Movie director Spike Lee once reasoned that Michael JordanâÂÂs gravity-defying jumps came because of his shoes.

âÂÂItâÂÂs gotta be the shoes,â said LeeâÂÂs commercial character, Mars Blackmon, in a famous Nike spot.

The same could be said for Kansas UniversityâÂÂs Keith Langford – depending on which pair of rubber soles heâÂÂs sporting.

The sophomore is quite fashionable when it comes to his footwear. At times Langford will even change âÂÂkicksâ during a game.

Watch closely and you may see him do so during tonightâÂÂs KU-Holy Cross basketball game. Tipoff for the Preseason NIT and season-opener is 8 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse, with a live telecast on ESPN.

âÂÂIt goes back to high school,â Langford said. âÂÂIf I wasnâÂÂt playing well in the first half, IâÂÂd switch my shoes.âÂÂ

He did Tuesday in the Jayhawksâ 101-66 exhibition victory against Washburn.

After scoring just four points in the first half, Langford scored 11 of Kansasâ first 13 points of the second half after trading a pair of white Nikes for a âÂÂworn-inâ pair of black-and-blue boats.

âÂÂI just decided to change and see how things would go,â Langford said. âÂÂI hate the fact that it gets to me sometimes. But it does, and when the urge comes to change the shoes, I guess IâÂÂll have to.âÂÂ

Terp troubles

The urge came in last yearâÂÂs season-ending loss to Maryland, but Langford was limited to just one set of shoes against the Terrapins.

âÂÂI was feeling sick at halftime because I left my shoes back in the hotel,â he said.

LangfordâÂÂs sneaker superstition probably didnâÂÂt have as much to do with his illness as did MarylandâÂÂs Juan Dixon.

Dixon, the Final Four MVP, lit up the Jayhawks with a career-high 33 points. His 10-of-18 shooting performance – including a couple of clutch shots late that propelled Maryland to the championship contest – came mostly against Langford, Kansasâ primary defender assigned to guard him.

âÂÂEverybodyâÂÂs still humbled from that loss,â Langford said. âÂÂTo be so close and then to come up empty âÂÂ: it sits in the back of your mind.âÂÂ

So Langford became a laborer during the summer.

And the Fort Worth, Texas, native said he has strengthened his skills with a variety of moves that may match his numerous Nikes.

âÂÂIâÂÂm coming into this season real confident,â Langford said. âÂÂI feel that IâÂÂm two or three times the player I was last year.âÂÂ

Strong finish

Late last year, Langford might have been as good as any Jayhawk. The former North Crowley High standout, who averaged 7.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game as a freshman, made his mark in the NCAA Tournament.

LangfordâÂÂs averages jumped to 10.8 ppg and 4.2 rpg during five tournament games, but it was his play during the Midwest Regional in Madison, Wis., that helped the Jayhawks make their first Final Four since 1993.

âÂÂI had to get myself a lot more aggressive,â he said. âÂÂTake things, instead of letting them come to me. I finally understood that coming into NCAA Tournament time, I started playing a lot harder.âÂÂ

LangfordâÂÂs new strategy showed when he scored 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting in KUâÂÂs 73-69 regional semifinal victory against Illinois.

In the regional final against Oregon, Langford let loose with a career-game. He scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds, both career-bests. LangfordâÂÂs thunderous put-back dunk late in the second half, fueled a furious KU run that ended with a lopsided 104-86 victory.

âÂÂThat was just nice,â said teammate Bryant Nash, struggling for words that would do the slam justice. âÂÂThat was like the arrow through the heart.âÂÂ

The highlight certainly showed LangfordâÂÂs team-best leaping ability.

âÂÂI think I have a special talent of going to the rim,â said Langford, who no longer has the special pair of sneaks he wore against the Ducks because the air bubble popped during the summer. âÂÂBut I also want to mix it up and be able to shoot the ball outside, too âÂÂ:quot; not only be respected as somebody who can slash, but be respected as somebody who can shoot the outside jumper and be the all-around player.âÂÂ

Hard at work

Langford went to work quickly after the Jayhawksâ misstep against Maryland.

During the summer he perfected his ballhandling while playing point guard for the NIT All-Stars, who went 6-1 on a tour of Canada. He shot hundreds of shots a day and showcased his refined touch during the prestigious Nike Camp in Indianapolis. He bulked up, adding mass to his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame. And, of course, he worked on what coach Roy Williams loves âÂÂ:quot;-defense.

âÂÂI said last year, at the end of the year, that he came further defensively in any one year than any freshman that I have ever coached,â Williams said.

Langford hopes to continue the trend.

âÂÂItâÂÂs a real big difference from my freshman year to sophomore,â Langford said. âÂÂLast year, some of the things I did were extras. Now those things are mandatory. IâÂÂm going to have to come in night in and night out and put up numbers like I did toward the end of the year.âÂÂ

Now, about that footwear âÂÂ:

âÂÂIâÂÂve got some different socks, but I canâÂÂt give them away yet,â he said with a smile.

ItâÂÂs not just the shoes?

âÂÂNah, itâÂÂs the whole foot fetish thing,â Langford said.