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Sunday, March 16, 2008

KU readies for rival

Chalmers: UT bigger than MU, KSU

By Ryan Greene

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KU vs. Texas A&M

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2007-08 March 15 KU-TAMU Hoops

KU-Texas A&M

Kansas City, Mo. — To Mario Chalmers, Missouri and Kansas State at the moment are considered Nos. 2a and 2b. The order doesn't really matter.

"In my book, I think (the rivalry with Texas) is No. 1, just because most of the times we play them it's for a championship," the Kansas University guard said Saturday. "And a championship means more than a regular-season game.

"I saw (Texas') D.J. (Augustin) and A.J. (Abrams) talk about it on TV today, talk about that most people say Oklahoma's their rival, but I agree with them - I agree us and Texas are big rivals now."

The Jayhawks' 77-71 semifinal victory over Texas A&M in the Big 12 tournament, combined with the Longhorns' 77-49 pasting of Oklahoma earlier in the day at Sprint Center, sets up a KU-UT finale for the third straight season.

In Chalmers' three seasons as a Jayhawk, this will mark the sixth meeting between the programs, with KU holding a 2-0 record in postseason play and Texas a 2-1 advantage in the regular season.

"They definitely feel like a rival," fellow junior Brandon Rush said. "Because we beat them the last two years in the tournament and then they beat us in their spot. This is the same thing that happened our freshman year: We lost down in Austin then we came back and beat them in the Big 12 tournament.

"There's no bad blood at all, just two teams trying to figure out who's the best team in the Big 12."

Aside from both teams consistently carrying impressive records and resumes into each meeting over the past three seasons - the two shared this year's regular-season championship - the list of do-you-remember moments which make rivalries that much more memorable is constantly growing.

Already, there's...

l Julian Wright's 360-degree jam in the open floor to help seal the 80-68 victory in the Big 12 title game in 2006.

l Kevin Durant's 25-point first-half eruption last season in Allen Fieldhouse, followed by a 16-point swing for KU in the second half leading to the Jayhawks clinching the regular-season league crown.

l Damion James, after sitting most of the first half with two fouls, blowing up for 12 points and 13 rebounds after halftime in Texas' 72-69 victory in Austin last month.

"We have a great respect for them, and the feeling is probably mutual," KU coach Bill Self said. "But I think it is very fitting that we get a chance to play each other because, you know, this is the way it's been the last three years, and it can certainly change in the future, but it's been a pretty good run for both programs."

This game could also carry the potential of a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament with it, despite the fact today's game ends just before the start of the NCAA selection show.

"It doesn't really matter to us, but we think there's still a No. 1 seed at stake," Chalmers added. "I think there still is one for us."

Comments

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Gotta love our chances today...that douche Digger Phelps was talking trash on us all day...he likes the 'Horns, of course.

March 16, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

CaramelMacchMan (anonymous) says...

who gives a bleep about him!!

let me just tell you all the picks right now before the bracket comes out

Dickie V..... UNC
Digger Phelps....Memphis
Bob Knight.....Georgetown

Andy Katz..... Kansas
Jay Bilas........Kansas

March 16, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Joe Lunardi currently has us as a No.1 seed in the Midwest (Omaha and Detroit)...gotta win today, boys!!!!

March 16, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Thanks to the Razorbacks for taking out the Vols and giving us the opportunity today.

March 16, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Actually, the 'Hawks/'Horns game should be over for about an hour BEFORE the selection show. That's why I think the WINNER will be slotted in as a No. 1 seed.

March 16, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

CaramelMacchMan (anonymous) says...

I think they will have the bracket maid already cuz

cuz If Kansas wins
Midwest bracket (detroit)
seed #1 Kansas
South bracket (Houston)
seed #2 Texas

and If Texas wins
Midwest bracket (detroit)
seed #1 Texas
South Bracket (houston)
seed #2 Kansas

So... they only have to swich out one spot..

March 16, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

I agree, Caramel...they are just waiting to see who wins today's games.

March 16, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jcepp (anonymous) says...

I think they may have already desided to:
a) reward TN with the MW 1.
b) Reward TX with the 2 in their home region (Houston)
c) Give us the two in Detriot with arguably the easiest one. Sort of like UCLA last year.

If we win they might flip flop us and TN

March 16, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

SDSurferFan (anonymous) says...

Just need to stay out of UCLA's bracket. I went to the Pac 10 Tourney yesterday. Great game, but hey are such a talented smart team. Reallllllllllllllllllly don't want to see them until Final Four. If we don't get the one I would like to be in UNC's bracket!!!!!!

March 16, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

patton6 (anonymous) says...

caramel - if you don't think 1 or more are picking UCLA, you're crazy. In fact, I'd say Katz and Bilas are the most likely...

March 16, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

If we're a number 2 seed, I'd rather be in Memphis' bracket. They can't survive a close game with a good FT-shooting team.

March 16, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

CaramelMacchMan (anonymous) says...

patton- i totally forgot about UCLA...

I guess we only have left H. Davis who will pick Kansas.

March 16, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

indyhawk (anonymous) says...

I agree with you jayhawkinatl .. I think if we get a number 2 seed we would be best fit in Memphis' bracket! I just really like that match-up and I think we have the tougher team.

March 16, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

CaramelMacchMan (anonymous) says...

wouldn't be awesome if top 8 team can pick their own bracket and seed..

lets say current ranking
1. UNC
2. Memphis
3. UCLA
4. Kansas
5. Tenn.
6. Texas
7. Duke
8. Geotown

So lets say UNC overall #1 rank and they can pick their own seed and site.. and they will pick east bracket with #1 seed.

then Memphis picks #1 seed in South bracket

then UCLA picks #1 seed in West bracket

And then Kansas picks #2 seed in South bracket..

And so on...

March 16, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

melrank (anonymous) says...

IF we win, there's nothing but good scenarios for us. South or Midwest, 1 or 2, Tennessee/Memphis/Wisconsin - not a lot of difference. God forbid, I would agree with Knight.

But, IF we lose today, lots of bad things could be in store. A #2 in the East with NC or in the West with UCLA. Probably a lot tougher road.

Today's game - our guards will have their hands full. Abrams and Augustin are going to get theirs. We have to slow dribble penetration as that really ignites their offensive sets. We might see a few defensive series using a zone just for this reason.

IMO, the key to victory today is our inside play, particularly with DA. We have to control the boards, especially James, and not let Atchley (sp?) go crazy from distance. Strong defensive board work will give us a few extra transition opportunities, too.

I think we will find ways to score with our balance. Let's defend and rebound and we'll win.

Texas is a good test today. It won't really mean anything relative to the ultimate crown, but I sure will be a lot more confident if we can take care of business.

It goes without saying, there should be no way in the world our guys come out flat for this one.

Sorry about the violation of the two paragraph rule, but I'm jacked for this game today and can't help myself :)

Rock Chalk.

March 16, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

doctorWho (anonymous) says...

I don't want a #1 seed if it comes with the baggage it did last year. But, if Lunardi's guess is right, #1 in the Midwest would be sweet if Tennessee is the #2.

Joe Lunardi has Duke as a #3 seed now, which is probably still about 1 place too high for another well coached but talentless Duke team, but at least a #3 seed is reasonable. Who thinks Dickie V. will go nuts if Lunardi is correct? Even during yesterday's game with Clemson, DV was declaring Duke would have been a number 1 seed if they could have won yesterday, but now they would have to settle for a solid #2.

March 16, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

HammHawk (anonymous) says...

You gotta love this rivalry. Unlike K State and Mizzou, this one is built out of mutual respect and hard, but fair, play. TX is a worthy adversary, and they win and lose the right way. Hope we take them again, but at least we're playing a team with some class.

March 16, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )