Harris voices his support for coach

We're hearing one side of the story....

come on...'someone texted someone who texted someone who said someone texted someone who said Coach ''attacked" a player on the plane????? Grow balls and identify the source or quit yacking...

What did the player do before he was "attacked'? What was the nature of the "attack"? - Was the kid out of his seat and pushed down into it? Was he verbally maligned because he was being a whiny nin-compoop???

We don't know...

I do know that by making this public, Lew Perkins has mishandled this situation....

Is it possible that Coach Mangino crossed "a line"? Yes, anything is possible...

And yet, I listened to Todd Reesings comments and he didn't in anyway sound negative about Coach....

Harris, above, doesn't sound negative about Coach....While making it clear that the Mangino doghouse was something he didn't want to get into...He said he did right and kept out of it....

Obviously someone or 'some' who has/have been in the doghouse was/were unhappy, and cried to mommy and daddy and mommy and daddy went to the AD....Did they talk to the coach first, or did they go around him????

Coaches should be accountable, but they also have a tough job to get their players to be tough enough physically and mentally to not crack at critical times in a game...It's a tough line to walk....

I've had football coaches grab my jersey and haul me around by it, grab my facemask and swing me around with it....not once did I think one of them was 'attacking' me...I understood they wanted my full and undivided attention....

Now, someone grabbing me by my neck is unacceptable...someone pushing me around, poking me is ok, as long as it isn't with a fist and they're not sending me into the next county! Football is a physical game and you gotta be ready for physcial activity...if you can't take it, get off the team! Whining is for losers!

November 18, 2009 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Harrison Barnes chooses North Carolina

I like what I have seen from KU's 3 freshmen...

X definitely played like an elite player...he was focused and never got over-hyped...one cool customer - and very solid stroke from the line(s) - FT & 3 Pt (His first one as a Hawk will ALWAYS be 'GOOD')! Glad you're a Hawk, X...thanks for a great performance! Keep that focus!

The Prophet - nice moves, strong...If we didn't have X...I could see him playing the 3! Nice spin move, nice moves to the basket, and he to popped home his first 3 of his KU career, too!

TRob wasn't as good in this game as he was against Pitt State, but he shows great athleticism and works really hard...a rare combination for freshmen Bigs!

I would have liked Barnes to come to KU...seems mid-west kids do get caught up in the 'glamour' of going to the coasts and playing for big name schools. Wish they would stay close to home and help elevate Midwestern College BBall up to that PERCEPTION of elitism. I know we're there, but the perception is that we are somehow inferior...Three national POY's in the last decade says we're not inferior, but some athletes want 'the sure thing'...Good luck Harrison, which you were a Hawk!

I would say that Coach Self is a great evaluator of talent...TRob & the Prophet appear to have been very much under-rated by the scouting guru - 'experts'. They will be great Hawks.

Looks like it's going to be a Rocking Good Year!

Go KU! Trust our Self!!!!!!

November 13, 2009 at 10:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Robinson not just a ‘motor’

...162515,

You said....
"kvskubball, KU will not go undefeated. There are too many good teams on the schedule, especially in the Big 12, for that to happen"

That's why I called it the "Ultimate of Ultimates"...against a tough schedue, if it happens, this will be the 'Team of their Generation', like the last undefeated team was...

If it were going to be easy...then it would have been done in the early 90's by the UNLV team or by Phi Slamma Jamma...noone has been perfect since Knight's team did it.

It takes great basketball, but it also takes great mental toughness, and at least a smidgen of luck, maybe a whole bucket-full of luck! It means 'being on' every night. It means not giving in to the pressure to perform.

This team has the talent to win every game. We don't have the experience that would make me believe that we have a great chance to win 'em all, but we have enough for me to say, that with the right attitude, a lot of work, and the desire to try to do it, it could happen. It will be far from easy, and it can only be done one game at a time!!!

I hope the guys want to at least try to do it, and that they believe that if they work hard they do have a chance to do it. Is Texas going to be tough in Austin? VERY MUCH so...but Tennessee is going to be tough too, as will KSU at Bramlage....

The opportunity starts this Friday. I hope that is how the team will look at it...as something worth trying for. If they do their best, and it doesn't happen, well nothing is lost...Let's not overlook anyone...start with Hofstra tomorrow! Go for it!

Rock Chalk JayHawks!

November 12, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Robinson not just a ‘motor’

Dreaming of an Indy April!

TRob's energy and physicality remind me of Kevin Garnett..LOL

He's not anywhere near KG, yet...but he's got 'IT"

I was very impressed with the energy the freshmen brought to the game...They also seem to be more game ready than last year's freshmen...That could be due to the competitiveness of practice this year...This year's depth means everyone gets pushed!

Thought Teahan did the right thing to not redshirt...

PT will be a huge 'carrot/stick' this year...

I liked that the Morris twins went to the basket, instead of settling for jump shots, or looking for 3 point shots. We know they can make some of those, but against smaller foes, they should look to get to the rim and dominate the paint...Looked like they made an effort to do that last night, and did well at it!!...Well done!

Last year, seemed like everyone not named Sherron or Cole were tentative on the offensive end...I didn't see much hesitation last night...I saw a lot of attack mode. I luv it!

Now, will some guys tighten up when the chips are down? I hope not. I hope they keep their confidence and keep attacking!

The 2008 team was a little bigger in the frontcourt than the team on the floor last night, but this team is overall more athletic....A bit more ready, earlier, than those bigs...

Cole and Sherron were quiet for the most part. They looked to contribute and did...but on a night when you could have asked "Where were our two All-American candidates?", it didn't matter because the younkers were having a blast and decided to play!

One of the things I liked about last night is that we seemed much less careless with the ball than we were last year...That is huge, IMO!

I think these guys are ready to go hunting! The 'Big Game' to bag this year....Let's check the list:

Clean our OOC schedule....
Win the Big 12....
Win the Big 12 tournament...
Win the NCAA tourney....

Ultimate of ultimate goals??? Go undefeated...

It all starts Friday night!!!!!!!! Let's pound the round, and ground Hofstra on Friday!

November 11, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Senior Little ponders sitting out this season

By the way, I don't see Mario 'doing what is best for him' as being so selfish as to be detrimental to the team. If he makes the right decision, whatever he decides that is, I think that actually helps the team. I think once you're on the court, you need to play team ball, but in the decision of how to get yourself on the court, it is every man for himself, and you make the decision that you think is the best one for you.

November 5, 2009 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Senior Little ponders sitting out this season

jaybate...and More importantly Mario Little (if he reads these posts)

If X has pushed Mario to the bench, which I think is correct analysis, then why would a top 3 think he couldn't? I don't see Little's choice affecting Barnes' decision. I think Barnes is confident enough that he wouldn't drop KU because they have a player who was 'redshirted' to make room for a OAD this year, if that scenario plays out.

A 'little' over analysis on Barnes' thinking, IMO.

I think that Mario has unfortunately run into a perfect storm, where Coach Self has, and will continue to recruit top talent to KU.

Mario, a Little advice, do what is best for you. Coach Self and KU will take care of themselves, you need to do the same! I happen to think you made the wrong decision for yourself last year. It was the right decision for KU, we desperately needed experienced players, which were in short supply. You gave it up for the team. Now, it's time to do what is best for you. I think Coach will support your decision.

For you, this is a very tough choice. This year, you will probably play very little, unless someone gets injured, if you don't redshirt. If you play next year, it would appear you will get more playing time. That is true, IF...Coach is not successful in recruiting a top 3 to come play for KU next year. We're still in the hunt for Barnes, though probably on the outside looking in.

I think you have something like 2 weeks to still make your decision after the season starts, as long as you don't play in games. If Barnes chooses another team, then I think it would be best for you to redshirt, because he is most likely the only 3 that could push you to the bench again, next year. Then the competition will be from within, with Marcus and Travis being the competition.

I see the best choice as being a redshirt, with the 'possibility' of seeing increased PT, next year. Again, redshirting this year doesn't gaurantee more PT next year, it just seems it is more likely.

I do agree with jaybate that you should take your education seriously. You probably will be able to play Pro ball somewhere, and make some money at it, but plan for the future. Your injury should show you that sports is a fickle profession. So getting a degree is the wise thing. Good luck with a tough decision!

November 5, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Early wake-up call

That should be a clear warning that the guards will be on a short leash this year. It sounds like Tyshawn may need that to sink in. There are plenty of players, if he doesn't push himself as hard as coach thinks he can - Then Tyshawn could find himself sitting out Games, not just NOT Starting! So if Tyshawn is busy hotdogging or daydreaming about playing in the NBA, or whatever...Coach has the luxury of being able to give him a hard lesson in reality. He didn't really have that luxury last year, and so I don't think Tyshawn has fully grasped that. When he does, this team will get much better, because everyone else will see the object lesson and pick it up too. Often time, an example needs to be made. Not starting was a very SMALL lesson. If that lesson doesn't work, Tyshawn's going to be sitting on the end of the bench until it sinks in. Seems like he understands, at least somewhat, so hopefully Coach doesn't have to make it a harder lesson!

I'm getting a very clear picture that PT is going to be a big tool for Coach to use with anyone who he feels isn't giving his best. That's something that will sharpen this squad up big-time. It's all in how the guys react! The talent is definitely there, they had just better get wired-in or they'll be left without any PT!!!

Were we getting a lot of transition? Was Cole running with the team in transition?

I read that Markieff dunked with authority. I like that. Laying the ball up can result in the ball rolling off...unless you totally muff a dunk, it's done - score it!

Rock Chalk. It's great to be talking about games!!!!!!

November 4, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Early wake-up call

Our four big men who played last night had a total of 10 assists against only 4 turnovers. The only 'Big' w/o an assist? The Big Dog - Cole. But then as he lives in the post this year, he will be on the receiving end of a lot of passes - hopefully!

Since the team had 18 turnovers, that meant the other players - the guards and X (I don't pull X out to single him out, but because he's more of a 'tweener' than either a guard or a 'big') together had a total of 14 turnovers.

That sounds like sloppy/careless play on the perimeter. But good sharing of the ball by the Bigs and that the guards probably benefitted from some of that largesse!

I didn't get a chance to watch the game. I hope to catch the re-cast tonight.

Question: Can Withey redshirt?

Looking at the box score, it looks like Robinson did good, other than fouling out...

And 9 guys played last night. So If Withey doesn't redshirt, then one of the 5 bigs isn't going to play very much...

That leads me to think that Mario Little should definitely redshirt this year.

Who played the 3 last night when X was out of the game??? I noticed that X fouled out too...

I'm assuming that coach is willing to go with either Marcus at the 3 to back up X and/or with Brady in the second semester. So that means that it would also be wise for Travis Releford to redshirt as well.

So, last night's game would indicate to me that we will have at least 2 redshirts and if Withey can redshirt, then we are likely to have 3 redshirts, and some real studs ready to go next year, making that team theirs!

If Withey can not redshirt, then I see coach really working Marcus hard to get him ready to play some 3, or his PT may be cut because of a numbers game, or Withey won't play much. I think Cole, Markieff, and TRob are going to play a lot (Unless Markieff falls in love with the 3 even if he's not hitting them -that will make coach send him to the doghouse).

Which means if Marcus plays more 3, then the guard rotation's time will shrink.

With 6 guards, that means someone or even 2 players in the following group is/are not going to play much, because of a lack of available PT - CJ, EJ, Sherron, Tyshawn, Tyrel, Brady.

more to follow.... (3000 character limit)

November 4, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Who is nation's "hottest" college basketball coach?

And to finish my ideas about hot coaches...

IMO, everyone else is over-rated if you think they have any real sizzle factor! Pitt's Dixon is a very good coach, but hasn't made the FF...Grant???? What has he done? The media goes all ape-out over him, but no real accomplishments to-date. How many NCAA tourney games has he won??? Few - he's reached his glass ceiling at Gonzaga, or at least it seems that way... Sean Miller is a potential gem, but he's only been to I think one Elite 8...

Coaches we seem to have forgotten???

Tubby Smith...one NC and doing good things, not great yet at Minnesota...
Matt Painter...not a 'sexy' pick, but a very good coach, who could get Purdue to it's first FF in what seems like forever....but hasn't gotten past two Sweet 16's yet.
Paul Hewitt at GTech might see his star go back into ascendency if he can lead a talented group to a deep NCAA title run, to add to his previous FF (That was a KU - Ouch)

Remember this NAME: Brad Stevens at Butler - he has All-Star Coach written all over him, but right now, he's just like a hot-shot high school graduate - He's all potential, now he's got a team that will give us a chance to see if he's really got "IT", and how much he does have.

Another coach who is doing a great job where he is, but wouldn't be mentioned on many of these lists is Fran McCaffery at Siena - he's been 'small' school all the way, but has been to two tournaments in a row and will probably make it 3 in a row. He's won a game in each of those two tourneys. Hey, I'm not hot-shot super stud looking guy and so I have a 'soft spot' in my heart for guys like McCaffery who have to BE better than the competition because he's not likely to be able to 'out sell' them!

Rock Chalk!

How about some up and coming Big 12 coaches for the 'early sizzle factor group' -

Mike Anderson at MissedYou took his team to the Elite 8 as did
The Dookie trained coach at OU who is doing so well, and is definitely 'hot' in the recruiting wars... Jeff Capel is doing good things....

November 3, 2009 at 6:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Who is nation's "hottest" college basketball coach?

My list of 'hottest' coaches?

1 Roy Williams - you're the hottest until you lose it, and he hasn't lost it, as his recruiting indicates - still rolling on up to the top!

2 Bill Self - taking a team to the final four is great, Roy's done that at two different places, but both places are expected to be there and have the recruiting clout that makes it a definite possibility, but Coach Self has taken 3 different teams to the Elite 8, and got the tri-fecta two years ago, breaking through to the FF and winning the NC in one fell swoop. Then last year's National COY, and taking a re-tooled team within a 5 minute stretch of advancing to another Elite 8, and having this year's team primed to take a shot at all the trophies available, and if he does... all the sudden he has the same number of NC's that Roy and Dean have and just one short of achieving Super-Star Coaching status, IMO. Three national titles is the bomb!

3 From here, it is really a flavor of the month/year....

One title Izzo has been hot and seems to be primed to continue to be.....So I give him an edge over Two Title Calhoun -who seems just short of malingering like Bobby Bowden (OK, not that bad - but not 'hot' anymore) and Three Title Coach K - who seems ready to get some sizzle back if he can get some players to stick around for more than a year. Donovan at UF, needs to rediscover his sizzle...he hasn't been able to find enough studs that want to work hard enough since he won his second title!

Then the next group are the 'gotta gets', they aren't really 'hot' yet because they haven't won the whole canole. Howland - 3 FF's in a row...but never more than a bridesmaid...Jay Wright is amping the sizzle meter, but let's see what he does the year after reaching his first FF...Barnes at Texas is keeping the burner warm, but needs another trip back to the FF to amp it up to being 'hot' at anything other than recruiting! and of course Paper-Clip, who's 2 Final Fours are like a mirage or seem to have been achieved with smoke and mirrors! He's definitely a media darling and recruits kids great, and won a lot of games in a middle-class conference...With success at UK, which will probably come, then he joins the group above. Pearl is IMO, perhaps the best coach to not make the Elite 8. I think he can win bigger and amp the meter. I'd take him over Paper-Clip because while they both are over-marketed, Pearl strikes me as the more 'honest' salesman, if there is such a thing!

November 3, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )