Rush gains a competitive edge to impress

Rush gets more aggressive and stays consistent

By Rustin Dodd

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Another double-digit performance for Brandon Rush. Another victory against Missouri.

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Photo by Mindy Ricketts

Junior guard Brandon Rush takes a shot over Missouri guard Matt Lawrence and Missouri forward Leo Lyons. Rush was the top scorer for Kansas with 19 points.

Hoe-Hum.

All that was old news for Rush after Monday night’s victory against Missouri.

Rush had bigger problems. He caught a few Tiger elbows and his face told the story.

“I’m all swelled up in the face,” Rush said. “I won’t get the girls.”

Rush’s performance against Missouri probably made the Kansas City, Mo., native feel a little better.

Rush scored 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting and put together another strong performance against Missouri – he’s now averaging 14.1 points per game in six career regular season games against the Tigers. Rush did something else on Monday night. He made more believers out of those people who’ve always questioned his aggressiveness.

Kansas coach Bill Self has been Rush’s biggest critic. Self called Rush out earlier this season, asking for his junior guard to be more aggressive. Rush responded and came into tonight’s game averaging 12.3 points per game. Still, those words Self ushered earlier this season might still be the biggest reason for Rush’s consistent play.

Photo Gallery

Kansas vs. Missouri

“It has everything to do with it,” Rush said about Self’s comments. “I just don’t want him saying that anymore.”

Rush’s aggressiveness was on display Monday night. Rush scored 19 points, but many of those points came on plays that would hardly be described as Rush-esque.

Rush hit a three-pointer to start the game, then hit sophomore forward Darrell Arthur mid-stride for transition dunk to give Kansas a 5-0 lead. Then Rush did something a little more out of character. He attacked the basket. With 3:16 to play in the first half, Rush drove the baseline and scored, giving Kansas a 38-26 advantage. He finished the first half with 10 points.

“To me, he’s played pretty good ever since he’s been here,” Self said. “He’s averaging a little over 15 and a half a game {in conference play}, and he’s only led us in scoring twice. When you talk about consistent, that’s a sign of consistency. He’s not having the huge game, but you’re able to pencil in 15.”

Rush also gave Kansas a boost at the defensive end.

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“Just getting an early start. Just getting my confidence up.”

—Brandon Rush, junior

Rush, who also finished with six rebounds, matched up on Missouri junior guard Matt Lawrence and held him to zero-for-five shooting from the three-point range and zero-for-six overall.

“He really did a nice job guarding him,” Self said.

Nobody asked Rush about his surgically repaired knee after Monday night’s game – the one he injured last May. Those questions are almost all gone. Now people are asking him how he manages to stay so consistent.

“Just getting an early start,” Rush said. “Just getting my confidence up.”

With the way Rush is playing, it’s been tough for his confidence to go anywhere but up.

Still, Self is ready to put some more words of motivation in Rush’s head.

“I still think he can do a little bit more,” Self said.

—Edited by Mandy Earles

For more coverage of the Kansas vs. Missouri game, including the photo gallery, click here.

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