Drama takes away from game

Bigger than any one man????
Have you seen the size of Mangino?

November 19, 2009 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas basketball notebook

I'm still shocked we're realistically having the #2-seed conversation. This has been an awesome, expectation-destroying season and it's really proved to me that HCBS deserves coach-of-the-year honors. With as much parity as there is within all the top conferences, I don't think there'll be that much difference between a 2-4 seed and the caliber of teams that will fall in front of us throughout the tournament. KC would be nice, but KU seems to have a great following wherever they go. It's all about improving up to the final 6 games (which I think they're doing) and a little luck along the way. I can't believe March is almost here. Happy pants, happy pants.

February 24, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Top of the heap

I don't think the Jayhawks lackluster start and the subsequent run by OU was fueled by the Sooners rallying around their fallen leader as much as it was caused by the young Hawks being confused and distracted by the jacket that Griffin was wearing. Nice to see Affliction breaking out into sports coats...

February 24, 2009 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Markieff Morris accepts diversion agreement

And this is what we get when there isn't a game to discuss...Saturday can't come soon enough.

December 11, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Gaining confidence

Carolina doesn't seem to have any issues with being stacked and reloading each year. Those guys are scary good. A recruit that signs with a school like KU or UNC knows what he's getting himself into. Every player has an opportunity to play and they just have to earn the minutes. I like the players that consider it a challenge as most of them have been pampered their whole careers. I would hope the reward of playing (even sparingly) for a program like Kansas and the atmosphere it provides outweighs the experience of starting for a mediocre school in front of a disinterested, sparsely populated crowd.

December 5, 2008 at 3 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Aldrich needs sidekick

It's a much tougher adjustment for bigs to come into the college game than it is for the guards. Aside from a month or two of DI practices and a handful of games, they're still very new to this level of play. Give the twins a break. I think they've shown some nice flashes and hustle. I love how they're capable of pulling down a rebound and pushing the break a bit (shades of Wright come to mind). I do wish they'd stick to the philosophy that if they look down and they're feet are not on the blue of the lane, they shouldn't shoot it. To call them lazy is completely off-base. They work very hard underneath, get their hands on a lot of balls, make good (yet sometimes ill-advised interior passes) and as soon as they adjust, I think they'll be a formidable duo alongside Aldrich. The turnovers will fade and the finishes will increase (and become much more authoritative). Go back and watch early film of D-Jack and Shady - not overly impressive (very similar mistakes and "softness"). A lot more pressure is put on these two early in their careers and it's just a matter of time before they start living up to all the hype (a la Taylor - unbelievable performance last night by the way).It can't be easy getting put in your place every day in practice by a superior upper classman (but look at the wonders last season did for Cole). Cut them some slack.

December 4, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Releford provides a spark

Nerves aside, I thought there was great effort from all of the newbies (you can be taught to play smart but it's up to you to play hard - I think they all did it). The most effective of the group, Taylor, Kieff and Releford, all played a bit inconistently, but it's to be expected. I think the potential displayed last night outweighed the concerns. I thought Taylor and Releford showed great signs on the defensive end and it was scary how quick they got up and down the floor (never thought I'd say that Collins was the 2nd or 3rd quickest guy on the court). If we can somehow get them to get under control a bit more, they'll be fun to watch (they're currently a bit nerve-racking).Game One down... I recorded the game last night so I could go back and watch it in a couple months to note the differences, not only in rotation (where there will be massive changes), but in composure, positioning and mental toughness. The silly fouls, passes, shots and blown defensive assignments can only imporve with time.I did love the fact that every time Cole caught the ball he looked to dunk it (seems Sasha and D-Jack's toughness has worn off a bit). Everyone keeps talking about him like he's a battle-tested veteran, but he's still a bit green and has some growing to do as well (his second foul last night proves that).I was a little disturbed by the creepy love infatuation the announcers had with him though. It was Madden/Favre-like.I would've liked a larger margin of victory, but overall, I think there was much to be cautiously excited about.ESPNU sucks by the way.

November 17, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Mayer: Mid-major look fits Kansas

Winning a title may persuade a few of them to make the jump, but it's not necessarily a guarantee (please see Florida). This group genuinely looks like they enjoy playing with each other (no immature comments here please) and that could be enough to keep those who may be on a thin line between first round pick and 3:12 minutes of NBA playing time (read Wright) from making an ill-advised decision.

That being said...
I'd definitely take a title this year over a roster that includes Rush and Arthur next.
Just saying...

February 22, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Extra Minutes: Kansas 69, Colorado 45

This long-winded strand confirms the fact that Saturday's game was about as ho-hum as a mid-afternoon English lecture. I'll take the win but I do look forward to upcoming games that may inspire a little more intensity on the court and on the message boards.

February 18, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Woodling: Kansas all over the dial

Aside from the hottness factor Erin Andrews (and a select group of other female commentators) provide, sideline reporters in both football and basketball are completely unnecessary and often cause painful headaches due to rambling, forced and, often, errant commentary.

Speaking of...
Ron Franklin sucks.
Is anyone else annoyed by him?
There isn't one ESPN broadcast that goes by that I don't curse the day he was assigned to the Big XII. Fran does his best to bail him out (when he isn't rambling about the greatness of UCLA), but his suckness reaches heights only paralleled by SLU's offense.

How many window licker comments can he make before ESPN gets rid of him????

January 16, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )