Salina ? About 10 minutes before the Kansas Cagerz took on cross-state rival Dodge City Tuesday, a familiar rap song blared over the speakers of Salina’s Bicentennial Center.

The theme of rapper Eminem’s you-can-do-it anthem “Lose Yourself” is taking one shot at stardom and making the most of it. The song could apply to Jeff Boschee, who, after a year away from basketball, is taking his shot.

Former Kansas University standout Jeff Boschee, right, of the Kansas Cagerz, tries to block the shot of Oklahoma's Tim Kisner. The Cagerz beat the Storm, 129-120 in overtime, Monday in Salina.

Boschee, a former Kansas University standout, played in the NCAA Final Four two years ago, but is now playing in front of significantly fewer fans in the United States Basketball League.

After completing his degree in sports management in May, Boschee signed with the Cagerz. Like all college graduates, he’s looking for work, but in a really tough job market.

“I just needed to get out of Lawrence and make a living playing basketball, whether that’s overseas, over here or wherever,” Boschee said.

Since joining the Cagerz May 27, Boschee has averaged about six points a game, although his high has been 14.

“This is the first time I’ve come off the bench in my entire life,” he said. “I’ll have one good half and then have one bad half and drive home frustrated with myself.”

Sluggish start

Boschee, known for sweet three-point shooting, made only four of his first 20 shots from beyond the arc in a Cagerz uniform.

“I just gotta make shots,” he said. “I’ve been putting a lot of pressure on myself. I just gotta relax out there. I don’t think I’ve had one solid game yet. A lot of guys have told me, ‘Keep your head up.'”

Boschee’s biggest adjustment has been the rugged play in the USBL.

“At Kansas we couldn’t play any quicker than we did,” he said. “The basketball is a lot more physical here, and that’s something I have to deal with. Everybody out here is strong.”

At the end of July, Boschee hopes to join an NBA summer club as a free agent. He hasn’t signed with an agent, but former KU coach Roy Williams has been making phone calls for him.

“He’s probably the best agent you can have,” Boschee said.

Coach someday?

Eventually, Boschee can see himself as a coach. His brother Mike, newly named head coach at Central College, an NCAA Div. III school in Pella, Iowa, has offered him a position, but he wants to keep playing for awhile.

Jeff Boschee regrets he didn’t participate in last year’s pre-draft camp in Portsmouth, Va.

“I was burnt out after the Final Four,” he said. “I’m happy that I got my degree, but being away from competitive basketball has really hindered me.”

True, Boschee is a substitute now, but he’s still a central attraction in central Kansas among young girls. He isn’t hounded as much after games for autographs and “Jeff, Will You Marry Me?” posters aren’t present, but he still has a female following in Salina.

A busload of 50 girls from Newton, for instance, made the trip for Boschee’s home debut June 3. Boschee went 1-for-11 from the field with only five points and seven turnovers.

“Those girls are always gonna follow him,” said Jeff Wells, Cagerz vice president of player personnel.

Attendance up

Signing the former KU standout has helped the Cagerz’ attendance. Before Boschee’s arrival, the Cagerz averaged around 1,800 fans a game, but that number has climbed to around 2,600.

“Salina’s got a big KU following,” Wells said, “so it’s great having Jeff from a fan perspective, but regardless of where he’s from he’s a great player.”

Former KU guard Billy Thomas was with the Cagerz until May 18 when he left at the behest of his agent, who wanted him to rest prior to NBA summer camps. Thomas had been suffering from lower back and hamstring injuries before leaving.

“It would have been nice to have the two of them together,” Wells said.

Another former KU player, Darrin Hancock, is with the Dodge City team. Interestingly, Hancock, who was never known as a perimeter shooter, leads the USBL in three-point shooting percentage at about 52 percent.

Hancock has played all over the world, including two years in the NBA and a long stint in Milan, Italy, and mentors younger players.

“In college it’s a game, but this is a business,” Hancock said. “You just have to keep working and don’t lose focus.”

In the meantime, Boschee is trying to regain the focus that made him a dangerous three-point shooter in college.

“I think it’s only a matter of time before he has a big game,” Wells said.