Thursday, February 12, 2009
Freshman guard Travis Releford stood outside of the Kansas locker room at Mizzou Arena minutes after the best performance of his career.
But he was in no mood to reflect. His career-high nine points weren’t enough to escape a 62-60 defeat to Missouri, which meant they were meaningless to Releford.
Freshman guard Traveis Releford tries to snatch the ball from OSU guard Obi Muonelo during the Jayhawks' Feb. 7 78-67 victory in Allen Fieldhouse. Releford has been seeing more playing time, with better results, as the season progresses.
“I’m not worried about how I played. No one is going to remember how I played,” Releford said. “They’re just going to remember Missouri beating us.”
True, but Releford has put himself in a position where he could compile a memorable game in the near future. A week ago, it wouldn’t have been possible.
Releford didn’t appear in Kansas’ 75-65 victory against Baylor on Feb. 2. It bothered him. It’s not that Releford expected to log significant minutes this season, but he at least figured he’d contribute.
That didn’t happen against Baylor, and Releford said everyone around him could tell he was disappointed about it, including Kansas coach Bill Self. Later in the week, Releford stopped by the coaches’ office like he does every morning when Self approached him.
“He just stopped me and said, ‘I know you’re down about your playing time,’” Releford said. “‘But just keep your head up and keep working.’”
The meeting only lasted a few minutes, but Releford has clearly produced at a higher level since. In the two ensuing games — the Missouri loss and a 78-67 victory against Oklahoma State — Releford has played 15 minutes and scored 14 points.
That’s exactly what Self is looking for out of Releford. Self needs Releford to be able to check in for spurts while sophomore guard Brady Morningstar rests.
When Releford is in the game, his focus should be on the details. As Self says, Releford needs to do the little things right to prove he can be trusted.
“He needs to get to where I have more confidence in him by being a great defender, a good rebounder, taking care of the ball, understanding what we’re doing defensively and offensively,” Self said. “He’s gotten better. There’s no doubt about that.”
Releford never envisioned the transition to college being this tough. He was a four-star recruit last year — ranked No. 70 in the nation by rivals.com — and the top player out of Kansas City.
He broke out in one of Kansas’ exhibition games in Ottawa, Canada, last August with 25 points. But Releford has struggled to hold down a rotation spot since the season began. Teammates think it’s a consistency issue.
“The thing is playing mistake-free out there and when he makes a mistake, to forget about it,” junior guard Sherron Collins said. “Overall, though, Travis will be good.”
Perhaps the only people more excited than Releford’s teammates about his improved play lately are the fans. Releford has noticed how loud Allen Fieldhouse gets when he checks in — even if it’s late in the game with the outcome already decided.
When he throws down a dunk like he did in the last home game against Oklahoma State, the crowd’s cheers reach deafening levels.
“A lot of fans like my style of ball,” Releford said. “I see them outside of school and they’ll say, ‘You’re really good,’ or ‘You’re my favorite,” and stuff like that.”
If Releford continues to play like he did against Missouri, he’ll become even more of a fan favorite. After two of his better performances, Releford knows he is capable.
“When I get in,” Releford said. “I make things happen.”
— — Edited by Carly Halvorson
Relishing the road to KU basketball
Travis Releford, member of the Jayhawks’ 2008 recruiting class, finishes his senior ...
Releford beginning to prove himself
Freshman guard is scoring points but giving turnovers, and coach Self may ...
Releford stands strong on defense, improves offense
The freshman guard’s aggressive play reveals potential against Florida Gulf Coast Tuesday ...
Exhibition match marred by players’ injuries
Morris, Withey still recovering for time time being, but Morris will play ...
Releford invigorates Jayhawks, posts first career double-double
Junior guard Travis Releford started the game off the right way and ...
Kansas hopes incoming freshman can play as ...
Travis Releford has played in Argentina, China and Germany before coming to ...
Releford wills Kansas to victory
It took a 25-point performance from freshman guard Travis Releford and a ...
Little, Releford shine in victory
Both playing 16 minutes, Travis Releford and Mario Little helped the Jayhawks ...
Roesler: Sophomores worthy of their start
Robinson and Releford score team's first eight points, look to help ease ...
Taylor leads guards in 70-42 victory over ...
Senior guard Tyshawn Taylor scored 24 points and masked junior guard Elijah ...
Redshirt situations become clearer
Teahan will play this season, Releford, Little will not.
Jayhawks bench aces first test
Thomas Robinson and Travis Releford carried the Jayhawks after foul trouble hampered ...
Kansas visits Texas Tech amid Releford's hot ...
Junior guard Travis Releford looks to maintain his torrid pace at Texas ...
View From Press Row
Withey struggles against smaller players
A lack of productivity from Withey hurt Jayhawks in the game against ...
Quick hits: The Jayhawks arrive in St. ...
North Carolina State's balance, the frenzy of March, Elijah Johnson's improvement and ...
Self sees room for improvement
Despite Kansas’ win against the Cowboys, coach Bill Self doesn’t highlight the ...
Self’s advice helps Hawks overpower Cats
Passes in to Aldrich helped turn the game in Jayhawks’ favor on ...
The grading scale: a close look at ...
Shooting problems, tough defense and another big night from Taylor made for ...
At Late Night, Self keeps expectations high
The Jayhawks kicked off the 2011-12 season with the annual Late Night ...
FINAL: Kansas pummels Emporia State, 90-59
Five Jayhawks scored in double figures, but the team had 15 turnovers ...
Rock chalk red team
Motivation, perseverance but, most importanly, the pride of being a Jayhawk made ...
Teahan likely to play more in final ...
With the departure of three major guards, Teahan’s chance at significant playing ...
Final: Jayhawks debut with 101-65 beating of ...
Five time defending Big 12 champs face off against Hofstra
Champions have room for improvement
Defense will be key heading into Big 12 Tournament
Fans get first glimpse of men’s basketball ...
Basketball breaks out the dance moves, preseason scrimmaging for packed house
Little, Morris could create mismatches
The two players may not play the positions analysts expect them to ...
Goble: Thin bench unusual for title team
Kansas relies on fewer players than any National Champion in the recent ...
Game preview: Kansas v. Oklahoma
Kansas basketball writers Kory Carpenter and Max Rothman break down the Kansas ...
Aldrich has his way with smaller defenders
Kansas gets the ball inside early and often on its way to ...
The Report Card: After Oklahoma
Kansan men's basketball writers Max Rothman and Kory Carpenter hand out grades ...
More depth needed on the court
Despite a bench full of players, KU’s basketball team sees the same ...
Releford's time is now
Junior guard Travis Releford will play a decisive role in Kansas' upcoming ...
Self announces lineup for season opener
Returning players get the start in tonight’s matchup against Washburn.
Kansas guards fight to keep streak alive
The Jayhawks senior class hasn’t experienced a home loss— and they don’t ...
If the blueprint works, keep it
The Jayhawks have their own way of winning. It's not the way ...
Self not worried about early miscues
The team struggled in portions of Tuesday's 90-59 victory, but coach Bill ...
Freshmen to make Kansas debut in Canada
Young Jayhawk team travels north to play three exhibition games this weekend
Self's first one and done
Xavier Henry decides to leave Kansas, but he leaves behind good memories.
The Grading Scale: No problems in opening ...
Here's how the Jayhawks graded out in their 65-50 victory over the ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID