2011–12 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team

2011–12 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball
Big 12 Regular Season Champions
NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Champions
NCAA Tournament National Championship Game, vs Kentucky Wildcats L 59-67
Conference Big 12
Ranking
Coaches #2
AP #6
2011–12 record 32-7 (16–2 Big 12)
Head coach Bill Self
Assistant coach Joe Dooley
Assistant coach Kurtis Townsend
Assistant coach Danny Manning
Home arena Allen Fieldhouse
2011–12 Big 12 men's basketball standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   PCT     W   L   PCT
#6 Kansas 16 – 2   .889     32 – 7   .821
#3 Missouri† 14 – 4   .778     30 – 5   .857
Iowa State 12 – 6   .667     22 – 10   .688
#9 Baylor 12 – 6   .667     30 – 8   .789
Kansas State 10 – 8   .556     22 – 10   .688
Texas 9 – 9   .500     20 – 13   .606
Oklahoma State 7 – 11   .389     15 – 18   .455
Oklahoma 5 – 13   .278     15 – 16   .484
Texas A&M 4 – 14   .222     14 – 18   .438
Texas Tech 1 – 17   .056     8 – 23   .258
† 2012 Big 12 Tournament winner
As of March 10, 2012; Rankings from AP Poll

The 2011–12 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team represented the University of Kansas in the 2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, which was the Jayhawks' 114th basketball season. As in every season since 1955–56, the team played its home games at Allen Fieldhouse on its campus in Lawrence, Kansas, US. After defeating rival Missouri on February 25, the Jayhawks clinched their 8th straight outright Big 12 championship.[1] After defeating North Carolina, the Jayhawks advanced to their 14th Final Four in school history, where they defeated Ohio State 64-62 in the national semifinals. On April 2, Kansas faced Kentucky for the national title, losing to the favored Wildcats. Kansas had played both of its Final Four opponents during the regular season, losing to Kentucky on November 15 and defeating Ohio State on December 10. They finished the season with a 32–7 overall record, and 16–2 in Big 12 play.

Pre–season

Departures

The Jayhawks lost graduating seniors Brady Morningstar, Tyrel Reed, and Mario Little. Juniors and twin brothers Markieff Morris and Marcus Morris, plus freshman Josh Selby, departed early to enter the 2011 NBA Draft. On June 23, Markieff and Marcus were drafted #13 and #14, respectively, in the first round of the draft, while Selby went in the second. Royce Woolridge also announced on April 16, 2011 his intent to transfer to another school for the following year, signing with Washington State.

Recruiting

On October 12, 2010, 4-star point guard Naadir Tharpe signed a letter of intent to join the Jayhawks as a freshman for the 2011–12 season. The 6-foot prep all-star chose Kansas over offers from Oklahoma, Minnesota, Boston College, Marquette, NC State, UNLV and others. He was previously committed to Providence. On January 24, 2011, combo-guard Christian Garrett joined the team as a walk-on. He was also recruited by NC State, Auburn, Alabama, and others. On April 3, 2011, 5-star shooting guard Ben McLemore from St. Louis, Missouri, verbally committed to Kansas after the Next All-American Classic High-School All-Star Game, over offers from Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Arkansas, Purdue, and others. On April 10, 2011, Canadian forward Braeden Anderson committed to the Jayhawks over Kentucky, Arizona, Memphis, and Missouri. Jamari Traylor joined in May, while June saw the additions of Kevin Young and Merv Lindsay.

Eligibility

Three of Kansas' six recruits were declared ineligible for the 2011–12 season. Braeden Anderson was not approved to play by the Big 12 Conference due to their policy on partial qualifiers. Ben McLemore and Jamari Traylor were also declared ineligible but were able to practice with the team during the spring semester, and would be eligible to play in the 2012–13 season.

Class of 2011

[2][3][4]

Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Ben McLemore
SG		 St. Louis, Missouri Christian Life Center Academy 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Apr 3, 2011 
Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 95
Naadir Tharpe
PG		 Worcester, MA Brewster Academy 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Oct 12, 2010 
Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 93
Jamari Traylor
PF		 Chicago, Illinois IMG Academy (FL) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) May 18, 2011 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 89
Mervyn Lindsay
SF		 Moreno Valley, California Canyon Springs HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Jun 23, 2011 
Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Overall recruiting rankings:     Scout: 28     Rivals: 28[5]      ESPN: 22 

Transfers

Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Kevin Young
PF		 Perris, California Perris HS / Loyola Marymount University 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jun 16, 2011 
Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A

