Michael Phillips

Phillips: Title IX has gone too far

New NCAA rule may change practice strategies for women’s basketball

Coach Henrickson may have to say goodbye to the men she has recruited to practice with her team, and she isn’t happy about it. Losing the men takes away a vital practice component.

Basketball stars keep KU tenure short

NBA top prospects use KU as stepping-stone to pros

Former coach Roy Williams recruited players who were likely to stay four years, but coach Bill Self attracts top players who are ready to move to NBA after a couple years.

Rush signs up for NBA

Guard follows suite of Wright, leaves KU for NBA

Rush met with Self to discuss the pros and cons of leaving the Jayhawks. With Rush deciding to leave, Self has limited options for final scholarship player.

Brandon Rush declares for NBA Draft

Sophomore guard will not hire an agent at this time

The sophomore guard will keep the door open for a return to Kansas by not hiring an agent, but coach BIll Self said that the team will move forward under the assumption that Rush will not return.

Rush still undecided about draft

Sophomore guard has until Sunday to declare

Brandon Rush will announce by the end of the week whether he will make himself eligible for the NBA draft. Even if Rush declares himself eligible, however, that doesn't guarantee he will join the NBA.

Still no word from Rush

Sophomore has until Sunday to declare for NBA Draft

Brandon Rush could withdraw his name from NBA Draft if he does declare. He already declared once for the draft out of high school.

Basketball players make plans for next year

Chalmers, Arthur, Collins will stay; Rush is unsure

Several Kansas players received attention from scouts this year, but Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur have decided to stay in school. Brandon Rush is still considering entering the NBA draft, but has until April 29 to make a decision.

Only one award given at annual banquet

Self decides to place focus on overall team success

In the only award given out at the annual basketball team banquet, Russell Robinson was given the "Mr. Jayhawk" award.

Julian Wright will go to NBA

Sophomore forward says money not his motivation

After two years at Kansas, Wright decides it's time to go. He expects to be between the 10th or 15th pick in the NBA Draft.

Wright leaves for NBA

Sophomore star is leaving Kansas

UPDATE: Sophomore forward Julian Wright announced this afternoon that he will be entering the NBA Draft, ending his two-year career as a Jayhawk.

Men's Basketball: The season in review

A month-by-month breakdown of the 2006-2007 season

Beginning with Boot Camp and ending at the Elite Eight in San Jose, this year's Jayhawk basketball team gave fans a memorable season.

Who will be back for the '07-'08 season?

Rush's future as a Jayhawk remains uncertain, while Chalmers and Wright quell speculations that they'll go to the NBA next year.

After a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season, speculations arise about who will and won't put on their KU jerseys next year. Brandon Rush is the most likely player to go pro, but a decision hasn't yet been made.

Injured knee forces Collins to rest up

Before joining his team in off-season conditioning, Sherron Collins must wait out tendonitis in his knee

After playing on "one leg" in California, freshman Sherron Collins can finally take a much-needed break to heal his knee, which is inflicted with patellar tendonitis. Other players start conditioning next week.

Brandon Rush knows defense

Stellar defensive skill could catapult him into NBA

If your looking for point totals to demonstrate Brandon Rush's value, look again. Bill Self describes Rush as a "team-first, defender-first kind of guy."

UCLA’s guard steals the game

Afflalo not only scored, but also passed to open players

Kansas’ defense couldn’t stop UCLA’s key player from scoring 24 points and making crucial assists that ended Jayhawk rallies.

Season considered success despite loss

Elite Eight loss overshadows numerous achievements

The Jayhawks ended their season prematurely with a 68-55 loss to the Bruins, but the team left San Jose with some positives.

Press Row: KU vs. UCLA

Here is the press row for the KU and UCLA Elite Eight basketball game.

Missed shots end tournament run

Easy layups and tip-ins elude Jayhawks

Kansas' season ended in an unusual manner against UCLA in the Elite Eight. The Jayhawks, who had averaged 78 points per game this season, could only score 55 points in a 68-55 loss to the Bruins.

California nightmare

The Jayhawks might have had more luck with a carnival game than they did against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday.

Tradition-rich schools to meet

Kansas and UCLA will face this evening with the goal of adding another banner to their already full rafters.

Two at a time

No outside shot was no problem for the Kansas Jayhawks. They fought and clawed for every basket in a 61-58 victory that put them in the Elite Eight.

Let's get physical

It’s the ultimate no-call as the Kansas backups are allowed to hack away at the starters during practice. The foul fest is preparing the team for Southern Illinois’ defense.

Speed's the key

Southern Illinois will try to slow Thursday’s game down, but Kansas can win by executing its offense and exploiting size differences inside.

Assistant coach leaving at season's end

Tim Jankovich agrees to take head coaching job at Illinois State.

Taking care of business

After a grueling day at the basketball factory, Sherron Collins and Julian Wright unwound Sunday night with a round of bowling.

Kentucky's Smith could be playing for his job

After two disappointing seasons, Kentucky coach Tubby Smith could be fired if the Wildcats lose to Kansas tomorrow.

A fresh start

Freshman Sherron Collins gets the Jayhawks into the second round by leading them to a 107-67 victory in front of a hometown crowd. Meanwhile, Julian Wright works to get the jitters out.

Kansas set for tournament matchup with Niagara

Jayhawks look to get out of first round

It's hard to believe, but Kansas hasn't won a tournament game in three years. Coach Bill Self and the Jayhawks look to change that tonight against Niagara in Chicago.

Players stay focused, humble

Jayhawks prepare for round one of tournament

Russell Robinson set his cell phone on vibrate and Julian Wright said he wouldn't watch too much basketball on television leading into the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks will play Niagara in Chicago at 6:10 p.m. on Friday.

Wright, Collins headed home to Chicago

Jayhawks to play first round game in United Center

Julian Wright and Sherron Collins will return to their native Chicago when Kansas takes on Niagara in Friday's first round game.

Dar(r/n)ell off the bench

Jackson, Arthur hold only names in common

Darnell Jackson and Darrell Arthur took entirely different roads to Kansas basketball. Both hope to come off the bench to contribute big-time in the Big Dance.

Historic rally seals conference title

Jackson's late block secures victory

After falling behind by 22 points, the Jayhawks came back to win their second straight Big 12 Tournament championship.

Jayhawks receive top seed in West

First-round opponent yet to be determined

Kansas was placed in the West Region and will play its first-round game in Chicago against either Florida A&M or Niagara.

Jayhawks hold off Wildcats once again

A 67-61 victory means that Kansas will face Texas for the Big 12 Championship Sunday afternoon in Oklahoma City. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m., and the NCAA tournament seeds will be announced at 5 p.m.

Round three in OKC

In case twice wasn’t enough, basketball fans in Kansas will get a third dose of the Sunflower Showdown on Saturday. The Jayhawks beat the Oklahoma Sooners 64-47 to set up the 1 p.m. game.

Jayhawks ready for anyone

Kansas prepared for all takers for today's game against Oklahoma, who defeated Iowa State Thursday 68-63. Coach Self said the team focused on getting itself ready, rather than how to play the opponent.

What a difference a season can make

Basketball team has come a long way since its first-game loss to Northern Arizona.

With a look ahead to the tournaments, here is a look back to the progress some players have made since the start of the season.

Free throws, rebounds key to victories

The men's basketball team is fine-tuning their skills for March.

As Mach Madness approaches; Coach Self takes steps to fix problems that have plagued the team all season.

The Wright Stuff

AP, coaches select Wright to All-Big 12 team

Sophomore forward shares Player of the Week title with Kevin Durant. Wright and Durant battled on the court Saturday.

Fieldhouse cheers leaves ears humming

Even the alumni got involved with the hysterics Saturday morning.

On Saturday, Kevin Durant set the net on fire, the noise level hit an all time and a sports writer covered his last game at Allen Fieldhouse.

1.900 victories and 50 Conference Titles

Steady quality led the Jayhawks to a series of landmarks Saturday.

Overshadowed by the glitz of March Madness, the Jayhawks brought home their 1,900th victory and their 50th conference title. Giving Kansas more titles than any other school in the U.S.

Jayhawks ease defense against Texas star

Self advises athletes to focus defense on other Texas players

Kansas keeps Kevin Durant from scoring big behind the three-point line in the second half, leading to victory against Texas.

Six Jayhawks receive postseason awards

Chalmers named co-defensive Player of the Year.

Brandon Rush and Julian Wright made the All-Big 12 first team with six other players making the first team due to voting ties.

Just how good is Kevin Durant?

Big 12 players and coaches agree: he's the real deal.

The Texas freshman is being compared to Kansas great Danny Manning. See how the two stack up statistically and what Big 12 coaches and players have to say.

Jayhawks to play for Big 12 title on Saturday

Longhorns to try to tie for the Big 12 Conference title

With the potential for a three-way tie for the conference title, the Jayhawks know they need to focus on their own game and not worry about the other factors.

Free throws secure victory

Chalmers leads team, hits 10 of 12 from the line

Kansas still has no definitive leader, but this year’s balanced team is in a place to win the conference title. The Jayhawks still have to play Texas and their prodigy Kevin Durant.

Press Row: Kansas vs. Oklahoma

Michael Phillips shares his experiences from the Kansas vs. Oklahoma game.

Pressure pushes Jayhawks to close victory

Players need to step up their game to play well at tournament

A ‘timid’ second half is led by Rush’s weak performance. Teammates rely on each other to overthrow Sooners.

Robinson can play, start not likely

Russell Robinson looks to return to the Jayhawks' lineup tonight in Norman for the Big Monday game at the Oklahoma Sooners. Robinson practiced with the team Sunday for the first time since spraining the bottom of his foot in practice.