One last time at Allen Fieldhouse

Monday, March 3, 2008

Darnell Jackson might get a little emotional when he gives his senior speech tonight, but he promises he won’t pull a Wayne Simien.

Three years ago, Simien talked deep into the night. It was almost never-ending.

“I’m not going to go up there and talk for two hours,” Jackson said. “I’ll be sure to cut it short. I don’t want the fans to fall asleep.”

Five seniors – Russell Robinson, Darnell Jackson, Sasha Kaun, Rodrick Stewart and Jeremy Case - will celebrate their last game in Allen Fieldhouse tonight at 8 against Texas Tech. Kaun, Robinson and Jackson were all members of Self’s first recruiting class. Case redshirted a year, and Stewart transferred as a sophomore.

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Jeremy Case Career averages: 1.8 ppg, 0.5 rpg, Best known for: Three-point shooting Memorable moment: Back when Kansas struggled in the early part of the 2005-2006 season, the team could count on Case for a lift. He scored 10 and 11 points in back-to-back games against Northern Colorado and New Orleans.

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Darnell Jackson Career averages: 6.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg Best known for: Strength and fierce attitude Memorable moment: Jackson was in the middle of the best game of his career earlier this season at Boston College when he started crying before the second half started. He was thinking about his grandmother. Jackson finished the game with 25 points, a career high, and Kansas dominated.

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Sasha Kaun Career averages: 6.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg Best known for: Strength and one of the best accents of all time Memorable moment: At one point in his career, Kaun was dominant. He scored 25 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in the first game of his sophomore season. The performance ended up being a tease, but he has grown into a solid reserve.

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Russell Robinson Career Averages: 7.0 ppg, 3.7 apg Best known for: Toughness Memorable moment: Robinson earned ESPN.com’s National Freshman of the Week award when he scored four points in the final 28 seconds of a close victory against South Carolina his freshman season.

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Rodrick Stewart Career Averages: 2.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg Best known for: Hops Memorable moment: He found Mario Chalmers open for a late three-pointer at Southern California in his homecoming game. The shot lifted Kansas to a four-point victory. Stewart also had a career-high seven rebounds that game.

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Brad Witherspoon Career Averages: 0.1 ppg, 0.3 rpg Best known for: Positive attitude Memorable moment: Witherspoon’s only scored once. Last season against Nebraska, the clock was running out, and Bill Self wanted the Jayhawks to hold the ball. Witherspoon’s teammates wanted him to score. They fed him the ball, and he scored with just seconds remaining.

Few KU senior classes compare to this one. The seniors have compiled a 107-23 record during the past four years. They’ve also won three Big 12 regular season titles and two Big 12 tournament championships.

Not bad achievements for a class that didn’t even include a McDonald’s All-American. Sure, Robinson was a top-40 recruit and Jackson and Kaun weren’t exactly slouches in high school, but in many ways, this group has overachieved.

“It’s an unheralded class,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “A lot of guys get more attention but this has just been a fabulous class.”

The only way they can improve their legacy is with a fourth consecutive Big 12 regular season title and a run to the Final Four.

“We have a team to do it if we play to our potential,” Robinson said. “I want to enjoy each moment, live it up and when all is said and done, have no regrets.”

For now, they’ll have to enjoy one final night at the Fieldhouse. After tonight, Jackson will never throw down an alley-oop again in front of 16,300 Jayhawk fans. Kaun will never toss a baby-hook over his right shoulder. Stewart will never sky for a highlight reel jam. Case will never pop another three-pointer. Robinson will never hear the serenade of New York, New York.

It’s their last night, and they want to win.

“All the coaches and players,” Self said, “need to get in and make sure these guys go out in style.”

Note:

Walk-on Brad Witherspoon will not be honored tonight in the ceremony before the game or with a speech afterwards. Self said Witherspoon was technically not a senior. He still has to be a student-teacher next year before he can graduate.

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