Woodling: Makeshift lineup sparks KU victory
A quick scouring of the Kansas University men’s basketball record book turned up no evidence of a possible record.
And what would that record be?
Most games won with a lineup that never had been on the floor in practice.
It goes without saying few fans watching Saturday night’s come-from-behind, 64-60 victory over South Carolina in Allen Fieldhouse had any idea coach Bill Self was using a jury-rigged lineup down the stretch.
On the floor as the Jayhawks battled inch-for-inch with the Gamecocks during the last six or seven minutes were one big man — mostly Wayne Simien — two wings in Keith Langford and J.R. Giddens and two guards in Aaron Miles and freshman Russell Robinson.
Somebody asked Langford after the game what slot he was filling. Was he the power forward? Or the small forward? Or what?
“I don’t know what I was playing,” Langford answered candidly. “We haven’t practiced with that lineup before.”
Self confirmed he indeed had pulled that fivesome out of a hat and X’d and O’d by the seat of his pants.
“We haven’t worked with that lineup one day in practice,” Self said, “and maybe we need to.”
Kansas University's Aaron Miles fires a pass over South Carolina's Rocky Trice in the first half. Miles finished with eight assists and is two away from tying the Big 12 career assists record.
If Self wants his five best players on the floor, he sure needs to take a long look at it. Obviously, that lineup wouldn’t work against a team with two quality inside players, but it worked against the Gamecocks because they had only one inside threat in 6-foot-7 Carlos Powell.
“The key was whether Keith could guard their big guy, especially with Wayne in foul trouble,” Self said.
Langford could — and did. He and the Jayhawks played better in the second half — Langford shedding those unsightly high white socks at intermission may have helped — and finally pulled it out with Robinson, the precocious freshman, playing like he was the go-to guy.
“He’s used to making plays late in games,” Self said. “He was in three tournaments last summer, and he was those tournaments’ MVP because he made plays.”
Playmakers don’t stay on the bench forever, and you have to wonder how long Self can afford to sit Robinson at the opening bell.
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