Big 12 refs will try to ‘eliminate’ some physical play, per memo. Bill Self’s reaction...
The Big 12 men’s basketball coaches recently received a reminder from the league’s supervisor of officials about limiting some of the bruising battles that take place in the paint.
“We got a memo (from Curtis Shaw) saying the physical play is going to be eliminated, at least in some ways, as far as getting the first guilty person that is creating the physical play,” KU coach Bill Self said Thursday at a news conference held in advance of Saturday’s KU-West Virginia game (5 p.m. Central, WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, West Virginia).
“That’s happened every year. That’s not a big deal to give (a) memo because I think every year (at the) midpoint of the season we kind of get away from the emphasis the way it was intended,” Self added. “Now we need to make sure it doesn’t get any more physical, so let’s get it back under control, that kind of stuff.”
The No. 3-ranked Jayhawks (13-1, 2-0) were awarded just four free throws (hitting two) in Tuesday’s 75-72 victory over Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. The Red Raiders went 10-of-12 from the line. KU committed 11 fouls; Tech six.
In KU’s 69-67 league opening win over Oklahoma State, the Jayhawks hit 6 of 10 free throws to OSU’s 8 of 11. KU was called for 15 fouls; OSU 17.
“We shot 14 free throws in two games. We haven’t gotten to the free throw line at all,” Self said. “I’m not saying anything (negative) about officiating. We’ve got to find a way to get to the free throw line. The way that you do that if you play the way we play is to drive it. Hopefully we can become better at that.”
Self, whose team likes to play an up-tempo style, said, “I haven’t felt it being ridiculously physical. I have not,” when asked if play has been extremely physical in KU games this season.
“I didn’t think the Oklahoma State game was, even though there were some physical plays. I didn’t think the Texas Tech game was even though there were some physical plays. People tell me after the (Tech) game, ‘Man that was a very physical game.’ To be honest I did not feel that coaching the game because I guess I’m so used to (it); ... that’s just the way it is in today’s game.”
Self said it’s the job of Shaw to “make sure that the game is called the way they want the game called in the (NCAA) Tournament.”
“And to be honest with you, we’ve got good officials. We’ve got the best officials in our league working it. The sample size is two games for me. It may feel different for other coaches,” Self said.
Informed that KJ Adams recently commented about play being physical, Self said, smiling: “KJ should because hes 6-foot-6 guarding 7-foot. That’s a little different for him.”
KU forward Jalen Wilson said he noticed physical play in viewing (on TV) TCU’s 88-87 victory over Baylor on Wednesday night in Waco.
“Hats off to TCU. They came back down 17 (points),” Wilson said. “It shows the strength of our conference. Every single night will be a battle as we’ve seen the past two games for us. Throughout the conference … it starts in practice, preparing for those physical battles, playing through contact and playing through no calls (at practice). We are ready for fast-paced type of games the Big 12 offers. It’s a battle every single night.”
Of KU’s practices Wilson said: “You have to be able to build good habits. You have to practice physical in a sense, go for loose balls, ... when you are boxing out, defending, walling up at the chest, trapping on the post. You’ve got to be physical so in the game it becomes habit.”
Yesufu listed ‘day-to-day’
Guard Joseph Yesufu, who missed Tuesday’s Texas Tech game because of a hamstring injury is listed “day-to-day,” Self said, noting the medical staff told him Yesufu was “making progress.”
Big 12 battles entertaining
Self not only watched the Baylor-TCU game on TV, but also viewed Iowa State’s 63-60 win over Oklahoma in Norman.
“Iowa State-OU was a great game,” Self said. “The TCU-Baylor game was a high-level game. That was some good ball. I thought Baylor was obviously great the first half (in leading 49-39 at halftime) and TCU fantastic the second half. It was a great game to watch.”
This story was originally published January 5, 2023 at 3:52 PM.
