So exactly how much hype can one team get? Oh, sure, we’ve seen hype around here. We’ve seen teams loaded with NBA players grab the attention of everybody from ESPN to Sports Illustrated. But never in the 108 years of Kansas basketball have we ever seen hype like this. Every day at work, another press release comes across my desk. The titles of the press releases are becoming routine: “Kansas Ranked Preseason No. 1 in ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ Poll” “Jayhawks No. 1 in Associated Press Preseason Poll” “Wayne Simien Named Associated Press Preseason All-America” “Bill Self Finds Cure For Cancer” Just what else does this team have to achieve? Well, it could start by playing a game. Never in the history of the Associated Press preseason poll has KU been selected as the top team. That changed this year, when the Jayhawks were tabbed number one earlier this week. Granted, Wilt Chamberlain and the Jayhawks did top the first AP poll in 1957, but the poll was not taken until after the first few weeks of play.![][1] Actually, that sounds like a pretty good idea to me. It’s ridiculous to try and pick a top team in early November. In reality, there’s a deeper meaning to all of these polls, one that seemed impossible two Aprils ago. Are the Jayhawks better off with Bill Self? That seemed like an impossible statement at this point last year, when KU struggled to beat the EA Sports All-Stars. But Roy Williams always shied away from the preseason hype, choosing to ignore the polls like he ignored recruits on the East Coast. Self, however, has a different philosophy. “I think this is a tribute to the returning players and the seniors we have in the program,” Self said after the release of the AP poll. Wait a minute are the Jayhawks actually embracing their number one ranking? The reason that Williams never won a national title during his time in Lawrence is because his teams lacked the toughness both physical and mental to seal the deal in March. I always thought that Williams’ disgust of high rankings rubbed off on his team, as his players never learned to deal with the sky-high expectations. This season, one thing is for sure the expectations and the hype will never go away. They will hang over the Jayhawks like banners hanging from the rafters. This season will ultimately be judged on how well the Jayhawks deal with the hype. Personally, I believe that’s a job best left to Self, not Williams.**Week Eleven Picks: Texas 46, Kansas 0:** An ugly day for John Nielsen and the Jayhawks. By the way, this is the final game at Memorial Stadium until September. **Lawrence High 36, Olathe South 35:** The Lions score a two-point conversion in overtime to advance to Sub-State. **New Orleans 24, Chiefs 21:** Things get ugly in the Big Easy without Priest Holmes. Hopefully, Eric Warfield can limit himself to just one [hand grenade.][2] **Upset Special: Nebraska 17, Oklahoma 14** Yes, I am an idiot.**Big Tex Kevin Romary’s Weak-Ass Picks: Texas 45, Kansas 10:** John Nielsen is a great kid. And, I’m glad he represents the Jayhawks. However, I’m not so thrilled that he’s the Jayhawks starting quarterback. The offense will struggle. And the defense will wear out. **Lawrence High 35, Olathe South 34:** Last time it was O-South winning by the smallest of margins. This time around, the Lions go 5/5 on extra points and avenge a loss from earlier in the season. **Chiefs 21, New Orleans 17:** If Priest doesn’t play, it’s time to read last rites to these classic underachievers. Larry Johnson is in the house! **Upset Special: Northwestern 31, Michigan 21** The geniuses knock off the Big Blue in the big house. If anyone can figure it out, it’s Northwestern, right? [1]: http://etc.lawrence.com/galleries/images/KUvsEmporiaS/lores/benchjube.jpg [2]: http://sex-kitten.net/2453268155206.html