Kansas Basketball: Cole Aldrich never lost a home game
By Stan Unruh
Kansas basketball honors another Jayhawk great Saturday. Cole Aldrich deserves all the attention the jersey retirement brings.
Consider where Bill Self and Kansas basketball would be without Cole Aldrich. The program honors the 6-11 two-time All-American for so many things he accomplished in Crimson and Blue. If anyone deserves a jersey retirement ceremony, Aldrich definitely does.
Aldrich was not just an outstanding player, he was a fabulous student. There are few athletes who earn Academic All-American of the Year honors. The commitment necessary to play any college sport is demanding. The time necessary to excel in a college sport and in the classroom is beyond challenging. Aldrich did both at the highest level. He didn’t study basket-weaving but earned a degree in communication studies in 2013.
Most know Aldrich was a 2-time Big 12 First Team selection. How many Kansas basketball fans remember Aldrich twice earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors? He was incredibly dominant in the paint during those seasons. As a matter of fact, he blocked over 250 shots during his brief time in Lawrence. With Aldrich in the middle, the Jayhawks never lost a game in Allen Fieldhouse.
I’ve spoken to several people over the past week about Aldrich. Each had a special memory. They recall different game where the former McDonalds All-American dominated. One thought the NCAA tourney game his sophomore year against Dayton was their favorite. Aldrich had a triple-double including 20 rebounds and 10 blocked shots to stop the Flyers.
One game made the difference for Kansas Basketball
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When I hear his name, I think of just one game. The Jayhawk victory his freshman year over Roy Williams and Tyler Hansbrough in the NCAA Final Four. That performance was so unexpected against the National Player of the Year. Without Aldrich coming off the bench that day, the Jayhawks might not be celebrating the anniversary of the National Championship this year. Bill Self might not be in the Hall of Fame.