After holiday break, KU, Stanford hurriedly prepare for Sunday’s game in California
Stanford basketball coach and former Kansas guard Jerod Haase, his wife Mindy, and their three children recently spent four glorious days at Lake Tahoe enjoying the Christmas season.
“Practice, recruiting, playing with toys Santa brought with the kids and watching Kansas tape,” Haase, a 45-year-old 1997 KU graduate and native of South Lake Tahoe said of his recent schedule.
The Cardinal, like the Jayhawks, returned from holiday break for practice Thursday night. Both teams are scurrying to prepare adequately for Sunday’s game between No. 5-ranked KU (9-2) and the unranked Cardinal. Tipoff is 2 p.m. Central time at 7,233-seat Maples Pavilion on Stanford’s campus in California.
“I think I am (not overly emotional about the game). I’ve kind of gone through the song and dance a few years now,” Haase said of playing against his alma mater. KU has won the first three games of this four-game, four-year series, which expires Sunday.
“I would say that part of it … it’s obviously interesting and unique to see that uniform over there (on other side of bench area). But from an emotional standpoint, I would say I’m not now. I mean, we could go into details about challenges for us,” fourth-year Stanford coach Haase added of playing a four-game series versus KU right after taking over the program. “I like the fact I’ve been able to coach in Allen Fieldhouse (0-2) and it’s always a great opportunity for our guys to play against one of the best teams in the country.”
The Cardinal lost to KU 90-84 in overtime last year at Allen. In the previous two games of the series, KU won by 15 points in 2016 at Allen and won by 21 points in 2017 in Sacramento.
“One of the great things about Kansas … every former player, every former coach has a special place in the people’s heart,” Haase said of KU fans in a Friday phone interview with The Star. “The reception was awesome (in his two appearances at Allen). I thought the world of the people there (during his playing days). No question, it’s been special.”
Both Haase and KU coach Bill Self said they did not know if the series would resume sometime in the future. Haase said no such talks are currently underway.
“It’s been fine for us,” Self said of the series, indicating he couldn’t speak for Stanford about “how good it’s been for them.”
“You’ve got a name school obviously from a different area of the country (Pac-12 Conference). I’m excited going to Palo Alto (California). I’ve never been there. I hear it’s just drop-dead gorgeous. I’m looking forward myself to going.”
Of Haase, Self said: “Sure I like him. Obviously, he’s loved here, based on his career here. He was a terrific player here on one of the best teams Kansas has assembled (34-2 in 1996-97). I’m not going to love him too much Sunday afternoon, but I can totally respect his past and certainly what he’s doing now.”
Self and the Jayhawks were busy Friday on the coach’s 57th birthday. After practicing Thursday night, they returned to the gym to practice again Friday morning before hosting a three-hour afternoon holiday clinic for youths.
“I’ve not watched near as much film on Stanford as I will by 10 tonight,” Self said. “They are better defensively (allowing 57.5 points a game, best in the Pac-12). I believe that’s what this particular team hangs its hat on.”
Of KU and Stanford, Haase said: “I love my group. We’re playing hard defensively, trying to share it offensively. We turn it over too much. Kansas is really good, talented. They have some of the best players in the country. There’s a reason they were ranked No. 1 in the country (now 5).”
After the Stanford game, KU opens Big 12 play against West Virginia at either 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. on Jan. 4 at Allen Fieldhouse. No time has yet been set for that game
