Ellis hopes players-only meeting sparks KU

LAWRENCE — After signing a few basketballs in the locker room Wednesday, the Kansas men’s basketball players huddled in a circle to air out their thoughts and frustrations during a players-only meeting.

Kansas sophomore Perry Ellis left encouraged that the Jayhawks, who have lost three of their last four games, are headed in the right direction.

“We all just spoke out to each other and really tried to dig deep,” Ellis said. “I’m really excited for (Thursday’s) practice. I feel like everybody’s really going to buy in, and everybody’s really starting to figure everything out.”

Ellis said nothing was off limits in the chat. Everyone — including freshmen — were free to speak their minds.

“Everybody wants to get better. You can really see it,” Ellis said. “Everybody wants to learn. I feel like this is going to be a great opportunity for everybody to turn things around.”

Obviously, these types of gatherings hold a bit more weight with fans around Lawrence after the 2007-08 team famously held a team meeting over wings at Henry T’s. The Jayhawks didn’t lose again after the informal get-together, later defeating Memphis in overtime to win the national title.

Though KU coach Bill Self was quick to say that team meetings can be “overrated” while saying most squads should gather themselves about once a week to talk anyways, he didn’t sound disappointed that this year’s quiet group decided to have a face-to-face discussion.

“I do think it’s good that they talked, so I’m all for that,” Self said. “We’ve had teams do this every year.”

Most years, though, these meetings have come a little later.

Only once in Self’s KU tenure — during the 2005-06 season — has KU lost three times or more in its first nine games.

The Jayhawks’ tough schedule obviously hasn’t helped matters, but even with that, it's safe to say these young KU players didn’t anticipate having to go through this many struggles early.

Ellis believes the team talk helped reassure everyone that there shouldn’t be any panic.

“There’s extra effort that each of us can give,” Ellis said. “(We need) to come into practice and games not thinking selfishly ... just thinking of the team, just thinking about Kansas basketball.”

Ellis has seen this same maneuver work before.

Just a year ago, the Jayhawks suffered through a three-game losing streak in early February, falling to Oklahoma State, TCU and Oklahoma in eight days. Ellis said the seniors then — Elijah Johnson, Travis Releford, Jeff Withey and Kevin Young — made sure the team didn’t slip further.

“Just looking up to those senior guys, they really turned it around,” Ellis said. “We all got together, similar to this year, and really just learned how to compete and just follow what coach is saying and do everything coach is saying. It really just paid off.”

KU could definitely use a quick fix, as its schedule doesn’t get much easier. The Jayhawks face 7-1 New Mexico at Sprint Center on Saturday before hosting Georgetown, Toledo and No. 25 San Diego State to wrap up the nonconference schedule. Both Toledo and New Mexico are receiving votes in the latest Associated Press poll.

Selden ‘trying too hard’ — Self classified KU freshman guard Wayne Selden Jr.’s last few games as a “mini-slump.”

The 2013 McDonald’s All-American played just 14 minutes with four turnovers in Tuesday’s 67-61 loss to Florida. He now leads the team with 18 turnovers despite playing the fourth-most minutes.

“He played so well at times, and the last two or three games, he’s obviously labored some,” Self said. “He’s trying too hard. The thing about it is, that’s what happens a lot when kids try too hard, and sometimes you get in your own way. I think Wayne’s pressed a little bit.”

Grunhard back to Miege — Former Kansas offensive line coach Tim Grunhard, who resigned from his position in late November, is heading back to help coach at Miege High School in Roeland Park.

Miege coach Jon Holmes announced via Twitter on Thursday that Grunhard would serve as his team’s offensive line coach next season. Grunhard was Miege’s head coach for six seasons from 2006-11, which included a 4A state title in 2009.

#13 KANSAS VS. NEW MEXICO

Tipoff: 6 p.m. Saturday, Sprint Center, Kansas City

Records: Kansas 6-3, New Mexico 7-1

Line: N/A

TV: ESPN2

Radio: WIBW (580 AM)

Next: vs. Georgetown, 11 a.m. Dec. 21, Allen Fieldhouse