Originally published January 20, 2007 at 02:17p.m., updated January 20, 2007 at 05:09p.m.

KU upset by Texas Tech, 69-64

By Eric Sorrentino

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Update #10: FINAL, KU loses, 69-64

Jarrius Jackson uncharacteristically missed two free throws down the stretch for Texas Tech. Collins utilized his blazing speed to get to the baseline, then found Russell Robinson in the middle of the lane for the easy layup.

Texas Tech has missed three of its last four free throws. Robinson made the Red Raiders pay on the next possession by hitting a three-pointer with 2:42 left. Texas Tech led, 62-57.

Brandon Rush scared the Red Raider faithful by nailing another KU three-pointer to cut the lead to 62-60. After a KU steal, Collins had a masterful no-look pass to Arthur, who tied the game at 62 with 1:40 left.

Tech's Jackson then hit a layup and drew the KU foul, and hit his free throw. Collins blazed down the floor for an immediate layup. On Texas Tech's ensuing possession, Jackson missed a layup, but no one boxed out Voskuil, who followed with the layup. KU trailed, 67-64 with 25.8 seconds left.

Sherron Collins hit a three-pointer with 3:25 left in the game. He rolled off a pick to his right, and drained the three. Texas Tech still led, 61-52.

Jarrius Jackson uncharacteristically missed two free throws in a row for Texas Tech. Collins utilized his blazing speed to get to the baseline, then found Russell Robinson in the middle of the lane for the easy layup.

Texas Tech has missed three of its last four free throws. Robinson made the Red Raiders pay on the next possession by hitting a three-pointer with 2:42 left. Texas Tech led, 62-57.

The play was designed to go to Collins, but the Chicago native missed the three-point shot from the right wing. Martin Zeno was all the way on the other side of the court. The Red Raiders found him wide open for a dunk that sealed the 69-64 victory.

Update #9: 4:34, second half, TTU leads 59-49

Texas Tech's Alan Voskuil made a brilliant pass to Jarrius Jackson underneath the basket. Jackson immediately scored the layup, and also drew the KU foul. It put Texas Tech ahead, 56-45, with 6:25 left in the game.

Kansas started out the game with an 8-0 lead. Since then, Texas Tech has went on a 56-37 run.

Sherron Collins drove to the bucket and dished to Russell Robinson, who used his body for the layup along the baseline. Robinson has four fouls, but remains in the game with 5:30 left.

Darryl Dora now has 19 points for the Red Raiders. His all-time high is 22.

Collins cradled in a layup to cut lead to 59-49 with 4:30 left. Texas Tech ran its offense with the intent of taking as much time off the clock as possible. Martin Zeno missed a layup, but the scrappy Voskuil reclaimed the basketball for Texas Tech.

The shot didn't appear to hit the rim, and the play was reviewed. The officials gave the ball back to Texas Tech and ruled the ball caught a piece of the rim.

Update #8: 6:54, second half, TTU leads 54-45

Sherron Collins picked up the defensive intensity, poking the ball away from Charlie Burgress. He dove on the floor and knocked it out of bounds off Burgess. The Chicago freshman couldn't convert a shot on the following possession, though.

Darryl Dora continued his masterful passing from the top of the key. Looking over the KU defense, the 6-9 Dora fired a pass underneath the basket to a cutting Martin Zeno. Zeno got fouled, and coverted both free throws to put Texas Tech up 11.

Kansas then received a momentum boost. On the following possession, Julian Wright threw down an emphatic one-handed dunk on the right side of the lane. Brandon Rush then swished a three-pointer to cut the Tech lead to six at 49-43.

Jarrius Jackson immediately stopped the KU momentum with a three-pointer of his own from the right baseline.

On KU's next possession, Rush drove down the lane. It appeared as if the Kansas City, Mo., native was going to explode for a dunk, but he came up short and missed the layup. Luckilly for KU, Wright was around for a put-back layup.

Update #7: 11:03, second half, TTU leads 46-38

Sasha Kaun converted a right-handed shot off the glass to cut the Texas Tech lead to five. It was Kaun's sixth point of the afternoon. Charlie Burgess then hit an open three-pointer generated from Texas Tech guard Alan Voskuil penetrating to the basket. The KU defense converged on the sophomore guard, leaving Burgess open for the three-pointer. Kansas coach Bill Self called a 30-second timeout as a result.

Update #6: 14:45, second half, TTU leads, 41-34

After the timeout, Sasha Kaun responded with a layup. Kansas dropped into a 2-3 zone on defense, but Darryl Dora took advantage. He pumped faked a three-point shot, had a KU player jump past him, then hit a mid-range jumper from the top of the key

Kaun made a nice pass to a cutting Julian Wright, who threw down an open dunk. Martin Zeno posted up on the next possession and found Dora open for his third three-pointer of the game. Rush settled Kansas down with an unselfish lob pass to Wright for an alley-oop layup.

In an awkward opening to the second half, Texas Tech's Jarrius Jackson missed an open 15-foot jump shot from the left wing. Sasha Kaun attempted to tip the rebound to himself, but instead tipped it into the basket for two Texas Tech points. When Brandon Rush missed a jumper on the other end, Jackson was open about two feet beyond the arc. His first field goal of the game was a costly one for KU. Jackson's three-pointer put the Red Raiders ahead, 36-28, with 17:44 left in the game. Kansas coach Bill Self called a timeout.

Update #5: Halftime, TTU leads 31-28

Sasha Kaun scored his first points of the game at the 2:55 mark. Kaun faked to his left, then hit a turnaround hook shot with his right hand in the middle of the lane. Brandon Rush missed a layup, causing a cluster of players to scramble for the loose ball. Darrell Arthur came out of the pile with the ball and converted an off-balance layup, stepping over players in the process. The Dallas native tied the game at 28.

Kansas did an admirable job of guarding Jarrius Jackson, who averages more than 20 points per game. The Texas Tech senior guard hit two free throws with a minute left in the first half. Jackson only had three points at the half.

Darryl Dora leads Texas Tech with 10 first-half points. Martin Zeno has eight.

For the Jayhawks, Arthur leads the way in scoring with eight points off 4-of-5 shooting. Kansas shot 42 percent from the field in the first half, compared to Texas Tech's 50 percent shooting.

