Hawks start slow in Canada
Kansas struggled with McGill University Saturday morning before prevailing, 72-67, behind an 18-rebound performance from Cole Aldrich.
By Case Keefer (Contact)
Saturday, August 30th, 2008
OTTAWA, ONTARIO — Kansas coach Bill Self kept yelling the same question at his players from the bench at Montpetit Hall.
“What are you doing?,” Self would ask.
Sometimes, he directed it at freshman guard Tyshawn Taylor or junior guard Mario Little. Sophomore center Cole Aldrich heard it a couple times, too.
Self had an ample amount of opportunities to use the question as Kansas opened its three-game trip to Canada against McGill University. The Jayhawks played sloppily and barely slipped past the Redmen, 72-67.
But Self wasn’t disappointed after the game. With junior guard Sherron Collins on the bench, Self expected Kansas to struggle in its first game.
The Jayhawks only had a week to prepare for the game – clearly not enough time for a team playing with no one who averaged more than nine minutes per game last season. McGill took advantage of the Kansas sluggishness by jumping out to a 17-4 run to start the game.
“It was good for us,” Self said. “We got punched in the mouth.”
And Taylor didn’t like it. He became more active with 14 minutes remaining in the first half by starting to drive to the basket. He scored nine points, had a steal and recorded two rebounds over the next six minutes to lead Kansas on a 21-4 run.
Taylor finished with a game-high 18 points, but also committed four turnovers. He also had some trouble staying in front of his man on the defensive end.
“He’s going to be a fabulous player,” Self said. “He’s got some unbelievable instincts. He’s quick. He’s going to be terrific, but he’s careless right now.”
He might not be terrific yet, but he can already make big plays. When the Redmen cut the Jayhawk lead to four late in the second half, Taylor streaked down the court for easy fast-break points twice in the next two minutes.
He also hit two free-throws at the end of the game to seal the victory.
“That’s just how it worked out today,” Taylor said.
Maybe it’s the jersey – Taylor wears No. 15, the number Mario Chalmers possessed the past three seasons. But Aldrich didn’t need a new number to put up big statistics.
Aldrich was significantly taller than any of the Redmen and dominated the boards when he was in the game. He finished with 10 points, 18 rebounds and four steals.
“Eighteen is a great number,” Aldrich said. “But we’ve got a long way to go.”
Aldrich, himself, may have a long way to go offensively. The Jayhawk guards fed him in the post throughout the game, but Aldrich routinely failed to get a shot off or missed. He finished 3-for-8 from the field.
Freshman guard Travis Releford scored 11 points, four of them on fast breaks courtesy of passes from Taylor. Sophomore guard Conner Teahan scored six points on two deep three-pointers.
They were the only shots the Jayhawks connected on beyond 10 feet from the basket.
“Conner Teahan bailed us out in the first half with those threes,” Self said, “because the offense wasn’t going at all.”
The Jayhawk newcomers seemed to be trying too hard during parts of the game. Freshman forward Quintrell Thomas missed four shots directly under the basket and missed two free throws.
Junior guard Tyrone Appleton put on a disappearing act during his 19 minutes on the court – rarely getting involved in the offense. Little scored nine points and made two fade-away jumpers but also air-balled a six-footer.
“I think our guys were nervous,” Self said. “I think they’ll probably be a little uptight tonight.”
Kansas travels east to ScotiaBank Place, home of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, to take on the Carleton Ravens at 6:00 p.m. tonight. Carleton will be Kansas’ biggest challenege on the trip as it has won five of the past six Canadian national championships.
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