Sunday, March 11, 2007

Robinson, Jackson come up big as KU escapes in OT

By Ryan Greene

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2006-07 March 11 KU-UT Hoops

Update #13: Final, KU wins 88-84

OKLAHOMA CITY - D.J. Augustin went right to the basket out of the timeout, opting for a two try. Darnell Jackson scooped it out of mid-air, and was then fouled out of desperation as he let out an audible scream.

Jackson hit both free throws, and Texas was left to scramble, but A.J. Abrams hit a three with :08.3 left, keeping htem with a faint pulse. After a Texas timeout, Russell Robinson was fouled with :05.3 left on the clock and KU up by two. Robinson swished both, all but sealing it for KU. Kevin Durant's last three was off, as he went scoreless in overtime.

Kevin Durant led all scorers with 37 points, which goes down as a Big 12 Tournament single-game record. A.J. Abrams added 16 for Texas. KU, though, showed its typical balance. Sherron Collins led the way with 20 points, Brandon Rush and Julian Wright each scored 19, while Mario Chalmers had 17.

Update #12: Overtime, :22.4, KU leads 84-81

OKLAHOMA CITY - Damion James went up strong inside just as overtime started, and earned his way to the free throw line, drawing the third foul on Sasha Kaun. Both Mario Chalmers and Julian Wright are playing for Kansas with four fouls. James missed both charities.

Julian Wright scored the first points of OT, dropping in two from the elbow. After that, though, Mario Chalmers fouled out while slapping A.J. Abrams on his way up for a three in the corner.

Abrams missed the first, made the last two, and tied the game again at 81 apiece.

Brandon Rush missed a short leaner for KU off the front of the iron, and Damion James hauled down a tough rebound for teh Longhorns. He then grabbed an offensive board after Durant missed a three from the corner. Abrams then missed a three short, and James grabbed another board after Brandon Rush missed an 18-footer. The ball went out of bounds off of Texas, though, giving the ball back to KU with 2:41 left.

Russell Robinson then hit his first field goal of the day with a 17-footer after a Julian Wright shot inside was swatted out of bounds by Kevin Durant, and the game crested under the two-minute mark.

Damion James missed a runner, and Russell Robinson tracked down the long rebound. Coming back the other way, Durant fouled Julian Wright on the baseline. Wright went to the line for two shots, hitting just the second one, and putting KU up 84-81.

Augustin hoisted a three in the corner to try and tie it, but Brandon Rush came up with yet another blocked shot with under a minute to go, and KU took the ball back with 55 seconds to go. Sherron Collins missed a runner, and Texas took the ball back with :22.4 to go.

Update #11: End of regulation, game tied 79-79

OKLAHOMA CITY - Sherron Collins scored his 19th and 20th points on a 17-foot jumper to pull KU within two points with :40.1 to go, and Bill Self quickly whistled for a timeout.

KU called its final timeout, and after Texas played keep-away for 20 seconds, the Jayhawks fouled Craig Winder. The only senior on either squad missed the first free throw, but hit the second, putting Texas back up by three.

Mario Chalmers came off of a ball screen to hit a three from the top of the key to tie it with :13.8 left as Texas used its second-to-last timeout. Chalmers now has 17 points for KU.

Durant got a shot on the baseline with time expiring, but missed just a tad long, sending the game to overtime.

Update #10: 1:01, second half, Texas leads 78-74

OKLAHOMA CITY - Julian Wright hit two free throws after the timeout to put KU up by five yet again with 3:30 to go in the game.

D.J. Augustin came back to miss a baseline jumper, but Kevin Durant nailed the putback. He then blocked Sherron Collins on a drive on the other end, giving the ball back to the 'Horns. Durant then ran down the shot clock, backed his way in and hit a turnaround jumper while being fouled. Durant's 35th point tied the game, 71-71.

A.J. Abrams then stole a ball in the KU backcourt, and after missing the layup at the other end, Craig Winder stuck the putback in Durant-style off the window, giving Texas the lead again thanks to a quick 7-0 run.

KU then earned the ball back after a scramble resulting from a Darnell Jackson save of a ball going out of bounds. Chalmers stuck it back in for two and was fouled on the way up. His 14th point put KU ahead 74-73.

Durant was fouled again going up for a shot on the baseline. He again hit both free throws, giving him 37 points and Texas another slim one-point lead.

Sherron Collins couldn't score, and Texas emerged from a scramble after the miss with the ball and just over a minute to go. A.J. Abrams then hit a three to put Texas up by four with 1:01 left.

Update #9: 3:38, second half, KU leads 69-66

OKLAHOMA CITY - Mario Chalmers' two free throws gave KU its first lead since being up 4-2 in the game's opening minutes.

Brandon Rush stole a pass inbounds on the other end intended for Durant, and after missing a shot, Sherron Collins drew a foul in the lane to get to the line. He hit both to give him 16 on the day and put KU up by three with just over seven minutes to go. Rush took down a rebound after an A.J. Abrams three miss, giving KU a chance to extend the lead. Collins, though, couldn't finish in the lane.

KU forced Texas into a wasted, long possession. Mario Chalmers then scored two in the lane, but was called for a player-control foul and it gave Texas a one-and-one trip at the line.

It was the fourth foul of the day on Chalmers, and instead of replacing him with 6:05 to go, Self left him in and also re-inserted Julian Wright, who also has four fouls. Augustin hit both free throws for Texas, and Robinson then took Chalmers out of the game.

Brandon Rush got to the free throw line and hit both of his attempts to put KU up by five again with just under six minutes to play. Durant drove and couldn't score, but Damion James put his miss back in, pulling Texas back within three.

Craig Winder drew a foul for Texas off of a defensive rebound, and hit one of two to make it a two-point game.

Sherron Collins added some spice afterwards, driving the right side of the lane and going up and under to put away two more points. Damion James then got to the line again and hit one of two, making it a three-point game at the four-minute mark.

Update #8: 7:51, second half, Texas leads 60-59

OKLAHOMA CITY - Sherron Collins continued to sizzle after Mario Chalmers picked off a D.J. Augustin pass. He hit a baseline jumper to pull KU within one, and while trying to go ahead after a Kevin Durant miss, Durant hustled down to swat it away.

Durant scored his first field goal of the half with a tear-drop jumper over Sasha Kaun, giving him 28 in the game with over 10 minutes to go. Darnell Jackson then missed a mid-ranger of his own off the left side of the iron.

Darnell Jackson got dirty inside and got to the free throw line out of the timeout, swished both and again pulled KU to within one. After, Texas took a bit to get a good look, but Craig Winder got inside and got to the free throw line. He made one of two, keeping Texas ahead 58-56.

Brandon Rush had a three look blocked by Connor Atchley, and after Darnell Jackson recovered it, he stepped out of bounds, sending the ball back to Texas. Durant then put himself at the 30-point mark, finishing a lob off the glass from Damion James. Brandon Rush calmly sank yet another three, keeping KU within one.

Durant tried a three in response but missed short. After a jumble for the ball after a Darnell Jackson miss, Chalmers got to the free throw line, but would shoot them after a full timeout.

Update #7: 11:54, second half, Texas leads 55-52

OKLAHOMA CITY - Kevin Durant hit both free throws, and Brandon Rush came back to hit two of his own, keeping KU within eight points.

Texas then lost the ball out of bounds, and Julian Wright capitalized again in close with a two-handed dunk, followed by D.J. Augustin being called for a carry, sending it back the Jayhawks' way. Brandon Rush then sliced into the lane scoring again, giving him a team-high 14 points.

KU pulled within two points, as Texas was called for goaltending on a Russell Robinson-to-Julian Wright lob, bringing the heavy KU crowd in the Ford Center to its feet. Connor Atchley dunked to give Texas again a four-point lead.

Julian Wright was then called for his fourth foul with 13:03 to go contesting a Kevin Durant mid-range look. Durant continued to be solid from the free throw line, hitting both attempts easilyand putting Texas up six again as Wright headed to the bench.

Sherron Collins sliced the lead in half canning another three-pointer, giving him nine points on the afternoon. A.J. Abrams then saw a three pop out for him, sending it back with KU, Texas ahead 55-52. Darnell Jackson was called for a foul on a rebound attempt.

Update #6: 15:35, second half, Texas leads 49-42

OKLAHOMA CITY - Julian Wright missed poorly on two in the lane out of the timeout, but after KU scurried for the offensive board, Brandon Rush was whistled for a carry. A.J. Abrams responded for Texas with a driving layup off the glass, giving him seven points.

KU again was active on the offensive glass after a Mario Chalmers missed three. But Sasha Kaun and Damion James got tangled in the lane in mid-air. Kaun crashed to the floor and was down for a bit after whacking his back. After he left, Mario Chalmers hit a three to make it a four-point game. James then tipped in a D.J. Augustin miss to make it six points again.

Russell Robinson hit the front end of a trip to the free throw line, and on hte other end, Julian Wright was called for a blocking foul against Kevin Durant, which was Wright's second foul and forced him to flop angrily on the ground. Abrams hit a long jumper, and Durant then took down a defensive board on a KU miss in the lane.

KU turned it over after an offensive foul on Texas, and Abrams was fouled hard flying to the lane. Abrams hit both tries to put Texas up 47-38.

Sherron Collins answered with two in the lane, but Damion James came back with another two in the lane. Collins did the same again, following his own miss off the glass. After that, Durant got himself to the free throw line for the first time this half.

Update #5: Halftime, Texas leads 39-34

OKLAHOMA CITY - Sherron Collins hit a three atop the key to pull KU within 10 points, but was short on his next attempt after a bad Abrams miss in the lane. Texas turned the ball right back over when Justin Mason overshot Craig Winder downcourt.

Brandon Rush then hit his second three-pointer in KU's surge back into the game, and Kevin Durant turned it right back over by stepping out of bounds on the sideline.

A.J. Abrams stroked both sides of a one-and-one trip to the line, but Darrell Arthur came back to score his first points on a baseline dunk, keeping KU within seven points. Texas proceeded to turn the ball over.

Sherron Collins made it a five point game with just over 30 seconds to go, hitting a mid-range jumper, as Texas then held for the last shot of the half. Durant missed a baseline look over Brandon Rush, and Texas couldn't score with two ticks left. The Jayhawks took a five-point deficit to the locker room, which was once as large as 22 at 32-10. KU ended the half on a 24-7 run. Kevin Durant leads all scorers with 22 points, while Brandon Rush leads KU with 11. Julian Wright has 10.

Update #4: 3:22, first half, Texas leads 37-24

OKLAHOMA CITY - Mario Chalmers was called for a push-off on A.J. Abrams on the inbounds pass, just like at the end of the first KU-Texas meeting. Durant this time backed down Darrell Arthur to score, giving him 21 points so far.

Chalmers came back to register his first points of the night on a sloppy layin underneath. After a Texas three miss, Brandon Rush was blocked by Durant under the hoop.

Texas lost the ball out of bounds, and Chalmers scored again, stroking a mid-range jumper. Durant was sent to the free throw line on the other end after a foul called against Darrell Arthur put Texas in the bonus. He hit one of two.

Julian Wright came down for a two-handed dunk slicing down the baseline, and D.J. Augustin put up a mid-range air ball to help get the KU crowd back into it. Wright scored again, faking Durant out of his Nikes underneath, pulling KU within 14 at 35-21. Wright pulled down a rebound off of an A.J. Abrams three miss, giving the ball to KU yet again.

Brandon Rush stroked a three, leading Texas to call a timeout, making it an 11-point game, and giving Rush eight points.

Justin Mason broke Texas' drought out of the timeout, after Durant saved a blocked miss of his from going out of bounds. Russell Robinson then missed a three, but Mason missed again heading into a full timeout.

Update #3: 7:37, first half, Texas leads 32-13

OKLAHOMA CITY - Darnell Jackson made it four straight tallies for KU, hitting a pir of free throws, but Durant, back in the game again, casually stroked a fadeaway jumper over Julian Wright on the baseline, keeping Texas' edge at 13 points.

Durant came back down and hit two free throws after going hard to the rack, giving himself 16 points and putting Texas up 25-10. KU continued to miss in close, though, as Sherron Collins missed his second striaght look from within six feet. On the other end, D.J. Augustin nailed a step-back jumper to force Bill Self into calling his second timeout of the half.

Durant kept KU helpless, flushing home an NBA-range three, as KU is just 4-of-16 from the field, as opposed to Texas' big first half in Allen Fieldhouse a week ago, when KU was at least hot from the floor. Augustin made it two more in transition, putting Texas up 32-10.

KU's drought finally ended, as Brandon Rush hit his first three of the game. A Texas turnover while inbounding the ball led to another full break.

Update #2: 11:49, first half, Texas leads 21-8

OKLAHOMA CITY - D.J. Augustin earned his way to the free throw line just before the timeout. He hit both, putting Texas up by six.

Darrell Arthur, now in the game, lost the ball out of bounds, sending it back Texas' way. Connor Atchley then rolled in a baseline jumper to give the Longhorns an eight-point advantage. An A.J. Abrams three after Craig Winder chased down an offensive rebound forced Bill Self into a timeout trailing 17-6.

Arthur missed his second shot of the game out of the timeout, and Kevin Durant then tipped an offensive rebound to himself, following it with a short jumper in the lane, giving him 10 points early and putting Texas up by 13.

Darnell Jackson, now in the game for Arthur, then missed one inside as well, and Durant scored yet again, letting out a scream as his team is up 21-6.

Durant took a seat and KU turned it over right after. Texas did nothing with the possession, but Brandon Rush came down for a one-handed dunk afterwards in transition, leading into another media timeout.

Update #1: 15:54, first half, Texas leads 10-6

OKLAHOMA CITY - KU lost the ball on its opening possession, but Brandon Rush more than made up for it. He wiped away a Justin Mason layup in the open court, and followed it by swatting away a Kevin Durant offering. After Julian Wright scored on a baby hook, he came down to block a shot of his own inside. But Damion James hit a baseline jumper to tie the game early, 2-2.

Wright followed it with a mid-range jumper, putting the Jayhawks back ahead. Just like last Saturday, though, Kevin Durant scored his first points on a three-pointer right over Wright on the wing.

Mario Chalmers missed a three which was torn down on the boards by Durant, but a Texas outlet pass was errant, giving the ball back to KU.

Durant then altered a Sasha Kaun shot, and scored on the next trip, following up an A.J. Abrams miss. After taking away another KU shot, he stroked his second three, putting KU up 10-4. Wright came back to hit another jumper, having now scored all six of KU's points.

Pregame

OKLAHOMA CITY - For the third time in a calendar year, Kansas and Texas will square off on the hardwood. And for the third time, Big 12 hardware will be on the line.

The Jayhawks and Longhorns will tip today at 2 p.m. from the Ford Center in the championship tilt of the Big 12 Tournament. The two teams played last Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse, where KU won 90-86 and took home an outright conference regular season crown for the first time in four years under Bill Self.

Many believe KU has already locked up a No. 1 seed for NCAA Tournament, which begins Thursday. Texas, however, can help its own case to nab either a two- or three-seed with a win today. KU also trumped Texas in the title game of last year's Big 12 Tournament.

As always is the case with Texas, the man to watch is No. 35, Kevin Durant. The freshman had a huge second half Friday night to carry the 'Horns past Baylor, and did so again in the first half yesterday, followed by a late game-clinching three from atop the key to knock off Oklahoma State.

Comments

ehett2 (anonymous) says...

What genius decided to put the Big 12 on ESPN and only ESPN??

March 11, 2007 at 2:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

Yeah. Irritates me that the whole damn tournament was on ESPN+ until now.

March 11, 2007 at 2:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

WTF????!!!!! Hello #2 seed.

March 11, 2007 at 2:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

game's over....ku can't stop one guy goodbye first round game...pathetic i tell you

March 11, 2007 at 2:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

dont you like how durant gets all the calls for him and none against him?

March 11, 2007 at 2:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Damn...Sasha can make the moves, but he loses all control and flings the ball off of the backboard every f-ing time!!!!!

March 11, 2007 at 3:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

My heart can only take so much of this. Why can't we open up with the kind of intensity we showed at the end of the half?

March 11, 2007 at 3:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

good...cut it down to 5 at half...hope they come out firing and deny deny deny deny durant from getting the ball....deny the pass...dont even let him TOUCH it. i'd keep rush on him....better defender outside than wright.

March 11, 2007 at 3:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says...

why are you talking $hit at the beginning of the game, now you are happy? Last time I checked the game lasts 40 mins landon, not 20! Closed the first half on a 24-7 run.........pretty impressive! It was just like last week, lets just hope the results are the same!

March 11, 2007 at 3:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says...

and i think durant is on pace to score more than ohio st. and wisconsin combined, which is sorry that the ncaa committee thinks ohio st. is the top overall seed in the tournament, and wisconsin is also vieing for a #1 seed to. The Big 10 conference is a JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 11, 2007 at 3:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

overseashawk (anonymous) says...

they've got the first possession of the second half so it would do us a world of good if we can get the first stop. I agree put Rush on Durant and deny him the ball. Also, we should make our frickin layups. How many have Sherron and Mario missed?

March 11, 2007 at 3:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkone (anonymous) says...

I am so sick of sub par officiating

March 11, 2007 at 3:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

notabandwagonfan...did you watch the first half? why dont we just miss more layups and let durant do whatever he wants? and how about the refs...durant gets all the calls...whether on offense or defense. i believe in all basketball...hs, college and nba there is too much acting going on...flops...flailing of the arms etc. they need to look at this and stop it.

March 11, 2007 at 3:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkone (anonymous) says...

durant maybe a nba caliber player, but that doesn't mean he should get to play by nba rules. they did the same thing to keep baylor out of the game. the outcome was decided with about 8 minutes left in that game thanks to the guys in the orange and white stripes that are supposed to be unbiased

March 11, 2007 at 3:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

overseashawk (anonymous) says...

we need to slow down the offense a bit. Darnell shouldn't be shooting 18 footers. Rush needs to drive the ball more. It'll be interesting to see how we do being limited by foul troubles.

March 11, 2007 at 3:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

my point exactly...that so called charge on jackson was a flop...he started to fall before jackson even touched him...and he just gave him a love tap....barely nothing at all. hope chalmers can make these two FT and put ku up one....go ku

March 11, 2007 at 3:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BigTamale (anonymous) says...

Good come back thus far...can we get over the "Hump" and take the lead?

Or, are we gonna flirt with "taking the lead" for the rest of the game?

Doesn't look like Arthur is coming back.

March 11, 2007 at 3:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

rush is feeling it...penetrate his way and kick it out to him for a three...he's feelilng it right now

March 11, 2007 at 3:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BigTamale (anonymous) says...

I think this may come down to free throws...

March 11, 2007 at 3:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

i hope arthur can come back and hope sasha will be ok for next week. arthur took a knee to the man jewels...i'd be down for a bit also.

March 11, 2007 at 3:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

how many charges against texas? that's right....NONE

March 11, 2007 at 3:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CindiCat (anonymous) says...

These refs blow monkey B***S!!!

Give me an F'n Break.

March 11, 2007 at 3:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

overseashawk (anonymous) says...

the refs suck sh!*ty poop.

March 11, 2007 at 4 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ilovekirkhinrich4ever (anonymous) says...

kevin durant is a monster. a looney freak of nature, really. i have faith in our jayhawks though. sherron collins is the key, every move he makes is massive

March 11, 2007 at 4:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ilovekirkhinrich4ever (anonymous) says...

gotta be careful on those fouls though, that could kill us

March 11, 2007 at 4:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mechman (anonymous) says...

Ryan WAKE UP!!!!!!
give us a update!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 11, 2007 at 4:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

overseashawk (anonymous) says...

21 seconds left down by three...I'm scared!!!

March 11, 2007 at 4:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

OT BABY!!!

March 11, 2007 at 4:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mechman (anonymous) says...

kiss #1seed ggood by

March 11, 2007 at 4:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

ha....mechman what are you talking about? ku put it into OT

March 11, 2007 at 4:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

overseashawk (anonymous) says...

I don't want to see Texas in the tournament!!!

March 11, 2007 at 4:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mechman (anonymous) says...

someone do greenes job for him & post a update!!!!!!

March 11, 2007 at 4:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jonas (anonymous) says...

aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!

March 11, 2007 at 4:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

can't stop kansas......number 1 baby!!!!!

March 11, 2007 at 4:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says...

yea, landon, i spent my time watching the whole game, not just watching and then running to my computer to add my 2 cents. Durant will hit his shots guarded, or unguarded. I dont know what you are talking about, because all his shots were guarded, and you cannot play better defense on him without fouling him. Yea, he gets all the calls, but its team ball, not Durant ball. We won, Big 12 champs! Enjoy this $hit!!!!!

March 11, 2007 at 4:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

i'm not running to my computer....it's in my room along with my tv. i'm enjoying it...i am a student at ku and durant can be stopped....as rush showed it...deny him the ball and just get in his face.

March 11, 2007 at 4:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mom_of_three (anonymous) says...

It was a great game, but I thought there were more than a few amazing calls. Julian gets pushed over by Durant and gets the foul. Then we have the ball, and Texas falls over and we get the offensive foul. Looked like the exact same play to me. I am curious to see how many foul shots Texas had vs KU.

I can't believe we were down by 22 and we still win the game. Chris Piper spoke the truth when he said Texas can't hit everything forever, that they will tire out. Evidently, it happened.
This was a team effort. Where would we be without Darnell Jackson?
Russell hitting two key free throws with 5 seconds left.
we didn't miss many, but we made the ones which counted.
Rock chalk, baby.
espn better show us cutting down the nets, and our championship trophy.

March 11, 2007 at 4:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Sigmund (anonymous) says...

10 days ago I saw the best NCAA Division I basketball game ever. Today the same thing happened. My gawd I love this team! Selfishly speaking, I want Durrant to stay around another year, what awesome talent. Instead of the NBA I hope he transfers to Kansas.

March 11, 2007 at 4:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mom_of_three (anonymous) says...

free throws 20 of 23. Pretty good.

Texas 24 of 32.
They still made more free throws than we shot, but we made a better percentage.
love it, love it, love it.

March 11, 2007 at 4:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Dani (anonymous) says...

I'm 23 years old but if we keep playing games like this, I will most certainly die of heart failure before the tournament is over.

rock chalk!!

March 11, 2007 at 4:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CindiCat (anonymous) says...

holy bat balls!!!!! What a game.

My son (2005 KU Grad) is on a plane to Seattle and didn't get to see this. I was "texting" him to let him know what was goin on. Finger's STILL cramping!!

I am too old be going through this.......dang!!!

rock chalk baby!!!

March 11, 2007 at 5:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Sigmund (anonymous) says...

How many people, more importantly 16-18 year old BB wizards, watched this game to see Durrant? How many came away thinking the Big XII is a pretty exciting and competitive conference? How many will add KU to their short list for their college careers?

let the madness begin!

March 11, 2007 at 5:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jenaj21 (anonymous) says...

Hey KU fans

I just want to say i love this team!! Man are they fighters! Scary first half, I was sweatin bullets, as some of my fellow fans were as well on these posts... :) Just remember their negative comments early on come from frustration and since we can't help out by either playing or coaching as fans we vent. I vent by yelling at the TV but some choose to do it on here.

OK back to the fantastic team we have, man do they have heart. I hope they take this fighting attitude all the way. It just goes to show you that we would much rather have four players score 18 verses one with 30 something. One man doesn't make a team...but he sure tries. WTG KU!!

March 11, 2007 at 5:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

imagold (anonymous) says...

Oh, ye of little faith...what a game! #1 seed and all! Go Hawks!

(OK, I was scared, too.)

March 11, 2007 at 5:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

RightinLawrence (anonymous) says...

#1 seed....in the WEST. That sucks! Who's going to road trip all the way to California?

March 11, 2007 at 5:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

saad007 (anonymous) says...

what a bracket!!!!!!!!!!!!! whoever made these brackets obviously hate KU. First they put us all the way west, with all these calibers ucla (at home), kentucky, nova, duke, indiana, etc......
that's bull$hit!!!!!!!! That's how they reward number one seeds???????????!!!!!!!!!! and they were talking about how they were gonna try to balance the geographics this year!! bull$hit
But Anyways, Rock Chalk !!!!!! all the way !!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 11, 2007 at 5:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

srj (anonymous) says...

You have got to be kidding! KU was the last #1 seed (becuase low RPI) got sent out west and KU has an easy road to the Final 8. All those big name schools you listed above are having off year.

March 11, 2007 at 5:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

saad007 (anonymous) says...

oh yeah , add pittsburgh (numbr 3 seed) to that bunch and u got an elite bracket!!!! oh boy!!!!!!!!!

March 11, 2007 at 5:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

KU's defeat of Texas today was one of the most memorable, exciting and satisfying wins I've ever experienced as a KU fan. The KU players overcame great adversity and won against a positively marvelous play in Durant in what has become their signature style: they eat adversity for breakfast; then every player on the team makes some great plays; and every player on the team seems to carry them for stretches of the game.

EVERY player today had at least a one or two minute stretch, some for as much as 4 minutes, and some several stretches, where if it hadn't been for them picking up the slack, we would have lost it.

Go down the roster of those who played. It is like a roll call of brave men. Rush defending constantly and then having stretches of scoring that put us back in the game. Wright combining excellent defense and stretches of scoring by pivot moves, baseline moves and 12 foot Js. RR combining clusters of free throws and defense. Kaun playing nearly flawless help defense on Durant so that Rush and Collins did not even need to switch off in the second half (amazingly Durant never scored on Collins the three times that I saw Collins guard him till the shot was taken). Kaun going hard to the boards during a brief stretch in the second half and again in OT. RR playing serious defense and making big baskets and free throws down the stretch. Chalmers playing one of his great floor games AND then down the stretch taking it to the basket and shooting a HUGE trey to put it into OT. Arthur was instrumental briefly in the second half, until his injury. And of course there was Collins, who carried the team on his back when Rush began to lose his shot. My god, did this kid show guts and quickness. He had at least three bursts of taking over in the second half alone.

March 11, 2007 at 5:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

I've really never seen another team like this. I've heard about a few in the distant past, but I've NEVER gotten to see one up close and watch just what a miraculous thing old men have told me can happen when a team becomes truly diversified, where all the guys carry the team, or give the team a boost for 1-3 minute stretches the whole game. It is truly a beautiful thing to watch. These guys are special. Coach Self is coaching something special. Today I feel privileged to say I am a Kansas man and that there is a group of young men from the video game generation who have shown these old eyes that hope does spring eternal and that as long as there are brave young men with the right stuff, anything in basketball is still possible. Today these guys didn't just live up to the Kansas tradition, they extended it. Rush, Wright, Kaun, Arthur, Jackson, Robinson, Collins. Today these guys looked like the kind of young men from long ago who are pictured in the field house with the big K draped cross their chests. I may not make it, but, God, do I want to live to see this bunch come back for their 25th reunion. These is one good bunch of Jayhawks. Darnell Jackson made that awesome block and sank the crucial FTs.

Florida beat Arkansas today. Is that a pathetic accomplishment or what?

UNC beat NC State. Compared to this KU vs. Texas game, is that a pathetic accomplishment or what?

Ohio State throttled Wisconsin. I am quickly beginning to think that, yes, Wisconsin has been overrated this season. In comparison to the intensity and stellar competition and endless flow of great plays by Texas and Kansas, is Ohio State's win a minor accomplishment? Absolutely.

March 11, 2007 at 5:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

There are two things you can bet on if KU is given the No. 1 seed it richly deserves:

1. Florida will be made its No. 2 seed in its regional in a last desparate bid to ensure big TV market teams in the Final Four; and

2. UNC will be its semifinal opponent, because UNC's bracket will not have a Florida or Memphis. I hope aTm or Texas get in UNC's bracket, because UNC won't beat either team.

This KU team is going to be given every obstacle possible and that is okay with me now. This is a team of GREAT character--a team that has done nothing but face and then overcome great obstacles.

When KU doesn't have to play a first round Madness team that mugs them the way KSU does and doesn't have a fabulous player like Durant, they are likely going to score a hundred points without even trying.

This team has been now been forged by fire. it didn't get to the Big Dance by backing in, or by playing beating second rate teams for its conference tourney crown. It is ready for the post season. Can it go all the way? Who knows? If Arthur's injury is bad, or if the virus spreads at the wrong time, or if its trey shooting goes cold, it could be out any game. But there is something about this team that is special. It has proved against Texas twice now that it can find ways to beat a team with an unstoppable player. There is no one else on any other team capable of going off on KU the way Durant has. There is no one else in the country with a better guard than Augustin. There are only teams like Memphis and UNC with more depth. And a team like Ohio State with a great classic post man and some good talent around him. I like KU's chances. I like this team.

March 11, 2007 at 5:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

saad007 (anonymous) says...

i know they're having off years, but still they're elite programs, and come tournament time, u know they will be ready to play against KU.
That being said, it might be good for our players motivation, u know our guys will show up against duke, kentucky, pitt, ucla, etc...
The main thing i'm not happy about is that we're sent out all the way west, with ucla (pretty much at home)

March 11, 2007 at 5:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

saad007 (anonymous) says...

and by the way, florida doesnt deserve the overall number 1 seed!!!!!!!!!!!

March 11, 2007 at 5:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fabio (anonymous) says...

landon-At some point in this tournament KU is going to fall behind to someone. Instead of panicking and calling them pathetic, try not to make a fool of yourself.

March 11, 2007 at 6:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

srj (anonymous) says...

The team that should be most upset is #3 Texas AM playing #6 Louisville in Kentucky in the second round.

This weekend finally showed some seperation from the field. The #1's all won major tournys, the #2's are great, and maybe for A&M, #3 drop off big time.

March 11, 2007 at 6:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Post script: ah, so the seeding whores found a new way to shaft KU other than the one I expected. They decided UCLA seeded second to KU and playing at home was the most probable way to get a big market TV team out of KU's regional. And by leaving Florida at home then there's more chance of carrying a slumping Florida team fartherThey farmed KU west! That is REALLY shameless!

jross1972, quick, get me the results of those statistics. give me some empirics to prove to me that the seeding whores are NOT whores. tell me the NCAA has not sunk this low!

March 11, 2007 at 6:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BigTamale (anonymous) says...

Any body know how Darrell Arthurs is? What injury did he sustain?

March 11, 2007 at 6:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

well i bet if they fall down by 22 in their next game...they wont come out winners. we need to play p!!!!! off the whole tournament cuz we are getting screwed..the last number 1 seed? come on...and by the way where is UNC playing at...right down the road...what a crock. ku will not get respect and i think that's going to fuel them to make the final four.

March 11, 2007 at 6:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

srj (anonymous) says...

KU only has 6 wins against the RPI top 50. Far less then the other #1 seeds and probally UCLA. The top 3 teams in the RPI going into the weekend did not lose. So basically KU knocked UCLA out of the #1 seed, and they (UCLA) are forced to play a very good Pitt team in the third round (maybe).

Lets face facts, KU played a poor schdule. Yes the Florida win was great, but after beating Texas twice, the rest of the Big 12 wins are garbage according to the RPI.

March 11, 2007 at 6:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

It looked to me that Darrell got a knee to the family jewels.

March 11, 2007 at 6:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says...

landon, Durant cannot be stopped, only except by fatigue. Thats why he was ineffective in the second half, not because of rush. Rush is our best defender, but julian is a close second, and there is nobody who can stop durant on the college level. I'd pay money to see durant and oden in a one on one game!

March 11, 2007 at 6:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

KU shipped out west...why should I expect anything more from the selection committee. On the plus side, we do get the winner of the play-in game. And, we seem to play to the level of our competition.

But, why must we ALWAYS be on the same side of the bracket or in the same bracket as #^#$*!#&% Duke. God, how I despise that team.

March 11, 2007 at 6:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

did you see villanova beat texas this year? how many points did durant have in that game?...12. how many did he have against lsu....10 oh and what about that team texas state-san marcos...he had a whopping 11. looks like he CAN be stopped

March 11, 2007 at 6:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Bracketmarketology:

East: 1 UNC; 2 Georgetown.

South: 1 OSU; 2 Memphis.

Midwest: 1 Florida; 2 Wisconsin.

West: 1 Kansas; 2 UCLA.

Where do I begin?

East: UNC has lost six games, they buckled down the stretch against good teams in their conference, the lost twice this year to VTech, and they beat crappy competition to win their conference tourney. They are rewarded with....a 1 seed in the east, apparently on the merits of the TV market drawing power in the NY to Research Triangle corridor. Its a VERY juicy ad market.

Next, Georgetown, another six game loser from a conference having a very down year is seeded second to...make highly probable that a big TV market draw will come out of the East to the Final Four.

South: OSU, from Ohio, and the Number 1 ranked team at the end of the season in ALL major polls, plus the winner of its conference and conference tourney, gets moved into the south regional where it and Memphis are paired one-two, because...this makes it highly probable that a big market team will emerge from the south. I can't recall a team that more deserved to be placed in its own region as a Number 1 seed than OSU, unless it were Kansas. Ohio is even a large TV market with Cleveland, Cinnicinati and a huge population in many mid sized towns. Its just too bad that it happens to be a northern state. Memphis is again a fairly large market team also. Either team will guarranty the central mid-south TV market. And moving Ohio State south allows for some really nifty market positioning. See next.

March 11, 2007 at 6:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Midwest: Ah, here is where the seeding whores really betray themselves. Florida, which lost 3 of 4 at the end of the season in an exceptionally weak conference (a conference so weak that it yielded pitiful Arkansas as its championship opponent for Florida) is made number one seed by moving it to the Midwest and pairing it with the lesser market, and overrated University of Wisconsin. This is a brilliant TV play. Florida will pull the Florida TV market into the Midwest time zone, which would have been pretty lean with KU as the No. One seed. And, by moving Florida to the midwest Number 1 seed, the seeding whores can then rationalize how to deal with those troublesome Jayhawks who didn't know enough to lose when they should have.

West: The solution to how to increase the probabilities of avoiding KU in the Final Four, while not appearing to be complete whores, was to move them to the West as a No. 1 and let them have to play 2 seed UCLA, which faltered late, with a home court advantage to UCLA. Next you dump a bunch of eastern TV draws into the West regional to keep the west coast watching and hope that someone like Pitt, Duke and UK will trip KU up even before UCLA does with homecourt advantage.

All in all, if I were a network executive, the leaders of the top ad agencies, and the leaders of the top basketball advertisers, I would be very pleased in deed with this seeding of the brackets.

Relative to which teams deserved No. 1 seeds and which teams deserved to be seeded where, its ridiculous!

March 11, 2007 at 6:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jaminrawk (anonymous) says...

I think KU is in the perfect bracket. Remember 2003? West Bracket. We'll be fine. UCLA doesn't match up well and they are falling apart as of late. I'm more scared about Kentucky or Villanova. Those two are scary matchups. That being said, I hope UNC has fun with Texas. I'm glad that KU would have no potential matchup with them again until the Final Four.

March 11, 2007 at 6:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

looking ahead when i shouldn't...i dont really want to see florida again....and i agree although i would rather want to play kentucky than villanova.

March 11, 2007 at 6:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

and i'm glad collins broke out of his slump today....and how about the great ft shooting....that is what helped us today...great shooting from the line

March 11, 2007 at 6:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

skinny (anonymous) says...

Boy, what a game.

Loved the fact it was shown on espn hd. What a picture!!!

March 11, 2007 at 6:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Larry (anonymous) says...

NCAA tournament party at my house with free state brewery beer. Go Hawks.
hahahahahaha ha KSU!

March 11, 2007 at 6:58 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawker_97 (anonymous) says...

final four, here we come!!!
congrats to all hawks' bself-bball team!! courageous, superior performance, never give up!!! you all made me proud as a Jayhawk here in the west coast!!!

March 11, 2007 at 7:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

k-who? that's pretty much how espn feels about ku....number 1 seed and they dont even talk about them...spend more time talking about kentucky nova matchup...ku needs to take all this disrespect and KILL everyone in their path

March 11, 2007 at 7:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Rush deserves national defensive player of the week, for the job he did on Durant (12-30) with alot of help from Kaun, and he deserves national defensive player of the year. He's absolutely a phenomenal defensive player. If he goes pro, we'll have less trouble making up his points than his defense. The guy can defend anyone. He's defended 2s, 3s, and 4s all year long. Self gives him anyone with a hot hand. And if you consider Acie Law a one, then he's defended a one. And in defending Durant today, he defended one of the best college basketball players of the last 20 years. And despite Durant's gawdy total of 37, he had to take 30 shots to get it; that is very poor efficiency, babyyyyy.

Come on, Dick Vitale, give our Brandon some luv. Just because Coach Self wouldn't whore himself out and sign silly Bob Knight's promotional campaign to get you in the BHOF, doesn't mean you should take it out on Brandon Rush. Every pro team is drooling over this guy for his combo of trifectation, defensation, and reboundation from the wing. Durant and Oden are the only two guys near him this year and he just held Durant to 12-30! Who knows, Dick, maybe Coach Self will have Brandon guard Oden too!

Brandon Rush is just the total package, babyyyyy! He plays world class defense. Shoots 42% from trey. He's an excellent rebounder for a guy his size. He blocks shots and he can steal the ball. The only knock is that he's still not putting the ball on the floor that well with his left hand, but if he could he'd be perfect and no one but Michael Jordan is perfect.

Come on, Dick, forgive and forget, babyyyyy. So Coach Self didn't want to sign the letter to make you a member of the BHOF. So what? You say you love the game of basketball. You say its done soooo much for you. You say you want to give back. So give back some luv for our Brandon, Dick. You can do it.
:-)

March 11, 2007 at 7:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lash (anonymous) says...

Today was another blackout in manhattan!!!!!!!
This will give Huggybear time to add to his waistline snacking, while he waits to see where they fall in the NIT...

The streak is over.. No team with 20 wins has been lest out..... Time to move on .Your word is no good..

March 11, 2007 at 7:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawker_97 (anonymous) says...

wait a minute, am i the only one that's reading this article with raising eyebrows?
somebody should fire Ryan Greene for his title:
"Robinson, Jackson come up big as KU escapes in ot" --- escapes??
what does he mean by that??
we crippled the Horns, period. our b-ball team won it with no further excuses, our men won the conference title with hearts and perfection! exlamation point!
go HAWKS!! lets' cripple another (bent) horn (that's you: UNC & Roy)!!!

March 11, 2007 at 7:08 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

landon_2003 (anonymous) says...

i bet espn has an excuse as to why texas lost today...durant isn't 100% lol....good game hawks and i can't wait for this coming month of ball...make us proud

March 11, 2007 at 7:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bradam (anonymous) says...

I hope it's Kentucky 'cause we will destroy them by 50 again!

March 11, 2007 at 7:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

scootja32 (anonymous) says...

Jaybate - get a job.

March 11, 2007 at 7:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

srj (anonymous) says...

jaybate must be a loner. TV has nothing to do with the brackets. The RPI has everything to do with it. The tournament does not need help. Why is the tournament and the NFL the biggest sporting events? Gamblers.

March 11, 2007 at 7:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

EXks (anonymous) says...

Congrats Hawks! Wow, what a game! You shut down loud mouth TexASS and anytime you do that, you make my day. Now go kick butt and win us that # 1!

March 11, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jaminrawk (anonymous) says...

Let's give Texas some credit. The officials performed really well for them. Rick Barnes is such a horrible coach. Is it just me or does D.J. Augustin look like he's executing an "And-1 Mix Tape" team offenses 100% of the time?

March 11, 2007 at 7:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

scootja32 (anonymous) says...

landon Durant became a PTP in the Big 12. All of your 3 instances of his possible inneficiency are before Big 12 play began. Oh and by the way he only played 19 minutes against on of those teams, so let's discount that one. So pretty much he had two, not bad, but subpar performances in 33 games. Hmm, why say anything bad at all?

How'd Jordan do his freshman year?

Dude, I thought so too before he played KU the first time, but nope, he can't be stopped.

March 11, 2007 at 7:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

TV has everything to do with the brackets. Next step: expand the field and drag the championship out until June.

March 11, 2007 at 7:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Sagecasey (anonymous) says...

I agree with the other posts. I would rather be a No2 seed in the South. KU made the best comeback that I have seen them do in my 35 years of life. Also, I am 100% KU, but I root for the Big 12 in general and thought K-State got shafted. Arkansas and Stanford (18-12) got in and K-State didn't. I know K-State's RPI and SOS were not as good, but I don't care. Give me a break. go big 12!!!!! go ku bring us a national title and prove the east bias wrong for putting us in the West.

March 11, 2007 at 7:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhwkfan162515 (anonymous) says...

KU-UT in OKC was a rerun of the game in AFH, with the following exceptions:

1) Durant was healthy throughout (AP can't attribute UT's loss to his health)

2) Game went to OT

3) KU had a bigger deficit to overcome (largest in program history)

4) The game was deciding a postseason, not a regular season championship.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

P.S. K-State got shafted by the selection committee.

March 11, 2007 at 7:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JNgohawks (anonymous) says...

agreed, k-state got shafted, I remember a few years back same thing happened to colorado. I would say that the big 12 needs to win a national championship at least once or twice to get more respect

March 11, 2007 at 7:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

Jaybate: I agree and disagree with you to some extent. Yes, I think the committee totally botched a bunch of the seeds, but I am however pretty happy with our bracket up to the elite 8. The only team I do not want to play in the top half of our bracket is Villanova. I know we have some payback for them, but I think Jay Wright is a great coach and definitely can turn around a quick game plan. If we get Kentucky, that will be a pretty big game considering we've beaten them twice in a row. If Kentucky advances Tubby will have them ready to play. As for the bottom half of our bracket. What a train wreck and by far the toughest 8 team regional in the field. Whomever comes out of that alive will be badly bruised and beaten down by the time they get to the Elite 8. If Gonzaga advances they will definitely be ready to play UCLA. They have some payback for last year's 20 point collapse in the second half. Duke, however disappointed I am that they got as high as a 6 seed will not come out of their side. I like the fact we have the Salukis, Hokies, and both Wildcats on our side of the bracket.
There is also one thing in these posts to date that I have not read about yet and that's K-State. What a freakin disrespetful move that was to the Big 12, Bob Huggins, and everyone who bleeds purple, black, white, and whatever other colors they are. I can't believe a team that finished 10-6 in their conference