Hello, I hope all of you have been doing well this offseason and are closely following the fortunes of KU football and all the other summer/fall sports as you wait for hoops season to arrive.

It's been a crazy offseason, of course, with Al leaving, Lew arriving; Roy leaving, Bill arriving; and all sorts of changes in KU's athletic department.

The waters are starting to calm, finally, and fans and media alike soon will be able to concentrate on the X's and O's of Bill Self's first KU hoops team.

To get you in the mood for the season -- you always are in the mood for the season, aren't you? -- here are some of your questions and my ensuing answers regarding KU hoops.

Many of you have received personal e-mails from me with answers to your questions the past several months. Hope you didn't kill 'em as Spam (Sing it Python lovers: "Spam-Spam-Spam-Spam-Spam-Spam-Spam-Spam-Spam"). I have saved some of those e-mails to reprint here, also.

Thanks for the questions and your patience in receiving replies. KU fans are the best and all questions deserve a thoughtful response. Keep them coming.

P.S. I am going to do everybody a favor. The first portion of this Q and A will consist of questions regarding the Jayhawks, Bill Self, etc. Then I will warn you when questions are about to appear concerning the potential priority seating plan for Allen Fieldhouse. Lots of fans don't want to read/talk/think about that until the specifics of Lew Perkins' plan come out in six months or so.

Then as you read on, I again will warn you of questions are about to appear regarding Roy Williams.

I've received some nasty e-mail from fans whose heads explode at the mere mention of Roy's name. So to save you and me much frustration -- and negative e-mail -- I'll warn you when the subject switches to Roy so you can stop reading at that point if you so desire.

PART ONE (HOOPS QUESTIONS)

Q: Gary, when does the 2003-04 men's basketball schedule come out? I need to order plane tickets and reserve hotel rooms for many of the games. Thomas, Chicago, Ill.

A: So many of you sent this question with high hopes ... and I was forced to be the bearer of bad news with the answer of "Dunno" for so many months.

The good news, as you know, is the schedule is finally out. Better news is KU senior associate AD Larry Keating promises next year's slate will be out by August 1 or five to six weeks earlier than this year.

Click here for a printable copy of the schedule.

Q: Hey Gary, what do you think of KU's schedule? It seems to me it isn't tough enough for a national title contender like KU. Randy in Texas.

A: KU's schedule isn't the best in school history, but it isn't half bad, either.

The Jayhawks will play Michigan State, Oregon, Stanford, Villanova, Richmond and TCU non conference. The University of Nevada is an up and coming program and could provide a tough road test in Reno.

I predict KU's schedule when all is said and done will stack up as one of the best in the Big 12 and one of the 10 best in the country.

There are some cupcakes on the slate, but truthfully, not an inordinate amount. The league schedule will be challenging with Big Monday games to be played at Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma State with one at home vs. Missouri. Also on tap is a tough season finale at Mizzou.

It's hard to imagine KU going 4-0 in those four Big Monday affairs.

Q: I see that KU has two scholarships left. Who are we looking at? Sean.

A: You are exactly right. The Jayhawks do have two scholarships to award after receiving a verbal commitment from Midwest City, Okla., power forward Darnell Jackson.

There are lots of candidates to fill the two slots: Alexander "Sasha" Kaun (6-11, Melbourne, Fla., originally from Russia); A.J. Price (6-1, Amityville, N.Y.); Malik Hairston (6-6, Detroit); Russell Robinson (6-1, New York City); Chester Giles (6-10, Seattle); Quentin Thomas (6-4, Oakland); Al Horford (6-8, Grand Ledge, Mich.), Shane Foster (6-6, Kenner, La.), Joseph Jones (6-9, Normangee, Texas) and others.

It's impossible to read the minds of recruits and make predictions about where the blue chip players will wind up.

It would be irresponsible of me to make any predictions since I can't read the minds of 17-year-olds.

What we do know is Price and Kaun enjoyed their visits to KU and several other players will be visiting in coming weeks.

Hairston will visit KU next weekend with Robinson, Giles and Thomas in the following week. As of now, Foster, Horford and maybe Jones are on tap for Late Night.

We'll keep you posted, but I think fans should be optimistic about recruiting.

Q: Gary what do you think of that big, horrific Jayhawk painted on center court at Allen Fieldhouse? I haven't seen it in person, just pics in the Journal-World, but c'mon, isn't it a little big? Frances from OP.

