2011–12 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team
American college basketball season
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.[ 2] 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 67-59. 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.
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
[ 3] [ 4] [ 5]
Transfers
Roster
2011–12 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team
Players
Coaches
Pos.
#
Name
Height
Weight
Year
Hometown
F 0
Thomas Robinson 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 237 lb (108 kg)
Jr
Washington, DC
G 1
Naadir Tharpe 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg)
Fr
Worcester, MA
G 2
Conner Teahan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg)
RS Sr
Leawood, KS
F 4
Justin Wesley 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg)
RS So
Fort Worth, TX
C 5
Jeff Withey 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 235 lb (107 kg)
RS Jr
San Diego, CA
G 10
Tyshawn Taylor 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg)
Sr
Hoboken, NJ
G 15
Elijah Johnson 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg)
Jr
North Las Vegas, NV
G 20
Niko Roberts 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg)
So
Huntington, NY
G 21
Christian Garrett 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 170 lb (77 kg)
Fr
Los Angeles, CA
F 22
Merv Lindsay 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg)
Fr
Moreno Valley, CA
G 23
Ben McLemore (I)
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg)
Fr
St. Louis, MO
G 24
Travis Releford 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 207 lb (94 kg)
RS Jr
Shawnee Mission, KSlink =y
G 25
Jordan Juenemann 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg)
Sr
Hays, KS
F 31
Jamari Traylor (I)
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg)
Fr
Chicago, IL
F 40
Kevin Young 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg)
Jr
Perris, CA
Head coach Assistant coach(es) Legend (C) Team captain(S) Suspended(I) Ineligible(W) Walk-on Roster
Schedule
Date
Rank#
Opponent#
Result
Record
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Site (attendance)
Exhibition
11/01/11 *7:00 pm, Jayhawk
No. 13
Pittsburg State W 84–55 –
21 – Teahan
12 – Withey
8 – Tharpe
Allen Fieldhouse Lawrence, KS
11/08/11 *7:00 pm, Jayhawk
No. 13
Fort Hays State W 101–52 –
22 – Robinson
12 – Robinson
7 – Tharpe
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
Non-conference regular season
11/11/11 *7:00 pm, Jayhawk
No. 13
Towson Maui Invitational Opening RoundW 100–54 1–0
18 – Robinson
11 – Robinson
8 – Johnson
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
11/15/11 *8:00 pm, ESPN
No. 12
vs. No. 2 Kentucky Champions Classic L 65–75 1–1
22 – Taylor
15 – Robinson
4 – Johnson
Madison Square Garden New York, NY
11/21/11 *11:50 pm, ESPN2
No. 14
vs. Georgetown Maui Invitational QuarterfinalsW 67–63 2–1
20 – Robinson
12 – Robinson
5 – Johnson
Lahaina Civic Center Maui, HI
11/22/11 *9:30, ESPN
No. 14
vs. UCLA Maui Invitational Semifinals W 72–56 3–1
23 – Johnson
10 – Robinson
6 – Taylor
Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)Maui, HI
11/23/11 *10:00 pm, ESPN
No. 14
vs. No. 6 Duke Maui Invitational Championship L 61–68 3–2
17 – Taylor
18 – Robinson
4 – Taylor
Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)Maui, HI
11/30/11 *7:00 pm, Jayhawk
No. 15
Florida Atlantic W 77–54 4–2
19 – Robinson
21 – Robinson
4 – Releford
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
12/03/11 *4:15 pm, ESPN2
No. 15
South Florida W 70–42 5–2
24 – Taylor
8 – Robinson
5 – Taylor
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
12/06/11 *8:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 13
Long Beach State W 88–80 6–2
26 – Robinson
13 – Withey
5 – Johnson
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
12/10/11 *2:15 pm, ESPN
No. 13
No. 2 Ohio State
W 78–67 7–2
21 – Robinson
7 – (2 tied)
13 – Taylor
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
12/19/11 *8:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 12
vs. Davidson M&I Bank Kansas City Shootout L 74–80 7–3
21 – Robinson
18 – Robinson
7 – Taylor
Sprint Center Kansas City, MO
12/22/11 *10:00 pm, FSN
No. 12
at USC
W 63–47 8–3
13 – Teahan
9 – (2 tied)
4 – Johnson
Galen Center Los Angeles, CA
12/29/11 *7:00 pm, Jayhawk
No. 17
Howard W 89–34 9–3
13 – (2 tied)
7 – Robinson
5 – (2 tied)
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
12/31/11 *7:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 17
North Dakota W 84–58 10–3
30 – Robinson
21 – Robinson
7 – Johnson
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
1/04/12 7:00 pm, Big 12 Network
No. 14
No. 23 Kansas State Sunflower Showdown W 67–49 11–3
16 – Releford
14 – Robinson
5 – Johnson
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
1/07/12 1:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 14
at Oklahoma
W 72–61 12–3
28 – Releford
9 – Robinson
6 – Taylor
Lloyd Noble Center Norman, OK
1/11/12 8:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 10
at Texas Tech
W 81–46 13–3
19 – Robinson
12 – Robinson
5 – Taylor
United Spirit Arena Lubbock, TX
1/14/12 3:00 pm, Big 12 Network
No. 10
Iowa State W 82–73 14–3
28 – Taylor
14 – Robinson
6 – Taylor
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
1/16/12 8:30 pm, ESPN
No. 7
No. 3 Baylor
W 92–74 15–3
28 – Taylor
14 – Robinson
6 – Taylor
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
1/21/12 3:00 pm, CBS
No. 7
at Texas
W 69–66 16–3
22 – Taylor
9 – Robinson
4 – Taylor
Frank Erwin Center Austin, TX
1/23/12 8:00 pm, ESPN
No. 5
Texas A&M W 64–54 17–3
18 – Robinson
10 – Robinson
4 – Releford
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
1/28/12 1:00 pm, ESPN
No. 5
at Iowa State
L 64-72 17–4
16 – Taylor
7 – Robinson
10 – Taylor
Hilton Coliseum Ames, IA
2/01/12 8:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 8
Oklahoma W 84–62 18–4
21 – Taylor
17 – Robinson
6 – Taylor
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
2/04/12 8:00 pm, ESPN
No. 8
at No. 4 Missouri Border War , ESPN College GameDay L 71–74 18–5
25 – Robinson
13 – Robinson
4 – Johnson
Mizzou Arena Columbia, MO
2/08/12 8:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 7
at No. 6 Baylor
W 68–54 19–5
25 – Withey
11 – Robinson
5 – Johnson
Ferrell Center Waco, TX
2/11/12 3:00 pm, Big 12 Network
No. 7
Oklahoma State W 81–66 20–5
24 – Robinson
20 – Withey
6 – Taylor
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
2/13/12 8:00 pm, ESPN
No. 4
at Kansas State Sunflower Showdown W 59–53 21–5
20 – Taylor
11 – Withey
5 – (2 Tied)
Bramlage Coliseum Manhattan, KS
2/18/12 7:00 pm, Big 12 Network
No. 4
Texas Tech W 83–50 22–5
16 – Robinson
8 – (2 tied)
5 – Robinson
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
2/22/12 8:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 4
at Texas A&M
W 66–58 23–5
21 – Johnson
13 – Robinson
4 – (2 tied)
Reed Arena College Station, TX
2/25/12 3:00 pm, CBS
No. 4
No. 3 Missouri Border War W 87–86 OT
24–5
28 – Robinson
12 – Robinson
8 – Johnson
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
2/27/12 8:00 pm, ESPN
No. 3
at Oklahoma State
W 70–58 25–5
27 – Taylor
11 – Robinson
6 – Johnson
Gallagher-Iba Arena Stillwater, OK
3/03/12 8:00 pm, ESPN
No. 3
Texas W 73–63 26–5
27 – Robinson
14 – Robinson
4 – Taylor
Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)Lawrence, KS
Big 12 Tournament
03/08/12 2:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 3
vs. Texas A&M Quarterfinals W 83–66 27–5
26 – Johnson
10 – Robinson
4 – (3 tied)
Sprint Center (18,972)Kansas City, MO
03/09/12 6:30 pm, Big 12 Network/ESPNU
No. 3
vs. No. 12 Baylor Semifinals L 72–81 27–6
20 – Taylor
9 – Robinson
3 – Taylor
Sprint Center (18,972)Kansas City, MO
NCAA tournament
03/16/12 *9:18 pm, truTV
(2) No. 6
vs. (15) Detroit Second Round W 65–50 28–6
16 – Robinson
13 – Robinson
2 – 4 tied
CenturyLink Center Omaha Omaha, NE
03/18/12 *7:40 pm, TNT
(2) No. 6
vs. (10) Purdue Third Round W 63–60 29–6
18 – Johnson
13 – Robinson
4 – Taylor
CenturyLink Center Omaha (16,998)Omaha, NE
03/23/12 *9:35 pm, TBS
(2) No. 6
vs. (11) NC State Sweet Sixteen W 60–57 30–6
18 – Robinson
15 – Robinson
5 – Taylor
Edward Jones Dome St. Louis, MO
03/25/12 *4:05 pm, CBS
(2) No. 6
vs. (1) No. 4 North Carolina Elite Eight W 80–67 31–6
22 – Taylor
9 – Robinson
5 – 2 tied
Edward Jones Dome (23,565)St. Louis, MO
03/31/12 *7:49 pm, CBS
(2) No. 6
vs. (2) No. 7 Ohio State Final Four W 64–62 32–6
19 – Robinson
10 – Johnson
8 – Taylor
Mercedes-Benz Superdome New Orleans, LA
04/02/2012 *9:23 pm, CBS
(2) No. 6
vs. (1) No. 1 Kentucky National Championship game L 59–67 32–7
19 – Taylor
17 – Robinson
3 – Taylor
Mercedes-Benz Superdome (70,913)New Orleans, LA
*Non-conference game.
# Rankings from
AP Poll . (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in
Central Time [ 7] .
Rankings
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 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 1st Team All-American (Sporting News, USBWA , NABC , ESPN.com, AP, John R. Wooden)
ESPN.com National Player of the YearBig 12 Player of the Year and 1st Team All-Big 12
Sporting News Big 12 Player of the Year[ 9]
Associated Press Big 12 Player of the Year and 1st Team All-Big 12[ 10]
4x Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week (November 28, December 12, January 2, February 27) [ 11] Tyshawn Taylor 1st Team All-Big 12
Associated Press 1st Team All-Big 12
2x Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week (January 16, March 4)
Sporting News 3rd Team All-American[ 12]
USBWA 3rd Team All-American
NABC All-District 8 First Team
Associated Press 3rd Team All-American Jeff Withey Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
Big 12 All-Defensive Team and 3rd Team
References
^ "2019-20 Big 12 Men's Basketball Record Book" (PDF) . Big 12 Conference. pp. 26– 30. Retrieved June 18, 2020 .^ "Thomas Robinson, Kansas thwart Missouri in OT for share of Big 12 title" . ESPN.com . Archived from the original on February 28, 2012.^ Kansas Class of 2011 – Rivals ^ "2011 Kansas Basketball Recruiting Commits" . kansas.scout.com . Retrieved February 28, 2017 .^ "College Basketball Recruiting Schools - ESPN" . ESPN.com . Retrieved February 28, 2017 .^ Rivals Team Rankings ^ "Kansas Men's Basketball To Face Traditional National Powers In Challenging 2010–11 Non-Conference Schedule" . Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2011 .^ "Kansas' Bill Self is the Sporting News Coach of the Year" . Sporting News . March 6, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2017 .^ "Sporting News All-American team: Thomas Robinson, Kansas" . Sporting News . March 6, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2017 .^ "Kansas' Robinson earns Big 12 honor | FOX Sports" . FOX Sports . March 5, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2017 .^ "Withey, Allen Earn Men's Basketball Weekly Awards" . Big12Sports.com . Retrieved February 28, 2017 .^ "Sporting News 2012 All-American college basketball teams" . Sporting News . March 7, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2017 .
Venues Rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons Helms and NCAA national championships in bold; NCAA Final Four appearances in italics
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