Self proves point by elevating Morningstar in practice

Maxhawk - thank you.
Last summer, well before his DUI, I was constantly defending Brady's role (glue guy, D, grit, leadership) beyond perceived athleticism. When he gets back, I almost guarantee that he will challenge Tyshawn for minutes and will always be in when Sherron is out. Too many people think winning games is about how high you can jump or how many twists you can make before dunking.

November 24, 2009 at 11:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Self proves point by elevating Morningstar in practice

lighthawk,
This summer I went to a lecture about Dr. Naismith. His mission was both ministry and physical education. He was part of a religious philosophy that believed there was deep connection between mind, body, and spirit. Vigorous, if not rugged, physical exercise in conjunction with religious instruction would produce healthy, moral adults. This didn't set too well early in his career when he would deliver Sunday morning prayers with black eyes from Saturday's football game. Apparently, he was someone to be feared on the gridiron in the 1880’s. He is credited with creating the first leather-cap football helmet.

Sorry to go on. My grandfather had Dr. Naismith as a swimming instructor at KU about 100 years ago, and he has always fascinated me. I typically like to chime in when a conversation starts about him. He truly was a renaissance man in the world of athletics. His contributions go well beyond the invention of basketball.

November 24, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Self proves point by elevating Morningstar in practice

jaybate,
"...Thomas Storey, who taught at Friends University in Lindsborg. ..." ???

Did you mean Bethany College in Lindsborg or Friends University in Wichita? Or, did Friends open a satelite campus in Lindsborg?

Not trying to nit pick - Happy Thanksgiving

November 24, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Texas Tech's Leach calls Mangino investigation 'witch hunt'

Nice post Captain Obvious, er, ginger. The difference is that no one cares what my opinion is. Mike Leach represents a major university in the Big 12. He holds a position of influence and reputation. I don’t know all the details behind the investigation, but I do know that Mike Leach doesn't know either. I’d bet there is a lot more going on than any of us message board monkeys realize.

But, that’s all I am, just another anonymous monkey who can type. Mike Leach expressed an opinion – an uninformed opinion – because he can’t know all the facts regarding Mangino’s situation at KU. When Kentucky fired Billy Clyde, Bill Self had sense enough to give his support to Billy Clyde, but he did not lambaste UK. It would be irresponsible of someone of Self’s position to do so, especially without knowing ALL the facts. If I were the Texas Tech AD, I would not be happy with Leach for using the term "witch hunt".

(now, has anyone seen my banana?)

November 23, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Texas Tech's Leach calls Mangino investigation 'witch hunt'

Oh wow. I didn't know Lori Williams shared all the details of her investigation with Mike Leach. I also didn't know his opinion was relevant. But then again, what the heck else is any other head coach supposed to say when asked.

November 23, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KU's Chancellor issues statement putting support behind Lew Perkins

There are several issues the investigation is looking into that go beyond simply poking one current player in the chest.

We all agree that a strict disciplinarian has to tear players down to then build them back up. But, if MM fails to build them back up consistently, then his leadership skills have to be called into question. No one thinks that D1 football should be for the faint hearted, but it is counterproductive for a coach to always tear down players without an appropriate level of building up. If you tear someone down by dissing their alcoholic father, you really should do something later to build them up. If not, what was the purpose of tearing them down – unless you are just a bully. I don’t claim to know exactly what the appropriate level of “building up” is, but hopefully, the investigation will help answer that.

Is MM treating his assistants and staff in the same manner – berating them in front of other coaches and players? IMO, if he really threatened to fire Bowen in front of other coaches and players, then he is poor leader of the staff. There is no excuse for that level of unprofessionalism. That kind of public threat is only detrimental to the team – it does not inspire players to play better, it just makes MM a bully with no self-control.

Is MM treating people outside of the football program unprofessionally? There was a lengthy article in the UDK about a student-parking attendant that gave MM tickets for parking in a no parking, loading zone. Reportedly, MM ripped the student apart for several minutes and accused the student of trying to be a “big shot” for giving him parking tickets (the old, “Do you know who I am and how important I am” argument.) If true, that story is reminiscent of Bobby Knight accosting a student and ripping him a new one for his alleged disrespect. That one got Bobby fired from IU. I don’t believe other employees of KUAI are encouraged to berate staff from KU Parking who are just doing their job.

I personally don’t buy the argument that this investigation will hurt recruiting. If these allegations are true, then it is MM who is responsible for hurting KU recruiting. Lew would be remiss for not investigating these allegations. If Lew tried to brush these allegations under the rug, he should be fired. MM is right, these allegations would probably not surface if we were 8-2 right now. But, that’s like saying cancer is only a problem when you look sick on the outside. If everyone thinks you look healthy on the outside, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a cancer on the inside.

I guess we just have to wait for the results of the investigation to know if this is cancer or just a cyst.

November 20, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KU's Chancellor issues statement putting support behind Lew Perkins

Q: What is worse than having Lew Perkins as KU's AD?
A: Having Lew Perkins become someone else's AD.

Y'all can slam sweet Lew all day long, but KUAI, KU, and the state of Kansas is far better off with him in our fold than competing against us. Fans from other programs don't hate KU because we suck - they hate us because we are successful.

College sports are about big business - plain & simple. You may not like what D1 sports has become, but Lew did not create that environment. He just knows how to succeed in it. And, as far as student athletes at KU, did you know there are more academic resources for our athletes at KU today than ever before? Athletes that want to succeed academically at KU have all the resources they need; they just need to pursue it. The same is true for any other non-athlete student at KU. Also, the publicity from KU athletics generates a ton of direct and indirect revenue for not only KUAI, but also KU in general. Donors are much more likely to give to KU Endowment when they see KU on ESPN or ABC each weekend. That money goes to scholarships, research, and other academic programs. Where else is the money going to come from when the state budget for higher education continues to shrink?

So, if you think KU would be better off without Lew, I'd like to know your details of how to make KU athletics better and more competitive in today's environment.

November 20, 2009 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Elder Henry makes debut

DocBean - Not in 1986.

I remember hearing that the red uni's are part of the Adidas contract. I think we are obligated to wear them twice per year. Maybe someone at the LJW (hint hint Jesse) could look this up and give us all the details.

I hope CJ does become a legit threat to start. Right now, Tyshawn needs someone to pressure him for playing time. Someone more mature that is a scoring threat, but doesn't make so many silly turnovers.

November 20, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas center Cole Aldrich battles for the ball with Central Arkansas players Mitch Reuter (34) and

Why is Cole's mouthpiece always out of place? Almost every pic.

November 20, 2009 at 9:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Gary Bedore’s Kansas basketball notebook

tulsa,
I agree - it's just November and Bill's teams always look much better 2nd semester - I'm sure TT will get it together soon. Although the TO probably went to Cole in the books, I am quite sure that TT will get an earful from the coaching staff for that horrible pass on the very first possession - it's the first bad play of the game - you can't miss it during film.

November 20, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )