Kansas Jayhawk News and Notes 3.14.13

Kansas Basketball

2013 NBA draft Big Board leads with Ben McLemore, Nerlens Noel - NBA - Chris Mannix - SI.com
Most executives who have been following him -- and that list covers any team that thinks it will have a mathematical chance to land a top-three pick -- see McLemore as a rock-solid starting shooting guard, and the freshman has done little to dissuade that opinion. He put up a season-high 36 points (knocking down 5-of-6 three-pointers) against West Virginia and followed it up with 23 in a disappointing loss to Baylor two games later. With protypical size, strength and shooting stroke, McLemore is being referred to by more than one executive as "can't miss."

Kansas’ Bill Self: Six teams can win Big 12 Tournament - NCAA Basketball - Sporting News
"I've never seen the league better, with more teams that can win your league tournament, than we have now," said the Jayhawks' Bill Self, whose team has won five of the last seven editions. "Not very often you go in and say, 'Well, I think that team can positively win three games in a row,’ and there are six teams that can win three games in a row."

Jayhawks open Big 12 tournament against Red Raiders | KUsports.com
Texas Tech’s basketball team faced the unenviable task of playing Kansas University on the Jayhawks’ Senior Night a mere 10 days ago.

Memories of dad keep Tharpe focused on future - KansasCity.com
Naadir Tharpe came off the bench for KU and dropped in a game-winning shot in the final seconds of a double-overtime victory over Oklahoma State on Feb. 20. It was the biggest basket of his life — one that helped KU hold onto the Big 12 title for the ninth straight season — but it was also a reminder.

College Basketball

Trey Burke tops final POY straw poll - Men's College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
Michigan point guard Trey Burke began the season on the fringe of the national player of the year conversation.