20 coaching changes, four Big 12 defections and two league additions. That’s staying power. That’s a dynasty.” - Sean Keeler, Fox Sports

“From here on forward all we have to say is ‘10,’ and everyone in the country knows what we’re talking about.” - Sheahon Zenger, Kansas Ath-letic Director

“This team, like almost every one Self has coached in Lawrence, was expected to win the title once Andrew Wiggins signed on. But there’s a difference between expecta-tions and achievement in most places. Just not at Kansas.” - C.J. Moore, Bleacher Report

“At this point, you could probably give Bill Self the Jamaican bobsled team and a month of practice time and he’d still find a way to win the Big 12.” - Mark Titus, Grantland.com

Follow @KansanSports

on Twitter

WANT SPORTS UPDATES ALL DAY LONG?

HIRING SOONHIRING SOON

THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN

THE NATION’S TOPCOLLEGE NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING STAFF

FOR FALL 2014

BE A PARTBE A PARTBE A PART

HIRING SOON

OPEN POSITIONS INCLUDE

TO APPLY, **YOU MUST**ATTEND ONE INFO-SESSION

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES * MANAGE CLIENTELE ACCOUNTS

MARKETING * PROMOTE THE KANSAN AND PLAN EVENTS

CREATIVES * DESIGN ADS FOR PRINT AND DIGITAL MEDIA

TUESDAY 4/22 * 6 P.M. * DOLE 2092

WEDNESDAY 4/23 * 5 P.M. * DOLE 2096

THURSDAY 4/24 * 6 P.M. * DOLE 2096

CONTACT SCOTT WEIDNER FOR QUESTIONS:[email protected]

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014 PAGE 5UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Jayhawks clinch 10th consecutive Big 12 titleBLAKE [email protected]

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON 2/25/14

After the heroics, after the final buzzer and after the handshakes, Naadir Tharpe stood alone at center court, conducting a chorus of 16,300 fans who wouldn’t leave the building until he did.

“10 Straight! 10 Straight! 10 Straight!”

Each verse decreased the tension that had built up over the previous 40 minutes. Each verse got louder and louder as the screams sunk into reality.

No. 5 Kansas 83, Oklahoma 75 and a decade of Big 12 championships solidified.

There was no way Tharpe could just walk away from it. Not after knocking down 10 of the Jayhawks’ last 14 points. Not with the entire building roaring.

“Usually we’re on the road,” Tharpe said of clinching the title. “To hear the crowd and see all the fans is just a beautiful feeling.”

Playing at home, the Jayhawks had a rambunctious crowd behind them, willing the team to any sliver of a lead and hoping it could hold it.

“That was a no-energy, tired team out there,” Kansas coach Bill Self said after the six lead change affair.

Even if the Sooners weren’t playing for a Big 12 title, it didn’t mean they wouldn’t try to stop Kansas from earning another.

The Sooners were unrelenting, making the types of plays that allowed them to stay in a game they otherwise had no business being in. The free throws kept falling (15 for 20), the paint was fair game (26 points) and the Kansas fouls kept piling up (21).

Of course, the Jayhawks have been forced to grind out clinching games before. In 2011, Kansas shot just 43 percent from the field and committed 26 fouls against Missouri en route to its seventh straight title.

It’s also what the Jayhawks wanted. It’s what they’ve harped on all year.

No pressure, no diamonds.The pressure was real and

the diamonds were waiting. No one was going to hand

them over with four games to play. So with three minutes remaining in regulation and Kansas clinging to a three-point lead, Tharpe went out there and took them.

He forced his way into the lane and danced around defenders until he was sure he had a shot. And when Oklahoma frantically fouled with time running out, it was Tharpe stepping up to the line and hitting each free throw (6 for 6).

“I think the last 10 minutes of the game that’s as good as Naadir has played at KU,” Self said. “He closed games the way point guards are supposed to.”

And like point guards are supposed to, Tharpe made his teammates more of a threat than himself.

Each Kansas starter finished with at least 11 points. Tharpe led the way with 19 points, 14 of which came in the second half while he played with two fouls.

“The lane was open so I just tried to be aggressive and make plays,” Tharpe said.

After the game ended, Tharpe was as open as he’d ever been, exposed to the Kansas crowd at center court and relishing a moment that’s not guaranteed to happen again.

When he finally trotted back to the locker room, the rings weren’t waiting. There was no trophy. There was no celebration. Assistant coach Jerrance Howard was

permitted a dance, but that was about it.

“I told our players we will celebrate whenever we win it,” Self said. “Right now all we have done is tie.”

Self was too busy with his postgame interview to even notice Tharpe stealing a celebration. If Kansas can win at Oklahoma State on Saturday the Jayhawks can finally dance together.

GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSANSenior Naadir Tharpe wears a big smile before Kansas’ game against Oklahoma on Feb. 24. After the game he’d also have plenty to smile about, scoring 19 points and helping Kansas clinch its 10th straight Big 12 title.

KU CELEBRATES 10 STRAIGHTMEN’S BASKETBALL


GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSANAndrew Wiggins soars through the air for a dunk against Eastern Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Wiggins broke the Kansas freshman scoring record with 17.1 PPG and went on to win the Mr. Jayhawk Award.

GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSANFreshman Joel Embiid blocks Georgetown player Aaron Bowen’s dunk attempt. Embiid had 11.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG and 2.6 BLK during the season, helping Kansas clinch its 10th straight Big 12 title.

GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSANAndrew Wiggins roars after dunking over Jabari Parker during the second half of No. 5 Kansas’ 94-83 win against the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils. The game was part of the Champion’s Classic in Chicago, Ill.

GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSANSenior Niko Roberts and freshman Wayne Selden Jr. celebrate Evan Manning’s 3-pointer during Oklahoma. Kansas clinched its 10th straight Big 12 title after defeating OU 83-75 on Feb. 24.


GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSANBrannen Greene celebrates after Kansas’ 80-63 win against Louisiana Monroe. Greene had limited minutes this season but showed he can score quickly during the final minutes of Kansas’ 85-82 overtime loss to Kansas State.

GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSANAndrew Wiggins solemnly walks off the court while Colorado students excitedly storm the court after Colorado beat no. 6 Kansas 75-72 in Boulder, Colo., on Dec. 7. Kansas would lose three days later to no. 19 Florida, 67-61.

GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSANFreshmen Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins share a moment together during a timeout. Embiid and Wiggins announced after the season that they will enter their names in the 2014 NBA draft.

GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSANFreshman Wayne Selden Jr. smacks the backboard after no. 18 Kansas’ 86-60 win against no. 25 Kansas State on Jan. 11.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014 PAGE 7UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN





��

��

��

��

��

��

��

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014PAGE 8 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN

MEN’S BASKETBALL

ORIGINALLY RAN ON 4/7/08Mario Chalmers could dance

now, now that his name had been permanently etched into the Kansas basketball history books.

He moved his hips to “Celebrate” and slapped hands all around with his teammates in the confetti-filled jubilation of their national championship.

That’s right – national championship. Kansas (37-3) beat Memphis (38-2) 75-68 in overtime on Monday night at the Alamodome, winning its first title since 1988 and third in program history after coming back from a late nine-

point deficit.“God, we competed hard,”

Kansas coach Bill Self said. “It’s one thing to win. It’s another thing to win the way these guys did.”

Chalmers’ celebratory dance moves seemed so natural, just like the shot he made about 30 minutes earlier that sent the game to overtime. The play started with Sherron Collins. He had 10 seconds to make sure Kansas extended the game and kept its dream season alive. He dribbled to the right wing behind the three-point line and nearly lost the ball.

Then, Chalmers separated from his man for just long enough. Collins found him. Trailing 63-60, Chalmers shot

a three near the top of the key. Overtime.

The game should’ve been finished long before that play. The Jayhawks got a gift from the Tigers when they missed five of six free throws that would’ve iced the game. They didn’t waste the good fortune in overtime. The extra period was all Kansas.

Brandon Rush started out with a layup. Chalmers and Darrell Arthur combined for an alley-oop. When Collins made two free throws to put Kansas up 75-68, the game was finished. Chalmers’ shot had sparked all of it.

“I just knew we had the game after that,” Arthur said.

A happy ending seemed

implausible late in the second half. Memphis’ Derrick Rose nearly killed Kansas. He was ready to put himself at the top of the list of Jayhawk Final Four villains right up there with Carmelo Anthony, Juan Dixon and Grant Hill. With Memphis down 45-42 midway in the second half, Rose scored 12 straight points for Memphis.

He couldn’t miss if he tried. Really. Rose fired a long off-balance jumper at the end of the shot clock and banked it in. The basket gave Memphis a 56-49 lead with 4:10 left.

The Tigers stretched that lead to 60-51, and it looked like Memphis would cut down the nets.

“A lot of guys thought the game was over,” Darnell Jackson said, “but we just kept

saying believe.”Self said those exact words to

his team. Chalmers used Self ’s message and the memories from last season’s comeback victories against Texas to motivate him.

Arthur took the inspirational words to heart as well. It was no surprise to see Chalmers take over in the clutch. Arthur was more of an unexpected hero.

Kansas has known all season it plays superior ball when Arthur is active. Problem was, that didn’t happen too often.

In the tournament, Arthur’s inconsistency got even worse. The one they call Shady reverted to his mind-bogglingly inconsistent ways throughout the postseason, disappearing in every game.

Monday night he was a changed man. Arthur scored two big baskets toward the end of regulation and got another one in overtime. He finished with 20 points. Arthur had played his best game in the biggest game of his life.

It’s something he’ll never forget, something all of the Jayhawks will never forget. They battled through adversity after two losses in three games

in late February and didn’t lose the rest of the way.

Now, they’re champions. They’ll go down as one of the best teams in Kansas history. It’s something Russell Robinson has hoped for since the season started.

After all the dancing, high-fiving and screaming stopped, Robinson sat in the back of a golf cart with his head in his arms and a net around his neck, thinking about the accomplishment.

“You couldn’t really have written it any better,” Robinson said. “No way you could’ve written it better.”

— Edited by Alec Weaver

Jayhawks win in overtime to earn NCAA titleASSOCIATED PRESS

Mario Chalmers displays his piece of the net after winning the National Championship game in 2008. The Jayhawks defeated Memphis 75-68 after Chalmers hit a 3-pointer, sending the game into overtime.

““God, we competed hard. It’s one thing to win. It’s another thing to win the way these guys did.”

BILLS SELFKansas coach

MARK [email protected]

http://bit.ly/1j3wWhk

SEE MORE AT

13-14TOTAL POINTS SCORED: 1,457 (80.9 per game)TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED: 1,274 (70.8 per game)

CONFERENCE RECORD: 14-4WINNING STREAKS/LOSING STREAKS: 7 winning, 2 losingMARGIN OF VICTORY: Home 17.4,

Road 2.8FIELD GOAL %: .500RANKED CONFERENCE WINS: 6PLAYERS DRAFTED TO NBA: To Be

Determined NARROW WINS (SINGLE DIGITS): 5LEADING SCORER (TOTAL/AVER-AGE): Andrew Wiggins - 317 (17.6

per game)25+ POINTS PER GAME BY A SINGLE PLAYER: 4, Wiggins - 27 at TCU, Wiggins 29 vs. ISU, Ellis - 32

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�� ¡¢£��

FEDERALLY INSURED BY NCUA

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN PAGE 9

SEASONS BY THE NUMBERSMEN’S BASKETBALL

04-05 05-06 06-07

07-08

10-11

08-09

11-12

09-10

12-13

TOTAL POINTS SCORED: 1,185 (74.1 per game) TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED: 1,056 (66 per game)CONFERENCE RECORD: 12-4WINNING STREAKS/LOSING STREAKS: 10 winning, 3 losingMARGIN OF VICTORY: Home 10, Road 6.13 FIELD GOAL %: .477RANKED CONFERENCE WINS: 1PLAYERS DRAFTED TO NBA: 1NARROW WINS (SINGLE DIGIT VICTORIES): 6LEADING SCORER (TOTAL/AVG): Wayne Simien - 309 (20.6 points per game)25+ POINTS PER GAME BY A SINGLE PLAYER: Simien - 27 vs. Texas, Simien - 32 vs. Oklahoma State

TOTAL POINTS SCORED: 1,207 (75.44 per game) TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED: 998 (62.38 per game)CONFERENCE RECORD: 13-3WINNING/LOSING STREAKS: 10 winning, 2 losingMARGIN OF VICTORY: Home 19.38, Road 9.25 FIELD GOAL %: .475RANKED CONFERENCE WINS: nonePLAYERS DRAFTED TO NBA: noneNARROW WINS (SINGLE DIGIT VICTORIES): 1LEADING SCORER (TOTAL/AVG): Brandon Rush - 242 (15.1 points per game)25+ POINTS PER GAME BY A SINGLE PLAYER: none

TOTAL POINTS SCORED: 1,293 (80.8 per game) TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED: 1,016 (63.5 per game)CONFERENCE RECORD: 14-2WINNING/LOSING STREAKS: 8 winning, 1 losingMARGIN OF VICTORY: Home 21.75, Road 12.88FIELD GOAL %: .503RANKED CONFERENCE WINS: 2PLAYERS DRAFTED TO NBA: noneNARROW WINS (SINGLE DIGIT VICTORIES): 5LEADING SCORER (TOTAL/AVG): Brandon Rush - 225 (14.1 points per game)25+ POINTS PER GAME BY A SINGLE PLAYER: Julian Wright - 33 @ MU

TOTAL POINTS SCORED: 1,286 (80.4 per game)TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED: 1,017 (63.6 per game)CONFERENCE RECORD: 13-3WINNING STREAKS/LOSING STREAKS: 5 winning, 1 losingMARGIN OF VICTORY: Home 26.75, Road 6.88FIELD GOAL %: .491RANKED CONFERENCE WINS: nonePLAYERS DRAFTED TO NBA: 5NARROW WINS (SINGLE DIGIT VICTORIES): 1LEADING SCORER (TOTAL/AVG): Brandon Rush - 216 (13.5 points per game)25+ POINTS PER GAME BY A SINGLE PLAYER: none

TOTAL POINTS SCORED: 1,214 (75.9 per game)TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED: 1,046 (65.4 per game)CONFERENCE RECORD: 14-2WINNING STREAKS/LOSING STREAKS: 8 winning, 1 losingMARGIN OF VICTORY: Home 15.13, Road 5.88FIELD GOAL %: .492RANKED CONFERENCE WINS: 2PLAYERS DRAFTED TO NBA: noneNARROW WINS (SINGLE DIGIT VICTORIES): 3LEADING SCORER (TOTAL/AVG): Sherron Collins - 296 points (18.5 per game)25+ POINTS PER GAME BY A SINGLE PLAYER: Collins - 26 @ ISU, S. Collins - 26 @ OU

TOTAL POINTS SCORED: 1,273 (79.6 per game)TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED: 1,074 (67.1 per game)CONFERENCE RECORD: 15-1WINNING STREAKS/LOSING STREAKS: 13 winning, 1 losingMARGIN OF VICTORY: Home 15.38, Road 9.13FIELD GOAL %: .476RANKED CONFERENCE WINS: 3PLAYERS DRAFTED TO NBA: 2NARROW WINS (SINGLE DIGIT VICTORIES): 3LEADING SCORER (TOTAL/AVG): Sherron Collins - 239 (14.9 per game)25+ POINTS PER GAME BY A SINGLE PLAYER: Collins - 28 vs. BU

TOTAL POINTS SCORED: 1,298 (81.1 per game)TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED: 1,105 (69.1 per game)CONFERENCE RECORD: 14-2WINNING STREAKS/LOSING STREAKS: 6 winning, 1 losingMARGIN OF VICTORY: Home 15.25, Road 8.88FIELD GOAL %: .511RANKED CONFERENCE WINS: 4PLAYERS DRAFTED TO NBA: 5NARROW WINS (SINGLE DIGIT VICTORIES): 4LEADING SCORER (TOTAL/AVG): Marcus Morris - 300 (18.8 points per game)25+ POINTS PER GAME BY A SINGLE PLAYER: 4, Marcus Morris - 33 @ ISU, Marcus Morris - 25 @ Baylor, Markieff Morris - 26 vs. CU, Marcus Morris - 27 vs. OSUTOTAL POINTS SCORED: 1,333 (74.1 per game)

TOTAL POINTS SCORED: 1,333 (74.1 per game)TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED: 1,119 (62.2 per game)CONFERENCE RECORD: 16-2WINNING STREAKS/LOSING STREAKS: 8 winning, 1 losing MARGIN OF VICTORY: Home 15.11, Road 8.67FIELD GOAL %: .486RANKED CONFERENCE WINS: 5PLAYERS DRAFTED TO NBA: 3 (Ben McLemore didn’t play)NARROW WINS (SINGLE DIGIT VICTORIES): 5LEADING SCORER (TOTAL/AVG): Tyshawn Taylor - 335 (18.6 points per game)25+ POINTS PER GAME BY A SINGLE PLAYER: 9, Travis Releford - 28 @ OU, Taylor - 28 vs. ISU, Thomas Robinson - 27 vs. BU, Taylor - 28 vs. BU, Robinson - 25 @ MU, Withey - 25 @ BU, Robinson - 28 vs. MU, Taylor - 27 @ OSU, Robinson - 25 vs. Texas

TOTAL POINTS SCORED: 1,304 (72.4 per game)TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED: 1,130 (62.8 per game)CONFERENCE RECORD: 14-4WINNING STREAKS/LOSING STREAKS: 7 winning, 3 losing MARGIN OF VICTORY: Home 18.78, Road .56 FIELD GOAL %: .453RANKED CONFERENCE WINS: 3PLAYERS DRAFTED TO NBA: 2NARROW WINS (SINGLE DIGIT VICTORIES): 5LEADING SCORER (TOTAL/AVG): Ben McLemore - 314 (17.4 points per game)25+ POINTS PER GAME BY A SINGLE PLAYER: 4, McLemore - 33 vs. ISU, McLemore - 30 vs. KSU, Elijah Johnson - 39 @ ISU, McLemore - 36 vs. WVU

All programs are free, open to the public & located at the Dole InstituteDole Institute, University of Kansas, 2350 Pete�sh Drive, Lawrence, KS 66045

www.DoleInstitute.org 785.864.4900 Facebook/Twitter

10th Anniversary Series program�e Hidden Hungry: Ending Senior Hunger with Enid BordenWednesday, April 23, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Former President and CEO of the Meals On Wheels Association of America, Borden is currently the founder, president and CEO of the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger. NFESH works to harness the resources necessary to reverse the escalating num-ber of seniors in the lifecycle of hunger. Co-sponsored by KU Fights Hunger

UPCOMING PROGRAMS@ THE DOLE I N S T I T U T E

Book Talk�e Tender Soldier with author, Vanessa Gezari�ursday, April 24 at 3:00 p.m.�e story of the development of the Human Terrain System, a controversial

Army program that sends civilian social scientists into combat zones with soldiers. �is book talk is co-sponsored by KU’s William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and includes a book sale and signing.

Archives Visiting Fellow: Amy HermanInnovation in Plain Sight: Transforming Our National Security Landscape with Museum Collections �ursday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m.

From the high-stakes, high-pro�le worlds of law enforcement, medicine, and counterter-rorism, Herman brings her students to the art museum, where works of art have become the new data. Co-sponsored by Nelson Atkins Museum Young Friends of the Arts, KU Graduate Military Programs, KU Honors Program, and KU Veterans Alumni Chapter.

2014 Dole Lecture�e New Democrats and the Return to Power with Al FromSunday, May 4 at 4:00 p.m.

Key behind-the-scenes Democratic leader and strategist, From, will discuss his recent book and his involvement in the e�ective restoration of the Democratic party, with spe-ci�c focus on the two presidential election victories of Bill Clinton. Don’t miss it! �is event includes a book sale and signing.

Find out how Bill Clinton and the “new” Dems changed the political landscape ,with the man behind the strategy - �e 2014 Dole Lecture with Al From, May 4th

FUZZY’S THE NEW “F” WORD

785-841-TACO | 1115 MASSwww.fuzzystacoshop.com

CHECK OUT OUR WEB BROCHUREwww.EatMeKU.digbro.com


MEN’S BASKETBALL

The last time Kansas didn’t win the Big 12 title...“That’s So Raven” debuted on Disney Channel.

In Super Bowl 2003, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders. This year, those teams went a combined 8-24.

Michael Vick was one of the best quarterbacks in football.

Kansas went 24-9, 12-4 in the Big 12 and made the Elite Eight.

13 MCDONALD’S ALL-AMERICANS:

2005: Micah Downs, Julian Wright, Mario Chalmers

2006: Sherron Collins, Darrell Arthur

2007: Cole Aldrich

2009: Xavier Henry

2010: Josh Selby

2012: Perry Ellis

2013: Wayne Selden Jr., Andrew Wiggins

2014: Cliff Alexander, Kelly Oubre Jr.

New England Patriots defeat the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl

Phil Mickleson wins the Masters

Red Sox won its first World Series in 86 years

Detroit Pistons win the NBA championship

“Million Dollar Baby” won the Academy Award for Best Picture

Facebook launched

President Bush was re-elected

Gas was below $2

Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics won the NBA championship

KU football won the Orange Bowl

Phillies won the World Series

Barack Obama became the first black president

New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl

“Slumdog Millionaire” won the Academy Award for Best Picture

IN 2008:

IN 2004:

Three All-Americans: Wayne Simien (2005), Sherron Collins (2010) and Thomas Robinson (2012) 276 wins since 2003, not including this season 22 NCAA tournament wins since 2004 Three former assistant coaches have recieived head coaching jobs: Danny Manning(Tulsa), Barry Hinson(SIU) and Joe Dooley(Florida Gulf Coast).

QUICK FACTS

MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE

MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE

A career in business doesn’t have to mean a career in awkward khakis. You can put your creativity to work in industries you wouldn’t expect. So, rewrite the rules. And rewrite the dress code while you’re at it.

It’s where business is going.

www.business.ku.edu

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014PAGE 11

MEN’S BASKETBALL

ALL DECADE TEAMSKansan basketball writers name their KU all-star teams

BLAIR [email protected]

This All-Decade roster has players suited to each other’s strengths and weaknesses on both offense and defense.

On offense, the backcourt and frontcourt would have played specific roles. Point guard Mario Chalmers would have run the offense because he averaged less than two turnovers per game and always had a calm demeanor. Shooting guard Brandon Rush could have spotted up around the perimeter to spread the floor for small forward Andrew Wiggins to attack the basket. Wayne Simien had his mid-range jumper

to complement Jeff Withey’s knack to attack the post and the offensive boards.

The backcourt defense would have been just as good as its offense. Chalmers, who was part of the 2008 Big 12 Conference All-Defensive team, averaged just under three steals per game. Coach Self said that Brandon Rush was the best on-ball defender to play for him while at Kansas, and Wiggins always guarded the opponent’s best offensive player. That’s hard to compete against.

The frontcourt of Simien and Withey would have been dominate on defense, too. Withey, the two-time Big 12 Conference defensive player

of the year and all-time KU shot-block leader, would have anchored the team’s defense. Simien was athletic enough to guard hybrid forwards away from the basket.

STARTERS:

C: Jeff Withey PF: Wayne SimienSF: Andrew WigginsSG: Brandon RushPG: Mario Chalmers

BENCH:Sherron CollinsBen McLemoreCole AldrichThomas RobinsonDarrell Arthur

BLAKE [email protected]

BRIAN [email protected]

The first three times I made this roster I couldn’t find a spot for one of the Morrii. It seems like it should be easy enough, both played huge roles on wildly successful Kansas teams, but it didn’t seem like either would fit here. How do you turn away Joel Embiid? How do you leave off Wayne Simien? Thomas Robinson is an All-American, surely he’s secured his spot. Do you really need Jeff Withey?

The problem was that Embiid didn’t have the experience. Not that he couldn’t have done it, too, but with the production of

the Morris twins over multiple years, along with their physical presence, Embiid just got beat out of the lineup. If Withey’s offense didn’t progress as much as it did his senior year, this isn’t even a conversation. Marcus Morris was just a better college player over a longer stretch of time.

And it wasn’t until I found a spot for Marcus that I realized there wasn’t one for Sherron Collins. It seems absurd that Collins doesn’t make this team, and really there are a lot more cases for him to be on here than not. But with scorers like Wayne Simien, Andrew Wiggins, Ben McLemore and Brandon Rush, the best thing

for this offense is a point guard who can distribute the ball. Aaron Miles’ scoring ability doesn’t matter as much as the fact he recorded more than 200 assists all four seasons he played for Kansas.

STARTERS:C: Jeff WitheyPF: Wayne SimienSF: Andrew WigginsSG: Brandon RushPG: Mario Chalmers

BENCH:Thomas RobinsonMarcus MorrisKeith Langford Ben McLemoreAaron Miles

One of the best offensive players in the Self era, Collins averaged almost 18 points and five assists in his last two seasons. Chalmers and Rush are lock-down defenders who can also shoot from long range. Simien is a terrific scorer and rebounder, and Withey gets the edge over Embiid because he is less injury-prone. (Disclaimer: This is based off of their time at KU and not who I would want

for the future.)Miles is the all-time assists

leader at Kansas and was also a defensive force averaging nearly two steals per game in his career. McLemore is one of the best shooters Self has coached while Wiggins is the highest-scoring freshman in Kansas history (the thing keeping him from starting is his tendency to no-show in certain games). Robinson is a beast down low and one of the toughest players coached under Self. Embiid is a great

rim protector whose offensive game is improving by the day.

STARTERS:C - Jeff WitheyPF - Wayne SimienSF - Brandon RushSG - Mario ChalmersPG - Sherron Collins

BENCH:Joel EmbiidThomas RobinsonAndrew WigginsAaron MilesBen McLemore

FILE PHOTO/KANSANWayne Simien dunked the ball during the second half of yesterday’s game against Georgia Tech. Simien’s 11 points paled in comparison to the 30 he scored in Friday’s game against UAB.

Will another decade of dominance begin next year?

With another strong recruiting class and a slew of returners, Kansas has to feel good about its chances next season to continue its reign of terror in the Big 12.

According to rivals.com, Kansas currently boasts the No. 5 recruiting class in the nation, and that comes one year after boasting the second-best class. As of April 16, Bill Self has only signed two players, but both are dynamic athletes expected to start right away.

Ranked as the No. 4 prospect by rivals.com, Cliff Alexander will bring much needed toughness and physicality to a Kansas team that lacked it at critical times this season. Standing at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Alexander’s long arms create havoc down low for opponents. He should lead the Jayhawks — and potentially the Big 12 — in rebounding next season and is also an effective shot blocker.

Not far behind in the rankings at No. 12, Kelly Oubre will be counted on to fill the void left by Andrew Wiggins at the small forward position. With a similar size at 6-foot-7, Oubre is a better shooter than Wiggins and is also capable of attacking the rim. His offensive prowess will be a much-needed boost to a Kansas offense that stalled at times this season, most notably in the Round of 32 loss to Stanford.

As the team stands now, Kansas is ranked as a top-10 team by multiple college basketball analysts, including No. 2 by CBS Sports College

Basketball Insider Jon Rothstein. But its stock can improve even more as the Jayhawks are in the running for two more recruits that would solidify two crucial positions.

Myles Turner, a 6-foot-11 center, is considering Kansas and will announce his decision on April 30. Kansas is also a contender for the top uncommitted point guard in Devonte Graham, who was just released from his letter

of intent to Appalachian State last week. With his ability to shoot and block shots, Turner would be a virtual lock to start at center while Graham, known for his defense and court awareness, would make a strong push to start at point guard.

While Kansas will lose three important players in Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid and Tarik Black, the Jayhawks return key contributors from last year’s team, including

Wayne Selden Jr, Perry Ellis, Naadir Tharpe, Frank Mason, Conner Frankamp, Brannen Greene and Jamari Traylor. The Jayhawks seemed stacked for at least the next two years.

The biggest threat to the streak should be Texas, who is returning the entire starting five from a team that finished third in the Big 12 last year. West Virginia returns key players from a team that defeated Kansas last year. Brady Heslip and Isaiah

Austin will be gone, but Baylor returns most of its core after making the Sweet 16.

Other conference contenders this season appear to be headed for a slight drop-off. Iowa State loses seniors Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane, who together averaged 35 points a game for a Cyclone team that won the Big 12 Tournament. Oklahoma State also loses a pair that combined to average 35 points a game. Do-it-all point guard Marcus Smart

is heading to the NBA while sharpshooter Markel Brown graduates.

The Jayhawks are highly unlikely to win another set of 10 straight conference titles. They may not even break the all-time record of 13 consecutive titles set by UCA almost three decades ago.

But other Big 12 teams wanting a reprieve from Kansas’ stranglehold aren’t going to get it anytime soon.

+Tuckaway 856-0432

+Hutton Farms 841-3339

+Briarwood 856-0432

+Harper Square 856-0432

L I V E W H E R E E V E R Y T H I N G M A T T E R Sw w w . t o w e r p r o p e r t i e s . c o m

FIND YOUR HOME TODAY

TOWER PROPERTIESLAWRENCE, KANSAS

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014PAGE 12 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN

GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSANThe Kansas bench reacts to an incredible dunk by Tarik Black during the second half of the game against Texas on Saturday, Feb. 22. Kansas defeated Texas 85-54.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Streak has good chance of reaching 11 next seasonBRIAN [email protected]

A WINNING PARTNERSHIP.Northwestern Mutual is proud to bean official corporate partner of the

NCAA.

Emily Moseley Director of Campus Selection(913) 362-5000rpsfinancialgroup.com

05-3052 © 2014 Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities) and its subsidiaries. Staff members are associated with the local office listed above and support Representatives. Products and services referenced are offered and sold only by appropriately licensed individuals. NCAA® is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

OPENING SOON(WE KNOW

–NOT SOON ENOUGH)

©2014. BurgerFi® and the BurgerFi® logo are trademarks of BurgerFi International, LLC.

Leawood – Park Place • 11635 Ash Street Lawrence – 918 Massachusetts

Conference Kings

Documents

Transcript of Conference Kings