Brandon Rush knows defense

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

When Brandon Rush was being introduced as a Jayhawk, he was asked what he thought he would bring to the team.

“Highlights,” he said.

Not exactly what his coach wanted to hear.

“I remember thinking, ‘He just doesn’t get it,’” coach Bill Self said. “But that’s not who he is.”

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The Jayhawks would play the kind of defense that made it nearly impossible for other teams to score.

Now two years later, Rush is a sophomore guard who will be able to play professionally because of his attention to detail on defense. It may not look as good on ESPN, but Rush has learned that playing strong defense can be just as fun as an offensive scoring spree.

During his first practices at Kansas, he said that Self spelled out how the team was going to win. The Jayhawks would play the kind of defense that made it nearly impossible for other teams to score.

“His whole philosophy on defense is to make a team look bad,” he said. “I bought into that philosophy.”

That plan included using full-court pressure on defense. It can be tiring, but can also force the opponent into turnovers that become easy points.

Rush has teamed up with sophomore guard Mario Chalmers for easy baskets off Chalmers’ steals.

“He anticipates every pass that is going to be made, and he’s great at stealing,” Rush said. “He’s always trying to look ahead and get easy transition baskets.”

Rush is also capable of creating his own offense. During the Kansas game against Southern Illinois, he took charge of the game in the final minutes to lead the Jayhawks to victory.

“I just decided that somebody is going to have to step up and make some plays,” he said.

That aggressiveness was missing from Rush last year. Whenever he tried to pass the ball instead of taking an open shot, he was punished by having to run on a treadmill. This year in March, he came into his own as the team’s main scoring option.

Self said that most of what he does goes unappreciated by fans who just look at point totals.

“He’s a team-first, defender-first kind of guy,” the coach said. “He’s one of the best rebounders of his size for any guy out there.”

Rush’s performances against Southern Illinois and UCLA may be the last time Kansas fans get a chance to see him play for the Jayhawks. He said he would explore his options after the season ends, and would head to the NBA if he was projected as one of the top picks.

If he does make the jump to pro, it won’t be because of an impressive highlight reel, but because of his impressive defense.

Kansan senior sportswriter Michael Phillips can be contacted at mphillips@kansan.com.

— Edited by Sharla Shivers

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