Kansas Jayhawks News and Notes 1.20.15

- Kansas Sports -

Fighting Fire with Fire, Kansas Puts Away Oklahoma, 85-78

Four minutes remained and the first half didn't matter. Big lead gone, the Jayhawks needed a basket – they needed several. Sophomore guard Brannen Greene drained a crucial three-poiner, ultimately starting the five-straight shots that defeated No. 19/20 Oklahoma on ESPN's Big Monday inside Allen Fieldhouse, 85-78.

Sooners lament first-half defense after near comeback | KUsports.com

Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger said he was perplexed by the way his team seemed powerless to stop KU's hot shooting in the first half, but came away encouraged by the way things turned around in the second half.

Alexander is 'on' again for KU -- and he's too dang good to be riding pine, coach | FOX Sports

Cliff Alexander drifts. Dude switches off. Cliff admits as much. A switched-off Alexander is still probably 1.4 times as effective as, say, a switched-on Landen Lucas or Hunter Mickelson, but off is off. And Bill Self is not a fan of off.

Oubre Named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week for Second Time

Kansas men's basketball freshman Kelly Oubre, Jr., was name the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week in a vote by a media panel, the conference office announced Monday. This is the second time this season the New Orleans guard has earned the honor.

Bragg scores 23 vs. Oak Hill Academy | KUsports.com

Future Kansas University forward Carlton Bragg scored 23 points in Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph’s 76-72 loss to Oak Hill Academy on Monday at the Spaulding Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts.

KU football lands another Texas recruit | KUsports.com

Ayinde, a 6-foot, 168-pound cornerback, who is known for his range and speed — 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash — had been committed to Tulsa but was wooed to KU by new Kansas defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux.

Youth abounds on new KU football staff | KUsports.com

Despite being one of the youngest staffs in the country, the new KU coaches do not lack experience. All but four of Beaty’s coaches — 27-year-old Klint Kubiak (4), 31-year-old Calvin Thibodeaux (7), 31-year-old Zach Yenser (8) and 31-year-old Kevin Kane (9) — have at least 14 years of coaching experience. And the average number of years in coaching per staff member sits right at 16.

Four KU Signees Earn McDonald’s All-America Nominations

Earlier this season, Kansas women's basketball signed four future Jayhawks to National Letters of Intents, a recruiting class that has been ranked 19th-best in the nation. On Thursday, the recruiting class added to its list of accomplishments as all four members were honored as McDonald's All-America candidates.

- College Sports -

NCAA informs SMU Mustangs basketball program of allegations of academic improprieties - ESPN Dallas

SMU has received a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA that includes accusations of academic improprieties within Larry Brown's men's basketball program, multiple sources told ESPN.

Villanova Wildcats vs. Georgetown Hoyas - Recap - January 19, 2015 - ESPN

Georgetown beat Villanova -- ranked No. 4 in the country -- to move into first place in the Big East, a victory some students deemed worthy of a court-storming.

Poll Attacks: Ohio State hasn't done much so far this season, you know? - CBSSports.com

I closed the Top 25 (and one) late Sunday with Iowa, Georgia and Seton Hall. But I could've easily gone with Indiana, Stanford and San Diego State. Or Miami, Georgetown and Butler. Or Arkansas, SMU and St. John's. In other words, there aren't too many wrong answers at the bottom of anybody's rankings - except Kansas State.

- Professional Sports -

McLemore Earns NBA Community Assist Award

Former Kansas star and current Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore is the recipient of the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for December in recognition of his ongoing charitable efforts in the Sacramento community and beyond.

Max deal: Scherzer gets $105M in deferrals, could earn big tax breaks - CBSSports.com

While Scherzer -- whose record deal is pending a physical scheduled for Tuesday -- will be paid $15 million a year over the next 14 years according to the agreement, he is only contracted to pitch for the next seven. That means exactly half the deal -- $105 million -- is being deferred to his first seven retirement years, or at least the first seven post-contract years.

LOOK: Seahawks win probability went down to .10 percent vs. Packers - CBSSports.com

After Russell Wilson threw an interception with 5:04 left in the NFC Championship on Sunday, the Seahawks chances of winning weren't good. As a matter of fact, they were horrible. According to the win probability graph from ProFootballReference.com, the Seahawks only had a .70 percent chance of winning the game after Wilson's pick -- that's less than one percent.

Joel Embiid: I'm Not Fat And I Do Care

Over the weekend, a report came out claiming Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was fat and unmotivated while he recovered from a foot injury. Embiid disputed those claims last night.

- Videos of the Day -

High School Team Inbounds While Up Two With 0.6 Seconds Left, Loses

Wayne High School (Neb.) took on Dakota Valley High School (SD) in a non-conference match-up Friday, and the game featured a finish so wild it would make John Havlicek blush.

Four Additional Texas Tech Quarterback Targets - Viva The Matadors

(Mr. Ed says: VTM profiles four QB recruits, including one who just gave a verbal commitment to David Beaty last week.)

3,070 yards, 65% completion rate, 40 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. So yeah, he's really good, but he may also be on a terrific team. And Stanely can run too, rushing for 579 yards and 7 touchowns. He's not slow, at least on film. I think the arm needs some work, but Stanley makes some quick decisions and he does throw a nice deep ball.

Watch Kansas coach Bill Self punch & break LCD screen by scorer's table

Pissed that his Jayhawks let a 19 point lead disappear against Oklahoma, Kansas coach Bill Self repeatedly punched the scorer's table -- a large LCD advertising screen.