Kansas Hosts 26th Annual Late Night in the Phog
Oct. 15, 2010
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LAWRENCE, Kan. –
The Kansas men’s and women’s basketball teams kicked off its 2010-11 season in grand fashion as Allen Fieldhouse was the site of the 26th annual Late Night in the Phog.
The festivities began at 7:30 p.m. when the KU spirit squad took the hallowed fieldhouse hardwood to put on a choreographed routine. Then it was Big Jay and Baby Jay’s turn to pump up the fans before the rest of the Jayhawk varsity sports squads were introduced to the 16,300-plus on hand.
Then it was time for former Jayhawk standout (1994-97) and NBA star Scot Pollard to take the mic as the official host of the night’s events and introduce the KU women’s team. Before her players took the floor, head coach Bonnie Henrickson addressed the crowd of Crimson and Blue to thank them for their support during last year’s run to the WNIT and said that this year they would be counting on them again to produce one of the biggest home court advantages in the Big 12. A few minutes later the ball was tipped and the Jayhawk women officially began their basketball season.
Senior Krysten Boogaard netted a team high six points for the women in their 12-minute scrimmage against their all-male practice squad. Sophomores Angel Goodrich and Monica Engelman each added four a piece as did junior Aishah Sutherland in the 22-14 win. Sutherland also tied teammate Carolyn Davis for the team lead in boards with four.
Next it was time for the men’s team to take the floor where they have won 59-consecutive home games, the longest such winning streak in the nation. Before his team was introduced head coach Bill Self stood at mid-court and told the crowd that “2008 was great, but it was about time for the Jayhawks to cut down some more nets in 2011.”
Before the men’s team could start thinking about their hopes and dreams come March, they put their talents on display on an October evening in the Phog. The lights dimmed, the smoke billowed and the music blared as one by one the 2010-11 Jayhawk men’s basketball squad was introduced as the capacity crowd roared in a standing ovation.
After the lights went back on and the smoke cleared, Bill Self’s squad took the floor for their 20-minute scrimmage. Tyshawn Taylor got the blue squad off to a quick lead with an easy lay-up just a half a minute into the game. Taylor’s team would take an early 6-0 lead against Marcus Morris’ crimson squad until the junior converted on a bucket and free throw to cut the blue lead in half at 6-3.
Heading into the scrimmage’s halfway mark the blue team looked to build on their commanding 25-14 advantage and did so with a lay-up from Tyshawn Taylor and dunks from Markieff Morris and Mario Little. The crimson squad got as close as just one point with just seconds to play but a full court heave from Marcus Morris wasn’t enough as the blue team claimed a 40-39 late night victory over their Jayhawk teammates.
Leading the way for the crimson team and all scorers was junior Marcus Morris who netted 14-points. Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor each scored 9 while Morris also lead all players with his eight boards.
After the two team’s competitive scrimmage senior Tyrell Reed took the mic and thanked the crowd for coming out to the 26th edition of Late Night at the Phog and said he looked forward to seeing and hearing them all season long as he and the rest of his Jayhawk teammates look to win their seventh straight Big 12 conference title.
The Jayhawk women the 2010-11 season on Oct. 31 with a 2:30 p.m. exhibition game against Fort Hayes State. The Kansas men start their Big 12 title defense on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. against Washburn.
