A team meeting, injury report and emerging freshman: KU hoops check-in before OU clash
.JPG "Kansas guard MJ Rice shoots under pressure from Texas forward Dylan Disu during the first half on Feb. 6, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan.")
It remains to be seen if the hour-long Kansas basketball team meeting called by head coach Bill Self immediately after the squad’s return from a 15-point loss Saturday at Iowa State will have a significant impact on the rest of the season.
What’s known for sure is the No. 9-ranked Jayhawks (19-5, 7-4) bounced back on Monday night by defeating first-place Texas (19-5, 8-3) 88-80 at Allen Fieldhouse. They now begin a two-game road trip at Oklahoma (12-12, 2-9) — set for a noon tip at Lloyd Noble Center on Saturday — followed by a contest at Oklahoma State (15-9, 6-5) on Tuesday.
Regardless of what happens down the line, Saturday’s meeting apparently proved to be a positive experience for the Jayhawks, who had lost four of five league games heading into the game against the No. 5 Longhorns.
“That (meeting) was good for us,” KU senior guard Kevin McCullar said Thursday. “I knew coach was going to get us together at some point. Usually we go home right after (the bus pulls into the parking lot).
“He called a meeting. We all sat in there. ... Coach just talked with us. We talked back pretty much. We communicated different ways we feel like we can be successful down the road.”
McCullar added: “I think it was the short turnaround (between games) and (that) we needed to have a talk and kind of figure out how this team can be the most successful and be in a position to win on a night in and out basis.”
KU coach Self on Thursday addressed the team meeting publicly for the first time.
He had said after Saturday’s game he was especially dismayed at KU’s energy level versus the Cyclones (16-7, 7-4).
“I didn’t like what I saw at all. Of course, it’s on the coaches not getting them ready, (but) there were a lot of guys out there on an island by themselves,” Self had said on Saturday. “There weren’t many guys looking at anything but how it impacted themselves. That’s a formula for getting your (butt) handed to you.”
On Thursday he stated the meeting “was non-basketball specific. I didn’t meet with our team about technical things that happened in Ames. I told you guys (media) I didn’t even watch tape (of the ISU game). I met with them more about team things, culture-type things.”
Self said the Jayhawks have “done a lot of meeting (this season). I had a coaching buddy of mine say, ‘Teams that aren’t as good meet. Teams that are good practice.’ We were at a phase where we probably needed to talk some things out so ... there’s no hesitation on what expectations are and what everyone’s role is ... based on where they are at with this particular team at this particular time.”
Self has stressed the need for “energy” in assessing his team’s play this season.
He is asking the Jayhawks to bring all-out effort every night, especially during a season in which the Big 12 appears as strong and balanced as ever.
Texas currently leads the pack at 8-3 followed by KU, Kansas State, Baylor and Iowa State (all 7-4), Oklahoma State and TCU (6-5), West Virginia (4-7), Oklahoma (2-9) and Texas Tech (1-10).
“I think every team we’ve had (in 20 seasons at KU), ... the teams that play with the most energy play the fastest, are the most athletic. To me it’s feet and hand activity, always bluff at the ball, always dig at the ball,” Self said. “First two steps in transition, … a lot goes into it.
“You can cover up mistakes from a technical standpoint with great energy or great athleticism. When you don’t have that, the tactical things become more prevalent. In large part we’ve got a team full of good athletes. I don’t consider us a team full of guys (who every night blow away opponents with athleticism). We have good athletes that need to be turned up to be great athletes. When we do that we are pretty effective. When we are turned up we are pretty good defensively. When we are not we are real average.”
Self pleased by play of MJ Rice
Self was encouraged by the intangibles exhibited by freshman guard MJ Rice against Texas. Rice had two points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in 15 minutes.
“I’ll be honest: MJ, … that’s the first time he looked like he was moving and playing with a presence in a long time,” Self said Thursday. “I’m excited. If that can keep moving in a positive direction that can certainly make our team much deeper (and) much better. I’m hopeful for that. It doesn’t have anything to do with points and rebounds. It’s just the presence and mindset and body language.
“It seems it’s the best it’s been with MJ in a long time. I’m thinking so much of that is health related.”
Rice has been bothered by a bad back during much of the conference season.
Injury update
KU had just eight scholarship players available for the Texas game Monday. It may be a similar case on Saturday.
“I think we are all (doing) better,” Self said of the group of injured players. “Cam (Martin, shoulder) won’t be available. Kyle (Cuffe, knee) obviously won’t be available. I’ve been told there’s a chance Zuby (Ejiofor, foot) maybe could be worked in some today.
“Zach (Clemence, knee) I think is still day-to-day, as well as Bobby (Pettiford, hamstring), too. I don’t anticipate those guys (Pettiford, Clemence being available for OU). I could be wrong.”
This story was originally published February 9, 2023 at 5:12 PM with the headline "A team meeting, injury report and emerging freshman: KU hoops check-in before OU clash."
