Kansas coach Bill Self is just 42, but he could happily call it a senior moment.
As crunch time frantically wound down Sunday during Kansas’ visit to Kentucky, Jayhawks senior point guard Aaron Miles lost his balance and fell backward when trapped by the Wildcats. Somehow he was able to flip the ball over his shoulder to teammate Michael Lee, a fellow senior who was alone in the left corner.
Bingo. Lee drilled a three-pointer with 30 seconds left for the crucial basket in Kansas’ first victory ever in Lexington, Ky.
Miles and Lee are fourth-year players. They grew up as neighbors and best friends in Portland, Ore.
“When he fell, I knew Aaron knew I would be over there in the corner,” Lee said. “I figured he’d find a way to get it to me.”
No. 2 Kansas (12-0, 2-0 in the Big 12), which plays Colorado (8-5, 0-2) Saturday in Boulder, features a quartet of fourth-year seniors, a rarity among top programs that have been devastated by early defections to the NBA and an epidemic of transfers.
Miles, Lee and All-America candidates Wayne Simien and Keith Langford give Kansas an experience edge. The 6-foot-1-inch Miles is a four-year starter as the team’s playmaker. Simien, a 6-9, 255-pound forward, and Langford, a 6-4 guard, are in their third seasons as full-time starters. The 6-3 Lee has been a key contributor off the bench.
The class already is among the most successful in school history, having led the Jayhawks to a 99-21 record, two Final Four appearances, three Elite Eight berths and Big 12 regular-season championships in 2002 and ’03.
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“They’re our heart and soul,” said Kansas assistant coach Tim Jankovich. “They are our leaders. They’re irreplaceable for us. We’re blessed this year.”
Self said each of his seniors is “brutally honest” and not afraid to speak up. And each leads in a different manner.
“Aaron Miles cares more about the program, I think, than any kid I’ve ever coached,” Self said. “It’s almost to the point where he takes responsibility for everything that goes on.”
Simien remains the eternal optimist despite having faced his share of adversity. After missing four games while recovering from thumb surgery, he returned to the lineup Wednesday night to give his teammates an emotional lift in a 71-66 win at Iowa State.
“Wayne is the most positive guy you’ll find,” Self said. “He never has a bad day.”
Langford is the team’s best clutch player.
“Keith loves the bright lights,” Self said. “When it counts the most, he always shows up. He loves to compete.”
And Lee is as tough mentally and physically as anyone on the team, Self said. “They all bring something to the table.”
Seniors have the experience and poise to make adjustments when the heat is on, such as happened at Kentucky.
“They do things that don’t necessarily show up in points or rebounds, things that may not be noticed by the average fan,” Jankovich said. “But a coach realizes there is a lot more getting done by seniors.”
Lee hopes Kansas’ seniors can serve as an inspiration.
“I think if more people stayed around, like we did, college basketball would be a lot better,” he said.