Originally published March 15, 2008 at 03:13p.m., updated March 15, 2008 at 05:36p.m.

KU survives another Sprint Center scare, ousts A&M, 77-71 in semis

By Ryan Greene

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Final, KU wins 77-71

It may sound redundant, but here it goes...

KU started slow in the Sprint Center, using an early second half run to build a lead it wouldn't relinquish, advancing in Big 12 Tournament play.

It was the case Friday night in a 64-54 win over Nebraska, and was again Saturday in a 77-71 semifinal triumph over pesky Texas A&M, giving KU its 30th win of the season and a berth in Sunday's title game against Texas, who earlier knocked off Oklahoma, 77-49. It marks the third straight year the league's tournament will end with a KU-UT showdown. KU won each of the past two years.

Brandon Rush was KU's best offensive option all afternoon against A&M, scoring a career-high 28 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including a 5-of-8 showing from long range. Darnell Jackson did the work inside for KU, who again had a quiet offensive showing from leading scorer Darrell Arthur. Jackson had 14 points and four rebounds, while Arthur scored just seven. Sherron Collins was big off the bench, as was the case a week ago, too, in a 72-55 win over A&M in College Station. This time, he had nine points and four assists.

Bryan Davis scored 16 points to lead A&M, while fellow big man Joseph Jones notched 14.

Sunday's game tips off at 2:00 p.m. KU lost to Texas in Austion on Feb. 11, 72-69.

For more on Saturday's game, including full postgame coverage and looks ahead to Sunday, log back onto KUSports.com and read Sunday's Journal-World.

3:41, second half, KU leads 70-66

Bryan Davis and Beau Muhlback combined to swish three free throws out of the timeout to pull A&M close yet again at 63-60, but off a feed from Sherron Collins, Darnell Jackson slammed home his 10th and 11th points of the game. The lead then dropped down to two points for KU as Beau Muhlbach cashed a three from the right wing, leading to a Bill Self timeout call.

Brandon Rush then got himself to the free throw line and hit two free throws, giving him a game-high 23 points and pushing the KU-heavy crowd in the Sprint Center to its feet.

Rush then exploded again, hitting a three in transition off a feed from Sherron Collins, giving himself a career-high 26 points on the afternoon. Joseph Jones, though, after a Texas A&M timeout, hit a three of his own to pull A&M to within four with 3:41 to play.

6:38, second half, KU leads 63-57

Bryan Davis hit one of two free throws out of the timeout, and Darrell Arthur came back the way KU had hoped he would much of the day, hitting a nice turnaround from in close after establishing position in the post. A&M's answer was an impromptu tip-in from Dominique Kirk off a Josh Carter three ball that was tipped by Brandon Rush. Sherron Collins went hard to the rack again and was fouled, hitting a pair of free throws to put KU up six at 55-49.

Brandon Rush scored his 17th and 18th points after Mario Chalmers called a 30-second timeout during a loose ball scramble, converting the bucket on another slashing drive to the rack. Josh Carter tried to come back with a three but was a bit long, and after KU couldn't anser, Bryan Davis hit the miracle three to end all miracle threes against a fading shot clock. Brandon Rush answered quickly with a deep three from straight on, putting KU ahead by eight. The lead went back down to five off a Josh Carter three and quickly ballooned back to eight with a Sherron Collins trifecta.

Bryan Davis dumped in an and-one bucket inside, leading to a full timeout at the 6:38 mark with KU ahead 63-57.

11:34, second half, KU leads 51-46

Derrick Roland scored a tough two along the baseline out of the timeout to stop the bleeding for Texxas A&M, and that was followed by traded three-pointers between he and Brandon Rush. Then, Chinemelu Elonu scored two after working inside against Darrell Arthur inside to pull the Aggies to within three.

A&M had two chances to bring it in closer after entry passes on the KU end went out of bounds off the hands of Darrell Arthur first, then Cole Aldrich, but Sherron Collins took off after an Aggie turnover and scored a bucket in transition to push the Jayhawk lead back to five at 51-46 with 11:34 to play.

