Rex Walters had added incentive to make the big pass and the big rebound, as well as score 28 points, in Kansas’ huge victory Saturday.
The Jayhawks’ sharpshooting transfer from Northwestern painfully remembered how Kansas lost to Texas-El Paso in the second round of last year’s NCAA tournament.
“That was like a sick feeling in the stomach. It was 20 times worse than an argument with your girlfriend,” said Walters after Kansas made this year’s second-round game a 90-76 victory over Brigham Young in the Midwest Regional.
Walters also derived incentive from Saturday’s opponent.
“My sophomore year at Northwestern, we played at (BYU),” he said. “I had three shots to win the game at the end and missed. That stayed with me. I keep a BYU schedule in my wallet. That reminds me to stay aggressive when I shoot.”
The moment for Walters’ incentive to kick in came with four minutes to play. Sparked by the terrific three-point shooting of 24-point scorer Nick Sanderson, underdog BYU had forged into a 68-67 lead.
Then, as 17,463 fans looked on at the Horizon, Walters ignited Kansas on a 10-0 surge to a 77-67 lead and extended the run to 14-2 for an 81-70 lead.
That assured the Jayhawks (27-6) a berth in the round of 16 and sent the Cougars (25-9) home.
Walters was the ringleader of that surge, but with his key pass and key rebound more than his shooting.
Walters started the run with a slick pass to Adonis Jordan, who connected on a three-point basket, putting Kansas into the lead for good at 70-68.
Next, Steve Woodberry drilled a three-pointer. Patrick Richey cashed four free throws for the 77-68 lead. A moment later, when Woodberry missed the second of two free throws, the 6-foot-4-inch Walters outfought taller Cougars for the rebound, put it back for a basket, drew the foul and sank the free throw to ice it 81-70.
“Walters was the guy we really wanted to stay close to at that time,” said BYU coach Roger Reid. “We did a good job on him at the three-point line, but he penetrated and made that pass. Jordan and Woodberry made the big shots. If they missed them, it may have been different.”
Of his rally-starting dish to Jordan, Walters said: “I was penetrating and looking for my own shot. The defense sucked in. Adonis was wide open. It took a lot of guts for him to knock it right in the hole.”
Kansas coach Roy Williams credited his team’s defense and depth, as well as Walters’ all-around play and leadership, for extending the Jayhawks’ season.
“We stayed fresh down the stretch,” said Williams, who played only one man, Jordan, more than 30 minutes. “We had 14 steals among their 21 turnovers.”
Reid agreed.
“The whole key was their defensive pressure on our wing and guards,” said Reid. “They forced us out of the things we like to do, especially in the last four or five minutes of the first half when we went behind by 10, and in the last four minutes of the game.”
Sanderson connected on three of his six threes in the early part of the first half when BYU made up the 45-35 halftime deficit. “I got a little tired, I guess,” said Sanderson. “They always had fresh guys in there.”
Jordan had five assists against two turnovers and won his clash at the point with Reid’s freshman son Randy, who had four assists and seven turnovers. Woodberry came off the bench and cooled off Sanderson somewhat.
But the main man for the Jayhawks was Walters. He had six assists against only one turnover. He shot 9 for 15, driving against a defense set against his three-point shooting. He went 8 for 8 from the foul line.
“Rex made the big pass,” said Williams. “Rex made the big rebound on the missed free throw and made the free throw for a three-point play. I thought he was the best player in our conference.”
Sanderson also had high praise for his fellow Californian, Walters.
“He’s an all-around good player,” said Sanderson. “He can shoot from outside, and if you come out and play him, he’ll penetrate. He doesn’t penetrate out of control. He pulls up on a dime and goes up strong. He hit the key shots that hurt us.”
