Notebook
Kansas’ Miles sets Big 12 assists record
Aaron Miles is the Big 12 Conference’s new all-time assist king.
“I guess it’s a good accomplishment. I credit my teammates,” Miles, Kansas University’s senior point guard from Portland, Ore., said after collecting nine assists in a 73-62 victory over Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Wednesday night at Kemper Arena. “Since they make the shots, I have to credit them for making me look good and the team look good.”
Miles, who needed three assists to pass Doug Gottlieb of Oklahoma State, had five the first half. He has 800 assists for his career. He’s four shy of tying Jacque Vaughn’s school record of 804.
“I told the guys it’s great,” KU coach Bill Self said. “I personally feel breaking Jacque Vaughn’s record will mean more. He needs four to tie. He better get that in the first half (of Georgia Tech game Jan. 1).”
Smalls play a lot
Self said he could continue to use a small lineup with Wayne Simien out.
“Until Wayne gets back, I wouldn’t be surprised we go that way 15-20 minutes a game. We’ll be much more effective playing that way the more time we work on it,” Self said. “I knew we’d struggle tonight. I knew there’d be phases we’d struggle. We have to eliminate careless turnovers.”
Seeing red
Kansas University's Aaron Miles, center, weaves past Joah Tucker in the first half of the Jayhawks' 73-62 victory over Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Miles collected nine assists and became the Big 12 Conference's career leader during the game Wednesday at Kemper Arena.
KU wore red uniforms for the first time since March 7, 2004, when the Jayhawks wore them in a win at Missouri. KU also wore red Dec. 20, 2003, against Santa Barbara in Nevada for the first time since the 1986 Final Four. KU is 4-0 in red under Self.
Kemper friendly
Self is a fan of Kemper Arena, where the Jayhawks have won 25 straight regular-season games.
“My personal opinion, I like Kemper,” said Self. His Jayhawks beat Illinois-Chicago and Pacific in first- and second-round NCAA Tournament games in Kemper last season.
“I always liked it as a player, and I enjoyed playing here last year. The biggest reason I like it is it’s in Kansas City. I’m not in love with the arena. I like the local aspect. We’ve always had fun in Kemper. I have no problem with it. I don’t think it’s the Sprint Center (to be built in downtown Kansas City). It’s still a good place for us to play.”
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The Jayhawks, who open the season with 12 straight home games, counting the Kemper game and two exhibitions also on the season-ticket package, used this trip as a practice road excursion.
KU’s traveling party headed to K.C. on Tuesday night, stayed in a hotel and had a shootaround Wednesday.
“It’s our regular road routine,” Self said. “Going over there Tuesday, having dinner, having a shootaround, spending time in the hotel before the game, then pregame and obviously playing the game.
“It’s not really a road game. It won’t be like going to Rupp (Arena, Jan. 9 in Lexington, Ky.). But it’s good for ’em to do it out of a different element. That part is good.”
“We love Allen Fieldhouse,” noted sophomore J.R. Giddens, “but it’s good to get out of Lawrence and play somewhere else, too.”
Crowd talk
Self said ideally the game in Kansas City would have been held on a Saturday, but Wednesday was OK, too.
“Everybody gets used to doing things a certain way,” he said. “When I was at Illinois, we played Missouri right before Christmas every year. If this was on Saturday, it’s probably perfect. People can go make a weekend of it. Still, everybody shows up if it’s on a Tuesday.
“It’s a great time to spend some time on the Plaza, even for a day.”