Mature Jayhawks say they know how to handle pressure

[Lzen]

http://www.kansascity.com/166/story/546653.html
By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH

The Kansas City Star



Bill Self could smile with Brandon Rush during KU’s first-round game against Portland State. Self thinks facing intense pressure has been good.


LAWRENCE | The last time Bill Self walked into a pregame locker room in Michigan, he knew something wasn’t right.He looked around the room at his Kansas team, a bunch of freshmen and sophomores who had won 15 of 16 games, and suddenly didn’t recognize them.
“It was a different pressure,” Self said. “They had been so loose, sneaking up on everybody, and guys were thinking everything was easy. Then they get in the tournament, start watching TV and people picking them to do this and that. It just had a different feel to it.”
Of course, the Baby Jayhawks of 2005-06 went out and lost that night to Bradley 77-73 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Just like that, it was over.
Two years later, the Jayhawks will return to Detroit as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Midwest Regional, boasting a 33-3 record and an Elite Eight appearance last year. On the surface, at least, it appears Kansas is all grown up.
“Oh, we’re definitely different than we were (in 2006),” KU guard Brandon Rush said. “We just know what we gotta do in those types of games. We gotta adjust to the way a team is playing us.”
The differences, of course, are bigger than that. For the past two seasons, the Jayhawks have spent most of their days ranked in the nation’s top five and have entered the NCAAs as a No. 1 seed. Every time they have stepped into an arena, there has been a bull’s-eye on their backs. Playing with those expectations would naturally age any team.
“It’s good being ranked high, it’s good being a one-seed,” Self said. “All those things are good. It puts subtle pressures on you all the time to perform. It gets guys used to playing under pressure, and (the 2005-06) team never had the opportunity. That group was under the radar. That group didn’t have any attention.”
This group certainly has everybody’s attention. And while most people around them want to talk San Antonio and Final Four, the Jayhawks are mature enough to know they can’t get ahead of themselves when Villanova and either Wisconsin or Davidson await.
“It doesn’t get to anybody, man,” KU guard Rodrick Stewart said. “We know you can’t overlook anybody. The moment you start overlooking people, that’s when you look up and realize that your season is over.”
Last year, the Jayhawks had no seniors. This year, they’ve got five.
“With the close games, that’s when experience comes in,” Stewart said. “A lot of the guys like Russ that have been in all the tight games like that, it goes a long way. The senior leadership goes a long way.”
KU has gone into this tournament with the philosophy that it is not six games, but three two-game tournaments. Championship teams often talk about staying in the moment, and breaking the tournament into phases has helped the Jayhawks do that. Last weekend in Omaha, KU felt as if it beat UNLV in the championship game of its first tournament.
“No nets at this tournament,” KU reserve Matt Kleinmann said after the game, referring to the practice of cutting down nets after winning a title. “But it still feels the same way.”
Two more tournaments await the veteran Jayhawks.
“We gotta prepare to go win a two-game tournament this weekend,” Self said. “You don’t look ahead, yet your preparation is to give yourself the best chance over a 48-hour period. That’s gotta be our guys’ mindset.”
To reach J. Brady McCollough, Kansas reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4363 or send e-mail to jmccollough@kcstar.com

[CoMoChief]

I think pressure is sometime used a little too much. In this case sense of urgency is more like it considering a good portion of this team/ or players who made some sort of impact outside of Kaun will be leaving after this season so it may be the one final last go around for those players. The bottom line is that KU and UNC primarily have HUGE targets on their backs and they're gonna get everyone's best shot. This is not the time to **** off on the court because now you won't be able to get away with it. Teams will be prepared and it is Self's job to not be a dumbass and get these players prepared and put them in positions to win. As Herm would say at the end of the day you have to go out and play. this is the deepest KU team since 2001-02. And I believe this team is tougher than that one, maybe not as talented. Lets hope to God Self won't choke in the elite 8 (if they even get there).

[BigVE]

KU may have some real tough games to make it to the final 4. If they "show up" and play hard they should be fine.

[Mr. Laz]

handle pressure .......... maybe

stay focused for an entire game ......... not yet

[BigVE]

Originally Posted by Laz

handle pressure .......... maybe

stay focused for an entire game ......... not yet

Man, ain't that the truth. They will NOT be able to get away with those 6 minute scoring/defensive lapses now.

[StcChief]

question is Wisconsin then, UNC level ready

[stevieray]

I read in Time that only one team in the final four has a graduating average that is over 50%.

[StcChief]

Originally Posted by stevieray

I read in time that only one team in the final four has a graduating average that is over 50%.

that should be enough to revoke their title

[Sam Hall]

They have to reach the Final Four. No excuses.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by stevieray

I read in Time that only one team in the final four has a graduating average that is over 50%.

Thats misleading simply because a lot of players from UNC and KU and UCLA could leave for the NBA before their Sr year. Teams shouldn't get punished for that.

[ArrowheadHawk]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Thats misleading simply because a lot of players from UNC and KU and UCLA could leave for the NBA before their Sr year. Teams shouldn't get punished for that.

They don't.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by ArrowheadHawk

They don't.

They did get punished in a sense. That being that the Time article makes them look bad due to not accurately presenting all the facts. Or at least that is what I got from the comments here. I have not read the article.

[Lzen]

http://cjonline.com/stories/032708/haw_262181440.shtml
By Kevin Haskin The Capital-Journal
Published Thursday, March 27, 2008
DETROIT — The coaching career of Bill Self won't be complete until he directs a team to the Final Four.
Writers pen it, broadcasters blast it, fans demand it.

And, no matter how much they try to block it out, his players at Kansas read it, hear it and know it.
"It's hard on him," said senior forward Darnell Jackson, "because losing in the first round two years in a row, he's had to hear about it every day from somebody, or in interviews. That's hard on a coach, and especially with him, because he hates to lose."
The fifth opportunity for Self to steer KU to the Final Four now winds through the Motor City. Among the teams remaining in the Midwest Regional, the Jayhawks look to be revving on all cylinders against an assortment of test models.
So naturally, the expectations for Kansas are enormous heading into Friday's game against 12th-seeded Villanova at Ford Field.
The bracket is set up to succeed and so is the roster. Three seniors regularly contribute in addition to four underclassmen routinely pointed— some more sharply than others — toward the NBA.
In the end, it's those players who will determine whether Self, 45, punctuates his career — some say validate it, despite a 345-137 record he's managed with a 136-32 bump at KU — with an elusive Final Four appearance.
Yet the Jayhawks can't be dragged into the conversation over Self worth ... Self presentation ... Self loathing — any of the catchy puns that fit so well into headlines.
For starters, there are more pressing issues to worry about. Like containing Villanova standout Scottie Reynolds.
In addition, the KU coach finds the Final Four theme can get a little too, uhh, Self-ish.
"It's a player thing," said sophomore guard Sherron Collins. "I think he wants it more for us than he wants it for himself."
Senior center Sasha Kaun agreed, conceding "it would be nice for coach Self to be in the Final Four, but I'm sure he'll be more happy for us if we make it there than for himself, because he has so many years to go."
For now, it's still like the angler who's never been on an ocean charter. Or a gambler who's never gawked at the Vegas strip. Or the baseball purist who's never watched a game at Fenway or Wrigley.
Yet for Self, it also happens to be part of the job description everyone spells out in March, including some KU fans who vent a different level of madness whenever the Jayhawks are eliminated.
Self contends he feels no pressure to play the NCAA Tournament through to the last weekend after guiding three different teams (Tulsa, Illinois and Kansas) to the Elite Eight four different times.
It makes no sense then for his players to accomplish that goal on behalf of their coach.
If there is a breakthrough, however, they will gauge his reaction.
"We all take pride in playing this game and we've all come a long ways. It would mean a lot to all of us, but it would be lovely to get there for our coach," said senior guard Russell Robinson.
"He may start crying. He's real sensitive about that sort of stuff. On Senior Night he broke down a little and he almost did when we beat A&M to share the (Big 12) title. He almost did again when we got the (Big 12) tournament championship against Texas. Imagine what would happen if we're able to cut down the nets in Detroit."
Kevin Haskin can be reached at (785) 295-1159 or kevin.haskin@cjonline.com.