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Men's Basketball

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Kansas basketball notebook

By Gary Bedore

KU's Sherron Collins fights for a loose ball with several Wildcats on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.

Photo by Richard Gwin

KU's Sherron Collins fights for a loose ball with several Wildcats on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.

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KU snags win in Manhattan

After trailing for much of the first half, the Jayhawks pulled ahead of the Wildcats and held on to achieve an 11-point victory in Manhattan.

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KU at KSU

Audio clips

2009 KU-KSU Feb. 14

KU vs. KSU

Uncalled for

Cole Aldrich fell victim to a cruel prank by a Kansas State fan this week.

The fan — who said he cell-phoned Aldrich to harass Kansas University’s big man in days leading up to the KU-KSU game — claimed Aldrich called back and left an obscene message on the fan’s phone.

The fan, who faked Aldrich’s voice, even put the obscene message on youtube.com. It received play on deadspin.com and even in Bloomington, Minn., native Aldrich’s hometown newspaper.

“No, that was not me,” Aldrich said after scoring 21 points and grabbing seven rebounds while playing 36 minutes in KU’s 85-74 victory over Kansas State on Saturday in Manhattan.

“I heard it a few times. My buddies called and said, ‘Did you do that?’ I said, ‘Hey, you know who I am. Do you think I have the character to do that?’

“I think it’s one of those things that the rivalry does. Students get a little carried away, say, ‘Let’s find a way to pump our team up.’ It’s how that was. It’s unfortunate something like that has to happen, but it happens.”

New mask worked well

Aldrich wore his new Richard Hamilton-like face mask for the first time Saturday. He’d worn a more intrusive mask for four games since busting his nose on Jan. 28 at Nebraska.

“I like both masks. Both are good,” said Aldrich, who said he wasn’t sure if he’d wear a mask Wednesday against Iowa State (7 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse). “One shot today I think (Luis) Colon whacked me in the face. I was like, ‘Oh, I didn’t even feel that.’ It’s working really well.”

What a lob

Aldrich caught a deep lob from Sherron Collins and slammed, giving KU a 53-49 lead with 14:11 left.

“I threw it and knew it was the right pass. I was just waiting on Cole to throw it down,” Collins said.

Aldrich noted: “I got to halfcourt, Tyshawn (Taylor) gave me a little push in the back that gave me a little energy to run. I saw the ball out of the corner of my eye. I tried to grab it and throw it down. I don’t even know how I caught it.”

Russell in the house

Former KU guard Russell Robinson, who plays for Reno (Nevada) in the NBA’s Developmental League, attended and sat behind KU’s bench. Former Jayhawks Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush, who are on NBA all-star break and also back in town, did not attend, though Chalmers was at KU’s women’s game versus Oklahoma on Saturday night.

“I’m more nervous watching than playing,” Robinson said. “Those guys are young. They’re doing great.”

He started the year playing pro ball in Turkey.

“I wouldn’t say I hated it, but I didn’t like it there,” Robinson said. “There was a culture shock. It’s fun to play in the D-League. I have hopes of playing in the NBA someday, and it’s a way to get there.”

Of KU, he said: “I watch the games whenever I can. I’m an alumni. I miss college. I miss the fans. I wish I could be here, but I’m moving on with my career.”

Calf bruise

Brady Morningstar iced his lower-left leg after the game.

“I bruised my calf. It’s fine,” Morningstar said after hitting four threes in as many tries and finishing with 12 points in 32 minutes.

KU vs. KSU in Okie City?

K-State’s Jacob Pullen, who scored 22 points off 5-of-11 shooting (4-9 threes), was asked if he wanted another shot at KU. The ’Cats lost to their rivals by 16 in Lawrence and 11 Saturday.

“As a team, we know we’re capable of beating them, and we know we get another chance in Oklahoma City (site of Big 12 tournament),” he said.

Coach Frank Martin said: “I don’t like getting swept by anybody. You beat me ... that’s OK if I get to play you again. It’s the opportunity you are looking for. It’s kind of the approach our team has taken. We let a great opportunity slip out of our hands.”

Martin on Morris

Martin said it about Marcus Morris, who scored 15 points with seven rebounds and four assists:

“That’s a credit to Bill (Self) and that young kid. He’s a freshman, and he’s so much better than he was in November and December.”

KU’s Collins on Morris: “That’s the real Marcus, aggressive, making plays, hitting threes, jumpers, posting, doing it all. He keeps teasing us, showing glimpses of it, but he is coming around, turning the corner. I look forward to seeing more of that from him.”

Celebration

Collins asked Taylor for the ball before the final horn. He tossed it into the air and stared at Kansas State’s loud student section in celebrating the victory.

“They were taunting us the whole game. I just gave a little of it back,” Collins said.

Morningstar on the crowd: “I don’t know if our crowd is as angry. It’s an angry crowd. It feels good to get a win and leave this place.”

Stats, facts

KU netted its 20th victory. It’s the Jayhawks’ 20th consecutive 20-win campaign. ... KU is 9-1 in the Big 12 for the first time since the 2004-05 season. ... KU is 20-1 in Bramlage Coliseum. ... KU started the group of Collins, Morningstar, Aldrich, Tyrel Reed and Mario Little for the first time. It marked Reed’s second start and Little’s third. Little played just one minute the second half, giving way to Marcus Morris, who went 19 minutes the final stanza. ... Multiple Jayhawks (Morningstar and Taylor) fouled out for the first time since the Michigan State game. ... KU was outrebounded by K-State, 29-27, marking just the fifth game KU trailed in the category.

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Comments

kustrong (anonymous) says...

Great to get this win on the road. It helps put the (screw) Mizzou game to bed. There were glimpses of a KU team in the first. We managed to claw our way back in, Brady hit clutch three pointers, and we finished the half with momentum. We looked great the second and were clicking as a team. It seems like this year the fans for opposing teams really hate us, this should make the guys mentally tough for March.

How fortunate are we to have alumni that care enough to come back? Three guys back, I believe they call that a reunion. Maybe throw on a Thin Lizzy album, because the boys are back in town again!

Rock Chalk

February 15, 2009 at 5:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

freebirdmaw (anonymous) says...

Can anybody tell me......what is the name for the celebration fad in every sport now where the players jump up and touch chests or backs?? I heard it once but can not remember.

February 15, 2009 at 6:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

dagger108 (anonymous) says...

He’d worn a more intrusive mask for four games since busting his nose on Jan. 28 at Nebraska.

I believe that the more appropriate word here would be obtrusive, since it suck out from vs. conforming to Cole's face.

It was nice to see him play so much better than the last couple games. I'd expect him to not make an excuse of the old mask even in hindsight, but the new one sure seemed to make a positive difference. I would imagine that Coach Self will even be more than happy to have him continue to wear it for protection until fully healed if he continues to play like Saturday.

It was great to see Marcus play well also.

February 15, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

re: the cell phone prank.

Doesn't this fit the definition of slander?

February 15, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

FairgroveJayhawk (anonymous) says...

ohioburg: I am thinking more along the lines of identity theft. The flagrant aspect is putting it on utube. If Cole was upset and wanted to pursue charges, it would be a big deal and a pretty stupid mistake on that kid's part.

February 15, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Matt1958 (anonymous) says...

I remember KU players coming off the court bloody after victories at Manhattan, Mike Maddox for one, after being hit with thrown objects. So the crap pulled on Cole, while typical of KSU fans, at least this time didn't require stitches.

February 15, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

nocaljayhawk (anonymous) says...

Jacob Pullen, I want what you're smoking.

Two games lost by a total of 27 points, yet you actually claim, "As a team, we know we’re capable of beating them." That reminds me of the bulls--t that former Texas Rangers manager Tom Oates used to say every playoff seasons after his team got eliminated by the Yankees in the mid-90s. Talk is cheap, and saying stupid stuff makes one look, well, stupid.

One other question: bigger b**ch: Denis Clemente or Cookie Miller?

February 15, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

NewtonJHawk (anonymous) says...

COokie Miller without a doubt. I played against him in high school and he was horrible!!!

THe kid is 5 7!!!

Anyway we rock chalked our way to another victory:)

See u in Detroit!!!

February 15, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

gleece (anonymous) says...

Can anyone tell me what the KSU crowd was chanting when we fouled out? There were two parts to it.

February 15, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

cklarock (anonymous) says...

-----quote-----
Morningstar on the crowd: “I don’t know if our crowd is as angry. It’s an angry crowd.”
---------------

We're not that angry, Brady. We've no reason to be -- you guys win all the time and our lives are great.

February 15, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Missed another one on the tube. Gone skiing. Checked box score. Here is what the box score, read as tea leaves shows.

Great comeback.

The team got back to what made it strong before all the experimenting with Little began.

KU played strong down the middle with Collins and Aldrich getting what they are supposed to get.

The play of Collins and Aldrich down the middle gave Marcus room to be the trash man.

The strong down the middle game plus the trashman, allowed good three point looks and Brady nailed them; thus Bradyreached his new quota of double figure scoring assigned by Self. Self is basically asking Brady to do something kind of unprecedented to my knowledge. He's asking him to be a glue guy who also scores. I love it! Self has to be more comfortable with ambiguity than any other coach in history.

In turn, Taylor--he of only 22 minutes foul prone minutes--filled his emerging, more limited offensive role and became gambling, aggressive defender (hence fhe 5 fouls), occassional penetrator and fast break specialist. Basically, by Self assigning Tyshawn's scoring assignment over to Brady, now Tyshawn does not have to play so many minutes and he can focus on defense. If the 2 is basically a defender any number of guys can do the job. Tyshawn just hasn't got the gun to be shooting treys, and if he isn't shooting (and making) some treys to keep the D honest, he can't be a serious penetrator (especially when he hates contact). Other coaches have figured this out and so he's lost his effectiveness. But he is still faster than greased lightening and so brings a lot to the table--an amount worth on a down the middle team about 20-25 minutes.

Morningstar has just proven too good to use solely as the glue guy anymore. Self has just finally accepted the percentages for this season. This team doesn't need a lot of penetrators with Sherron penetrating and Cole in the middle. What it needs is 46% trey shooting to go with these guys. Good trey shooting is the key to making the Sherron/Cole down the middle game work. Self tried adding some Little, and while it helped supplement Cole's mask impaired offense, the team just never played as well that way. Everyone else needs to play defense...Little included. Morningstar and Reed are just way better shooters than Tyshawn, or Little. The numbers are in. What Tyshawn really needs to do is pick up his rebounding. If he doesn't, Tyrone Appleton, or Releford, or perhaps even Little become options at the two. Again, if you don't need scoring out of the two, then the meanest, toughest, reboundingest, defendingest 2 possible is what you want. Frankly, as I think about it, I kind of like the idea of Little at the two. Man, could Mario intimidate some 2 guards in games where we were not being given the running game.

February 15, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

The foul-prone Little--he of the good mid-range game that doesn't really fit KU's down the middle game, is beginning to struggle, as opposing coaches have enough tape on him now to show players how to guard him. HIs only hope to be more than a 10-15 minute man this season is for Brady to move to the two, to clear the three for Little, but it increasingly appears that this will not happen. Little's poor conditioning and discomfort with the offense, seem to put him too far behind Tyshawn Taylor to ever let Self make a permanent transition to what would be KU's strongest five: 1-Sherron, 2-Brady, 3-Little, 4-Marcus, 5-Cole. Little is a 10-15 minute seventh man on this team, despite how good he probably will be next year...unless he gets his fouls down and his trey percentage up above 40. Not gonna happen.

Reed got 19 minutes, which was two to three minutes light for him, but his minutes are going to fall briefly while Self is trying to give Releford and Appleton some growth time as he explores the ferociously defensive two appproach. Reed did his usual solid job and will likely see his minutes rise to 25 minutes in the last few conference games and the conference tourney. Self knows Reed is solid and 20 mpg is enough to keep him developing.

Releford remains a TO waiting to happen and doesn't appear likely to change this season. But even if Releford quits coughing it up, he can't hit the trey, which means he brings about the same as Taylor and Little to the down the middle game, which is not enough to command big minutes...ever this season.

Appleton got a 5 minute look; this is very significant. Appleton could fit into the down the middle scheme very effectively, because he could be a hard nosed two, who doesn't score. After Taylor's speed and finesse, Appleton could bring bodying and aggression. Alas, the box score suggests Tyrone missed his chance.

Quintrell got a 2 minute sniff. The line score doesn't suggest he gave off a particularly sweet scent.

That's it for players.

Now the bottom line.

KU probably would have lost without the exceptionally hot trey shooting. Chalk this win up to 60% plus trinitizing and an offensive resurgence of Cole.

But herein lies the rub and the reason Self keeps looking for a way for Little to fit.

First, when Cole scores, his rebounding falls way off. We need someone to board, when he doesn't, and Marcus, the trash man, is NOT that man.

Second, Cole can't score a lot against really good, strong centers, so the down the middle game can't work against the best teams. We have to have tough guy who can get it done with a midrange game when Cole can't handle the other team's excellent center.

Which brings us back to Little. Right about now, Self has to be wishing that Little had never had the stress fracture.

February 15, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

WilburNether (anonymous) says...

The K-State crowd does come across as being angry.

But then, that is a common characteristic of people with a well-deserved inferiority complex.

Furthermore, the K-State crowd is indisputably a stupid crowd. I base that assessment on how a crowd reacts to officials' calls. Every crowd will boo calls that they believe are wrong, or that could have gone either way, but went against their team. That's fine. But stupid crowds boo every call that goes against their team, even if any idiot in the building could see that it was the correct call.

Say a home team player commits an obvious traveling violation, one that everyone can see. KU fans may groan at the mistake, but they don't boo the call. They are intelligent, and recognize that the player committee a violation. In contrast, K-State fans boo. They are too stupid to understand that their player committed a violation, and mindlessly boo every call that goes against them.

That is an excellent definition of a stupid crowd.

KU fans are an intelligent crowd. K-State and Oklahoma fans are the most stupid crowds in the Big 12.

February 15, 2009 at 9:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KU1979 (anonymous) says...

Hey Wilbur, don't forget the ISU fans. They took booing to a new level when they booed their own team's intentional fouls at the end of the game. Now there's a low bbiq, or a love of booing, or both.

February 15, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bpjhawk (anonymous) says...

gleece (anonymous) says...

Can anyone tell me what the KSU crowd was chanting when we fouled out? There were two parts to it.

-------------

They were saying 'right, left, right, left' then 'staaannnddiinnng, stannnnnddddinng.' I didn't really hear what they said after the player sat down.

February 15, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Sparko (anonymous) says...

Jaybate: You remind me of the three blind men and the elephant analogy. Yesterday's game turned on poise and effort. Even the turn-overs involved making extra passes in the main. You should never ski when Kansas plays a road game. If anything, KSU's three-point blitz was what got them a quick lead. The Box Score cannot possibly show you the thuggery and the lack of discipline that allowed K-State's confidence to slip away. They are an over-performing guard team. They play some defense, but they are thin. And thin-skinned. Clemente should be suspended for the cheap shots--elbows and fists he thought he could slip by the refs.

February 15, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jyhwk1187 (anonymous) says...

they say what the player is doing until he sits on the bench

February 15, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

Ohioburg and Fairgrove...

I'm thinking "defamation of character". They have technology that can prove w/ pretty good accuracy whether it's Cole's voice or not. I'm not a legal expert by any means, but I would think the kid could get into some trouble for it and I'd really love to see Cole pursue it legally. He works hard and does things the right way, and you have a classless loser trying to start crap.

Let's face it.

All other programs in the Big 12 north have unknowledgable fan bases. Ranking them would be very difficult.

I personally know more KSU fans than any other schools... and they all are very ignorant on the subject. They don't even know all their players' names and what class they're in. Their knowledge of basketball is based on seeing the ticker.. "Clemente, 44 pts vs Texas". They watch KSU twice... against KU.. and against KU. But they don't even watch the whole game... they stop when all hope is lost. many ksu fans are like this.

They were energetic and hostile right up to the point KU got back in it. "ahh man, this sucks... booooo! where's the call? c'mon, man... KU's up one, it's over... lets go back to the stampede."

Before Marcus and everyone else talks about how big and great the KState crowd is, they need to check it out when they're NOT playing KU. It's nowhere near as loud and energetic and "angry".

February 15, 2009 at 10:52 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

MichAveJHawk (anonymous) says...

Bill Self = Coach of the Year!

Well, he certainly belongs in the conversation at least. The coaches from Marquette, Wake Forest, Clemson, and Villanova also deserve alot of credit. Sadly, in the end the award will probably go to a Calhoun of UConn or Kennedy from Pitt. Not that those guys aren't great coaches, but their teams were supposed to be that good. KU, along with those other schools listed above, were not. Hopefully the award will go to a coach who exceeded expectations. Bill Self is one of those coaches.

How spoiled are we as Jayhawk fans. Florida won back to back championships, then lost most of their scoring like we did, and didn't even make it to the tournament the following year. KU will get into the dance and have a chance to make a run. Hell, when you look at the remaining schedule, if we make good runs in the Big 12 tourney and the Big Dance, we could possibly end up with a 30 win season...again. Awesome job by coach Self and his staff. Lots of credit to the young guys and the "veterans" on this team. Its great to be a Jayhawk!

February 15, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bad_dog (anonymous) says...

Let's not forget the Mizzery fans either. They are both angry and ignorant. Their booing during the Big Monday game was nearly equal to KSU's yesterday.

After all the controversy over Mizzery fans storming the court last Monday, many of the radio pundits in KC were speculating how the KSU fans would act when they beat KU. Funny, the only storming I saw occurred at about the 54 second mark and was headed toward the exits.

Lebowski, you're right on with the defamation issue. You could even add intentional infliction of emotional distress if Cole actually suffered any damages from the call. Probably not likely to happen, but it just exemplifies the difference between KU fans and KSUx/Mizzery.

February 15, 2009 at 11:26 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Yahweh (anonymous) says...

I love this quote:

"Morningstar on the crowd: 'I don’t know if our crowd is as angry. It’s an angry crowd. It feels good to get a win and leave this place.'”

Sounds like Morningstar is thinking, "My God, these bastards are crazy, get me the heck out of here! Is the bus warmed up yet? Let's go!"

February 15, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Yahweh (anonymous) says...

I may be wrong, but wasn't our season 21 years ago a 19-win season, too? And it was Roy's first here? It's not like we did THAT much worse before this string of 20-win seasons... I recall a Nat'l Championship back there...

February 15, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

itsbijorno (anonymous) says...

Gotta love a good win out in Manhattan. Morningstar is definitely right about the crowd out there though, it is a pure hatred for anything KU. As for the phone calls, calling the players in the middle of the night is one thing and has been happening for years. Actually making a call acting like you are one of the players is ridiculous and borderline illegal. It seems to be way to easy to forget that these players are people too.

February 15, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kukid75 (anonymous) says...

"Of KU, he [Robinson] said: 'I watch the games whenever I can. I’m an alumni.'"

He's a what? It's a shame when a college graduate doesn't even know he's an alumnus unless he has cloned himself.

February 15, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

HighEliteMajor (anonymous) says...

One of the comments above is right on .. same as in Missouri. The lack of basketball IQ in the crowd is amazing. Everything called against their team is a bad call. Yelling, complaining. It should be embarrassing. That is not what you hear at KU .. or Duke .. or NC. We yell when we think it was a bad call, not just because the call went against us.

KSU and MU are desperate. They've never really ever won anything. Their main motivator is hatred for KU. Our motivator is championships. Sure, it's nice to beat our rivals. But it isn't the end of the world, nor the beginning.

The best thing about MU's season is the inevitable let down that's coming .. as it always does for them. They'll lose early in the NCAAs .. this is a school that has never made final four. Never. And you thought the Cubs were bad. Just like football. Remember, they were going to win the National Championship this year.

As for us, this team has Elite Eight possibilities, Sweet 16 probabilities, but could lose in the first round. Self has done a great job this year. Best coaching of his career. Our key .. Marcus Morris. If he plays, possibilities become more possible.

February 15, 2009 at 12:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kushaw (anonymous) says...

First, Big Game and Great Win! Was that the longest non OT game ever? Did anyone else notice how long that game was. I got in trouble becaue the game lasted right at 2.5 hours. I couldn't believe how many fouls were called especially the last 6 minutes of the game. I never thought I was going to get out of the house to go have a Valentine's Dinner!

Second, has anyone else noticed the "Starting 4 Man Curse". Mario Little gets the start yesterday and he makes a couple of bone headed plays and then proceeds to play only 9 minutes. Meanwhile, his often turnover prone younger counterpart who usually starts has the game of his career. There must be something about coming off the bench for KU as the 4 man this year. If I was Mario, I would let Marcus have his starting spot back.

Third, I can't help but think Kansas has a great opportunity to be 11-1 heading into Norman, OK on the 23rd. OU doesn't play for a week and I actually think that may hinder them a bit. I never liked having that much time off between games. It may be good for the long-run for the Sooners, but it may be great for the Jayhawks in the short-run. OU, after their week off, plays Texas next Saturday and then follows that up with a visit from KU. If OU can come out of that double unscathed then they deserve the title. I think with being off and then playing their rival, this may be again "Great Timing" for our Jayhawks. I hope so, but first we got to take care of ISU and Nebraska.

Finally, I project KU will fall to 19 or 20 in the rankings after their last second loss to MIzzou. The only teams behind KU who lost this past week were Utah St, Syracuse, and Florida St. The teams in front of KU that lost this week were UCLA (Twice), Louisville, Wake, Villanova, and Xavier. Looking back, that Mizzou loss is going to be a "Tough" one in the grand scheme because of it's "Timing". KU could have kept climbing, but they will take another small step back and then hopefully take another jump in next week's poll after going 2-0. We'll see, but a strong finish is "Key" for locking up a Top 3 seed in my opinion. Would rather have a 3 then a 4. KU in history has shown it tends to play better with a 3 than a 4.

February 15, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says...

clemente the thug!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N43Jfj...

February 15, 2009 at 12:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KGphoto (anonymous) says...

jaybate: Great powder here. Where'd you go?

On a basketball note. You still react too much. Every opponent is different. And from the beginning of the season we only knew about two players. Two players had played in the big one, and the rest had some learning to do.

This is still true. Marcus stepped up against K-State. Little will step up against a different matchup. You can't seriously dismiss Little's ability to provide NBA type scoring moves because he wasn't needed against K-State.

The genius of coach Self manifests in the game-by-game improvements of the utility players, and his ability to use those players appropriately.

You can X and O us to death (and probably will) but what separates good coaches from great coaches is something that cannot be scribbled on a dry-erase board. It's something that you and I can only guess at. It's more of a feeling than a plan. It's why I love this game.

Coach Self has a feel. This is his game. And although he certainly appreciates the history and tradition of KBB, he follows his own path.

You try too hard to find the game.

The game finds the great ones. The game found Kansas. Let it find you.

February 15, 2009 at 12:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

okiedave (anonymous) says...

Ohioburg - Fairgrove - Lebowski

You are all correct. The KSU student violated common law and committed the tort of defamation by "holding a person in a public false light" It is essentally a defamation of character claim for libel (published false statements). Can K.U.'s big man sue. Yes. Would he win? Probably. Would he ever recover anything? Probably not. Unless the low class KSU student had any money, Cole would most likely never be able to collect. But Cole would probably get a judgment by default because the KSU student would not have the $5,000 to $15,000 it would take to hire a lawyer to defend him. The KSU student would most likely file bankruptcy if the judgment was of any significance. Cole would probably not be able to find a lawyer who would be willing to take the case on a contingency becuase there is no pay day for the lawyer. Cole would not be advised to pay the lawyer by the hour because of the same reason.

However, if there was some enterprising K.U. law student out there who wanted to get some experience and work up a petition for Cole to file, pro se, and friends of Cole wanted to loan the $250.00 to file the petition and serve the petition on the hapless KSU fan, it would certainly scare the hell out of the KSU student, who would probably refund the cost of the filing fees to get Cole to dismiss the complaint. It would certainly teach the KSU fan a valuable lesson in life about honesty and integrity and justice may be served in the end.

This recently happened when a Nebraska fan published a false statement about Oklahoma's quarterback pretending to be a newspaper reporter. The Nebraska fan got sued by the newspaper and (perhaps by the quarterback) and it wound up costing the Nebraska fan lots of grief and probably cash. The Nebraska fan was not a student but a middle aged fellow who was just trying to create some mischievious fun in a rivalry situation.

The motto: Do not bear false witness against thy neighbor still rings true today.

February 15, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

UncleMiltyN (anonymous) says...

It's hard to get the Coach of the Year award. Roy earned it a couple of times when he had a successful year, but didn't do his best coaching job. There were also a couple of seasons when I thought he and his staff did an exceptional job, but the team didn't do as well in the post season...you get the drift. It happens all the time.

It's hard to say that a coach coming off a NC winning year did his best coaching job ever this year before it is even complete, but I say he has...at least in the Big 12.

After so many years of watching Brown and Williams coach the 'Hawks, I have to say that I honestly think Self is the best Game Coach we've had in my lifetime. Hands down.

Roy is a master of pre-game preparation who sometimes has a problem adapting when things go south during the game. He is a true believer in the Smith system. A+B=C and if you stick with it, you win 80% of your games. Do not deviate. This is not really a complaint, just an observation. Watch the Final Four game last year again. They almost came back.

Brown, also prone to writing game scripts, was better at adapting during a game. But he was an extremely "passionate" person who would sometimes let little grudges with his own players go too far. Some of the lessons he was trying to teach only hurt the team and never had any noticable benefit.

It took me some time to realize just how good Self is at coaching and adapting during the game. The moves he makes are not from a textbook, but from a deep understanding of how to play and win. If you want to watch a clinic on how to coach a young team in a hostile road environment, watch Saturday's game again. Martin should watch it every day.

February 15, 2009 at 1:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkin54 (anonymous) says...

The funny thing about "Cole's" voice mail is it doesn't sound anything like him. The fact that people believe that it is him is hilarious.

February 15, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

OakvilleJHawk (anonymous) says...

KU Team Snapshot:

1] Four of the five losses have been to teams that were or are currently are in the Top 25, none of them at Allen. [ UMass was the "not expected hiccup" from a very young team]

2]One foul shot, a made lay-up and a stop & a basket, a total of 5 points, changes a fine 20-5 record to an outstanding 23-2 record.

3]HCBS proves that not only can he coach a team with six future pro players, but he can also coach a team with no previous starters and seven new players.

4] A chance to win the Big Twelve, a good chance to finish with 25 victories minimum and almost a lock to make the NCAA's is forming the team resume.

5] Improvement from the new players, sometimes intermittantly but there none-the-less, as well as growth from the returning players indicates a team bounding together at the right time.

6]Affirmation of the fine job of teaching and coaching by the whole staff daily throughout the season.

7]Injuries recovering from [ Little, Aldrich] and injuries avoided [Collins, the rest of the team] points to better conditioning and good fortune.

8]A 5-1 Big Twelve road record, even in a perceived down year, for a young team is excellent.

9] The fact that they have bounced back from every loss with at least one victory is a testament to their growing toughness.

10] Except for the unintentional or otherwise bonehead T on Morris, they continue to show class on and off the court in KU tradition.

I have posted before that this season is kind of a preseason for 2010, but I retract that statement as 2009 is becoming a season that will stand on it's own merit with Jayhawk Nation.

God Bless America and God Bless the Jayhawks...RockChalk Forever!!!!!!!

February 15, 2009 at 1:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

docnchg (anonymous) says...

Biggest loser for K-State Fan. 1946. In old Nichols Gyn the crowd was actually seated right up to the sideline. On a play that Charley Black took the ball out of bounds to put in play a KSU student pinched him on the butt. Charley drove an elbow back into his face. No one ever recorded how long it took for the "pincher" to regain consciousness or how many stitches it took to put him together again. It was politically correct in those days.

February 15, 2009 at 5:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Skydog (anonymous) says...

Firstly, anyone who thinks Cole can pursue any sort of legal action is an idiot and knows nothing about the law. Secondly, this reporter is the only one who is doing anything illegal, how in the world would he know that "the fan faked Aldrich's voice". Unintelligent writing by an unintelligent person.

February 15, 2009 at 9:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

"It took me some time to realize just how good Self is at coaching and adapting during the game. The moves he makes are not from a textbook, but from a deep understanding of how to play and win. If you want to watch a clinic on how to coach a young team in a hostile road environment, watch Saturday's game again. Martin should watch it every day."

You said a mouthful, there. Very well said.

I think it's obvious Self has improved at coaching the Kansas Jayhawks in the last 4 years. I'm nauseated by the sentiment that Self's coaching job was overrated last year because we had five draft picks, and several more future ones. I'm fairly certain that coming to play for Bill Self is what made Darnell Jackson a draft pick... and possibly the same could be said for Sasha.

I think most coaches in D-I would have jacked up last year's team, because they wouldn't have handled all the talent correctly and wouldn't have been able to get them to play as a team.

I think where he's excelling this year is with his patience. Many, MANY of us would have liked to exile both of the Morris's down to the end of the bench more often. But Marcus not getting a good opportunity against KSU probably would have cost us the game. It's not about what they do now, it's about what they become. Seniors play like seniors when and only when they've had the game experience. There were many times that Sasha and Darnell... and even Shady really struggled, and he kept working them in there... and without a doubt, that patience is what helped deliver the championship.

A good mixture of discipline and patience is what prepared last years team to win... and I honestly don't see one difference in how he's going about it this year. It just stands to reason that this team is far more talented than the future champions were 4 years ago. That's a scary and exciting thought.

February 15, 2009 at 9:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

drgnslayr (anonymous) says...

The phone prank is typical. I can recall much worse pranks during my years at KU... long ago... so much worse that I still won't mention the antics because the guys who pulled them are probably still worried if there is a statute of limitations to prevent their prosecution.

I hope students are smarter than that today... it is pretty dumb to risk your future on college pranks. Our class was during the "Animal House" phenomenon, which thankfully has largely vanished. Somethings are best to become "outdated."

February 15, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXE6n6...

What a f'ing tool. Dance all you want jackass... check the scoreboard!!!

February 15, 2009 at 9:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

STLJHawk86 (anonymous) says...

Jaybate - for not seeing the game that is a very interesting analysis. Where did you ski?

February 15, 2009 at 11:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

chalmers4thetie (anonymous) says...

great win jayhawks keep it up and u will be deep in the tournament!!

February 15, 2009 at 11:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

SlamJam (anonymous) says...

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

February 16, 2009 at 12:27 a.m. ( | )

freebirdmaw (anonymous) says...

SlamJam..you are an idiot...and you can take that as slander.

wuck the fildcats!....and you can take that as slander.

February 16, 2009 at 6:03 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

skydog, you're holding yourself out as an idiot. There's a difference between "can" and "should". It's quite apparent that okiedave knows the difference and you don't. Read his post again.

February 16, 2009 at 7:44 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

p.s. A simple check of phone records will go a long way towards proving whether Cole made the call or not.

February 16, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ab246 (anonymous) says...

Here is exactly what happened. A KSU student (one I know personally and was with at the time) sent a text message to Cole's phone. The text said "What's going on Cole?". About 30 minutes later, this student received a phone call from a "Private name, private number" and didn't answer. The caller left that voicemail on his phone. Whether it was Cole or not, who knows. The only person who broke the law was the person who called and identified himself as Cole Aldrich, if it wasn't him. Can't prosecute someone for playing a voicemail they received on their phone on youtube. The caller identified himself as Cole Aldrich. This wasnt set up, we have no idea who called back. We just posted the voicemail on youtube.

February 16, 2009 at 1:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

DrRoach (anonymous) says...

Save this post jaybate,

Within 5 games Little will be a 25-30 min man for the rest of the season barring injury. And yes, I'm always right.

February 16, 2009 at 5:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Strikewso (anonymous) says...

KU should get involved and push for charges to be brought up for this KState moron before everyone starts copying this kind of act.

As a Kansan, I'm often embarrassed by the lack of class KState fans show.

February 16, 2009 at 8:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )