Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Creamed corn

Wright beastly in rout

By Gary Bedore

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Lincoln, Neb. — Brandon Rush knew beleaguered Kansas University basketball teammate Julian Wright would play inspired basketball Monday night.

"He was walking around the hotel saying he was gonna go into 'Beast Mode,'" Rush said of Wright's demeanor Monday morning in a hallway of the Cornhusker Marriott. "He did. He sparked the whole team."

Wright, who was ridiculed on ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" show Monday for his botched breakaway slam-dunk try in Saturday's home rout of Colorado, scored KU's first eight points and finished with 17 in the Jayhawks' 76-56 victory over Nebraska in Devaney Center.

Wright scored 13 points and Rush 12 in KU's amazing 43-8 game-opening run.

"It happens. It comes and goes," Wright said of 'Beast Mode.' "It's just focus, being aggressive but playing within the system."

Wright, who hit five of 10 shots and six of six free throws in 26 minutes, said he wasn't trying to make up for the botched slam in the CU game.

"I am not big on that. You make good plays, and you make bad plays," Wright said. "I've been practicing pretty well. I was ready. I was in position to make baskets. We were able to penetrate and pitch out tonight."

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KU vs Nebraska

Rush, who finished with 20 points off 7-of-13 shooting, said his buddy Wright wasn't devastated by all the attention the botched CU slam received in the press.

"He was laughing about it," Rush said.

KU coach Bill Self, who credited Wright for helping the Jayhawks storm to the early, insurmountable 35-point lead (KU led 43-16 at halftime and was never threatened), said Wright had nothing to prove Monday.

"The media and everybody else makes a big deal out of him making a bad play," Self said. "Saturday wasn't tough. You guys probably made it tougher than what it was."

Wright had seven rebounds on a night KU outboarded the Huskers, 47-21, but he wasn't perfect.

His flashy no-look pass that resulted in a dunk on the other end cost him the final nine minutes of playing time. Yes, he was removed from the game with 9:09 left and KU up, 70-44, never to return.

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2006-07 Jan. 29 KU-NU Hoops

"We harped on all our guys. I will not talk (just) about Julian," Self said. "Basketball is more fun to play and for people to watch when you make easy plays. It's my opinion, and I don't think I'm going to change much."

Wright accepted the discipline.

"Coach stresses making the easy pass. I have to learn from that and value the ball better," Wright said.

Self also yanked Rodrick Stewart late for trying an ill-advised spectacular one-handed slam that clanged.

"I didn't think there was a play there to be made," Self said. "I have a hard time letting things go. It's how I coach and always will coach."

Those two glitches came on a near-perfect night.

KU in the first half had a 27-0 run. The Huskers didn't score a field goal from 16:09 to the 2:26 mark. Jay-R Strowbridge finally ended the drought with a hoop "cutting" the gap to 39-8.

"The first 17 minutes, the crowd was quiet," Rush said. "They were happy they made a shot at the end. They were cheering, going crazy for no reason. I thought it was funny."

It was so lopsided KU's fans were doing the "Rock Chalk Chant" early in the second half, though NU woke up and actually outscored the Jayhawks by 15 points after KU had built the 35-point advantage.

KU shines on defense in rout over Nebraska

In a game which saw the Nebraska Cornhuskers go without a single point for over 13 minutes of game-play, KU earned another victory in the Big 12.

NU outscored KU, 40-33, the second half.

"We played great early. It's as well as you can execute. It's about the best 17 minutes a team can play or we can play," Self said.

"We ran well, did a lot of things well. Then we lost a little focus. Our guys were loose, and Nebraska played hard and shot well the second half."

Darrell Arthur hit five of seven shots and joined Rush and Wright in double figures with 12 points and seven rebounds. Sherron Collins hit one of four threes on a night KU made eight of 21 to NU's 11-of-25 and finished with nine points.

NU's leading scorer, Aleks Maric didn't score in the first half and finished with nine points and six boards.

KU (19-3 overall, 6-1 Big 12) returns home to meet Texas A&M in an 8 p.m. tipoff Saturday. Nebraska fell to 12-8, 1-5.

KU vs. Nebraska

Comments

mojayhawk (anonymous) says...

I'm liking what we're seeing now. Would sure like to see Darrell more involved again. Maybe he needs to start again once in awhile to get back into the scoring mode?

March is just around the corner, and it's time for focus, focus, focus, and consistency, consistency, consistency.
The defense is spectacular when we play like we did the first half.

Keep it up guys! Rock Chalk Block'em Hawk!

January 30, 2007 at 4:49 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mitch (anonymous) says...

Wright said it best, "It's just focus, being aggressive but playing within the system." What more can you say? If the players will just listen to Coach Self and play within his system with focus, they will win. We're also far enough along in the season that quick benching of players for not listening, even if for a few minutes, will remind them of that simple rule. Go Self! Go Wright!! Go Rush!!! Go 'Hawks!!!!

January 30, 2007 at 6:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

shank11 (anonymous) says...

Things are progressing toward a team with a chance to go deep into the tourny. Would be nice to see A LOT less wasted possessions. Especially on fast breaks, where we still see too many poor shot selections taken on 1 on 2 or 2 on 3 situations. Last nights first half was a thing of beauty. As an older far#t and old school player am not impressed with the number of botched dunks and more so, the laughing attitude the team shows on the bench when someone embarrasses themselves and the team with an ESPN wannabee act. That behavior is not in line with Kansas Basketball tradition and Mr. Naismith's values of the game. Anyway, March is getting close, and this team is just beginning to play to its potential at times. Imagine this team with a Cole Aldrich in the middle dominating the boards:-) And if they would finally move the 3 point line out to NBA length this team would dominate even more. go hawks!

January 30, 2007 at 7:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayloco (anonymous) says...

I know that Nebraska's shooting woes played a big part, but that might have been one of the best halves of basketball I have ever seen for a KU team. We annihilated them on defense, took their rowdy crowd right out of the game from the start. Red out? More like a blackout for the Huskers. Wright said that the BEAST mode comes and goes, but he needs to make every effort to get into BEAST mode every game. He looked like a man on a mission.

Think Self calling the big men soft was his way of testing his players' manhood? They responded with a big rebounding night. Granted, NU lacks size so you would expect us to win the rebound battle, but it was very lopsided. Good effort from everyone last night and watching the NU fans sit in stunned silence was awesome. That is how you take someone out to the woodshed and put it on them.

You have to like what you see in these 3 "tune up" games. We plastered these teams like we were supposed to, and now we get to focus on A&M for the rest of this week. Hopefully, this is the start of a big run like we had towards the end of last year and into the BIG XII tourney. This time though, let's go deep in the NCAA's fellas. Good game Hawks.

January 30, 2007 at 8:03 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAHAWK (anonymous) says...

The defense in the first half was outstanding and we actually made some outside jumpers. Darrell has to play better for this team to go deep in the tourney. He does not look like the same player as he was early on, of course we weren't playing anybody either (except Florida). He needs more touches, but we have to look for him too. Our defense will get us possessions and we must capitalize on those. We are still too loose with the ball. Wright said it best, if this team takes care of the basketball, we will succeed. Nice job last night Hawks, now get ready for a team that can play some "D". Sasha, you have to be the man on Saturday. Your 7' tall, when you get the ball a foot away from the goal, tear the damn thing down. It's time for you to be a "beast".

January 30, 2007 at 8:08 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

quigley (anonymous) says...

I understand the lesson Coach, but dont get mad at Rodrick for trying to get nasty on that guy in the second half. He about did jump over that guy to dunk on him. I understand being mad about the turnover, but plays like that bring excitement to the team and confidence to the player involved. I think that Rodrick could use a little of that, not another few minutes on the bench for trying to do what any other player in the game would have done given the chance and athletic ability.

January 30, 2007 at 8:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayloco (anonymous) says...

That dunk would have been nasty had he been able to finish it.

January 30, 2007 at 8:49 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mlbowers (anonymous) says...

probably one of the best halves of basketball i have seen since the florida game. it was good to take that intensity on the road and get a big win. things that are still a concern for this team:

1. keeping the intensity through out the game
2. perimeter defense
3. show boating when we should just play simple ball

brandon rush has been hungary since the texas tech loss and collins has been hungary since he has gotten playing time. the rest of the team has been on and off. the jayhawks have got to remain hungary and focused for texas a&m and march. julian do you think you can be beastly more often? i like the bit they did on julian and bowling (espn), he is really making the most of his college experience.

January 30, 2007 at 9:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

chitownjayhawk (anonymous) says...

He was even close to dunk that ball, and he also shot two 3-pointers that barely hit the rim... all that in less than a minute. I was glad to see Coach Self yank him out for Brennan. We need to see that more on that team. Bone head play? You ride the pine for a while. Just like Self did with Julian with 9 minutes left. Our guys need to take better care of the basketball, and they need to understand that they will NOT play if they keep turning the ball over.
Good job, Coach!

January 30, 2007 at 9:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Coach_Eric (anonymous) says...

That series by Stewart...absolutely, positively sensational! Two bricked threes AND that dunk attempt! Talk about someone maximizing his opportunities! Damn right you should shoot everytime you touch the ball! Way to go Roderick, that was awesome! I laughed so hard I woke my fiancee up!

January 30, 2007 at 9:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAJayhawk5 (anonymous) says...

Suck it, Huskers! Those first 17 minutes were excellent. We took it to them (similar to how JimJones takes it to a jar of crunchy peanut butter) and didn't let up. Good tape to have as they get ready for March.

January 30, 2007 at 10:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

r1ck_jayhawk (anonymous) says...

I know I posted this at the end of Keegan's article. But that was before I read this one. I think it is more appropriate here, so I am positing it again...

Is it just me or do we as a fan base overlook the stupid stuff that Julian does when he scores more? I thought he would have learned his lesson about trying for the highlight reel after the debacle against Colorado. Last night, in the first half, he had a break away and still tried a fancy dunk and got it swatted out. Now, he did get fouled and made both free throws (thank God), but wouldn't the easiest thing have been a lay-up (like Russell does), make it and get the bonus shot? Then he does the stupid pass (while he was bringing the ball up the floor instead of getting it to a guard)! I think he really needs to figure out that he isn't in high school anymore and this isn't the Happy Meal game. C'mon Julian, pull your head out! They don't give points for style in the Final Four!

January 30, 2007 at 10:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Bigs were outrebounded again by Rush, Chalmers, and Robinson 20-19.

January 30, 2007 at 10:12 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kylecisnum1 (anonymous) says...

im liking the discipline im starting to see in this team!

January 30, 2007 at 10:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kutravis (anonymous) says...

"...two glitches came on a near-perfect night."

Personally, i think its great anytime you can get a win on the road in conference, but i would hardly call the win against nebraska "near-perfect". Maybe I'm just being greedy but it concerns me to see our team lacking that killer instinct at the end of the game. After being up by as much as 35 points, there is no excuse to allow a team like nebraska to cut the lead back to 20. If anything, i think it's more of a moral victory for nebraska rather than a perfect game, minus the "two gliches" for KU. I just hope we come out on fire against A&M and prove that we are the best team in the Big 12 and perhaps the country.

January 30, 2007 at 10:44 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

First of all, LAJayhawk5, that's classic

Second, there was a previous post mentioning the lack of perimeter defense. Well, when you double and triple team the post, that's going to leave some gaps outside. That was the gameplan and they stuck to it. Yes, I was getting a little aggravated by the wide open threes, but I'm not the coach.

Finally, r1ck_jayhawk, get off Julian. His dunk attempt in the first half did NOT get swatted. He clanged it off the back of the rim. He couldn't have layed it in. Didn't you read the article. Dude was in "beast mode." Let's see you lay it up when in "beast mode." Not that easy, my friend.

January 30, 2007 at 11:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawker00 (anonymous) says...

I didn't get to see the second half last night, so I didn't get to see Rodrick play. However, why shouldn't he go in and shoot the ball and try to make something happen? He doesn't get to play more than 2 minutes a game! And it isn't b/c of things like last night either. Remember earlier in the year he got more PT and played decent when he was in. Didn't make mistakes, didn't force shots, and played good D. Then Collins started getting more time and Rodrick went to the bench.
I'm not saying that Collins shouldn't be playing over Stewart. I think Collins is that tough guard who can drive to the basket that this team needs. I'm just saying don't jump on Rodrick for doing these things. If someone like Brennan (who I don't think should even be on the team) did this, everyone would be saying 'oh he was just trying to score, he never gets to play so we'll give him a break'

January 30, 2007 at 11:32 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bangaranggerg (anonymous) says...

Doc to Nebraska in the locker room at half time: "get 'r' done." That's why the second half was better, they came out ready to play after their halftime chewing tobacco break.

January 30, 2007 at 11:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

hawker00,
That all may be true, but Rodrick wasn't close on that dunk attempt. Quite comical. I'm sure he is frustrated by playing time, but it's a dog-eat-dog world. We don't need a 9-man rotation. Personally, I don't care if he goes out there and plays like that or not, as long as it's at the end of a game already in hand. Coach had to sit him, though, just as he would have sat anyone else playing like that.

Bangar,
I agree, they had ol' Larry pay a visit at halftime.

January 30, 2007 at 11:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Tuskin (anonymous) says...

Every night is a brilliant time to "turn it on." As a team, we seem so much better when Julian is in beast mode. He says, "It happens. It comes and goes." I hope he can find the switch to turn it on at every game.

January 30, 2007 at 12:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

brandon rush has been hungary since the texas tech loss and collins has been hungary ...

_________________________________________________________________

Personally, I think they've been yugoslavia, but that's just me ...

I find Julian's comment that "it comes and goes" to be quite concerning. It sounds like he doesn't even worry about the fact that he's not aggressive consistently. That is what is so aggravating about this team, that they can play like the best team in the world for 17 minutes and then sleep-walk the rest of the way. It's obviously not a big deal for this game, since the game was well in hand. But it is concerning that they still haven't played that one complete game where they show the killer instinct from beginning to the end. They just don't seem to learn from the past. And then Julian says, "I have to learn from (being benched) and value the ball better." Why hasn't he learned that before now? How many times does this have to happen before he stops trying to get on Sports Center?

Don't get me wrong, the first 17 minutes of this game were an absolute blast to watch, and the team definitely seems to be hitting its stride. But I just worry that they can turn it off again at a moment's notice.

January 30, 2007 at 12:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

quigley (anonymous) says...

He was close to making that dunk.....fun haters.

January 30, 2007 at 1:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

chitownjayhawk (anonymous) says...

He was no where close to dunking that ball. It was funny to watch, but it is even funnier to see that some readers actually think he was close.

January 30, 2007 at 1:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

cap10d (anonymous) says...

I know the refs havent been the greatest,but Ive never seen a player that doesnt start get in to foul trouble like Arthur does.Yes he had a good game,but once again he got in foul trouble(4 fouls in 17 minutes).Anyone else feel this way?Im happy we are winning but we will need him come march.Hopefully it will get better.Go HAWKS!

January 30, 2007 at 1:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

someone tell BigTamale and Argentinehawk that the myth can be put to rest about teams always getting up for Kansas and giving us their best shot. Nebraska gave Texas a better game. Sounds like Texas got Nebraska's best shot to me.

Anyway, I was at the game and it was absolutely amazing how loud the Huskers were but how soon they went quiet after the second TV time out when it was clear they were being manhandled by KU. You should have heard how Nebraska fans were ripping their own players! "Send (so-and-so player) back to Pittsburgh!!!" And, "God we can't do anything!!!" "Can we make a basket please???" They went nuts when they scored their first basket after a long drought in the first half. Some of the KU fans even cheered for them in good sportsmanship. Honestly, though. The fans in general admission were very gracious and even joked with us. They made several comments about how good we looked. The student section Nebraska fans were absolute @$$holes, though! I was taking pregame pictures under the basket very close to them and they were saying things to our players that could not be posted here. They even went so far as to insult Danny Manning's pro career while he was standing right there. Danny, to his credit, took it all in stride. He tensed his bottom lip and shook his head "yeah" confidently, as if to say "it's alright, go on". They really went to work on our subs Rodrick Stewart, Matt Kleinmann, and Jeremy Case. They taunted Julian for his missed windmill dunk (it's nice to know Nebraska fans are watching KU games though). Again, I've left out the language they were using but trust me: they HAVE to be the worst student section in the nation. Too bad they don't have the class of the rest of their fans.

Brandon sure looked smooth. All the guys looked like they were having fun. It was definitely a fun game to watch.

Argentine and BigTamale...I'm so glad you were wrong on this one. we did not get nebraskas best shot!

January 30, 2007 at 1:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Leprechaunking13 (anonymous) says...

Great first half!!!Mediocre second half, but when you blow out the team in the first 15 minutes I think you are allowed to give some slack and play the other team even the rest of the game, which is still not totally right since we took it to them for a good 25 or 30 minutes of that game. I can never understand how KU fans are so spoiled as to criticize this team for winning big against a team that they were supposed to. Also why is the missed dunk by Wright still being dissected? it happened get over it he had a phenomenal game last night praise him for it. How about talking about how Rush is playing like the All-American hes supposed to play like. And all this stuff with Arthur? No he hasn't been as effective as of late because we haven't needed him to be so anytime he's been slow on production Self can afford to take him out for someone who is putting up numbers, it allows him to develop at a comfortable rate while keeping the pressure off him, watch when we play Texas everyone will get to see that Durant is no better than Arthur Tejas just leans on him every night putting the pressure on him that we keep off of Arthurs shoulders. We all know that this team doesn't have any lottery picks for this year cept maybe B rush depending on how he finishes the season, so why don't we just get behind them riding the Big 12 on into the post season with great first halfs like last nights that make it game over for the opposing team in 25 minutes instead of dragging it out for 40 minutes.

January 30, 2007 at 1:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

quigley (anonymous) says...

chitown- have you ever even dunked a ball before?, do you know how hard it is to jump over a guy like that and get your hand even close to the goal?? In "Basketball" terms he was close to dunking it, try lowering a goal to 6 foot so you can try it.

January 30, 2007 at 1:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Leprechaunking13 (anonymous) says...

Texas may have gotten their best shot but Texas honestly isn't that good I'm really not sure why everyone thinks that they are. Yes Kevin Durant is a fantabulous freshman but he's just that a freshman, believe when I say that KU's bigs will tear him a new one and everyone will see how much he needs to be in the Lone Star state atleast another year.

January 30, 2007 at 1:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

Whoa.....
quigley, no one is saying Rodrick can't dunk. The point is, he was too far away laterally, not vertically. He threw the ball toward the rim. When he let go, he was still a good foot from the rim. He was not close to dunking. Period. And yes, I have dunked before.

Leprechaun, have you seen Durant play? Are you kidding me? Yes, Texas relies on him more, and rightfully so. He's the whole package. He's a 6'10" small forward, not a post. I hate to burst your bubble, but yes, he's better than Arthur right now.

January 30, 2007 at 1:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

cap10d (anonymous) says...

I disagree Lep,You say Arthur isnt playing as effective because we dont need him to be?C'mon man that makes no sense.He leads the team in fouls per minutes played.Arthur is a good player and will be a great player if he stays atleast another year or 2.Im not badmouthing the kid.Im a KU fan and I like his game but I just wish he could stay out of foul trouble and get more minutes.One thing though atleast he knows that,which is why he asked HCBS not to start.As far as comparing him to Durant,Im not even gonna go there.go hawks!

January 30, 2007 at 2:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

chitownjayhawk (anonymous) says...

Quigley, fyi, yes, I could dunk back in the days. One handed. Two handed. Even pulled a reverse a few times, but I never tried to jump from outside the paint AND over someone, and Stewart should not have tried either. Pull up for a short jumper, or stop and pump fake the defender, and simply pass it to a teammate, but THAT? Come on! He would have had to be like Vince Carter to pull that one off.

January 30, 2007 at 4:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BigTamale (anonymous) says...

Jross

I think we were all glad we didn't get nebraska's best shot...i remember a game in '02 where we escaped Lincoln with an 88-87 victory. If I'm not mistaken NU made 11 three pointers...

Had NU won, you still would have felt the same way about the theory Jross...Just like i still feel the same way today even after yesterdays result.

January 30, 2007 at 4:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkAZ (anonymous) says...

jross, i'm not sure I understand what you are saying. In order to give something your best shot, you have to come out successful? That seems to be what you have been saying the last couple of days. I personally think it's a dumb argument both ways (13 posts each?), but what you are saying makes no sense. Haven't you ever heard a post-game interview of someone who has lost and heard them say "I gave it my best shot, but it just didn't work out". Because I have numerous times.

Some examples. Still being pretty young, I'll use video games for myself. Every time I play madden or nba live with my friends, I want to win and I try my best. I may lose, but it isn't because I didn't give it my best effort. It's because they are better or I have an off night. And yes, I do get extra pumped when I play kevin, who is the best of all my friends ... I'm not sure what you do, but let's say you are a lawyer. You have a really big case that could jumpstart your career, and you've worked your butt off even more than usual for your client trying to get him the right verdict. On the last day of court, you go in there and the judge rules in favor of the other party. You didn't lose because you didn't give it your best shot, it just didn't go your way. Don't you think that might be what teams think coming in to play KU? "If we win this one, people will know we are for real." That is clearly extra incentive to work harder.

As other people have said before, giving something your best shot does not always mean coming out on top. It means preparing well, working hard, and doing something as well as you can. But sometimes, the opponent is just better. Which yesterday was KU!!! Good win for the Hawks, bring on the Aggies!

January 30, 2007 at 4:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUMatt2001 (anonymous) says...

Would you all like to see our players attempt dunks they have, say a 50% chance of getting down? Or only try a monster dunk when they are sure they can finish the play?

(Rodrick's was a joke, but I'm talking about all the other missed dunks and viscous jams we've seen this season.)

I for one, would prefer the latter. I know the impact a highlight reel slam can have on the opponent's confidence, get us on SportsCenter, etc., but I would still rather see a perfectly executed layup- either drawing the foul with a chance for a 3 pt play, or getting the 2 pts and not disrupting the flow of the game.

Did anyone else ever notice how past players, especially our guards- back to Jacque, Ryan Robertson, Kirk, Aaron Miles, etc... in a full-speed, 1-on-1, fast-break situation, they had a way of driving hard straight towards the baseline about 5 feet to the right of the basket, then faking out the defender by bringing the ball up and over him, then behind their head and crossing behind the defender, and gliding in for an easy layup?
(hope that made sense)

I wish we still did that.

But feel free to disagree. Maybe it's better over the long run to play the tougher basketball and draw more fouls, and throw down more moster dunks.

January 30, 2007 at 5:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

argentinehawk (anonymous) says...

Give it up, jross, you're beating a dead horse!!! And your argument is still wrong anyway, you hard headed fake, wannabe KU fan!

January 30, 2007 at 5:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

No, Im not beating a dead horse. This one looks like its still breathing. I recall someone using the word "always". As in "we always get their best shot". Now Im surprised to find BigTamale declaring we didnt get Nebraskas:

"Jross. I think we were all glad we didn't get nebraska's best shot".

a smell a contradiction! If always doesn't mean always, then it is a falsity to state "ku always gets other teams' best shot."

Hmm...

January 30, 2007 at 5:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jimjones (anonymous) says...

This game didn't show how spectacular we played; it showed how poorly Nebraska played. As Brandon Rush said. "But they (Nebraska) weren't making shots."

Quite simply, Nebraska couldn't get shots to fall and didn't try to rebound in the first half.

They woke up after half time.

Nebraska out scored us by seven points in the 2nd half!

LAJayhawk5, Isn't there a remedial forum where you can embarrass yourself and be joined by other childish posters like yourself?

January 30, 2007 at 5:58 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

argentinehawk (anonymous) says...

jross, after KU was up by 35 points, what happened?? They outscored us by 15 the rest of the way!!! They hit like a total of 11 3's, I think 9 in the second half. Even when there was like 30 sec. left in the game and Kleinmann got the in bound pass, how hard was NU playing!? You should know, you were there, apparently. Well, NU was still hustling, and they stole the ball from him and scored, and hustled back on defense like they could still win the game!! that's giving it "your best shot." Even though KU was way too strong for them.

I think rockchalkAZ makes a good point, read his post!! Give it up hardheadedross!

January 30, 2007 at 6:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

argentinehawk (anonymous) says...

"No, Im not beating a dead horse. This one looks like its still breathing"

What did you do hardheadedros, give it mouth to mouth?!

January 30, 2007 at 6:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ORjayhawk (anonymous) says...

Love these posts-been reading them for a while! Had to finally post myself, for I've been following this "myth" argument last few days, and RockchalkAZ is absolutely correct. I'm an attorney in Oregon (KU class of 99') and I hate to admit it, but I do prepare for and turn up my intensity for certain attorneys in trials. There's one attorney here in particular with "top reputation" billing and when he is on the other side of a case, I do find myself giving that case "my best shot." Sure Jross, doesn't seem right or fair to my other clients, but it is what it is. And you know why? Because when I win that trial against that top attorney (which has happened), the victory just tastes that much sweeter. That's the way Mizzou has always played us and all other teams play us (to beat KU is better than winning 10 in a row against everyone else). I've been following the Hawks for a long time (went to KU from Oregon just to walk by Allen Field House every day), and I've seen the "best shot" given to us many, many times. No, it is not a myth.

January 30, 2007 at 6:08 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

argentinehawk (anonymous) says...

GREAT post ORjayhawk!! Are you reading these jross?

January 30, 2007 at 6:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

robot (Robin Smith) says...

JROSS you should read the post by rockchalkAZ just 3 posts above yours.

you are correct: the opposition doesn't always succeed in executing their "best game"

you are wrong: the opposition does intend to do so if they can.

and in the area that you are wrong lies the point of the cliched statement you have such a big issue with.

for nebraska the motivation is definitely greater against KU than against Colorado. although their motivation counted for diddly-squat. thus the result which comes at the end.

also i'd like to see Sasha with some awareness of his other bigs. he shoots whenever he gets the ball and the opposition knows this and doubles him and he still forces it under pressure. if he can learn to make those passes he should also get better shot chances.

January 30, 2007 at 6:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

Of course Im reading these posts. I suppose some people think that putting on a "game face" (that is to say getting up to play for a game) makes the difference in whether you win or lose. I agree with Bob Knight:

"In my entire adult life, I've never used the expression 'game face,' " Knight said in a 1992 press conference. "So I have no (expletive) idea what it means or what you're supposed to do (Knight begins making faces)."

Evidently actorman et al thinks that it makes a difference.

January 30, 2007 at 6:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

argentinehawk (anonymous) says...

Don't change the subject, we're not talking about game faces, we're talking about giving it your all, aka best shot!! Just admit it!! It's true! KU is going to get everyones best. I'll just leave it at that. I've got no more to say. Have a great night, jross!!!!!!! GO KU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!;-}

January 30, 2007 at 6:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAJayhawk5 (anonymous) says...

Dear JimJones.

"This game didn't show how spectacular we played; it showed how poorly Nebraska played." Brilliant observation. Belongs right up there with "today is Tuesday." You're a walking, daily reminder that it is indeed better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Your anti KU rhetoric is misguided, misinformed and routinely unimpressive (see: above).

Lastly, "LAJayhawk5, Isn't there a remedial forum where you can embarrass yourself and be joined by other childish posters like yourself?" No need to capitalize "isn't" after your initial comma and the last sentence really only needs one (1) "yourself." Look up "redundancy."

You're a clown.

January 30, 2007 at 6:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

"We always get someone's best shot."

Who here thinks we got OSUs best shot?
Who here thinks we got Nebraskas?

Im not saying either of them would have won their games against us, but every single one of us here...every single one...knows we didnt get their best shot.

Now, if there are 2 examples, there are 3. If there are 3 examples there are 4. And so on...

I dont doubt people circle us on the calendar and try to prepare. But it's clear...crystal clear...that we dont always get their best shot (these teams were both capable of playing better and DIDNT--especially OSU).

Just the facts...

January 30, 2007 at 6:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

Actor...

The "game face" is exactly what is being talked about. People are calling that getting hyped for games, mentally preparing for them, whatever (choose your own terminology). This is exactly the context that Bob Knight--winningest coach in basketball, so I think he knows a thing or two about it (or certainly more than YOU)--was speaking in reference to when asked by the reporter. It IS the same thing and I AM on the subject.

January 30, 2007 at 6:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ORjayhawk (anonymous) says...

Jross: As you wrote above, getting someone's best shot (or game face) does not make "the" difference, but it makes "a" difference. You don't think Nebraska didn't circle that game on their calendar? It was their first national Big Monday ESPN game in 5 or 6 years. They played like crap, KU played very pretty for 17 minutes, and it was over (and I really enjoyed that). That had nothing to do with them not giving us their best shot. You don't think having twice the crowd cheering and wearing red didn't pump them up? If a sprinter stumbles in his biggest race, he still might have given it his best shot. I'm old enough to remember Mike Tyson in his prime and everyone gave him their best shot (only to get beaten to a pulp), until some unknown beat him.
By the way, I loved your description of the crap you saw and heard at the game-I'd like to read more of that in the future from posters.
I really like the group of players we have this year and it's scary to think how they could really look if completely focussed.

January 30, 2007 at 6:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

robot (Robin Smith) says...

jross you are just wrong.

in my previous post (which you made no recognition of except to say that you read posts) i made the distinction between what you are understanding by the cliched statement about a teams "best shot", and what the point of that statement is.

the idea that a team brings their best shot has nothing to do with the execution on the court. the point is that they are more motivated and they are aware that in order to succeed they have to play better than usual. whether this results in their best performance is affected by millions of events that occur throughout the basketball game. events by each player on each play with a cause and effect relationship too complicated to comprehend. the motivational intensity that a team brings affects each and every one of those tiny events, and in a general way affects the outcome.

this definitely occurs for every team and especially for the team that plays a more highly regarded opponent. they know it is their opportunity to prove their merit.

this motivational factor is a true fact about competition which is independent of the outcome.

January 30, 2007 at 7:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BigTamale (anonymous) says...

Jross,

What if I made that comment, "Man, that Michael Jordan and Robert Horry ALWAYS makes the important, and clutch shots to win the game for his team!"

Then you would say: (In an offended manner) "Sir, I will whole heartedly disagree! Ask the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz and they will certainly tell you that in the course of a decade that Toni Kucoc and Scottie Pippen in the 3 peat Era, and Manu Ginoboli and Tony Parker earlier this decade certainly made their fair share of important shots!

Can you explain that BigTamale? (Right now all I hear is cricketts and my mom telling me to get off the computer!)

That statement is a clear example of a hasty generalization because everything I consider must be empirically proven beyond any reason of a doubt.

My Response: "Of course he never made ALL the game winning and important shots, but you know what I and others mean...MJ and Robert Horry could ALWAYS be counted on to make the important shots, and they usually came through."

JROSS's Response: I am still waiting for facts, BigTamale...huh? (Now, all I hear is my Mom nagging me to get a job and move out of her basement).

Last time I recall, I remember Toni Kucoc making a winning shot in the Playoffs as Scottie Pippen sat on the bench in frustration. See BigTamale, facts, facts, facts, facts,

My Response: Jross, Don't you remember that game against Cleveland in the 80's that catapulted MJ's Career, and all those games that Horry sank with the Lakers and the Spurs?

What about all those Championship games against the Portland Trailblazers where he single handedly won the title?

Jross's Response: "You see BigTamale, I need dates, none of those games mean anything to me without specific dates, scores, and how many seconds where left on the clock...to me, your statement is invalid."

By your rationale, we can say that Kobe Bryant is also clutch, so your statement is also false because you FAILED to mention him.

You see BigTamale, Intellegent people never make mistakes and love to hear the sound of their voice via the sound of a key stroke."

My Response: okay, jross, its a dead issue

January 30, 2007 at 7:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

argentinehawk (anonymous) says...

LOL BigTamale...

Pretty good summary of the situation. After reading that dialogue between you and jross, (errr HardHeadRoss) JimJones is starting to look a little better.

January 30, 2007 at 7:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

Okay robot. Lets say you believe your point that,

"...the idea that a team brings their best shot has nothing to do with the execution on the court."

If you believe this, you are in opposition to BigTamale, who posts:

Point is, that all BAD streaks and slumps end against KU because we get everyone's best shot.

He apparently believes that it DOES have something to do with execution on the court. So my question is, which is it???

January 30, 2007 at 8:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkAZ (anonymous) says...

Jross, I think BigTamale's post was an exaggeration used to prove a point. What he was saying was that when KU gets upset, there is an undeniable pattern of some player who has been struggling going off against us. See Vealy, see Mejia, see Dora (twice). Don't read too much into the words ALL or ALWAYS or EVERY. Like i said, exaggeration is often used to prove a point.

January 30, 2007 at 9:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkAZ (anonymous) says...

At least I think that's what you were saying BigTamale. Because I know many more of us have those exact same thoughts. I always worry about who's gonna have the game of their life to knock us off when we play an opponent who has had a rough time.

January 30, 2007 at 9:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BigTamale (anonymous) says...

RockchalkAZ

You kind of took the words out of my mouth...very good post. Sometimes some people who will go un-named interperet posts as they see fit...

Irresponsible journalism in my opinion...

JROSS, Dan Rather called and he wants his journalism methods back.

January 30, 2007 at 9:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

danharris1 (anonymous) says...

jross,give it up already,your wrong about this one!

January 30, 2007 at 10:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BigTamale (anonymous) says...

If I would make a post on a RANDOM message board about a RANDOM topic about the olympics it may go something like this...

the german people are an industrious nation. They were right in the middle of the Medal standings in the last winter olympics. Prior to the 1936 olympics, they elected adolf hitler, where he made it his job to put on an eleborate games in Munich.

JROSS would interpret my post as this...

The German People....were right in... elect(ing) Adolf Hitler.

See, irresponsible journalism...

Tisk, Tisk

January 30, 2007 at 10:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jimjones (anonymous) says...

LAJayhawk5, You proved my point.

January 30, 2007 at 10:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAJayhawk5 (anonymous) says...

You're an inarticulate clown. An inarticulate clown that offers nothing to this board (anti-KU garbage not withstanding).

Well past time for you to take your poorly educated show on the road to one of MU's boards. You're not funny, insightful and, well, people seem to generally hate you.

Rock Chalk.

Tool.

January 30, 2007 at 11:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

beakemhawks (anonymous) says...

o jimbojoneso, holding a team without a two point field goal for the first 17.5 minutes of the game and you give 0% credit to KU's defense. you are the worst type of fan: you cheer against KU just so you can claim you were right all along. Blowing out THREE conference foes by an average of 23 points TWO of which were on the road and instead of ripping Self, you simply make excuses for the other team. And remember, everyone is giving KU their best shot this year, I don't care what they are ranked in the conference.

January 30, 2007 at 11:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jimjones (anonymous) says...

So desperate for validation that you're back to using two posting names again. How cute.

January 30, 2007 at 11:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

beakemhawks (anonymous) says...

you are a joke. there are tons of people on this board that think you are ridiculous. your anti-KU garbage needs to be taken out. and for you to think that i am the same person as lajayhawk is really just icing on the cake. you got us jim, all these people are really just me and it's just a huge conspiracy masterminded by me to get you frustrated. you win, the gig's up.

January 30, 2007 at 11:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

beakemhawks (anonymous) says...

oh, and the jerk store called. they're running out of you.

January 30, 2007 at 11:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jimjones (anonymous) says...

Ohhhh, That's a good one! You sure told me!

January 30, 2007 at 11:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

cap10d (anonymous) says...

jimjones is really a girl........................thats why she,oops Im mean thats why HE doesnt know crap about basketball.

January 31, 2007 at midnight ( | suggest removal )

jimjones (anonymous) says...

You're really pulling out all the stops with that one. Stop stop, you're killing me.

Which of your other names are you going to use next?

January 31, 2007 at 12:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ORjayhawk (anonymous) says...

JimJones: What are you still doing here? You tried to pass yourself off as a girl, you are obviously an idiot, you are not a KU fan, and you still persist on being an ass--I just cannot get it. Please explain what you are really doing (my guess is___________ (okay fans, fill in the blank))

Jross: you've got to get joy at what you've done, as you've engaged so many of us KU fans with your spiraling argument (at first it made sense, now you are grasping). Over the last month, I have read and respected your inputs, but you have really gone over the edge. In another thred, Actorman tore you apart--I mean reading everything, that person tore you a big one. BigTamale obviously went out of his way to seriously show you the light and I hope you see it. I mean, damn, how can you argue with his logic? Oh wait, here it comes, an out of the ass argument from Jross (dude, are you Jim Jones?):

Yes ladies and gentlemen, here it comes. Jross says:

January 31, 2007 at 1:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jimjones (anonymous) says...

They crack me up too!

January 31, 2007 at 1:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayloco (anonymous) says...

beakemhawks-don't know if jimjones got your "Seinfeld" allusion, but I did. That was an awesome episode. Thanks for giving me the chuckle.

jross-gotta admire your persistency dude. I am not defending jross, but he obviously is standing by his guns since the use of the word ALWAYS was contained in the original argument. Jross, you are right in the sense that ALWAYS may not be correct, but surely you understand the "spirit" of big tamale/argentinehawk's statement. Sorry, couldn't remember who made the statement. Can't we all just agree that teams definitely do circle a game with KU on their calendar? I don't think that can be argued(hopefully)

January 31, 2007 at 10 a.m. ( | suggest removal )