As Washburn guard and former Jayhawk John Crider’s name was announced prior to Tuesday’s game between Kansas University and Washburn, the near-sellout crowd at Allen Fieldhouse responded with a thunderous ovation.

The Jayhawks then welcomed him with an overwhelming defensive effort, all but eliminating the senior from being one of Washburn’s top scoring threats.

“That team is a great defensive team,” Crider said. “It was hard to get an open look on them.”

The result was subpar at best – four points, three rebounds and three assists for Crider, and a 101-66 loss for the Ichabods.

Crider shot just 2-of-7 in 22 minutes of action, and fired three blanks from behind the three-point arc.

“I was just off a little bit,” he said. “Playing in front of that crowd, that environment, it was different and that can throw you off. I’ll be all right.”

The senior spent two seasons in Lawrence, and lacked significant playing time with the Jayhawks. Crider transferred to Washburn in January of 2001 and KU fans didn’t forget, giving him a loud ovation during player introductions when he shook hands with KU coach Roy Williams.

What was said remains a mystery.

“I don’t remember,” Crider said. “My adrenaline was so pumped. I kind of got lost in the moment.”

With Crider shut down, Washburn forward Ryan Murphy provided the bulk of the offense. The senior scored 25 points, including sinking 3-of-5 three-pointers.

Murphy said Washburn’s opponents take notice when Crider is on the floor.

“Everywhere we go, they know where he came from,” Murphy said. “Everybody’s looking for him and no one wants him to have a good game against them.”

Crider briefly left the game in the second half to apply an ice pack to his neck. He returned, but never was a legitimate offensive threat.

“I just got pushed in the back,” he said. “It kind of scared me more than anything.”

As a team, the Ichabods were 6-of-17 from three-point range and committed 23 turnovers. They finished their exhibition season 1-1.

“You try and take some little victories out of a game like this,” Washburn coach Bob Chipman said. “KU is just so good that its tough to find those.”

Crider and the Ichabods open their regular season on Nov. 23 against Baker University, and Chipman knows Washburn won’t see an opponent as tough as the Jayhawks the rest of the season.

“We knew what to expect,” he said. “But it was impossible to stop.”