Wright unable to wrangle Big 12 honor

Big efforts by Boggan, Carter nullify KU forward's 33-point showing against Missouri

Julian Wright isn’t demanding a recount.

Wright, Kansas University’s sophomore forward who erupted for a career-high 33 points in the Jayhawks’ 92-74 victory over Missouri on Saturday in Columbia, Mo., has accepted a Big 12 media panel’s decision to vote Oklahoma State’s Mario Boggan and Texas A&M’s Josh Carter co-conference players of the week.

“No, it didn’t make me mad. I looked around. I saw a lot of good games from the best players this week,” Wright said, asked if the snub bothered him.

“It’s no big deal. We are winning. I just want to keep playing better and play aggressive and smart, make the easy plays and hopefully all that other stuff will come.”

Wright’s 33 points were the most by a KU player since Nick Collison’s 33 versus Duke in the 2003 NCAA Tournament and the most by a Jayhawk in a conference game since Danny Manning’s 37 at Missouri in 1988.

KU coach Bill Self also believes it’s the most points scored by one of his own players in his 14-year coaching career.

“I will say Josh Carter had a heck of a week (averaging 25.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in wins over Texas and Nebraska), but you could ask anybody, there was no player better in our league based on Saturday’s game (than Wright),” Self said.

“Over the two games, Carter was pretty consistent. You could certainly make a case for him, too. I’m not familiar with the other numbers (of Boggan).”

Oklahoma State’s power forward averaged 27.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in a loss at Oklahoma and a win over Texas Tech. He was honored for the fourth time and Carter the second time.

Wright, who had nine points and 11 boards in KU’s other game last week, a 97-70 decision over Kansas State, was Big 12 player of the week Nov. 27.

He’s KU’s only player of the week this season in 14 tries.

KU has yet to have a rookie of the week. Texas’ D.J. Augustin beat out Sherron Collins last week.

“It’s disappointing that our guys haven’t had (honors) because we have balance,” Self said. “Obviously, that award is based on point production because we’ve had some guys play very well, but we’re balanced. We usually don’t have guys hang 35 on somebody.”