Friday, March 9, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY — Brandon Rush is willing to take responsibility for his own actions.
His often unselfish play on the court is reflected in his personality. He would never blame teammates, the coach or the referees for a less-than-stellar performance.
So when it came time to explain why he hadn’t been scoring enough lately, Rush knew the reason.
“It’s really all my fault,” he said. “I wasn’t aggressive enough. I didn’t try to look for my shot or anything.”
After four and a half games of below-average play, Rush stepped it up in the second half Friday. The sophomore guard scored 13 of his 16 points in the last 20 minutes to lead his team to a 64-47 victory against Oklahoma.
Brandon Rush, sophomore guard, jams the ball off a steal from Oklahoma during the Jayhawks first game of the Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma City. Rush added 16 points and two assists for the Jayhawks win 64-47 over Oklahoma.
Rush, the Jayhawks’ leading scorer, had only scored in double figures once in his last three games before Friday. This coming after he had averaged just under 15 points in the games preceding the slump.
Rush played like he was going to continue his non-aggressive ways early in the game. In 15 minutes, he only attempted three jump shots. Rush never tried to drive the lane for an easy basket.
The rest of his team appeared lost as well. The Jayhawks managed only 28 points and got outrebounded by six. Kansas only led Oklahoma by two at the half.
“He shied away from action the first half,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “We talked about that at halftime. The second half he was more aggressive.”
Rush’s teammates were the main reason for that. In the locker room, several of Kansas’ players told him that he needed to do something if they wanted to win the game.
“Everybody in the locker room, especially Mario was telling me to stay aggressive,” Rush said. “He was telling me, ‘hey, we need you right now.’”
And Rush delivered in the time of need. He started the second half by driving hard to the hoop for the first time all game. Rush went up and under for the lay-up and got fouled. Later he hit a three-pointer to extend Kansas’ lead to 40-29 and got the crowd on its feet.
The inspired play continued as he stole the ball and went in for an uncontested dunk. Eight of his 13 points came off drives to the basket.
“When he is aggressive, he gives us a whole different dimension,” Self said. “He can get an easy basket getting to the rack, or he can make three or four threes in a ten-minute stretch.”
By playing without fear, Rush made it easier for everyone else on the team. He only had two assists – one was a beautiful pass to junior forward Darnell Jackson in transition – but he helped in other ways. The defense had to key on Rush because he was the hot hand, allowing the rest of the team to get some open looks.
“When he’s making plays, we’re at a different level,” junior Russell Robinson said. “I know Brandon’s going to come. It might take a while, but for the most part I know he’s going to make it.”
Rush said he wanted to get a chance to pay Texas Tech back because it upset Kansas earlier this season. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be his aggressive self when Kansas faces Kansas State again Saturday.
“We’ll be happy to play whoever,” Rush said. “I think we can beat them a third time on a neutral court.”
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