Advertisement
October 22, 2009
10:55 a.m.: Eric Sorrentino
There's a good chance Kansas has more depth than any team in the Big 12. Heck, anyone in the country for that matter.
I can tell you this much, though: Texas is not far behind.
The Longhorns could present a starting lineup that looks something like this:
- 1. Avery Bradley
- 2. Justin Mason
- 3. Damion James
- 4. Gary Johnson
- 5. Dexter Pittman
That doesn't even include 6-foot-7 freshman Jordan Hamilton, a five-star Rivals.com recruit who can play anywhere on the wing. Bradley, a freshman, is also a five-star guy in one of coach Rick Barnes' best recruiting classes.
Then, there's Florida transfer point guard Jai Lucas, Dogus Balbay and Varez Ward (voted most improved Longhorn this offseason).
Serious depth.
"Really, up to this point, every day it seems like somebody else does something," UT coach Rick Barnes said. "If we have to play 14 guys, we'll play 14 guys. There's no doubt we're going to be shuffling people in and out of games. We want to make conditioning a factor. So we're going to use our bench."
This makes me think forward to Feb. 8, 2010. Featured act: Kansas vs. Texas. Site: Austin, Texas. It should be one of the most exciting games anywhere. Both teams should be ranked in the top five in the country.
For the past few years, Kansas and Texas have been the model programs in the Big 12. When they face each other, the game always seems like the most exciting game of the year. Remember the 2008 Big 12 Championship game at the Sprint Center? One of the best games I've ever seen in the Big 12.
Looks like the upcoming year will be no different.
10:30 a.m.: Jesse Newell
I get the feeling many Kansas fans have a hard time hating Missouri coach Mike Anderson.
It's tough to not root for the guy. His teams play a fast-paced, pressure-based, unselfish style of game, and the coach seems to get the most out of his players.
At the Coaches vs. Cancer charity event two weeks ago, I sensed that Anderson was a bit frustrated with the lack of respect his team was getting this season.
That frustration seemed to carry over into today's media day after his team was picked seventh in the Big 12 preseason coaches poll last week.
"I think this will be a new team that's got to find its own identity," Anderson said. "With that being said, I think the brand won't change. It still is going to be the fastest 40 minutes in basketball. ...
I was a bit surprised that MU was picked behind teams like Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. But I guess the question out there is still this: Was Anderson's style successful because of players like DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons, or were DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons successful because of Anderson's style?
Anderson also seemed a bit defensive when discussing his somewhat overlooked guards J.T. Tiller and Zaire Taylor (a pair the coach calls "T&T").
"There's a reason why we won 31 games ... We led the nation in assists. We led the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. This is a team that was No. 5 in the country in scoring, playing up-tempo," Anderson said. "I think you've got good guard play when that takes place. I think people fail to recognize that.
"Sometimes people look at the scoring, and no question about it, I think (Tiller and Taylor) have got to be able to score more this year. Hopefully, they'll continue to do the things they did for our basketball team last year."
9:57 a.m.: Jesse Newell
Last season, I gained a lot of respect for Colorado coach Jeff Bzdelik.
I interviewed him twice last season — both times after KU wins — and the coach was both open and honest with the evaluation of his team.
Bzdelik was blunt once again today when asked about his team's rebounding.
"Our weakness is going to be our rebounding. It was last year," Bzdelik said. "If that doesn't change, you know, to be quite frank, we're not going to change much from a win and loss standpoint. And players know that."
In case you were wondering, if CU doesn't change from a win-loss standpoint, the Buffs would repeat a 9-22 record, with a 1-15 mark in Big 12 play.
Ouch.
Later, Bzdelik was asked where his team's rebounding would come from this season.
"We'll find out together," he said with a smile.
You have to appreciate that kind of honesty.
Original post: 8:55 a.m.: Eric Sorrentino
Kansas City, Mo. — Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self began Big 12 media day at Sprint Center with an interesting comparison with respect to center Cole Aldrich.
"He could be the best true big man Kansas has had since Wilt (Chamberlain)," Self said. "And you stop and think about the true big man, Danny (Manning) wasn't a center and Raef (Lafrentz) wasn't a center. But you really look at it, and that's a pretty big statement for 50-plus years that he could be the best true big guy. I say not common, but certainly not totally unusual to have a guy like Cole that knows who he is. There's just not too many guys out there that do that. Most guys feel like they gotta be something else, and he doesn't feel that way at all."
Pretty high praise for the junior, a preseason All-American center and projected NBA lottery pick.
Aldrich averaged 14.9 points and 11.1 rebounds last season for the Jayhawks, who advanced to the Sweet 16. The Bloomington, Minn. native displayed flashes of brilliance with games like the Dayton game in last year's NCAA Tournament, where he scored 13 points, grabbed 20 boards and swatted a school-record 10 shots.
So let me ask you guys: Do you agree with Self's comment on Aldrich?
Other quick nuggets from Self's media session:
• Gary Bedore learned that KU freshman center Jeff Withey will miss 4-6 weeks with a knee injury. Self has heard Dec. 1 as a target date for Withey's return.
• The most pleasant surprises so far in practice? Two answers: The first is freshman power forward Thomas Robinson. Self mentioned the motor that Robinson possessed. He's changed practice more than anyone on the court so far. The second surprise was freshman Xavier Henry. Self talked about the high ceiling for the freshman from Oklahoma City and spoke to his ability to score.
Self also said it seemed Robinson would have an immediate impact. That's significant, considering he talked about only having an eight-man rotation during the season. In the preseason, the Jayhawks and Texas Longhorns would appear to have the most depth in the Big 12. This is shaping up to be one of the deeper KU teams I can remember.
Stay tuned for more KU updates and other updates from around the conference.
And as always, discuss.
Comments
kcgregory (anonymous) says...
I'll agree about Cole. Coach Self said he had a chance. I expect him to be 1st team All-American (candidate for POY) and we could win a championship (giving him two). There wouldn't be any doubt then.
October 22, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
KU will be the deepest team in the country hands down...Xavier Henry will be everything we thought that he would be you just gotta give him a couple games to get comfortable...Thomas Robinson is going to be an amazing player because of his strength and his quickness, I will say it again he is a beast.
October 22, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawkinmullen (anonymous) says...
T Rob is a beast. T Rob has a motor. T Rob is superman. T Rob is cool.
October 22, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drgnslayr (anonymous) says...
TRob will be the big surprise guy this year... He may just earn himself a starting position because of his hustle. The entire team will benefit by having a guy play at such a pace that forces the rest of them to stay up with him. The only reason why this team will lose a game is because of their lack of hustle. TRob can be a big part of eliminating that possibility.
Travis should also come on this year... if he doesn't red-shirt!
October 22, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Otownhawker (anonymous) says...
I love hearing about what Coach Self has to say. But I don't give a damn about Misery or Colo.
October 22, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
I think Robinson will earn a starting job eventually this year but honestly it wont matter because I think both of the Morris twins have improved so much that the rotation will equal around the same amount of minutes with Markief potentially getting the short end of the stick.
Starting lineup I would like to see until Xavier gets his feet wet:
1 sherron
2 tyshawn
3 Marcus
4 Robinson
5 Aldrich
October 22, 2009 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jfish126 (anonymous) says...
Disagree about Cole showing flashes of brilliance. The whole damn season was brilliant.
October 22, 2009 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PikesPeakSmitty (anonymous) says...
Jesse.. You're right about Anderson.. he seems like a stand-up guy who coaches good basketball. The reason why we absolutely can't root for Mizzery is their obnoxious, idiotic fans! I was hoping Anderson would transfer to a classier program.
Funny about the CU coach... what confidence! I love going to the KU/CU games in Boulder, but am getting tired of blow-outs.
October 22, 2009 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Eric stealing my comment about KU's depth lol UT does have depth but is it really quality depth? Avery bradley is very unproven as well as Hamilton. Balbay is highly overrated as well. I think UT is a good team but they dont have quite the quality depth that KU has. And UT is really thin at the center.forward spot. Outside of Pittman, there backup is Clint Chapman? he is terrible. Chapman got his lunch eaten by Nebraska last year (I was at the game).
October 22, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truehawk93 (anonymous) says...
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Starting lineup I would like to see until Xavier gets his feet wet:
1. Avery Bradley - Sherron Collins ( hmmm...youth v. experience, like v. Wall)
2. Justin Mason - Tyshawn Taylor (interesting match)
3. Damion James - Marcus M (should hang with James and give a dose of X)
4. Gary Johnson - TRob ( are you kidding me! TRob will wipe Johnson off the floor)
5. Dexter Pittman - Aldrich (watch the elbow likes to flex and whack the nose, ask B Griffin)
suttonku- I could see that. Robinson's work ethic started back right after he committed to KU. This kid made a comment during his commit of the day piece. He said his biggest early focus was to begin preparing for the rigorous B12 schedule. He began to condition and workout with weights before Andrea Hudy's schedule. He is a man among boys in this freshman class (save X).
X is a true 3 and don't see Damien James a true 3 like X. James is more of a small forward. I would even see Little as a better 3 than James. But hey, James is good and the guy can shoot.
October 22, 2009 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Really awful grammar on my part on my last comment I apologize, Im in class currently so Im in a rush to get notes and write on this lol
October 22, 2009 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
E4KUJHawks (anonymous) says...
I do not have a hard time "hating" Mike Anderson. It's rather easy, in fact--I just keep in mind he's mizSEWERy's coach! ; )
October 22, 2009 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PikesPeakSmitty (anonymous) says...
Truehawk93.... you're making me drool. I wished we played Texas 2 times in the regular season. On paper, they're the only ones that can play with us, maybe in the country.
I can't wait to see CaliCheezy blow up at Kentucky. The SEC is weak, but it's no Conference USA or whatever wannabe league Memphis was part of. The cheeseball coaches streetball.
October 22, 2009 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
I find it funny that Calipari has coached his entire career in the worst conferences. What has he done? He has had two final fours taken away and the winningst season in college basketball history taken away. He had a long streak of wins in conference USA but honestly who cares? I prefer KU's 5 straight conference championships in the Big 12 personally.
October 22, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mizzousucks89 (anonymous) says...
anyone who says he was brilliant all season didn't go to the SU game. I totally agree with Self, the "Little Dipper" has what it takes he just needs to be consistent. . . . and demand the ball more often!
October 22, 2009 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
And when he demands it he needs to be strong with it. Too much finesse in my opinion for a center in the Big 12. I want him to dunk with authority more this season rather than lay it in. Dunks swing momentum and when a big man lays the ball in it is hard for your team to get too excited. I like Aldrich a lot but he needs to get angry and play everyone the way he played Hansborough in the Final Four 2 years ago. I love Aldrich's blocks and defense and his shooting range is good for his size, he just needs to dunk it more and not be so soft. Cole is the key to us beating UT because he has an incredible amount of size over Pittman and he needs to use that size. He says he has worked on his legs this season and he will need that to be able to push on Pittman. And like I pointed out earlier, UT does not have much depth down low so if we can get Pittman out of the game then we have a great shot at winning and Cole should score a ton of points once Pittman is out.
Another thing we need Cole to get better at is his fouling. I am so sick and tired of Cole getting fouls out by the 3 point line because he decides to reach in instead of move his feet. We cannot have our center getting guard-like fouls at the top of the key. And we need Cole to stay in games longer, especially before we get Withey back. Cole is a guy with tremendous upside but he has a ton to work on and I think Manning needs to get him angry and make Cole use his elbows more. I would much rather Cole foul out of a game from elbowing players than him fouling out for reaching in.
October 22, 2009 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
honk_for_hawks (anonymous) says...
What annoys me about all this preseason hype with freshmen is that Kentucky is supposedly going to be our biggest competition because they have a bunch of elite freshmen coming in. Texas has arguably just as much talent coming in but has much better returning talent, but they don't get anywhere near as much hype as kentucky. I would argue that Texas might be the second best team in the country behind us, them or Nova.
October 22, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SoCalAlum (anonymous) says...
Maybe our favorite stats honk Jesse Newell or someone can answer this: I thought Cole and Blake Griffin were the only two D-I players to average a double-double last year...yet I read today (Yahoo Sports) that "Harangody averaged 23.3 points and 11.8 rebounds as a first-team all-conference pick last season." ???
BTW - based on the things being said about Thomas Robinson, Quentin Thomas has to feel pretty good about his decision to leave... he would have been looking at 0 PT this year.
October 22, 2009 at 1:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
It's Quintrell Thomas and you're right he would have no playing time and my guess is that Self advised him to leave.
I think you could make the argument that UT could be second in the country but UK definitely has more freshman talent...UT will struggle this season in their frontcourt...Clint Chapman and Dexter Pittman and that's it...UT may have to turn to a run and gun type team this season if Pittman gets into foul trouble and I think Kansas can do anything and for that reason KU has the edge...as I mentioned before UT has depth but it's not near as quality as KU's depth, not even close.
And yes, Harongody averaged those numbers. It's kind of interesting, I think he is overrated but it's hard to tell. I dont think he would have those numbers if he played in the big 12. He reminds me of John Brockman in a way and look what happened to Brockman when he played Aldrich.
October 22, 2009 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
I think as a sportsman it's tough to hate Mike Anderson with the way his teams play but as a KU fan it is easy to hate the man.
October 22, 2009 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeffthejayhawk (anonymous) says...
Don't forget about Gary Johnson at UT. He is undersized at 6'7", but he is better than average in the frontcourt. What happened to 6"11" Matt Hill? He came to Austin with Durant and Augustine and red-shirted. He had lots of hype, but has never seen much PT. He is still on their roster.
October 22, 2009 at 1:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kuME10 (anonymous) says...
i'd just like to say that suttonku owns this thing
October 22, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Matt Hill is a joke, now that is a guy that has Chenowith written all over him...He is way to weak to play in this conference. He may get some PT this season but he only played like 5 minutes against Nebraska last year and in those 5 minutes he did nothing.
Gary Johnson is 6'6 and while he is athletic, he is a wing but he may have to play the 4 this year a little bit because they have no depth there.
I dont remember hearing that much about Matt Hill and he came from Lincoln! I think the local Lincoln people knew that Matt Hill was not going to do much at UT.
October 22, 2009 at 2:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Strikewso (anonymous) says...
When TRob gives you the finger, he's telling you how many seconds you have to live.
October 22, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kcgregory (anonymous) says...
"i'd just like to say that suttonku owns this thing"
I'd just like to say that suttonku seems to have never seen Aldrich play. Should he dunk every single shot he ever takes? I have no idea how you could say he's not aggressive enough. Morris twins, yes. Arthur, yes. Rush, ok. Even Lafrentz, ok. We've had some very talented yet timid players. Cole does not belong on that list.
He was our best player last year and will be again. Only because Sherron takes part of his pub will he not be national player of the year.
October 22, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Haha we should talk a little bit about TRob...What I love about him is he wants to be the best player on the floor and anytime you have a player like that you have to play him. I heard a comment from Marcus Morris and he said that TRob wants to block every shot, get every rebound, and dunk every ball...You gotta love a player like that!
What makes Robinson so dangerous is he mixes quickness with strength and power. He has a quick spin move but also very wide shoulders. Wise shoulders are essential to a big man's success in my opinion and Robinson has them. He needs to learn how to finish better but Manning is definitely earning his paycheck with his work on Robinson.
Another thing I like about TRob is that he worked all summer on his jumpshot and now he has range. We saw him hit a 3 in the scrimmage at Late Night and the shot looked pretty good. When he was coming out of high school everyone just thought of him as a rebounder and I think TRob took that personally and wow the improvements he has made has been incredible.
TRob is already a fan favorite but fans will be talking about his thunderous dunks for a long long time. I would argue that TRob has way more talent than that of Darrell Arthur. TRob is quicker, stronger, and has a better offensive game that Arthur and that's scary to think about. The more I hear about this team the more I love them. This will be a great year!
October 22, 2009 at 2:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KU_Alumn_2000 (anonymous) says...
I'll never forget when cole came in during the final four and took hansbrough to school. I live in Springfield mo...and all I use to hear about was how awesome hansbrough is...and as a freshman...cole dominated him. That was my favorite all time ku victory....how sweet it was.
October 22, 2009 at 3:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
I kindly disagree. Im not going to say that Aldrich is a weak player but he does need to dunk more. Yes he is a finesse guy and I hate it. He is not as coordinated as the other big men on the team and therefore he misses easy buckets.
And I thought it was pretty clear that Sherron was the best player on the team last year. Im not saying he has to dunk every shot I just think when you're within two feet of the basket you should make sure the shot goes in with a dunk but that's just my opinion.
October 22, 2009 at 3:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Yes, I do think we have seen Cole play angry but he needs to play angry more often. The UNC win was awesome and I loved how Cole played in that game and I hope to see that dominance more often this season. Look, in the NBA they arent going to teach him to lay it in, they will want him to dunk the ball!
October 22, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kushaw (anonymous) says...
"Really, up to this point, every day it seems like somebody else does something," UT coach Rick Barnes said. "If we have to play 14 guys, we'll play 14 guys. There's no doubt we're going to be shuffling people in and out of games. We want to make conditioning a factor. So we're going to use our bench."
This quote right here sums up Rick Barnes X's and O's entire career. Enough said with that comment.
October 22, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kushaw (anonymous) says...
Suttonku: "Eric stealing my comment about KU's depth lol UT does have depth but is it really quality depth? Avery bradley is very unproven as well as Hamilton. Balbay is highly overrated as well. I think UT is a good team but they dont have quite the quality depth that KU has. And UT is really thin at the center.forward spot. Outside of Pittman, there backup is Clint Chapman? he is terrible. Chapman got his lunch eaten by Nebraska last year (I was at the game)"
I have to disagree with you. Texas is going to be downright nasty this year. As for Staring lineups and Depth, Texas can "Match-up" man for man their entire roster. I disagree above with the projected starting line-up for Texas. I think Texas will go small and that is why I think this their starting linuep:
1) I think it will be Balbay early in the season (5 games at most), but I would not be surprised to see J'Covan Brown as the early starter. Everybody knows in due time Balbay will be coming off the bench as good "Breathe" guy. Balbay is the Modern and Foreign day version of Doug Gottlieb. Knows the game and has experience, but can't shoot a lick. I fully expect to see Balbay as Plug and Piece guy as the season goes because once Jai Lucas becomes elgible after semester, he will be the back-up point guard to Brown
2) Justin Mason-They need his experience and tenacity on the floor to feed the younger guys. Would not be surprised to see Bradley split minutes with Mason similar to a Sherron Collins role his first two years with Kansas.
3) I think Texas is going to go one of two ways. I think it's going to be Bradley at this spot in the beginning because he is extremely talented to keep off the floor, but I fully expect Jordan Hamilton to take over this position once he gets comfortable with the system and the speed of the college game
4) I think it's going to be Damian James as the starter and Gary Johnson coming off the bench. Johnson is a stud! He knows his role and that is why I think Johnson and the Texas Bench could have a slight edge over Kansas.
5) Dexter Pittman-Easy Decision
What makes Texas so tough is that they will basically have two different teams when Pittman is in the game vs when he is out of the game. Barnes, if he is smart enough can really utilize Hamilton, Bradley, and James once Pittman is out of the game.
By the Big 12 tourney this is what I expect the starting 5 for Texas to be.
1) J' Covan Brown
2) Avery Bradley
3 or 4) Jordan Hamilton
3 or 4) Damian James
5) Pittman
Bench:
Mason
Johnson
Ward
Lucas
Chapman
Balbay: Special utility guy for when someone screws up
October 22, 2009 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yahweh (anonymous) says...
Anybody else seen this?
Morningstar's charges will be dropped???
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebaske...
October 22, 2009 at 3:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yahweh (anonymous) says...
I suppose it's just a diversion, though.
October 22, 2009 at 3:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
KUshaw: Exactly my point...Look at their bench...They are not exactly stacked in their front court...clint chapman as a backup center??? that's not gonna get it done and then you look behind him and its Matt Hill??? wow...I will say that UT has depth but no they dont have the type of quality depth you need in college basketball today...Down right nasty? They're good but KU is down right nasty, not UT.
October 22, 2009 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kansasbasketball (anonymous) says...
i was reading and thought that maybe cole didn't play aggressive last year cause we didn't have anyone to come in and back him up. just a thought though. But he needs to dunk the ball more often this coming year.
starting lineup come january
sherron
mario(shows what he can do)
xavier
trob
aldrich
October 22, 2009 at 4:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
The UT frontcourt will not be able to hang with KU this year and really their backcourt wont either...KU has so much talent all over the floor I just dont see UT beating KU this year. I have a ton of confidence in Tyshawn shutting down Bradley and I like Sherron guarding almost anyone. I like Xavier or Marcus or Releford or Little on James. I like Marcus or Markieff or TRob or Little on Hamilton. And Im really confident in having Aldrich or Withey or Robinson on Pittman.
KU has more talent at EVERY position and our bench has more talent than theirs. I like out chances.
October 22, 2009 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
I will agree a bit that Aldrich maybe wasnt aggressive because we had no backup last year except that Cole seemed to rack up the fouls on the perimeter trying to be aggressive and get a steal and most times that knocked him out of the game or at least put him to the bench.
Also dont know why Mario would be a 2 guard and I dont see him starting in January. Maybe at the beginning of the season but I doubt it. The 2 guard is all tyshawn's as of right now. I could see Xavier starting in January but Marcus could still have that spot, it all depends on how they perform. Both players are capable to play the 3. I see Mario as a bench guy that can give you quality minutes.
October 22, 2009 at 4:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hail2olku (anonymous) says...
From ESPN.com
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/st...
October 22, 2009 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PikesPeakSmitty (anonymous) says...
hail2... thanks for the link. No worries... Calicheesy can make this go away. Only problem is that they will have to forfeit all of their wins from this season.
Yahweh.... a diversion for a first DUI is standard for most people unless there was another crime committed. After a year, the charges are dropped... that's a diversion.
However, the arrest will likely always be on his record and if he gets another DUI, it's mandatory jail time in most states.
October 22, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeffthejayhawk (anonymous) says...
suttonku, Gary Johnson is not a wing player. He plays with his back to the basket 85% of the time and is an undersized 4 like Little was playing last year.
I like to compare Mack Brown and Rick Barnes as being clones of one another. With the talent they both bring in there should not be enough fingers for all of the rings they should have won. Texas is slowly building something special and KU needs them to continue the job for the sake of the Big 12. ESPN has the KU-UT basketball rivalry as being one of the "NEXT" candidates. UT just needs some fans to go to the games.
October 22, 2009 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Otownhawker (anonymous) says...
I don't care if Mike Anderson's kids play hard. I hate him and everything he does. Tyler Hansboro played hard too and every KU fan absolutley despised him. So guys and girls don't come to the defense of Mike Anderson.
October 22, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kushaw (anonymous) says...
You're forgetting one big difference between Mack Brown and Rick Barnes. Mack Brown has won an NCAA Championship and did it by beating the best. I'm not a UT fan or Mack Brown fan, but let's not put a "Champion" in a "Non-Champions" comparison study.
October 22, 2009 at 5:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kushaw (anonymous) says...
Sorry, can't let it go! Let's keep in mind that Mack Brown has won 9 out of his last 11 bowl games. Maybe Mack Brown would have more NCAA Championships if he and the longhorns could just get passed OU and play in the Big 12 Championship. They have proved they can beat everybody else in the country just not OU or close it out like they should in their own conference.
October 22, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kushaw (anonymous) says...
I will come to the defense of Mike Anderson and Missouri. I have stated many many times that KU should "Want" and KU "Needs" Mizzou to do well in both football and basketball and more so in basketball because that is KU's specialty. The better Mizzou is in basketball and the better Mike Anderson's team become in future years only brings more success to the Big 12 conference and most importantly more success and exposure to KU. All anybody ever talks about is the Big 12 South and rightfully so in terms of "Football Talk", but when the National Media still talks about the Big 12 South in basketball then there is definitely something wrong with that picture. Kansas State and Mizzou are basketball schools and they need to start recruiting like they are. They are on their way, but we will see if they can keep the consistency that need to stay on top. I am a firm believer in Mike Anderson. Right now, I will root for Mike Anderson and Mizzou to regain their National Prominence and then I can "Hate" them again like I did in the good ole' days at the height of Norm Stewart's reign.
October 22, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
An undersized 4 like Johnson will not work against KU so Johnson will have to play a wing this season and drive to the basket. Mario Little did play a small 4 last year and was effective in two games...And this year Little will play more at the 3 barring injuries.
On another note, I originally thought that Releford would redshirt but it looks like he has improved greatly from last year to this year...not saying he wont redshirt but if he keeps playing well then he will provide even more depth for this team.
October 22, 2009 at 5:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kushaw (anonymous) says...
I bet the NCAA often wishes they could say say the same things publically that John Chaney says in this video. Does anybody remember what this was all about? I can't make out the first part of what John Chaney says in the video. I just thought it was funny and had forgotten about this incident.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51-4sJ...
October 22, 2009 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kushaw (anonymous) says...
Oh, I found this in the commercial appeal:
"Cal vs. John Chaney
How it started: Even before Calipari became a head coaching rival for Chaney, they crossed paths on the recruiting trail. As an assistant at Pitt, Calipari got a commitment from Philly star Brian Shorter as a high school junior, then sent him to Oak Hill Academy for his senior year. The tension escalated when Calipari got to UMass and it became the Atlantic 10's premier program. Chaney did not react well to the quick success Calipari experienced. They almost came to blows in 1990 when Temple won a triple-overtime game at UMass.
The stakes went up when: The famous confrontation when Chaney charged at Calipari can still be found quite easily on YouTube. What often gets forgotten about that 1994 incident is why Chaney crashed Cal's press conference. Upset about the officiating that night, Calipari dressed down the three referees who worked the game and A-10 commissioner Ron Bertovich as they walked off the floor. Chaney later said what set him off was that he got "blasted" for complaining about the officiating one week earlier against West Virginia. Chaney served a one-game suspension imposed by the school."
October 22, 2009 at 5:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waywardJay (anonymous) says...
Not to mention the obvious game coaching desperity between Self and Barnes.... while the 'Horns always bring in great players... it seems the Horns have consistant issues adjusting in games, and generally playing solid defense on key possessions of games.....
I look straight on with my Darkhorse PIck from..... May... Trob is awesome.... I like this lineup....
Sherron
Tyshawn
Morris
Robinson
Aldrich
It's a simple switch, alternate RObinson out and Henry in wit Cj Coming in cycle for tyshawn.... and Kieff backing up ALdrich...doesn't leave much time for Tyrel though
October 22, 2009 at 6:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Kieff backing up Aldrich until Withey can play IMO and then it will be Kieff backing up TRob.
October 22, 2009 at 7:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yovoy (anonymous) says...
wayward - did you forget x? how?
jayhawkjeff, i was reading these posts to see if anyone else would make the "he does less with more talent than anyone else" comment like i was going to make about barnes. i'm glad that someone (you) did. i've always felt that way about ut. i LIKE barnes enough, i just know that when we play them, they will find a way to let us win, and/or we'll find a way to make them let us. if it's close under 3 minutes, i always like our chances against them, and i don't care about the talent on the floor. i DO care that we've got ourSelf and our assistants. besides talented players and ourSelf, we've got d manning, townsend, dooley, AND the biggest catch that you never hear about, barry hinson. hinson knows basketball! you can't tell me that he's not one of the greatest "secret weapon" assistant/bb staff coaches in the country.
for the record i like mike anderson. i don't care that he's at missouri. he coaches the style of basketball i like to watch, and he does a good job of getting his players to buy in. i'd say that lyons and carrol were successful because the style of play. if you get the right player for that style, it doesn't matter what their names are. they benefitted from it more and did better than they would've had they played for a 'walk-it-up' coach. that IS to say that, it wasn't just good for them, but that it was good for the other players, the crowd, the future of mu, and the league. their run in the tourney benefitted the league coffers as well. i can't dislike him. i love to watch/coach uptempo basketball. live or die with it, it's much more fun to play and watch.
i'd rather watch football than worry about basketball right now anyway.
October 22, 2009 at 7:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kushaw (anonymous) says...
Jaybate: I am going to continue are discussion from the Mario Little Thread and talk about a few points on the H. Barnes situation. Something that I was curious about that I wanted to look up was the possible recruiting of the Jayhawks at the "Rush Spot" in the class of 2011. Maybe landing a "Big" in Adrien Payne is KU's most vital commodity at the moment. I was thinking what happens if KU misses out on H. Barnes? What are the scenarios that will be presented with KU? Right now, most mock NBA drafts have X as low first round (20 or Higher) draft pick. There may be an outside chance that X stays two years and that would work out perfectly for Self and his recruiting. I will explain that in a minute.
Even if X leaves next year and is a OAD........... filling the "Rush Spot" is ever so important to Self's Hi-Lo. The only thing I considered yesterday was Releford at the "Rush Spot" and didn't really put much value on Marcus Morris at the "3". If KU doesn't get Payne or another "Big" to replace Aldrich or simply have another body than that soley puts Marcus Morris back as an exclusive "4" and sometimes playing the center. Yikes!!!!!!!!! Filling a "Big" position is of the utmost importance after looking at the scenario.
I wanted to see what was going on in the 2011 class as far as small forwards and I was pleasantly surprised with Self and his staff's activity. I guess you could kind of point to the 2010 class as the class filled with point guards and combo guards and I'm pretty confident KU will get one of the three between Lamb, Selby, or Knight and I am really hoping two out of the threee. Well, the class of 2011 is known as the Michael Gilchrist class and the small forwards. It's known that Gilchrist most likely will end up at Kentucky and is being touted right now as the best player in High School basketball, but I was really glad to see all the talent at the "Rush Spot" behind Gilchrist. I'll give both scout and rivals rankings, but here are the small forwards on KU's radar and they are all in the Top 10.
Adonis Thomas: #2 Scout, #3 Rivals, and #11 overall by Rivals
LeBryan Nash: #4 Scout, #2 Rivals, and #5 overall by Rivals
LaQuinton Ross: #3 Scout, #9 Rivals, and #42 overall
Keaton Miles Miles: #8 Scout, #10 Rivals, and #43 overall
If X could somehow manage to put off his dream of playing in the NBA for one more season that would work almost to perfection in Bill Self's recruiting tactics. With X staying two years and one of the above players potentially in a KU uniform for the 2011-2012 season would be sweet. If KU misses out on H. Barnes and X only stays a year then signing a "Big" becomes even more important. I don't want to think about the above scenario and KU misses out on a "Big" because that would definitely be a step backwards and I don't want to think about that possibility. I don't know, just something I was thinking about today.
October 22, 2009 at 7:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yovoy (anonymous) says...
i'll also go out on a limb and say that tyshawn better bring his "a game", and that he better keep it with him at all times. with this roster, you never know who might be coming in for you. there's a professional athlete on the squad as well as some "local" talent that might be hard to keep off the floor if others start slippin'.
i'm getting dizzy thinking of the lineups that ourSelf could "just thow out there".
anderson's game could become the 2nd fastest 40 min in bb, if ourSelf really wanted to extend our stingy half-court d beyond the timeline: like say to 3/4 and just eat into the other team's shotclock a little bit earlier. we have the talent to apply STRONG man pressure from anywhere on the floor, and we'd probably be effective with it. we could just replace the parts, and keep right on moving. i know he doesn't like that style, but i'd like so see some of it from time to time. imagine how much more time opposing coaches would have to spend in addition to their normal prep for us.
October 22, 2009 at 8:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BCRavenJHawkfan (anonymous) says...
Okay, the Aldrich/Chamberlain comparison is not so way out.
Lovellette was before Chamberlain so he's out of the comparison.
Robisch was more forward than center.
Wesley I don't know enough about.
Ostertag was good, but let's be honest, the other players were what made that team.
So, it's Cole's time to dominate!
But do remember, Chamberlain was a MAN among boys.
October 22, 2009 at 10:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TaCityHawkFan (anonymous) says...
This is hard to believe, I know... but I have got to say it anyway. I cannot wait for the season to start. I like that there is going to be a lot of talent in the big 12 this year in which to challenge and push this young team with great potential. The more they can face during the season the better they will be prepared for the tournament.
October 22, 2009 at 10:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Chamerlain would eat Cole's lunch in my opinion...Remember Wilt is the #1 or #2 greatest player of all time in the pros or in college and Cole is not.
BTW a nice article about John Wall battling eligibility right now on espn at : http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/st...
October 22, 2009 at 10:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PikesPeakSmitty (anonymous) says...
Tyshawn
Collins
Mc. Morris
X
Aldrich
CJ Henry
Morningstar
Withey
Mk. Morris
TRob
Reed
Mario
Elijah Johnson
Releford
Teahan
WOW!!! I think our THIRD team could make the NCAA tourney and Second team should be ranked top 10!!! Self has quite a task to find the right combos above... wow are we DEEP!!
My sleeper MVP - Mc Morris.
October 22, 2009 at 10:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Oh I dont know that Marcus is a sleeper anymore...Guy has really improved over the summer...My sleeper is Travis Releford off the bench he really looked good at Late Night, really good.
October 22, 2009 at 10:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KU_Alumn_2000 (anonymous) says...
Maybe a suggestion for reed...take a redshirt my fellow Kansas native. We need u to knock down the three the next two seasons after Collins and x are gone.
October 22, 2009 at 10:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KU_Alumn_2000 (anonymous) says...
Reed...more importantly...we'll need ur leadership in developing the younger guys coming in.
October 22, 2009 at 10:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawkster33 (anonymous) says...
http://www.highschoolhoop.com/high-sc...
Harrison Barnes thoughts on his official visit last week.
October 22, 2009 at 10:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
Sounds like Barnes is really high on Duke and Kansas...I am so happy he is signing in December though. No matter where he signs I think it's great that he is going to sign early. I really was annoyed by the Henry situation last summer and Im sure it will happen with Selby next spring as well.
October 22, 2009 at 11:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
100 (anonymous) says...
I would take Jeff Withey any day of the week over John Wall.
October 23, 2009 at 1:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
VegasJhawk09 (anonymous) says...
This is what I think the starting 5 will be. I agree almost completely with Wayward Jay
Sherron
Tyshawn
Morris or Xavier
Robinson or Morris
Aldrich
October 28, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dagger108 (anonymous) says...
What seemed to me to be one of the bigger developments last year was Cole learning to be a 5, and not running around like a 4 filling in for a 5. It seemed to be around March that he stopped chasing guys out beyond the arc, and mostly just stayed home to dominate the paint. That was why he was successful. My guess is that he heard it a lot from coaches throughout the year, so they are just trying for some preemptive positive reinforcement. Cole is and needs to play like a true 5 (Paul Mokeski being another example of a quality 5 in the post-Wilt era).
As for mizzoo, I thought they were ranked so low b/c they have no front court. I didn't realize people were disrespecting their backcourt. Tiller, Taylor are good, and even their recruits are suppose to be good G's. Unfortunately, it was F's that graduated last year, and somehow weren't replaced. There have been plenty of teams playing a 4 G O in the recent past, and several doing it very well, but has anyone ever played a 5 G O? Will Tiller be jumping C for them?
October 29, 2009 at 4:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )