Jayhawks’ Giddens shrugs off bad miss

J.R. Giddens’ first three-pointer missed by a wide margin on Wednesday at Allen Fieldhouse.

“What was it, a 28-footer that he missed by 19 feet?” Kansas University coach Bill Self quipped of Giddens’ three that crashed high off the backboard with 10 minutes left in the first half of the Jayhawks’ 72-65 victory over Kansas State.

“It was as bad a miss as I’ve seen for a guy open. He was nervous, not confident. I was proud of him. He made his next two shots,” Self quickly added. “He has to be a threat. We will not go near as far as we can without J.R. hitting some shots.”

Giddens, who gave up his starting position to senior Michael Lee on Senior Night, rallied to score eight points off 3-of-7 shooting. Lee had nine points after hitting three threes in seven tries.

“I’d pass it to J.R. three or more times in a row, even if he missed another one like that. He can shoot it,” Keith Langford said.

Self was asked if he might continue to start Lee in place of Giddens.

“I don’t know how we’ll do it,” Self said. “Mike played well, and we’ll talk to the players, too. J.R. did some good things. He showed some guts shooting the second one (after missing three so badly).”

Self was asked the obligatory question on Senior Night about underclassmen with NBA potential. That is, will Giddens be back next year or is he headed to the draft?

“Oh, I don’t know. My personal opinion is he needs to be (back another year),” Self said. “I think it’d be in his best interests. Still you have to have a comfort level with him and his family.

“There’s still a lot of season left. I think in J.R.’s mind, I think he feels as of right now that he’d certainly be thinking about that (NBA), but we’ll talk about that when the season is over.”