Missouri coach Quin Snyder tossed bouquets at Kansas junior guard Kirk Hinrich on Monday, saying if Drew Gooden wasn't the best player in the Big 12 Conference, then Hinrich was.
"It makes me feel good," Hinrich said with a big smile after the Jayhawks' 105-73 victory over Missouri on Monday night at Allen Fieldhouse.
"It is obviously a great compliment. It's blown up a little bit because of this game, but it makes me feel really good."
Hinrich awed a jam-packed fieldhouse by scoring 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including four of five threes. He hit all three of his free throws and had six assists against two turnovers in 33 minutes.
What's more, he guarded MU's Kareem Rush, who hit six of 19 shots, just one of seven threes, good for 13 points in 33 minutes.
"I tried to make him limit his touches. He's a great shooter, an All-American," Hinrich said. "A lot of people didn't think I could handle him. He has three inches on me."
Indeed, Hinrich is 6-foot-3; Rush 6-6.
"I got lucky. He missed some shots. We guarded their butts, came down on the run and were on fire," Hinrich noted.
Indeed, KU hit 20 of 31 shots the second half in busting open a 43-42 game. KU outscored MU, 62-31 the final 20 minutes.
"I finally played one of my complete games," Hinrich said.
Freshman point guard Aaron Miles had a busy night chasing Clarence Gilbert, who hit four of five threes the first half for 16 points, then made one of four the second half and finished with 19 on the night.
"We denied them more, pushed them out farther," Miles said. "He is great," he added of Gilbert. "It's hard to guard somebody who can shoot from anywhere like that. I tried to not let him touch it as much the second half."
Nick Collison had a big second half with nine of his 13 points and five boards in those 20 minutes.
Proud papa: Gooden's dad, Andrew, met with the media after the game. He was, of course, asked about his son, who most people say is likely to turn pro after this season.
The 20 NBA scouts had to be impressed Monday night.
"I stress what he came here for is to be a student first. To graduate college then go to the next level is the perfect way," Gooden Sr. said. "This summer we'll talk and see what Drew thinks. I hope he stays."
Gooden's dad says money is no big deal. "I've been poor all my life," he said. "The money doesn't bother me. The wealth is not in our face. I look as wealth as boring. But the NBA is calling him and, hopefully, he'll make a wise decision."
Horde of scouts: The 20 scouts most ever to watch a game at Allen Fieldhouse, attended. Included were former KU assistant R.C. Buford (San Antonio), plus NBA general managers Pete Babcock (Atlanta Hawks), Randy Pfund (Miami Heat), Jim Paxson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Scott Layden (New York Knicks) and Glen Grunwald (Toronto Raptors), plus former head coaches Tony Barone (Memphis Grizzlies scout, Texas A&M) and Steve Yoder (Indiana Pacers scout, Wisconsin).
Also on hand was Marty Blake, NBA scouting director.
Vitale works game: ESPN analyst Dick Vitale worked the game.
"I love the atmosphere of this place," said Vitale, who last worked a KU home game two seasons ago when the Jayhawks beat Ohio State, 80-67.
"Kirk Hinrich is the most underrated player in the country," Vitale added. "What can't he do? He can play three positions and play them all well."
Stats, facts: It was originally believed KU had its biggest win over Missouri in Lawrence. Upon further review, it was deemed Monday's 32-point win was fourth biggest. ... Gooden's eight first-half field goals tied for second most in a half in the Roy Williams era, most since Gooden had eight against Colorado on Jan. 5. ...KU's 61.9 percent shooting was a season best. KU's 61.5 percent mark from three-point range was also a season high. ....KU hit a season-best 90.5 percent of its free throws, fifth highest percentage in the Williams era. ... KU's 105 points were second most against the Tigers in the series history. Most is 112 in 1974.
Scalpers: A scalper outside Allen Fieldhouse said he had better luck selling K-State women's tickets in Manhattan than peddling KU-MU tickets Monday night. This particular scalper was asking $300 for $30 tickets. He eventually dropped the price to $50. Another scalper said his tickets were going for $200 and he would not drop the price until game time.
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