A: The massive 25 1/2 foot Jayhawk sure is big, but -- trust me -- I think you'll like it when you see it in person. I don't know what it'll look like on TV, but it is pretty sharp in person. The big Jayhawk might even help in recruiting. It could give kids and their parents something to talk about when they are watching the games on TV. It is a conversation starter, that is for sure.

Q: Who will be the starting five for Kansas men's basketball? Ruth.

A: If I had to guess, it'd be Keith Langford, Aaron Miles, Wayne Simien, Jeff Graves and J.R. Giddens. Of course, we'll have to see how preseason camp goes, guys like Mike Lee, David Padgett and others will want to have a say in the lineup, but those appear to be the prime candidates in my mind.

Q: Gary, what differences do you expect from the basketball team under coach Self? Will they become more hard nosed? Will they become a half-court team or continue to rely on the break? Ron.

A: I think Bill Self is pretty much known for tenacious defense, so yes I expect a hard-nosed defensive attitude. I think he definitely wants to run with the ball, but you also might see an improved halfcourt game under Bill.

He likes to use his big men a lot. They get a lot of touches. But KU will not stop running. I see this team continuing to push the basketball. Self has said that is what he wants to continue to do. These guys are blessed with the ability to run.

Q: Since I missed the NBA draft picks, where did NIck Collison and Kirk Hinrich end up? I have been a Jayhawker for over 40 years thanks to an older brother who introduced me to them when I was about 4 yrs old. Ann.

A: Hi, Hinrich went to the Chicago Bulls and Collison the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the draft. Both figure to get some immediate playing time, so all looks good for the ex-Jayhawks' pocketbooks and frames of mind.

Q: It seems to me that with his performance last season and during the NCAA tournament, Keith Langford would be on one of the preseason top 5 All-America teams. But Dick Vitale did not have him among his five All-Rolls Royce teams. Do you think Langford has earned these types of honors at this point?

A: Yes I do. I agree with you. I think Keith is one of the top 25 players in America. But like Dickie V. wrote on there, he says it's most important who is there at the end of the season, not the beginning. I do think Keith deserves the list, however. He's definitely a top 25 player and a top 25 quote, too. He is one of the most colorful speakers in the USA.

Keith definitely is a scorer. He can score inside and with the pull-up jumper. I have the feeling he will hit some threes this year, too. KU will need his shooting to open things up I believe.

Q: Will David Padgett be coming to Kansas? Will the Jayhawks look any different on the court with Bill Self coaching now?

A: Yup, David is on campus. He's a big man out of Reno, Calif., who I predict will thrive for the Jayhawks. He is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery, so give him some time to adjust, but I think David will be a strong player, perhaps a star here.

Q: Do you know what style of offense that self is running this year? Jon.

A: Mr. Self says he wants to push the basketball and fully anticipates to do so. Also, he will be doing a lot of high/low passing with the big men. I look for an up-tempo team with the ability to play the halfcourt game, also. You can count on rugged man-to-man defense with Bill Self.

Q: Who are going to be our shooters? Hopefully Wilkes will step up big. I think he can. Ted in Topeka.

A: KU loses some outside 3-point punch in Kirk. The three-point shot has become so much of a weapon that KU will need somebody to bust the outside shot. I see Omar Wilkes as a possibility. He definitely can shoot. Miles and Langford are going to have to hit some threes and I think they can. And Michael Lee is going to have to knock some home. I think on paper three-point shooting might be a possible weakness.

Q: Do you think Simien will be good next year? I hope so and tell him I know how it feels to hurt my right shoulder. Courtnay.

A: Sure, I think he will have a great season. He seems to have recovered nicely from offseason surgery and is a monster on the court.

Q: Gary, how will KU stack up against the rest of the Big 12 size wise? Are they giving up much size in the post area? Front court? Back court? Floyd.

A: Missouri has a big banger in Arthur Johnson. In this day and age, you are going to find some big guys out there on all successful teams. I haven't completely examined all rosters for potential matchups, Floyd, but I can tell you this: KU will be a league favorite along with Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas. The league will be mighty good, again.

Q: Gary, will this Jayhawk team be as fast as last year's team? Do they have the potential to rebound as good as last years team? Will they run as much? And do you expect them to win the Big 12 conference?

A: I do think KU will win the Big 12 if the Jayhawks can stay healthy. This team will have to develop a personality of its own under its new coach.

That might take some time. The Jayhawks have to hope they remain a juggernaut on the road. It's tough to win on the road, and KU has been excellent the past several years in that regard. I can't say for sure, but I'd expect the Jayhawks to rebound better than last year and maybe not be quite as fast. But heck, we shall see. Maybe Self's team will race down the court at breakneck speed. But if I had to predict I'd say KU will rebound better than a year ago; run a bit slower and win the league.

Q: Will I be able to hear the KU games broadcast on the Internet this fall? If so, how would I access them? Earl.

A: Yes you can access the games through Yahoo like last season. I believe it's 29.95 yearly. Check it out at kuathletics.com. The TV package remains the same, too, through ESPN.

Q: It was brought to my attention that KU is the only team that does not have the Big 12 Conference logo on its floor? Is this true?

A: You are observant. KU has added the logo on the court.

Q: Have you heard if Coach Self will be continuing the autographed basketball thing? I have a couple of autographed balls from previous seasons, but I'd sure like to add to my collection -- I would be immensely happy to go on collecting them over the next 20 or more winning seasons of Self-coached basketball. I know it's early in the season to be thinking of this, but I like to get all my Jayhawks in a row as soon as possible.

Thanks!

A: It's still early in his tenure, so I'm sure he hasn't had time to go over all details of the program. I'm sure there will be a way to get autographed balls probably through kustore.com. I'll check on that and as soon as they have a plan, I'll let you know.

Q: Gary, what are your projection for wins and loses this coming year? And, who are your projected starters with first in backups?

A: It's always hard to predict Ws and Ls of course. I'd say the Jayhawks will stumble once nonconference and four times in the league for five losses. That ain't many losses, is it?

Q: What ever happened to Carl Henry's son from Oklahoma? I thought he was supposed to be a top recruit, but I don't see him on our list. Have I missed something? Thanks for your time! Clark

A: C.J. Henry is still out there. He's a junior to be in Oklahoma City. He's a talent in both baseball and basketball. He's still just a junior however, so you won't hear a ton about him right now.

Q: I just found out about the oversized Jayhawk at Allen. My father invented the 3-sided black foul light that was once used in Allen for many years. The two accompanying 1+1 black scorer's table boxes are still being used (at least they were last year). Anyway, having some personal connection to Allen, I can't believe they went and changed the floor that drastically. I think the lettering on the side is actually better, but I agree with the person that said that putting a small Jayhawk on the State outline where Lawrence is would have been tasteful and cool. Last year, we were all laughing at what a joke KSU's court looks like, with the 'Snyder PowerCat'; that was huge. Well, now I guess we aren't as proud and confident of being a Jayhawk anymore as we have to take to 'Supersize,'the Jayhawk. I don't have Lew's e-mail address. If you do, please forward this to him. By the way, I am an annual donator to the alumni fund, but did not get football tickets this year for my family, not because of the team or prices, but because parking there is just a DISASTER, unless you one of the lucky ones who get to park right by Memorial. With wife and kids, though, and walking up and down, for many-a-block, it just was too stressful each week to drive from Overland Park. If one leaves early to get better parking, then the kids have to fight elements, etc. for a long time waiting for the game. I GUARANTEE Lew that if he made the family tickets come with close parking, even it meant raising the price of tickets a little that he could have a sell-out at every game. He would, of course, have to expand the family seating a little, but, to me, that's what it's all about......getting the young individuals excited about KU.

Thanks for listening

Daric

A-Thanks for the comments. I personally don't think the big Jayhawk is that bad; actually I like it, but I respect your opinion. Good points about the parking situation. There's not too much KU can do, right? There isn't a lot of parking there. You might park at the fieldhouse and take the shuttle buses.

PART TWO (WARNING, TICKET PLAN QUESTIONS)

Q: Gary, I read that long story you wrote on Lew Perkins' priority seating plan for next season. I attend games now, have good seats and give about 400 bucks a year. You mean to tell me if I don't hand over 3,000 bucks I will be moved to the rafters? And so will people who have been sitting next to me for 15 years? Say it isn't so, Gary!! Deanna.

A: I should start this answer by saying Lew Perkins hasn't formalized his ticket plan yet. That will be months in the making.

But the way I see it is, yes, by next season, you will have to give a sizable donation to keep your prime seats. I do not think Lew will kick anybody out of the fieldhouse, at least not next season, but the fieldhouse will definitely be re-seated and the people who give the biggest bucks will get the best seats.

At UConn, where Perkins is from, it pretty much takes $4,000 buck minimum donation to be assured of seats of any kind, at least that's the way I read UConn's plan. So times they will be a changing. There is going to be a lot of grumbling and I can understand it. I'd hate to be working at KU with the complaints they are going to receive from fans in coming years.

Q: Gary, I supported KU when the Jayhawks were struggling under Ted Owens. I've sent kids to KU and paid tuition. I have left KU money in my will. You mean to tell me my good seats will be taken away if I don't start giving 5-10,000 bucks?

A: Lew Perkins said longevity will be a factor in the new ticket plan, but ultimately I do believe yes you will be moved if you don't give a sizable donation. Lew says he simply needs to find ways to increase revenue for scholarships, facilities, to help the student/athletes. He can raise $3 to $5 millon with a priority ticket plan. In Lew's mind it is a no-brainer. He has to do this to raise money for the students he's in charge of.

He has been blunt about it, saying faculty will have to fork over donations also to keep prime seats.

We shall see what happens. Remember, as of now, this is all just talk. Let's wait for Lew to put out his specific plan before we blast away too much.

Q -- I have been going to KU basketball games for 25 years. I remember being able to run around with my friends in the upper seats because they were empty. Now that everyone wants a ticket, they may force us out of our seats with this point system. As a teacher I tell my students to do what is right, not what everyone else is doing. KU is using the, everyone else is doing this to raise money so it is alright for us to do it too. If you ever look to see which fans are participating the most in the game, it is not the people who donate the most money, it is the students, and the fans who are just glad to have a ticket, whether it is in the corner or the last row. So I ask, does KU want a lot of money but a quiet field house or one of the nation's toughest places to play with fans who cry with the players' hard losses but always come back the next year backing them 100 percent???

I say raise the ticket prices depending on the seat. They did do some price changes, but if I was sitting on the floor or in the seatback section at mid-court I would be expecting to pay a lot more than the guy in the back row! For years I could not believe the people sitting just off the floor were paying the same as I was paying with my binoculars. Just something to think about. I am only one person, but unlike Roy Williams, I was JAYHAWK BORN, JAYHAWK RAISED, and when I die, I will die as a JAYHAWK.

FOOTNOTE: KSU raises money by having people donate enough to be able to purchase an assigned parking spot. What a novel idea, let people pay more for convenience, but let all people see the game!

A: You make some good, passionate points. I do think the noise level in the fieldhouse could decrease The good news for you is I think at first at least, it will take a much smaller donation to the Williams Fund for the quote, "bad seats" up in the rafters. And a hefty donation to sit in the middle or in the first 20 rows, etc.

I do feel your pain. A lot of people who have been loyal throughout the years are going to be upset if/when they lose prime seats because they fail to fork over a huge donation.

PART THREE (WARNING, WARNING: QUESTIONS/COMMENTS MENTIONING FORMER KU COACH)

Q: Gary, Roy Williams never recruited the East coast. He said it was impossible for KU to land players from the East because there were so many schools to choose from out there. Now Bill Self is attacking the East coast? What gives? Was Roy wrong? Kyle in Knoxville.

A: I do believe Roy was wrong. KU can be a factor recruiting out East. The Jayhawks are now proving they can be a factor out East. They are in on several Eastern kids here in Bill Self's first recruiting season. It does help having New Yorker Norm Roberts on the staff, but hey, Roy also had an East coast guy on his staff for many years in Matt Doherty. Yet KU didn't try to recruit the East much.

That said, Roy's plan was to concentrate on the West and that plan worked well for Roy. KU signed a batch of stellar Californians throughout the years and was rewarded with four Final Fours under Roy.

In answer to your question, though, I do believe Roy was wrong. KU can be a factor out East.

Q: Alright, I am sick of hearing Jayhawk Bball fans gripe and moan about coach Roy Williams leaving the bench. I really wish fans would quit taking it so dang personal. This whole crap about how "He broke his promise to us" has reached childish proportions. Put the pacifier back in your mouth and go back to sleep. I know basketball is a religion here, I am a worshiper. But some fans have been whining more than KSU fans do about their lack of BCS bowl bids -- which is easily remedied by playing a quality team before mid-October. We are becoming what we despise. Heck, the players are the ones that were hurt the most. They proved to be big enough men to forgive and forget, unlike most of our fan base. They were able to look past the present situation and look to the future -- which, by the way, is so bright they'll be wearing their sunglasses to night games.

Those left on this team know nothing but Final Fours, and have taken a step closer to the prize each year. No other team in the land has that kind of experience. Those guys matured more in a two-week period than those naysaying fans have in the past 15 years. Sure, he said he would stay. Nobody's perfect. Obviously he re-evaluated things and decided it was in his best interest to go. People change jobs every day and they have a multitude of reasons why.

He was not the President of the United States, or Governor of Kansas, though he may have had the power and influence, and maybe he was not the Saint some made him out to be. He did a lot of great things -- for KU, Lawrence, and the State -- while he was here. All those good characteristics were cast into that burning fire of hate when he announced he was leaving.

As you said, he gave up to a million dollars of his own money to KU, which was never known publicly. How much income, for KU, Lawrence, and the State, was he responsible for during his tenure. Hotels, motels, restaurants, bars, stores, concessions, summer camps, Tourney and Final Four appearances, etc.. He, "helped charities, signed autographs, served on national committees, showering positive pub on KU. He was a fine representative of your school." But now he has moved on, and so should the fans. Everybody should wish him well and get over it. Because we have a team that has all the incentive in the world to beat the Tar out of the 'Heels if they are given the opportunity -- which, should the 'Heels make the Tourney, would surely be a lock for an early round match-up.

I don't think Roy has suddenly turned into a bad guy. He remains a good man. It took a big man to walk into a locker room and tell the players on this team he was leaving. One thing is for sure. The week of partying around the Big 12 ended abruptly when the players said they were staying and Bill Self moved to Lawrence. And, lest we forget, there were a lot of schools that endured coaching changes...including a quality Illinois program. Coach Self had to make that same speech to his players in Champaign. Hey, does anyone remember a Sweet 16 game in 2001 when KU and Illinois clashed (of course, we got a taste of revenge in 2002).

That Illini team was physical, not unlike OU, TX, and Mizzery. They were not too bad on the defensive end either. Self has always had great defensive teams. We had a pretty stingy "D" last year. Defensively, this KU squad may cause at lot of nightmares for opponents next season should coach Self continue stressing "D." All I can say is, Roy has left, just like Larry, but Roy left the cupboard well stocked. Let's not forget the players that stayed by continuing the talk about Roy. They have been pushed aside enough. They have their own identity now, and they have some Self-help.

Well, I ramble on. The subject just strikes a nerve. Just thought I'd send you a note and see what your thoughts were. Thanks if you actually took the time to read this far. Take care and Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU!att

A: Well you make some great points. All I can tell you is fans are very upset right now at the mere mention of Roy's name. I got some hate mail ripping me for writing a story about Roy being in New York when the blackout hit. He was an assistant coach on Larry Brown's world championship staff.

Some fans also were upset I ran a note out of a New York Times story about Roy and how he was thrilled the U.S. won the gold medal at the Olympic qualifying tourney.

I've told some of the angry emailers we will cover Bill Self 100 more times than Roy, maybe 1,000 times more than Roy. But occasionally Roy's name will be in the news. After all, Carolina is going to be a top-10 team.

Some fan explained his anger in seeing Roy's name by saying when a guy is jilted by an ex-girlfriend or a girl is jilted by an ex-boyfriend, the general feelings are of great animosity, and that's how they feel bout Roy. They feel jilted that he bolted KU for Carolina.

I prefer to wish the guy well, but that's just me. I agree it's pointless to rehash all the positives and negatives about Roy. He's gone now and it's time to follow Bill Self.

Q: Gary, as the only coach in the history of KU basketball to leave the university for another college job, and a lot of other reasons, I do not care to hear or see anymore Dean Smith, Jr. or Sr. stories on the website. If you want to write for the Charlotte Observer (or whatever it is called) why don't you give Dean, Jr. a call to see if he has an opening? Thanks for all of your "other" great stories and insights, but enough already. Barry.

A: See what I mean? The fans are miffed about mentions of Roy.

Well, that's it for now. Send your email questions to me. Remember Late Night is Friday Oct. 17. Admission is free. No announcement has been made but doors usually open after 5 p.m.. We'll be sure to give you details as they come.

Poll question of the month: When you see a story or mention of Roy on this Website do you a.) approve. b.) disapprove. c.) cuss. d.) scream. e.) applaud. f.) freak out. g.) pound the computer top. h.) shout "Yes!"

Goodbye.