Roster

2011–12 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Home town
F 0 Robinson, ThomasThomas Robinson style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 237 lb (108 kg) Jr Washington, DC
G 1 Tharpe, NaadirNaadir Tharpe style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 170 lb (77 kg) Fr Worcester, MA
G 2 Teahan, ConnerConner Teahan style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 210 lb (95 kg) RS Sr Leawood, KS
F 4 Wesley, JustinJustin Wesley style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 200 lb (91 kg) RS Jr Fort Worth, TX
C 5 Withey, JeffJeff Withey style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 235 lb (107 kg) RS Jr San Diego, CA
G 10 Taylor, TyshawnTyshawn Taylor style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 185 lb (84 kg) Sr Hoboken, NJ
G 15 Johnson, ElijahElijah Johnson style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 195 lb (88 kg) Jr North Las Vegas, NV
G 20 Roberts, NikoNiko Roberts style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 175 lb (79 kg) So Huntington, NY
G 21 Garrett, ChristianChristian Garrett style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 170 lb (77 kg) Fr Los Angeles, CA
F 22 Lindsay, MervMerv Lindsay style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 180 lb (82 kg) Fr Moreno Valley, CA
G 23 McLemore, BenBen McLemore (I) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 185 lb (84 kg) Fr St. Louis, MO
G 24 Releford, TravisTravis Releford style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 207 lb (94 kg) RS Jr Shawnee Mission, KS
G 25 Juenemann, JordanJordan Juenemann style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 195 lb (88 kg) Sr Hays, KS
F 31 Traylor, JamariJamari Traylor (I) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 215 lb (98 kg) Fr Chicago, IL
F 40 Young, KevinKevin Young style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 195 lb (88 kg) Jr Perris, CA
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: 2011-06-20

Depth chart

Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2 Bench 3
C Jeff Withey Justin Wesley
PF Thomas Robinson Kevin Young Christian Garrett
SF Travis Releford Merv Lindsay
SG Elijah Johnson Conner Teahan Jordan Juenemann
PG Tyshawn Taylor Naadir Tharpe Niko Roberts

