As Washburn guard and former Jayhawk John CriderâÂÂs name was announced prior to TuesdayâÂÂs 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 WashburnâÂÂs top scoring threats.

âÂÂThat team is a great defensive team,â Crider said. âÂÂIt was hard to get an open look on them.âÂÂ

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.

âÂÂI was just off a little bit,â he said. âÂÂPlaying in front of that crowd, that environment, it was different and that can throw you off. IâÂÂll be all right.âÂÂ

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 didnâÂÂt forget, giving him a loud ovation during player introductions when he shook hands with KU coach Roy Williams.

What was said remains a mystery.

âÂÂI donâÂÂt remember,â Crider said. âÂÂMy adrenaline was so pumped. I kind of got lost in the moment.âÂÂ

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 WashburnâÂÂs opponents take notice when Crider is on the floor.

âÂÂEverywhere we go, they know where he came from,â Murphy said. âÂÂEverybodyâÂÂs looking for him and no one wants him to have a good game against them.âÂÂ

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.

âÂÂI just got pushed in the back,â he said. âÂÂIt kind of scared me more than anything.âÂÂ

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

âÂÂYou try and take some little victories out of a game like this,â Washburn coach Bob Chipman said. âÂÂKU is just so good that its tough to find those.âÂÂ

Crider and the Ichabods open their regular season on Nov. 23 against Baker University, and Chipman knows Washburn wonâÂÂt see an opponent as tough as the Jayhawks the rest of the season.

âÂÂWe knew what to expect,â he said. âÂÂBut it was impossible to stop.âÂÂ