Men's Basketball

KU Men's Basketball 2004-05 Season Recap

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BIG 12 GAMES

Galindo puts A&M on ice (Jan. 5, 2005)

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Alex Galindo is getting good at hitting game-breaking shots. Galindo, Kansas University's fearless freshman bomber who hit a three in overtime Saturday to slice a four-point deficit to one in KU's overtime victory over Georgia Tech, hit a bona fide game-winner Wednesday night. His deep, straight-on three off a pass from a driving Aaron Miles busted a 58-all tie with 42 seconds left and gave the Jayhawks the lead for good in a tense 65-60 victory over Texas A&M at Allen Fieldhouse. "They were both big shots. Now I think this one was bigger because they are a great team and a conference team," Galindo said.


Big Dub keys big 'W' (Jan. 12, 2005)

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Wayne Simien desperately wanted to play. But he, his coach, his teammates -- heck, even his parents -- didn't know if Simien, Kansas University's senior All-America candidate, would be able to answer the bell for the first time in five games for Wednesday's Kansas-Iowa State Big 12 Conference battle at Hilton Coliseum. "It all came down to the refs' decision, to see if they approved the cast I was in," said Simien. A soft cast, tape and gray Nike glove on Simien's surgically repaired left thumb received the officials' seal of approval during warmups just minutes before tipoff.

Home away from home (Jan. 15, 2005)

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Wayne Simien's mood brightened considerably before tipoff Saturday afternoon as his eyes scanned the stands of sold-out Coors Events Center. "You look up at the top, and you see crimson and blue, not just spots, but whole sections full of our fans," Simien, Kansas University's senior All-America candidate, said after scoring 23 points and tying a career high with 17 rebounds in the No. 2-ranked Jayhawks' 76-61 victory over the stingy, unranked Buffaloes. The game was played before 11,057 fans, at least half of the spectators wearing KU's colors. "This is one of my favorite places to play, with all the fans from Western Kansas coming out to support us," Simien added. The 6-foot-9, 255-pounder -- who controlled the boards (he also had 17 last season against Texas Tech) on a day coach Bill Self lit into his team at halftime for giving up way too many offensive rebounds -- was despondent during warmups.

More lucky than good (Jan. 19, 2005)

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Aaron Miles and his Kansas University basketball teammates felt a sense of dread as Nebraska's Corey Simms released a last-second, potential game-winning three-pointer Wednesday night at Allen Fieldhouse. "I thought he was going to go to the hole," Miles said. "When he stepped back to shoot, I said, 'Noooooo.' He had a real good look. Luckily, he missed. It's a relief." The Jayhawks were feeling mighty lucky after Simms' shot clanged with 2.5 seconds left. The rebound fell into the hands of Alex Galindo, ending a tense 59-57 victory over the Cornhuskers. "Yeah, yeah, I think we were lucky," Miles said after the Jayhawks remained unbeaten despite missing 15 of 28 free throws and hitting just 42 percent of their field goals. "Nebraska played good, though," Miles quickly added.

Deadly from downtown (Jan. 25, 2005)

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Jeff Hawkins showed up for Kansas University basketball practice Monday without his trademark braids. "I just wanted to cut off my hair, get a fresh start, get a new start," said the junior guard, who explained that "a guy named Marty" did the clipping at a Lawrence barber shop. "I had to do it before practice so I could show up and surprise my teammates." The seldom-used player didn't necessarily surprise the guys who practice with and against him every day, but he certainly shocked 3,000 or so KU supporters in a crowd of 7,280 by scoring 15 points off 5-of-5 three-point shooting in the Jayhawks' 86-66 rout of Baylor on Tuesday at Ferrell Center. Did the new 'do contribute to his explosion on a night the Jayhawks hit a school-record 16 threes in 27 tries?

Prime-time punishment (Jan. 29, 2005)

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As far as Bill Self is concerned, ESPN's GameDay crew is welcome to set up shop in Lawrence any ol' day. "Today couldn't have been scripted much better for Kansas. This did a lot for our program from an exposure standpoint. Playing well was icing on the cake," Self, Kansas University's basketball coach, said Saturday night after the Jayhawks capped a day's worth of free advertising on ESPN and ESPN2 by destroying Texas, 90-65, at Allen Fieldhouse. ESPN's Rece Davis, Digger Phelps and Jay Bilas were in town to hold three hourlong shows in the 50-year-old fieldhouse. The No. 6 Jayhawks (16-1 overall, 6-0 Big 12 Conference) put on quite a show on the actual court in the day's main event against the 16th-ranked Longhorns (15-5, 2-4).

Not so fast, Tigers (Jan. 31, 2005)

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Aaron Miles did something at halftime of Monday's Kansas University-Missouri basketball thriller that he need never do, at least in the eyes of his teammates. That is, tell the other members of KU's starting five he's sorry, for what he deemed his own lousy first-half play. "He challenged himself. He kind of apologized to us in the huddle about his performance the first half," senior Wayne Simien said after watching Miles, KU's senior point guard, collect nine assists and 10 points in the second half of the Jayhawks' 73-61 comeback victory over the Tigers. With Miles registering one assist, two turnovers and four points, the Jayhawks (17-1 overall, 7-0 Big 12 Conference) sleepwalked the first half against the Tigers (10-11, 2-6), who led 36-28 at the break.

Easy to stomach (Feb. 5, 2005)

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Christian Moody nearly choked on his ham-and-cheese omelet, bacon, pancakes, hash browns and pineapple early Saturday morning at Lincoln's historic Cornhusker Hotel. Watching films of last year's 19-point basketball loss to Nebraska's Cornhuskers made it difficult for the team meal to go down. "Coach showed us films of when they rushed the court here last year. It gets the blood flowing," Moody said after he and his Kansas University teammates atoned for last year's lashing in Lincoln by downing NU, 78-65, at Devaney Center before a sellout crowd of 13,821. Moody, who had eight points and six rebounds, wasn't the only KU player to feel distaste for the home team after watching films Saturday morning and twice on Friday.

KU keeps on streakin' (Feb. 9, 2005)

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College basketball's craziest win streak lives to see another day. And for that, Kansas University's seniors are mighty thankful. "One day it'll end. You never want it to end on your watch," KU's Wayne Simien said after collecting 23 points and 13 rebounds in the Jayhawks' 74-65 victory over Kansas State on Wednesday night in Bramlage Coliseum, KU's home away from home. The Jayhawks extended their winning streak in Manhattan to 22 games. "It's very satisfying," fellow senior Keith Langford said after leading the way with 24 points off 8-of-14 shooting, including three of four threes and five of seven free throws.

Buffs roughed up (Feb. 12, 2005)

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Shedding the splint on his left thumb sure has done wonders for Kansas University senior Wayne Simien's free-throw shooting. Simien tied his own KU record for most free throws made in a half, canning 11 of 11 attempts and providing most of the Jayhawks' early offense in Saturday's 89-60 victory over Colorado at Allen Fieldhouse. Simien, who helped the Jayhawks to a 40-33 halftime lead, didn't attempt a free throw in the second half but finished with a game-high 25 points off 7-of-14 shooting and perfect charity work to go with his 12 rebounds. "Cool, sweet, good," Simien said with a grin, told by media representatives he had passed Kirk Hinrich, who hit 10 free throws in a half versus Kansas State in 2002. KU officials later said the rule book had been updated, and Simien actually tied his own record of 11 swished in the second half of last year's NCAA Tournament victory over Alabama-Birmingham.

Broken-hearted (Feb. 14, 2005)

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Aaron Miles' right eye appeared positive proof he was fouled on the most controversial call of the Big 12 Conference basketball season late Monday night at United Spirit Arena. The Kansas University senior guard's shiner and swollen lid came courtesy of a blow delivered after Miles grabbed what appeared to be the game-winning rebound with 7.9 seconds left in double overtime, Kansas leading Texas Tech by two. Game officials, however, determined Miles traveled with the key board, giving 6-foot-9 Darryl Dora the opportunity to knock in a back-breaking three with 3.6 seconds left, the winning shot in the Red Raiders' thrilling 80-79 victory over the Jayhawks. "Oh, yeah, it's right here, from that play," Miles said of his puffed eye. "I thought it was (a foul). He (ref) kind of hesitated, then made the travel call."

Kansas loses second straight overtime game (Feb. 19, 2005)

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Kansas University's men's basketball team suffered a comedy of errors Saturday against Iowa State. The Jayhawks (20-3 overall, 10-2 Big 12 Conference) couldn't hit three-pointers, struggled from inside the arc and turned the ball over seemingly every other possession in the second half. Still, Kansas nearly pulled out a victory before falling to Iowa State in overtime, 63-61, in Allen Fieldhouse. "They were terrific, and of course offensively we were pitiful," KU head coach Bill Self said. "But a lot of that was because of them. They junk it up and just get you to think and we didn't play good enough to handle what they threw at us." Kansas made just four of 23 shots from beyond the arc, including 1-of-11 shooting by J.R. Giddens, 1-of-6 shooting from Aaron Miles, and 0-of-3 shooting by Keith Langford.

Free-fall continues (Feb. 21, 2005)

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A three-game losing streak isn't just unusual for Kansas University senior power forward Wayne Simien. It's unprecedented. "Not in my career ... ever," Simien said after the Jayhawks fell to Oklahoma, 71-63, Monday night at Noble Center, assuring the program its first three-game skid since the 1993-94 season. "Last year, we were up-and-down, but we'd win one. I can't remember losing three in a row before in anything in my life. It's different." It meant nothing to Simien and his fellow seniors that the Jayhawks (20-4 overall, 10-3 Big 12 Conference) sliced a 19-point first-half deficit to one in the second half before fading again to a gritty OU team (20-6, 9-4) in the final minutes. Simien had 17 points off 7-of-13 shooting, Keith Langford had 16 points, Aaron Miles collected 12 points, six assists and six turnovers, and Michael Lee had two turnovers in nine minutes.

Simien leads Jayhawks out of slump (Feb. 27, 2005)

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Withstanding a great shooting day by Oklahoma State, Kansas University's men's basketball team defeated the Cowboys, 81-79, Sunday at Allen Fieldhouse. The victory gave KU (21-4 overall, 11-3 Big 12 Conference) a one-game lead over OSU (20-5, 10-4) in the race for the league title. "I don't think I've ever been a part of a better basketball game," KU head coach Bill Self said. "The atmosphere was great. The stakes were high. It was well officiated. "Just when you think that the other team has control, guys step up and make plays. It was awesome. This will go down as one of the great ones to ever play in this building."

Icing on the cake (Mar. 2, 2005)

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Kansas University senior Wayne Simien wept as he walked toward his parents amid a shower of flowers before Wednesday's Senior Night game against Kansas State at Allen Fieldhouse. He made the Wildcats' players, coaches and fans sob the next 40 minutes, scoring 25 points and grabbing a career-high 20 rebounds in the Jayhawks' 72-65 victory, their 30th in a row over their in-state rivals. Simien had more than twice as many points as any other Jayhawk, pretty much single-handedly making sure KU (22-4 overall, 12-3 Big 12 Conference) wrapped up at least a tie for the league title with one game remaining -- Sunday at Missouri. "Twenty-five and 20 ... it's a great way to go out," said Simien, who topped his previous career high of 17 rebounds set against Colorado this season and Texas Tech last year.

Final denial (Mar. 6, 2005)

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Kansas University senior Keith Langford dejectedly limped off the basketball court carrying a pair of crutches as a flood of delirious Missouri students raced past him after the Tigers' 72-68 victory over the Jayhawks on Sunday at Mizzou Arena. Thirty minutes later, Langford used the crutches for support as he addressed a group of media members, defiantly stating that he soon would return from a left ankle injury incurred three minutes into the game. "I'll be back the next time we play. That's the bottom line," said Langford, who stepped on the foot of Brian Dailey after scoring five quick points, leaving the lineup for good with KU up 10-3. "I don't see this being a long-term thing. Obviously, the (X-ray) pictures will show that, and we'll go from there. My gut feeling is, this will not keep me out." Kansas coach Bill Self wasn't so sure about that, speaking after his team battled back from a 15-point second-half deficit to tie late before fizzing in crunch time.