Post by MizzouTiger on Mar 4, 2008 2:20:41 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/166/story/515632.html
KU mauls Texas Tech on Senior Night
By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH
The Kansas City Star
LAWRENCE | During the 8-minute stretch when the Kansas Jayhawks guaranteed an undefeated record at home this season, senior Russell Robinson looked like the player he thought he’d be as a freshman.
Robinson torched the nets for 15 points. A career 40-percent shooter from the field and a 33-percent three-point shooter, Robinson hit all five of his field-goal attempts and all three from beyond the arc.
It’s no wonder the Jayhawks never lose on Senior Night.
Kansas won its 24th straight senior sendoff on Monday night at Allen Fieldhouse, sending Texas Tech home with an embarrassing 109-51 defeat. The obliteration of the Red Raiders put No. 5 KU one win over Texas A&M (on Saturday in College Station) away from at least a share of the Big 12 regular-season title. If the Jayhawks follow through, their five seniors will become the ninth class in history to win four league titles.
For those seniors — Robinson, Darnell Jackson, Sasha Kaun, Rodrick Stewart and Jeremy Case — Monday night was the alpha and the omega. Their careers playing in front of 16,300 fans at “The Phog” are now over. But the most important part of their careers, the part where they get one last shot to play in a Final Four or for a national championship, now begins.
On Monday night, the five seniors started the game. They’d all have their moments. Robinson, the kid-turned-grown man from the Bronx, N.Y., couldn’t miss. That was what he’d imagined when he chose to come to Kansas as a thingyy guard from the big city. But things didn’t work out that way, as KU coach Bill Self would need Robinson to run the team from the point.
Jackson, KU’s other regular senior starter, thought that his future was in football growing up in Oklahoma City. It’s fitting that two of his finest plays on Saturday night came on overhand, quarterback-style passes to his teammates for easy layups. Jackson finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.
For Stewart, a career 19.3-percent shooter from three, his moment came from beyond the arc — oddly enough. Stewart hit both of his three-point attempts for six points.
For Case, his contribution would have to come from three. Case has long been considered a lights-out three-point shooter in practice. In a two-minute span in the second half, Case scored nine points on three treys to send the crowd into a frenzy.
Last, but certainly not least, Kaun scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds.
Even walk-on Brad Withersthingy, playing in his last home game, was fouled and hit two free throws for two points.
Kansas’ youth was served, too. KU freshman Cole Aldrich grabbed 11 points and 11 rebounds in 17 minutes for his first career double-double.
KU mauls Texas Tech on Senior Night
By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH
The Kansas City Star
LAWRENCE | During the 8-minute stretch when the Kansas Jayhawks guaranteed an undefeated record at home this season, senior Russell Robinson looked like the player he thought he’d be as a freshman.
Robinson torched the nets for 15 points. A career 40-percent shooter from the field and a 33-percent three-point shooter, Robinson hit all five of his field-goal attempts and all three from beyond the arc.
It’s no wonder the Jayhawks never lose on Senior Night.
Kansas won its 24th straight senior sendoff on Monday night at Allen Fieldhouse, sending Texas Tech home with an embarrassing 109-51 defeat. The obliteration of the Red Raiders put No. 5 KU one win over Texas A&M (on Saturday in College Station) away from at least a share of the Big 12 regular-season title. If the Jayhawks follow through, their five seniors will become the ninth class in history to win four league titles.
For those seniors — Robinson, Darnell Jackson, Sasha Kaun, Rodrick Stewart and Jeremy Case — Monday night was the alpha and the omega. Their careers playing in front of 16,300 fans at “The Phog” are now over. But the most important part of their careers, the part where they get one last shot to play in a Final Four or for a national championship, now begins.
On Monday night, the five seniors started the game. They’d all have their moments. Robinson, the kid-turned-grown man from the Bronx, N.Y., couldn’t miss. That was what he’d imagined when he chose to come to Kansas as a thingyy guard from the big city. But things didn’t work out that way, as KU coach Bill Self would need Robinson to run the team from the point.
Jackson, KU’s other regular senior starter, thought that his future was in football growing up in Oklahoma City. It’s fitting that two of his finest plays on Saturday night came on overhand, quarterback-style passes to his teammates for easy layups. Jackson finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.
For Stewart, a career 19.3-percent shooter from three, his moment came from beyond the arc — oddly enough. Stewart hit both of his three-point attempts for six points.
For Case, his contribution would have to come from three. Case has long been considered a lights-out three-point shooter in practice. In a two-minute span in the second half, Case scored nine points on three treys to send the crowd into a frenzy.
Last, but certainly not least, Kaun scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds.
Even walk-on Brad Withersthingy, playing in his last home game, was fouled and hit two free throws for two points.
Kansas’ youth was served, too. KU freshman Cole Aldrich grabbed 11 points and 11 rebounds in 17 minutes for his first career double-double.