NCAA reprimands Langford for ref-ripping comments

The NCAA Division One men’s basketball committee has reprimanded Kansas University senior Keith Langford publicly for his comments about the officiating in last year’s loss to Georgia Tech in the NCAA Tournament.

Langford lashed out at ref Jim Burr on March 28 after being whistled for his fifth foul for pushing off on Tech’s Isma’il Muhammad while dribbling past the three-point arc.

“I think it was a horrible call,” Langford said at the time. ” … If that referee is reffing one of our games again next year … I don’t know, I’ll be sure to let him know how I feel.”

Langford’s comments were in violation of an NCAA policy that prohibits players, coaches and administrative staff from making public statements critical of officiating.

“The committee was disappointed because the comments shed a negative light on Keith himself, the university and the integrity of the championship,” said Bob Bowlsby, chair of the Division One men’s basketball committee and athletic director at Iowa. “He and the university have responded appropriately, and the matter is now closed.”

Langford has apologized to Burr.

“I sincerely regret the comments I made after the Georgia Tech game last season after an official’s call,” he said. “I have sent a letter of apology to the official involved. I hope my comments did not reflect poorly on the University of Kansas, my teammates, the Big 12 Conference or the NCAA Tournament.”

KU coach Bill Self said he had spoken to Langford and the entire KU team about the matter.

“It’s probably a good lesson for everybody to learn because it could potentially be a bigger deal that what this is if in fact somebody in tournament play would do something more serious in nature,” Self said.

“Everybody knows the committee is serious and will hold guys accountable to rules and bylaws.”

Self noted that Langford didn’t mention Burr’s call at the podium at the postgame press conference, but when Langford returned to the locker room, he “snapped.”

“I don’t want to take away a guy’s ability to be honest and speak to the press,” Self said, “but certainly during times of frustration you’ve got to take several deep breaths and not respond in a negative manner.

“I know where he’s coming from. He felt he was right in saying that. Even though sometimes we may think we’re right in saying it, sometimes it’s not the right stage to do so.”

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Red-shirt talk: Self said he still planned to red-shirt at least one player this season.

“I don’t know who it’ll be. I can tell you a lot more probably Oct. 1,” he said. “We will not play everybody in Canada. I could see us red-shirt two or three if you include walk-on guys, if in fact things play out that way.”

He repeated last week’s statement that he would likely not red-shirt any freshmen. He said he could envision a regular rotation of nine players he’d use in most games.

“Five perimeter and four rotate from the side. Nine is the perfect number, maybe a different nine game to game,” Self said.

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Bumps, bruises: Darnell Jackson turned an ankle in practice. J.R. Giddens, Self said, was out of shape but “fine.” Langford was deemed 90-percent healthy after offseason knee surgery, “… until yesterday he did something to tweak his lower-body strength. It’s like hitting your funny bone in the elbow. His legs gave out, but it has nothing to do with a structural problem,” Self said.

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Visitor: KU likely will have just one high school visitor this weekend. C.J. Miles, a 6-5 guard from Dallas, will be in town Friday and attend Saturday’s scrimmage at Horejsi Center. However, Kevin Rogers, 6-8 from Dallas, has a conflict and likely will visit in September.