Update #4: 3:53, first half, TTU leads 28-24

With the game tied at 22, Rush came up with a steal near midcourt. He missed three-pointer on the next possession, and the referee called Darnell Jackson on a foul for climbing over-the-back. Zeno then got KU players up in the air on a pumpfake, and converted the layup for a 26-22 TTU lead.

Arthur missed a turnaround jumpshot, but a streaking Rush caught the ball in mid-air and slammed it back home with authority.

Arthur missed two free throws, TTU leads 28-24 with a little more than four minutes left. Dora attempted a three-pointer from above the top of the key, but the KU defense altered his shot in mid-air. Dora attempted to pass, but touched the ball again and was called for traveling.

Update #3: 7:45, first half, KU leads 22-20

Darrell Arthur drained his third consecutive field goal from the baseline. Darryl Dora responded for the Red Raiders with a three-pointer. After a Mario Chalmers turnover on the baseline, Charlie Burgess hit a jumper from baseline. Tech continued to buid momentum when Darryl Dora drilled a three-pointer roughly two feet beyond the arc to give the Red Raiders their first lead of the game at 18-16. Kansas coach Bill Self called timeout.

Immediately following the timeout, Sherron Collins nailed a straightaway three-point shot to reclaim the KU lead at 19-18. Chalmers hit KU's second consecutive three-point field goal on the next possession.

Update #2: 11:30, first half, KU leads 14-10

The score still read 8-4 at the 14:00 mark. Arthur missed an open layup, which rolled around the rim, but didn't fall. Russell Robinson finally got Kansas on the board again, establishing position down low. He got fouled on a layup, and made both free throws to give Kansas a 10-4 lead.

On the following Texas Tech possession, Martin Zeno converted a long-range two, then Dora made a layup. Arthur responded by hitting a jumper from the top of the key. With a hand in his face, Arthur still knocked the shot down barely inside the three-point line. Kansas went to the Dallas native again on its following possession. Arthur nailed a turn-around, baseline jumper from the left side for his fourth consecutive point.

Update #1: 15:55, first half, KU leads 8-4

The Jayhawks jumped out to an early 8-0 lead two-and-a-half minutes into the game. Julian Wright scored four early points. Burgess finally broke the Texas Tech scoreless drought at the 16:30 mark with a layup. Martin Zeno then drained a jumper to make it an 8-4 game with 15:55 left in the first half.

Pregame

Kansas (16-2) enters its fourth game of Big 12 play with an undefeated 3-0 conference mark. The Jayhawks most recently won the Border Showdown, with a 80-77 victory against the Missouri Tigers on Jan. 15.

Freshman guard Sherron Collins had a breakout performance against Missouri, scoring a team-high 23 points. Collins and fellow freshman Darrell Arthur accounted for 17 of KU's final 19 points.

Although Kansas will face Texas Tech in Lubbock, the Jayhawks have proven they can win on the road. Kansas defeated South Carolina and, more importantly, Iowa State in the feared Hilton Coliseum. Kansas is in the midst of a 10-game winning streak.

Texas Tech (13-5) most recently lost, 73-70, at Baylor on Jan. 13. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma and Kansas State and sits at 2-1 in the conference. Senior guard Jarrius Jackson, an All-Big 12 first team selection last season, leads the Red Raiders in scoring with 20.8 points per game. Jackson has attempted 91 three-pointers this season and has converted 46 of them (50.5 percent). Senior guard Martin Zeno averages 16.4 per game.

Texas Tech coach Bob Knight most notably earned his 880th victory on Jan. 1, making him the winningest coach in NCAA history. Knight currently has 882 coaching victories.

Comments

saad007 (anonymous) says...

Brandon Rush!! what the heck Mr preseason all-american!!

January 20, 2007 at 4:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

maury (anonymous) says...

we didn't show up to play today..plain and simple.....and for all you self-haters out there....our problem is not a coaching problem.....I can't honestly say I don't know what the problem is...but it with the players...cause there was a few times today..the look on self's face had the look of coach who said fine guys, you don't want to do what I ask....then get your butt kicked....cause that's what happened today..we got our asses kicked..and maybe this is what these kids need...maybe they need a little butt kicking to get to pissed off and get their crap together.....cause at this rate we ain't gonna get to a final four.....we have enough talent to get out of the first round...but past that who the hell knows.......I'll keep rooting for them hard...I'll never stop cheering..but this is just the observations that I am seeing......of course that's just my view on it..I could be wrong.

January 20, 2007 at 4:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kc_wildfire (anonymous) says...

If you blame Rush you might as well start blaming Wright, Chalmers, etc. No one played near their ability today. Defense was extremely poor. Offense was tentative and no one took outside attempts to try and pull Tech out of the lane. So much for our outside game being better.

January 20, 2007 at 4:58 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ophawks (anonymous) says...

Sasha is completely worthless in this game. He cant gaurd Dora beyond the arc and cant even hold on to a rebound.

January 20, 2007 at 4:58 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

saad007 (anonymous) says...

I can't believe that these kids need an ass kicking to be motivated! that's pathetic! that's not the attitude of winners!
u know what though, i agree with u "maury" on the fact that it is the players' fault, but u can't totally relieve the coach, because after all, the coach is getting paid to make sure his players are ready for every game!

January 20, 2007 at 5:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

adky (anonymous) says...

Self is done. LOSER!

January 20, 2007 at 5:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

cms (anonymous) says...

Jesus, Self has GOT to go. Losing to Bobby hurts, really hurts.

January 20, 2007 at 5:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

can we ever win a game against a sh!!!y oppenent on the road? someone needs to step up and take over...collins is a freshman and he's playing like a senior. wright hasn't done squat lately along with chalmers...i'd run their asses til they puke

January 20, 2007 at 5:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ophawks (anonymous) says...

Well if we got a rebound in that last minute on that long 3 point miss, we more then likely win. At least we fought back and made it a close game. And I think you got it wrong who is the loser, its not Self, you're the loser for getting on this every time we lose and blaming it on him. Be a real fan and support your team/coach even when we lose. If not just jump off the bandwagon now because the real season is just getting started.
Rock chalk.

