Beyond the Phog: Untold Stories from Kansas Basketball's Most Dominant Decade

by Jason King

Since the turn of the century, not many college basketball teams in the country have enjoyed success quite like Kansas. Winning the 2008 national championship was certainly the highlight, but the most dominant era in school history also includes a national-best 300 wins, three Final Fours and nine Big 12 titles since 2001.

The consistency was unmatched.

As a sportswriter covering the Jayhawks, first for The Kansas City Star and then for Yahoo! Sports, Jason King was there to chronicle it all. From Roy Williams' stunning departure to Mario's Miracle against Memphis to Kansas' 69-game winning streak at Allen Fieldhouse, King witnessed all the highlights - and lowlights - from 2000 and beyond. In short, he was the ultimate insider.

Now you will be, too.

With "Beyond the Phog," King provides Kansas fans with an unprecedented glimpse into one of the most memorable eras in the program's rich history. Extensive interviews with nearly 40 players from the last decade, as well as both head coaches, reveal fascinating details about the inner-workings of a true college basketball dynasty.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be riveted - and, at times, shocked. Whatever the case, even the most ardent Kansas supporters will be exposed to candid, behind the scenes stories and anecdotes that, until now, had been confined to the Jayhawks' locker room.

Here's a sample of what's inside:

• Did Drew Gooden's shoes cost Kansas the 2002 NCAA title?
• Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich lament their final game against Syracuse
• Roy Williams provides details about his final few weeks at Kansas and his relationship with Al Bohl
• Why did Wayne Simien almost quit basketball?
• Jeff Graves comes clean about violating a sacred locker room rule
• Russell Robinson describes why he tried to fight his own coach
• J.R. Giddens gives his version of the Moon Bar stabbing
• Darrell Arthur explains why he's been hesitant to return to campus since winning the 2008 title
• Mario Chalmers provides a step-by-step account of his heroic shot against Memphis
• Tyshawn Taylor discusses the aftermath of the Jayhawks' 2011 loss to VCU
• Josh Selby talks about his decision to enter the NBA draft
• And hundreds of other stories from favorites such as Sherron Collins, Keith Langford, Jeff Boschee, Aaron Miles, Michael Lee, Eric Chenowith, Xavier Henry, Luke Axtell, Sasha Kaun, Tyrel Reed, Jeff Hawkins, Brady Morningstar, Darnell Jackson and others.

Time has clearly loosened lips in Lawrence. "Beyond the Phog" is an honest, candid look at what really happened during a magical - and often controversial - period in Kansas basketball history.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

392 pages, Unknown Binding

First published September 21, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Curtis Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a diehard KU fan, it was neat to read the accounts pretty much from the mouths of the players. However, it seemed that most of the discussions were very similar and about the exact same things. Felt like I read the same things over and over. The book was also poorly edited with several mistakes all over the place. But in general, it was fun to read about things from the perspectives of the players.

[Wade · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a diehard KU fan, I was looking forward to reading this book for awhile. I have enjoyed Jason King's KU and college basketball reporting and writing for years. This book, however, was an unnecessarily tedious read.

In general, the book could have used better editing and seemed like it was hastily put together. I'm not sure if the player-by-player format was the most effective. King could have edited the interviews to eliminate some of the redundancy among players' stories, or he could have structured parts of the book in a more traditional oral-history format. There were many good anecdotes throughout the book. Unfortunately, they were buried among tedious complaints about playing time, "funny" (read: not funny) practice stories, etc.

Overall, I was disappointed. This book could, and should, have been better.

[Blake Vajgrt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will be appreciated by every Kansas fan but especially those who are in the millennial generation. It's a great read to hear the inside stories of some of the recent KU players. I found the older players covered gave better interviews but I don't know if it is just my attachment to them or the years to reflect on their experiences. There are so many funny stories that will endear you to the program in a new way.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I debated on whether or not I should post a review for this book, but ultimately I figured why not? Now, one thing you should know about me is that I am a huge sports fan; I am also a die-hard KU fan. I read this book when it first came out about a year ago, but I figured there was no harm in posting my review. Yes, I am a biased KU fan. Yes, I cry when KU basketball loses a game. Yes, I have trained to hate Missouri since I was a little kid. BUT…I appreciate sports, and even if this book wasn’t about KU basketball I would be tempted to read it; unless it was about Mizzou. You couldn’t pay me enough to read anything about anything to do with Mizzou. I digress.

This is an insider view on the most dominant decade in Kansas basketball history with interviews from prominent players and both head coaches, Roy Williams and Bill Self. Now...I love to see the camaraderie between both former and current players, as well as the coach-player relationships. The individual chapters for each player give you an insight to what they thought of their fellow players, the coaches, and how they managed to pass the time when they weren’t in class or on the court. As a KU student, I know how the basketball players are treated off the court; they are celebrities in Lawrence, Kansas. They get free drinks, free cover at any club or bar, and have girls throwing themselves at them. In Beyond The Phog, they admit that being a basketball player does have its perks in regards to girls and social life.

I loved reading about Bill Self’s boot camp, the locker room vibe at halftime of big games, finding out who the jokesters were on each team…all of it. The one thing that just crushed me was reading the chapters of players involved in the heartbreaking NCAA tourney losses; Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich talking about the loss to Syracuse (which still stings 8 years later by the way), both first round losses to Bucknell and Bradley, and Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed discuss the feeling in the locker room after their VCU loss.

If you are a college basketball fan and enjoy reading about the dynasties, I know you’ll enjoy this book. I am a KU fan, so I am completely biased but this book is just awesome. Rock Chalk Jayhawk.

[Oscar Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for fans of KU basketball, but certainly no earth-shattering behind-the-scenes information being revealed in this book. Very enjoyable for those of us who have followed the players in the book, though.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty engrossing read. Hearing each player talk about a specific game gets a bit old. Tons of typos in there, but tons of stories and anecdotes that will make you long for the days at the Fieldhouse, just like these guys. Oh, and you'll be ready for a Championship run after finishing this book.

[Frodo · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I just finished rereading this nostalgic look at the Jayhawks during their prime years.)

As a Jayhawk basketball fan I loved reading these intimate pieces from the mouths of players and coaches I've followed through the years.
Anyone with some Jayhawk blood will thoroughly enjoy this.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to read what the players were thinking and going through during their time at KU.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT insight from KU basketball players. I will probably read this two or three more times! Loved!! Rock Chalk

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for 'Hawks fans to hear the behind the scenes things.

[Tom Shrimplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, telling a lot of behind-the-scene stories of some GREAT Jayhawk teams! Must reading for any true Jayhawk fan!

[Brian Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy but fun read, relived a lot of great memories.

[Hannah Munstermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best for die-hard fans some of the biggest names player in the coach Roy Williams and coach bill self. Including Thomas Robinson, nick collision, and many more

[Tanner Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Caleb Feist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read for any Kansas basketball fan. Great insight from nearly every notable name over a decade of dominance.