KU Silver lining from Arizona trip? - Page 2

Sam Hall · 12-24-2008, 01:39 PM

Arizona freshman big man will transfer to KU

By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH
The Kansas City Star

Just hours after the Kansas Jayhawks somberly boarded a homeward bound plane in Tucson, Ariz., early Wednesday morning, KU coach Bill Self got some news that would brighten his holiday.

Self received word from KU assistant coach Kurtis Townsend that freshman big man Jeff Withey was ready to make his decision to transfer from Arizona to Kansas public. So at least the Jayhawks, coming off an 84-67 beating by the Wildcats, wouldn’t go home totally empty-handed.

Withey, the No. 36 overall player in the Class of 2008 by Rivals.com, visited Kansas as a recruit but chose to play for Arizona and legendary coach Lute Olson instead. But when Olson suddenly retired in late October, Withey had a change of heart. Withey notified Self of his decision to come to KU on Sunday but didn’t want to announce anything until after the KU-Arizona game had been played.

“I talked to my family, and we all sat down and looked at all the options,” said Withey, a San Diego native. “At the end of the day, we realized that Kansas is the best fit for me. I’ve been watching them on TV, and I just feel like I can come in and help them out next year. I can go into practice and play against Cole (Aldrich) and the (Morris) twins and help them out, and they’ll help me out. It’s a really good situation for me.”

Withey will enroll in classes and start practicing in January. He won’t be eligible to play in a game until after the fall semester next year. KU had a scholarship available, so the Jayhawks don’t have to make room for his arrival.

Withey, who measures 7 feet tall and 225 pounds, said he hopes to spend the next year building muscle in the weight room. He sees strength as the only knock against him right now.

“I can play center and power forward,” Withey said. “I like posting up. I also like facing up and taking the jump-shot. I really like playing defense. That’s one of my strongest attributes.”

http://www.kansascity.com/news/break...ry/951517.html

**Saulbadguy** · 12-24-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Why is Sam Hall posting KU news?

He is a phan.

Sam Hall · 12-24-2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

That's good. I thought maybe you had come over to the good guys.

Well, I'd like to thank coach Mangino for helping develop Tim Beck as a coach and letting him come to Nebraska. Beck is a good coach and he knows how to recruit Texas.

KCFalcon59 · 12-24-2008, 07:42 PM

I've also read that Morningstar could pay his own way thus freeing up a scholie if needed.

ArrowheadHawk · 12-24-2008, 10:34 PM

I was hoping he would come we could use another big man. I don't understand why he has to sit out a year. He never played at Arizona. That rule should be changed. You shouldn't have to sit out if you never played.

Boyceofsummer · 12-25-2008, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

UMBC 66
Nebraska 64

But I digress........................

Fritz88 · 12-25-2008, 12:31 AM

Good stuff. Don't know if you are a KU fan, but you got repped.

Spicy McHaggis · 12-25-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArrowheadHawk

I was hoping he would come we could use another big man. I don't understand why he has to sit out a year. He never played at Arizona. That rule should be changed. You shouldn't have to sit out if you never played.

What's nice is though is we'll get him for conference play next year and he'll only be a red-shirt frosh.

**Skip Towne** · 12-25-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spicy McHaggis

What's nice is though is we'll get him for conference play next year and he'll only be a red-shirt frosh.

Building for our next run.

ArrowheadHawk · 12-26-2008, 03:29 PM

A little bump for CoMoChief.

12-24-2008, 01:39 PM
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	Silver lining from Arizona trip? Arizona freshman big man will transfer to KU By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH The Kansas City Star Just hours after the Kansas Jayhawks somberly boarded a homeward bound plane in Tucson, Ariz., early Wednesday morning, KU coach Bill Self got some news that would brighten his holiday. Self received word from KU assistant coach Kurtis Townsend that freshman big man Jeff Withey was ready to make his decision to transfer from Arizona to Kansas public. So at least the Jayhawks, coming off an 84-67 beating by the Wildcats, wouldn’t go home totally empty-handed. Withey, the No. 36 overall player in the Class of 2008 by Rivals.com, visited Kansas as a recruit but chose to play for Arizona and legendary coach Lute Olson instead. But when Olson suddenly retired in late October, Withey had a change of heart. Withey notified Self of his decision to come to KU on Sunday but didn’t want to announce anything until after the KU-Arizona game had been played. “I talked to my family, and we all sat down and looked at all the options,” said Withey, a San Diego native. “At the end of the day, we realized that Kansas is the best fit for me. I’ve been watching them on TV, and I just feel like I can come in and help them out next year. I can go into practice and play against Cole (Aldrich) and the (Morris) twins and help them out, and they’ll help me out. It’s a really good situation for me.” Withey will enroll in classes and start practicing in January. He won’t be eligible to play in a game until after the fall semester next year. KU had a scholarship available, so the Jayhawks don’t have to make room for his arrival. Withey, who measures 7 feet tall and 225 pounds, said he hopes to spend the next year building muscle in the weight room. He sees strength as the only knock against him right now. “I can play center and power forward,” Withey said. “I like posting up. I also like facing up and taking the jump-shot. I really like playing defense. That’s one of my strongest attributes.” http://www.kansascity.com/news/break...ry/951517.html
Posts: 8,137

12-24-2008, 07:42 PM	#18
KCFalcon59 MVP Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Topeka, Kansas Casino cash: $-450000	I've also read that Morningstar could pay his own way thus freeing up a scholie if needed.
Posts: 6,797

12-24-2008, 10:34 PM	#19
ArrowheadHawk Rock Chalk! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Casino cash: $7744961	I was hoping he would come we could use another big man. I don't understand why he has to sit out a year. He never played at Arizona. That rule should be changed. You shouldn't have to sit out if you never played.
Posts: 15,676

12-25-2008, 12:31 AM	#21
Fritz88 Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $8505943	Good stuff. Don't know if you are a KU fan, but you got repped.
Posts: 12,706

12-26-2008, 03:29 PM	#24
ArrowheadHawk Rock Chalk! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Casino cash: $7744961	A little bump for CoMoChief.
Posts: 15,676