15:38, second half, KU leads 46-39

Bryan Davis made it a two-point lead for A&M with a baseline jumper, which was the product of a Joseph Jones offensive rebound to follow up a Josh Carter three miss from the right wing.

Brandon Rush slugged back for KU with a floater while slicing across the lane on the other end, drawing a foul to go with it. His free throw gave him 11 points on the afternoon and KU a one-point edge. Rush then tried to add a three to it at after an A&M turnover, but it missed. Darnell Jackson followed it with a tip-in, putting KU ahead by three. The lead grew to five on another Rush jumper folloiwng a Dominique Kirk miss. Sherron Collins then created some backcourt trouble, forced a steal and scored two in transition, putting KU ahead 46-39 with a quick 9-0 run, ending with a Mark Turgeon timeout call.

Halftime, game tied 34-34

Dominique Kirk, who hit six three-pointers Friday night, drilled his second of the game on the heels of another Joseph Jones jumper to pull Texas A&M to within two at 34-32. He then added a tear-drop jumper to tie the game. Joseph Jones forced a tie-up with Cole Aldrich on the defensive end to give Texas A&M another offensive opportunity before the break, but Kirk's jumper missed. KU got the ball with just under eight seconds to go but couldn't score.

The game went to the half knotted up, 34-34. Brandon Rush led KU with eight points, while Cole Aldrich chipped in six off the bench. Those points were needed with Darrell Arthur again starting slow, scoring just three before halftime. Joseph Jones, who struggled mightily against KU last Saturday, led all scorers with 11 points, while Dominique Kirk's late buckets gave him eight at the break.

2:47, first half, KU leads 34-26

Josh Carter hit a baseline jumper out of the timeout to pull A&M within one, but after a pair of KU misses couldn't convert on a three from the right wing against a fading shot clock. Darnell Jackson took down the long rebound and Cole Aldrich's second bucket of the game came on the other end on a 10-foot turnaround on the left side of the hoop.

Aldrich made it six points on the day off another lob feed, this time from Sherron Collins. Chinemelu Elonu then answered with a big one-handed slam underneath after corralling a board off a Josh Carter miss.

Elonu would add a free throw during a drought on the offensive end going both ways until Brandon Rush stroked his second three of the game with just over five minutes to play in the half, putting KU ahead 26-21.

Sasha Kaun then cashed a pair of free throws following DeAndre Jordan splitting a pair at the line. Russell Robinson pushed the lead to eight after a travel call against A&M's Bryan Davis. He collected the offensive board off a Darrell Arthur miss and slipped in two off the glass, putting the Jayhawks ahead 30-22.

Joseph Jones then scored his third bucket of the game inside after an offensive board, and his fourth two-pointer came moments later off a KU turnover. He hit his third mid-range jumper of the game. Darrell Arthur answered the A&M mini-run with a turnaround jumper inside - his first field goal of the game - and an open court Mario Chalmers layup sent the game into its final full break of the first half, KU ahead again by eight at 34-26.

10:17, first half, KU leads 19-16

Derrick Roland slashed inside for a hanging two off the left block out of the timeout to put Texas A&M up 11-5, and the Jayhawks tried to go inside ont eh other end, with Sasha Kaun getting himself to the free throw line, hitting the first and missing the second. Off his miss, Darnell Jackson tipped the rebound out to Sherron Collins, who fed Brandon Rush for his first three of the game.

Joseph Jones took an entry feed on the other end and tried to answer for the Aggies, but Sasha Kaun collected a defensive board off the long miss. Darnell Jackson then drew contact on DeAndre Jordan - just into the game - on the other end to give himself a shot at charities. He hit both to tie the game, but Jones answered with a mid-range jumper on the other end. Jackson came right back down the lane with a soft runner which fell in off the back iron.

Bryan Davis had a chance to push A&M back atop with a pair of free throws after drawing a foul on Darnell Jackson but couldn't convert. And after Darrell Arthur went empty inside on the offensive end from up close, Jones hit another jumper from just inside the arc.

The Jayhawks responded with a lob feed from Brandon Rush up top to Cole Aldrich, which was dropped in off the glass. Then, after forcing a Bryan Davis turnover, Rush shot up in transition and threw home a one-handed dunk. Sasha Kaun added to it with a two off the glass on a quick turnaround followoing a Donald Sloan three miss, pushing KU ahead by three and forcing Mark Turgeon to call a 30-second timeout.

15:50, first half, Texas A&M leads, 9-5

Darnell Jackson started the game with quick two off the glass after Russell Robinson controlled the opening tip. Dominique Kirk gave Texas A&M its first lead, however, on a three from the right wing, and Bryan Davis was able to draw a foul on Darrell Arthur underneath on the next possession after KU came up empty.

Davis hit both charities, and then scored two buckets sandwiched around a Mario Chalmers dunk in transition to put A&M up 9-5. Darrell Arthur was called for a travel at the 15:50 mark, sending the game into its first full break with KU down four.

Pregame

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The 2008 postseason Kansas University men's basketball team looked nothing like the one that finished the regular season on a four-game tear, escaping from Friday's quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament with a 64-54 win over Nebraska.

Now the Jayhawks get an immediate chance to redeem themselves in the semis against a pretty familiar foe. KU takes on Texas A&M, who it defeated in College Station on the Aggies' Senior Day exactly one week ago, 72-55.

The theme for KU in that win was interior defense, as the Jayhawks doubled down repeatedly, holding the inside trio of DeAndre Jordan, Joseph Jones and Bryan Davis to a combined 16 points on 5-of-16 shooting. A similar showing from the KU bigs today would mean a bounceback showing for sophomore forward Darrell Arthur, who last night struggled mightily in scoring just six points on 1-of-4 shooting, picking up four personal fouls. To contrast that, a week ago in Reed Arena, he was lights out from practically everywhere on the floor, finishing with 16 points and nine rebounds.

The Aggies advanced to play today by upsetting No. 3 seed Kansas State Friday night, 63-60. The winner gets Texas tomorrow in the tournament title game, as the Longhorns ousted Oklahoma, 77-49, in the day's first game.

Tip-off is set for right around 3:30 p.m.

Comments

melrank (anonymous) says...

Let's go Hawks.

March 15, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

melrank,

ask and ye shall receive!

March 15, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

NH - it's early. Are you partaking?

March 15, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

I like it so far.

Two productive trips going down low.

March 15, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

mel,

Definitely too early. I can't play that game like I used to (dating myself).

March 15, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Several Diet Coke's on ice for me, too :)

March 15, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Strike that previous post, DA is stinking it up.

Bring in Sasha.

March 15, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rcaltrider (anonymous) says...

Horrible foul call on DA. Then they miss the travel by Davis and call a phantom travel on DA. This may very well be the worst two weeks for officiating in history accross the country.

March 15, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

I like the game plan. Take it right at Jordan and expose the weakness.

March 15, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Yes, that subtle move by Self won't get into the box score but was important.

March 15, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

This is going to be a game of attrition.

March 15, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Sasha has become a reliable low post scorer when he is guarded 1 on 1.

March 15, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

I know Self likes to rest our players frequently to keep them fresh, but sometimes I wonder how it affects their rhythm. Seems like Rush is shooting the ball well and has a flow to his game today so why not keep him in? We need his offensive production (along with DA) if we're going to win.

March 15, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

I can only guess a lot of the substituting is somewhat pre-determined as part of the game plan. On the surface, I would agree with your comment.

March 15, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sava12 (anonymous) says...

Is anyone else not able to view ESPN2? All I get is ESPN news

March 15, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

On the other hand I certainly understand the Aggies are tired from having played an extra game than us. By keeping our guys rested, stands to reason that we'll run away from them (literally) in the 2nd half.

However, during the NCAA tourney everyone's in the same boat so why take someone out if they've got the hot hand?

March 15, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

sava - I've got the game. It sounds like you are being blacked out. Where are you?

March 15, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BCRavenJHawkfan (anonymous) says...

Aldrich is showing improvement. A little slamma jamma off the lob.

March 15, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

NH - you know it's a little slow on the board today when you have to debate your OWN statements :)

March 15, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

sava12 - I live in an ACC market and the UNC-VT game was blocked out (ESPN news instead). Maybe this game is blocked in the Big XII markets?

March 15, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

good point melrank...lol!

March 15, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BCRavenJHawkfan (anonymous) says...

ESPN Plus not ESPN2.

Note to Sprint Center and Big XII. Get a quality clock system!

March 15, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

KC? Clock problems? Tourney game?

A little deja-vu sounds good to me.

There you go, NH. Rush for 3.

March 15, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sava12 (anonymous) says...

Anyone else in CO not getting the game? This sucks. Last night they pulled the plug with 7 mins left to show the Nuggets pre-game! 30 mins of commercials and Carmelo. At least I got the UMBC / Hartford game - I couldn't have gone on with my life without knowing the outcome of that highlight.

March 15, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

"Sasha in the league for 10 years" - Fran Fraschilla.

Who would have thought that a couple of years ago?

Good for him.

March 15, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Sava - sorry. That stinks.

Unfortunately, I had a block on that Hartford clash in my area.

Do you have a radio feed? Someone gave me a good one yesterday.

March 15, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

sava12 - try the online audio feed

www.lazer.com

or

www.610sports.com

March 15, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

NH - you weren't tempted to give him that 810 feed were you?

That was too funny yesterday.

March 15, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

Mel,

That was pretty funny. Did you enjoy the K-State pregame show? lol.....

March 15, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sava12 (anonymous) says...

Atta-boy NH! It's good to be in the J-hawk nation.

March 15, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

I swear at least 5 minutes elapsed in game time and I could hear the crowd cheering, booing, etc, and they would not cut back to the play by play.

I was wondering what the hell kind of broadcast that was.

March 15, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Man, where's Keith Langford when you need him? I hope to God we never need a last minute basket to win a tourney game.

March 15, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Doesn't take long to analyze this one.

TAM - 52% from field.

DA - 1 for 3.

Sherron - 0 points.

Two fouls each on DA and DJ. They need to come out aggressive.

March 15, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

March Madness at it's finest:

1) Tornado pummels Georgia Dome

2) Blocked free throw (I've been watching hoops for over 30 years and have NEVER seen that before)

3) American and UMBC in NCAA for 1st time in school history. Drake 1st bid since 1971.

4) Controversial officiating in several games when the outcome is hanging in the balance

March 15, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

What's the blocked FT?

March 15, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

mel - again, sorry about that 810whb flub last night :)

ESPN2 is blocked out here in the Dallas market too (at least it is on DirecTV).

March 15, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Rush should be SCHOOLING Muhlbach!!!!!

March 15, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

End of the Kentucky - Georgia game. Billie Gillespie (not aware of a rule change that blocking a free throw is now a technical foul) asks his team to block the FT with literally a second left. The thought was that Georgia would get the 1 point (like a goal tending call) and then UK would get the ball out of bounds w/o running any time off the clock.

All this after a controversial non-call on Georgia seconds earlier that should have been a charging foul.

March 15, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

No kidding. I didn't see that. I'll look for it.

Howdy, TX. No harm, I'm just jealous I didn't get to do that to someone else :)

We're in a dogfight.

March 15, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Yee hoo, nice run, boys.

March 15, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Now, why can't we do this the WHOLE game?!?! We COAST too much!!!!

March 15, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

jayhawkinatl - glad to see you made it through the tornado down there. Crazy!

March 15, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Hey mel, worry not. It seems like almost every game, there is someone on here looking for an audio feed. Hopefully, you will have seven more opportunities this season :^)

March 15, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Go Clemson!!!!!

March 15, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Why the heck would they block this game in Dallas? To punish you for not driving to KC to see the game?

March 15, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Yeah, thanks, NH. Went downtown this morning to check out work...total war zone.

March 15, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Cracking up !!!!

March 15, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Going thru another round of tornadoes this afternoon and most likely some more tonight.

March 15, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

ATL - not cracking up at tornado - sorry it looks that way on the board.

Hell, lived in Kansas, that stuff is scary.

March 15, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

The only thing I can think is it's because they are showing the games here on a local broadcast channel. Good thing though, because they aren't showing it on ESPN Full Court like they noramlly do.

March 15, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

speedy (anonymous) says...

today sarted with me blasting espn for not showing the game. not my fault! why was the game listed for a friday? why for espn+ when it showed up on espn2. i only found it by accident.

March 15, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Man, we're letting them hang around...

March 15, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Turgeon is as scrappy at coaching as he was at playing.

March 15, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

Sherron is so good in transition! Man is he quick...he just beat 2 guys down the floor and it looked like they both had good position to stop him.

March 15, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

No worries, melrank.

March 15, 2008 at 5 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Waiting for the next spurt...

March 15, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

speedy - that is strange. ESPN is covering the game on the Deuce, and they are covering it regionally for the Big 12 on ESPN Plus. Typically though, ESPN Plus games are broadcast on Full Court.

March 15, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

He's really effective in that situation.

Obviously, he can get to the rim more easily than our other guys. I wish he would find a way to make a play when he gets jammed up in the lane, though. He sometimes over-penetrates and then bad things start happening (see last play before half time).

If I was an NBA scout, Cole might look more attractive today than DA.

March 15, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BannerforKirk (anonymous) says...

What's up with Darrell? Can't get anything to fall, seems frustrated and not really that into it. Anyone know if he's been sick or something? As I type this, he scores. Good, hopefully he can get something going - that's what makes KU so freakin' hard to beat, when he's on.

March 15, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Duke down by 4 with 43 seconds left.

March 15, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

DUKE GOES DOWN!!!!

March 15, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Duke loses!

Duke loses!

Duke loses!

March 15, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Can you believe that sh.....

March 15, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

BRush and Sherron came to play...they need some help though.

March 15, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Watch them still get a 2-seed...

March 15, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

I think I saw him mouth "bank."

March 15, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

I hear ya, txrockchalk.

March 15, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

beakemhawks (anonymous) says...

Coming from Berlin, Germany here... I need all the updates I can get here... ESPN360 is letting me down...

Rock Chalk from Europe

March 15, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

TX, should I?

Beak - try this radio feed

610sports.com

March 15, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

beakemhawks -

Try one of the following:

www.lazer.com

www.610sports.com

Sorry, mel :o)

March 15, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Dammit!!!!!

March 15, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

beak

5:13 left. KU Timeout. Hawks up by 2.

March 15, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

mel, you did the right thing!

March 15, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

LOL

March 15, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Come on, guys....don't lay a DUKIE!!!!!

March 15, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Hilarious, jayhawkinatl!!

March 15, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

beakemhawks (anonymous) says...

Got it boys...nothing like Bob Davis play by play. Wish I was there. Thanks.

March 15, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Nice decision Sherron.

Way to go, Brandon.

March 15, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Man, BRush is en fuego!!!!!

March 15, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

How about BRush today - wow. Career high.

March 15, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Beak - you in armed forces?

March 15, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

You got it, beakem.

March 15, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Nice en fuego, ATL!

We are educational on this board, too.

March 15, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

beakemhawks (anonymous) says...

Melrank-
Spring Break in Eastern Europe. Currently a senior at KU and a die-hard hawks fan...

March 15, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Beak - sounds like fun.

Glad to help.

March 15, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Way to run the floor, DJack!!!!!

March 15, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

How can you be that wide open?

Can we try that play sometime after a timeout?

March 15, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Be safe tonight, atl.

March 15, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

That old nemesis, again - free throws.

Let's go Bill, give us a good offensive set.

March 15, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Russell from nowhere - yes.

March 15, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

Hard fought 6 point win.

I'll take it.

March 15, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Thanks, txrockchalk.

March 15, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Hope our guys don't need any help from Coach to get fired up for the 'Horns.

March 15, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Until tomorrow, all...

March 15, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

Rush shut up all the haters today

March 15, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

So long, ATL.

Be safe.

March 15, 2008 at 5:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

beakemhawks (anonymous) says...

Rock Chalk boys... bring it home tomorrow against the 'Horns and show the section committee our trip to Austin was a fluke.

I guess the $64,000 question is would we rather be the fourth #1 seed or one #2 seed???

March 15, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jhawkerman (anonymous) says...

Survives is a good term for it .. Rock Chalk get it going Jayhawks .!!!!!

March 15, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

speedy (anonymous) says...

thank you for a senior guard! darnell was great too.
and rush finnally lived up to his potential the second half.

March 15, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

If that's the choice, it really shouldn't matter. The destination should be the same and the quality of the opponents won't be much different.

Given the way things are playing out this weekend in all the leagues, we should end up with a good spot in the midwest or south IF we take care of business tomorrow.

A loss tomorrow could send us out West or East as a lower #2.

March 15, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

NH - you were very prophetic on Rush early - nice call.

March 15, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

JAYBATE HEADLINE 1.0: ESPN STILL MINIMIZING KU TO THE TASKBAR...

ESPNNew Headlines: all the news that excludes KU

ESPN News Headlines:

Top ESPN Headline: Hansbrough High...translation: Crappy VTech almost upsets Overrated Tarholes AGAIN after losing to their pansy rumps once already!

2rd Headline: Clemson Stuns Duke...translation: Overrated Duke plays another decent team, like their recent loss to overrated UNC, and gets beat again.

Still Lower: Texas Shorthorns, i.e., Augustin and the other runt guard, get a headline on ESPN home page for beating feeble OU, while KU's win over big, brawny aTm gets short shrift.

JAYBATE HEADLINE 2.0: STOP CALLING IT THE NCAA TOURNEY, OR MARCH MADNESS. ITS OFFICIAL NAME IS (OR SHOULD BE) THE DOC ALLEN NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT

JAYBATE HEADLINE 3.0: DOC ALLEN TOURNEY EXPOSE THE SPORTS MEDIA WHORES

The thing that is soooooooooooooooo SWEET about the DOC ALLEN TOURNAMENT formerly known as March Madness and the NCAA Tournament, is that all the sports media whores are exposed for what they are: shills. The teams they tout the most almost always fold. Conferences like the B12 almost always do better than they say they will. Bull bisquits talk, good play talks.

JAYBATE HEADLINE 4.0: SEC TOURNEY ATTENDANCE A TELEVISED DISGRACE

Did anyone see the pathetic sight of Arkansas playing Tennesse in GTECH'S NEARLY EMPTY CRIB in the SEC conference tourney today? If I were Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas, I would apply for immediate admission to the Big 12. We play better basketball than they do. Our women are better looking. Our men are more handsome. Oh, and our fans attend actually ATTEND these stupid conference basketball anti-tournaments. What the hades! I might as well say it. Even our football is better than the SEC crackers play now. Come on UK, Tennessee, and Arkansas, join the super conference. We'll call it the Big 15--a nice ring to it. But if your fans won't come to the games, sorry, we will have to send you back to the bush league SEC.

JAYBATE HEADLINE FINAL: ESPN finally reports KU win this way--"KU TO MEET TEXAS IN FINAL." No mention of our win. Not even "KU Beats Aggies." I'm ready for KU players to wear black ski masks for the national championship game as a form of protest. Next "GAME DAY" lets put a big sign up on the scoreboard that reads "WELCOME SPORTS MEDIA WHORES: KU IS STILL PROUD NOT TO BE ONE OF YOUR JOHNS!"

March 15, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkandtigerfan (anonymous) says...

do you guys call every game ku wins a "scare" this was hardly a scare . . . just a good game against a good team. it was close but never in doubt.

March 15, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sleeperhawk (anonymous) says...

The fans where not allowed in for the SEC game held at Georgia Tech, only immediate family and journalist (well someone here said shill).

When ESPN or ESPN2 is blacked out or carrying ESPNNEWS, then a local TV station is carrying the game. Dad (he is in Russell) had ESPN2 blocked but the local CBS or FOX station was carrying the game (not sure which), but here in South Carolina was great watching ESPN2 HD.

By the way wife is Texan and a Longhorn fan, she has been razin me since Longhorns won. But I keep telling her to remember last years B12 Championship game.

GO JAYHAWKS

March 15, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Chicago_JHawk (anonymous) says...

jaybate - in the SEC's defense, they moved the tourney to GTech from the GA Dome after storm damage last night. Since the venue change results in 17k fewer seats, the only spectators allowed in were cheer leaders, team/players family, and credentialed VIPs so as not to have to play favorites ticket holders.

March 15, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bringheatwavewheat (anonymous) says...

jaybate's been drinking

March 15, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bhann (anonymous) says...

2 factors in beating Texas:

1. They had 14 fouls and we had 24 the last time we played them. So, what happen because of this? We shot 14 ft.'s and they shot 28. Move the feet and Don't reach!!

2. They beat us on the boards--46-39

Arthur had 22 points for us last time, for us to win, he needs that type of game. Rush had 10 points last time.

Rush today was great! What happens in the champioship game?

Cole needs more playing time. He hits the boards and had 6 points in a short time today.

We have a deeper bench, we need to get them in foul trouble and use our bench.

RR showed great leadership, he took the ball, under control, to the hoop and made a huge basket for us!!

March 15, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

yates33333 (anonymous) says...

ESPN2 wasn't blocked in Houston and, of course, Houston is closer to College Station than Dallas.

The big question has not been asked. Is KU deja vu all over again? They haven't played well in two tournament games. Very nervous.

March 15, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

bringheatwavewheat,

Almost as bad as drinking. I've been having a septic tank pumped and the pipes unclogged. I attribute the typos to that, plus the cost of the project and the intial fear that the leach field was clogged. These experiences, coupled with KU's bigs being OUT-MANNED yet again are sufficient to trigger the delerium normally associated with alcohol abuse.

bhann,

Two factors in beating Texas, Nexas and Solar Plexus revised:

You got the rebounding right.

Fouling I would clarify.

Foul asymmetry is just a sign of our bigs getting around llike pansies inside and fighting back with cheap, unmanly fouls and jumping, rather than getting and sustaining manly position.

I would add two criticals.

A. Stop UT's big geek from getting any treys.

B. Get strips somewhere. KU cannot separate from another team decisively without strips. If we can't strip UTs guards, then we have to strip their 3, 4 and 5 position players. THIS KU TEAM LIVES AND DIES BY STRIPS.

One intangible that needs to be mentioned is: Handsome KU men and beautiful KU women need to move on University of Texas' best lookers of both genders in Kansas City and prove romantically dominant in the bar scene. This is an often overlooked intangible that KU often takes for granted during the regular season, but cannot in post season. Romantic dominance of an opponent's supporters usually sets the table for winning peformance on the court by our players. ;-0

March 15, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bhann (anonymous) says...

Beating Texas:

1. Defense--We are a beater defensive team, when we set our minds to it.
2. Gaurd play--Game in and game out, their gaurds are better.
3. Low/post presence--Is Arthur and Rush going to show up??
4. 3 point shooting--Texas can shoot with someone in their face, we have to be wide open.
5. Coaching-KU

x-factor--turnovers and freethrows--Both come from defense!!