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The Greene Room Live: Day One in Detroit

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By Ryan Greene

March 27, 2008

5:42 p.m. (EST): DETROIT, Mich. - Just made it back to the hotel. It's snowing, cold and miserable outside. Ugh.Ryan Wood, the biggest Royals fan I know, made sure to point out that the Royals and Tigers open up here Monday afternoon. Hard to figure.Forgot to mention earlier from the post-locker room notes that I had a chance to catch up with Mike Lee, KU grad assistant and former guard, talking about the depth perception issue in an arena like Ford Field. He, as you remember, played in Final Fours in Atlanta and New Orleans. He said the set-up in Ford Field resembles the way things were in the Georgia Dome. He also said once you get a couple of shots out of your system, no big deal. So that ought to put that issue to sleep.He said he'd never seen an elevated floor before, though. Also made it sound like he'd have a bit of concern playing on one.Also, I met back up with our KU staffer, Beau White, who made his Greene Room debut last week. In case you forgot, he's not really supposed to give an opinion on the games due to NCAA rules. That said, of course we're asking him his opinion on every game the rest of the way...On Wisconsin-Davidson: 'Time will tell.'On KU-'Nova: SHould be a great matchup of two evenly-matched teams.'Good stuff from B-Dub, a true friend of the program.-------------------------4:44 p.m. (EST): DETROIT, Mich. - Sorry for the delay. Busy afternoon, but we've got plenty for you.First off, I've got to thank again, [Gus Johnson][1] of CBS for taking some time to join us for the [first edition of the Spodcasters in Detroit][2]. Incredible dude. Definitely glad to have met him.Also spotted at Ford Field: Legendary Georgetown coach John Thompson. He's here doing a radio gig, and as he was leaving in front of him, caught a glimpse of his championship ring. Unreal. Any player seeing that would have to salivate.As for today in the locker rooms...VILLANOVA-As you'd expect, the Wildcats fully intend on trying to set the tone early. That's what Corey Stokes had to say, and they're confident they can run with the Jayhawks in the same fashion they did against Siena last Sunday.-Also with Stokes, he brought up a meeting with Brandon Rush in high school, when Rush was a senior at Mt. Zion and he was a sophomore at St. Benedict's. Stokes said for awhile, he molded his game after B-Rush's, so that's given him an extra boost going into tomorrow.-The Villanova big men are still confident, despite losing Cassiem Drummond for the season to an ankle injury. Antonio Peña said he's impressed by KU's bigs on film, and was especially intrigued by Darrell Arthur, who he clashed with in AAU ball.-The Big East is the best conference in the land. Not my words. That was said by every 'Nova player I spoke with. Surprise, surprise.-Some of the players compared the expansive atmosphere in Ford Field to what they saw at the Carrier Dome against Syracuse earlier this season.KANSAS-Sherron Collins it essentially sounds like has the same knee injury which slowed him late in the regular season - a bruise. Though this time, he said he has no choice but to play through it. He said this year it's not as bad as last season in San Jose. Then, he said, he could hardly move.-The Jayhawks seem undaunted by the potential depth perception issues Ford Field will bring. The team looked comfortable on the elevated floor during its practice session here late Thursday afternoon, which was capped by a thunderous windmill dunk off the backboard by Darrell Arthur. I was disappointed by KU, however, coming off the floor, as their players were the only ones not to sign autographs for the little kiddies who were out here to watch. Might have been team policy. Who knows.-The locker room KU got this weekend, which normally belongs to the Detroit Lions, is incredible compared to where the team was a week ago, in a cramped über-closet. Though, still, the team chose lockers all pretty close together in the way back of the dressing area.Well, we are about to bolt from Ford Field for the afternoon. And just as we're packing up, to test the sound system, ['One Shining Moment'][3] was just playing. How fitting.I'll be back with one more post in a couple of hours which consists of something I've been working on the past couple days out of pure interest. See you then from back at the hotel.-------------------------1:12 p.m. (EST): DETROIT, Mich. - Wow. To say that this place is a different location for a basketball game really wouldn't do much justice. That said, there's one question I'm now itching to ask players from both teams during today's press sessions: How much do you think depth perception could throw off your shooting?It's one thing to learn to shoot in somewhere like Allen Fieldhouse for the first time, but this is a whole 'nother animal. The floor is literally a stage, raised about four feet off the ground at midfield of the football grounds. Our seats on the second row of the press area are practically eye level with the floor. The team benches are the same way, which makes me wonder how it will look when Bill Self stands during the game. Will he be on the floor or up on the 'floor'?Then, on either side of the court, there's 30 rows of added seats before where the normal football stands begin. It's not that the stadium goes up really high, it's just that it goes VERY far back. Shooting will definitely be awkward, I would have to imagine (though as we speak, Villanova is having no problems with it during its practice).Synopsis: Beautiful, gorgeous, awe-inspiring facility...for football.The other noticeable things about the setup involve suspension. With the baskets, there's no wires suspending the backboards to the rafters of the arena, as is the situation in most places. The ceiling/rafters are just way too high up here in relation to the floor. Also, the videoboard atop the court has an intricate web of wires/chains suspending it to the roof.I'll have pictures/video of much of this later...Interview sessions with both Villanova and KU will take place from 2-3 p.m. (EST). I'll be back after that.-------------------------10:37 a.m. (EST): DETROIT, Mich. - Is it just me, or does anyone else get the feeling that Kansas is under the radar heading into this weekend?In my opinion, the four teams that played the best ball from start to finish of each game last weekend were KU, North Carolina, Texas and Louisville. But the lower your seed, the higher the hype. That's the case more with Davidson heading into this weekend than Villanova. But everyone loves an upset.That said, expect much of the media attention today to be on...-How Stephen Curry fell through the cracks, past UNC, Duke and other ACC schools...-Where is Davidson?...-How KU avoids upset against the surprise Wildcats, as opposed to how 'Nova stays afloat against one of the Tournament's hottest teams (same thing goes for Wisconsin)...-Is Scottie Reynolds in fact Zeus?...That said, some things I'll be working on today and coming back with periodically...-How valuable to the Jayhawks this year heading into the Tourney's second weekend is a healthy Sherron Collins, as opposed to last season?-How much more battle-tested to the Wildcats feel they are than most because of having played in the nation's deepest conference?-Plus, there's another couple tricks up the sleeves, so check back all day, as Ryan Wood and I will be updating the blogs as often as physically possible (remember, that trek from the media area to the Ford Field court will probably be at least a half-mile...).That said, talk to you once we make it over to Ford and get all settled in.Also, if there's any questions you want answered by a KU player or two (of legitimate status, not Conner Teahan's relationship status, ladies), submit them below and I'll see what I can do. Consider it an über-interactive live chat of sorts.[NCAA Home Page][4] [1]: http://sportsline.com/cbssports/team/gjohnson [2]: http://www2.kusports.com/podcasts/spodcasters/2008/mar/27/welcoming_gus_johnson/ [3]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQvKLLHD1hM [4]: http://www.ncaasports.com

Comments

DCHawk (anonymous) says...

Nice - Greenie. We are starving for info. I guess I wonder how healthy Sherron really is. To be honest, I don't think any of us knew how hurt he was last year until afterwards. I know he played well last Saturday but is he looking good/ is the bruising really not bad?

Ask B-Rush if he is definitely entering his name into the draft as Keegan suggested? See if you can find out who is going to guard Reynolds? And why did the Jayhawks have to get there yesterday when their game in not until tomorrow. I know they want to shoot around but perhaps another day on campus might have been good for us.

March 27, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

rgreene (Ryan Greene) says...

DC,

Good stuff. I'll make sure to get some quotage from Sherron on that.

As for Rush, I completely agree with Keegan, and I think Bill Self has made it sound like a certainty periodically throughout the year. Rush will be 23 by the time the draft takes place, which means another year in college probably makes him less attractive to scouts, bringing in a 24-year-old rookie. He's one of those guys who will never be a top-10 pick, but should have a lengthy NBA career because of how he defends, rebounds and shoots the three. Ball-handling doesn't matter for him. All he needs to do is get IN to the NBA.

As for the team leaving, I'd say shooting around here as much as possible is a good thing. This place is massive. Probably the largest venue many of these guys have ever played in or seen. Gonna take some getting used to.

March 27, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

chuckberry32 (anonymous) says...

I'd like to know if Chalmers has been entertaining any thoughts of leaving but then again, now isn't really the time to be removing his focus from the game. Maybe you can ask his dad...

March 27, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

G (anonymous) says...

Ask any of the future NBA guys if this is the last time we could see them in a Ford.

March 27, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Asher87 (Asher Fusco) says...

How ridiculously cavernous is Ford Field/Arena?

March 27, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rgreene (Ryan Greene) says...

Agreed Asher, talk about absolutely no intimate feel. Great, beautiful facility, but the basketball setup is just weird.

March 27, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

I'd anticipate lower shooting percentages given that the sight lines will be much larger and deeper than anybody is used to. We will have to be prepared for weird rebounds on typical shots (airballs, hard off the backboard, left well short, etc.). That is the only thing that scares me right now, although we should be able to attack Nova inside. It will make a bigger difference if we have to face Wisconsin, since they are a lot deeper inside than Nova.

March 27, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

lance1jhawk (anonymous) says...

Ryan- Just ask the Nova players about depth perception, lets not get it in the heads of our players, and while you're there ask them if they inhale or exhale wile shooting the ball. Ya know... really get their heads. (evil laughter)

Also- what did ya think of 2 1/2 men?

March 27, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

lance1jhawk (anonymous) says...

Oh by the way Ryan- Davidson I belive is North Carolina somewhere.

March 27, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

Davidson is in Charlotte, NC.

March 27, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

DarthJayhawk (anonymous) says...

Ryan, How far does the stage extend from the edge of the court? It sounds a little dangerous if guys are diving out of bounds for loose balls.

March 27, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...

ask Russell Robinson if he will be wearing his lucky socks

March 27, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUglow (anonymous) says...

Greene, glad to see your post, I was hoping we would hear from you today. I'm already getting itchy for the game tomorrow. I would agree that KU is flying very under the radar this week and that is a good thing.

Have you made it up to the back rows of the place yet? I'm curious just how awful that view has to be.

I do have a favor, go smack around Al Wallace when you see him. asking Jay Wright about Bill Self's fashion? I realize you are trying to funny and fill up 19 hours of news but this is a Sweet 16 game, not the fricking Super Bowl.

March 27, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

This configuration sounds a little like what the University of Minnesota has at their home court (benches below the floor). There hasn't been too much problem with that design over the years - players tend to adapt to the drop off. My biggest concern continues to be the sheer depth of the arena. It must feel like playing in an aircraft hangar. And once the seats are full and there are endless rows of people behind each basket, how much will that affect the ability of our guys to pick up the rim well.

March 27, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

live4h2o (anonymous) says...

It is going to be great until someone falls off the "stage" and injures themself.

March 27, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

TtownHawk (anonymous) says...

What about with 72,000 people in there friday. everyone's breath will create so much condensation we could have rain start to fall in there!...ok probly not, but seriously just from the few pictures i've seen. it seems like the seats they added are the only good seats. the actual football seats are so far back would it be worth it to go and watch the game?

and i thought Davidson was about 30 mins outside Charlotte, maybe in a suburb?

March 27, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rgreene (Ryan Greene) says...

OK, to answer those from what I got/know...

LANCE
Haven't seen 2.5 men yet. Will watch it once things slow down after the tournament for sure.

The Nova players said it took about two shots to adjust to the depth perception, but that they were somewhat used to it by having played in the Carrier Dome earlier this year in Syracuse. They said it'll be easier once the backdrop is filled with fans rather than blue nothingness.

DARTH
You're right. It is very dangerous. Even Gus Johnson went on the floor to simulate it, saying he anticipated the players having roughly three steps off the edge of the floor before taking a tumble. I'm still not sure it's the best idea, but having the floor sunk down would ruin the view for about 10,000 fans in the black seats right off the floor. Hockey boards might not be a horrible idea?

plastic
Sorry, I didn't read that one before I got to go back there. I'll save it for Saturday, though, should KU win tomorrow. Promise.

GLOW
The fashion thing was actually asked by a lot of people. Ryan Wood made it to the top rows of seats. Check out his blog on the front of KUSports.com to hear about that. I don't think his nose has stopped bleeding yet (just playin') It's not so much high up, it's just REALLY far away.

justanotherfan
You're right. It's deep, not high.

March 27, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayharchitect (anonymous) says...

The Fieldhouse used to have an elevated floor... when did they change that?

March 27, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rgreene (Ryan Greene) says...

Yeah, Rick Plumlee of the Wichita Eagle told me at lunch it was elevated in the early 70s. He said he ran track in Allen Fieldhouse when it still had dirt on the floor when he was in high school. Wild stuff.

March 27, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

McT (Matt Tait) says...

Any chance you can post a photo or two of this elevated floor?
I'm curious what it looks like.

March 27, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUglow (anonymous) says...

Should we be concerned about Collins? I know he played through the pain last weekend but man we need him playing at 100% this weekend.

March 27, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rgreene (Ryan Greene) says...

I honestly think he'll be fine. No scientific reason. Just gut.

March 27, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )