This blog is about the end of the world.Back in December of 1999, we were all clinging to our precious lives. The world as we knew it was about to end.It was the end of the millennium, and several [nut jobs][1] predicted certain doom upon our fair Earth. But like a deep Keith Langford-led run in the NCAA Tournament, it never happened.Two weeks ago was the end of the KU basketball millennium. Keith Langford, Wayne Simien, Aaron Miles, and Michael Lee are all gone, done in by infighting, injuries, and the plucky Bucknell Bison.We were led to believe that the world was ending, that Jayhawk hoops would fall down the same abyss that has trapped other [high profile programs.][2]But before you plant realty signs in Bill Self’s yard, I’m here to ease your fears. As Mark Twain would say, the news of KU’s death has been greatly exaggerated. ![][3]Earlier this week, I traveled to South Bend, Ind. to cover the McDonald’s All-American game. The plan was to land on Sunday night, check out practice on Monday, and fly back on Tuesday morning. I wanted out of there before the game, when the teeth of NBA scouting sharks sink their teeth into the flesh of innocent high schoolers.When I got off the airplane, my expectations were low. KU frequently recruits McDonald’s All-Americans, and few ever live up to the expectations. Heck, a few years ago, Jayhawk fans were on cloud nine with the recruitment of Burger stars David Padgett and J.R. Giddens. Back in the day, Kenny Gregory and Jacque Vaughn even won the game’s MVP awards, and neither ever played in a Final Four.I don’t think that will be a problem with this year’s group.Julian Wright, Mario Chalmers, and Micah Downs all bring something special to the Jayhawk table. Chalmers, simply put, was the best guard at the event. He can score at will, shoot much better than his predecessor, and jump out of the gym. Chalmers has a soft-spoken, confident presence about him that will fit well into Bill Self’s combo-guard system. Pencil him into the starting lineup for the next four years. Downs needs the most work of the three, although that’s hardly an insult. He’s the skinniest, but can also can three pointers from anywhere on the floor and dunk with ease.But it’s not his athletic ability that most people are worried about.After Wednesday night’s game, Downs was frustrated by a lack of [playing time.][4] He clearly has an attitude, an edge to him that would make Roy Williams grab his Coke bottles and run for the hills. It’s also an edge that the Jayhawks need. I’d much rather have a guy who wants to play on the team than somebody who is content to ride the bench. That aside, Downs will be the biggest source of headaches for Self of all the incoming freshmen.The best of the bunch is unquestionably Wright.Wright can play all five positions and has a feel for the game seldom seen in high school seniors. Without sounding too much like [Dick Vitale,][5] the kid is a winner. He won’t do anything that will blow you away (he told me this week that he’s never taken 25 shots in a game), but he’ll provide all the intangibles that the Jayhawks sorely missed last season.I know how trendy it is to jump off the bandwagon right now. But after watching the Fab Three this week, I have a feeling the new millennium of KU basketball will be a heck of a ride.**The Roy-lemma**To cheer for Roy? Or not to cheer for Roy? That’s the dilemma at this weekend’s Final Four. ![][6]Personally, I am a full-blown Roy supporter. After a rocky start, I grew to like and respect Williams as a person, and he also did a lot for the Lawrence community.However, several people around town can’t get over the way that Williams left Lawrence, even though it happened two years ago. Wounds are still open, and those wounds take years to heal.Personally, I’m just rooting for the best matchup this weekend, which would be the Matt Doherty recruits that Roy coaches battling Bill Self’s oh, wait Bruce Weber’s Illini for the championship. In the grand scheme of things, Williams winning a national title will prove little about his coaching abilities. After all, he’s doing it with somebody else’s players. Williams would have never recruited a player like Rashad McCants to KU (see Rush, JaRon).If he wins a title this season, it won’t fully validate Williams’ coaching career. Let’s give it a few more years before we declare a winner of the 2003 coaching carousel. [1]: http://www.religioustolerance.org/end_wrl6.htm#what [2]: http://und.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/nd-m-footbl-body.html [3]: http://www.kusports.com/art/apps/pennynews/1112275266_ku1.jpg [4]: http://www.kusports.com/news/mens_hoop_recruiting/story/113932 [5]: http://blogs.lawrence.com/rigg/2005/jan/26/vitale/ [6]: http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/unc/sports/m-baskbl/auto_headshot/p-williamsroy_PC_mug.jpg