KU Xavier Henry gets his first taste of KU hoops - Page 3

blazzin311 · 10-20-2009, 05:15 PM

Don't know if it's a repost or not. I don't think it is.

Xavier Henry gets his first taste of KU hoops
By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH
The Kansas City Star

LAWRENCE | C.J. Henry looked at his little brother and knew. There was Xavier, the 6-foot-6 man-child with the broad shoulders, watching the video board from underneath the tunnel at Allen Fieldhouse with his hands pressed together below his chin, waiting for his name to be called.

“He was just looking real nervous,” C.J. said. “I could tell. I’m his brother.”

During the last few years, Xavier had played in venues bigger than Allen, in high school all-star games with just as much talent as what surrounded him on Friday night at KU’s annual “Late Night in the Phog.” So what was there to be nervous about? Well, it was his first time playing in front of a fan base that had been awaiting his arrival basically since he was born to former KU basketball players Barbara and Carl Henry in 1991. Yes, 18-year-old Xavier was a bit nervous.

C.J., his senior by five years but also a member of KU’s freshman class, just told him to be himself — the supremely gifted, confident No. 3 overall player in the class of 2009 who is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2010 NBA draft.

“I kind of tried to settle him down,” C.J. said, “just told him to have fun.”

C.J. did the best he could, but it didn’t exactly work. In the Blue-White scrimmage, Xavier played like a freshman trying too hard to please. He made one of four shot attempts and finished with six points. He added three steals. More than his play, it was important just to get his highly anticipated unveiling over with.

“I played here one time but not with a crowd like that,” Xavier said. “It was special with 16,300. It’s a lot different than playing a high school game. Next time, I’m sure I’ll be more calm and go out and play and relax. Tonight, whew, it was just adrenaline.”

For the Jayhawks’ fans, it had to be nice to see Xavier and C.J. with the name ‘KANSAS’ stamped across their chests, their well-publicized recruiting saga far in the past. When Xavier’s name was finally called, he received one of the loudest player ovations.

“I’ve been feeling like a college student for the past six or seven weeks,” Xavier said. “It’s fun. I’m ready to take these recruits out, have fun, have a good night. Practice starts tomorrow morning.”

The recruits Xavier will be entertaining are five-star talents Harrison Barnes, a small forward from Ames, Iowa; Josh Selby, a point guard from Baltimore, Md.; and Doron Lamb, a shooting guard from Mouth of Wilson, Va.

It was just last year that Xavier was sitting where they were, watching a slew of recruiting-based videos and trying to make his college decision. A year later, after signing with Memphis and then choosing KU after John Calipari’s departure for Kentucky, Xavier was a part of the action.

In his freshman skit, Xavier was forced to wear an afro and butt-hugger KU game shorts from the 1980s and dance to rapper Lil’ Flip’s “The way we ball.” Xavier had been nervous about that, too, of course.

“They made us do some goofy stuff tonight,” Xavier said. “We stressed over it the whole week. We practiced earlier (Friday), made sure we got it down. It was good. I enjoyed it while we were out there.”

•TAYLOR PLAYS: KU guard Tyshawn Taylor, who dislocated a finger during a fight between KU football and basketball players, played 9 minutes during the scrimmage and dished out five assists.

The stars of the game were Markieff Morris and Travis Releford, who each had 15 points.

http://www.kansascity.com/842/story/1513230.html#

Braincase · 10-20-2009, 08:18 PM

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. How many teams have started as No. 1 and ended as No. 1? One game at a time, gang.

GoHuge · 10-20-2009, 08:43 PM

Hey who's spot will Xavier be taking and who will be the starting five? Obviously Collins at the 1, Aldrich at the 5, X at the 2 or 3?, Taylor, and Sniper or Crash Morris until Morningstar is back?

blazzin311 · 10-20-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metrolike

They will learn about EJ rather quick, I think. This is the kid I'm most excited about. I haven't been this excited since JuJu.

Agreed. I watched a bit of the scrimmage on Friday night online, and I was rather impressed with what I saw of him. Totally didn't expect him to look as good as he did for some reason. But it was a pleasant suprise to see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Tyshawn Taylor is gonna shine this season. Just wait.

Agreed. The kid can flat out ball.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Oh I cant wait, God I feel like a kid in a candy store or a grown up in a hot rod store with an unlimited credit card...

Man I cant wait til these guys tip off! This is going to be a great ride. I can see the haters out in full force, hanging on everything bad KU does, just hoping they have something to celebrate this year..

This.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I thought the implosions from 2 years ago were bad... these will be epic. I remember how the world briefly ended after they lost @OSU... it's funny how people hang onto each game like it's the start of something wonderful or awful, how everything is the start of a trend, how one loss can destroy a season for a team that will get a 1 or 2 seed anyway....... it'll be a fun ride, but I might stay away from here after losses, and not because of the non-KU fans.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metrolike

Oh yeah, we're bound to lose, it's nigh impossible not to. They are going to sting, but it's just part of the process.

Well put Metro, in response to Bearcat. Couldn't have said it any better myself.

Spicy McHaggis · 10-20-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braincase

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. How many teams have started as No. 1 and ended as No. 1? One game at a time, gang.

UNC did do it just last year.

Bill Self will not allow that to stand.

BWillie · 10-20-2009, 09:07 PM

IMO, not having Brady Morningstar is just about the best thing that could happen to this club to start out the season. Gives some guys who need more minutes some experience. I want to see what CJ Henry can do. He is one tall point guard.

Saccopoo · 10-20-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Theres too much talent there to run just an 8 man roatation. Of course Morningstar won't play til Jan.

S Collins
B Morningstar
T Taylor
E Johnson
X Henry
CJ Henry
T Robinson
MC Morris
MK Morris
C Aldrich
J Withey

God this team is ****ing loaded.

Don't forget the leading scorer from the Late Night game - Releford. And Little is healthy again this year. I think he'll be a beast.

Pants · 10-20-2009, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spicy McHaggis

UNC did do it just last year.

Bill Self will not allow that to stand.

This aggression will not stand, man.

**Buehler445** · 10-20-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I thought the implosions from 2 years ago were bad... these will be epic. I remember how the world briefly ended after they lost @OSU... it's funny how people hang onto each game like it's the start of something wonderful or awful, how everything is the start of a trend, how one loss can destroy a season for a team that will get a 1 or 2 seed anyway....... it'll be a fun ride, but I might stay away from here after losses, and not because of the non-KU fans.

THROW THE ****ING BALL INSIDE!

(Gotta get practiced up)

Saccopoo · 10-20-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I thought the implosions from 2 years ago were bad... these will be epic.

I can seriously point to KU basketball loses as a significant factor in my divorce.

I routinely blamed her for each and every KU loss - talking to her mother jinxed them, doing dishes while the game was on jinxed them, she went out and bought a pair of shoes during a game and jinxed them...

And then she bought tickets for the '95/'96 NCAA regionals in Denver...****ing John Wallace.

I knew right then and there she was a goddamn witch.

**** me.

BWillie · 10-21-2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Don't forget the leading scorer from the Late Night game - Releford. And Little is healthy again this year. I think he'll be a beast.

Little can't really defend the 3 or the 4 well. I don't foresee him playing major minutes. But then again, many think he was hobbled last year when he was playing. I'm just not a big fan of junion college transfers.

Saccopoo · 10-21-2009, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Little can't really defend the 3 or the 4 well. I don't foresee him playing major minutes. But then again, many think he was hobbled last year when he was playing. I'm just not a big fan of junion college transfers.

I think that Billbo wanted to redshirt him because of his injury and Mario wanted to fight through it. The guy is very strong for his size and can be an offensive burst type of player. I think he's going to be the guy at the three spot when push comes to shove along with Releford. I know that the twins are practicing at the three along with the front court positions, but I'm not sold on their ability to guard effectively at the three with their new size.

I see the lineup as follows:

C: Aldrich, Mk. Morris, Withey
PF: Mc. Morris, Robinson
WF: X. Henry, Little, Releford
SG: Taylor, CJ Henry, Morningstar, Teahan, Buford, Juenemann
PG: Collins, Johnson, Reed

Although, I think it would be a complete waste of a very deep team if he didn't run three waves at people and just overwhelmed them. Some of the players have recently commented that the summer pickups consisted of three five man teams that were pretty equal in terms of talent and quality on the court. Just bury people by wholesale substitutions every five minutes or so.

And the three guys I've got at the WF position could theoretically switch in and out on three different positions (PF, WF, SG) along with Marcus who can play C, PF and WF. There is a lot of different lineups that they could potentially throw at people during the course of the season.

**Buehler445** · 10-21-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Little can't really defend the 3 or the 4 well. I don't foresee him playing major minutes. But then again, many think he was hobbled last year when he was playing. I'm just not a big fan of junion college transfers.

He's not big enough or have the technique to guard the 4. But the dude is 100% hustle. I was pissed at Self for putting him at 4 because it doesn't really utilize his talents. But the dude went out and gave it 100% (and still usually got a foul or taken to the woodshed), but he was on every loose ball, diving out of bounds, all the shit you want to see a guy do. He's not going to bomb 3's all night, but he can contribute from the 3 spot.

Unfortunately, he doesn't really fit into Self's offense. Self has always tried to play perimeter players out there. I think if he can come in and provide an offensive spark, similar to what he did last year, it will be a successful year for him.

CoMoChief · 10-21-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Don't forget the leading scorer from the Late Night game - Releford. And Little is healthy again this year. I think he'll be a beast.

Releford won't see much playing time this season I would assume. He may get more first semester while Morningstar is out. But once he comes back he will play only during garbage time.

Little would get more PT than Releford.

Funny thing is when KU is up and it's garbage time at the end.....KU is still gonna be putting up points because they're so deep. We're gonna end up seeing a lot of 100 pt games I bet.

CoMoChief · 10-21-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I think that Billbo wanted to redshirt him because of his injury and Mario wanted to fight through it. The guy is very strong for his size and can be an offensive burst type of player. I think he's going to be the guy at the three spot when push comes to shove along with Releford. I know that the twins are practicing at the three along with the front court positions, but I'm not sold on their ability to guard effectively at the three with their new size.

I see the lineup as follows:

C: Aldrich, Mk. Morris, Withey
PF: Mc. Morris, Robinson
WF: X. Henry, Little, Releford
SG: Taylor, CJ Henry, Morningstar, Teahan, Buford, Juenemann
PG: Collins, Johnson, Reed

Although, I think it would be a complete waste of a very deep team if he didn't run three waves at people and just overwhelmed them. Some of the players have recently commented that the summer pickups consisted of three five man teams that were pretty equal in terms of talent and quality on the court. Just bury people by wholesale substitutions every five minutes or so.

And the three guys I've got at the WF position could theoretically switch in and out on three different positions (PF, WF, SG) along with Marcus who can play C, PF and WF. There is a lot of different lineups that they could potentially throw at people during the course of the season.

MU's gonna suck this season. KU's gonna stomp their ass.

**Buehler445** · 10-21-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Releford won't see much playing time this season I would assume. He may get more first semester while Morningstar is out. But once he comes back he will play only during garbage time.

Little would get more PT than Releford.

Funny thing is when KU is up and it's garbage time at the end.....KU is still gonna be putting up points because they're so deep. We're gonna end up seeing a lot of 100 pt games I bet.

I really like Releford. I hope he comes around. His ceiling is WAY higher than Morningstar or Reed's. When he did get in there he looked like he was nervous and pressing. I'm hoping he comes around and contributes.
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10-20-2009, 05:15 PM
blazzin311 Blazzin311 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $9445101	Xavier Henry gets his first taste of KU hoops Don't know if it's a repost or not. I don't think it is. Xavier Henry gets his first taste of KU hoops By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH The Kansas City Star LAWRENCE \| C.J. Henry looked at his little brother and knew. There was Xavier, the 6-foot-6 man-child with the broad shoulders, watching the video board from underneath the tunnel at Allen Fieldhouse with his hands pressed together below his chin, waiting for his name to be called. “He was just looking real nervous,” C.J. said. “I could tell. I’m his brother.” During the last few years, Xavier had played in venues bigger than Allen, in high school all-star games with just as much talent as what surrounded him on Friday night at KU’s annual “Late Night in the Phog.” So what was there to be nervous about? Well, it was his first time playing in front of a fan base that had been awaiting his arrival basically since he was born to former KU basketball players Barbara and Carl Henry in 1991. Yes, 18-year-old Xavier was a bit nervous. C.J., his senior by five years but also a member of KU’s freshman class, just told him to be himself — the supremely gifted, confident No. 3 overall player in the class of 2009 who is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2010 NBA draft. “I kind of tried to settle him down,” C.J. said, “just told him to have fun.” C.J. did the best he could, but it didn’t exactly work. In the Blue-White scrimmage, Xavier played like a freshman trying too hard to please. He made one of four shot attempts and finished with six points. He added three steals. More than his play, it was important just to get his highly anticipated unveiling over with. “I played here one time but not with a crowd like that,” Xavier said. “It was special with 16,300. It’s a lot different than playing a high school game. Next time, I’m sure I’ll be more calm and go out and play and relax. Tonight, whew, it was just adrenaline.” For the Jayhawks’ fans, it had to be nice to see Xavier and C.J. with the name ‘KANSAS’ stamped across their chests, their well-publicized recruiting saga far in the past. When Xavier’s name was finally called, he received one of the loudest player ovations. “I’ve been feeling like a college student for the past six or seven weeks,” Xavier said. “It’s fun. I’m ready to take these recruits out, have fun, have a good night. Practice starts tomorrow morning.” The recruits Xavier will be entertaining are five-star talents Harrison Barnes, a small forward from Ames, Iowa; Josh Selby, a point guard from Baltimore, Md.; and Doron Lamb, a shooting guard from Mouth of Wilson, Va. It was just last year that Xavier was sitting where they were, watching a slew of recruiting-based videos and trying to make his college decision. A year later, after signing with Memphis and then choosing KU after John Calipari’s departure for Kentucky, Xavier was a part of the action. In his freshman skit, Xavier was forced to wear an afro and butt-hugger KU game shorts from the 1980s and dance to rapper Lil’ Flip’s “The way we ball.” Xavier had been nervous about that, too, of course. “They made us do some goofy stuff tonight,” Xavier said. “We stressed over it the whole week. We practiced earlier (Friday), made sure we got it down. It was good. I enjoyed it while we were out there.” •TAYLOR PLAYS: KU guard Tyshawn Taylor, who dislocated a finger during a fight between KU football and basketball players, played 9 minutes during the scrimmage and dished out five assists. The stars of the game were Markieff Morris and Travis Releford, who each had 15 points. http://www.kansascity.com/842/story/1513230.html#
Posts: 1,429

10-20-2009, 08:18 PM	#31
Braincase Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn Casino cash: $11298284	Let's not get ahead of ourselves. How many teams have started as No. 1 and ended as No. 1? One game at a time, gang. __________________ BrainCase
Posts: 15,429

10-20-2009, 08:43 PM	#32
GoHuge The Truth Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10006072	Hey who's spot will Xavier be taking and who will be the starting five? Obviously Collins at the 1, Aldrich at the 5, X at the 2 or 3?, Taylor, and Sniper or Crash Morris until Morningstar is back?
Posts: 3,991

10-20-2009, 09:07 PM	#35
BWillie El Gato Gordo Loco Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Casino cash: $1951241	IMO, not having Brady Morningstar is just about the best thing that could happen to this club to start out the season. Gives some guys who need more minutes some experience. I want to see what CJ Henry can do. He is one tall point guard. __________________ Who wants free money? Use the link below to sign up at Bovada, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker and Ignition. Contact me for private deals, spot bonuses, possible rakeback or any questions! Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker: baldeaglepoker.com Bovada Poker is back! Get up to $500 poker deposit bonus.
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