LAHAINA » It might just look like Perry Ellis is 40 years old, and seem as if the Kansas forward has been plying his trade in Lawrence for the past decade or so.
It’s true Ellis has been a Jayhawk for a while, and one of the team’s most recognizable faces on the national stage for his strong all-around play — but only for the past four years.
MAUI JIM MAUI INVITATIONAL DAY 3
Today at Lahaina Civic Center
» Seventh place: St. John’s (3-2) vs. Chaminade (0-4), 9:30 a.m. (ESPNU)
» Fifth place: No. 13 Indiana (4-1) vs. UNLV (4-1), noon (ESPN2)
» Third place: Wake Forest (3-2) vs. UCLA (2-2), 2:30 p.m (ESPN2)
» Championship: No. 19 Vanderbilt (5-0) vs. Kansas (3-1), 5 p.m. (ESPN)
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On Tuesday, the senior forward showed why he’s a key component in his fifth-ranked team’s national championship hopes. Ellis scored 24 points and grabbed six rebounds as Kansas routed UCLA 92-73 in the semifinals of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational.
“I definitely was comfortable,” said Ellis, who shot 9-for-12, including 2-for-3 from long range. “You know, just tried to play within the rhythm of the game. It’s going to be a tough game tomorrow against a good team, so we just have to get prepared tonight.”
The 6-foot-8 Ellis and his Jayhawks (3-1) frontcourt mates will get a stern test against No. 19 Vanderbilt in today’s 5 p.m. championship game at the Lahaina Civic Center. The beefy Commodores (5-0), who routed Wake Forest 86-64 in Tuesday’s other semifinal, have a starting frontcourt of 7-foot-1 Luke Kornet and 7-foot Damian Jones.
Ellis could go to his reliable outside shot to make life difficult for larger defenders.
“Very difficult, because that just opens up the court even more,” guard Devonte’ Graham said. “(He) helps me and Frank (Mason III) to be able to drive, Wayne (Selden Jr.), just to get in the lane. Most of the time it’s a big guy guarding Perry so (the defender) sinks into the paint, which leaves Perry wide open for a 3-point shot. And when he’s knocking them down, we’re tough to guard.”
Mason had 16 points and seven assists and Selden chipped in 15 points Tuesday.
Ellis, an All-America honorable mention last season, showed off his versatility with floaters, one-legged step-backs, leaners and outside jumpers. He poured in 18 points (his season average) in Kansas’ emphatic 59-point first half. It came on the heels of his team’s 123-point outing in Monday’s quarterfinal rout of host Chaminade, in which Ellis needed to score just 11.
While Ellis might not have one skill above all others that screams “NBA player,” he’s got a Draymond Green-like versatility that could make him appealing at the next level.
He was asked afterward to evaluate his own game.
“It came a long way, I feel,” Ellis said. “You know, each year I feel I started shooting the ball better and better. I’m shooting it real well and just overall felt like I became a better player.”
UCLA, rock-chalked back on its heels in front of the pro-Kansas crowd, could only match and not exceed the Jayhawks in the second half. Ellis was used sparingly down the stretch as coach Bill Self looked to rest his star for the championship.
Self has seen the former McDonald’s All-American from Wichita grow from a role player off the bench to a go-to guy.
“He’s certainly gotten better every year. Last year, in my opinion, he was right there to win Player of the Year in the (Big 12) until he got hurt,” Self said. “Not saying he deserved it, but he was right there. This year I’d be very disappointed if he didn’t put himself in that same position. I think he can play to an All-American-type level.”
Kansas’ only setback so far is a 79-73 loss to now-third-ranked Michigan State in the Champions Classic.
It’s not just Ellis who’s been a mainstay.
“The people we have on the team have been around,” Ellis said, “so we know each other’s tendencies, and I mean it’s just going to be a great year.”
One fan sign might have summed up the holiday sentiments of the Jayhawks faithful best: “This Year I’m Thankful 4 PERRY ELLIS.”
Kansas, which won Maui in 1996, also made the tournament final in 2011. The Jayhawks lost to Duke 68-61.
No. 13 Indiana 83, St. John’s 73
Yogi Ferrell had 22 points and seven assists to lead the Hoosiers to a victory over the Red Storm (3-2) in the consolation round of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational.
Freshman center Thomas Bryant had a career-high 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting for the Hoosiers (4-1), who lost to Wake Forest 82-78 in the closing seconds of their opening-round game.
Indiana will play UNLV for fifth place today.
Federico Mussini and Ron Mvouika had 17 points each for the Red Storm, who played much better than they did in their 92-55 pasting from No. 19 Vanderbilt in the first round.
No. 19 Vanderbilt 86, Wake Forest 64
Wade Baldwin IV and Damian Jones both scored 17 points, and the Commodores easily handled the Demon Deacons in the semifinals of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational.
Vanderbilt (5-0) will play No. 5 Kansas for the championship today.
Jones, who grabbed 10 rebounds, was 6-for-10 from the field and Baldwin was ever better at 6-for-8. The Commodores were never threatened in the second half and led by as many as 24 points.
The game couldn’t have started much worse for Wake Forest (3-2). While Vanderbilt was opening 9-for-13 from the field, the Demon Deacons missed 12 of their first 13 shots.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
