Posted by Kusarge January 29, 2009 at 9:54 a.m.

Kansas 68, Nebraska 62

Who would've thunk that KU would play have their 10 minutes playing with their heads up their butts right out of the gate? Not me, for one. In what has been an up-and-down season, KU's freshman corps again played their age from the outset.Not that one can blame the poor start solely on the team. The first half of the Nebraska game may be the most hostile half of hoops Kansas will face in the Big XII North. I know everyone is going to think, "What about @ KSU and @ Mizzou?" But let me give you my reasoning. Nebraska was embarrassed twice by Kansas last year, a surefire way to get the team pumped up for the game. A team that has played well at home, with a good defense, and seemingly a shot to beat the defending National Champions. Now, that gets the crowd into the game. Oh - did I mention a national television audience? Kansas' youth is just not ready to handle taking every team's - even the lower-tier opponents - best shots every night out. When the 'Hawks travel to Manhattan and Columbia, they know what's at stake. Mentally, their is ample room for growth with this bunch.To all those who say Cole and Collins will bolt to the league after this year: Do you watch the games? You can't tell me that Cole Aldrich, while not a freshman, is going to the league after one NCAA season and some token time last year. He could get drafted based on his talent and potential upside, but no lottery pick. Pure speculation on my part, but doesn't everything that Cole says and does point to the fact that he loves the college life, being the BMOC, and is content to grow as a player before leaving? He is still another two years (and, hopefully, another NC) away from the NBA. Collins, as has been widely written of late, is a sub-6' 0" guard averaging near 20 PPG. He's quite possibly having the quietest All-American season ever seen in Lawrence. Why? A little thing called ESPN and the Big East (or, as Gottlieb dubbed it, "The BEast"). Sherron is still too out of control at times, turns it over a lot for a PG (his NBA position), and I still believe he can be better conditioned (see last night's defensive effort - at times dragging). These guys will play pro ball. Given the fact that next year, however, this team will have a chance to REALLY contend for a National Title, I think one more year of being the big fish will appeal to both.That said, who wants to play Kansas in March? Why is Notre Dame still in the Top 25? Is Texas overrated?On a side note, I warned MU Fan that his team stunk. Big wins over CU, ISU = "I'm sorry, what did you say? I wasn't listening...." Combined with the fact that the Vegas line on every KSU conference game has been so out of whack, the Tigers lay an egg....I predict a dual pummeling of them by the 'Hawks this year.Sorry, back to last night. The call at the end of the game - the refs got it right. Multiple angles even flipped Gottlieb, who initially thought it was a "phantom foul." Poor coaching by Doc, letting his players foul our only truly legit free throw shooter TWICE in the final minute. Sherron goes 4-foor-4, sealing the victory. We FINALLY dominated the glass in the second half. I think at one point it was 14 KU boards to 1 Nebraska. Monday, we take a possible unblemished conference record to a solid Baylor team (no, I'm not looking past the Buffaloes, they do have a 1-game win steak) on national television once again. Do you think HCBS will wear his Memphis tie for the television crowd?Tyrel Reed, while still seemingly outmatched on the defensive side of the basketball, hits two clutch threes in a key second-half stretch. Morningstar paced the 'Hawks in scoring for a bit, and hit a couple treys himself. These two players will continue to be keys to victory throughout the conference schedule. As Mario comes along, I think you'll see much more of Collins, Aldrich, Little, Reed, and Morningstar on the floor, especially if Taylor struggles with his outside shots. And, hey, didn't Releford give great first half minutes last night? HCBS has really picked his spots well with him and Quintrell of late, although Q's play has been streaky at best.Early this year, I predicted that KU would win a majority of their games in "ugly" fashion, although, is a "W" ever really "ugly?" I think not. That's our style this year. And it's looking once again to be a tough proposition to beat.