We're all thinking it...

by Bensa on Nov 10, 2009 11:08 PM CST Comment 45 comments

But I'll be the sucker who says it first. We're going undefeated this year. 40-0. You heard it here first. So much talent, so much depth. If HCBS can work out the rotation, these guys are going to dominate. We'll be nine deep, while preserving Releford and Little for an extra year. Get ready fellas, it's gonna be an awesome year.

I will, of course, accept your endless ridicule when KU goes out and loses to Memphis next week.

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You've got my vote!

Rec’d.

lol can't have a CKC without KC - Nicholai Khabibulin (LN21)

by Andy Edwards on Nov 10, 2009 11:09 PM CST reply actions

Thank you, sir.

It's rather ironic that people will actually have to pay money to see Michael Moore's new Anti-Capitalism film, don't you think?

by Bensa on Nov 10, 2009 11:40 PM CST up reply actions

Dude why

Thanks a lot Jinxahontus. I am a staunch believer of jinxes… not happy right now.

I’m kidding of course and KU FTW x 40. Or am I kidding…on the jinx part…not the FTW part. Confused yet?

I went to this off your facebook link. Is that creepy? If it is I don’t want to be normal.

by KU Grad 08 on Nov 11, 2009 12:07 AM CST reply actions

You know what they say

How can something so wrong feel so right?

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by SlamDunkTheFunk on Nov 11, 2009 12:18 AM CST up reply actions

It IS creepy

but I like it. A lot.

Wait, was that creepy? Ah, who cares, right?

It's rather ironic that people will actually have to pay money to see Michael Moore's new Anti-Capitalism film, don't you think?

by Bensa on Nov 11, 2009 7:47 AM CST up reply actions

@UCLA
Kansas State twice…
Missouri twice…
@Texas
Hilton Magic???

Potential Stumbling blocks I see…I say we take 2 to 4 L’s

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen Kemp on Nov 11, 2009 7:26 AM CST reply actions

I'm definitely not thinking it.

We’ll lose here in Austin.

We’ll lose in Mancrappy.

Actually looking at the schedule I could see 5-7 losses and maybe more. The talent on paper is great. But that’s also what we said about the football team in August………

Sawin' wood

by Rivethead on Nov 11, 2009 8:15 AM CST reply actions

but the football team turned out just fine...

Me no likey Clint Bowen.

by labbadabba on Nov 11, 2009 9:16 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Anti-jinx, not a bad effort.

But no way this team loses more than 4-5 games. With the talent they have if someone is having a bad game, that person will get some pine time to figure it out.

I used to work with an old man that told me. Son, every workplace has a dumbass, if you don't have one where you work, then I'm afraid you're it.

by Warden11 on Nov 11, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions

Somebody pissed in your cheerios this morning, didn’t they?

by BluManGrp on Nov 11, 2009 9:23 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not saying it's not possible for us to lose, mind you...

I’m just suggesting that it’s absolutely possible for us not to lose a game. It’s hardly likely, I’ll concede. But what’s the fun of making a likely prediction? Be bold, I say. And I’m putting it out there now. We’re going undefeated.

Rivethead, you think 5-7+ losses this year? Really? Last year’s team had 9. I just look from last year to this year, we’ve got improved pieces at virtually every position, including Sherron and Cole, who should continue to get better (even if their numbers decrease slightly due to the overall balance of the team). There’s probably only one game on the schedule in which we will not be automatically favored (at Texas). Could we lose at K-State? Sure. Could we lost at UCLA? Sure. Will we? I don’t think so.

If this team listens to HCBS and plays with intensity on defense, the sky’s the limit. Here’s one spot where the unfortunate events of the past couple months will actually help this team. It was a big wake-up call to the players. Sometimes it takes a loss to a lesser opponent to get through to a team. I think, because of the ruckus with the football team and Brady’s DUI and what not, this team is already tuned into what HCBS is preaching, and it may not take a bomb of a game to get through to them mid-way through the season.

It’s no sure thing, obviously. But I like our chances.

It's rather ironic that people will actually have to pay money to see Michael Moore's new Anti-Capitalism film, don't you think?

by Bensa on Nov 11, 2009 10:36 AM CST reply actions

No no no no no

Don’t you guys know how hard it is to win a national championship? Even with a top-down awesome basketball team? How the hell are we going to go undefeated? What…should we start painting the town with History Awaits posters again? If there’s one thing I’ve learned over and over from watching sports, it’s to always remain cautiously optimistic, at the most. It will be a fun season, for sure. But now we are totally setting ourselves up to view this team as a failure if they don’t win it all.

But yeah, it’s hard not to feel a little spoiled being a KU basketball fan. Jesus that game was crazy last night.

by knayte on Nov 11, 2009 11:42 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

Maybe...

But probably not. I’m guessing the team will get overconfident and a bit lazy at some point after a series of easy wins. Do we go to Okie State this year? That place always seems to be a house of horrors for us, for whatever reason.

The only way I could see that not happening is the competition for minutes. If guys are slacking off because “it’s just Texas Tech,” guys on the bench that are hungry for more PT may go out there and blow everyone away.

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Nov 11, 2009 4:23 PM CST reply actions

What can I say?

I like the team and I think they’re uber-talented. If they play as hard as their competition, they will have a talent advantage over nearly every team out there. I am a big believer in HCBS and his ability to motivate and push the right buttons to get this team where they need to be.

An obvious concern may be the pressure that comes with a possible undefeated season. If we get through the non-con unscathed, the pressure will increase substantially. If we get through the first half of the Big XII schedule without a loss, the pressure will be even greater. The 9th conference game is in Austin against Texas. If we’re still undefeated going into that game, that could be the end of it, and easily so.

There’s also the strange coincidence of lesser teams rising to the occasion to beat a team they have no business beating. After all, it’s only one game. 40 minutes of basketball isn’t all that much. Weird things happen.

Having said all that, I think our chances of going undefeated during the regular season are somewhere around 30%. After that, the competition level increases dramatically, and the chances of staying undefeated those last 9 games drop significantly. Overall, I’d give us 10 to 1. When you’re talking about 40 games, though, those are pretty good odds.

Again, though, this could all be moot if the guys go out and lay an egg against Memphis. I just don’t see it happening. I’m a believer.

It's rather ironic that people will actually have to pay money to see Michael Moore's new Anti-Capitalism film, don't you think?

by Bensa on Nov 11, 2009 4:54 PM CST up reply actions

Jinxes

Here’s the world’s foremost experts (i.e., the people that do Yahoo Answers) suggest for getting rid of a jinx:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070612131031AA2AeOj

We’re gonna need a lot of salt for the Fieldhouse.

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Nov 11, 2009 4:31 PM CST reply actions

Nice thought Bensa BUT;

The last major college unbeaten NC was Indiana in 1976. The last NC with one loss was NC-State in 1974. The last 9 NC’s averaged 5 losses.

It would be fantastic to have a long unbeaten run to start the year, but NCAA basketball is much better than 30 years ago, and the Big 12 is very good this year.(Teams play a lot more games also) I’m not sure what Vegas odds are on having an unbeaten season, but I bet it’s no more than a 1 or 2 percent chance we go undefeated.

That being said, NCHCBS has the personality to keep a team motivated for a whole season, and the incredible depth gives Self ammo to jiggle the playing time if the starters come out flat. It’s a near impossible dream, but it would be a truly historic feat and make Mr. Bill a lock for the NCAA b-ball hall of fame. So we might as well do it. :)

by hunter s. royal on Nov 11, 2009 5:59 PM CST reply actions

True, but...

Women’s basketball had one just last year. UCONN was in a situation where their second five were better than almost any other team’s starting five. Sound familiar?

HCBS is already on the record as saying that the overall talent level of the NCAA this year is lower than in 2007.

It would be cool. Hell, it would be very cool. But I won’t even start considering it a possibility until after we go to Manhattan.

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Nov 11, 2009 6:50 PM CST up reply actions

quick question

Online, um, friendly (?) wager that KU goes undefeated? Are there any sites that people use?

by DCJayhawk0208 on Nov 11, 2009 7:44 PM CST reply actions

In my (very) cursory research

KU is currently a 4 to 1 favorite to win the NCAA championship this season. I haven’t found any lines on the odds they go undefeated. I’d have to imagine they are pretty long, since it’s been 33 years since anybody’s done it.

I’m not a betting man, though. Sorry…

It's rather ironic that people will actually have to pay money to see Michael Moore's new Anti-Capitalism film, don't you think?

by Bensa on Nov 11, 2009 8:02 PM CST up reply actions

i bet they wouldn't put it on the board

Odds have to be in the 100-1 range

http://twinkietalk.com
http://thecollegehockeyblog.com

by fetch9 on Nov 11, 2009 10:28 PM CST up reply actions

Come on, Bensa, put $10 on it.

If we lose, eh, just 10 bucks. You’ll be pissed about losing anyway, the $10 won’t matter.
But if we win, supposing the 100-1 odds, you just made a cool grand to enjoy on TOP of a national championship and some serious bragging rights here.

Just do it.

by play4'ships on Nov 12, 2009 1:34 AM CST up reply actions

Screw that

Everybody on RCT puts $10 in a pot. Jayhawks pull this off, we host a $150,000 party at Quinton’s or something.

Straight cash, homey!

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Nov 12, 2009 6:59 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Only problem, of course,

is finding someone to actually give us odds and take our money. I’m not the guy to find such an entity. Anybody else got any ideas???

It's rather ironic that people will actually have to pay money to see Michael Moore's new Anti-Capitalism film, don't you think?

by Bensa on Nov 12, 2009 7:31 AM CST up reply actions

Uh, that's not the only problem

Bettin’ is illegal in many juristictions!

Sawin' wood

by Rivethead on Nov 12, 2009 8:08 AM CST up reply actions

Nah,

Surely Denver or Slam could drive to Vegas and place the bet, right?

It's rather ironic that people will actually have to pay money to see Michael Moore's new Anti-Capitalism film, don't you think?

by Bensa on Nov 12, 2009 9:15 AM CST up reply actions

I've sent an email

to a friend who is a professional poker player and dabbles in sports book. I’m sure he’ll have an answer.

by DCJayhawk0208 on Nov 12, 2009 10:35 AM CST up reply actions

so here's the deal

I checked with several sites, and none of them would take the wager. I would, however, figure that some sportsbook in Vegas would take the bet. Anybody heading out that way soon?

by DCJayhawk0208 on Nov 14, 2009 9:34 AM CST up reply actions

I'll just take my $10,000 please

Insanity is just a state of mind.

by KTJ on Nov 12, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

nice thought

but I don’t think so. Seen too many ultra talented KU team’s not even make the FF. We’ll lose a couple games somewhere but as long as we make that FF then all is well.

by I need more Esteban on Nov 12, 2009 4:41 PM CST reply actions

Here's the thing, fellas...

It’s really, REALLY easy to say “we’re not going undefeated.” But where’s the fun in that? I’m taking my stand, and I’m stickin’ to it. I know I’ll catch grief for it, but I just don’t care.

We. Are. Going. Undefeated.

It's rather ironic that people will actually have to pay money to see Michael Moore's new Anti-Capitalism film, don't you think?

by Bensa on Nov 12, 2009 8:49 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

A man in law school

that still has dreams beyond billing clients 500$ per hour.. A true Jayhawk.

by hunter s. royal on Nov 12, 2009 9:51 PM CST up reply actions

Almost

thought I heard a slow clap starting there for a minute.

Thanks, though. A lot.

It's rather ironic that people will actually have to pay money to see Michael Moore's new Anti-Capitalism film, don't you think?

by Bensa on Nov 12, 2009 10:03 PM CST up reply actions

Hey

I just want to make enough money to employ you! :)

by hunter s. royal on Nov 12, 2009 10:20 PM CST up reply actions

One down...

39 to go.

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Nov 14, 2009 12:45 PM CST reply actions

Bandwagon's open, gents

Hop on board!

It's rather ironic that people will actually have to pay money to see Michael Moore's new Anti-Capitalism film, don't you think?

by Bensa on Nov 14, 2009 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

Y'all still thinking it after last night?

When you’re coach uses the adjectives “stink” and “crap” to descibe his team, that’s not good.

Personally, I think the probability of an undefeated season is HIGHER now (and not just because we won). This game identified the cracks in the armor. Now Coach Self can go repair those cracks.

Sawin' wood

by Rivethead on Nov 18, 2009 7:59 AM CST reply actions

I'm pretty sure HCBS knew about those cracks before last night.

Last night just does a good job of showing the players and reminding them that HCBS isn’t full of shit.

I used to work with an old man that told me. Son, every workplace has a dumbass, if you don't have one where you work, then I'm afraid you're it.

by Warden11 on Nov 18, 2009 8:45 AM CST up reply actions

More than ever, yes!

We won a game we probably shouldn’t have, yes. But we did so by playing scrappy defense when our outside shots weren’t falling. We went through Aldrich constantly, who had a big game on both ends of the floor. HCBS said it after the game: a lot of players got humbled last night. It’s amazing what a little humble pie will do for a player’s motivation to improve.

I think this was a huge learning experience for our guys, and it didn’t cost us a mark in the loss column. Lots of pressure in that game, and our guys pulled it out.

Operation 40-0 is a go. Proceed to target.

by Bensa on Nov 18, 2009 9:43 AM CST up reply actions

We're not going undefeated

I think come tourny time we will be a very dangerous team and a 1 or 2 seed. But last night showed there is still too much of last year syndrome in our team, where Sherron and Cole are the only ones we can count on and the rest of the team is a mystery.

The Morris Brothers stepped up, especially Marcus offensively down low (he was running train on Witherspoon or whoever their PF was down low) but while our big men played great all over the floor, our guards other than Sherron stunk up the place, turnovers, missed shots, etc.

Watching the game I felt like it was last year again. Sherron with the guts and leadership, Cole a force downlow, and thats it for the most part. This team will only get better as the season goes on and young players improve and gel, but I feel like we will get tripped up a few times along the way, especially early on when everything is still coming together.

by KU Grad 08 on Nov 18, 2009 10:40 AM CST reply actions

One difference I saw...

Was X. 11 points, 3 steals, 6 boards. Not numbers that blow you away, but his size and athleticism on the perimeter were sorely missed last year. Plus, he’s just confident that he can play at this level, which isn’t something we saw from Elijah or Robinson (or even Taylor, to be honest) in that game.

Assuming he continues to develop, this is a 3 star team instead of 2 star from last year. And that might (MIGHT!) be enough.

RODD TEESING, my arch-nemesis! Give us back our TODD, you rapscallion!

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Nov 19, 2009 12:40 PM CST up reply actions

Well, at least we got past Memphis, right???

Sure, it was touch-and-go for a while, but the fellas got it done, and HCBS got a nice teaching tool to show these guys what is truly required to be an elite team. I’m still very confident in this team.

Operation 40-0 is a go. Proceed to target.

by Bensa on Nov 19, 2009 3:05 PM CST reply actions