SAN ANTONIO _ The video clip was on repeat. Play, rewind. Play, rewind.
It was the film session after Kansas' home loss to Oklahoma State on Feb. 3, and KU coach Bill Self wouldn't let one moment pass.
The snippet was from late in the second half. KU trailed by nine when Oklahoma State guard Kendall Smith lost control of the ball, his pass sailing helplessly away toward the baseline.
It could have been a KU steal. Instead, guard Malik Newman reacted a half-second late, allowing Oklahoma State's Cameron McGriff to catch it before taking one dribble and putting home a game-sealing slam.
The problem for Newman was clear on second and third glance.
On one of the game's most important defensive possessions, he was grabbing his shorts.
"Malik," Self said, "you've got to be kidding me."
The moment was just the continuation of a season-long struggle for Self, who couldn't figure out a way to get through to one of his most talented players.
So what happened? How, in the span of a few weeks, did Newman go from scorned to savior for these Jayhawks?
Assistant coach Kurtis Townsend smiles in the entrance of KU's locker room Thursday. He's seen stories like this play out before.
"Coach," he says, "did an unbelievable job with him."
