Jayhawks head different directions for holiday break

Kansas coach Bill Self and members of the team watch in the closing minutes of a 77-52 loss to the Temple Owls Monday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.

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Philadelphia ? It’s a long, long way — about 2,500 miles — from Philadelphia to Portland.

That’s a five-hour direct flight, if one can locate a direct flight, more like an 8-hour travel day if all goes well via connecting flights.

“We have a couple days off so I think I’ll go to Oregon for a couple days, to see my grandparents,” said Portland native Landen Lucas, who had no points and one rebound in nine minutes Monday, when Kansas University lost 77-52 to Temple.

It was KU’s last game before Christmas, and the players were allowed to head to their respective homes after the game, not having to return to Lawrence until Friday night.

Brannen Greene, whose parents moved to Kansas City this year, Tyler Self and Perry Ellis were the only three Jayhawks to fly the charter back to Topeka.

“It’ll be nice to spend a couple days at home. The flight is not easy. I’m one of the farthest from home. The flight is not fun, but at least I get to go home,” Lucas said.

One Jayhawk won’t be making the trek home.

“It’s a 14-hour trip. It’s impossible. I’d be home like 10 minutes,” Ukraine native Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk said.

Instead, he’s headed to Washington, D.C., where he will spend the holiday with friends.

When the Jayhawks return, they’ll have unlimited practice time until the start of second semester classes on Jan. 20.

“I’ll hang with my family in Wichita, relax with family. It’ll be good to be home,” junior Perry Ellis stated.

KU has its annual holiday clinic the 28th, and plays its final two non-conference games against Kent State (7 p.m.) the 30th and UNLV on Jan. 4 before traveling to Baylor for the league opener on Jan. 7.