Kansas coach Bill Self expects K-State crowd to be ‘turned up’ for Saturday’s rematch
Bill Self doesn’t sound as if he’s at all concerned about possible fan behavior issues before, during or after Saturday’s Kansas-Kansas State basketball game, set for a 12:30 p.m. tipoff in 12,528-seat Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.
“I expect it will be great just like it always is when we go over there. I don’t think there will be anything that will take away from that,” Self, KU’s 17th-year coach, said Thursday at his weekly news conference in Allen Fieldhouse.
“Just like when we played at Waco (Texas) or play at most of our visiting venues, I think the crowd usually is pretty turned up. I’m sure that will be the case Saturday.”
Some folks have speculated that the K-State student section might be more vocal than usual in response to the brawl that occurred at the end of KU’s 81-60 victory over the Wildcats on Jan. 21 in Allen Fieldhouse.
KU junior Silvio De Sousa still has two games remaining on his 12-game suspension issued for picking up a stool (he put it down and did not hit anybody with it) and throwing punches. He won’t be in Manhattan on Saturday.
Other suspensions went to KU’s David McCormack (two games) and K-State’s James Love (eight games) and Antonio Gordon (three games).
Self, whose KU teams are 11-5 in Bramlage Coliseum, said he will address with the team what the Jayhawks players should expect Saturday.
“It’s always that way. We’ll talk about what you should be prepared for,” Self said. “We didn’t say one word about the crowd at Baylor (prior to Saturday’s 64-61 victory in Waco). So it’s not like that’s going to be our point of emphasis going over there is just to talk about the crowd. Our point of emphasis will be to be poised and playing hard and competing hard, how to guard actions and take advantage of how they guard us. That’ll be our goals.”
KU has won all 10 games contested since the brawl-marred game against Kansas State. The Wildcats are 1-9 since that contest.
Last-place Kansas State, which won the Big 12 a year ago with co-champ Texas Tech, defeated the Jayhawks 74-67 a year ago at Bramlage before a loud, sold-out crowd.
“They hate us obviously,” said KU sophomore Ochai Agbaji, asked what he learned a year ago from playing his first Sunflower Showdown game in Manhattan.
“Everything … from when we first ran out there in warmups, they were booing. We know how it’ll be this time. We will be getting a lot of booing, a lot of jeers. We know what to expect so we’re ready for that.”
KU is 14-1 in the Big 12 this season. That includes a 7-0 road record with road games remaining against K-State and Texas Tech.
“Like I said we’ll take it as any other road game,” Agbaji said. “On the road we draw all the (sellout) crowds. Like in Waco it was loud and rowdy. We’ll take it the exact same way as that. They hate us a lot more, so. …” he added, his voice trailing off.
Agbaji said in his opinion “everybody’s moved on (from the brawl). We haven’t really had any talks about it or anything with coach. We’re taking it as another road game. We’ll say it as simple as that.”
One thing that might appease the K-State fans is the fact De Sousa will be watching the game in Lawrence, not Manhattan.
“Silvio can’t go to the game. That is the Big 12 penalty they handed down. The guys that were involved couldn’t travel (during their suspensions),” Self said.
De Sousa will be available for the Big 12 regular-season finale March 7 at Texas Tech.
“He’s been practicing. He’s doing great,” Self said. “His attitude is good. His attitude is always good. He certainly had a bad moment but his attitude is good. He’s contributing every way he possibly can with the limitations put on him.”
KU catching up on rest this week
The Jayhawks, who beat Oklahoma State 83-58 on Monday in Allen Fieldhouse, were a tired team immediately following that game.
“I really think our schedule has probably taken a bigger toll on us than it has in recent years,” Self said.
“I think three of our last four weeks was Saturday/Monday. Then the West Virginia game was a week we had Wednesday/Saturday/Monday (games). I think that does add to the fatigue and also the mental preparation it takes when you know you can’t stub your foe (or fall behind Baylor, also 14-1 in the league).
“The guys obviously have been relatively focused. I do think it’s natural to have a moment where you are beat,” Self added. “I think that was the case after Baylor. I was really happy with our guys. I thought we competed hard against Oklahoma State. I thought we executed pretty well, but we had a tired point guard out there (Devon Dotson). That’s probably as worn out as I’ve seen him at any point in time since he has been here. He seems to have his legs back now.”
Self said Marcus Garrett, who has been bothered by a foot injury the last few weeks, “is in treatment every morning for an hour.”
He said Garrett was given the day off Tuesday and Wednesday and was to practice 30 minutes Thursday before a full practice Friday leading into the K-State game.
Self praises Dotson
Self on Dotson, who leads the squad in scoring with a 17.9 points per game average: “Devon changed my opinion on what I probably thought I wanted him to be early on. I didn’t think he’d be a guy that would get 18 a game in our league. He’s done that. He far exceeded what I thought he could do from that standpoint and he’s equaled what I thought he could do in other categories. He’s had a great year. Doke (Azubuike) is on an uptick now; Marcus is getting some attention now. If you at it from start to finish it’d be hardpressed to say anybody’s had a better year than Devon on our team because he’s been very consistent.”
Garrett up for defensive award
KU’s Garrett has been named one of 10 semifinalists for Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year Award, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Thursday. The others: Mamadi Diakite, Virginia; Romano Gill, Seton Hall; Jacob GIlyard, Richmond; Ashton Hagans, Kentucky; Tre Jones, Duke; Davion Mitchell, Baylor; Zavier Simpson, Michigan; Aaron Thompson, Butler; Mark Vital, Baylor.
OU plays league game in OKC
Oklahoma defeated Texas Tech, 65-51, in Oklahoma City instead of on campus on Saturday. It was billed as a way for folks who live in OKC and Edmond, Oklahoma to not have to drive all the way to Norman.
Self was asked if he ever wanted to play a league game in the Sprint Center.
“No,” he said. “I don’t know the reason why they played that in Oklahoma City. I think it’s fine to do. The home school has the right if the visiting school would agree to it. We already take too many games in my opinion away from Allen Fieldhouse. I wouldn’t want to add to that.”
