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Thursday, March 15, 2007

Jayhawks keep Niagara coach wide awake

By Ryan Wood

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So much for that celebration.

Stretching out on a charter bus heading to Chicago on Wednesday afternoon, Niagara University's basketball players were sleeping like babies as the bus rolled through Indiana.

But not coach Joe Mihalich. Bless his heart, he could barely shut his eyes.

"I was doing great," Mihalich said, "until I watched the Kansas tape. Goodness gracious."

Niagara won the play-in game over Florida A&M, 77-69, Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio, to move on. Now the official 16 seed in the West region, the Purple Eagles (23-11) will play top-seeded Kansas University (30-4) at 6:10 p.m. Friday at the United Center.

Niagara's team boarded a bus in Dayton at midday Wednesday and made the four-hour ride through three states. Once the team arrived in Chicago, the plan was to have a light workout, a hearty dinner and a film session Wednesday evening.

"Our kids are kind of wiped out," Mihalich said. "We're going to get onto a basketball court and walk through some stuff and get some of the soreness out."

Mihalich was tickled at his team's effort against Florida A&M in the play-in game. The Purple Eagles were led by Clif Brown's 32 points, while three other players hit double figures. Usually a high-scoring team with many weapons, the Purple Eagles' balance was there except for Brown's surge. A 6-foot-7 forward, he hit 10 of 18 shots and six three-pointers to become the dominant scorer Tuesday.

"We've been a team where, if one or two guys aren't getting it done, somebody else steps forward," Mihalich said. "That's kind of what happened."

Sounds a lot like the Jayhawks, who in the three Big 12 tournament games in Oklahoma City last weekend had three different high scorers en route to the championship.

After Wednesday's victory, Mihalich started right away on the scouting report for Kansas. And, as expected, he's more than a little impressed.

"They're tremendous," Mihalich said. "If they have a weakness, we haven't found it. The only time they're not fun to watch is when you have to play against them."

Niagara will hold an open practice at the United Center today from 5:55 to 6:35 p.m., soon after Kansas wraps up its workout.

If Niagara's season ends against the Jayhawks on Friday as most expect it to, Mihalich still prefers to put his team in elite company. Not many 16 seeds get an NCAA Tournament victory at all, but the Purple Eagles are counting their play-in triumph as just that.

"We're really happy to get an NCAA Tournament win," Mihalich said. "I think we're a little more relaxed. There was a little anxiousness (Tuesday) night.

"But who would have ever thought that Niagara would win an NCAA Tournament game where it was a must-win situation? We HAD to win that game, and that's what we did."

NCAA Tournament

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Comments

Jclarkson (anonymous) says...

I listened to Niagara's coach talking after the Play-in game victory. He did nothing but praise Kansas and talk about how much he respects us.

March 15, 2007 at 1:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

"Our kids are kind of wiped out," Mihalich said. "We're going to get onto a basketball court and walk through some stuff and get some of the soreness out."

That is the biggest farse of a statement I've read this morning. Niagara had 8 days off before their game against Florida A&M. These kids are ready to play and they'll do everything they can to pull of the upset. I think having that "Play-In" game actually helped those guys b/c of their long lay-off. I don't know, but I don't like this team. Their pretty darn good for a 16 seed.

March 15, 2007 at 4:32 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jclarkson (anonymous) says...

Would any of us be this concerned if we hadn't lost in the first round the last two years?

Niagara isn't a very deep team. Once they start going to the bench, thats going to hurt them. Plus they're oversized. They had 8 days off, and thats great, but its not like they played a great game against famu. famu played all weekend. Given how tired FAMU was, Niagara should've taken care of business.

Maybe they could go for a 15 or a 14 seed, but that shouldn't matter. We should be able to beat this team.

March 15, 2007 at 4:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

unklemonkey (anonymous) says...

Both FAMU and Niagra looked like they were walking the entire game on Tuesday. I don't know if the Purple Eagles can match the speed that KU plays at, but that Clif Brown guy didn't look too bad.

March 15, 2007 at 7:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JJEagleHawk (anonymous) says...

If we can't beat niagra, we don't have any business being a #1 seed or anyone's pick for an NC ever again.

March 15, 2007 at 7:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhwkfan162515 (anonymous) says...

At least their coach respects us. Too bad the same can't be said for their fans or the national media.

March 15, 2007 at 8:54 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

LHS1980 (anonymous) says...

..and the Seattle media has already given the West bracket to UCLA. Says KU has no way of winning against UCLA. I hope KU's players are reading that, because they are getting NO respect out here.

RCJH!

March 15, 2007 at 9:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

I don't like the Niagara team but for other reasons. They are solid ball club with a lot of talent (for their size and recruiting pull)... that, I like.

What I don't like about them is that they seem to have a history (past and present) of dipping too deeply into the 'thug' well. If for no other reason, KU needs to beat that team (and beat 'em good) to show them that thuggery only gets one so far before character and real history show up to walk hand-in-hand with Karma.

GO KU!

March 15, 2007 at 9:34 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007...

March 15, 2007 at 10:35 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

jross- Nice find. Let's hope it is prophetic and NOT pathetic.

Ralk Chalk~

March 15, 2007 at 10:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/...

March 15, 2007 at 10:44 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

perfectly stated Jayceph. I agree 100% about how character and karma will take you farther. That's why I have absolutely no ill-feelings about some guys leaving under Self.

Most of us say we are "unconditionally" KU fans. But seriously, if KU lacked the tradition and integrity that it does have, what would there be to root for? Success? Who cares about a team that's successful if they lack character? I would not care how many games KU won, I would not root for them if their M.O. was to go after all the top talent regardless of their character. We all have the comfort of knowing that KU will always be rich in talent AND character. It goes well beyond just rooting for the local school, or for your alma-mater, or just plain band-wagon jumping (and we all know there's a lot of that). What KU represents is why we (should) root for them.

What I love most about this year's team, is all our guys have it. KU could still have J.R. and C.J. on the team. But I'm extremely thankful that we don't, because there's two guys that I would have mixed feelings about. Self could sacrifice his integrity by trying to go out of his way to pull some strings and cover certain incidents up. But he doesn't, and the value he puts on character, integrity and accountability is a big influence in the type of people he has playing for him now.

No matter what the outcome during the next few weeks (and next season), this group is truly special, and one that will stand out in my mind for a very long time.

March 15, 2007 at 12:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

swishymcjayhawk (anonymous) says...

those tools on Around the Horn give us no respect either. The lady reporter from Boston says we won't get past Southern Illinois.

March 15, 2007 at 12:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

lalawguy (anonymous) says...

Jclarkson, I agree that I wouldn't be as concerned about this first round if we had made it past the first round last year or the year before. Nonetheless, I think the last two years have opened our eyes to the potential for upsets against our beloved Jayhawks in the NCAA.

My problem with this Niagara team is that it clearly should not be a 16 seed, and definitely not a play-in candidate. Niagara has a longer winning streak than KU right now. It only went 1-6 early in the season because it was missing its best player.

I still think KU can beat them handily, but they can't be in the mindset that this team is a true 16 seed. I would have placed them as a 14 or 15 at worst.

March 15, 2007 at 12:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ralsterKUMed95 (anonymous) says...

I agree with alot of what everyone above is saying--frankly, our guys just need to go out and beat this team for a LOT of reasons. Last year we may have epitomized the inconsistencies of freshmen and gotten surprised in the first round, while the year before we had a veteran but tired, demoralised, injured squad with very little off the bench--a team that could have gotten to the elite8 (maybe), or a ripe situation for an earlier upset as happenned...
This year's squad is tough, difficult to faze, and plays truly nasty defense--all with the depth of basically 8 starters (!!) ALSO nicely improved big man play since Self called that into question before BigXII play. big joke to think offensively-challenged Southern Illinois can do anything against our squad other than cause a few extra turnovers. I hear WSU fans go on and on about how boring and 1-dimensional SIU is. I look forward to the Kentucky game--that team was fun to beat in Kentucky, and is currently only about half the powerhouse that its name evokes from years ago. KU has about as much talent as it has ever had, and it is no longer just 'potential' like we were discussing here 3 months ago--see our balanced production from multiple players. A team such as this should NOT be surprised by a mid-major; our NBA prospects have NOT departed, ARE experienced, and we are playing as a team. Do not forget the defense--you can hang around in a scoring drought for a long time if the other team cannot score either. (Recall some of our 'ugly' wins Dec/Jan).

March 15, 2007 at 3:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkcafefan57 (anonymous) says...

Amazin as game day gets closer, Niagra gets better!! KU is gonna play well and will win as it's opponent is still a #16 seed.

go jayhawks

March 15, 2007 at 5:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rtjayhawk (anonymous) says...

I don't care if they are tired, let's beat their (insert word here)......

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!!!!

March 15, 2007 at 9:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )