Posts Tagged Kansas

Jayhawkers Movie

Posted on: June 29th, 2012 by jayhawktalk 2 Comments

(Editor’s Note: The following is courtesy of Katherine Hollar.  She is a huge KU fan and great follow on twitter at @katiehollar. We met at a KU basketball game in Lincoln when she tried to run me over with her car (allegedly). She’ll be providing JHT ongoing updates about an exciting film project coming soon to a theatre near you!)

The Phog soon will roll onto the big screen.

Now in pre-production, Jayhawkers will tell the story of how Phog Allen and Chancellor Frank Murphy recruited Wilt Chamberlain from Philadelphia to play at Kansas…and how a group of unlikely allies changed college basketball and Lawrence in a parallel to the Civil Rights movement that changed the country.

At the helm of the project are writer/producer/director Kevin Willmott and writer/producer Scott Richardson. Willmott, an associate professor of film at KU, has directed two films (C.S.A.: Confederate States of America and The Only Good Indian) selected to the Sundance Film Festival. Richardson, a KU alumnus, has produced multiple projects for The History Channel and has written and consulted for many leading entertainment outfits, including A&E and AMC.

A full synopsis is available at www.facebook.com/jayhawkersmovie. The film will weave together the father of modern basketball coaching, the most legendary basketball player of the modern era and the tension of racism and segregation – only one year after Brown vs. Board of Education in Topeka, just 20 miles from Lawrence. As the filmmakers state, “The struggle for dignity and civil rights on the court would bond a team and change a town forever.”

The movie’s climax will come during the triple-overtime 1957 national championship game against the University of North Carolina, a game that has been called the greatest in college history.

More details will surface soon, but the movie will be shot in Lawrence (and the Fieldhouse), and Kansas fans will be tickled by the casting pick for Wilt Chamberlain, to say the least.

We talk a lot about tradition with Kansas basketball, but too often that conversation focuses on banners on the Fieldhouse wall, not the heritage of the Free State progressives. Jayhawkers will honor both – and fans will have opportunities to get involved. Like the Facebook page. Be an extra. Donate a few dollars, once the crowdsourcing effort is underway. Help Willmott and Richardson show the film community – and the nation – why we pay heed.

 

’13 KU Recruiting Spotlight: Chris Walker

Posted on: June 26th, 2012 by jayhawktalk No Comments

Chris Walker ready to smash

UPDATE: July 22, 2012

Chris Walker has committed to the University of Florida. Bill Self and Co. will now turn their sights on Julius Randle, the #2 ranked player in the Class of ’13. The competition will be stiff to get him. He is reportedly high on Kentucky, NC State, and Duke, but said he will take all 5 official visits before deciding on a school. Other bigs that Kansas will continue to recruit include Jermaine Lawrence (#19 Rivals), Karviar Shepherd (#34 Rivals), Jarell Martin (#13 Rivals), Marcus Lee (#33 Rivals), Austin Nichols (#43 Rivals), and Jordan Mickey (#51 Rivals).

 

Chris Walker, PF – Committed – University of Florida

Notes:

Review (and my take):

“If I had to commit right now, I would choose Kansas.” – Chris Walker (December 2011)

Chris Walker has been near the top of recruiting lists for a long time. Depending on when you looked at his profile, he might have been listed as a small forward or combo forward. Then he’d grow again. Next thing you know, he’s a power forward. Some even list him as a center.

What is certain is that the Bonifay, FL native has game. A lot of game. And no matter what position you want to put him at, he’s going to be a dynamite player for you. Bill Self recognized this talent early and was among the first high major schools to offer him. Since that time, other schools have entered the fold (schools like Syracuse, Ohio State, Baylor, etc.) but Kansas has remained one of Walker’s top schools.

Fighting for his services is the hometown state school and Billy Donovan, a coach who has already secured a prized 2013 commitment in PG Kasey Hill (#8 Rivals). Hill also happens to be on Walker’s AAU team, the Florida Rams. Donovan has fostered a good relationship with Walker and can point to success producing other big men into NBA talent.

While Bill Self doesn’t get the hometown discount, he too has secured a prized 2013 recruit in guard, Brannen Greene. Greene also plays on the Florida Rams and has routinely tweeted that he is trying to recruit Walker and others to join him at KU.

A school mysteriously missing from Walker’s recruitment thus far is Kentucky. Chris routinely tweets that UK is a school he would like to attend, but Calipari and Co. have not yet offered him a scholarship. Assuming that holds true, I expect the recruitment to come down to the aforementioned Jayhawks and Gators. If Kentucky does offer, it will immediately become a three horse race.

Whoever gets Walker will receive an extremely long and athletic forward with an affinity for dynamic alley-oop dunks and extremely good timing blocking shots on the defensive end. He does his best in transition and uses his speed to face up and get around his defenders. He also may have the biggest upside of anyone in the entire 2013 class.

He will need to get in the weight room and add weight and muscle to his thin frame. This is one reason KU has to be attractive to Walker as our strength and conditioning team has consistently proven itself under Andrea Hudy. He will also need to work on his post moves. When Walker gave the quote at the beginning of this post, Danny Manning was still on board as KU’s big man coach. It probably didn’t help KU’s chances that he moved on to Tulsa, but Self’s system will remain the same. And in Self’s system, the ball will move through the big guys.

Bottom line is that Walker is a fantastic talent that would certainly thrive at Kansas. He would be an immediate contributor and a centerpiece of Self’s 2013 class. As his recruitment currently stands, I think Self has positioned himself as well as he possibly can. Walker knows that he is a top priority.

My best guess on where Walker ends up? In the end, I think Florida has a slight edge on Kansas. Walker gives KU a lot of love on twitter and it is clear he likes the attention that the fan base gives him. That said, I expect that the hometown team will end up with Walker’s services. I hope I’m wrong because Walker would look great in KU blue.

Final Link: Someone really wants Chris Walker to come to KU.

 

A look at KU’s 2013 recruiting class (Part 1)

Posted on: May 12th, 2012 by jayhawktalk No Comments

As promised, I am bringing you a FOUR part blog post highlighting players in the Class of 2013 that Bill Self has offered as well as other guys that he and his staff are watching. Part 1 includes a breakdown of the two players that have already given KU a verbal commitment – Conner Frankamp and Brannen Greene.

Part 2 will review the high major recruits that Self is making a top priority (Chris Walker, Julius Randle, Allerik Freeman, etc.) Part 3 will review all the remaining players that Self is known to have offered a scholarship from the ’13 class. Last, Part 4 will review those players that Self and Co. have been scouting and talking to. Many of the Part 4 players may eventually be offered a scholarship as back-up plans or if their stock continues to rise.

With that all said, let’s get started.

Conner Frankamp, PG – Committed

Notes:

Review (and my take):

“Kansas has been my dream school since I was young.” – Conner Frankamp

You have to like a guy that has always dreamed of playing in a Kansas uniform. You have to like him even more if he has high major skills. Frankamp’s AAU coach, L.J. Goolsby, says Frankamp is a natural. He says that his guard makes it look effortless and that he’s in full control of the pace of the game. He’s very competitive and willing to burden the offensive load or get his teammates involved – whatever it takes to win.

When asked who Frankamp reminds him of, Goolsby said he can score like Jimmer and make incredible passing plays like Bobby Hurley (isn’t it funny how white dudes are always compared to other white dudes? I digress).

I watched Conner play a few times in person and I have to say I was thrilled with his game. He doesn’t look physically imposing at all, but he is sneaky athletic (yeah, more stereotypes). He clearly needs to grow and gain some muscle, but the good news is that he has a strong base. He isn’t scrawny in the shoulders or ankles, giving him room for some more mass.

He handles the ball extremely well. His best attribute other than scoring is definitely his ability to change speeds. He has a good crossover and can mask his move before he makes it. His best attribute, however, is his ability to score the basketball. He does have some Jimmer-like qualities in that he has an advanced offensive game and can score from anywhere in any fashion. If you step off of him, he’ll bury a long jumper. If you crowd him, he’ll find a way around you.

He needs to improve his defense on the next level and he needs to get in the weight room. Other than that, I think he’ll be a player Kansas fans will absolutely love.

Final link: A blurry twitvid of him dunking on some poor kid. 

 

Brannen Greene, SF – Committed

Notes:

Review (and my take):

“I just feel Kansas is a place I can excel not only athletically, but academically, socially. It’s a perfect environment” – Brannen Greene

Greene’s dad played at nearby Pittsburg State. In 1989, Jeffrey Greene broke the Pitt State scoring average record when he went for 24.8 points per game. Since that time, the elder Greene had been a fan of the Jayhawks. He has an even bigger reason to cheer now.

The first thing you see in Brannen is his size. He’s tall for the 2-guard position at 6’7, but he has the game to play it. At KU, he’ll most likely play a Brandon Rush-type position on the wing. It is actually a pretty good comparison as Brannen has a beautiful release from beyond the arc, especially in the corner. He also has a great baseline drive in his arsenal that results in either a mid-range jump shot or a dunk in your eye.

Like Rush, he probably needs to learn to attack the basket and get to the free throw line more, but he’ll get there. His mid range game is a huge bright spot as most preps (furiously) lack in that department. He has soft hands and a soft touch in the lane, and his jump shoot is silky smooth. He’s easily got college range and has the look of a player that can translate to an NBA two guard when he gains some more strength.

Perhaps his best attribute is his coachability, basketball IQ, and court presence. He is a 4.0 student and sounds nothing like a high school junior. He’s going to be a fantastic ambassador for KU off the court and will be a leader on the court.

Final link: A story about Greene turning into head KU recruiter now that he’s committed.

 

So there you have it. Part 1 in the books. Watch for Parts 2, 3, and 4 coming soon.

 

Farewell, KU – a ’12 graduate’s Jayhawk memories

Posted on: May 10th, 2012 by jayhawktalk No Comments

Editor’s Note: The following is written by @Pay_Heed, a graduating senior of the University of Kansas. He wanted to put into words his experiences as a fan and student during his time in Lawrence.

I apologize in advance for the length of this post. It was very surreal to write, and I felt compelled to do so when the harsh reality of the finality that is College (not just athletics) was brought to the forefront after the National Title game. I realized not only that I would never be privileged to watch Thomas and Tyshawn lace up in Crimson and Blue again, I was struck with the reality that my years at the University of Kansas were also coming to a close. I have been fortunate to watch some great teams play in my time in Lawrence, and I felt compelled to compose my own variance of a senior speech.

Before I expand into the substance of this post, I think some background information about me may be required to appreciate what it is I have to say in regard to KU athletics (read: basketball and football) and its current state, at least from my perspective, as my years at Kansas have seen their share of ups and downs. I am a graduating member of the Class of 2012; I arrived on Campus of the University of Kansas in the fall of 2006, a young, naïve freshman. I was raised a Jayhawk, and like most kids who grow up bleeding Crimson and Blue, basketball will always hold a special place in my heart. I will never remember the first time I watched the Jayhawks in person. It was March, 11 1988 at Kemper Arena. KU beat Oklahoma State 74-58. I wasn’t even 2 months old.

While basketball is most near and dear to my heart, I wish to address the matter of KU football also, as it has been a wild ride in my six years here at KU. When I arrived on campus in 2006 the football team was a step above where Terry Allen left it, coming off of a Fort Worth Bowl victory the previous season, not to mention an absolute thrashing of Nebraska courtesy of Kevin Kane and Jon Cornish. However, the program was still hanging out in relative mediocrity. Little did I know, there was another freshman on campus that would change the face of Kansas football forever. At the time, I could never have predicted what an exciting time it would become to be a Jayhawk football fan.

That 2006 season was a tumultuous one for Mangino, but fans were treated to a glimpse of things to come when Todd Reesing had his red-shirt pulled and miraculously led a comeback against Colorado. The Reesing miracle laid the groundwork for what was to come, and probably saved Mangino’s job (for the time being, but that’s a different story).

2007 was an incredible season, and one I will never forget. In my entire life leading up to that season, I think I remember being excited about KU football once or twice. It wasn’t particularly different leading up to that season. There wasn’t an overwhelming amount of hype surrounding the team. It wasn’t until after we beat KSU in Manhattan that I knew something special might be brewing. And what a magical ride it became, 6-0 became 7 became 11-0. College Gameday came to KCMO to watch the #2 ranked Jayhawks face off against the #3 MU Tigers (IN FOOTBALL!). The thing I remember most about that game was how bad we got burned in our base defense. James Holt was covering a wide receiver on nearly every down it seemed, and we couldn’t stop their passing game. Revenge for the loss was nearly immediate, however, when KU beat out the Tigers for a spot in the Orange Bowl. To this day I still kick myself for not making the trip to Miami, but I could only make one trip that year, and I was holding out for Final Four tickets (we’ll get to that).

After the 2007 season, things went downhill for the KU football program, and though we beat MU and won the Insight bowl in ’08 it was to become a turbulent time after Todd Reesing left Mt. Oread.

I certainly don’t need to remind you all how painful the two years have been in the post-Mangino era. Lew Perkins left his legacy with a Ticket scandal and an awful football hire. But I think there is reason for optimism in Lawrence. We have a multi-Super Bowl winning coach, and some recruits that, at least on paper, can give fans hope. All you can ask for a program that has offered precious little in recent decades is hope.

While football always seems to get the fall semester off with some excitement, few things bring a smile to my face like the approach of Late Night in the Phog. Basketball is King in Lawrence, and for good reason.

In the fall of 2006, KU was coming off of some pretty bad beats in the NCAA tournament. However, the massively talented 2005 recruits were a year older, and two young studs, Sherron Collins and Darrell Arthur, were embarking on their freshmen campaigns at KU. It was definitely an exciting time to be a Jayhawk basketball fan.

Those Jayhawks did not disappoint. The most memorable moment (and frankly, the most memorable game played in Allen until February 25, 2012) for me that season was our 18 point comeback against Kevin Durant and Texas. I have never watched such a dominating basketball player in person, and I frankly don’t expect to see the likes of Durant again. That game pretty much defines what I have come to expect from a Bill Self coached basketball team. The going may get tough, but our guys will fight until the end.

That season’s tournament, while heartbreaking, didn’t have the finality of some of the other tournament losses, mainly due to the fact that no one on that team graduated. Julian would declare for the NBA draft, but the core group of guys was certainly going to be a force the following season.

Every time I walked into Allen Fieldhouse in 2007-08 I was struck by something I hadn’t ever felt before: that if this team played to its potential on a given night, it was going to win. I felt like we were going to win the National Championship. That is why I was holding out for Final Four tickets, instead of jumping at the opportunity to go to the Orange Bowl. Jayhawk Nation watched as the senior-laden Jayhawks roared to a 20-0 start, and though the loss at Bramlage stung, it was a mere speed bump for such a talented team on a mission.

I ordered my Final Four tickets just after Christmas break; needless to say I was very confident in our chances. It was not meant to be however, because I received a letter scheduling my Pharmacy school interview on April 5, 2008. That was the night of the National Semifinal. I ended up spending the Final Four in Lawrence, and it was one of the most awesome experiences of my life.

I wore the same white Mario Chalmers jersey to every home game that season, and never washed it one time (oh shut up, I didn’t want to wash any of the luck out of it). So obviously it was the clear choice of superstitious apparel that I would wear for the NCAA tournament. So after my interview, I donned the jersey, and headed to Wayne and Larry’s to watch the UNC game. I’ve never heard a bar in Lawrence as loud as that night. After the game, I made my way to Mass St. with about 30,000 other friends. But that was nothing compared to April 7, 2008.

The day of the Championship game was pretty surreal. In my organic chemistry class, Paul Hanson gave a pretty epic pregame pep-talk. We didn’t talk about chemistry, but instead watched the second half of the 1988 Championship game. That was pretty memorable. A couple of fraternity brothers and I ate at Backyard Burgers in Lawrence the night of the game, and then I commenced to watch in our basement with about 20 brothers. I remember the swings of emotions during the game, and I was pretty distraught with about 2:12 to go in the game. But one of my fraternity brothers stood up in front of everybody and said “Shut the f**k up, we’re about to win this.” I’ll never forget watching “The Shot.” I almost looked away when Sherron started falling, then the next thing I remember is jumping up and down and beer flying everywhere. That Chalmers jersey got a beer shower, and it still hasn’t been washed. Someday I plan to frame it.

Photo courtesy of LJ World

The party on Mass was epic after that game. When I left at 4:30 the next morning there were probably a good 25,000 people still in the street. Thank God they cancelled class the next day (WTF Bernadette).

As sweet as 2008 was, 2008-09 did not, at first blush, appear as appealing. A solid (though unproven) cast of characters would have to lead the way if KU was going to win a fifth straight Big XII title. How mistaken we were. All that team did was not lose a home game for the second consecutive season, and win a share of the Big XII with the Oklahoma Blake Griffins. A Sweet 16 loss at the time seemed tough to swallow, but from the outset of the season, that seemed an improbable feat.

2009-10 was a year where I again had the feeling that our team was, on the right night, invincible. That team cruised to the number 1 overall seed, a sixth consecutive Big XII title, and saw Sherron Collins become the winningest player in KU history. However, not all was right with KU Athletics, as the Ticket scandal came to the forefront of media attention. A shroud of foreboding surrounded Lawrence, and it seemed an ill omen for things to come. I watched both of the Jayhawks losses in the state of Oklahoma that season. Both were crushing in their own rights, but the finality of watching Sherron’s last game was almost sickening.

One of the most impressive things about Bill Self teams is the ability to seamlessly transition from year to year regardless of what pieces need replacing. It’s difficult to imagine a team losing 2 lottery picks and the winningest player in program history and still be a top 3 team the following season, yet that is exactly what happened. A very veteran core of guys with young talent off the bench made the 2010-11 team a preseason favorite to win its seventh straight Big XII title and contend for a championship.

Only a tight group of guys could overcome a situation like the one that happened to Thomas Robinson. It was also a moment that showed the strength of Jayhawk Nation, in the form of the Lisa Robinson fund for Jayla. That is one of the biggest takeaways I have from my time at Kansas: it’s a huge family, and stretches not only across the US, but all over the World.

The VCU loss was pretty unbearable, mostly because we played so poorly and they played great. It seemed that everything that could go wrong did and everything that could go right for the Rams also did. It was a fairly foregone conclusion that the Morri would turn pro after the season, and the Josh Selby experiment ended badly, at this time, for both parties.

That leaves the 2011-12 Jayhawks, who had more heart than any team I’ve ever seen. Aside from Tyshawn, no one on this year’s team had ever played significant minutes at a high major Division 1 level. Outside of the program (even including many fans) there were few who believed the team would chalk up an eighth straight Big XII championship, yet that’s what this team thrived on: doubters. It seemed that, as we have seen with Bill Self teams of the past, the bigger the hole, the harder the fight. The comeback against Mizzou in February showcased that exact trait, which made this group the most loveable of my six years at Kansas. They brought about reminisces of the film, Rocky. It’s almost fitting that despite losing in the Championship game, they went the distance, despite all the doubt.

KU Athletics has produced many of my fondest memories as a collegian, and I thank each and every athlete, coach, and manager, etc. who made those seasons so special. It seems to me that the Athletics department is in good hands with Dr. Zenger at the helm. For you future Jayhawks, I hope that the memories you make at KU are as memorable as the ones I have been left with. And for those whose days have gone by, I hope you look back on your days as fondly as I do mine. While I may not ever get to sit (stand) in the student section again, I’ll cherish those times with 16,299 of my best friends, cheering our beloved Jayhawks. To quote the great Wilt Chamberlin, from his jersey retirement speech:

“I’ve learned over the years that you must learn to take the bitter with the sweet, and how sweet this is, right here! I’m a Jayhawk […] and very proud of it. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!”

A look at the 2012-13 Kansas coaching staff

Posted on: April 16th, 2012 by jayhawktalk No Comments
Coach Self Laughing at Dooley commentary

Coach Self laughs at Dooley's commentary

Now that everyone has had some time to digest the season and the great 2012 postseason run, many are already looking forward to 2013. Around these parts, KU basketball doesn’t exactly have an off-season. The late signing period started last week, and although Self has been known to pull some Spring magic on the recruiting front in past years, I wouldn’t expect too many surprises this time around.

The real questions rest on the Class of 2013. And who will be recruiting that class.

As we all know by now, Self brought Norm Roberts in to fill the Assistant Coaching vacancy created by Danny Manning’s move to Tulsa. A former assistant under Self, Roberts has proven himself as a valuable man to have in your program, both on the bench and in a recruit’s home.

That said, I personally hoped that Self would go a different direction and bring in a young, up-and-coming recruiting type. Someone who didn’t necessarily dominate the Xs and Os, but could navigate through the AAU circuits with ease. Someone who has some existing relationships and pipelines and a track record with promise to lure top 5 classes back to Lawrence.

Don’t get me wrong, I know Roberts was a part of many extremely impressive recruiting classes. And he would have been my second or third choice if we missed on the first.

But Self called on his friend. And his friend is quite good. But I still argue Jerrance Howard might have been better.

I should say that I have no insider information on the matter, but I get the sense from reading message boards and talking to friends and folks on twitter that many wanted Howard and Roberts to come to KU to fill the vacancies left by Manning and former Director of Basketball Operations, Barry Hinson.

I wanted to explore this a little further and share my own thoughts on it.

As most of you know, the Director position is a “non-recruiting” coaching job, which means that the person cannot recruit away from campus. This would not make any sense for either Howard or Roberts. Both men have too much to offer on the recruiting trail.

Which leaves only one of two options. Either current assistant coach Kurtis Townsend or Joe Dooley (1) find a new job or (2) take over the Director position, creating an assistant vacancy.

Interestingly, I have seen a rather large contingent of Kansas fans lobbying for Townsend to take the Director role, opening up a spot on the bench. Frankly, this just isn’t going to happen.

Jerrance Howard (Carlos Osorio, AP)

Townsend will probably be a lifelong assistant. And that’s not meant to be a knock on him. He is the kind of guy you want on your bench. I liken him to the guy in your group of friends that you definitely want to keep around because he’ll probably find a way to talk you out of trouble if you ever get pulled over by the cops or if you find yourself facing down a group of big dudes about to beat you up. He is smooth. He’s slick. He’s a guy you want out on the trail building relationships so you can get guys like Shabazz Muhammad to give you token visits. Sometimes that’s all it takes.

On the other hand, Dooley will definitely be a head coach again. It may not be this year. It may not be next. But he is too sharp of a basketball mind and too good of a recruiter not to get another shot. For whatever reason, he hasn’t got it yet, but it will happen eventually.*

*Perhaps I’ll share my thoughts on why he hasn’t got a job to this point in another blog on another day.

Howard is in a great position right now. He has no less than four or five schools interested in his services. Depaul, Kansas State, Memphis, Louisville, Kentucky, and Kansas have all been mentioned. By the time a spot opens on our bench, he will probably be making a nice paycheck for another program. But that doesn’t mean Self couldn’t try to get his former player on his staff at that point.

I want Coach Dooley to stick around as long as he has a better job here than the one offered to him. But when that day comes, and Self has an empty chair next to him on the bench, I hope Howard is his first call.

So as for the Director position, I still think it will be filled by a former player or a recently fired coach (similar to how Hinson originally took the position). There has been some local movement for either Simien or Pollard. I don’t really see either one getting the position, but I suppose it is possible. I personally like the idea of calling on Michael Lee.

As for a timetable on filling the position, I don’t expect it to be extremely quick. Since the Director job doesn’t require off-campus recruiting, there isn’t as much of a hurry to get it filled like the other assistant job. And I think it is wise to wait a while, just to make sure the last domino doesn’t fall that gives Dooley a head coaching opportunity this year instead of next.

Regardless of who is on the staff next year, I just hope it works as well as the one in the place the previous six years. It’s been a pretty good ride with those guys at the helm.

Rock Chalk!

The Jayhawks that wouldn’t die

Posted on: April 3rd, 2012 by jayhawktalk No Comments

Editor’s Note: The following is submitted by @HailToOldKU, a guest blogger to Jayhawk-Talk. Follow him on Twitter at @HailToOldKU.

These were the Jayhawks that wouldn’t die.

Detroit led, for a brief moment there, and the Titans couldn’t be shrugged off after the wild events of that day. Then Purdue had Kansas on the ropes and trailing for 39 minutes and 15 seconds, but Elijah Johnson made the plays to get the Jayhawks onward. Then NC State threw a haymaker, and the Jayhawks took it off the jaw and kept punching.

And in the Final Four, Carolina ran a lineup of four (at least) future pros, all of them heading for the NBA this year, if the rumors of McAdoo’s departure are true. But they couldn’t do it. And Ohio State, too, landed a mighty blow early, doubling up the Jayhawks in the middle of the first half. But Jeff Withey’s stuff and the outlet to Tyshawn Taylor and Travis Releford’s lay-in made it nine at the break, and everybody started breathing easier, because these were the Jayhawks that wouldn’t die.

But they couldn’t afford that early lapse against Kentucky. They couldn’t go down early because Kentucky was too long and too quick and too flat-out good for Kansas to play anything shy of its A-game and expect to keep it close. So when Kentucky took a 10-point lead, and then an 18-point lead, and when it was 16 in the second half after a pair of Doron Lamb dagger threes, Kansas was done. It was over.

Except it wasn’t.

Because, down nine with less than four minutes remaining, the Jayhawks were still smiling.

”No one could tell us that we were going to lose except for the scoreboard,” Elijah Johnson told ESPN.com’s Jason King. “That was our mindset. We smiled and realized that hey, we only have four minutes left to play with each other. We said, ‘If they’re going to beat us, they’re going to remember us. They’re going to feel the last of us.’”

Thomas Robinson’s free throws made it seven. Kentucky answered with a three. Johnson answered right back. Robinson went back to the line and made it five with a minute-and-a-half to play.

The only people who didn’t think Kansas had a shot were those that had already turned off their televisions.

Kansas was making a run that mirrored so many of its games in this tournament, that mirrored also the last time Bill Self and John Calipari faced off in a national title game, when Self’s Jayhawks overcame a nine-point deficit with 2:12 to go.

But Kentucky was too good, as they have been all season. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist made the play of the season with an incredible block of a Taylor lay-in that would have made it a four point game with a little more than a minute to play

Then Marquis Teague went to the free throw line and did what another more highly touted freshman point guard of Calipari’s once failed to do. He hit two free throws. The lead was eight inside a minute. The fight didn’t leave the Jayhawks, but the game was over.

“The fight never stops with us guys,” Taylor said. “We just were fighting the whole game. We were right there. We were right there.”

“But they’re a great team.”

Too great on Monday. And the Jayhawks that wouldn’t die were finally finished.

Mass St. festivities

Posted on: April 2nd, 2012 by jayhawktalk No Comments

Hopefully only a preview for tonight’s post game celebration.

For more pictures of last night’s celebration, visit my pictures on the site here.

 

KU can handle Sullinger

Posted on: March 30th, 2012 by jayhawktalk No Comments

The following is submitted by @HailToOldKU, a KU graduate and contributor to Jayhawk-Talk. He presents a different viewpoint on how Kansas will handle Ohio State’s front court than I did in my game preview here. Enjoy the read and debate on twitter which point is more accurate. Rock Chalk!

Almost two weeks ago, Robbie Hummel lit up Thomas Robinson. Hummel buried seven of his first eight shots en route to a 22-point first half that had Purdue up on the Jayhawks for all but 45 seconds of their second round game. Robinson, who was pulled off Hummel in the first half because he was getting so thoroughly thrashed, even admitted his weakness in guarding the perimeter, saying that Hummel could have gone for 40 on him, no sweat.

Obviously, Hummel didn’t, Kansas came back, and the Jayhawks are now in the Final Four. But there’s still plenty of reason for concern. Ohio State’s DeShaun Thomas plays a more inside-out game than Hummel – who essentially lives on the perimeter unless he’s got a favorable size matchup inside – but Thomas is still versatile enough to provide a serious matchup problem for Robinson.

This means a couple things. First, Jeff Withey, just like in the first game against Ohio State (which was, of course, sans Sullinger that day) will play only 20-25 minutes. Because of Robinson’s perimeter struggles, he’ll be forced to take Sullinger on the inside. Obviously Withey isn’t a perimeter defender either, which leaves him as the odd man out. Kevin Young played 24 minutes to Withey’s 21 in December. Expect them to play similar minutes again if Robinson doesn’t show early on that he can hold Thomas defensively.

Of course, if that’s the case, then we get to watch Robinson and Sullinger go head-to-head. I had been thinking for a few days that this wouldn’t happen because of Withey’s recent presence defensively. He’s pretty clearly going to be the guy on Sullinger every possession he’s on the floor, barring Self rolling out that triangle-and-two that was so effective in the second half against both Purdue and North Carolina.*

*This might be a great idea. It lets Withey and Robinson stay on the floor and, if it’s effectiveness against Hummel and Purdue is any indicator, it could nullify to some extent the inside-out dynamic that Thomas lends to the Buckeyes offense. One issue though: All five of Ohio State’s starters hit better than a third of their threes. If that’s not an effective zone breaker than I don’t know what is.

But for the sake of this argument, let’s assume the Jayhawks play man-to-man defense, like they have for 90 percent of the season. And let’s assume that Robinson struggles again to defend the perimeter, forcing him inside to guard Sullinger.

This could actually be a good thing for the Jayhawks.

For one, Kevin Young has developed from an occasionally solid spark off the bench to consistently the Jayhawks’ best bench option (arguably). His best performance of the year came against these same Buckeyes in the first mmeting, when he notched 14 points on eight shots, grabbed four boards and played serviceable defense in 24 minutes. It also gives Kansas a cushion should Sullinger bait Robinson into foul trouble. If Withey’s relegated to the bench, it would mean 40 minutes against either Robinson, whose ferocity on the offensive end negates any deficiencies defensively, or Withey, whose defense keeps opponents up at night. With Ohio State facing the same lack of depth as Kansas – they only go eight deep at most – Sullinger won’t be offered much rest on the floor.

The Jayhawks have already shown they can beat Ohio State without Sullinger on the floor. If they can effectively nullify him, it’s the best chance they have to earn a trip to the national title game.

KU, Ohio State preview

Posted on: March 30th, 2012 by jayhawktalk 1 Comment

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America

Date, Time, TV:

Saturday, March 31st, 7:49 PM, CBS

Preview:

While these two teams have met previously, you can throw that game out the window. It was played in Allen Fieldhouse without Jared Sullinger and with a hurt Tyshawn Taylor. Not to mention both teams look radically different now than they did back in December. This is an entirely different matchup with so much more on the line.

On paper, the two teams match up nearly equally. It’s kind of eerie.

Both teams have an All-American post player – Robinson (17.7 PPG and Sullinger 17.6 PPG). Kansas is averaging 74.2 points to Ohio State’s 75.0. Kansas allows 61.6 points to Ohio State’s 59.7. Kansas averages 40.3 rebounds per game, and Ohio State gathers 39.6. Kansas dishes 15.2 assists per game to Ohio State’s 14.7. The teams have nearly identical FG%, 3-point FG%, and Free Throw % as well.

Ohio State will be seeking its second national championship (1960), while the Jayhawks will be looking for their fourth (1952, 1988, 2008).

Matchup of the game: Aaron Craft vs. Tyshawn Taylor

The marquee matchup everyone wants to talk about is Jared Sullinger vs. Thomas Robinson. While those two All-Americans may see some time battling against each other, I think it will be very limited unless fouls become an issue. Withey will get the first shot at Sullinger, which will allow Robinson to chase around the smaller DeShaun Thomas, who will play an inside-out game.

Meanwhile, Craft is a fiery defender and will most likely be facing Taylor all game. In the first matchup, Tyshawn was able to dish 13 assists, but he did have 7 turnovers. Six of those turnovers occurred while Craft was guarding him. While Craft is a very talented defensive player, he tends to gamble quite a bit. Sometimes that gamble turns into 4 or 5 steals. Sometimes it gets him in trouble.

Everyone says Craft is the best on-ball defender in the country. He hasn’t faced a point guard like Tyshawn very many times though. If Taylor plays under control and is able to knock down a jumper or two early to keep Craft honest, I really like him in this matchup.

Keys to the game for Kansas:

(1) Stay out of foul trouble. Sullinger is one of the best in the nation at drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line. As we have seen all year, this team is not deep and it will desperately need the services of both Withey and Robinson to win this game. Those two must stay out of foul trouble.

(2) KU can’t be satisfied. The Jayhawks proved a lot of doubters wrong with their Final Four run this year. It’s a huge relief for the coaches too, because getting to a Final Four validates your year so much more than a league championship and an Elite 8 (which is idiotic, but in some eyes, it is accurate). Now that they have made it, the attitude must remain the same. If you think about it, the hard part (getting here) is already out of the way. Now it’s time to finish it off.

(3) Maintain the same toughness that has carried this team all year. Be aggressive in the paint and get to the foul line. Similar to Kansas, the Buckeyes don’t have a very deep bench. Forcing a couple early fouls would be a great way to make some space in the paint. On defense, dial up the pressure without fouling. Throw some hip checks on rebounds, elbow up down low. Show Ohio State what you showed UNC that second half and see if they respond the same way the Tar Heels did.

Keys to the game for Ohio State:

(1) William Buford will have to wake up and make some shots. While he has been the most consistent three-point threat on the team this year (the Buckeyes only shoot 33% from three as a team), he has disappeared in the tournament so far. He will need to make shots to keep Kansas honest. Part of that honesty will also keep Kansas from using the “triangle-and-two” zone defense it has used the last two games with some success. Craft and DeShaun Thomas command a man on them at all times. If Buford is a threat, the Jayhawks won’t be able to make the switch.

(2) Take the ball right at Withey and Robinson. Don’t even think about offensive fouls. You have to go right at both of these guys if you’re Ohio State. That goes for the guards and the bigs. You can’t settle for jump shots against KU, especially since Ohio State has not been a dynamic shooting team from outside the paint all year. Force help from Withey or Robinson as often as you can, because that is usually when fouls occur. Also, if Robinson gets 1 or 2 fouls in the first half, take it at him even more. He’ll more than likely get out of your way in an attempt to avoid more foul trouble.

(3) Sullinger will need a Sullinger type game of 17 and 10 to match Robinson’s similar output. The difference will be in the supporting cast. DeShaun Thomas will need to keep his run of good games going. Craft will have to create extra possessions and will need to keep finding his teammates in a position to score. And the entire team will have to match the toughness the Jayhawks will likely throw at them.

Line:

Ohio State -2.5; O/U 137

Prediction:

I think the game will be close throughout, but it will come down to who can make big shots late in the game. Somehow, some way, the Jayhawks have made it this far in the tournament. It hasn’t been pretty, but they have demonstrated an ability to win games in a variety of ways. Whether it was matching UNC’s 47 point first half output when they seemingly couldn’t miss, or grinding it out when nothing went right against Purdue, they have shown a ton of fight. They have also had a knack for getting shots to fall at the most opportune times.

I am not going to bet against them in this matchup either.

KU 71 OSU 67

 

Manning to Tulsa makes sense

Posted on: March 28th, 2012 by jayhawktalk 1 Comment

Danny Manning is reportedly the leading candidate to take the vacant head coaching job at the University of Tulsa. Should he be officially offered and accept the position, he would join a strong coaching fraternity of Golden Hurricane coaches in Bill Self, Tubby Smith, and Buzz Peterson.

While I selfishly always hoped Manning would remain a fixture on the KU bench forever, the move makes sense for both Manning and Kansas.

Manning has clearly proven that he is deserving of a head coaching position. He has paid his dues at KU and has had the opportunity to learn from one of the best college coaches around. Plus his name alone brings a certain level of respect and attention. I have no doubt he would succeed.

On the flip side, I have said for a number of years that I think Self will eventually test the NBA waters. He has two bona fide landing places in San Antonio and now Oklahoma City. And while I hope Self coaches at Kansas until he retires, it would be nice to have another seasoned head coaching candidate in Manning should Self leave.

I don’t know if  the head coaching job at KU is Manning’s dream job. If Self left tomorrow, he’d definitely get an interview and might even have a chance to get the job. But his chances will be much better if he goes out and proves he can run his own program.

As for a potential replacement for Manning, there’s no question that it will be impossible to fill his shoes. However, I argued here that Self should make his next staff addition a young gun recruiting buff. Jerrance Howard comes to mind.

Another option would be to reach out to former KU assistant, Norm Roberts, who is currently with Billy Donovan at Florida. You might remember that Roberts left Kansas to take the head coaching job at St. John’s. He is a good East coast recruiter and is a Self’s close friend.

I always thought that if Manning or Dooley left, Barry Hinson would be an obvious choice to take a bench assistant coaching position. However, with his hiring today at Southern Illinois, his Director of Basketball Operations job is now open. I’m not sure if any established assistant coaches would take a non-bench coaching job, but perhaps a former player would make sense in that role. Michael Lee comes to mind.

Regardless of what happens, it will be an interesting subplot this week as the team prepares for the Final Four. While I’m always happy to grow the Kansas coaching tree, I kind of wish it would have happened after the tournament. But that’s just me.

Stay tuned…

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