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Kansas’ Taylor bounces back from ‘freak night’

Brandon Rush was no slouch in the rebounding dept, even his frosh year. Just saw a major portion of a KU game (when Rush a frosh), and he was everywhere, doing everything, and stroking long-range 3s...exactly the kind of game even most highly-touted freshmen cannot reproduce consistently, hence us all wondering why he couldnt carry us game after game. X will go thru the natural progression to learn the offense/defense schemes--hopefully shining consistently sooner, rather than later. We also saw Rush be hampered by injury. To say X could one day do everything for KU that Rush did is simply an awesome compliment. And X need not shirk or shy away from that responsibility to fill the man's shoes (he plays the same position)--as "that man" (Rush) is only an NBA starter now. I would hope he would be honored to follow. Im sure Self is using X's personal ambition to have X be more of an improved help to KU asap.

November 22, 2009 at 5:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

On target

dagger,
I like your points. I think I read some comments by Self recently that he isnt too concerned who starts, and regarding the positions, that is fluid as well--X, McM at 3 (but then could put any of the guards in at the 3, if needed). The 1/2 position under Self simply doesnt really exist, as he has always called them 'combo' guards, and recruited accordingly. So when he chews the player's hard (Chalmers, RussRob, TT...)he knows they are capable of making the required adjustments. Positions 1-3 can bring the ball up in this Self system, as we have seen. We gotta have that ability to distribute and pass from all positions, as proper ball-reversal, patience (built-in? by having multiple ball handlers in game at all times), and scoring ability are key to busting a zone defense, and for overall offensive balance. We were a 2-star team with role players last year. This year we could have a return to the balanced scoring attack of the 08 Champs. We looked ragged vs. Memphis because of still-not-cohesive guard-play. The bigs were fine. But I think already this will be a way better team once the newbies learn the schemes and the vets get a few games under their belt. We will be tested in non-conf: Mich, UCLA, Cal, Tenn. and that is fantastic. And this team will also get better when Brady's defense and shooting return as weapons on both ends of the court. Its a simple blessing for the development of the guards (TT, EJ, CJ, X, Reed), that Brady sits now...or a very wily move by Bill Self. Great fun to watch this unfold.

November 22, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

On target

Well said, Oakville, about us really needing a "6game win streak at the end of the season". Regarding soobawls...there is a difference between "consistently negative" and "constructive criticism". Reading the above comments, I am not alone in surmising that soobawls is consistently negative...his tone is just going to bother alot of people at this time of year. Not even Bill Self knows what this team will look like in January (no one does), yet here we have to listen to the prophecizing soobawls. Hey, I work 300+hrs/mo., still play this sport competetively, watch/dvr every KU game, and still find time to discuss my beloved Hawks here. I get just as ticked off at certain things (like TT's recent play), but that cannot outshine the overall good I see. The Twins now deserve that 'capital T', yet they will certainly improve even more. MkM couldnt shoot FTs last yr--this year he is nearly leading the team(!). So, if we lose or play badly, sure it sucks, but my analytical side kicks in, reminding me these are but 18-22 (uh...23) yr olds who arent perfect. Any loss just needs analysis to understand it better and thus move on. Best example: the Twins analyzed their own shortcomings after MichSt and showed up at Hudy's office 6 days after we got bounced out of the NCAAs by a more physical MichSt. They were interested in improving. Message to soobawls: this time of year is all about improving, and while we have areas for improvement, there is huge upside at this point in the season!
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So, is this an elaborate defense-mechanism for soobawls? Constantly negative, so he looks like such-the-prophet (yay?) if/when KU loses, that his ego is somewhat protected by wildly typing the ever-lurking 'I told you so' it seems he is waiting to pop on us after a loss? Heck, he cant even wait till we actually lose a game to share his negativity.
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Challenge to soobawls: Go ahead and post a positive comment about your Jayhawks. I dare you. Show us something more. There is a difference between constructive criticism vs. constant negativity--and the sentiment above is forming that you just show us constant negativity (not just my opinion). Evolve your brain--show/type us some balanced comments.
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If he cant do it, I just bet "soobawls" might be a nickname for "pig squealing" , ie, maybe a Ark. Razorback fan trolling here or something...it might explain it, because he/she is just as consistently negative as those other trolls from Memphis, KY, Mizzou, KSU...

November 22, 2009 at 4:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Elder Henry makes debut

The shorts are called "Swingman" shorts--never seen them in Red. Need XL...someone send me a personal note if you have ever seen any & where I could find some? Thanks!

November 20, 2009 at 7:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Elder Henry makes debut

Yeah, why dont they sell the adidas $55 basketball replica shorts (closest you can get) in the RED color in any store? I would definitely wear them when I play! I have the blue ones, the white ones, but have scoured every KU bookstore, JocksNitch, etc. on trips to Lawrence to find the red version of the same shorts. We are crimson & blue. I like the change-up. More KU gear to wear on the court--what could be better?

November 20, 2009 at 7:29 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Rise and shine

Jaybate,
Loved your post: fascinating to consider Self let the kids just "go out there" vs. Memphis to give them a scare (and his subsequent coaching a whole lot more meaning), without prepping them fully...kind of like Roy admitted after KU stomped UNC in 08, except we get our "lesson/trial by fire" early in the season, where it can do incalculable good...hopefully. We shall see

November 20, 2009 at 7:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Which KU freshman was most impressive against UCA?

And with alot of guards getting playing time, that should help people stay healthy, barring freak injury (like Rodrick Stewart). I voted TRob because he was everywhere, and got alot of rebounds which translated into that many more possessions for us. I really liked CJ's contributions, though, and he was my close second pick. EJ doing OK. X doing OK. Nothing bad here--we've got great new additions, gentlemen, they need time to assimilate everything. Great fun.

November 20, 2009 at 6:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Rise and shine

soobawls,
Dont care about being undefeated (nice if it happens however remote the chances). Only care about playing solid ball in conf. season and the tournaments. Again, even your sarcasm is mis-timed: Would any Bill Self team (over 50+ plays on offense to learn+defensive techniques to master for most of the players, build/rebuild team chemistry at this time of year) be ready to win a national championship right now in November? Would the 08 Champhawks have been ready in Nov.07? They might have looked like it, but did they look like it in losing to KSU & OSU? Nope. Im sure the gloom&doom bunch was ready to snipe at them also! Try at least once to keep yourself in the moment. Way too soon to analyze. Barely any stats in the books. Even hard to predict trends at such an early stage. Self likes to analyze the non-conf, the conf, and the tournament seasonal segments. Give your brain a chance (and a rest) and wait for more data to analyze. Jeez.

November 20, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

The great escape

Lack of logic strikes again...I see some of us here have pushed the big red "panic" button already, even calling out our own coach. Whatever. And thinking some frosh will come into a Bill Self offense and just "run the team" is pure rubbish! Are you kidding me? RussRob's last 2 yrs were a night/day difference to how he played his first 2 yrs, almost transferring away...And then you guys cried you wanted Sherron more instead of Russell. Then last year you berate Sherron on a 7 turnover game when he's doing all he could with a frosh TT, a nonathletic Brady, and 2 twins that = 1 player last year. So keep waiting for the next frosh phenom like Rush, X, Selby to come in and execute the Self offense as well as the 08 upperclassmen Champs did, and you will be old and gray. Its just envy of watching the dribbledrive orgasm over there in KY. So you wanted Wall too, well he would be on academic probation--just watch, unless Calipari has a plan there, too. Calling out coach Self, when the freshmen looked like freshmen is simply ridiculous. I hate fair-weather fans. Fools. Yes, I think some of my fellow KU fans are sounding rather foolish & alarmist unnecessarily right now. I thought we played ugly offense. So did Bill Self. Enough said.

November 18, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Robinson plays sparingly

Well said above. I agree. Bad play out of the 2guard spot will certainly have us yearning for the steadiness of Morningstar. I almost would want the athleticism of X at the 3 and thus have Brady play the 2, Sherron at PG--you get the team's best veteran 3pt shooters in Collins and Brady, yet get to keep the Xfactor in as much as possible (Xfactor could interchangeably mean 3pt shooter/slasher/rebounder/ or even decoy like against Memphis). Memphis' perimeter defense was stifling, and killed our 3s as well as bothering the KU guards mightily, but they were afraid of X & Sherron's 3s, in essence afraid of the 50point capability of X + Sherron as shown vs. Hofstra.
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The freshmen TRob, X, EJ clearly have a lot to learn about playing strong and our complex gameplan. It just takes time. Always has with Bill Self teams, even with returning vets...

November 18, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

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