Notebook
Famous faces
Former Jayhawks Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls) and Billy Thomas (New Jersey Nets) took advantage of the NBA All-Star break to attend Saturday’s game.
“It stinks losing at home. I’ve been there,” said Iowa native Hinrich after KU’s 63-61 overtime loss to the Iowa State. “They’ll be all right. Starting Sunday they’ll learn from this.”
Hinrich is one of the best players on a young Bulls team that enters the All-Star break in the playoff hunt with a 26-23 record.
“It’s been a fun first half. We’re playing really well,” Hinrich said. “Personally, I’m a little disappointed I’m not playing as well as I could. I can play a lot better. I hope to finish the year strong.”
Thomas finally received his NBA opportunity this season with the New Jersey Nets. He recently signed a contract for the rest of the season after completing a pair of 10-day contracts.
“Every time I come back here I get a warm reception. To be where I want to be in my professional life and come back, it’s even better,” a glowing Thomas said. “This is my dream. When you attain it, you feel all the hard work and prayers are answered.”
Thomas has been playing meaningful minutes for the 23-30 Nets, who also are in the playoff equation.
“Play hard and pray hard,” Thomas said of his secret of finally making the NBA after playing overseas and for many minor-league teams the past several years.
“I wish I could go out there and try to help against that zone,” he added. “It’s really a difficult zone to break.”
6Sports video: Iowa State slips past KU
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Photo Gallery: KU vs. Iowa State
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Scorecard: Grade KU’s performance against Iowa State
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KU’s players had a celebration after Keith Langford’s slashing bucket finally erased a nine-point deficit and forced overtime.
Langford and KU coach Bill Self were asked if such a celebration was wise with many more possessions to play.
“The way we came back, down eight or nine, I can’t fault them for that,” Self said of players’ enthusiasm. “You want them to be enthusiastic. We did the same thing against Georgia Tech, and it worked out. I didn’t see it, (but) that doesn’t bother me.”
Two-game skid in league
Self wasn’t counting his chickens when KU opened 10-0 in the league.
“I said it last week — our season is just starting. We’re off to a crud start, certainly,” Self said. “And we won’t get any easy one in Norman on Monday.”
This, that
Iowa State has won at Allen Fieldhouse three times since 2000, most of any other Big 12 team. … Wayne Simien recorded his 800th rebound. … Langford moved into seventh place on the all-time KU scoring list, passing Hinrich and Dave Robisch. He has 1,759 points. … Aaron Miles passed San Francisco’s Orlando Smart for seventh on the all-time NCAA career assist list. His four steals moved him into second place on KU’s all-time steals list. … Simien has made 27 straight free throws, which ties his best consecutive-makes streak.
Reception set
A reception for all former KU players and coaches will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Allen Fieldhouse. It’s invitation-only. Former KU players and coaches and selected boosters will be sent invitations in the mail. It’s in conjunction with KU’s 50-year birthday celebration for Allen Fieldhouse.