Kansas Jayhawks: Your Guide To The World University Games

Mar 13, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts to play in the game against the Baylor Bears during the semifinals round of the Big 12 Championship at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

While most Jayhawk fans are aware their team will be playing in this tournament, majority may have no idea how the structure actually works.

The basketball tournament version of the Games last 11 days (July 4-14, Korean time, July 3-13, USA time), and beings with pool play for all teams.

The World University Games website (wugusa.com) is a bit elementary when it comes to describing the tournament on its home page:

"Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players play against each other to shoot a ball through a basket positioned at a height of 3 m. Strength, speed and endurance are key to this sport which is one of the most popular sports in the world. Jan 7, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Jamari Traylor (31) celebrates with teammates following their win game against the Baylor Bears at Ferrell Center. Kansas won 56-55. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports Goals are scored by shooting the ball through the basket, and the team with the most points at the end of the game wins. The ball must be dribbled or passed around the court, and intentional physical contact is disallowed. There are various rules on how the ball must be handled."

But, we’ll give it this much. The site give credit to legendary Jayhawk, Dr. James Naismith, for inventing the game.

"Basketball was invented in the USA by Dr. James Naismith of the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts in about 1890 as a game that would keep youths active in the winter season. The game was originally played with a soccer ball by two teams of 9 players who played against each other to throw the ball into peach baskets mounted on opposite sides of the gym."

So while that site may not give you any new information, here are a few rules about the games that you may not know, and differ from NCAA contests.

• All games are played with four, 10-minute quarters
• The shot clock will be 24 seconds
• Players must cross half court with the ball within eight seconds
• Players may make contact with the ball even if it is above the cylinder of the basket

Participating Teams

Pool A — Korea, Estonia, Germany, China, Angola, Mozambique

Pool B — Russia, Canada, Mexico, Mongolia, Sweden, Montenegro

Pool C — Australia, Lithuania, Finland, Japan, France, Chinese Taipei

Pool D — Turkey, Brazil, United States, Chile, Serbia, Switzerland

Per The Kansas City Star, here are the eligibility rules for players on each team:

"To be eligible for the tournament, players have to have been born after Jan. 1, 1990, and before Dec. 31, 1997. They also have to have taken at least one three-credit course towards a degree or diploma in the year before the games. Incoming freshman and transfers are usually eligible, which means KU freshman Lagerald Vick and Carlton Bragg can play."

The Jayhawks must finish in the top two of their pool to qualify for the eight-team medal round. If they fail to do so, they will be put in one of two, eight-team consolation tournaments.

Next: Why Were The Jayhawks Chosen?