Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 22, 2008 1:13:37 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/166/story/454827.html
Kansas freshmen Aldrich and Reed watch and wait
By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH
The Kansas City Star
LAWRENCE | Hanging out in their apartment at Jayhawker Towers, Kansas freshmen Cole Aldrich and Tyrel Reed can’t help but think about the future.
They know full well that as many as seven of KU’s top eight players may be gone. And they also know that, at this point in the 2007-08 season, they haven’t exactly been game-tested. Aldrich, a center, is averaging 9.2 minutes per game, while Reed, a guard, is averaging 8.8. What that means for next season … who knows?
“We try not to talk about it,” Reed said. “We know it’s going to come sooner or later. But we’re just trying to relish the moment right now and continue to get better.”
Talk about a life of luxury. Unlike freshmen at KU in past years, Aldrich and Reed have been able to stay under the radar and focus on improving in practice instead of having the flaws in their game on display in front of thousands at Allen Fieldhouse. It’s the type of luxury afforded freshmen on the deep and experienced No. 2 team in the country.
“Both of them knew that coming in,” KU guard Russell Robinson said. “They’re just living it up right now. There’s no pressure on them. All they gotta do is come out and practice every day and learn. Learn from some pretty talented guys.”
Of course, many of those talents won’t be here next season. Gone for sure are Robinson, Rodrick Stewart, Darnell Jackson and Sasha Kaun, who will run out of eligibility after this year. Juniors Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers will have the opportunity to leave for the NBA after this year, as will sophomore Darrell Arthur.
Rush and Arthur would appear more likely to leave than Chalmers, but the possibility can’t be ruled out that Sherron Collins could be the only returning player with significant experience in 2008-09.
Aldrich, asked about the possibility that he would be the only returning big man, wasn’t willing to give up on Arthur just yet.
“Shady definitely has the potential to jump to the NBA next year,” Aldrich said, “but I wish he’d stay around and play with me for another year.”
If Arthur does go, KU coach Bill Self will need Aldrich, the 6-foot-11 Minnesotan, to be ready to start. No matter what, next year’s incoming class of Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris, Travis Releford, Quintrell Thomas and junior college transfer Mario Little will have to contribute immediately.
Aldrich, who struggled early on adapting to the speed of the college game, has looked more comfortable in three Big 12 games. He’s grabbed 10 rebounds in 26 total minutes to go along with eight points and four blocks.
Most importantly, Aldrich played key stretches against some of the league’s best big men — Aleks Maric of Nebraska, Longar Longar of Oklahoma and DeMarre Carroll of Missouri — and held his own. Aldrich even received a lob against MU and threw it down for an easy dunk. Aldrich said he got the most out of his 13 minutes against Longar.
“I proved to myself that I can hang with the big boys in the conference,” Aldrich said. “You know, I wish I was playing a little more, but it’s a great learning experience for me.”
Reed, a native of Burlington, Kan., started the season impressively, getting playing time thanks to the injuries to Rush and Collins. But he hasn’t seen much action since sustaining an ankle injury against Arizona Nov. 25.
“Coming into the season, I really had no expectations of where I’d be,” Reed said. “Next year will be a different challenge with all those seniors being gone, and who knows about all the other players? It’ll be interesting.”
Self knows that Aldrich and Reed will be key components of next year’s team, but he’s not going to sacrifice court time for more deserving players this year.
“That’s not our focus going in,” Self said. “I’d love to get Cole more minutes, but I’m not going to get Cole more minutes because we want to prepare him for next year.”
Robinson is convinced from going against the freshmen in practice that they’re getting better. Even if the fans don’t get to see it.
“You can see it in their eyes,” Robinson said, “that they’re ready for their time to come.”
Kansas freshmen Aldrich and Reed watch and wait
By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH
The Kansas City Star
LAWRENCE | Hanging out in their apartment at Jayhawker Towers, Kansas freshmen Cole Aldrich and Tyrel Reed can’t help but think about the future.
They know full well that as many as seven of KU’s top eight players may be gone. And they also know that, at this point in the 2007-08 season, they haven’t exactly been game-tested. Aldrich, a center, is averaging 9.2 minutes per game, while Reed, a guard, is averaging 8.8. What that means for next season … who knows?
“We try not to talk about it,” Reed said. “We know it’s going to come sooner or later. But we’re just trying to relish the moment right now and continue to get better.”
Talk about a life of luxury. Unlike freshmen at KU in past years, Aldrich and Reed have been able to stay under the radar and focus on improving in practice instead of having the flaws in their game on display in front of thousands at Allen Fieldhouse. It’s the type of luxury afforded freshmen on the deep and experienced No. 2 team in the country.
“Both of them knew that coming in,” KU guard Russell Robinson said. “They’re just living it up right now. There’s no pressure on them. All they gotta do is come out and practice every day and learn. Learn from some pretty talented guys.”
Of course, many of those talents won’t be here next season. Gone for sure are Robinson, Rodrick Stewart, Darnell Jackson and Sasha Kaun, who will run out of eligibility after this year. Juniors Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers will have the opportunity to leave for the NBA after this year, as will sophomore Darrell Arthur.
Rush and Arthur would appear more likely to leave than Chalmers, but the possibility can’t be ruled out that Sherron Collins could be the only returning player with significant experience in 2008-09.
Aldrich, asked about the possibility that he would be the only returning big man, wasn’t willing to give up on Arthur just yet.
“Shady definitely has the potential to jump to the NBA next year,” Aldrich said, “but I wish he’d stay around and play with me for another year.”
If Arthur does go, KU coach Bill Self will need Aldrich, the 6-foot-11 Minnesotan, to be ready to start. No matter what, next year’s incoming class of Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris, Travis Releford, Quintrell Thomas and junior college transfer Mario Little will have to contribute immediately.
Aldrich, who struggled early on adapting to the speed of the college game, has looked more comfortable in three Big 12 games. He’s grabbed 10 rebounds in 26 total minutes to go along with eight points and four blocks.
Most importantly, Aldrich played key stretches against some of the league’s best big men — Aleks Maric of Nebraska, Longar Longar of Oklahoma and DeMarre Carroll of Missouri — and held his own. Aldrich even received a lob against MU and threw it down for an easy dunk. Aldrich said he got the most out of his 13 minutes against Longar.
“I proved to myself that I can hang with the big boys in the conference,” Aldrich said. “You know, I wish I was playing a little more, but it’s a great learning experience for me.”
Reed, a native of Burlington, Kan., started the season impressively, getting playing time thanks to the injuries to Rush and Collins. But he hasn’t seen much action since sustaining an ankle injury against Arizona Nov. 25.
“Coming into the season, I really had no expectations of where I’d be,” Reed said. “Next year will be a different challenge with all those seniors being gone, and who knows about all the other players? It’ll be interesting.”
Self knows that Aldrich and Reed will be key components of next year’s team, but he’s not going to sacrifice court time for more deserving players this year.
“That’s not our focus going in,” Self said. “I’d love to get Cole more minutes, but I’m not going to get Cole more minutes because we want to prepare him for next year.”
Robinson is convinced from going against the freshmen in practice that they’re getting better. Even if the fans don’t get to see it.
“You can see it in their eyes,” Robinson said, “that they’re ready for their time to come.”