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Men's Basketball

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Gary Bedore’s KU Basketball Notebook

By Gary Bedore

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Travel plans

Kansas University coach Bill Self said there’s a chance Xavier Henry will attend second session of summer school. C.J. Henry, who will be 100 percent recovered from a cracked bone in his foot by August, will definitely remain in Oklahoma City until school starts in August.

“I wouldn’t ask anybody to pay out of pocket,” Self said, noting the New York Yankees only pay for two semesters of ex-Yankee farmhand Henry’s schooling per year. “Xavier has a lot of dental work that needs to be done. They are working to see if he can get here second session. Even those 3 1/2 weeks I’m not sure that’s a must. Those guys are busting their butt doing as much as our guys here. I’d rather have them doing it with our guys, but those two will report in great shape.”

Living arrangements

Self said he believes the brothers’ mom, Barbara, still is looking into moving to Lawrence with Carl Henry planning on staying in OKC where he coaches Athletes First.

Self said C.J. would “probably not” live in renovated Jayhawker Towers. “It (C.J.’s decision) has not been finalized yet. I’d allow him to live off campus. At age 23? Yes,” Self said.

Injury update

Self said Elijah Johnson (arthroscopic knee surgery) should return to pickup basketball in two weeks. Jeff Withey (severely sprained right thumb) should be back in three weeks and Brady Morningstar (surgery to repair stress fracture, foot) one week. Mario Little (surgery to repair stress fracture, lower leg) is “close to 100 percent, doing everything everybody is doing. Reports are he is looking good in conditioning,” Self said.

Collins weight update

Sherron Collins strolled into Self’s office after a hard workout, indicating he’s already shed some weight since weighing in at the Deron Williams Skills Academy in Dallas at 228 pounds.

“I think in his case he knows he’s not in great shape,” Self said. “He’s been there before. I don’t believe it’s a serious issue of concern. Do I like it? No, but I don’t think it’s what occurred in the last 3-4 weeks; it’s what occurred since the season was over until the last 3-4 weeks. Part of that is our fault. After the season we told him to shut it down. I don’t see major negatives. I don’t like it, but it’s being addressed. He’s been great, working hard and all that stuff.”

Compton to join program

Former Free State High guard Douglas Compton will be part of KU’s program in some capacity this season. It’s been speculated on the Internet he’ll be a walk-on player. Self said nothing’s been officially decided yet.

“Douglas has come to me and expressed a desire to be a coach and he will be involved in our program in some form or fashion. I really don’t know what the job responsibilities will entail,” said Self, who has known Douglas for several years through friendship with Douglas’ dad, Lawrence businessman Doug Compton.

“I’m looking forward to having him around like everybody involved in our program — players, managers, office help. We are going to try to figure out a way he can be involved with our program through different duties. I don’t know what they will entail at this time.”

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Comments

phogthedog (anonymous) says...

Let's focus on the team, rather than the Henrys'. There are other terrific, talented, motivated players on this team who deserve equal amounts of attention....from fans and the press.

July 2, 2009 at 6:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

b_asinbeer (anonymous) says...

First Bechard, then Buford, now Compton...of course there's no such thing as preferential treatment! Duh!

July 2, 2009 at 7:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

It's called "networking", b_asinbeer. It's how most people get their jobs.

July 2, 2009 at 8:19 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kvskubball (anonymous) says...

ohioburg,

Does "networking" have anything to do with the good ole boys network?

July 2, 2009 at 9:12 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Puggy (anonymous) says...

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

July 2, 2009 at 9:20 a.m. ( | )

dcmander (anonymous) says...

lol, whoa... care to share who he is?

July 2, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

BrockIII (anonymous) says...

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

July 2, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. ( | )

KoolKeithFreeze (anonymous) says...

Lotta people around Lawrence consider Compton a total dirt bag. Wait, I should clarify. A total dirt bag stuffed full of money would be more accurate. He owns LOTS of stuff around town. Don't know him personally, but that has been the word on the street for the last 15 years or so that I have lived in Lawrence...

July 2, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Eazy Duz It on Compton...

July 2, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Thursday Prime Ribs...

} Dear Coach Self, my son has an interest in becoming a coach. When should he report? :-)

} Dear Puggy, I have a personal goal: never click "suggest removal." I am a big free speech guy. But I really had to fight hard to resist the urge to click in the case of your unnecessarily vulgar post above. If you wish to criticize the person in question, tell us why, so we can all go, yeah, Puggy, was wronged. Name calling, especially vulgar name calling, actually enlists us all on your opponent's side. Do you follow me?

} Why didn't the LJW report CJ's broken foot? Perhaps they did so, and I missed it? Doing so would have cleared up a lot of mystery about why CJ chose not to come to Lawrence this summer. Did the broken foot make CJ wish he were back with Coach Calipari? Mr. Henry has so much to say on so many topics to so many news outlets. How did he fail to mention that CJ had a broken foot this summer? When did this fracture take place? Was it a stress fracture, or a break? How did it happen? Certainly, a player has a right to keep an injury a secret. But at least four players off season injury status has been discussed in the LJW. Why not CJ? I would have added him to my injury list I posted earlier this summer had I known, when speculating about whether KU pre-season injuries were gathering into a perfect storm for the coming season.

July 2, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

RockChalkJayBlog (anonymous) says...

You missed it, JayBate.

The reason CJ didn't play last year was because of the injury to his foot.

July 2, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

jaybate ~

It's an old injury. Check out this article, at the bottom of which you had several lively discussions with notable posters such as fatcletus :^)

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/ju...

July 2, 2009 at 12:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mandomax (anonymous) says...

Doug Compton has his fingers in pretty deep everywhere in Lawrence. He owns First Management, and I'm sure you've seen their landscaping crews out and about trimming up the grass at his numerous properties. Based on Self's salary and Compton's reported net worth, they are definitely members of Lawrence's wealthy elite, hence the "gimme" to D. Compton, Jr. However, without seeing him play, none of us can comment on whether his reported walk-on status is deserved or not.

July 2, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

quigley (anonymous) says...

He went to Free State...seen him play.....he sucks.

July 2, 2009 at 1:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

From what I have been able to come up with, Compton was a reserve for Free State's team and didn't even score 100 points during his senior season. Since all Kansas high schools play at least 20 games Compton couldn't have averaged even 5 ppg. Also, he is pretty short (under 5-10 by all accounts).

If in fact he is with the team this year, I doubt that it will be as a player. Maybe he will be a student manager or something.

And just to clear it up, I don't know either Compton personally and have no connections with them.

July 2, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jhaux (anonymous) says...

No big deal. When connected, things can happen that might not otherwise. Goes on everywhere. If I recall, the old man was Larry Brown's best buddy back in the day.

July 2, 2009 at 2:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JJHawq (anonymous) says...

It's the golden rule. He who has the gold makes the rules.

Is is fair? probably not - but it is what it is.

July 2, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

kvskubball

It can be. When someone else benefits it’s called the “good ol’ boy network” and when you benefit it’s called “having connections.” :)

July 2, 2009 at 3:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

The way I took the article wasn’t that he would have any playing time but that it was more like an internship for coaching. But “whatever”. At least make him go through the annual tryouts so it’s not so transparent.

Maybe he’s insurance in case the Henrys back out. (ha!)

July 2, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says...

Why hasn't Bedore done an indepth article on the Oh Henry bros? Why are other media outlets getting these but not him?

July 2, 2009 at 3:29 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

txrockchalk,

Oh, my god, I forgot my aricept!!!!

Thanks for the gentle wake up. :-)

July 2, 2009 at 7:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

txrockchalk,

Wow, the same fracture he had last season at Memphisto has not healed and is keeping him out of Lawrence this summer? That must be one heck of a fracture. :-)

July 2, 2009 at 7:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalk007 (anonymous) says...

The most interesting thing will be team chemistry and how all the newcomers fit into the existing group. It might be Coach Self's biggest coaching challenge yet. A happy problem to have with all that talent, but a problem nonetheless. Everyone will have to earn playing time and the newbees will not be in the mix from the start. They guys who know the drill and the system will get dominate minutes early on. The ingredients are there but the group has to come together. Remember how long it took last year's newbees (the twins, etc) to "get it." At Big 12 conference time they were all jumping off the bench and cheering, not worrying about their minutes and the looks.

This year practice will be very competitive. Coach Self will work the Henry's and everyone's tails off and all the prima donna stuff and drama will dissipate. How he will keep them all happy and together is the magic of a big time head coach and staff.

Sherron's role as the leader will be interesting too. You can bet that Reed, Morningstar and Releford are not going to sit back and be amazed by the new kids - they are going to fight hard for minutes. And be all over the newbees in a "in your face" defense that they have never experienced before, day in and day out. I wish I could catch a few early practices. It will be very entertaining, but in the end, this group will meet expectations and all KU fans will cheer wildly. Our schedule is extremely competitive - a very exciting season...we're just getting warmed up!

Go Hawks!

July 3, 2009 at 4:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

jaybate ~

Aricept?? LOL!

Yeah, I'm not a doctor, and I don't play one on YouTube, but it seems like an inordinate amount of time for that foot injury to heal. Oh, well. In Self We Trust!! :^)

July 3, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mandomax (anonymous) says...

on the side: Holy Cross announced Sean Kearney as its new head coach. Looks like we'll have Dooley around for a while longer, thank goodness

July 3, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

dagger108 (anonymous) says...

Good knowledge mandomax.

007 - to equate the twins with the Henrys seems like a hge stretch to me. It took most of the year for Self to encourage the twins to play hard consistently, vs. Coach Self not even being worried about CJ & X off-season conditioning on their own. Remember how Tyshawn started from the word go?

Personally, I look for Coach Self to convince (if nec) Tyshawn to be this year's Sherron-v08, then stay another year to lead the next reloading after Cole, X, CJ, & Sherron leave for the NBA with another NC.

July 3, 2009 at 3:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CrodieBroyle (anonymous) says...

I could not be more disappointed about Doug Jr. joining the program. He got cut sophomore and junior year. Only played varsity senior year. Averaged 2.8 ppg for the 1-20 free state firebirds. (Doug did not play in the one victory.) Also he is like 5' 7" 135 lbs.

July 3, 2009 at 8:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CrodieBroyle (anonymous) says...

How much $$$$$ is Doug Sr. paying to get Dougie on the team?

July 3, 2009 at 8:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

waywardJay (anonymous) says...

if that holds true we would then start

Johnson
Taylor
Releford ? OR is this the spot for Harrison Barnes ????
Morris
Withey ???

with seniors reed and morningstar the other morris coming off the bench.....

if that's a rebuilding team ..... then i expect a pretty quick turnaround....

July 4, 2009 at 5:23 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalk007 (anonymous) says...

dragger108 - it is not a question of playing hard or conditioning, but a question of knowling the system playing within the assigned role ; believe me this is going to be a huge challenge for Coach Self and we will be discussing it all season ; his goal is to win, period ; would the henrys prefer to win a national championship or get drafted in a higher spot ; would they be happy with a W and less playing time or more playing time and less victories? (these two goals are not necissarily the same and could even be contradictory, are they good teammates or individualists honing their skills for the next level?) - here is the conclusion of an article by Jason King:

Self and assistant Danny Manning flew to Oklahoma City on Tuesday night to smooth things over with the Henry family. Shortly after the meeting, Xavier texted 610 Sports with the news that he planned to honor his commitment to Kansas.

Relieved as he may have been Tuesday night, Self has to realize that, in some form or fashion, the Henry storyline will hover over his program all season.

Kansas has a pair of potential first-team All-Americans in Collins and center Cole Aldrich, but its biggest strength is its team chemistry. How will Xavier Henry fit in with his new teammates? Will he whine and pout when he doesn’t get the ball? Or will he grit his teeth and work harder to get open?

How will Xavier handle Self’s infamous “boot camp” or being bossed around and barked at by Collins? Will he respect authority or walk out of practice?

What about Carl Henry, who has been the biggest problem of them all? Will he bash Self – or other players – in the media when C.J. is riding the bench? Or will he learn to shut his mouth and trust a coaching staff that has won five straight Big 12 titles while continuing to send players to the pros?

It has to be a scary situation for Kansas, which would’ve challenged for the national title even without Xavier Henry. Instead, Self gambled and added the piece that can either catapult the Jayhawks over the top or tug them toward the bottom.

We’ll know by April if the risk was worth it.

July 4, 2009 at 5:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ralster (anonymous) says...

rockchalk007,
Nice post, but I think it may be less of a "Self gamble" (to get X.Henry), and more of "Self insurance". In the best case scenario, X comes in and basically takes 50%-70% of the time at the 3 position and lights it up, in addition to playing solid, Rush-like defense--depends on what he arrives with. In the worst case scenario, if he cannot beat out Mario Little or Releford, and Carl starts whining, we still have the 5 on the floor, playing SelfBall, and I propose even a KU team with X and CJ on the bench will be better than last year's Sweet 16 team--has to be. More of the insurance concept if anyone gets hurt. Lots of depth a good thing. If anything should calm us if this X thing gets off to a rough start, is that Self will put the 'best 5' on the court for the given game situation--be that in terms of defense, offense, speed, height, and most certainly team chemistry, that elusive ghost-like concept that begins to show itself in practice, and may show up in games, hopefully regularly by conference season time...From what Ive seen, Self seems to prefer a team on the floor that can do all of the above, with each player able to contribute in multiple ways, at both ends of the floor. Its what makes us tough, and able to do this play-any-style ball.
------------------------------
For the record, I personally feel the current team has a ways to go defensively to approach the defense of the 08 ChampHawks. Cole is the exception, and Brady was a surprise, able to shut down 90% of his opponents. We also need a 3rd and 4th scoring option--need to get that balance back (sorely) that was there in 08.
------------------------------
...just cant wait to see this team play!

July 4, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

TaCityHawkFan (anonymous) says...

We got another coach a few years ago through the good ole boy network.... I won't name any names but his initials are Roy Williams. That is how poop (Editorial Note: Not the original word, but I like the eloquence of it) happens... in this business and in others. If you feel left out, then network a bit and meet some people.

Compton wants to be a coach, not a player (read the story). Why are you hammering on his playing abilities?

July 4, 2009 at 11:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

gthejayhawk (anonymous) says...

Jealousy is a worthless emotion.

July 5, 2009 at 9:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jchief40 (anonymous) says...

When it gets to crunch time the starters will be imo:

g - cj Henry (point)
G - Collins
G - X. Henry
F - Mc Morris
C - Aldrich

Frequent subs: Taylor, Robinson, Mk Morris, Little
Even more subs: Withey, Johnson, Morningstar, Releford... and Reed.

Yep. We're stacked. But yeah Taylor may start the season opener but Taylor will not be the starter this next season. Not a knock on Taylor as much as it is CJ is that good. That's a great problem to have.

July 6, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jchief40 (anonymous) says...

Why did it lower case the "G" .. and the "imo" - that looks sooo gay. Come on idiots! Sometimes we should be able to use caps and have it look douchey on the live post!

July 6, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )