I'm going to get blasted for this...

by kcchiefskicka on Mar 20, 2010 3:15 PM CDT

Hey guys how's it going there, first time FanPost for this guy, I usually just like to hang around and read what everyone else has to say, but I thought this just needed to be said. First of all I'd like to point out that this post is before any loss (god please no) that may occur today, so I'm not pulling a Whitlock and spewing shit outta my mouth because I'm pissed. So here we go....

The thing that has just seemed to bother me, ever since HCBS has taken over is that our teams have almost ALWAYS played to the level of the competition (and/or) the level of hype that comes around with that game. So if there is no hype and a shitty team, then you will see a terrible Jayhawks team. If there is a decent team with tons of hype (Kansas State/Temple anyone?) then you get to see what this team should really perform like. This is where I want to compare to Kansas State (and this is where I'm going to get blasted)

I can't believe I'm saying this but I almost envy Kansas State. They DO NOT have quite the talent that KU does, but they do have two things that I would love for my Jayhawks to have, CONSISTENCY and TOUGHNESS. Now granted, they have had some close games, but they just don't have the talent and depth (IMO) of Kansas. The main reason they are a Number 2 seed is because of the two reasons I mentioned earlier. If you have a team that is leading in free throws, and is one of the top rebounding teams in the nation, you know you have a tough team. Now granted maybe the Mean Green isn't the team that Lehigh is, but wouldn't it be nice to have a first round game that you can just breathe easy from the tipoff? I just want to see a team that performs the same way against Lehigh as it does against Kentucky (and hopefully it's the high level we all know they're capable of).

Okay, I'm done with my little rant here so I'm ready to get some interesting comments.

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I don't think you'll get too blasted around here for this.

A lot of us feel the same way at times. What are your criteria for toughness and consistency though? Kansas only lost twice to unbelievably hot teams, I’d say that’s pretty consistent. K-State had 7 losses this year, they’re shooting is about as inconsistent as it gets. Rebounding? Would it shock you if said that Kansas was better at offensive rebounding and rebounding overall in Big 12 play than Kansas State?

I did comment in yesterday’s game thread that Syracuse seemed to enjoy beating up on the lower seed a little more than the guys on KU. Maybe these guys don’t have that mean streak but I’ll take them over anyone else in the field this year.

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.

People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.

by Warden11 on Mar 20, 2010 4:14 PM CDT reply actions

I agree, sadly.

our teams have almost ALWAYS played to the level of the competition (and/or) the level of hype that comes around with that game.

"Not to be cliché or anything, but I’m Jayhawk born and Jayhawk bred and when I die I’ll be Jayhawk dead." - Ovechwin

by Andy Edwards on Mar 20, 2010 4:14 PM CDT reply actions

Rebounding...

Every team I have seen under Bill Self gives up too many offensive rebounds. We just aren’t tough enough. We “hang our hat” on defense and then give up offensive rebounds all game all year. Our talent covers our softness, but when it comes time to out hustle a team we just can’t do it.

by trueKUblue on Mar 20, 2010 7:28 PM CDT reply actions

I don't think its all about the name on the jersey

It seems we play better/worse against different styles. “Lesser” teams usually prefer to slow it down, try weird stuff against us. Teams like KState are more similar to me in terms of pace, inside outside balance, etc.

The problem is adjusting to styles of play. Had we beaten UNI tonight we would have made the final 4. I’d bet my testes on it. Why? We would have played teams we are better suited to beat (Maryland) next.

Shit happens when you win championships

by Andrew Clark on Mar 20, 2010 10:23 PM CDT reply actions

No Blast Here

I think you bring up a valid question and or concern. I am beginning to reflect on our various teams’ makeups and try to figure out what separates 2008 from the rest. I think there maybe too much emphasis on “floor” leadership. I remember each and every member of the 08 team contributing in one fashion or another, but it wasn’t anyone’s team.

This was Sherron’s team and frankly that always bothered me when I would hear fans, media, the KU players, and Self refer to it in that manner. If anything it makes me feel Sherron is the scapegoat in my mind because this was his team and how did he let this happen (and I kinda felt that way after TN and OK State as well). And is that fair? No, but it seems like the natural reaction until I think it out.

I am thinking some more about “floor” leadership and whether it is that big of a deal, especially if you do not have a “natural” leader. You may be better served pulling together as a team since you have the “head” leader no more than 90 feet away at any time.

by K-Foz on Mar 21, 2010 10:01 AM CDT reply actions

And where does this one rank?

I am pushing this one up there as of right now, but will reflect over time to determine where it will rank. And, of course, I will wait see how Northern IA team does down the road.

I have compiled my list of the top 5 worst tournament losses as I recall them. And while researching past results, I had forgotten Bradley went on to beat Pitt after us. Eh, still hurts and comes in higher than Bucknell.

1) 1992 UTEP

These next two are a tie

2) 2010 Northern Iowa
2) 1998 Rhode Island

4) 1996 Syracuse

5) 2006 Bradley

by K-Foz on Mar 21, 2010 10:10 AM CDT reply actions

‘97 Arizona has always been the worst for me. That Kansas team was incredible. This one was considered the best in the country this year, but it wasn’t dominant like that ’97 team was.

53 Conference Championships!! and now 6 IN A ROW!!! Holy Hell...Good Luck with That!!

by Owen on Mar 21, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Yea, that one falls in the top 10 for sure.

I think I was able to rationalize that AZ beat three #1 Seeds to win it all, so that is why it is not higher. And it would have to be behind Bucknell, so I guess I have Bucknell at 6 and AZ at 7.

by K-Foz on Mar 21, 2010 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions

1)1998 Rhode Island
2)1997 Arizona (made better only because they won the title)
3) 2010 Northern Iowa

4)Bucknell
5)Bradley

These 3 are the top 3 for a reason, extremely high expectations and teams full of talent. I’m always scared when we are the proverbial favorites, I’m always scared when every analyst picks us to win, because honestly, they don’t know shit and if they are all picking us then it’s usually not good.

I don’t know that they ever get any easier but at least you know how to react when it happens.

by I need more Esteban on Mar 21, 2010 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions

For me it's

1) Arizona
2) Bucknell
3) UTEP
4) Syracuse
5) Bradley

For some reason, maybe because I’m a little older now, this game didn’t hurt as much as the above. It sucked and was frustrating, and still is, but after the Arizona and Bucknell games I was not the same person for weeks.

Man crush. Sherron.

by labbadabba on Mar 23, 2010 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Its because we won the title in 2008

Hard to be REAL pissed when that was two seasons ago

Shit happens when you win championships

by Andrew Clark on Mar 23, 2010 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Honestly, Rhode Island and Bradley weren’t THAT bad to me. In both of those cases, the other team had more lottery picks than we did out there.

Bucknell probably hurts the most for me because I was there. But in retrospect, there were signs that that team was flawed (much like Nova this year) down the stretch.

What hurt the most for Jayhawk Nation in general would probably be Arizona or UNI, simply because both of those teams featured beloved seniors, and the losses came as total shocks.

"Here are our top priorities: recruit, beat Missouri, recruit, win the North, recruit, win the Big 12, and in most cases if you win the Big 12 then you're playing for a National Championship. And then we're going to recruit."

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Mar 22, 2010 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

HCBS

I have two problems with Self’s philosophy:

1. He’s very stubborn. It took him until desperation time to finally bring out a press against UNI. He stuck with Tyshawn all year even though EJ probably out-played him when he got his chance. He stuck with his 8 man rotation even though he had the deepest team in the country. Etc.

2. He coaches “scared.” I think the playing to the level of the competition thing happens because Self coaches to not lose, rather than play to win. Look at his quote for why he didn’t try to press in the first half against the Panthers:

"Sure, that was part of our strategy, but when they’re in the bonus at 12 minutes and they’re the best free-throw-shooting team in the country and we’ve got zero team fouls, I don’t think that was the percentage play," Self said.

The “percentage play” is the move that covers your butt in the case of a loss, not the move that changes the complexion of a game that isn’t going your way, IMO. Why be so scared of giving up some FTAs? Even if they make them all, you’re still stopping the clock, which should be a good thing if you have faith in your offensive execution.

The 2007 team executed Self’s “stuff” to perfection, and had the perfect roster setup for it to work. However, I’d like to see him be a bit more flexible in his philosophy to be able to get the most out of every roster, not just the “ideal” ones.

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Mar 22, 2010 12:08 PM CDT reply actions

Not that HCBS loves to press, but didn’t he mention in a post-game interview that because of all those fucking foul calls KU got early and that UNI were such good FT shooters that he didn’t think an aggressive press would be a good idea?

by sax solo on Mar 22, 2010 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions