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Men's Basketball

Monday, March 12, 2007

Road begins in Chicago

By Gary Bedore

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Oklahoma City — Kansas University basketball players Mario Chalmers, Sherron Collins and Russell Robinson thrust their right index fingers into the air late Sunday afternoon in a meeting room deep in the basement of Ford Center.

The Jayhawks, who had just dusted off Texas, 88-84 in overtime in the Big 12 tournament championship game, were beaming with pride after learning via the Selection Sunday show on CBS that they'd been awarded a No. 1 seed in the West Regional of the NCAA Tournament.

"It means a lot," sophomore forward Julian Wright told the media after the TV show had ended. "We put ourselves back up there as one of the top teams in the nation. We'll do the best we can to go as far as we can."

For KU, the Road to the Final Four starts in Wright and Sherron Collins' hometown of Chicago. KU will meet the winner of Tuesday's play-in game between Florida A&M and Niagara at 6:10 p.m. Friday in the United Center.

If KU wins, it would meet either Villanova or Kentucky approximately 4 p.m. Sunday, with the winner of that game advancing to the Sweet 16 in San Jose, Calif., for Thursday-Saturday games. KU could meet Illinois, Virginia Tech, Southern Illinois or Holy Cross in the Sweet 16. UCLA and Pittsburgh are the top teams on the bottom part of the bracket looming as Elite Eight possibilities.

"I thought we'd get a No. 1 seed if we won today," said KU coach Bill Self, whose 30-4 Jayhawks earned their seventh top seed in history and first since 2002, when KU reached the Final Four and lost to Maryland in the semis.

Reader poll

How well will the Jayhawks do in the NCAA tournament?

  • Win it all! 73% 1947 votes
  • Lose in championship game. 2% 74 votes
  • Lose in Final Four. 11% 293 votes
  • Lose the second weekend. 5% 157 votes
  • Lose opening weekend. 2% 72 votes
  • Undecided. 3% 100 votes

2643 total votes.

"Of course if they made the selection before the game was over that had a chance to hurt our seed being down 22 (points)."

That wasn't a factor as the Jayhawks blazed to victory and joined North Carolina (East), Ohio State (South) and Florida (Midwest) as No. 1 seeds.

"It's great. It's where we want to be," junior Sasha Kaun said. "That was one of our goals. We're really excited for Julian and Sherron going home. I think we deserve it the way things turned out here."

Both Collins and Wright downplayed heading to the Windy City.

"It will be good since my mother and grandmother can go," Collins said, "but it doesn't really matter. I just think it's great we're a top seed. I think we deserved more respect than they were giving us all season."

"It doesn't really matter if it was Anchorage, Alaska, or wherever," Wright said. "We're just happy to be in the tournament. It is nice to be in your hometown, but it could be any city."

Self said he was pleased KU already had one game in the Chicago area - a loss to DePaul in December in All-State Arena in Rosemont.

"I'm glad we went once, though I wish we'd won the game. It was not a great trip for us," Self said. "Julian and Sherron will have to make some adjustments in their mindset this time. We'll talk about it."

Photo Gallery

Big 12 Tourney: KU vs UT

As far as being placed in the West, Self wasn't totally shocked.

"Who knows what to expect?" he said. "Kansas has a great contingent of fans out West. If we're fortunate enough to go there, I'm sure they will buy their allotment. Our fans find a way to get there."

The matter at hand now is the play-in game winner. KU won't know its foe until Tuesday night. Will it hurt game preparation?

"I don't think so," Self said. "If you know who you are playing tonight, your focus in all on them. I think we need to step back, get our batteries recharged and start Wednesday."

He said the Jayhawks never looked past an opponent, so he could actually spend a bit of time looking at Villanova and Kentucky as well as the play-in participants, since he knows not whom the Jayhawks will play in Round One.

"We'll watch tape on both those teams (Florida A&M, Niagara)," Self said, "but I think sometimes you can have too much time to spend on an opponent. I think this may break it up and be a good thing for us. We did it at Illinois, and it wasn't bad."

Audio clips

2006-07 March 11 KU-UT Hoops

In 2001, his Illinois team beat Northwestern State, the play-in winner.

Self said the West Regional looked mighty tough to him. He was asked about tradition-rich UCLA, plus Pitt and Illinois being in the region.

"What about Kentucky and Villanova?" Self said. "You look at the 8, 9 seeds. They're tough teams. Every year you look at the bracket and say it's the toughest and that you get no favors. The truth is parity has set in. The difference - there are more upsets - is everybody has good guys."

As far as his team being upset in the first round the last two years, he said he wouldn't ignore the issue.

"I'll talk to the players about it. There's no reason to shy away from it. They'll ask," he said of media.

¢Self was upset Kansas State did not make the tourney field.

"I'm not surprised Texas Tech got in. They deserved it. It is disappointing K-State did not get in," he said. "If you watch our league ... how can a 10-6 team not get in? It's ridiculous."

¢KU could play Self's former school, Illinois, in the Sweet 16. That game would be in San Jose.

"I hope we play Illinois. It means we both would have won two games," he said. "It wouldn't be much fun playing Illinois in Chicago. If there was a matchup, there'd be some talk about it I'm sure."

¢Self noticed the Selection Committee was near the end of its meeting as KU and Texas played into overtime close to the start of the 5 p.m. show. "I checked my watch. I said, 'We've got to end this now,'" Self quipped of the game.

¢Self knows little about Niagara of the Metro Atlantic Conference and Florida A&M of the MEAC. "I know Florida A&M ran a great side out play to score the other night," he said. "I'll know a lot more."

KU vs. Texas

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Comments

jaybate (anonymous) says...

I have to confess something people. A few minutes after half time in the most recent Texas game, when KU was down seven to ten points, I thought KU desparately needed some luck, so I did something I've never done before.

I put one of my KU T-shirts on my Great Pyrenee named Maddie. She's a St Bernard sized dog with long, white hair. It was a hot day here in Cali and she did not want to wear the Jayhawk shirt, but she looked at me with her soulful, brown eyes and communicated, okay, if this is what it takes for you to be happy, master, I'll do it.

So: I slipped it on her and I swear from that moment on KU ground relentlessly back to even, then ahead, then behind, then even, then OT and a win. She takes absolutely no credit for the win, because she is too humble, but I think she may have been the difference.

I'm not saying I'm superstitious, but starting next Friday, she is wearing the same Jayhawk T-shirt from tip off for every remaining game of the tournament.

Maddie says she thinks the team can go all the way.

She has never lied to me before.

March 12, 2007 at 12:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

turdferguson (anonymous) says...

Anyone notice that the 2 seeds seem to have gotten more regional consideration than the 1s? UCLA won't leave California unless they make the final four, Wisconsin in the St Louis reg. And Georgetown in the NJ Region. UNC in the NJ region looks like the shortest trip for a 1.

Also, did I miss something? Florida loses 3 out of 4, then beats 4 unranked teams in a row and suddenly they're God's gift to college basketball. There is not a person alive that could say anything to convince me that they did anything to deserve the overall number one seed.

PS

LOL for K-State not getting in.

March 12, 2007 at 1:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

CaramelMacchMan (anonymous) says...

It's all business!! man!! It's all bidness!!!

You wanna sale your tickets!!!

I know We got Jacked!!!

This is what prolly happened:
Committee Members: " Damm it who should we put as #1 seed in west!! lets check the record! KU won last 11 in a row, Florida lost 3 games in last three weeks, UNC lost three games this past month and back to back lost to unranked team, Ohio state won 17th stright.....hmmm we can't put Ohio state in west!!! ohhhh Lets screw KU....."

Other Committee Memeber: "Yeah Lets screw KU.."

If you wanna sale even more tickets,

Give

West #1 seed to UCLA

Midwest #1 seed to Ohio State

East # 1 seed to UNC

South #1 seed to Kansas
south #2 seed to Florida

March 12, 2007 at 3:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Strikewso (anonymous) says...

Yeah, but I don't want to play Florida again, it's tough to beat a team like that twice in one season. UCLA is scary but they went to the Final 4 last year, they're due for a little March Madness bad luck. Just be happy we won the Big 12 tourney and accept that no one has any control over the torture to come in the next two weeks. I just hope we make it past the first two rounds.

BTW, I think the Big 12 needs to play their championship game sooner, like on Saturday. We get screwed every single year playing the very last tourney game and it instantly gets overshadowed by the bracket show. Not to mention we get less rest than everyone else.

March 12, 2007 at 3:43 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

nbnozzy (anonymous) says...

Just like in 88', the Jayhawks can win it all if they are "hungry" enough. This team is one of the best KU has ever put out on the floor.

h-u-n-g-e-r

Never let the opponent back into the game if you are leading. Don't ever let up on continued hard play.
Nice guys only get the consolation prize. "Win one for the ozzy".

I'm so proud of this team.

March 12, 2007 at 6:52 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

To add on to some of my comments yesterday. Check out this link and you'll see the bios on every tournament committee member. If there isn't a little bias from this committee then I'll change my name to Mizzoushaw. I love the guy who calls his almater "The Ohio State University". I like the fact that the teams that made the tourney that shouldn't have were all affected by this committee. The Big East and the Big 12, which really had no comittee member near the region of our conferences, got shafted in the tourney. You know what, throw the Missouri Valley Conference in there as well. I love the fact that the Big 10, SEC, ACC, and Pac 10 were all well represented. I also like the idea that the mid-major conferences that were represented are located in Big 10 country. Hmmmmmm, it makes you want to think. I'll add more later since this is a hot topic.

http://bracketography.com/selectionco...

March 12, 2007 at 7:54 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

Strikeswo: I agree with you about the conference tourney. I think we need to move the conference tournament back a day so we have our final on Saturday Evening. I like the fact that the Big East and Pac 10 schedule their tourney this way. It gives them an extra day to focus if they pull a UCLA and lose in the first round and it also gives an extra day of rest if you do well, such as a Gerorgetown. I think Georgetown will go far in the tourney. I like the younger Thompson as a coach. Finally, for the time being, I think we have an excellent bracket. The only team that scares me in the upper half of our bracket is Villanova and Virgina Tech. Jay Wright and Seth Greenberg are excellent coaches and they always have their teams prepared. They usually don't always have the talent, but their crafty enough to get the most out of their players. The incentive-Take down #1 seed powerhouse in Kansas. Believe me, this will be no cakewalk, but I really do like our pairings. I'm just glad we don't have teams like UNLV, Winthrop, Gonzaga, Nevada, or Davidson. We really don't have one surprise team in the top half of our bracket. We know all about Kentucky's history. We know about Villanova and how good their teams's have been the last couple of year's, plus they have a great coach. Virgina Tech beat UNC twice, I loved that by the way, and has a very good coach. Illinois is going to get destoryed. Southern Illinois 10 years ago would be a sleeper, but we know too well about the MVC and they won't sneak up on us. All I need to say is Patriot League and Holy Cross and everyone who is a Kansas fan knows about the Patriot League and Holy Cross. Plus, they gave us a scare 4 years ago.

March 12, 2007 at 8:08 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jaminrawk (anonymous) says...

I'm of the mind that we'll have to beat good teams no matter what. If it's UK, Villanova, UCLA, S. Illinois, Illinois, ect., who cares? KU needs to take care of business. We only have to play in California for two games (cross your fingers). We toppled the South in their own back yard in the Big XII tourney, and being a good academic school, we have planty of successful alumni that live in California that will show up. Remember, our fans travel no matter where we go, be it New York, Alaska or Hawaii. The committe can't screw KU if they play like they did in the second half of the Big XII Championship game.

March 12, 2007 at 8:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayloco (anonymous) says...

I am taking for granted we won't make history and be the first #1 seed to lose an opening round game. That 2nd round game is very intriguing. Kentucky is more name than game this year, but Randolph Morris is a good player. However, I think we match up well since we have a lot of bigs that could wear down Morris. Plus, Kentucky has had trouble all year from the perimeter. That doesn't bode well for them to beat the Hawks. Nova' on the other hand would be very tough. 2 really good guards in Sumpter and Reynolds. Russ, Mario, and Sherron would have their hands full. They shoot the 3 ball well, so anything can happen with a team built around the 3. I don't think their front court could match us though. It sucks that we would have to play UCLA in Cali if we made it that far. Not sure how well their fans travel, but given that it is only about a 4 1/2 hour trip up North, they probably will have a strong contingent. So that I don't piss off the college basketball Gods, I must make reference to a 3rd round game vs. possibly VT or S. Ill. I think we would match up well vs the Salukis, but VT is very athletic and would test our athletes. Any team that has beaten NC twice and Duke in Durham has the ability to make it tough on KU. Wouldn't it be awesome to get a rematch with those Crusaders of Holy Cross?!

March 12, 2007 at 8:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

Jaybate. Funny story.

Is that kind of like a rally cap in baseball? If so, I think it's bad luck to start the game with the rally cap on. Better leave it off until we need a spark!

March 12, 2007 at 9:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

srj (anonymous) says...

A 16 seed gets closer to winning every year. The 16 seed is 6-1-1 VS the spread the last two years. And I did notice Niagara is a whopping 8 point favorite? That's alot for a play-in-game.

March 12, 2007 at 9:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

lalawguy (anonymous) says...

If you look at the average scoring margin between 1 and 16 seeds each year, you'll see that the numbers decrease. I am sure this trend won't be reflected in KU's game on Friday (knock on wood).

That being said, this team needs to be aware of the reputation that is on the line, and come out swinging. The Jayhawks need to win by 30+ against Fla. A & M or Niagara to keep people from saying "They only got past the first round because they had an easy match-up as a 1 seed." Then again, if we are up 20 at the half, it will be OK if Self decides to take out the starters (and let them rest for Sunday), as long as the Jayhawks' lead does not decrease.

As for UCLA, I do agree that it got an easy road. It is a 2 seed and it will not have to play a single game in its region outside of its home state. I think the committee placed the Bruins in the West as a consolation for not being a 1 seed.

March 12, 2007 at 11:43 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

Jaybate, satire fits you well. It looks good on you. Keep up the good work.

Lebowski is right, you might want to wait to break out the shirt for when (if) KU needs that extra spark.

1st round in Chi-town!! Let's Rawk-em and Chawk-em and Beak-em and then celebrate with a parade in downtown Lawrence. One game at a time...

March 12, 2007 at 12:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

leikness (anonymous) says...

kushaw:

It's not his alma mater, it's where he currently works. Says he played football at Notre Dame.

Also, the Guerrero guy from UCLA, I would imagine that has something to do with staying in CA. We need Bob Frederick back on that committee.

March 12, 2007 at 12:29 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

If we play the UCLAN...

I think they're a pretty good club, even though I think they were overrated alot of the season, because they're thin in the front court and good, not exceptional in the front court.

Backcourt: Collison and Afflalo form an excellent guard combo, probably a little better combo than any we've faced, though neither of them is individually as dominant probably as some of the guards we've already faced. Acie Law comes to mind. But they are a fine pair that complement each other well.

PG: Collison is lightening quick, certainly as fast as Augustin. However, Collison is a year older and more experienced. On last year's National Finalist, Collison played a role kind of like Collins is playing this year...instantly picked up the pace when he entered five or ten minutes into the half, penetrated, and scored. He would have started most places, but Jordan Farmar was a first round draft choice playing ahead of him. Collison's made 45 treys for a 42% average. He's their second option on trifectas. Collison will be a challenge, but RR, especially and Collins match-up pretty well with him.

2 guard: Afflalo is 6'5", very experienced, strong, not flashy but very good. He's their Chalmers, only 4" taller. Shoots 38% from trey with 77 makes. He's their first option on treys. He represents the nightmare matchup at the two guard that I've been worrying about all season long. I doubt that Chalmers at 6'1" can handle Afflalo. Afflalo will shoot over him from outside and take him inside. This will be Mario's biggest challenge of his career at KU IMHO and I think he'll start on him, but I think Rush will have to take over down the stretch of both halves.

3 wing: Josh Shipp--a 6'5" wing shooting only 31% from trey with 35 makes. He's clearly their third option on the trey. Shipp has not quite lived up to expectations on his numbers, but he is an important defender and a threat to put the ball on the floor. If his trey shooting were better, he would be their Rush. Rush can handle Shipp.

Front court: The front court is why UCLA has been overrated this year. They lost their 7' center from last year to the NBA and they have to play 4s as 5s across the front line. Mbah a Moute, Matta, Aboya are good but not great athletes and players. They are 6'8 or 6'9". After these three there is a big fall off. Mbah a Moute and Matta have final four experience though and have proven themselves able to carry the front court against pretty good competition over the season so they are not to be taken lightly. But they do lack depth and KU's big men look like they ought to be able to take them with equal talent, more size and greater numbers.

March 12, 2007 at 2:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

The Problem with UCLA: They pose two problems to KU. One is their good, tall 2 guard Afflalo which I have already discussed. The second problem is the style of ball they play. KU has been subjected to a tremendous amount of butcher ball this year and so they are prepared for being muscled. UCLA is NOT a muscle team. They are a team that is coached to foul constantly. They are trained to foul in ways the refs rarely call. I say Coach Self teaches a defense that involves alot of push and shove that is not called by refs. Coach Howland of UCLA teaches the art of hacking fouls that are not called very often by refs. KU has not really played a team that defends the way UCLA does. Almost every shot KU will take will have a wrist hack. Every time KU big men put the ball on the floor they will be hacked. Every time any KU player goes for a rebound they will be hacked. It has to be the most irritating form of defense I've ever seen and it constantly derails teams from playing their game, which is exactly what it is intended to do. Howland has developed this defensive style. I suspect it came out of his days in the smaller schools of the west where you had to compete with lesser talent. This team would be no where without this hacking defense. It is another challenge for KU to overcome. I'm sure they are talented enought to beat UCLA 7 games out of ten. But they are going to have to learn to get hacked constantly without trying to do the same. When other teams start hacking back, the refs start calling the fouls on the other team, which hasn't been trained to hack.

March 12, 2007 at 2:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

Leikness: Thank you for the correction b/c when you have as much vast knowledge as I, sometimes I do miss the little things. Either way, Almater or not, current job, etc., I love how people who are connected in some manner with this instituion call themselves "The" Ohio State University. I might as well start calling KU "The Mighty" Kansas University Jayhawks.

LaLawguy: I agree with you up to the point of your UCLA analysis. Yes, they will have a home court advanatage to the Final, if they make it that far, but I think that is the toughest 8 team pairing in the tourney. I do not think UCLA will come out of their side alive. I hope Gonzaga wins, but Gonzaga has some payback from last year's 20 point collapse to the Bruins. Even if UCLA gets past their second round game they will still most likely have to face a Pitt or Duke squad. I would never want to play Duke in the tourney no matter how bad of team they have. I don't know this for sure, but I think out of all of their defeats their last loss to Carolina was their only double digit loss of the season. They play hard every minute and if you even win against Duke, you're tired as hell after the game. I hope Duke plays UCLA in the 16 b/c both of those teams will be completely worn out by the time they get to the Elite 8. I just hope we're there waiting to pounce on injured prey.

March 12, 2007 at 2:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

EXks (anonymous) says...

Below is a great, positive sports story on the Hawks
(Go Hawks!!)

Picking Kansas to go all the way
Jayhawks ready to solve early-round hex, win first title since 1988
Ken Davis

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17571348/

March 12, 2007 at 2:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

EXks: Great article, thanks for sharing. I think it's funny that Gary Walters, Chairman of this year's tournament, stated that Kansas was going to receive a #1 seed no matter if they won or lost the Big 12 tournament. Mr. Walters and his statements should be trusted and believed as much as politicians. Gary Walters should be relieved of his duties from the selection committee for his poor performance and leadership skills in this year's selections. For some reason, I feel in a couple year's we might have an Enron situation with Gary Walter's and the NCAA committee. That would be great, but highly unlikely. Great article, though.

March 12, 2007 at 2:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkcafefan57 (anonymous) says...

The BIG XII tournament finishes on SUN because of TV scheduling. As ESPN et al, likes to feature it's ballyhoo'd conferences, the BIG XII can get more games (and $$$$) on TV by finishing on SUN. The tourney should be done by SAT!

As to this years bracketing? it sux, but there is nothing that can be done about it but win. chalk'em jayhawks

March 12, 2007 at 2:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

Ha, love it kushaw, I think I'll refer to myself as "the" bmcmich from here on out--something that's always irritated me about Ohio St, and also Miami merely calling themselves "the U." I also share your hope that the other 8 in our region kinda beat up on each other, but that would only benefit us if we get the job done on our side. All in all, I like our path. I remember the last time we played out West we had to beat Arizona AND Dook on the way to the FF, proof that no matter how tough the road looks, it can be traveled!

March 12, 2007 at 2:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

All Posters: Where the heck is JROSS and JCEPH? The most important time of the year is here and I haven't seen a post from these two individuals the past two days. I enjoy their posts and agree with them about 50% of the time. I also enjoy the overuse of their extended vocabulary b/c of their high intellect. Where are those guys or gals?

March 12, 2007 at 3:29 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

countryjayhawk (anonymous) says...

Yeah i was kind of wondering why they had Florida in the midwest region myself. Oh well, in '03 keep in mind we were all upset that we didnt get the #1 seed, we were a 2 seed in the hardest region (West Region as well) which also had their finals in California.

March 12, 2007 at 4:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JNgohawks (anonymous) says...

I love our bracket. No one can say 'what an easy ride they had to the final 4', if we play to our potential it doesn't matter. I agree with whoever said they were glad not to have florida in our bracket, it would be harder the second time.

March 12, 2007 at 4:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fabio (anonymous) says...

Everyone is talking about the KU/UCLA matchup. You are assuming that both KU and UCLA will win in the first three rounds.
That is an interesting assumption, especially considering UCLA could not beat Cal a few days ago on a neutral floor, a few days before that lost to Washington. Niether of those teams are dancing. I am not even assuming UCLA will beat Weber State.
Part of me wants UCLA to get to the regional finals. What better way to show everybody that Kansas basketball is back than to go to California and clown those beloved Bruins in thier own backyard.

March 12, 2007 at 6:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Boy, what DID KU or Self do to rub ESPN the wrong way? I've been mentioning for a few days now that KU has fallen completely off the radar screen of ESPN's college basketball page the last few weeks. It continues again today. Can this sort of indifference really befall them just because Coach Self wouldn't sign Bob Knight's promo letter to get Vitale into the BHOF?

March 12, 2007 at 7:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Post Script: Just read Dickie V's latest. He's still miffed at KU, babyyyy. Dick starts his tourney forecast by saying that UCLA is better off being a 2 seed behind KU playing at home than getting shipped out of region the way KU was. Come on, Dickie baby, give the Jayhawks a little luv. They're the first or second best team in the country at the end of the conference tourneys. OSU is rated one, but we all know the B10 was weak in the knees babyyyyy.

Anyway, Dickie goes on to pick a KU-UCLA matchup in the West regional final and a UCLA win! Come on, Dickie babyyyyy, UCLA's front court is no match for KU. They're three deep, where we're four deep. They're 6'8"/6'8"/6'9" where KU is 6'10"/6'9"/6'8"/6'8". And KU's guys are stronger, faster, tougher and better. Our front court just got done dealing with Durant. Do you think they're going to be fearing Mbah a Moute, etc.

Next, Dickie, UCLA has no one who can handle Rush--no one at all. And RR and Sherron will wear little Collison out.

Afflalo is the only guy we have a bad matchup with at the two. But its so simple. KU will just put Rush on him, put Chalmers on Shipp who bricks it from trifectataville, and let the bigs take care of Shipp when he tries to come inside on little Mario. Oh, and don't forget, Dickie babyyyy, Mario has played against tall guards all season.

Lastly, UCLA has not had to play the kind of competition KU has been forged by
during January and February. UCLA has never even played against Durant and Texas, much less beaten them twice.

Frankly, Dickie V, unless KU shoots under 35% from trifectaville and comes out flat, UCLA hasn't got a prayer. They just aren't tough enough. They just aren't good enough. And playing in their own time zone isn't going to save them. We're not Roy's panty waists anymore, good as Roy's panty waists were in their time. This KU team is a bunch of tough nuts. Self doesn't call KU training boot camp for nothing. He doesn't advocate back your buddy at all costs for nothing. And Huggins, Knight, Capel and Barnes attempts at thug ball have hardened them up the way combat hardens up crack fighting units.

Oh, and by the way, babyyyy, Memphis is going to win that Midwest regional. And if it does somehow come down to aTm vs. Ohio State, as you predict, Ohio State will go down. B10 butcher ball is now something B12 teams see 4 or five times a conference season. TTech, KSU, OU and Texas all play butcher ball, babyyyyyy. And Gillispie will outcoach Matta. And when those big bodies from College Station get done working Oden over, and when OSU can't figure whether to fish or cut bait after facing take what they give us Eddie-ball for the first time this year, they're going down. Oh, and Acie Law is better than any backcourt player on OSU and aTm's 6'7" two guard will shut down OSU's top wing player. Do you really think Oden can carry a team yet? Nope. He's a good one, but he's not a great one yet.

Bank on it, babyyyyy. :-)

March 12, 2007 at 7:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fabio (anonymous) says...

I dont see Memphis going to San Antonio and beating Texas A&M. Texas A&M is not Houston.

March 12, 2007 at 10:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhwkfan162515 (anonymous) says...

Hey Coach Self, here's some more bulletin board material to make your guys hungry. "Kansas has a habit of falling way behind" Just because we've done it twice now against Texas doesn't make it a habit! >:(

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news?sl...

By the way, will KU ever wear those red uniforms again?

March 12, 2007 at 10:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says...

jaybate, you are a crazy a$$ mother f'er with stating that story about your dog, but i will say if thats the good luck we need, dont let that damn dog out of that shirt! Also, im going to agree with everything you said. WOW! I can't believe I said that.............and I want to add something. Dicky V babyyyy said he chose UCLA because of their defense.........HA! We have a top 5 defense, and a top 3 offense. We are so balanced, no one go-to-guy! What a joke! Anyways, This is going to be great! I love this $hit!!!!!!!!!!

March 12, 2007 at 10:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

notabandwagonfan,

Brothers come together at crunch time. High five. You and I are no different than Mario and Coach Self going cheek to jowel in late January, just had to clear the air and piss off some ground. Well, maybe we are a little different. Coach has the whammy on Mario and you and I are equals. Glad to know you.

This defense of UCLA's is something different. Its a hacking defense, instead of a muscling defense. Its tough to prepare for, because you just can't believe they can get away with hacking constantly. But Howland coaches them this way and teaches them every way to hack that there is. As nearly as I can tell Howland's theory is that if you have all of your players hack constantly the refs call a few early, but then just decide to overlook most of them because otherwise they'd have to foul everyone out. It works kind of like when the butcher ballers like Knight, Huggins, Capel, and Barnes begin roughing up another team nonstop. The refs call a few early, but basically begin to let the players play rough, or they have to foul everyone out.

KU has learned to play against muscle ballers, but I don't think they've played against this hacking style of defense. You have to be careful how you respond. What happens to most teams is they get irritated about having every shot be hacked and the refs calling only a few of them. The frustrated team then starts hacking and the refs call them, because they haven't been taught hack as cleverly as Howland has taught his players. Before you know it, the opponent is in foul trouble and Howland's team is still hacking away on every shot. If you saw UCLA play last year in the semfinals and finals that was exactly the way they hack this year too.

It will be very interesting to see how Self coaches the players to handle this.

March 12, 2007 at 11:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says...

this could be true, i have to say i havent seen alot of ucla games this season. However, im gonna go out a limb here, a very llllllloooooonnnnnngggggg limb here and say that there is no team, none notta, with the size, strength, and composure of our team in the pac-10. Key words..........Size, Strength, and Composure! Also, there is no backcourt in the pac-10 like ours. Maybe they are a difficult team to prepare for, but we are just plane better than they are. I think most people would agree with that. Where most people fail against them is in those areas that you stated, but I truely believe that we should/will succeed, assumming that we both make it that far!

March 13, 2007 at 12:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )