What did ‘Ted Lasso’ star say to amuse KU Jayhawks during locker room visit Saturday?
Kansas basketball radio analyst Greg Gurley, a standout shooting guard out of Shawnee Mission South High School, escorted former SM West point guard/Hollywood star Jason Sudeikis from his courtside seat through the northwest tunnel into the Jayhawks’ locker room hallway at the conclusion of Saturday’s 86-51 victory over Furman at Allen Fieldhouse.
The former “Saturday Night Live” cast member and creator of the award-winning Apple TV series “Ted Lasso,” who normally attends a KU game or two a season, visited with the KU players and coaches after the Jayhawks’ seventh victory against no defeats.
“He said that he schooled LeBron (James) at a “Saturday Night Live” skit or scene and said that when he played ‘Jesus with Tim Tebow’ in the locker room … he said that was one of his favorite acts he’s ever done. You remember that one?” KU coach Bill Self said with a smile during his postgame media session.
Perhaps inspired by the presence of comedic actor Sudeikis, Self, KU’s 22nd-year head coach, delivered a joke of his own.
“The good thing about it,” Self said of Sudeikis being at the game, “is I think the positivity I exude at all times comes from my inner Ted Lasso.”
KU senior guard David “Diggy” Coit, who scored nine points on 4-of-6 shooting (1-of-2 from 3) with five rebounds, two assists and no turnovers in 22 minutes, said on KU’s postgame radio show it was exciting for the players to speak with Sudeikis after the victory.
“He’s super cool. Obviously I’ve seen him in so many movies. I’m bad with names. I was like, ‘I know this dude,’’’ Coit said. “It’s so crazy being here (at KU). You see so many celebrities and famous people.
“I’m from a mid-major (Northern Illinois transfer) and a JUCO. (Atlantic Cape CC). I’ve never seen people like that. To see him casually just walk in and be funny … he’s very down to earth. It was a great time to see him. He’s definitely funny.”
As far as Sudeikis telling the Jayhawks about playing against LeBron James, Coit said: “He said he gave LeBron a bucket behind the scenes.”
“(Sudeikis) said, ‘Make sure to tell that to the people you see. Tell enough people and it may be true,’” Coit added with a laugh.
A big KU fan, Sudeikis picked a good game to attend.
In all, 10 KU players scored, led by KJ Adams, who finished with 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting: Six players scored eight or more points: Adams, plus (Hunter Dickinson and Rylan Griffen, 10 apiece; Coit, nine; Dajuan Harris and Flory Bidunga, eight).
As a team, the Jayhawks hit 39 of 64 shots for 60.9% KU had 25 assists on its 39 baskets and outrebounded Furman 42-26. KU’s only weakness on offense came on 3s: KU hit 4 of 17 3s to Furman’s 9 of 38.
Of Kansas’ 86 points, 62 of them came in the paint. According to KU Athletics, it’s the most paint points KU has scored since at least the 2008-09 season.
Kansas held Furman to 17-of-57 (29.8 %) shooting, the lowest shooting percentage by an opponent since Oklahoma State was held to 29.3% on Jan. 30, 2024.
“That’s the best we’ve looked offensively in a while, getting everything we wanted except we’re not making shots (from deep) yet,” Self said. “We could get the ball to the rim tonight, so we had to do that. We’ve got to shoot a better percentage beyond the arc. I’m actually not worried about that. I think we will. I think we have good shooters. I thought we were pretty good on both ends.”
The Jayhawks had numerous slam dunks off alley-oop passes.
“I don’t think we are unbelievably fast,” Self said, “but I do think if we can rebound the ball clean there’s a great chance we can get numbers just because we have multiple guys that can run.
“AJ (Storr, four points, 22 minutes) had a couple possessions running today that just looked different. Juan isn’t always the best at filling a lane, but if guys will fill the lane he’s pretty darn good at getting them the ball. We had several finishes around the rim that were great because we did run. The way I look at it is when you play big games late in season, you don’t score off transition near as much. We took advantage of the opportunities we had tonight.”
Of KU’s running game, Coit said: “I’m grateful for the five guys to start the second half (Adams, Harris, Storr, Dickinson, Zeke Mayo) guarding, rebounding and pushing the tempo. I think turning up the tempo, getting out and running, going downhill helped us the second half.”
KU scored 39 points first 20 minutes and 47 the second stanza. The Jayhawks will next meet Creighton at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Omaha, Nebraska.
This story was originally published December 1, 2024 at 10:55 AM with the headline "What did ‘Ted Lasso’ star say to amuse KU Jayhawks during locker room visit Saturday?."
