Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Practice is a little easier for Rodrick Stewart this season.
He knows something extra that’s making him better — the plays. It’s taken him three years, but he finally knows exactly what to do.
“I don’t know how many we have, but it can change depending on who we play,” Stewart said. “It changes so much. Sometimes it’s like, ‘man is this ever going to stop.’ I think I approach it more seriously this year knowing it’s the last time. I have to take everything more seriously this year.”
Kansas coach Bill Self is rewarding him by seriously considering giving him significant minutes while junior guard Brandon Rush is out with a knee injury. Stewart, sophomore guard Brady Morningstar and senior guard Jeremy Case each have the opportunity to show that they can step up in Rush’s absence.
“I’m excited for Jeremy, Brady and Rod because in Brandon’s situation one of those guys needs to emerge,” Self said. “And if they emerge, then I would think they would continue to be part of the rotation and part of a group that helps us throughout the season. It should be exciting for those guys. They’re better players than they used to be.”
KANSAN
Stewart, Morningstar and Case have done their fair share of sitting during their careers. Case averaged fewer than three minutes per game last year. Morningstar has never scored in double digits. Stewart played more his freshman year at USC than the last two seasons combined.
All three said they were ready for that to change this season — Stewart and Case especially. They want to do something special their senior year. Case said he had been working harder in practice because he was excited about the prospect of more playing time. Stewart has, of course, finally memorized all the plays.
Self has noticed his progress. He said Stewart has been one of the most consistent performers in practice so far. He has a slight advantage over Case and Morningstar because of his 6’4”, 200-pound size. The size makes Stewart a better fit to guard other teams’ small forwards and rebound in the post.
Self also called him the most active defender on the team. Stewart can guard anyone — almost.
“I’m definitely the guy you want to have, especially on the three guy,” Stewart said. “I’m bigger; I’m strong. Something I love to do is play defense. I feel like I can guard anybody one through four. I don’t know about the five. That’s a different world down there, but at least one through four I feel like I can guard anybody.”
But Stewart can’t shoot, or at least he hasn’t shown it. He’s attempted 43 three-pointers in his career and made only eight. Case and Morningstar can. Morningstar made 44 percent of his threes last season, and Self has called Case the best shooter on the team for years. One of them could replace Rush’s outside scoring.
The Jayhawks have only been practicing for two weeks. Stewart may be the early leader, but Self said Case and Morningstar have been performing well too.
All three want more playing time. Only one will likely get it.
“In order to get better you have to compete,” Case said. “If it’s your teammates, you love them. But when you get on the court, you have to go your hardest and you have to compete as much as you can.”
— Edited by Ashlee Kieler
Basketball Notes: November 2, 2007
Basketball notes for November 2, 2007
‘Super sophomore’ shines in first start
Morningstar takes advantage of redshirt season to gain valuable experience
Stewart brings highlights
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Morningstar’s improvements impress teammates, coaches
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Coaching changes, young teams mark Big 12
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Native Kansans Reed and Morningstar will start ...
The two sophomore guards earned their spots in the rotation after strong ...
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With sophomore guard Sherron Collins’ recent foot injury, the men’s basketball team ...
Rush to overcome injury
After healing the scars of a negative family legacy as a freshman, ...
Rush rises after Self's plea
After being named the Big 12 Tournament Most Valuable Player, Brandon Rush ...
Morningstar's return evident on defense
Self happy that the junior guard didn't force shots in his first ...
Men’s basketball makes the grade
Mark Dent hands out report cards to the 2008 national champions.
Players vying for minutes
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Good things come to those who wait ...
Jeremy Case received the farewell he deserved Monday night, sparking a run ...
Self announces lineup for season opener
Returning players get the start in tonight’s matchup against Washburn.
Brandon Rush knows defense
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Thibodeaux: Morningstar will play a key role
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Local talent influences Kansas lineup
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Pittsburg State ready for early challenge
When the Kansas basketball team opens its season Thursday night at Allen ...
Nordstrom: Senior leadership on display
Russell Robinson has displayed his selfishness on the court throughout his career. ...
Tyrel Reed’s injury could cause concern
Reed has been sitting out of practices to rest his foot.
Keefer: Sasha’s locks steal show
The real story of the Jayhawks’ opener last night against Pittsburg State ...
Big men roll over Fort Hays State
Self says game held positives, Hawks still have long way to go.
Jayhawks of a feather
While they interact well during games, the Kansas men’s basketball team also ...
Quiet guard, fierce battle cry
Chalmers, an Anchorage, Alaska native, delivers an enigmatic persona: strong on the ...
Rush signs up for NBA
Rush met with Self to discuss the pros and cons of leaving ...
Late-game cleanup work made pretty
Fans and teammates agree that Teahan’s ability to hit three-point shots in ...
The Rush that almost never happened
After projections put Brandon Rush outside the first round of the NBA ...
Illness keeping Collins from playing best
Sophomore guard Sherron Collins recovered from injuries just in time to catch ...
Rodrick Stewart looks promising so far
Stewart, a transfer from USC, says he loves the Kansas basketball atmosphere.
Self relishes post-championship experience, season
Veteran players say Self is prepared to coach a basketball team with ...
Bill Self's youth camp wraps up with ...
Teahan likely to play more in final ...
With the departure of three major guards, Teahan’s chance at significant playing ...
High expectations for KU alumni in the ...
All eyes, especially Cole Aldrich’s, are on NBA rookies Brandon Rush, Mario ...
Collins to start for injured Robinson
Guard Russell Robinson’s ankle injury will force freshman Sherron Collins into the ...
Aldrich, Reed learn the ropes
Kansas coach Bill Self said freshmen Cole Adrich and Tyrel Reed were ...
Boot camp a necessary evil
The Jayhawks work on only conditioning during Bill Self's infamous training program.
Ugly win works for Jayhawks
Scrappy defense and offensive rebounding carried the Jayhawks past a challenge from ...
Departing players leave uncertain future for Jayhawks
Kansas stands to lose five players to graduation and other may be ...
Dent: Rush’s best choice may be to ...
When the staying at Kansas and going pro are placed side-by-side, Brandon ...
Rush on the road to recovery
Junior guard hopes to return by start of December after several months ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
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