Schedule

Date Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (Attendance)
Exhibition
11/01/11* #13 Pittsburg State W 84–55  –  21 - Teahan  12 - Withey  8 - Tharpe  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
11/08/11* #13 Fort Hays State W 101–52  –  22 - Robinson  12 - Robinson  7 - Tharpe  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Regular season
11/11/11* #13 Towson
(Maui Invitational Opening Round)		 W 100–54  1–0  18 - Robinson  11 - Robinson  8 - Johnson  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
11/15/11* #13 vs. #2 Kentucky
(Champions Classic)		 L 65–75  1–1  22 - Taylor  15 - Robinson  4 - Johnson  Madison Square Garden (19,979)
11/21/11* #14 vs. Georgetown
(Maui Invitational First Round)		 W 67–63  2–1  20 - Robinson  12 - Robinson  5 - Johnson  Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
11/22/11* #14 vs. UCLA
(Maui Invitational)		 W 72–56  3–1  23 - Johnson  10 - Robinson  6 - Taylor  Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
11/23/11* #14 vs. #6 Duke
(Maui Invitational)		 L 61–68  3–2  17 - Taylor  18 - Robinson  4 - Taylor  Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
11/30/11* #15 Florida Atlantic W 77–54  4–2  19 - Robinson  21 - Robinson  4 - Releford  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
12/03/11* #15 South Florida W 70–42  5–2  24 - Taylor  8 - Robinson  5 - Taylor  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
12/06/11* #13 Long Beach State W 88–80  6–2  26 - Robinson  13 - Withey  5 - Johnson  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
12/10/11* #13 #2 Ohio State W 78–67  7–2  21 - Robinson  7 - (2 tied)  13 - Taylor  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
12/19/11* #13 vs. Davidson
(M&I Bank Kansas City Shootout)		 L 74–80  7–3  21 - Robinson  18 - Robinson  7 - Taylor  Sprint Center (18,757)
12/22/11* #13 at USC W 63–47  8–3  13 - Teahan  9 - (2 tied)  4 - Johnson  Galen Center (6,431)
12/29/11* #17 Howard W 89–34  9–3  13 - (2 tied)  7 - Robinson  5 - (2 tied)  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
12/31/11* #17 North Dakota W 84–58  10–3  30 - Robinson  21 - Robinson  7 - Johnson  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
1/04/12 #14 #23 Kansas State
(Sunflower Showdown)		 W 67–49  11–3 (1–0)  16 - Releford  14 - Robinson  5 - Johnson  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
1/07/12 #14 at Oklahoma W 72–61  12–3 (2–0)  28 - Releford  9 - Robinson  6 - Taylor  Lloyd Noble Center (11,268)
1/11/12 #10 at Texas Tech W 81–46  13–3 (3–0)  19 - Robinson  12 - Robinson  5 - Taylor  United Spirit Arena (7,454)
1/14/12 #10 Iowa State W 82–73  14–3 (4–0)  28 - Taylor  14 - Robinson  6 - Taylor  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
1/16/12 #7 #3 Baylor W 92–74  15–3 (5–0)  28 - Taylor  14 - Robinson  6 - Taylor  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
1/21/12 #7 at Texas W 69–66  16–3 (6–0)  22 - Taylor  9 - Robinson  4 - Taylor  Frank Erwin Center (16,734)
1/23/12 #5 Texas A&M W 64–54  17–3 (7–0)  18 - Robinson  10 - Robinson  4 - Releford  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
1/28/12 #5 at Iowa State L 64-72  17–4 (7–1)  16 - Taylor  7 - Robinson  10 - Taylor  Hilton Coliseum (14,376)
2/01/12 #8 Oklahoma W 84–62  18–4 (8–1)  21 - Taylor  17 - Robinson  6 - Taylor  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
2/04/12 #8 at #4 Missouri
(Border War)		 L 71–74  18–5 (8–2)  25 - Robinson  13 - Robinson  4 - Johnson  Mizzou Arena (15,061)
2/08/12 #7 at #6 Baylor W 68–54  19–5 (9–2)  25 - Withey  11 - Robinson  5 - Johnson  Ferrell Center (10,334)
2/11/12 #7 Oklahoma State W 81–66  20–5 (10–2)  24 - Robinson  20 - Withey  6 - Taylor  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
2/13/12 #4 at Kansas State
(Sunflower Showdown)		 W 59–53  21–5 (11–2)  20 - Taylor  11 - Withey  5 - (2 Tied)  Bramlage Coliseum (12,528)
2/18/12 #4 Texas Tech W 83–50  22–5 (12–2)  16 - Robinson  8 - (2 tied)  5 - Robinson  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
2/22/12 #4 at Texas A&M W 66–58  23–5 (13–2)  21 - Johnson  13 - Robinson  4 - (2 tied)  Reed Arena (6,868)
2/25/12 #4 #3 Missouri
(Border War)		 W 87–86 OT 24–5 (14–2)  28 - Robinson  12 - Robinson  8 - Johnson  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
2/27/12 #3 at Oklahoma State W 70–58  25–5 (15–2)  27 - Taylor  11 - Robinson  6 - Johnson  Gallagher-Iba Arena (10,552)
3/03/12 #3 Texas W 73–63  26–5 (16–2)  27 - Robinson  14 - Robinson  4 - Taylor  Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament
03/08/12 #3 vs. Texas A&M
(Quarterfinals)		 W 83–66  27–5  26 - Johnson  10 - Robinson  4 - (3 tied)  Sprint Center (18,972)
03/09/12 #3 vs. #12 Baylor
(Semifinals)		 L 72–81  27–6  20 - Taylor  9 - Robinson  3 - Taylor  Sprint Center (18,972)
2012 NCAA Tournament
03/16/12* #6 (2) vs. (15) Detroit
(Second Round)		 W 65–50  28–6  16 - Robinson  13 - Robinson  2 - 4 tied  CenturyLink Center Omaha (17,015)
03/18/12* #6 (2) vs. (10) Purdue
(Third Round)		 W 63–60  29–6  18 - Johnson  13 - Robinson  4 - Taylor  CenturyLink Center Omaha (16,998)
03/23/12* #6 (2) vs. (11) North Carolina State
(Sweet Sixteen)		 W 60-57  30-6  18 - Robinson  15 - Robinson  5 - Taylor  Edward Jones Dome (23,964)
03/25/12* #6 (2) vs. 4 (1) North Carolina
(Elite Eight)		 W 80-67  31-6  22 - Taylor  9 - Robinson  5 - 2 tied  Edward Jones Dome (23,565)
03/31/12* #6 (2) vs. 7 (2) Ohio State
(Final Four)		 W 64-62  32-6  19 - Robinson  10 - Johnson  8 - Taylor  Mercedes-Benz Superdome (73,361)
04/02/2012* #6 (2) vs. 1 (1) Kentucky
(National Championship)		 L 59-67  32-7  19 - Taylor  17 - Robinson  3 - Taylor  Mercedes-Benz Superdome (70,913)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. ( ) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Central Time[6].

Rankings

Ranking movement
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. ██ Not ranked the previous week.
Poll Pre Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 Wk 15 Wk 16 Wk 17 Wk 18 Final
AP 13 12 14 15 13 12 12 17 14 10 7 5 8 7 4 4 3 3 6
Coaches 13 11 14 14 13 12 11 18 15 10 7 5 8 10 5 5 4 3 6 2

Awards

Bill Self
Thomas Robinson
Tyshawn Taylor
Jeff Withey
Travis Releford

References