January 20, 2007 at 5:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

saad007 (anonymous) says...

no kidding!! how the hell do we expect to go past the first round if we can't beat a mediocre team!! This is another sad disappointing loss!
and i agree, collins is starting to live up to expectations, he needs more playing time so he'll be ready by tournament time.

January 20, 2007 at 5:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

trngchiefgary (anonymous) says...

A loss and everyone wants to blame Self. How many open shots did we make and how many open shots did an unranked Texas Tech team make?

If you want to blame Self, blame him for the kids he has recruited. They may be athlethic, but they are average basketball players. All year long opponents make open shots, we miss open shots.

At least this is not college football and we still can play our way in to the tournament and then see if we're worth anything.

While not popular with this list, we are probably about the 3rd best team (Texas AM, Texas, KU) in the Big 12..... a conference that is not that good.

When can still win the conference with this loss. Our we need to win our next two South road games starting with Baylor on Wednesday.

January 20, 2007 at 5:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fansincewilt (anonymous) says...

Do the refs not have the same playbacks as we do to judge their calls? How did they overrule that no-rim call? What was their basis for the call? It was clear that the ball didn't hit the rim. I think maybe these refs were intimidated by a coach the Big 10 got rid of. I'm sure ready for him to go back home. 20 free throws to 4. That's a little too obvious. I don't think the Jayhawks or their coach deserve all the blame for this loss. I do hope this doesn't do to them what it did to our team a couple of years ago.

January 20, 2007 at 5:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BigTamale (anonymous) says...

3 words: Rebounding & no heart

This game doesn't surprise me...I knew that it would end with the crowd rushing the court. For the 3rd straight game We played the other teams game.

The Freethrow situation tells the whole story...We had 2 trips to the line and they had 20 attempts. We basically didn't attack the rim...basically no offense.

With the exception of the last 3 minutes, we played with no consistency or passion.

Just like SAAD said: we needed an @ss whipping for motivation.

This is gonna be a LONG and Frustrating Season.

January 20, 2007 at 5:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

saad007 (anonymous) says...

if there were any positives tonight, it would be that late comeback, and the fight in collins! he's the future of this team!
i think a big flaw in our team is the lack of a dominant center, it puts too much pressure on the guards, don't u think?

January 20, 2007 at 5:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

speedy (anonymous) says...

i,m still not a self fan.....but if i were a recruit i would wonder about coming to ku after all of the neg. comments about self. the game was decided by a tipped rebound and a few other just not quite getting a loose ball. after watching ku for over 50 years i still have never seen a ku team play worth a hoot against a zone. just win at baylor guys!

January 20, 2007 at 5:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

maury (anonymous) says...

I agree that self needs to take some of the blame....and they were playing aganist one of the best coaches ever...but this game was lost by the players...not the coaching staff.....now...if I was coach self here is how I would fix this....I would get back to lawerence and call a team meeting....and I would say hey.....if you don't want to do what I say...show to play every day, every game....then leave...if you guys work hard and play together you can beat anybody you play....(see flordia game earilier in the year).....if I was self I would throw it down like that....and I would no problem benching anybody.

January 20, 2007 at 5:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Cornfed (anonymous) says...

Think losing to Knight hurts? We might get swept by Huggins.....

January 20, 2007 at 5:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says...

KU missed about 10 shots right by the basket. That is the player's fault. Self made them press and got them back in the game and tied it. They got the long rebound on the missed 3 pointer. Congrats to them.

However, the referring at TTU has sucked the last two times. We were playing 3-2 zone and with 5 secons left get called for a foul? what foul? 2 point there for Tech. They shot 20 free throws to our 4! Even when the refs replayed the shot clock violation they couldn't get it right.

KU played bad on offense, but way to fight back and tie it. Need to make lay ups. Refs suck. Classy Bob Knight at the end telling students to calm down to.

January 20, 2007 at 5:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kloag44 (anonymous) says...

ridiculous how everyone blames self for that loss when its the players that didnt show up to play, they played with no energy, no enthusiasm. except for the last 3-4 minutes they finally showed up and almost completed a great come back. now im not trying to make excuses because its obvious we didnt show up, but i think it was obvious that Tech did not win that game with out the help of the referee's

January 20, 2007 at 5:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

lee3022 (anonymous) says...

Too bad the KU defense was lost in the snowstorm and could not make the game. The offense was crippled and tried its best but giving up 48% shooting to Texas Tech and committing 20 personal fouls for 20 foul shots is unbelievable. Could this be a Bill Self team? Was he lost in the snowstorm also? Sorry display of mediocre basketball for KU. Texas Tech is a nice team but no way are they better than KU, home or away. Time for a gut check guys. If you hang your hat on defense you better play like it.

January 20, 2007 at 5:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

and one more thing...you can't blame self...he's not out there playing the game...yes he's the coach but he can't put the ball in the hoop for ya...players have to make plays and they had opportunities...just didnt convert. and i agree...the free throw situation is a little out of hand...seems like whenever ku plays a bad team the hit threes and make the lucky shots to win it...why can't ku ever get lucky and do that? and with kansas on their chest..everyone is out to get them so lay off self..he's a great coach...seems to be there is no real leader on the team which we need bad.

January 20, 2007 at 5:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

maury (anonymous) says...

On the other hand the season is not lost.....I am dissapponited after today...but we just need to dig in.....don't worry about this game and get back to work....we need to rebound better...and get more aggressive on offense, our defense will keep us in every game....we can still win the league, and get a good seed in the NCAA tourny...and for all you people out there...Tech is not a bad oppenent.......and there were quite a few upsets today.

January 20, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkjayhawk4ku11 (anonymous) says...

Self is done???? BS!!!!!
we just didnt play well im tired of hearing crap about self. Maybe he could have coached a little better, but we just didnt play well.

January 20, 2007 at 5:33 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkone (anonymous) says...

I think it is pathetic how everyone berates the team because they can't win every single game. I am not sure if you watched the game, but sometimes things don't go your way... questionable officiating, Dora with his usual career best game against KU.. but there is a long season to go. Stuff happens, get over it and quit whining about how bad our players and coach are. Either that or maybe you could try to coach or play on a team that never loses.....good luck with that.

January 20, 2007 at 5:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fansincewilt (anonymous) says...

Bill Self is our coach and these are our players. What is wrong with you guys? Coach Self is such a class act while Knight is a horrible role player for kids. Maybe he doesn't think he's a role player but there's no way not to be in his position. I'm proud of our coach and our players. I think we have a great deal here in Kansas. I surely wouldn't want some of the choices other universities in our conference have taken. My hat is off to Missouri for a great choice in coaches. I don't think Bob Knight is good for college basketball. I think every parent who really cares about the influence a coach might have on their child will choose a coach like Self every time. There's more to the game than having an undefeated season every year. If we can't handle a loss every once in a while, we are losers! We have a great team that will bounce back.

January 20, 2007 at 5:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BigTamale (anonymous) says...

the most frustrating part about this is that this will happen again!

Any suggestions on how to fix it?

Do we have a leaky pipe that can easily be fixed? Or is it a little more complex situation?

January 20, 2007 at 5:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkone (anonymous) says...

All fairweather fans please return to cheering for K-State...we don't need ya.

January 20, 2007 at 5:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

saad007 (anonymous) says...

these types of losses to unranked teams will cost us some seeds come march!
oh well, sh!t happens!
the players need to show up to every game the rest of the season if they wanna go past the first round!

January 20, 2007 at 5:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

saad007 (anonymous) says...

it would have been a great comeback though :)

January 20, 2007 at 5:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

estaboy (anonymous) says...

Yeah maybe the guys didn't play as well as they should have, and maybe Self didn't make some good play calls,

but the stripes took our fight and spirit away on this one. 20 chances to 4? I mean come on. Questionable calls questionable calls questionable calls... I wouldn't be the least been upset if Billy takes a game suspension or a fine to rip the ref's. Everyone gets a call wrong now and then, but I mean come on, this was unreal!

Personally I'm proud of the way we played and what we almost over came. Playing in their house, against their coach and against those ref's! And we almost won! Wow.

I blame the ref's, I'm not chalking this one up as an L quite yet.

Rock Chalk!

January 20, 2007 at 5:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jimjones (anonymous) says...

Another 'W' in Bobby Knight's win column. That is what's really disgusting. Too bad lightning didn't strike while Knight and Self were shaking hands. Div. I is level is definitely above Self's ability to motivate and coach.

January 20, 2007 at 5:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

Self needs to take all the blame for this game. Players attitudes reflect coaches attitude. I'm sick of tired of the little smirk Bill Self gives everytime we are down and things aren't going our way, especially to a mediocre teams. Instead of coaching he's looking for an execuse of why his team is not playing well. Players pick up on this and they were completely perplexed all the way through this game except the last 3:36 seconds of this game. I knew this game would come down to the wire b/c we were out of routine when we had to come into Lubbock a day early. I don't know, but I think the kids got lazy on their extra day of leizure. There's nothing that irritates me more than coming out of timeout with 5:15 left in the game down by 12 and we come out in a freakin zone. a freakin zone. An entire possession took place and 1:00 minute came off the clock before we decided to pick up full-court and put the pressure defense on. I thought we were making progress, but this team gets all jacked up for big games and takes the night off against sub-par teams. I would like us to blow out mediocre teams. I don't understand why these kids do not have a killer instict. I wonder where they get that type of attitude? hmmmmmm!

January 20, 2007 at 5:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ProfPC (anonymous) says...

Seeding should be the least of worries right now, this team looks inconsistent enough for an early exit in the NCAA tourney again. Unlike other well coached teams, this team just stands around or tries to go one on one on offense much too often. Self must take the blame - he is the guy who leads the program and leaders must get their teams ready for battles. He makes a million bucks, not the kids. And this is not an isolated instance, KU has been inconsistent in most wins also. From a broader perspective, I have not seen one guy who has improved year after year at KU while Self has been heading the program. Objectively, if I am a recruit's family I would think twice about sending them to KU. I hope I am wrong in my assessment. It is frustrating to see KU slip in basketball, about the only major sport in which they have had a top calibre product consistently over time.

January 20, 2007 at 5:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

karmaxs3 (anonymous) says...

I can't believe more people haven't commented on the refs...even the announcers on ESPN, who usually do a good job of staying neutral, knew what was up. It's hard for a team to keep intensity and enthusiasm for the game when they're being called every possession for nonexistent fouls. Even so, they almost came back and won it. Let Bob have his handed to him win~we will have March.

January 20, 2007 at 5:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkone (anonymous) says...

ProfPC, I hope your not really a teacher cause if my kid is a basketball player good enough to come to KU I am going to push him in that direction for the quality education.

January 20, 2007 at 5:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mcoan (anonymous) says...

1. Kahn's tip in for TTech
2. Kahn running around at the top of the key on offense instead of planting himself 6' in front of the basket and calling for the ball.
3. The wrongly-called non-24 sec. violation
4. Lack of rebounding
5. Poor (but not miserable) shooting
6. Jacking up 3's at the worst possible time.
7. Knight outcoached Self. He had his players much more ready to play. He adjusted to KU and we didn't adjust to his defense in the paint in the first half.

Still plenty of other chances for losses this season. Mizzou, KSU, etc.

January 20, 2007 at 6 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

Execuses, Execuses, Execuses, when it comes to people blaming the refs. Losers blame refs. when you're not motivated to play and you allow your mediocre opponent to stay in the game, bad things happen. Calls did not go our way, but our play and coaching allowed that to happen. The only consistent thing we have with this team are bad losses. I need not to name teams for my absoulte distaste of that topic.

January 20, 2007 at 6:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

voygr1 (anonymous) says...

Disapointingloss yes but want I would like to see is the Journal step up and state it like it is Refereeing in the Big 12 is horrible. Hooker threatning Self in the last minutes when they make bad call after bad call!!! Come on Keegan step up and tell it like it is Self cant speak out but the press can!!! Or will you get suspended by baig 12 as well...I am really tired of conferences putting gags on coaches what happened to freedom of speech...Did we play poorly YES But so did HOOKER and ROSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 20, 2007 at 6:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ku98 (anonymous) says...

Come on, guys, no need to panic. We were on the road, we did not play well, we suffered from a lot of questionable calls from the refs, we were down by 12 with 4 minutes to play, and yet we almost won.
I am not worried. OK, we probably won't get a #1 seed in March, but I don't think it matters anyway. The guys know we lost in the first round two years in a row. They will play hard in the tournament. I have faith in our players and our coaching staff. Rock Chalk.

January 20, 2007 at 6:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fansincewilt (anonymous) says...

I agree with ku98. A season is a long time. I think we're getting our bad games out of the way early. These are great players with a great coach. They will come through in the end.

January 20, 2007 at 6:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

estaboy (anonymous) says...

Loser's blame the ref's? How can you not blame the ref's? I wouldn't call myself a loser. Hell, especially after seeing the replay on the shot clock non-violation! Did you see that one "kushaw?" Frankly, its impossible to get motivated and play with heart and passion when the guys in stripes keep taking it away on bad calls. I normally would never blame a ref for a loss, I didnt in our last 2 losses, but this one I certinaly have to!

That was a joke on the part of the stripes... I really would like to see a reporter or more importantly Self step up and give the Big 12 some heat. Not only for KU's sake, but for any other team that gets this team of stripes.

Disagree or agree, either way the game is a loss, and that wont change, but I hardly blame Self or the players for this one.

Rock Chalk!

January 20, 2007 at 6:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

aledell (anonymous) says...

Quote from ProfPC: "It is frustrating to see KU slip in basketball..." Ok, I understand this was a bad loss, but since when did we "slip" in basketball? We've lost three games we had no business losing this season, and otherwise, we'd be undefeated. Let's see, is anyone else in the country undefeated? Oh yeah, NO! Do most teams have more than three losses? YES!

Here's my point: we aren't going to win every game! Can we please get over that and especially NOT crucify Bill Self after every loss. This is one of the elite basketball programs in the country. And if we were to fire Self, who exactly would we hire? Yeah, exactly. Any candidate that could even possibly be better is at a job they'll never leave.

January 20, 2007 at 6:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

voygr1 (anonymous) says...

HEy Tom Keegan how do we contact the Big 12 and give them our comments!!! Maybe thats the only way we will get their attention...Its Like Stanly Reynolds is back we all remember him...So how do we send a message to the big 12 Tom?? Please let us know and we the fans will send the message!!!!!!!!! big 12 uses incompetent basketball referees

January 20, 2007 at 6:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kc_wildfire (anonymous) says...

I can't believe how many people are blaming the refs. Did they make a few bad calls? Yes.

Did the refs not box out one of the smallest players on the court in the last minute or so? No, that was KU's fault.

Did the refs forget to guard Jackson in the last minute? Nope.

I thought KU fans were above blaming losses and / or poor performances on the refs. How about we just call it what it was...a loss because KU failed to execute some basic fundamentals in the final minutes; a loss because of KU's lack of an attacking offense in 3/4 of the game.

I also agree with what someone else posted previously in that the lack of a true and consistent interior player has hurt KU ever since Simien left. A rebounding machine...someone who will fight for the board.

Just my opinion...I'm ready for the next game to get this bad taste out of my mouth though.

January 20, 2007 at 6:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

Focus, Determination, Motivation, desire, game plan, execution, etc., etc. all have to be enhanced and multiplied when you play on the road. It's a given you're going to have face some type of adversity when you play on the road, but when you don't do any of the above, than other factors come into play and components such as certain calls from the refs are magnified to great proportions. Again, most people and yourself included, estaboy, are looking for execuses why the Hawks didn't play well. Players and Coaches have to blame themselves for everything that I mentioned above.

January 20, 2007 at 6:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

estaboy (anonymous) says...

kushaw and whomever else, I'm not saying KU executed or played well today, but with the way the ref's called it, I'm a little upset!

I completely agree with ya kushaw, we need all the traits you mentioned, and didnt have them today and have lacked them most of the season, but gosh darn those ref's were extra bad today. When I saw the kids play in Depaul, I blamed them for the loss, when I saw them up at Iowa State I'd blame the kids had they lossed. But today, I just can not find it in my heart to squarely place the blame on them or Self.

I have to blame the ref's. Yeah I think our boys lack all desire to win, fight and slaughter teams on the road and many times at home, but today on top of that lack of the above mentioned, the ref's have to be blamed in my opinion.

I'm not looking to blame the ref's alone, at least I'm not trying to. We didn't make shots, we didn't rebound, the end clearly showed we lost the game on our own, but just the 20 free throws to 4 free throw stat to me, is just out of hand (although odds are had we had more chances we would have missed them as history shows sadly.)

Plain and simple, KU lost the game, but I don't think the ref's helped. That better? Can anyone agree with that?

January 20, 2007 at 6:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jonas (anonymous) says...

Haha! Gotta love the "Dammit, what do we have to do in order to (insert paraphrase) "not ever lose EVER!?!?"

I've studied the game very carefully, and some of you may be interested to note that, in addition to KU, there was an entire other team that came onto the court, as well. That team, interestingly enough, played a pretty good game.

January 20, 2007 at 6:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

NO

January 20, 2007 at 6:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

calstones (anonymous) says...

this win wont really do anything for this team. you would think the losses to oral roberts and depaul would have woken them up but obviously it didnt...this team is at best a 3 seed for the tourney and will be one and done again or two and done. I blame self this game for not knowing what defense to play against tech and also for not switching up the offensive gameplan. I blame the players for a lack of fire and intensity...every team will be fired up to play KU...why cant we be fired up to play them?

January 20, 2007 at 6:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kstrebor (anonymous) says...

nice try guy's.

January 20, 2007 at 6:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

estaboy (anonymous) says...

Haha, so kushaw? I guess KU and Self in your opinion just aren't good? Is that what you're saying?

I think probably the best, well put comment I've seen on here since the L has to go to Jonas. What you said simply put is the truth whether anyone wants to believe it or. Good one bud.

Well everyone, the L is here, the game is over, and the night is upon us. Baylor better be prepared though, hopefully the boys will be looking for blood this week!

Rock Chalk and goodnight everyone!

January 20, 2007 at 7 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

isolve4x (anonymous) says...

Does anyone need to be reminded of how many losses we had in '88? Teams lose, get over it. Even Roy's #1 boys lost last weekend! What makes a loss a bad thing is when you don't learn anything from it. Frankly, I'd rather lose a game at THIS point in the season than in March! You have to admit that we were well scouted for this game, Bob Knight isn't exactly new at this! We didn't ever really seem in sync tonight, and I have to give credit to TTU for being ready. It might have helped us, too, if we had more than 13 fans there!

I would really like to see Julian step back into the leadership role that he displayed against Florida, calling an impromtu players only team meeting and taking charge! He's so much better than he's displayed the last several games. Hat's off to Sherron, though, he's the man right now!! Keep it up!

The only thing I am going to say about the officiating is that you have to play well enough to beat your opponent even if a few calls don't go your way! We'll have better days, you guys are still a lot of fun to watch!

January 20, 2007 at 7:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ku98 (anonymous) says...

I don't understand why so many of you get all upset about today's loss. Is it disappointing? Yes, of course, but come on, we played like cr*p and we almost won.
Also, do I need to remind you guys that #1 Florida lost a game to Florida State, that #2 Wisconsin lost to Missouri State (!!), that #4 UNC lost to Virginia Tech so far this year. Let's not panic. We lost. So what? We will get a #3 or #4 seed in March. We'll have to beat good teams to win the championship. I believe they will make all of us proud in March/April.

January 20, 2007 at 7:08 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KWufan (anonymous) says...

Okay, guys here is the deal. Officiating in every conference sucks right now, period. Too many games have I seen absolutely horrendous calls in close games this year, some sort of instant replay has to be available to correct obviously terrible calls. That did not cost us the game, all the close in missed shots did. Brandon Rush, please read this. When you shoot any close shots you are short arming them. Use your entire release point, watch the tapes of all the short missed shots you take and you will see the pattern. Easy to correct that. Everybody else on the team its the same thing. We have some small little things to clean up right now to win games. Overall, no big deal, you win some lose some, Tech played smart, beat our double teams too many times. And please, guards instead of bailing out guys down low with a foul, let our bigs block the shot. For the love of god, I see way too much overhelping on D, and yes in my opinion overhelping leads to open shots against a team that is playing a smart game like Tech did today. One more thing I see wrong, no fun at all. I understand there is alot of pressure to live up to the Kansas name, but Darrell, I see that frustrated face on you again, jeez I'm gonna hit the damn TV and break it. Have fun guys, please, that's all I want to see.

January 20, 2007 at 7:08 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

thehawkster (anonymous) says...

I just wanna say I am going to get drunk tonight so that way I don't have to remember the game today. Then tomorrow I can move on and get ready to watch the Baylor game.

January 20, 2007 at 7:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

KU98: I totally disagree with your last comment. You were right in listing all the teams that have given the top programs across the counrty one or two losses. But you seem to forget that KU is one of the elite programs in the country and the only team from which you mentioned above that has lost the last two years in the freakin first round. Even though we're KU we have lost a lot of Respect Nationally. Teams, even mediocre teams, don't mind the fact that their playing KU. They know they can beat us. Let me remind you that our losses include, Oral Roberts, Depaul, and Texas Tech. Even though we have 3 losses, our losses our bigger than most b/c of our recent history. We need to win these games to get a higher seed to take a little bit of the pressure off. If we get #3, #4, or #5 seed, orget about it, we won't make it passed the second round.

January 20, 2007 at 7:29 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ku98 (anonymous) says...

kushaw, you wrote "We need to win these games to get a higher seed to take a little bit of the pressure off". Don't you think that, because we are an elite program and we lost in first round these past two years, there will be pressure no matter what seed we get? We lost to 3 teams we should have beaten, but we also have quality wins about the defending champions, Boston College (a good ACC team), and Oklahoma State.
That team is somewhat unpredictable, but I think we will be ok.

January 20, 2007 at 7:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

iahawkfan (anonymous) says...

I think we should just lose more games to unranked teams, so we can get a worse seed in March. It seems like we play well against good teams, so why not get a 6 or a 7 seed and then play against better teams. That way we dont run into Bucknell or Bradley again.

January 20, 2007 at 7:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

johnsont1 (anonymous) says...

Self coached a great game. The zone strategy was perfect, although he should have been running it the whole game. TTU's big guys would just clear and there would be no one to guard the interior. Sasha Kaun guarding the wings just doesn't work. He got us back and the players are to blame for not boxing out and picking up defensive assignments (russell robinson!!!!!!!) Props to Coach Self, I don't think anyone could have done a better job under the conditions (The refs were definitely biased in favor of TTU). Every team has their bad losses, and this is only number three, our record against ranked opponents is like 2 or 3-0. Don't be stupid guys, how pointless is it to say that Rush sucks and Self should fired when we are ranked above over 300 teams and he just signed a new contract. Come one, be realistic guys!

p.s. although it would be nice to start sherron collins and make him and kaun take all of the shots.

January 20, 2007 at 8:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Thomomys1 (anonymous) says...

I get tired of people complaining about the players. Bill Self's half quart offense is attrocious. His Illinois teams made their leap to the Final Four after he left because they opened up their offense. The Hi-Lo is a terrible offense. Today, he got out-coached, did not work the refs (20 to 4 free throws...and yes, I understand the home cooking we get at Allen Fieldhouse), and didn't match their small line-up on the outside.

For a variety of reasons, KU lacks a go-to scorer and an ability to take over games...this is coaching. KU plays to the level of its competition...that's coaching. i understand we have a young team still. This team may make a run to the Final Four, but they could just as likely lose in the First Round again.

January 20, 2007 at 8:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

KU98: We are in a different situation from other top programs in the country b/c of our failures the past two years. Sure, I would be more confident once we get to the elite 8, final 4, Championship game than I would us playing in the first, second, and Sweet 16 rounds. The kinds of teams we have trouble with and the ones we will be playing in the first 3 rounds of the tourney if we get a #3 or lower seed is the Nevada's, Bucknell's, Bradley's, Depaul's, Richmond's, Oral Robert's type teams. I'm not overly worried when we play good teams, b/c we have at least shown that we rise to the level of play of top programs over the last couple of years. Let's forget about Villanova 2 1/2 years ago and Texas last year. My point is we have to figure out how to beat these lower caliber teams b/c those are the type of teams we will be playing early on in the tournament. The only way to take the pressure off is to beat these type of teams.

January 20, 2007 at 8:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

I dont dislike Self, but when we are down and he's sitting on the bench with no fire complaining to the assistants, I have to wonder whats going on in his mind. Thats when he needs to be up yelling! Attitude reflects leadership. I wanted to see some fire out of the players. Tonight they didnt have any, maybe because there was none in Coach Self. He has GOT to get these guys motivated to play. The truth is it just takes one game like this is March to be gone. gone! You have to get up for every game regardless. Usually I am defending Self. Tonight he's gotta accept some responsibility for the sluggishness. If the guys are sluggish, do a wholesale substitution a la Roy Williams. Make them sit on their asses! And when they are there ignore the game for about two minutes (chronological time), take your jacket off, and use a few choice words that the FCC wouldnt allow on here. Make em ride the pines! Our play was as cold and icy inside of the Spirit Center as it was outside. This is a pathetic performance tonight.

January 20, 2007 at 8:33 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

Jross: Excellent point. What's wrong with Darnell, Morningstar, Case, Steward, and Kleinmann coming in for a minute or a minute and half to prove a point. Roy use to do that every now and then and it always sparked the main players. These players need to understand that everything shouldn't just be handed to them. Great point JRoss.

January 20, 2007 at 8:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

I think thats exactly what he should have done. Play the scrubs!!!! The idea is that if the starters arent going to play with any fire, you could put the bench warmers in and they can do that just fine, thank you very much!

January 20, 2007 at 8:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says...

I saw Self with fire in his ass! Its not the damn coaches job and priority to come out and light a fire in these players asses every single game. It should be repititve! Its the damn players faults. Tell me this jross, what would have happened if self would've gotten a t? That would have put is in a bigger bind than we were in! I agree with playing the bench, but you have to look at the situation and say, can the bench, even with a fire in them, play better than the starters with no fire? I dont think so. These players need to grow the f@#$ UP!!!!!!!!!

January 20, 2007 at 9 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkAZ (anonymous) says...

Bad game, but it's the first time in 11 games that they didn't find a way to win. It happens. They played great the last 3 or 4 minutes, and at least they showed some fire when crunch time came. They could have layed down and been done down 12 with 5 minutes left, but they didn't. They chose to fight back. It was a little too late, but you can't fault the effort at the end. Even with losses, you can't just look at the negatives. Take the florida game: KU played no better or no worse had Brewer's 3 pointer at the end of overtime gone in. People just seem to forget all the bad things because they got the W. I think every team gets a bad game once every 11. And TT is not a bad team, so let's move on. 15-1 in big 12, how 'bout it!!! I really think they can do it.

January 20, 2007 at 9:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Midwest013 (anonymous) says...

Did I miss something?

Can Anybody Tell Me Where's Darnell Jackson??

January 20, 2007 at 9:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

merrill (anonymous) says...

Bobby Knight is a good coach. He has put Texas Tech on the map. Any big twelve team should understand no game will be a cake walk. Play your best or lose.

January 20, 2007 at 9:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NavyHawk (anonymous) says...

Possibly the best former college football coach, Lou Holtz, used to really get on his players when they made a dumb mistake...when they had a big lead. You know what he did when they tried hard but made a mistake when they were behind? He'd pat the player on the behind and tell him "nice try... keep it up!"

Bill Self's smile today was not meant to show his players he wasn't interested. He was. I think he knew they were trying but were once again playing with a target on their back (both TT and the refs).

You know your day is not going to go well when your center succesfully tips the ball away from the opposing player only to have it go through the other team's goal!

January 20, 2007 at 9:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KWufan (anonymous) says...

Midwest, the reason you don't know where Darnell Jackson is he has no go to post move. Going strong to the hoop against taller players doesn't get you the foul call anymore. Jump hook would be a nice move to have in the arsenal cause he aint jumpin over anyone. By the way, how does Mario foul a pretty large and much fatter Daryl Dora when Dora is setting the screen on offense and moves while he's doing it. Horrible, shame on you Big 12 for allowing these officials to work in the conference. The shot clock no call should get them a suspension and lost money, maybe then they will actually try to correct a blown call. Big 12 got the Oklahoma refs suspended in the football game against Oregon after that travesty, why not these duecebags as well.

January 20, 2007 at 10:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KWufan (anonymous) says...

Crap, I spelled dueche wrong, oh well. Ya'll get my point. Now let me go cry in some spilt rum and coke.

January 20, 2007 at 10:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Let's see, I said the MU game was a very bad sign, because KU barely beat a rebuilding team shooting 23% from trey.

I said I wasn't sure what game KU would bring against Texas Tech, but I said if it brought its C game it would lose by 5.

KU brought its C game and Texas Tech beat KU by...drum roll please...5.

Four problems stand out about this game.

1. KU only got to the foul line 4 times. Question: How can this be explained, except by Bob Knight having the referees buffaloed as usual? Yes, yes, I know KU wasn't very agressive and didn't penetrate much against TTech's packing of the inside. But TTech fouls with push and shove constantly. KU is still very quick even when KU is confused or not playing all that hard. If KU meets TTech again, expect Self to work the referees much harder.

2. Rush's midrange game continues to deteriorate. He was 2-8 inside the three point stripe. Question: when is Self going to route Rush's midrange game to the big men; this is killing us.

3. Kaun killed us with underproduction--only 6 pts. and 1 rebound in 25 minutes. Question: how can a 6'11" 250 lb. center not randomly grab at least 4 rebounds in 25 minutes? Kaun needs a butt chewing about blocking out, and when a guy is this unproductive, why wasn't Arthur or Darnell Jackson getting more minutes? Darnell only got 4 minutes, not enough even though he did go 0-2 in 4 minutes?

4. Chalmers disappeared for the second straight game. Question: What is wrong with Chalmers? This smells like an injury no one is talking about. If not an injury, then is Mario upset about Collins becoming a scoring point guard taking away Mario's attempts? Chalmers seems fed up with something, either way.

This loss to TTech is the reality check KU avoided against MU, because of MU's lousy trey shooting. KU now gets to come back and pound three weak teams in a row in Baylor, CU, and NU, before having to play another good team in Texas A&M. They can take this three game stretch to live in denial about their problems, or use them as breathing room to work to find answers to their problems. If they play A&M without solving these problems, they're likely to get beat again. After that they get 7 weak teams (ksu, mu, cu, nu, ksu, isu, ou) before meeting UT March 3rd. This is the kind of weak schedule of competition that could easily tempt them into thinking they don't need to solve their problems to win the conference. That would be too bad, because that would mean that they would enter the tournament with unsolved weaknesses and be very susceptible to getting clubbed quickly in the Madness...AGAIN. Playing a strong nonconference schedule is the only way to stay grounded in reality when the B12 when is this down. If KU doesn't, it gets a false sense of security, something deadly in the Madness.

January 20, 2007 at 10:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KWufan (anonymous) says...

Good point dude, like I said in my first comment, we just need to correct some really small details like blocking out. Just cause your 6'11 doesnt mean you'll get every rebound, Charles Barkley is a good example of that. Guys just need to watch some video to see what they are doing wrong, we'll be fine. By the way, what' happend to the WSU bandwagon I saw on here a month or so ago, hire Turgeon over Bill my ass, ha ha ha

January 20, 2007 at 10:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

notabandwagon...

I dont care if scrubs play better or not! If the starters arent going to play with heart, bench em on principle!

And no, Self lacked fire for a lot of the game and at critical moments, too.

Sorry!

January 20, 2007 at 10:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayloco (anonymous) says...

I wonder what Jim Mora would say if he were our coach? "Final Four? What?! Final Four!? Are you kidding me?! Final Four?!" I freely admit that I questioned Self's coaching ability early on this year vs. ORU and DePaul, but now I see that isn't the problem. Bottom line is that these guys don't have a killer instinct and seem to have a bad knack or inability to play consistently throughout a game. People dogging on Sasha and DJ, I can understand your frustrations, but TT basically dared us to beat them from the outside and we could not do it. Not sure if it was just one of those days, but it seems like "one of those days" is coming far too often. This team is winning on talent alone. For all the talk of our great defensive prowess, I saw way too many breakdowns in the final seconds of possessions on defense today that led to Texas Tech points. C'mon fellas, stick with it the whole way.

The bright points? Collins is hitting his stride and developing confidence as a player. We fought back hard to get in this game. Just couldn't make it all the way back. Damn, if we would have just got that rebound on Dora's 3 pt. attempt.

By the way, who the hell does Darryl Dora think he is? I mean this kidding by all means, but he made me want to brave a winter storm and snipe his ass. Killer when a guy who avgs. 5 points a game steps up and puts 19 in you. Very similar to the ORU player who did much the same earlier this season with the 6 or 7 threes when he hit all of about 3 or 4 in his career.

Bottom line is that you have to question this team's ability to play fundamentally sound team basketball. People have complained all year about this team's inconsistent plays and tendency to play down to their competition. I don't know, but I got a bad feeling that this team is headed for another tough March. I want to believe in my heart they can make it to at least St. Louis(if we stay in the Midwest bracket), but my head tells me to put my money on the negative side of that bet.

What a roller coaster season this has turned out to be. I guess the one thing you can say is that it looks like most if not all of the guys are turning into locks to be back next year.

January 20, 2007 at 10:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkAZ (anonymous) says...

15-1...You heard it here first. The only teams that should even compete with KU the rest of the way are A & M and UT. And I don't think that a ranked team will win in AFH. I don't expect KU to lose to any more teams they shouldn't be losing to, maybe the exception being MU cause of the rivalry. But still, I say 15-1!! Maybe a loss in the finals of the conference tournament, then off to Atlanta! Maybe all that is a little far-fetched, but let's stay optimistic people, there's still a long ways to go.

January 20, 2007 at 10:33 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayloco (anonymous) says...

I also hate to blame referees, but when the refs blow a call on the shot clock, get Mario for a VERY cheap foul late in a possession and in the game, AND we get all of 4 free throw attempts, that is one sided refereeing to say the least. Again, not saying that is why KU lost, but there were some pretty key mistakes made in officiating. How could they not tell that the 35 second clock situation, that the ball definitely did not hit rim. ESPN announcers gave them a pass saying they may not have had all the angles, but it seemed pretty damn clear that ball came no where near touching rim on either of TT's 2 shot attempts.

January 20, 2007 at 10:33 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayloco (anonymous) says...

rockchalkAZ- I like your spirit, but alas, many of us Beakers will remain extremely, cautiously, optimistic of a successful run in the tournament.

January 20, 2007 at 10:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NavyHawk (anonymous) says...

Say what you want about refs not being the difference in a game. Compare this game to the OSU/UT game where the refs let them play. OK, Byron Eton fouled out in regulation, but overall, it was a well played, well called game where both teams were allowed to play without undue stoppage.

In this game, the refs let too many fouls, particularly baseline blocks by TTech go uncalled. It took two fouls on the same play for the ref to finally call one (even the announcers remarked on that).

These things unfortunately can take the aggressiveness out of a trapping defense or a strong rebounding team, as well as force a team to stop trying to go inside to the big man (Kaun). Bob Knight definitely has an intimidating effect on refs.

Chalmers was fouled by Jackson on making the deciding basket. Sure, Kansas was caught with its pants down on the play, but Mario was set before Jackson ran into him. On home court or neutral that call would have been a charge 8 out of 10 times.

As for going undefeated in the Big 12, with all the talent out there, anyone who thinks KU or A&M or anyone else will or would have gone undefeated in league play, is not being realistic. NC lost to lowly VT after being down by a huge margin and nearly pulling it out. But they still lost! By the way, I don't recall seeing Roy throw off his coat and yelling at his players to get them back in the game. He just let them play.

January 20, 2007 at 10:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkAZ (anonymous) says...

Haha, yes i completely undertand the cautiousness. My diagnosis: easy lay-ups and Sasha's left hand. Fix both of those and we are good to go.

January 20, 2007 at 10:39 p.m. ( |