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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Keegan

Jayhawks deserve their lofty perch

By Tom Keegan

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Jayhawks hang on, take down Sooners

KU defeated Oklahoma, who was ranked third in the nation, 87-78 on Monday night in Norman, Okla.

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KU at OU

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2009 KU-OU Feb. 23

Norman, Okla. — Not a single returning starter from a year ago, only one player who logged more than four minutes in the national-title game and an unavoidable heavy reliance on freshmen added up to no chance for Kansas University to extend its streak of at least a share of consecutive Big 12 regular-season titles to five. Right? Wrong.

The Jayhawks need not apologize for standing alone atop the Big 12 standings because Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin, the nation’s best player, watched the game in street clothes. That doesn’t explain away Kansas going into Manhattan and Lincoln and coming out with victories in places where Missouri lost. It doesn’t explain how a team that starts two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior, a bunch that in the summer had trouble winning all its exhibition games in Canada, is 12-1 with three conference games remaining.

Question: Would Kansas, which defeated Oklahoma, 87-78, Monday night in the Lloyd Noble Center, have lost if Griffin played? Answer: It doesn’t matter. You confront the challenges life presents you, after good breaks and bad, and you count up the score at the end.

Through the years, KU director of golf Ross Randall has offered a standard response to golfers good and challenged who begin to rattle off a litany of excuses, from a bump in a green to a rake in a trap that undid them. “What’d you shoot?” Randall never has been afraid to interrupt. (My answer: None of your business).

Face it, it’s what you do with life’s breaks that determines outcomes. Early in the game, Kansas freshman guard Tyshawn Taylor banked in a straight-away jumper, but no asterisk in the box score indicates that. Somehow, Taylor turned his ugly basket into a confidence-booster, and the box says Taylor scored 26 points, dished three steals, turned the ball over once and had a steal. It says he hit three of five three-point shots and defended Tony Crocker well enough to limit him to nine points.

“His best game in college,” was how Kansas coach Bill Self summed up Taylor’s night.

For reasons of pride, it couldn’t have come on a better night for Taylor. Kansas recruited Taylor and the more highly coveted Willie Warren, who ended up choosing Oklahoma. Taylor knew he was a fall-back option in the event Warren didn’t commit to Kansas. Taylor signed with Marquette under the understanding Dominic James would leave early for the NBA. James returned, Marquette’s coach, Tom Crean, left for Indiana. Taylor was granted his release and committed to Kansas.

“I kind of played with a chip on my shoulder because of that,” Taylor said being second fiddle to Warren. “I’ve been thinking about that. Coach was recruiting him a lot. He was supposed to come here, and coach kind of hesitated in recruiting me because of him. He played a great game. He couldn’t have played much better. He played well. I played well. We came out with the W. It feels good. I felt like I had something to prove, and I kind of feel like I proved it.”

Warren, who led the Sooners with 23 points, is better than Taylor, but that doesn’t mean he’s a better recruit. Taylor will stay in college longer.

“Coach Self lucked out with me, I guess,” Taylor said, flashing a huge grin.

Nothing wrong with a little luck here and there.

KU vs. OU

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Comments

kansas22 (anonymous) says...

I'd take T. Taylor over W. Warren every day of the week after watching that game. Keep up the hard work and production Tyshawn, you certainly did prove something tonight. It looked like Tyshawn wanted it more than Warren did out there and Tyshawn was a large reason we were able to pull out the W. Don't let up now, there is still plenty of work to be done. Mizzou will be tough, although the Phog will be rocking come Sunday. Yet another day it feels great to be a Jayhawk. Rock Chalk

February 24, 2009 at 2:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

chuckberry32 (anonymous) says...

I too would take TT over WW any day. I like Taylor's attitude which goes a long way in my book, when things go wrong all he does is smile and move on. WW seems like a punk with actions like slamming his fist down on the chair after he fouled out.

On a side note, BG seemed like a giddy school girl last night. Did anyone else see him grooming his teammate next to him at one point? Regardless though, he's on man on the court and I hope we get to go up against him in the big 12 tournament.

February 24, 2009 at 7:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkin54 (anonymous) says...

I thought B.Griffin's earrings were pretty girly looking too.

Anyway, Tyshawn really stepped it up last night. What a game to break out of his little slump! Sherron, Cole, and Tyshawn were incredible to watch.

February 24, 2009 at 7:43 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUPROUD (anonymous) says...

I need some help. I'll be out of town Sunday in a location that won't be carrying KU-MU on CBS. Is there anyway to order the game on PPV or the internet?

February 24, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

zissou (anonymous) says...

I was as impressed as anyone by Tyshawn last night, but choosing him over Warren is insanity. Willie is the best freshman in the Big 12, among the best in the country and single-handedly kept OU in last night's game as well as the eventual loss to Texas. Tyshawn, on the other hand, has disappeared from the offense during some games this season and has been a turnover machine during others.

All that said, I hope the conference is ready to get a close look at Taylor for this season and the next three. He's going to be the man.

February 24, 2009 at 8:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bradh (anonymous) says...

The guys played great last night and it is nice to be on top in the Big 12 this "rebuilding" year. However, if we don't find a way to handle pressure, outside of giving it to Collins, we won't last long in the tournament.

February 24, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

d_prowess (anonymous) says...

The Taylor versus Warren debate here is a good one. Obviously Warren is a better player than Taylor right now (and maybe always will be), but as far as team need, I really like Taylor for this team. We have two good scoring options in Collins and Aldrich and needed a PG that we could build a team around. That is where Taylor shines for KU. He will probably be here 4 years. He will be that R. Robinson that we had last year. Coach Self doesn't have a problem recruiting scorers that will leave early for the NBA. But you also need those players that add stability long-term, which is why I like Taylor over Warren for KU.

February 24, 2009 at 9:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

musichawk99 (anonymous) says...

One thing that impresses me so much with this team is their toughness and trust in each other....can anyone believe the calls we were getting against us in the 2nd half????? We had 7 team fouls within 4 and half minutes..OU had ONE. But our guys battled and overcame adversity once again. Sherron..you're a stud. Cole...you'll get your chance against BG in Big 12 tourney, so feel free to rip down 20 rebounds again to prove to others your dominance and the difference YOU can make down low. COY: Bill Self hands down.

February 24, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

areyouserious (anonymous) says...

I think KU should have postponed the game, because no team should have to play without an injured player......................its just not fair. I am sick of hearing about Blake Griffin, it was like watching the Blake Griffin show, with some basketball highlights in between the camera shots. Yes he appears to be a great kid, and there is no doubt he is an outstanding player, but can't ESPN just focus on the kids ON the court busting their butts..........please? I would have loved to see how KU would respond to Blake in the lineup, but it will have to wait until Big 12 tourney. All of the national headlines are about who didnt play, instead of who did play, and who played well. Sad!
Great win for the young Hawks, keep plugging away!
Proud to be a Jayhawk

February 24, 2009 at 10:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayhawkPiller82 (anonymous) says...

kuproud, when CBS carries the game, espn360.com is not an option. If ABC, or any of the espn's you could get it. I've even resorted to when I'm out of town, going to a that sells tv and ask them to swithch channels to CBS, or go to a sports bar. Other than that, set the Tivo/DVR and listen to Bob & Pipe on the radio. If you can't find a radio station and have internet, go to lazer.com (klzr web site to listen live) but get on early because spots fill up fast. There are other Jayhawk radio network stations that have listen live. Hope that helps.

Rock Chalk!! It was faint in Lloyd Noble Center, but we could hear it on TV. KU fans are the greatest. Even in the middle of a blizzard of white shirts, you could see a few blue faithful Hawks....

February 24, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Roadkill_Rob (anonymous) says...

I think Willie Warren is a great player, but I can't stand how he carries himself on the court. When he makes a big shot, he runs back on defense laughing and yapping at opposing players.

Tyshawn Taylor made more big shots last night and you didn't see any showboating...he just turned his focus onto playing defense. Tyshawn is also more of a team player than One-on-One Willie.

Great game Tyshawn! I'll take you over Warren any day!

February 24, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawk_sean (anonymous) says...

I don't know who they showed more...

Blake Griffin or his parents?

His brother was on the court playing and I still don't think he seen as much camera time as either one of those two camera jockeys.

February 24, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayhawkPhil64 (anonymous) says...

Even though we are starting to slide a little in free throw shooting, we hit almost everyone at the end when OU was making a run at us. I can remember several times in past years when we would have missed free throws in such same conditions. Great job!

February 24, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kvskubball (anonymous) says...

zissou,

I don't think it is insanity to chose TT over WW. WW is likely to be gone after this year. Yes,he is great and probably better as a freshman (From a consistency standpoint) than TT, but he wasn't the best freshman on the court last night, that would have been TT. Maybe Tyshawn will become known as Big Game T (He does wear THE jersey with the big game number after all). He'll be here next year and maybe the year after. As great as it would have been to have WW on our team, think about the consequences...we probably lose both Sheron and WW and have to completely rebuild our backcourt, because those two would have gotten all of the meaningful PT.

We totally lucked-out in getting TT. I'm glad things worked out the way they did. This has worked out well for KU, but it has been really good for TT as well. At Marquette, he would have been behind three very experienced guards and would not have had nearly as much PT his freshman year.

Again, a super effort by our not-so-young (Anymore) team! This team's nickname should be true grit! Or maybe it should be a movie title, something like "True Grit helps young Jayhawks win Big!"

Young hawks wouldn't be denied on a night when the TV camera crew didn't seem to want to pay attention to the game, but spent about 6 different times cutting away from action to show someone sitting on the bench, or talking to his parents. I don't know about most people, but I tuned in to watch the game. Yes I hope BG makes a full recovery and all, but I want to watch the ballgame, not watch and listen to 20 minutes of Holly Rowe talking about an injury...And in the second half the refs seemed to call every ticky-tack foul possible against KU and didn't do the same to OU. One example is the mugging that Sherron took from two Sooners on a breakaway. Hey no foul, and guess what, that must of just been tough defense causing a turnover, excuse me while I barfff.

Well one-sided zebras, it didn't work. Congrats KU on a great win. I too hope we get a chance to play against BG, but we did win this game and the not-so-Baby Jays are in first place all-by-ourselves!

Rock Chalk JayHawks!!!

February 24, 2009 at 12:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kvskubball (anonymous) says...

Now its time to turn the page (Someone turn on the music please) and gear up for the big-game hunt. They's some tiggers we need to tame. I hope we can say (Just like our mythical cousin Tweety Bird would say)...I taught I thaw a puddy-tat, I did, I did, oh poor puddy-tats they thought they could play the fastest forty minutes of bb, hee, hee....crunch, that was those puddy tats being run over by our Big-Time, True Grit Jayhawks...

A win against the Tiggers nails their hides to the wall, pays them back for their homecooking, and probably sews-up the Big XII regular season title all in one fell swoop! Let's get it on!!!

Only in my dreams did I think that we could be as good as we are now, before the season started. I am glad to see our Lord-High-Protector of the KU Basketball Realm, HCBS getting some serious media attention for COY, about time...he definitely deserves it. Imagine a coach rebuilding around his sixth man and the 5th best post player from the previous year, a redshirt sophomore (Who noone thought would be much help - but may end up on the Big XII all-defensive team) and a bunch of talented newcomers, and four meltdowns (Syracuse, UMass, Arizona, and Misspoo) away from being perfect in conference and 27-1 overall, as it is 12-1 in conference and 23-5 is pretty impressive! The media's props to HCBS are well deserved for putting this jigsaw puzzle together, in four-four time. Let's not stop now!

Let's kick the poo out of Misspoo so we can get to do a boot-scooten boogy as we dance past them to our fifth consecutive Big XII regular season title!

WOW!!! Rock Chalk!

February 24, 2009 at 12:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

1977kufan (anonymous) says...

Tom, great article and you are exactly correct. The Jayhawks deserve this lofty perch. These guys scratch, claw and work for victories (regardless of who or who is not playing). Combine that work ethic and basketball skills with (and if any one has trouble with this, then they need to remove their head from under a rock or maybe a pillow) the B12 coach of the year and coaching staff of the year. Keep going guys and really looking for a visit from Missery (oops sorry for the - no I'm not sorry, that is the correct spelling) Tiggers to AFH. Really looking forward to them getting their -/-/- back across the border with a higher number in the L column.

February 24, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

OKJAYHAWK5 (anonymous) says...

I was amazed at how classless the OU fans were at the game last night. My sister gets shoved in the back, we get called every name in the book.....etc. You arent fooling anyone guys, we all know you dont give a crap about basketball, and you showed it last night when your "fans" headed for the exits with 10 minutes left.

February 24, 2009 at 3:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mandomax (anonymous) says...

kuproud: lazer fills up really fast. I usually listen on KJHK.org when I can't get on there. Announcers are students, but it gives it that small-time basketball feel. Also, check out justin.tv on the internet, apparently you can watch live television on there. However, as noted above, any respectable sports bar anywhere will have a package where you can pick up national networks from different regions.

February 24, 2009 at 3:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUbsee69 (anonymous) says...

Taylor has one thing that Warren will never have ... KANSAS on his jersey. TT can sing "You can't take that away from me"! Give me Taylor any day.

February 24, 2009 at 3:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jwliddell (anonymous) says...

check out the cover of espn's college bball

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-baske...

That picture of T.Hans is hysterical.. wah wah :,(

February 24, 2009 at 3:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rcaltrider (anonymous) says...

kuproud--

Go to:

http://www.justin.tv/jayhawktv

That is where I have been watching games that have not been on in my area (Columbus, OH) and it isn't bad if you have a good connection. They stream the entire game feed. Not HD quality by any means but it beats not seeing the game at all or even paying for pay-per-view.

February 24, 2009 at 4:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jkilgore (anonymous) says...

Roadkill Rob, I agree with you. I had a hard time watching Warren's arrogance on the floor. His jawing and smug looks really got the best of him. And that arrogance is always a problem. If you win, nobody likes you. If you lose, which they did, you look stupid. Even though TT may struggle here and there, his potential was realized last night. Can he keep it up? It's one of the things I'll look for in the next game, which isn't dependent on a 26-point night.

February 24, 2009 at 4:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ralster (anonymous) says...

Yeah, nice comments to all above. About the Warren vs. Taylor thing: buried in the story is the comments and realization by Tyshawn that he was NOT Self's 1st pick--it was Warren. So Warren goes to OU, Tyshawn comes here, and frankly that worked out for both players. I feel bad that Tyshawn has felt under a cloud of being '2nd choice'--and to his credit, he showed everybody what he can do. Self runs a heady, intense type of offense/defense, so it takes longer to assimilate, then execute really well. Case in point: Taylor, Twins, Collins, Releford, Little, Appleton...and it took Shady, Robinson, Chalmers some time as well to do all Self asks them to do. I will say regarding the RussRob comparison: Tyshawn is different. More Chalmers than Robinson. Defensively speaking, the only current KU players close to RussRob defense are Sherron and Brady. And I hope we one day approach Russell's assist/turnover ratio...But Tyshawn's definitely a combo guard that can do it all (just like Sherron). Boy do I love combo guards!

February 24, 2009 at 5:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ralster (anonymous) says...

Regarding Blake Griffin. Think only as a BigXII fan or basketball fan, and its hard not to like the guy--he is a HOSS!. Hey, I will take the 'W'. Cole & the Twins will get their shot at him. And obviously, if KU plays Blake, Im bettin on Cole+Twins+Quintrell.
And personally speaking, if OU was to ever meet UNC & Hansbrough, I think last years PoliticalPlayer of the Year (Hansdouche), would get shown-up yet again by another BigXII team. KU would do the same. Again. UNC has no D, and PsychoT has hustle, but no real hops.

February 24, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ralster (anonymous) says...

Too bad about the OU fans being mean to visitor fans. Another thing to be proud of with the AFH traditions, and generally higher-intellect fans. Ive been down to OklaCity many times, and have liked the Bricktown & shopping activities as a short-range diversion, like KC or Lawrence (ok, I'll admit, I feel overly friendly to them because Self is from Edmond, OKC suburb). Wearing our KU stuff, we really havent had any rudeness, and frankly, I start gushing about Self, and everybody down there really seems to like him, too. You see about 85% OU shirts around town, about 14% OSU shirts, and maybe an occasional KU shirt (when I pass a mirror!). It could be that like some KU people do not like our Aggies (KSU-little big12 bros down the road), that some OU people do not like OSU/OSU grads like Self. Who knows-just a theory! Maybe its all football rivalry?

February 24, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

crmsnblu (anonymous) says...

sure we deserve this high perch. keep in mind we never once said "what would have been," when we didn't have Mario Little in the line up.

injuries happen, its part of the game.

February 24, 2009 at 5:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhwkfan162515 (anonymous) says...

Let's hope that we don't get corrupt officials for this KU-MU battle like we had for the last one...

February 24, 2009 at 6:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kustrong (anonymous) says...

I think that Coach Self should be up for coach for coach of the year. If we win out, we will be a 2nd seed in the tournament. The win against Oklahoma is legit and if they were in the hunt for the national title they would not make excuses.

JayBate, you out there? Haven't seen you in weeks. I miss you, blogger buddy. Feel that if you were able to a write a blog, it would be a "ripple in still water. (GFD)

Rock Chalk

February 24, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

nobodylikesmizzou (anonymous) says...

Cole's face

February 25, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )