SB Nation - Tyshawn Taylor

Kansas Hosts Michigan Saturday in an Early Tip

Denverjhawk — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:00:20 -0000

Kansas v Michigan

No. 1 Kansas (9-0) took a week off for exams but heads back to the hardwood hosting Big Ten Conference foe Michigan (5-4) Saturday at 11 a.m. Michigan as a team looked to be a potentially strong test for the Jayhawks before the year began. However, after losing four of their last six, the youthful Michigan squad doesn't appear to have a single victory against a qualify opponent through 9 games of the season. Oh, where have the days of the fab five gone.

	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
MICH	71.1	42.2	70.5	29.7	33.6	11.1	22.4	15.3	10.0	8.2	2.9	14.1
KU	90.3	51.2	67.1	44.2	43.7	14.6	29.1	19.7	11.9	9.6	7.4	18.1
MICH Opponents	63.9	44.0	65.1	30.3	37.1	12.0	25.1	14.3	15.6	5.2	3.3	18.1
KU Opponents	57.7	34.3	65.9	28.7	33.7	13.7	20.0	11.1	16.7	5.8	3.2	20.0

Rank and Records	MICH	KU
RPI	#243	#21
Strength of Schedule	#255	#181
Overall	5-4	9-0
Conference	0-0	0-0
Home	4-1	6-0
Away	0-1	1-0
Top 25	0-0	0-0
RPI Top 50	0-1	0-0

About Kansas

Kansas posted a 90-65 win against La Salle in the M&I Bank Kansas City Shootout on Dec. 12 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. Freshman Xavier Henry had a career-high 31 points in the game and was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week for the second-straight week for his efforts.

Kansas averages 90.3 points per game, is giving up 57.7 points and ranks in the top five nationally with a +32.7 scoring margin. KU is shooting 51.2 percent from the field, while its opponents are shooting 34.3 percent. Only one KU opponent, Radford, has shot above 40 percent against the Jayhawks this season.

Xavier Henry leads the team with an 18 point scoring average. He is making 53.3 percent of his shots from three-point range and leads KU with 24 threes and 16 steals.

Senior guard Sherron Collins scores 13.3 points per game and he has made 19 three pointers. Collins leads the team with 40 assists, which are five ahead of sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor (7.3 ppg). Taylor has 14 steals, two ahead of Collins (12).

Junior center Cole Aldrich leads the team in rebounds with 9.6 per game. He also leads KU and the Big 12 in blocked shots with 3.6 per outing. Sophomore forward Marcus Morris is a starter who is scoring 9.8 points and pulling down 5.3 rebounds per game.

Sophomore forward Markieff Morris is coming off the bench to score 8.9 points per game. Markieff, who recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds against La Salle on Dec. 12, is second on the team with his 6.2 rebound average and leads KU with a 69.8 percent field goal shooting.

Junior guard Tyrel Reed scores 4.8 points per outing and he has 10 three-pointers this season. Freshman guard Elijah Johnson (4.3 ppg) has started the last two games.

About Michigan

Located in Ann Arbor, Mich., and coached by John Beilein, Michigan has won two of its last three games and is 5-4 on the season following its 75-64 win against Detroit on Dec. 13 in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines average 71.1 points and give up 63.9 per game for a +7.2 scoring margin. U-M averages 8.2 steals per game and forces 15.6 turnovers per contest.

Michigan is one of the youngest teams in America with 12 players redshirt sophomores or younger. Junior guard Manny Harris leads the team with 22.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Harris also has a team-high 18 steals and 45 assists. He is tied for the team lead with 13 three pointers along with sophomore guard Laval Lucas-Perry, who is scoring 7.4 points per game.

Senior forward DeShawn Sims is second on the team in scoring at 15.6 points per contest and he is just behind Harris in rebounds with a 7.4 average. Sophomore guard Zack Novak and freshman guard Darius Morris round out the starters. Novak scores 6.3 points per game, while Morris averages 4.8 ppg.

Senior forward Zack Gibson (6.0 ppg) and sophomore guard Stu Douglass (4.7 ppg) each average more than 24
minutes per game for the Wolverines.

Meet the Opposing Coach

Michigan coach Jim Beilein is 36-40 in his third season at Michigan and 587-358 in his 32nd season overall. Beilein's 587 career victories place him in the top 20 in victories among active Division I head coaches. He has compiled 27 winning seasons and put together 15 campaigns of 20-wins or more. Beilein is the only active coach in the collegiate ranks to record a 20-win season at four different levels -- junior college, NAIA, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division I. During the 2008-09 season, Beilein's second in Ann Arbor, Michigan posted a 21-14 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 11 seasons, falling in the second round. Michigan's 21 victories during the 2008-09 campaign tied a school record for the largest single-season turnaround in program history.

John Beilein
Team	Years	Record
Michigan	2007-2010	36-39 (48.0%)
West Virginia	2002-2007	104-60 (63.4%)
Richmond	1997-2002	100-53 (65.4%)
Canisius	1992-1997	89-62 (58.9%)
Le Moyne	1983-1992	163-94 (63.4%)
Nazareth	1982-1983	20-6 (76.9%)

The Series

Michigan has won all five meetings with Kansas in men's basketball. This is a rarity for Kansas - the third winningest program in NCAA Division I. Of teams with multiple games played against Kansas, Bradley (2-0) and UTEP (3-0) are the only teams that have undefeated records versus KU, damn Bradley. The Kansas-Michigan series dates back to 1949 and runs through 1992. Two of the matchups have been on neutral floors with a 49-47 Michigan win in 1949 in Kansas City and the last meeting, an 86-74 Michigan victory on Dec. 30, 1992, at the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu. This will be the second meeting between the schools in Allen Fieldhouse as Michigan defeated Kansas 64-52 during the 1980-81 season.

KU-La Salle Leftovers

Kansas freshman guard Xavier Henry scored 31 points to set a career high. The last Jayhawk to score 30-plus points was Sherron Collins, who scored 32 against North Dakota State last season in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
X. Henry also set career highs in field goals (10), free throws made (seven) and free throws attempted (nine). His totals were also the most by a Jayhawk this season.
Markieff Morris recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Morris' 12 boards were his best output since his Jayhawk debut. Markieff Morris' four blocked shots were also a career high.
Junior center Cole Aldrich scored a season-high 19 points. He also set a season high in field goals (eight) and had five blocked shots to match a season high. Aldrich's five blocked shots gave him 160 for his career and moved him into sixth place all-time at KU, behind Danny Manning (200).
Kansas held La Salle to 36.1 percent shooting from the field, marking the 83rd-straight opponent the Jayhawks have held under 50 percent. KU has also held eight of its nine opponents this season under 40 percent.

What to Look For Against Michigan

Sherron Collins is 27 points from cracking the KU Top 20 career scoring list. Collins is 21st with 1,450 career points. Collins' former teammate Brandon Rush (2006-08) is at No. 20 with 1,477 points.
Collins is six assists from cracking the KU Top 10 all-time list. Collins is No. 11 with 431 career assists, while former KU great and current Texas A&M head coach Mark Turgeon is No. 10 with 437 assists from 1984-87.
Cole Aldrich is four rebounds from moving into 25th on the Kansas career rebound list. Aldrich has 592 all-time boards. David Magley (1979-82) is 25th at 596 and Kelly Knight (1980-84) is 24th at 601.
Through only nine games, Xavier Henry already ranks tied for 11th on the KU freshman list for three point field goals made with 24. Kirk Hinrich (2000) is 10th with 25, while Jacque Vaughn (1994) is ninth with 28.
Redshirt junior guard Brady Morningstar and redshirt freshman center Jeff Withey are both eligible to play against Michigan. Morningstar was suspended for the first semester for breaking team rules. He started 34 of 35 games last season and averaged 30.3 minutes per game with a 6.5 scoring average. Withey, who returned to practice full-time Dec. 7 from a knee injury, transferred to Kansas from Arizona in December 2008 and becomes academically eligible.

Team Notables

Kansas remains one of 11 undefeated teams in NCAA Division I (Dec. 13). Others include Georgetown, Kentucky, Missouri State, New Mexico, Purdue, Seton Hall, Syracuse, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia.
Seven of Kansas' nine victories this season have been by 25 or more points with six of those by 30 points or more.
Entering the week, Kansas led the nation in scoring margin at +32.7. The Jayhawks also ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense (third at 90.3), field goal percentage (seventh at 51.2), field goal percentage defense (second at 34.3), three-point field goal percentage (fifth at 44.2), assists (fourth at 19.7), assist-to-turnover ratio (fourth at 1.65) and blocked shots (seventh at 7.4).
Kansas forces 16.7 turnovers per game and averages 21.3 points off turnovers per game.

		GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
#3	M. Harris	9	9	35.778	22.222	46.8	76.0	28.9	8.444	3.222	5.222	5.0	2.333	2.0	0.111	1.111
#34	D. Sims	9	9	30.667	15.556	47.0	75.0	37.5	7.444	3.0	4.444	1.0	1.0	1.222	0.889	1.889
#0	Z. Novak	8	8	31.0	6.25	40.0	55.6	28.1	4.375	0.875	3.5	1.5	0.5	1.5	0.5	2.25
#31	L. Lucas-Perry	9	9	24.667	7.444	38.9	57.1	36.1	2.111	0.667	1.444	1.667	1.556	0.889	0.111	2.444
#4	D. Morris	9	9	24.222	4.778	42.1	75.0	20.0	1.889	0.222	1.667	2.222	2.222	0.444	0.111	1.778
#1	S. Douglass	9	0	24.0	4.667	26.4	71.4	23.1	1.444	0.222	1.222	2.556	0.778	1.0	0.0	0.889
#32	Z. Gibson	9	1	12.333	6.0	56.8	62.5	22.2	2.667	1.444	1.222	0.222	0.444	0.444	0.889	1.667
#12	A. Wright	9	0	9.111	1.889	26.1	75.0	16.7	1.444	0.667	0.778	0.889	0.333	0.222	0.111	0.889
		GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
#4	S. Collins	9	9	29.667	13.333	43.8	77.3	43.2	2.0	0.222	1.778	4.444	1.556	1.333	0.0	1.333
#1	X. Henry	9	9	27.0	18.0	55.6	82.4	53.3	4.111	0.889	3.222	1.778	2.0	1.778	0.778	2.0
#45	C. Aldrich	9	9	25.889	12.0	56.3	70.0	0.0	9.556	3.333	6.222	1.222	1.444	0.667	3.556	2.111
	T. Taylor	9	7	23.556	7.333	40.0	68.4	31.2	2.778	0.667	2.111	3.889	2.0	1.556	0.222	1.778
#22	M. Morris	9	7	22.444	9.778	55.4	67.6	33.3	5.333	2.444	2.889	1.444	1.333	1.111	0.444	2.556
#21	M. Morris	9	2	16.778	8.889	69.8	66.7	66.7	6.222	2.111	4.111	1.222	0.889	0.778	1.0	1.889
#14	T. Reed	9	0	16.111	4.778	41.7	75.0	35.7	1.444	0.111	1.333	1.556	0.333	0.889	0.111	1.0
#15	E. Johnson	9	2	12.222	4.333	51.7	55.6	36.4	2.111	0.889	1.222	2.667	1.111	0.667	0.0	1.889

Statistical Rearview: Kansas v La Salle

Denverjhawk — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:58:29 -0000

Is it just me, or are things pretty damn easy when it comes to Jayhawk basketball. Sure it's La Salle but I continue to believe the competition in practice is better than the majority of the games we've played this year. Once again yesterday was a situation where when the lead became 10 it just went downhill from there for an overmatched opponent. Thanks to Warden and his fanshot I'm going to avoid bashing the schedule, but I am looking forward to Michigan this week and a possible formal introduction of our new football coach to the fans. On a side note Kansas fans, regardless of how you feel about the Gill hire...PLEASE give the man a standing O!! We're likely going to have some football recruits in town for that game.

NCAA Basketball Stats

Kansas continues to win in almost every area as it pertains to the four factors of winning. Most impressive...the field goal shooting percentage and the ability to take care of the basketball.

NCAA Basketball Stats

Statistically the Jayhawks defense clearly got the job done. 11 blocks point to a big reason why the Explorers were held to just 36% shooting from the field as La Salle was likely disrupted in their shooting efforts all night long. Throw in a +10 rebounding margin and the Jayhawks were able to match a pretty good night from the three point line for the Explorers with one of their own.

Stat	Game
Stat
Points	65	90
FG Att	61	61
FG Made	22	32
FG Pct	36.1	52.5
FT Att	24	25
FT Made	14	18
FT Pct	58.3	72.0
3pt FG Att	19	17
3pt FG Made	7	8
3pt FG Pct	36.8	47.1
Rebounds	34	44
Off Rebs	16	13
Def Rebs	18	31
Team Rebs	3	1
Assists	14	20
Steals	6	5
Blocks	2	11
Turnovers	14	12
Fouls	22	21

HUGE game from Xavier Henry as he goes for 31 and continues to look more and more like a one and done type player with his ability to score anywhere on the floor. Cole with a solid game and the Morri put together another performance displaying their improvement year over year. Lastly, I'd challenge anyone to find a player impact chart from last year where this little Sherron Collins resulted in a win. Not gonna happen.

NCAA Basketball Stats

Not a starter logging over 30 minutes in this one which is good to see. Keep the legs fresh for later in the season when we might need to rely on some of them a little more. Morri with 21 pts, 18 boards and 4 blocks. Good production from the four spot. Throw in a great game from Xavier, Cole getting into the offense and Tyshawn Taylor finding a bit of a groove and you've got a team that seems to be finding it's way to some consistency from the guys that need to show it.

	S	MIN	PTS	FGM	FGA	FG%	FTM	FTA	FT%	3PM	3PA	3P%	OR	DR	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF
Y. Mekongo Mbal	*	40	10	2	7	28	5	8	62	1	2	50	6	3	9	6	1	0	2	1
R. Green	*	40	19	8	21	38	0	1	0	3	7	42	0	1	1	4	1	0	3	3
K. Barrett	*	36	8	3	7	42	1	2	50	1	4	25	2	3	5	2	2	0	0	3
J. Williams	*	33	21	7	13	53	5	8	62	2	3	66	3	2	5	2	1	1	4	4
A. Murray	*	20	4	1	6	16	2	3	66	0	3	0	2	4	6	0	1	1	2	5
T. Williams		12	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	3
D. White		10	3	1	4	25	1	2	50	0	0	0	2	1	3	0	0	0	2	3
S. Weingarten		8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
P. Grant		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	S	MIN	PTS	FGM	FGA	FG%	FTM	FTA	FT%	3PM	3PA	3P%	OR	DR	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF
S. Collins	*	29	5	1	12	8	2	2	100	1	4	25	0	2	2	6	0	0	2	4
X. Henry	*	29	31	10	15	66	7	9	77	4	5	80	1	3	4	2	2	1	3	4
C. Aldrich	*	27	19	8	10	80	3	4	75	0	0	0	1	5	6	1	0	5	3	1
M. Morris	*	21	9	4	6	66	1	1	100	0	1	0	3	3	6	0	0	0	1	3
E. Johnson	*	6	1	0	0	0	1	2	50	0	0	0	1	1	2	2	0	0	0	0
M. Morris		28	12	5	6	83	1	4	25	1	1	100	3	9	12	2	1	4	1	0
T. Taylor		28	10	3	6	50	3	3	100	1	2	50	1	2	3	6	0	1	0	1
C. Henry		11	3	1	3	33	0	0	0	1	3	33	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	2
T. Reed		10	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	2
T. Robinson		9	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	4	0	1	0	1	3
C. Teahan		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	1	0	1	1
C. Buford		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Kansas Takes on La Salle at Sprint Center

Denverjhawk — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:00:23 -0000

Kansas vs. La Salle

Kansas returns to the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., when it plays host to La Salle in the M&I Bank Kansas City Shootout, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. on ESPN. The Jayhawks are 8-0 on the season, while the Explorers have won three straight and are 6-2 in 2009-10.

	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
LAS	72.8	47.2	63.4	43.5	46.0	14.4	26.9	13.4	16.8	6.2	4.8	16.8
KU	90.4	51.1	66.5	43.9	46.5	14.8	28.9	19.6	11.9	10.1	7.0	17.8
LAS Opponents	69.6	41.0	71.7	34.4	35.1	12.2	18.6	13.5	11.5	8.4	4.2	20.4
KU Opponents	56.8	34.1	67.1	27.4	37.1	13.4	20.2	10.8	17.0	5.8	3.4	19.8

Rank and Records	LAS	KU
RPI	#82	#34
Strength of Schedule	#214	#234
Overall	6-2	8-0
Conference	0-0	0-0
Home	3-0	6-0
Away	1-1	1-0
Top 25	0-1	0-0
RPI Top 50	0-1	0-0

About Kansas

Kansas extended the nation's longest home court winning streak to 47 games with its 99-64 win against Radford on Dec. 9. The Jayhawks are looking to snap a two-game losing streak at the Sprint Center, a venue which they are 5-2 in, including a 4-0 mark during their 2008 NCAA National Championship season. Kansas averages 90.4 points per game, is giving up 56.8 points and ranks in the top five nationally with a +33.6 scoring margin. KU is shooting 51.1 percent from the field, while its opponents are shooting 34.1 percent. Only one KU opponent, Radford, has shot above 40 percent against the Jayhawks this season.

About La Salle

Located in Philadelphia, Pa., La Salle is 6-2 on the season and has won five of its last six games after its 69-60 win at Rider on Dec. 9. La Salle averages 72.8 points per game and gives up 69.6. La Salle dominates the rebounds with a +10.4 margin through eight games, yet no Explorer averages more than 7.1 boards per game.

Senior guard Rodney Green leads La Salle with an 18 point scoring average. He has made a team-high 14 three pointers, just ahead of senior forward Kammini Barrett who has 12 threes. Barrett is second in scoring at 13.3 points per game.

Freshman center Aaric Murray leads La Salle with 7.1 rebounds per game to complement his 11.5 scoring average. Murray has a team-high 20 blocked shots on the season. Senior forward Yves Mekongo is next in scoring at 10.1 ppg, while junior forward Terrell Williams (6.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg) rounds out the starters. He is second on the team in rebounds.

Senior guard Ruben Guillandeaux comes off the bench to score 9.5 points per game.

Meet an Opposing Coach

Dr. John Giannini is in his sixth season as head coach at La Salle with a 77-81 record. Overall, Giannini is 374-230 in his 21st season. In 2008-09, Giannini led the Explorers to 18 wins, including a 3-1 record in the Philadelphia Big 5, which was second to only Final Four participant Villanova. Giannini is one of three NCAA Division I head men's basketball coaches with doctorates, joining Lehigh's Brett Reed and Valparasio's Homer Drew. He earned his Ph.D. in kinesiology from Illinois in 1992.

KU-La Salle Notables and Connections

--Both teams feature identical twins with Kansas sophomores Markieff and Marcus Morris and La Salle's
juniors Terrell and Jerrell Williams.
--The Morris twins played high school basketball with La Salle's Parrish Grant and Rodney Green. With Green as a teammate, they led Prep Charter to the 2006 Pennsylvania Class AA State Championship. Additionally, the KU twins played AAU basketball with La Salle's Devon White and Earl Pettis.

KU in Kansas City

Kansas City has been a second home of sorts for Kansas over the years. KU's first ever game -- a 16-5 loss to Kansas City YMCA on Feb. 3, 1899 -- was played in Kansas City. The Kansas-La Salle game will mark KU's 268th game all-time in Kansas City, and its eighth in the Sprint Center. KU is 5-2 in the Sprint Center. Last season, KU went 1-2 in the Sprint Center defeating Washington and losing to Syracuse in the CBE Classic, and then falling to UMass in the M&I Bank Kansas City Shootout. In 2007-08, Kansas went 4-0 in the venue, including winning the Big 12 Championship en route to its NCAA National Championship. KU played 104 games in Kemper Arena with an 80-24 record. KU is 190-76 in games played in Kansas City.

More Notes on the Jayhawks in Kansas City

--Kansas went 26-4 in Kemper Arena from 1997 until 2006, when it played its last game in the venue.
Included in that run were Big 12 Tournament titles in 1997, 1998 and 1999.(I was at all three!!)
--Kemper Arena was the host of the 1988 NCAA Final Four when the Jayhawks won the national championship.
--When KU faces La Salle on Dec. 12, 2009, at the Sprint Center for the M&I Bank Kansas City Shootout, Kansas will have played at least one regular-season game in Kansas City in 19 of the last 21 seasons.

		GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
#10	R. Green	8	8	35.5	18.0	46.5	75.0	45.2	5.75	1.0	4.75	3.875	3.5	2.0	0.25	2.375
#12	Y. Mekongo Mbal	8	8	35.125	10.125	38.6	66.0	22.2	5.5	1.5	4.0	1.125	2.875	0.375	0.75	2.0
#5	K. Barrett	8	8	34.625	13.25	45.6	68.8	36.4	4.375	1.875	2.5	1.25	2.5	1.125	0.5	1.875
#24	A. Murray	8	7	27.625	11.5	50.6	46.2	50.0	7.125	3.125	4.0	1.375	2.875	0.75	2.5	2.25
#20	J. Williams	7	7	21.143	6.857	48.5	50.0	0.0	6.143	3.143	3.0	2.143	2.143	0.714	0.143	2.143
#41	S. Weingarten	8	1	16.875	4.625	60.0	55.6	80.0	3.25	1.375	1.875	1.125	0.75	0.625	0.25	2.125
#34	R. Guillandeaux	4	0	28.0	9.5	41.9	57.1	61.5	0.75	0.0	0.75	3.25	1.5	1.0	0.0	2.5
#3	T. Williams	7	1	11.571	2.429	70.0	75.0	0.0	2.286	0.429	1.857	1.0	1.143	0.0	0.429	1.286
		GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
#4	S. Collins	8	8	29.75	14.375	48.8	75.0	45.0	2.0	0.25	1.75	4.25	1.5	1.5	0.0	1.0
#1	X. Henry	8	8	26.75	16.375	53.6	84.0	50.0	4.125	0.875	3.25	1.75	1.875	1.75	0.75	1.75
#45	C. Aldrich	8	8	25.75	11.125	52.5	69.4	0.0	10.0	3.625	6.375	1.25	1.25	0.75	3.375	2.25
	T. Taylor	8	7	23.0	7.0	38.9	62.5	28.6	2.75	0.625	2.125	3.625	2.25	1.75	0.125	1.875
#22	M. Morris	8	6	22.625	9.875	54.0	66.7	37.5	5.25	2.375	2.875	1.625	1.375	1.25	0.5	2.5
#14	T. Reed	8	0	16.875	5.375	44.1	75.0	37.0	1.5	0.125	1.375	1.75	0.375	1.0	0.125	0.875
#21	M. Morris	8	2	15.375	8.5	67.6	75.0	60.0	5.5	2.0	3.5	1.125	0.875	0.75	0.625	2.125
#15	E. Johnson	8	1	13.0	4.75	51.7	57.1	36.4	2.125	0.875	1.25	2.75	1.25	0.75	0.0	2.125

Kansas to Host Radford Tonight

Denverjhawk — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:07:10 -0000

Kansas vs. Radford

Following its 73-61 win at UCLA in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series on Dec. 6, No. 1 Kansas (7-0) looks to extend the nation's longest home court winning streak against Radford on Wednesday night.. The Jayhawks have won 46 straight in Allen Fieldhouse. Radford is 4-2 on the season and 2-0 in Big South Conference play after its 61-57 win at Presbyterian College on Dec. 5.

	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
RAD	70.3	41.1	62.0	25.8	49.0	16.2	29.0	13.3	17.3	6.7	4.2	15.8
KU	89.1	51.0	65.0	42.6	46.0	14.4	29.1	19.4	12.4	10.7	7.1	16.9
RAD Opponents	71.0	39.5	62.5	31.6	43.2	13.7	26.2	14.8	14.2	10.5	3.5	21.7
KU Opponents	55.7	33.1	66.7	27.8	37.6	14.0	20.3	10.0	17.4	6.0	3.4	19.7

Rank and Records	RAD	KU
RPI	#62	#48
Strength of Schedule	#142	#253
Overall	4-2	7-0
Conference	2-0	0-0
Home	2-0	5-0
Away	2-2	1-0
Top 25	0-1	0-0
RPI Top 50	0-1	0-0

About Kansas

The Jayhawks won their first true road game of the season at UCLA on Sunday. Kansas averages 89.1 points per game and is giving up 59.1 points for a +33.4 scoring margin. KU is shooting 51 percent from the field, while its opponents are shooting 33.1 percent. No KU opponent has shot above 40 percent against the Jayhawks this season.

Freshman guard Xavier Henry continues to lead the team with a 16.9 point scoring average. He is making 50
percent of his shots from three-point range and leads KU with 19 threes through seven games. Henry was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week on Monday for his efforts against Alcorn State and at UCLA.

Senior guard Sherron Collins is at 14.3 points per game and he has made 17 three pointers. Collins leads the team with 26 assists, which is three ahead of sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor (7.1 ppg). Taylor leads KU with 13 steals, one ahead of Collins and Henry who have 12 a piece.

Junior center Cole Aldrich leads the team in rebounds with 10.1 per game. He also leads KU and the Big 12 in blocked shots with 3.5 per outing.

Sophomore forward Marcus Morris is a starter who is scoring 10 points and pulling down 5.6 rebounds per game. Sophomore forward Markieff Morris is coming off a career-high 19 points at UCLA and he is scoring 9.1 points per game. Markieff is second on the team with his 5.7 rebound average and leads KU with 72.7 percent field goal shooting.

About Radford

Located in Radford, Va., Radford is 4-2 on the season and 2-0 in Big South after its 61-57 win at Presbyterian on Dec. 5. The Highlanders won their 11th-straight Big South Conference game with their win at Presbyterian on Saturday. Radford has eight players who average 15 or more minutes per game.

Big South Preseason Player of the Year Art Parakhouski anchors the Highlanders with his 22.3 scoring and 14.8 rebound averages. The senior center has scored 20 or more points in all but one game this season and he leads the team with 14 blocked shots.

Senior forward/center Joey Lynch-Flohr is next in scoring at 13.2 points and he averages 8.2 rebounds. Junior forward Lazar Trifunovic has only played the last two games yet he is second on the team with 8.5 rebounds per game along with a 12 point scoring average.

Freshman guard Blake Smith has a team-high nine three pointers, 13 steals and is scoring 11 points per game.

Meet the Opposing Coach

Radford is coached by Brad Greenberg with a 35-34 record in his third season at RU. In 2008-09, Greenberg led his club to the biggest turnaround in league history, earning him 2008-09 Big South Coach of the Year honors. After finishing seventh in 2007-08, Radford claimed its fourth Big South regular season title and just its second tournament crown in school history. Prior to Radford, Greenberg spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Virginia Tech alongside his brother, Seth. Brad was the first assistant hired when Seth took the VT position. Brad was named associate head coach at Virginia Tech in 2004.

KU-UCLA Leftovers

--Kansas shot 70.6 from the free throw line in its third game this season shooting over 70 percent from the charity stripe.
--KU held UCLA to 36.1 percent shooting from the field. Eighty-one straight opponents have shot under 50 percent versus the Jayhawks. No team has shot more better 40 percent against KU this season.

--The KU bench outscored UCLA's bench 24-10.
--Sophomore Markieff Morris scored a career-high 19 points while making a career-best eight field goals and attempting a career-high 11 shots. His eight field goals also tied the 2009-10 season high by a Jayhawk.
--Sophomore Marcus Morris finished with nine rebounds, two shy of his career best and his second-straight game with seven-plus boards.
--Junior Cole Aldrich finished with three blocks and has at least three blocked shots in every game this season.
--Aldrich also had a team-high 12 rebounds for his third-straight contest with 10-plus boards.
--Senior Sherron Collins scored 14 points in his third-straight game with 10-plus points and sixth time in seven games this season. Collins is just three points shy of KU legend Wilt Chamberlain for the 21st spot on career scoring list.
--Freshman Xavier Henry netted 16 points and has scored double-digit points in every game this season.

		GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
#40	J. Lynch-Flohr	6	6	35.333	13.167	43.1	74.2	0.0	8.167	3.333	4.833	0.833	3.167	0.333	0.167	3.5
#45	A. Parakhouski	6	6	35.0	22.333	52.5	52.7	50.0	14.833	6.667	8.167	1.0	3.167	0.833	2.333	2.333
#30	P. Martin	6	6	29.833	7.833	40.0	61.1	21.1	4.167	1.5	2.667	1.833	2.0	1.167	0.5	2.833
#25	B. Smith	6	4	28.0	11.0	41.8	73.3	36.0	4.167	0.5	3.667	2.167	2.0	2.167	0.667	1.667
#11	A. Johnson	4	4	35.5	4.0	15.6	62.5	7.1	3.5	0.5	3.0	5.75	2.25	1.0	0.0	2.25
#2	E. Faulkner	6	2	21.0	3.833	28.6	0.0	29.2	2.167	0.167	2.0	1.333	1.833	0.833	0.5	1.5
#12	L. Trifunovic	2	2	38.5	12.0	35.7	50.0	33.3	8.5	3.5	5.0	2.0	3.5	1.0	0.0	1.0
#1	J. Robinson	4	0	15.75	5.5	46.2	62.5	0.0	2.25	0.25	2.0	2.0	2.25	0.0	0.0	2.5
		GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
#4	S. Collins	7	7	29.429	14.286	48.6	68.8	44.7	2.0	0.143	1.857	3.714	1.143	1.714	0.0	1.143
#1	X. Henry	7	7	26.571	16.857	53.3	90.5	50.0	4.286	0.857	3.429	1.857	2.0	1.714	0.429	1.857
#45	C. Aldrich	7	7	25.571	10.571	51.9	66.7	0.0	10.143	3.714	6.429	1.429	1.143	0.714	3.571	2.143
	T. Taylor	7	7	23.857	7.143	40.0	62.5	30.8	2.429	0.286	2.143	3.286	2.571	1.857	0.143	1.429
#22	M. Morris	7	5	23.571	10.0	54.5	64.5	28.6	5.571	2.571	3.0	1.714	1.571	1.286	0.571	2.286
#14	T. Reed	7	0	17.143	5.714	48.3	75.0	39.1	1.571	0.143	1.429	2.0	0.429	1.143	0.143	0.714
#21	M. Morris	7	2	15.286	9.143	72.7	72.2	60.0	5.714	2.0	3.714	1.286	0.857	0.857	0.714	2.143
#15	E. Johnson	7	0	12.714	3.857	47.8	60.0	22.2	2.0	0.714	1.286	3.0	1.429	0.714	0.0	2.0

Kansas vs. Fort Hays State Random Thought Roundup

Denverjhawk — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:29:25 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Riedel - AP

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All in all that was pretty easy. The Kansas Jayhawk basketball squad got a chance to get out and go up against someone besides themselves for a change and while it may have actually been less strenuous than a practice scrimmage at least the fans got to see this one.

Now I have to preface this with the fact that I watched this via a web feed that made individual players somewhat difficult to decipher, but nonetheless we got to see a little bit of what everyone might have to offer this team in the 2009-2010 season.

So this certainly isn't going to have any earth shattering analysis but I did have a few quick thoughts on the game, the team, Bill Self and our newcomers. Please, anyone else who caught the action feel free to jump in with comments.

First off Sherron Collins. I think this year is going to be a great experience for Sherron. Statistically he may not have the same year as last, but I think the key word here is efficiency. Last season it was no secret that Sherron was going to have to play a lot, get a high number of touches and he certainly couldn't be bashful about making plays.

With the improvements around him and the increased depth Sherron won't be forced to play as many minutes all season long. Certainly later in the year when it matters you'd expect he'll see major playing time but it will be nice to save his legs a little bit throughout the season.

Sherron will also be able to show a little more discretion in his shot selection which will likely mean a high level of production without having to demand such a high percentage of the teams overall offensive possessions. Plain and simple there are other guys around him now. Sherron can truly take the shots and make the plays that make sense and not feel like he has to force things just to get things going. Last night 6-11 from the field, 3-6 from the 3 point line and 19 points.

Next up is Cole. It may be hard to remember but we harped and complained about Cole's post awareness and lack of offensive post moves last season as he sometimes looked lost when double teamed or facing stiff competition down low. Now clearly Fort Hays State doesn't present that challenge but Cole did show a few new moves in his repertoire and appeared much more decisive in whatever move he made. Like Sherron I think Cole is going to be much more efficient and a major load to deal with underneath the basket. 13 points, 13 rebounds and 1 induced lane violation.

The Morris twins as a duo have clearly bulked up and while there is still improvement to be made there were positives to be drawn from their game last night as well. First off a combined 1 turnover between the two of them is a great thing too see to go along with only 5 fouls between the duo. Last year this time those two numbers would have likely been closer to 10 turnovers and 10 fouls so it would appear the basketball IQ might be catching up to the college game a bit. I also felt like they were more aggressive around the basket and while finishing at the rim still needs work the Morris' line wraps up at a solid 22 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks. Not sure why but I will forever present these two as one stat line.

Tyrel and Tyshawn are the other returning guards that made their way onto the court last night with Tyrel starting and Tyshawn off the bench. It's pretty clear that as the season goes on Tyrel will likely be a key role player while Tyshawn could be a pretty key player in general. Reed was efficient 3-5 from the field 1-2 from the 3 point line for 7 points. At times his defense is still a concern but I'm all for bringing back the patented Tyrel Reed 3 pointer at the buzzer to end the first half.

As far as Tyshawn, he was dropped out of the starting lineup, but he'll be a factor and may find his way back in. Tyshawn is fast, he scores, he get's to the line and his decision making looks improved over last season. It's early yes, but 15 points including 7-8 from the free throw line and leading the team with 5 assists in 21 minutes of play is pretty efficient for a 6th man off the bench.

Lastly there was the freshman trio of Xavier Henry, Thomas Robinson and Elijah Johnson. These three bring some pretty unique things to the team and I don't see any way all three don't make an impact.

Xavier is fluid, he doesn't jump out at me for his athleticism or speed but he's clearly very strong and has a great stroke from outside. His strength and physical play will get him to the line. Another positive is Xavier appears very confident in his outside shot so I don't expect him to be bashful to take it when it's available. 14 points on 3-7 shooting, 2-4 from the 3pt line and 6-8 from the charity stripe. If there was one area I maybe expected more it was in rebounding where Xavier only had one on the defensive end. Still a solid first outing for one of the more hyped freshman in Kansas history.

Thomas Robinson, much like Henry, is already a physical presence as a true freshman. All the things we've heard about his motor appear to be true. His first moment in the game resulted in an offensive rebound and put back on a missed free throw. His rebounding was solid, has a nice stroke from the free throw line which is good for a big man and another area that impressed me was his passing which appeared rather creative for a freshman big man. Sure he fouled out, but isn't that what freshman big men do under Bill Self? 6 points, 7 rebounds and 3 rather nice assists for TRob.

Last one on the list is Elijah Johnson, who was often mistaken for Tyshawn Taylor due to the number switch this year. Johnson stood out for his speed and his athleticism. One breakaway dunk, one authoritative throw down on an alley-oop and a nice split of two defenders on a fast break for a layup. 9 points for EJ and while Kansas' deep bench at the guard spot may force a redshirt, EJ certainly showed he might be able to contribute immediately if needed.

As a team it's certainly difficult to get up for these games. However watching it, it's impossible not to see the passion Bill Self has and his constant quest to motivate his players. Defense is clearly where he wants this team to improve and they responded after the half with a pretty solid stretch of keeping FHSU scoreless.

This team can score in bunches and there is no shortage of weapons, but you get the feeling that Coach Self already knows that if he can get them playing a championship caliber defense they will be VERY difficult to stop. Long way to go, long season but it's hard not to like the preview given last night.

BtB 2009-10 Big 12 Preview

Chris Dobbertean — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:10:30 -0000

With six NCAA entrants, all of whom won at least a game in the Tournament, with two reaching the Elite Eight, the Big 12 had a pretty good 2008-09 season.

Thanks to some returning star power and some high-profile recruits, 2009-10 could be a banner year for the conference.

Sure the Griffin brothers left Oklahoma, but Willie Warren is ready to turn into a star. Chinemelu Elonu may have shocked everyone by going to the NBA, but Bryan Davis could be a more than capable replacement at Texas A&M. Their archrivals, Texas, lost J.J. Abrams, but Damion James is back, and he'll be joined by McDonald's All-American Avery Bradley and the highly-touted Jordan Hamilton.

And then there's Kansas, where Cole Alrdich and Sherron Collins decided to return, the Henry brothers are now on board, and a star recruit named Elijah Johnson may struggle to see the floor.

But that's just the start of what should be a very exciting year in the Big 12. This year's league should be similar to the Big Ten in that while the bottom teams--three in the case of the XII--don't stand much of a chance at all, the remainder of the squads all have somewhat legitimate NCAA hopes. More on each team's specific chances after the jump.

Let's first take a look at the 2008-09 Big 12 standings.

Big Twelve Conference Standings

(updated 4.2.2009 at 10:13 PM EDT)

	Conf		Overall
	W	L	W	L
Kansas Jayhawks	14	2	27	8
Oklahoma Sooners	13	3	30	6
Missouri Tigers	12	4	31	7
Texas A&M Aggies	9	7	24	10
Texas Longhorns	9	7	23	12
Oklahoma St. Cowboys	9	7	23	12
Kansas St. Wildcats	9	7	22	12
Nebraska Cornhuskers	8	8	18	13
Baylor Bears	5	11	24	15
Iowa St. Cyclones	4	12	15	17
Texas Tech Red Raiders	3	13	14	19
Colorado Buffaloes	1	15	9	22

Now, here are my picks for 2009-10, presented in reverse order. If a team's name appears in red, click the link to visit the school's SBN site for further analysis throughout the season. You can also visit Big 12 Hoops for more info and analysis.

Colorado (last NCAA: 2003) During the offseason, Jeff Bzdelik talked to the Minnesota Timberwolves about a coaching role but ultimately remained in Boulder, where he's won less than one-third of the games he's coached. This year may not be much better. The backcourt will be the Buffaloes strength, as Cory Higgins averaged over 17 points and nearly 3 assists a game, Dwight Thorne III was the team's only other player to average in double-digits (12 ppg), and Australian point guard Nate Tomlinson had a solid freshman campaign (7.4 ppg, 3 apg). The returning frontcourt players don't offer much in terms of anything, as last year's Big 12 rebounding and defensive statistics will tell you, but another Aussie, 6-11 C Shane Harris-Tunks, and 6-7 JC transfer Marcus Relphorde may be the prescription for those woes. The Buffs travel to Maui this year, where they seem destined for the consolation bracket, as they open with Gonzaga.

Nebraska (last NCAA: 1998) The Huskers had a respectable season last time around, finishing at .500 in the Big 12 and earning an NIT invitation. Neither of those results is likely for Doc Sadler's club this year, as he lost four key players from that team, including leading scorers Ade Dagunduro (12.8 ppg) and Steve Harley (10.8 ppg). Point guard Cookie Miller (7.3 ppg, 3.6 apg) transferred to Miami (OH), leaving another hole. Guards Sek Henry (8 ppg) and Ryan Anderson (7.1 ppg) lead the returnees, who are joined by a busload of newcomers. The theme of the class is size. 6-11 Puerto Rican C Brian Diaz will play after a redshirt year, and he'll be joined by two German big men, 6-11 Christopher Niemann and 6-8 Christian Standhardinger. Sadler even picked up 6-8 Quincy Hankins-Cole from the JC ranks. He's joined by his Polk State College (FL) teammate, G Lance Jeter, who is expected to bring a new dimension to the backcourt. NU will play Tulsa in the Las Vegas Classic in December, then either Nevada or BYU.

Texas Tech (last NCAA: 2007) The Red Raiders won only 3 Big 12 games last year, and Pat Knight will be counting on five new arrivals, including three JC transfers, to help improve that total. Leading scorer John Roberson is back to lead the offense. Roberson averaged nearly 14 points and more than 6 assists a game last year, so he's a pretty good building block. Senior Nick Okorie averaged 11.3 points a contest, so the starting backcourt is pretty well set. Knight may even go to a three-guard set, as JC transfer David Tairu, a former teammate of Okorie, is expected to boost the Double-T's defense. Frosh Nick Davis could be a bench scoring threat, especially outside, where the graduated Alan Voskuil will be missed. In the frontcourt, Mike Singletary (12.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg), Trevor Cook (7.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg), and C Robert Lewandowski (6.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg) are all serviceable players. Two 6-6 JC transfers, Brad Reese and Theron Jenkins, will be expected to contribute immediately; however, as they give Knight some flexibility the current forwards don't offer. The Red Raiders will host the Duel in the Desert, a four-team round-robin tournament, where Oregon State figures to be their main opposition for the crown.

Baylor (last NCAA: 2008) The Bears had high hopes last year, and a 15-3 start, featuring a run to the 76 Classic final seemed to justify them. Then, the wheels came off completely. Baylor then dropped 10 of their next 12, a run that started with a six-game Big 12 losing streak. They nearly stole the league's auto bid, but fell to Missouri in the Big 12 final. Scott Drew's team then built on that momentum and reached the NIT final, which they lost to Penn State. Now Baylor will have to attempt to be more consistent without three of last year's prominent performers. Point guard Curtis Jerrells (16.3 ppg, 4,9 apg), the team's heart and soul is gone. So are F Kevin Rogers (12.76 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and guard Henry Dugat (9.4 ppg). Drew has a strong backcourt, even without Jerrells, as LaceDarius Dunn (15.7 ppg) and Tweety Carter (10.6 ppg) can both score, and Carter can do a decent job running the point (3.2 ppg). Expect freshman A.J. Walton to see some time running the offense as well. The arrival of Mark McLaughlin and Nolan Dennis means the Bears will be set at shooting guard for the next four years. Meanwhile, the frontcourt will be bolstered by 6-10 Michigan transfer Ekpe Udoh, who will be supported by returnees Quincy Acy, Josh Lomers, Anthony Jones, and Fred Ellis, none of whom averaged more than 5.4 a contest last year. Baylor plays in another tournament near a Disney park this year, featuring in the Old Spice Classic in Florida, where they'll open with Alabama.

Iowa State (last NCAA: 2005) Greg McDermott hasn't had much luck in his three seasons in Ames, but he must have felt like he found a four-leaf clover and horseshoe while a shooting star flew overhead when Craig Brackins announced he was foregoing NBA millions for at least one more season. Brackins very nearly averaged a double-double last year, scoring more than 20 a game and grabbing nearly 10 boards. While the Cyclones may not have enough besides him to challenge for a conference crown, his return makes them a serious postseason threat. ISU's biggest issue is scoring, as they ranked 10th in the league last year in offensive output, and Brackins was the only player to average in double-figures. Expect the two starting guards, Diante Garrett, who very nearly averaged 10 a game, and Lucca Staiger (8.2 ppg) to step up. 6-11 Canadian Jamie Vanderbeken (5.5 ppg) should also benefit from the attention opposition defenses will pay to Brackins. McDermott also has high hopes for his two JC transfers, 6-9 F LaRon Dendy and 6-6 Marquis Gilstrap. The Cyclones will play in the Chicago Invitational Challenge, facing St. Louis in the semifinal, then either Northwestern or Notre Dame.

Missouri (last NCAA: 2009) Considering that he was losing three starters to graduation, including his two leading scorers and rebounders, you couldn't have really blamed Mike Anderson if he left Columbia after reaching last year's West Regional final. Yet, Anderson spurned the advances of numerous suitors to stay at Mizzou. Now he has to figure out how to get more out of the many returnees on the roster, none of whom matched the contributions of the departed DeMarre Carroll (16.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Les Lyons (14.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg), or Matt Lawrence (9.2 ppg). The Tigers two leading returning scorers and rebounders are both in the backcourt, J.T. Tiller (8.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and Zaire Taylor (6.7 ppg, 3 rpg). Both also averaged more than 3 assists per game, so Anderson can rest assured that his offense will be run well. Missouri's Mr. Basketball from last year, Mike Dixon, Jr., is the point guard of the future. 6-6 Kim English averaged 6.5 points in only about 14 minutes per contest, so his numbers should increase significantly with more action, especially if he continues to shoot well from the perimeter. The frontcourt is a major concern, however, as none of the returnees even cracked 4 ppg or 3 rpg last year. Junior Justin Stafford did average 3.4 points in 9-plus minutes of action, so he could turn into a consistent performer. The fact 6-10 freshman Keith Dewitt couldn't get eligible for this season was a major blow to MU. The Tigers will play in the South Padre Invitational over Thanksgiving weekend, opening with CAA contender Old Dominion, then facing either Mississippi State or Richmond.

Oklahoma State (last NCAA: 2009) I saw the Cowboys drop two of three at the Old Spice Classic last year, and not look terribly good doing it. (They managed to beat Siena in the 7th/8th place game that was delayed by a leaky roof caused by a freak November thunderstorm.) In the end, Travis Ford's squad improved enough to win 9 league games, beat Tennessee in the NCAA tournament, and scare Pittsburgh in round two. This time around, Ford will have to run his four-guard offense without two key cogs, as point guard Byron Eaton (14.3 ppg, 5.7 apg, and 2.2 spg) and Terrel Harris (13.9 ppg, 1.7 spg) graduated. Swingman James Anderson (18.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), a challenger for all-Big 12 honors, is back, as is Obi Muonelo (12.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg). Keiton Page (8.6 ppg), a sharpshooter who's 5-10 on a very good day, will see more action this time around. Eaton's spot at the point will probably be filled by a freshman--most likely Ray Penn. 6-6 Marshall Moses (7 ppg, 6.1 rpg) is the only frontcourt player to see significant time last year, so Kentucky transfer Matt Pilgrim will be asked to contribute immediately. The Cowboys will play in the Thanksgiving Las Vegas Invitational. Bradley will be their first opponent, followed by either Illinois or Utah.

Texas A&M (last NCAA: 2009) The Aggies easily knocked BYU out of the tournament for the second year in a row, part of one of the dreariest NCAA sessions I've ever experienced. Somehow, the Aggies are one of only six schools to win an NCAA game in each of the past four seasons, but that's a streak they may have trouble extending without C Chinemelu Elonu, who decided to go to the NBA, despite only averaging 9.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg, and swingman Josh Carter (13.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg). The good news for Mark Turgeon is that just about everyone else is back, led by 6-9 Bryan Davis (10.8 ppg, 6.5 apg), who should move over to the center spot., and point guard Donald Sloan (11.8 ppg, 3.2 apg). With sophomore Dash Harris averaging 2 assists per game, while seeing only 13 minutes a contest, Turgeon could even move Sloan off the point to give himself another scoring option. 6-7 freshman Khris Middleton could be a replacement for Carter. The fact that 6-9 Kourtney Roberson won't be eligible for the Aggies is a major blow to a thin frontcourt, however. A&M will have a good idea of how they'll fare nationally after their three games in Anaheim at the 76 Classic, where they open with Clemson.

Kansas State (last NCAA: 2008) The Wildcats lost four contributors after last season, most prominently F Darren Kent (9 ppg, 5.8 ppg). but hopes are high in Manhattan. The starting backcourt is highly-regarded, in a league full of highly-regarded backcourt performers. Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen are the team's two leading scorers, averaging 15 and nearly 14 points per contest respectively, but both were equally adept at dishing the ball to their teammates, combining to average nearly 7 dimes a game. But the depth of the backcourt will be tested after Buchi Awaji and Fred Brown both left the program. Incoming freshmen Martavious Irving and Nick Russell will be expected to replace them. Frank Martin also expects big things from two other newcomers in the frontcourt, 6-9 F Wally Judge, another highly-touted recruit from the DC area and 6-8 UConn transfer Curtis Kelly. They'll join a unit led by returnees Jamar Samuels (8.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Dominique Sutton (7.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg). Martin will hope his team will gel enough for the Puerto Rico Tip-off, where the Wildcats open with Boston University.

Oklahoma (last NCAA: 2009) Look for the Sooners to play a completely different style this year, without Blake and Taylor Griffin manning the frontcourt. The Willie Warren-led (14.6 ppg, 3.2 apg) backcourt will be the focus this time around. Warren will have to take on more of a leadership role now that Blake Griffin and point guard Austin Johnson (8.6 ppg, 3.9 apg) is gone. Expect him to not spend as much time on the perimeter this season. Tony Crocker (9.6 ppg) and Cade Davis (4.7 ppg) will be expected to take on more of the scoring load as well. In the frontcourt, Orlando Allen and Ryan Wright averaged under 2 points a contest each in very limited action, so who knows if they can adequately fill in for the Griffins. 6-9 300 pound freshman Keith "Tiny" Gallon, a big man who can shoot the ball well will see a lot of action. The Sooners head north for Thanskgiving, where Jeff Capel's men will face at least San Diego and Houston in a six-team Great Alaska Shootout field.

Texas (last NCAA: 2009) Rick Barnes has few question marks this year. Unlike the Sooners, his frontcourt is pretty well set, thanks to the return of 6-7 swingman Damion James (15.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg). James will again team up with 6-6 Gary Johnson (10 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and 6-10 Dexter Pittman (10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg) to form one of the most formidable frontcourts in the college game. While Texas has three returning guards who saw significant time last season, their roles will undoubtedly diminish because of three newcomers. 5-9 junior Jai Lucas will be eligible after sitting out last year after transferring from Florida. He'll run the offense. Lucas will be joined by two highly-regarded freshmen, 6-3 Avery Bradley and 6-7 swingman Jordan Hamilton, both of whom should challenge for more than just All-Freshman honors. The Longhorns will get to showcase their old and new talent at the CBE Classic in Kansas City, where tjhey should make the final, as they face rebuilding Iowa in the semifinals. Pittsburgh or Wichita State awaits them on night two.

Kansas (last NCAA: 2009) The Jayhawks fell five points short of a regional final appearance last year, but this time around such a result would be considered a major disappointment, when you consider all that Bill Self has coming back and coming in. Sherron Collins (18.9 ppg, 5 apg) and Cole Aldrich (14.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg) will obviously lead the way, but the Morris brothers, Marcus (7.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Markieff (4.6 ppg. 4.4 rpg) should be better in their second go-round, as should Tyshawn Taylor, who nearly averaged 10 points a contest. 6-6 Xavier Henry, one of the top recruits in the country, will provide even more scoring punch to the backcourt. His brother C.J, a Memphis transfer, even came along for the ride. Another transfer, Jeff Withey, got to practice against Aldrich last year, so the 7-footer who left Arizona could turn into another force inside. In the early season, the Jayhawks will be tested by games against Memphis (in St. Louis), La Salle (in Kansas City); at UCLA, Temple, and Tennessee, and in Lawrence against California and Michigan.

As the Jayhawks are virtually everyone's preseason number 1, they'll hold the Big 12 auto bid in my 2009-10 Final Preseason Bracket, which I will release on November 9. The conference should have a big presence in this year's tournament, so check back in then to see how many at-large bids I'm predicting at the start of the year.

To wrap up this preview, here is my preseason All-Big 12 team, featuring the best returning players from last season.

Preseason All-Big 12 Team

Player of the Year: Sherron Collins, 5-11 G, Sr. (Kansas)

Remainder of the Team
Cole Aldrich, 6-11 C, Jr. (Kansas)
Craig Brackins, 6-10 C, Jr. (Iowa State)
Damion James, 6-7 F, Sr. (Texas)
Willie Warren, 6-4 G, So. (Oklahoma)

Poll

Who is your pick to win the Big 12 this season?

Baylor

4 votes

Colorado

1 votes

Iowa State

2 votes

Kansas

31 votes

Kansas State

2 votes

Missouri

12 votes

Nebraska

1 votes

Oklahoma

3 votes

Oklahoma State

2 votes

Texas

74 votes

Texas A&M

3 votes

Texas Tech

1 votes

136 votes | Poll has closed

Self, Collins and Aldrich from Big 12 Media Day

Denverjhawk — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:12:53 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Riedel - AP

about 1 month ago: Kansas coach Bill Self talks to the media during during the men's Big 12 Conference college basketball media day Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Browse more photos »

Kansas head coach Bill Self took the podium Thursday for a question and answer session at the annual Big 12 Basketball Media Day at the Sprint Center.

A few things really standout to me from Coach Self's comments. First his comments on freshman Thomas Robinson's intensity in practice and how that has stepped up the overall competitiveness in practice. I don't think anyone can over exaggerate the impact that the competition in the program is going to benefit this years team and those moving forward.

Secondly, coach really gives some high praise to Cole Aldrich and it's just fun to watch a guy like Cole come in as a wide eyed freshman who really made his presence known once in a big way, but now is developing into a leader and a potentially dominant player with the program.

PETER IRWIN: Coach Self, welcome. Your opening comments, sir.

COACH SELF: I know I can probably speak for everybody that we're all very excited to be here this morning. This early. No, it's an exciting time. Of course, everybody's optimistic this time of year, and rightfully so. I really like our team. I think we have a chance to be a special group. We'll have to be very special because I think the league is the best since I've been in it, and I think it's the best it's going to be since the inception of the league. We've had success in the league the last few years, and certainly it will be much more difficult to maintain that because of the quality of teams in the league.

PETER IRWIN: Okay. We'll take questions. When you ask a question, we'll get a microphone to you.

COACH SELF: I wonder if Mike Jones will ask the first question.

PETER IRWIN: He always does, Coach.

Q. Let's get this out of the way, Bill. How did the events of the recent past affect the image of your program and the chemistry of your team, if at all?

COACH SELF: I'm sorry, Mike. Would you elaborate on that? I don't know what you're talking about. You know, for a short term, I do think it probably hit us from an image standpoint, you know, especially with the fight. But from a long-term standpoint, I don't think it's going to hurt us from an image standpoint. I think it's one of those things that people deal with and move forward. As long as you don't have major hits after it. You look around the country, and all programs have had something at some point in time. Unfortunately, it was a distraction we had to deal with. Fortunately, it was a distraction we dealt with before the season started. In my mind, I can say, that was the off-season; now the season is a fresh start. I'm not real happy with our guys for those events that took place. But if we were that undisciplined and irresponsible that selfish motives could get in the way of something so insignificant as that at that point in time, then we weren't obviously disciplined or responsible enough to win big. So, if anything, I think we'll be more disciplined. We'll be more responsible. And if you have that combination along with good players, I think that can make for some fun. I see it as being a positive over time, and certainly it was a negative in the short term.

Q. Coach, I know practice is just a week old. Can you talk about how your guys are developing and maybe if anybody has stood out or any -- a couple guys?

COACH SELF: Probably the guy that's been the most -- it's not really a surprise, but the most pleasant surprise, you know, from what I thought the day we were recruiting was Thomas Robinson. Thomas is a good player, and he'll impact his team immediately. His motor is different than what we've had, so he's definitely raised the level of -- not the - the level of effort may be the right word, from the twins. Thomas has changed practice more than anybody else. Xavier is a guy that's going to be really good. He's kind of finding his way right now. As he gets more comfortable, he's a thinker now instead of a reactor. As he gets more comfortable, I really think the ceiling is so high for him. Those two have been the two most pleasant surprises. Withey's been nicked up. He's hurt right now. He's going to be out a significant amount of time with the bum knee. And Elijah Johnson's come along nicely. It's just going to take some time. C.J. Henry has been in and out with injuries, but he's going to be a nice player too. I'd say Thomas has been the most pleasant surprise we've had so far.

Q. Bill, when you look at the First Team Preseason All-Big 12 picks, how many of those guys do you put on an All-American list, maybe Player of the Year, National Player of the Year candidate?

COACH SELF: You know, if I recall correctly, I think there's six. Is that right? They all deserve to be on the first team. And I think you have six pros there, not just good college players. I think you have six pros. I also think there are a couple others that may emerge to be in the top six players or seven players in our league that hadn't even been mentioned yet. So that tells you the depth - the quality of players. You know, I think Brackins is deserving of All-American mention without question. I think Damion James. I think he's terrific. I think he's very deserving. I think Willie Warren is as good as any guard in the country, especially a combination of strength and scoring and all those things. And James Anderson, to me, is a guy that could get -- you know, could get 30 any night. Those four have gotten a lot of attention. Then there's several newcomers, and you throw in R2, who I think Sherron is about as good a league guard, if not the best guard in the country. And I think Cole's the best big man. So you could make a case that you could have guys fighting each other in the league not only for Player of the Year honors but for big-time national honors also, I agree.

Q. Bill, you think there's any kind of common denominator. There's been an influx of freshmen that make for the top ten in some lists. Just a bunch of guys. Any reason in particular why so many teams are getting so many good players?

COACH SELF: I think the staffs, the respective staffs all know what they're doing. The League is a good recruiting league too. I also think you talk about our league, and primarily the state of Texas being the proximity of players, but schools are going outside their area also and bringing in some really good talent. But when Durant plays at UT, and then when Beasley plays at K-State, and Griffin plays at Oklahoma, how could young kids not be interested in going to a league which has produced, you know, the premier player in America the last three years. So that's kind of how I see it. All those guys were the best players in the country the last three years. They may not have won all the awards, but they impacted the game more so than anybody else. So I think recent success. You know, this may sound like we're patting ourselves on the back, but I think one thing that the Big 12 hadn't had happen prior to '08 was, as great a league as it was, they haven't been able to crown a champion. Maybe that and the combination of Durant and Beasley and Griffin and coaches that know what they're doing. Maybe that's all been a bonus because the league is going to continue to get good players.

Q. Bill, two years ago you lost some great players. Could you have imagined rebuilding this quickly?

COACH SELF: You know, recruiting is a weird deal in that sometimes you don't get what you deserve, and a lot of times you get what you don't deserve. I would have had no idea. I had no idea Cole would be what he's become. I knew Sherron was a good player, but we went into last season thinking we had one good player, and Cole emerged to be outstanding, and then our young guys really developed as the season went on. You know, the way we got Tyshawn Taylor was because of a coaching change. We didn't deserve that. That kind of fell in our lap. So we've been fortunate in that regard. You know, one thing about our guys, you know, they expect to have success, and they play at a place every day where there's pressure on them to perform. I think in a lot of ways that forces the development more rapidly with our young kids than maybe what it would some other places just because they feel that every day that they wake up.

Q. Bill, there's been a pretty good coaching turnover the last, I guess, three or four seasons. Has the style of play in the Big 12 changed much in your time there?

COACH SELF: Yeah, it probably has. But I think the league, if anything, it may be playing a little faster. I think having Mike at Missouri kind of helps create that image because they do play fast and really pressure. And the thing about it is there's been a lot of turnover coaching-wise, and I think some people probably questioned whether or not the turnover -- we were losing such experienced guys, that the turnover would be able to measure up to those guys. I think what people have shown already, in that these coaches in our league, they're getting it done. I mean, the programs, if they haven't been elevated, they're real close to being on the verge of being elevated in a short amount of time. So I think there has been a lot of smart ADs, to be honest with you, that have made some hires that were very good and represented their university very well.

Q. Bill, from what you can tell around college basketball, how unique is Cole as a true post man?

COACH SELF: I think you have -- we've had some true post men in college, going back to Oden, although just one year, that was a true five. But the game's getting smaller in that he knows who he is. We have a couple of true fives in our league that -- you know, Pittman obviously at Texas -- they're true fives. You don't have to pacify them in any way other than this is what your job is, this is what you do. At this time, all fives want to be fours, all fours want to be threes, all threes want to be twos, and these guys want to be fives. I'd say it's unique. There's probably more out there than what's called attention to. But as far as -- you know, Cole has a chance, in my opinion -- a lot depends on what kind of year he has, obviously. He could be the best true big man Kansas has had since Wilt. You start and think about the true big man. Danny wasn't a center and Raef wasn't a center. But you really look at it, that's a pretty big statement for 50-plus years that he could be the best true big guy. I'd say not common, but certainly not totally unusual to have a guy like Cole that knows who he is. Most -- there's just not very many guys out there that do that. Most guys feel like they've got to be something else, and he doesn't feel that way at all.

Q. Back to Cole, you talked about he became something you didn't expect right away. Was it just the fact that he had -- he was able to have that playing time extensively last year?

COACH SELF: I don't think so. I think that, obviously, when you get playing time and experience, you've got a chance to get better. You know, in recruiting, most guys - I shouldn't say most guys, but the majority of guys that we deal with, and I'm sure the majority of guys that guys in this league deal with, they look at your roster, and they say how can I play immediately? It's a quick fix. I want to go somewhere that I can impact it right off the bat or have a chance to start. The best thing for Cole was that didn't register with him. He went to a place that he wanted to be at first and foremost, and then style and playing time and all that was way secondary. And the fact -- what got him better prepared more than anything was getting his butt beat every day by Sasha and Darnell and Shady. That prepared him. Cole played eight minutes a game as a freshman, and four of the minutes don't count because they were mop-up minutes. So he probably averaged four minutes a game as a freshman and got better every day in practice and used practice as his vehicle for getting better. And then at the end of the year, obviously, he had the one good game, and you can kind of see what it was -- what was getting ready to happen. To me, I don't think it was last year's experience, I think it was him having the right attitude his freshman year when he went getting experience is what allowed him to be pretty good last year.

PETER IRWIN: Coach, thank you.

Preseason Q&A with Sports Illustrated's Luke Winn

SFBE.NF — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:15:26 -0000

While relevant college basketball games don't tip off for another month, the sport will open for business this Friday! To celebrate, err... observe this exciting day, we thought it would be shrewd of us to bring in some real college basketball writers on here to shower us with words that carry much more weight than a couple of twentysomething bloggers.

To close out our Preseason Q&A series, we have the magnificent Luke Winn of Sports Illustrated (or SI.com for those who helped make "print versions" a thing of the past). Over the summer, Luke crossed paths with some Polygamists while minding his own business enjoying ice cream in Utah. Just yesterday he released this season's first Power Rankings. Plenty more college basketball talk below.

Where could we find you this summer? On the beach, on the golf course, or in a gym filled with DI prospects? I mixed it up. I was at the USA Basketball trials in Colorado Springs in June. That was for the Under-19 and the World University Games teams; the guys who left the biggest impressions there were Butler's Gordon Hayward, Ole Miss' Terrico White, and Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor. All three should be breakout stars this year. (As long as Taylor recovers from this dislocated thumb, that is.)

In July I hit the Reebok All-America camp in Philly, and after that I moved off of basketball and worked on a magazine story on baseball cards, or specifically how Ken Griffey Jr.'s '89 Upper Deck rookie is the last iconic baseball card. I'm a big baseball fan on the side, so it's nice to dabble in baseball writing at least once a summer.

I went camping in Utah, and at a rural Dairy Queen there, got to see a polygamist farmer (or maybe rancher?) walk in with his four wives. That real-life Big Love moment was probably more eye-opening than learning about Terrico White.

Quickly, your reflections on last year. Was a talent-limited NBA draft just proof that the 2008-2009 college basketball season lacked excitement and raw talent? The draft was an indictment on the poor freshman class. After Tyreke Evans -- who only became good later in the season -- there really weren't any major impact freshmen. The next three taken were DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday and B.J. Mullens, none of whom left any kind of imprint on the college game. Another problem that contributed to a down season was that the nation's power was almost too concentrated in the Big East. That made for amazing Big East games ... but it was almost like the SEC, Pac-10 and Big Ten were afterthoughts.

There seems to still be a gray area as to what defines a "mid-major." In the hierarchy of college basketball, at what program do you draw the line? I subscribe to (Kyle) Whelliston's Red Line theory, even if there are A-10 teams that don't want to be lumped into that category. I should disclose that there's presently a Bally on my bookshelf.

OK, focusing on 2009-2010, what is the best conference in the land? It looks as though the Big East won't be king this season. I think the Big East has three preseason top-10 teams, but you're right -- the league isn't going to put the rest of college hoops to shame this season. The Big Ten might actually be the deepest conference. Michigan State is a title contender, Purdue is a Final Four possibility if everyone's healthy, and Ohio State, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State and even Northwestern will chase NCAA bids. For the sake of its national rep, though, the Big Ten needs some legitimate non-conference wins next year. Its rep was essentially ruined last season after UNC killed Michigan State and Duke killed Purdue and Wisconsin.

What do you expect from Kentucky? How many years until they play for a national title? And, when his tenure is over, will John Calipari leave the program in good hands, or in disarray like Memphis and UMASS? Kentucky is in more of a right-now situation than a building situation. Its three best players, John Wall, Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins (in that order) are probably gone after this season, so this could be one of Cal's best chances of chasing a title. I kind of expect them to start slow, while everyone meshes, and then be pretty dangerous in March. As for Calipari, I wonder if he might actually defy the odds and not leave Kentucky in trouble with the NCAA. You need to take fewer risks to get major recruits to come to Kentucky, as opposed to say, luring a future No. 1 draft pick to the Conference USA.

What would you like to see the NCAA implement/change/get rid of, to better the overall product of college basketball? Loosen restrictions on offseason workouts. The limits put on coaches' interaction with players prior to Midnight Madness are excessive. Give them more time, and you'll get a better product. The reason elite Europeans don't even consider coming over here isn't just money -- it's also because they can get an unlimited amount of skill development in the club setting.

Your premature surprise team of the season…I think there's a chance Cincinnati could be nationally relevant again -- and a legit team in the Big East -- with its trio of Deonta Vaughn, Yancy Gates and Lance Stephenson. Of course, Stephenson still has to be cleared by the NCAA, and of course, since it's Stephenson, things could also go horribly wrong. But I think the kid is driven, and could make a huge impact if he's OK'd to play.

Your premature Final Four picks…I have to save these for SI.com's preview (sorry!). But I will say I think UConn is being overlooked in plenty of the preseason polls that are coming out. I'm seriously considering them as a Final Four team in 2010.

Because of the name of our blog, we ask all journalists who come on here and give us the time of day to name their favorite forgotten college basketball player. Name a few of your favorites who never established themselves at the next level. I grew up going to Wisconsin games with my dad, and I remember being fascinated with Duany Duany, a Sudanese forward who played for Dick Bennett. That's still probably the greatest name in the history of Badgers basketball. Another guy who I followed was Sam Okey (please, please click this link), a McDonald's All-American who went to UW, transferred to Iowa and then sort of flamed out. He was an absolute legend in Wisconsin high school basketball, a 6-8 (or around there) athletic white kid who played in a tiny division. It was unfair for the opposition -- almost like Kevin Garnett being unleashed on a JCC middle school team.

Finish this sentence: I like using twitter because...Umm ... I'm not sure if I like it yet. I like that the players I'm following are largely unfiltered, but I'm disappointed that 95 percent of their tweets reveal nothing. It's one area where college hoopsters need to step up their game.

Preseason Q&A with FoxSports.com's Jeff Goodman

SFBE.NF — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:00:41 -0000

Today, FoxSports.com's senior college basketball writer Jeff Goodman was kind enough to answer some of our questions on what went down this summer, what he expects this upcoming season and a frank explanation on twitter.

1. Where could we find you this summer? On the beach, Fenway Park (he's a Boston guy), or in a gym filled with DI prospects? Usually, I get to Fenway a few times - but didn't make it there once this summer. I was in gyms virtually all of July and spent much of August with my wife and 6-year-old daughter. We also rescued a lab mix puppy in April, so there were plenty of trips to the park to get some of that energy out. The offseason is nice - but this offseason seemed to be fairly hectic with all of the happenings with Tim Floyd, Rick Pitino and Memphis.

2. If you could have a hand in reforming basketball at the prep level, where would you start and what would you look to do? I would have the NCAA run the entire summer basketball scene, hire coaches with former NBA or college coaching experience and make certain that agents and runners don't have the access to kids that they have nowadays. This way kids would receive better coaching - and also wouldn't have to deal with people trying to get "in" with them for the wrong reasons.

3. Does the NCAA recognize that Europe could become more and more of a viable option instead of heading to college? Do they have any sort of plan to counter? I don't think the NCAA is all that concerned that Europe will be a legitimate destination for too many kids. Remember, Brandon Jennings hadn't been cleared by the NCAA and that was the only reason he went to Italy. No one is going to miss Jeremy Tyler or Latavious Williams. Trust me.

4. OK focusing on 2009-2010, what is the best conference in the land? It looks like the Big East will be down this season. That's tough because while the Big 12 has two of the top three or four teams in the country in Kansas and Texas, I'm not sure that the Big Ten isn't superior from a depth standpoint. You've got six teams all worthy of Top 25 consideration in Michigan State, Purdue, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio State and Minnesota. The SEC will be much better than last year.

5. Early talk is that Texas is a legitimate Final Four contender. Am I underestimating them or will the incoming trio of Avery Bradley, Jordan Hamilton and Jai Lucas make that much of an impact for Rick Barnes? I made a case that Texas is as deep as any team in the nation. They have all the pieces - size, experience and talent. Dexter Pittman is a man down low, Damion James is a terrific college player and I think the addition of guards Avery Bradley and J'Covan Brown will make the difference. Bradley can do it all - including defend - while Brown is the guy who can make the ultimate difference because he can run the team and that's what the Longhorns needed last season.

6. Will this be the first season since 2005 that Memphis does not win the Conference USA regular season title? Yes. I'm not sure if it'll be Tulsa - who everyone is picking to win the league - but I don't think first-year coach Josh Pastner has enough in the stable. John Calipari didn't leave him with much - and there's basically no depth at all. I think it'll be Tulsa or maybe UTEP.

7. Biggest impact freshman this season, and where does Kansas' Xavier Henry fit into their rotation? I don't think Xavier Henry will have a huge impact and that's not because he's overrated. I just feel Kansas has so many weapons and Henry will take somewhat of a back seat to Cole Aldrich, Sherron Collins and Tyshawn Taylor. I think John Wall is the No. 1 overall pick and the most talented player in the country, but I think Florida freshman Kenny Boynton could have as much of an impact for the Gators.

8. Your premature surprise team of the season... Vanderbilt. The Commodores have one of the most underrated coaches in the nation in Kevin Stallings. A.J. Ogilvy gives Vandy a low-post scoring option and now Stallings added a big-time freshman shooter in John Jenkins. Throw in solid senior point guard Jermaine Beal and athletic wing Jeffery Taylor and I think this team can surprise some people in the loaded SEC East.

9. Your premature Final Four picks... Kansas, Texas, Kentucky, Ohio State

10. Because of the name of our blog, we ask all journalists on here to name their favorite forgotten college basketball player. What college players were you a fan of while they were in college, and then were never really heard from again? Gene Edgerson. He was the guy with the Afro on Arizona's national title team in 1997 - and he was the type of guy who just sacrificed his body every chance he got. I respect guys who get the most out of their ability.

11. Finish this sentence: I like using twitter because... It's easy.

***Tomorrow we will have Gary Parrish from CBSSports.com, with a telling tale of Dunkgate

Hey, NCAA, Guess What? It's Still a Lack of Institutional Control...

BracketCat — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:15:11 -0000

Well, the last few days have been pretty hectic for our feathered friends in Lawrence, but I know I feel a lot better about the whole situation after university officials got involved, figured out who was responsible, and took steps to prevent such an embarrassment from happening again by suspending the instigators, and sending a clear and resounding message that this behavior will not be tolerated, in terms that only an athlete who values playing time above all else can understand.

What's that, you say? No one was suspended? Well, that's just... just... completely goddamn unsurprising.

This is the University of Kansas we are talking about, after all: now entering Year Three of NCAA probation for academic fraud and lack of institutional control. It's par for the course.

The sad thing is, I don't even blame the players at this point. Oh, sure, they're a bunch of testosterone-driven, ego-fueled dumbasses, and they certainly deserve some kind of punishment, if only to drive home the point that this can't keep happening.

But the real blame rests with the people who are supposed to be the responsible, mature adults in all of this: the KU administration. And as usual, they come up sorely lacking.

Click the jump for a roundup of recent statements from Bernadette Gray-Little, Mark Mangino, Lew Perkins, Bill Self and others... accompanied by my running commentary, as I point out how utterly spineless and disingenuous said statements are.

Sherron Collins

It's not just Tyshawn. It was a group of individuals from both sides that let egos and pride get involved in something that could have been resolved. We let something small become something big. We as a team, we accept this all together. Not everyone had something to do with it, but we are all together as a team.

In other words, it was everyone's fault... except for all the guys whose fault it wasn't. Logic that would make a Greek philosopher blush.

On a side note, you have to love how Collins was the only player both to be involved in the Wednesday morning brawl and to be present at that afternoon's "Kumbaya" statement. Reesing, Sharp and the others all got dragged into this after the fact (as far as we know), but Elevator Boy apparently gets to play instigator/posse member, yet somehow retain the moral credibility to lead his fellow players out of the dark abyss? Damn, it must be nice to be an NBA prospect.

Bernadette Gray-Little

I have consulted with Lew Perkins and share his disappointment regarding the recent incidents involving a small number of our student athletes.

Which means he told her not to worry her pretty little head, because he has experience sweeping up messes like this.

They need to realize their profiles make them representatives of the university off the court and field, as well as on it, and that KU has high expectations for its students.

Yes, they need to realize that as innocent bystanders, they need to get out of the way and not take pictures or video of the incident. That goes double for the student journalists.

I appreciate the quick response by the athletic director and university staff and the strong statement from the teams' leaders.

Translation: He was right; that really was some quick damage control! I'm glad he's here to handle everything for me!

Mark Mangino

I'm looking at the information that I've gotten so far and there are still a lot of things that have to get to me in terms of exactly what happened and how it happened.

It takes time to investigate, because Mark's never heard of this handy invention called a newspaper.

But based on what I have right now, I don't see anything that would have me discipline any individual player.

I'll be honest - I don't even know what to say to this. The humor value speaks for itself.

We're just talking about probably a few guys here that let their emotions get the best of them.

Yeah, the few guys... and the hot-blooded posse they called in for backup.

It's not nearly as big a situation as it has been portrayed in some media outlets.

Ah, the old KU standby: Blame the media for blowing it all out of proportion. (Even though the local media usually spend most of their KU-related time blowing something else.) Like a familiar friend, this excuse warms the cockles of my heart.

Lew Perkins

I am disappointed that some of our student-athletes put themselves in this position, and it's something that I am taking very seriously.

He's pissed as hell that they got caught and already is initiating serious damage control.

I continue to gather facts about this incident, and I plan to address this issue personally with both teams.

Sweet Lew appears to be equally as newspaper-challenged as The Corpulent One.

We will handle any discipline regarding this incident internally, and we will have no further comment about it.

Until Wednesday, when they got in another freakin' fight. So much for that plan, Lew.

Todd Reesing

We've met with the guys and everything is under control.

Yes, indeed. It's an unparalleled official denial and media lockdown. The Iraqi Information Minister would be proud.

Bill Self

We don't act like this. To me, somebody asked me how did Tyshawn dislocate his thumb? My reply was: I don't care. It doesn't make any difference to me. The fact is that it happened. The reason it happened was because a really small group of individuals put selfish motives ahead of what was really important.

According to police reports, over 100 people were involved in Tuesday night's altercation at Jayhawk Towers. Bill, were you Darrell Arthur's math tutor?

It's very disturbing to me. I've coached a lot of great kids, and Tyshawn Taylor definitely fits that bill. His judgment in what he posted on his Facebook is totally inexcusable and it was done in very poor taste. So even though they may not be his words and they may be words of lyrics to songs he listens to and likes, it's still something that isn't to be put out there like that. I do think it's offensive.

Bold translation: It was really, really bad, but here's a bunch of reasons why it wasn't quite so bad... but it was really, really bad!

Italic translation: It's OK to think it or say it to your teammates, but dammit, just don't let the press catch wind of it!

...to be portrayed as anything other than a good kid that really made an ignorant play on doing that with his Facebook would be totally inaccurate.

Translation: Hey, J. Brady McCullough, you spin this the way I tell you to spin this!

Tyshawn Taylor

I'm embarrassed because of the situation. It's a situation that none of us should have gotten into. We embarrassed our campus, our university, both teams, and it's just a situation that shouldn't have happened. Looking back at it, it was just really stupid. I wish I could take it back.

And to facilitate that wish-fulfillment strategy, he took down the offending Facebook account less than 12 hours after its discovery. But hey, it's cool - it was totally his decision and the KU athletic department's Division of Media Damage Control had absolutely nothing to do with that, right?

The "Unanimous" Statement

We realize that over the past couple of days we've let a disagreement between a few guys grow bigger than it ever should have. We're embarrassed about that.

Apparently, KU has invented a new system of measuring time, because I could have sworn this started over a year ago. Oh, wait, make that over five years ago.

Now we want everyone know that we have met and talked it out. We realize we're all Jayhawks. We're proud of what both teams have accomplished.

Yes, because 10 minutes of being cussed out by Lewcifer totally can erase five years of animosity.

We appreciate the support these teams give each other. We'll be in the stands rooting for each other like we always have.

Yeah, rooting for a few of the other guys to get hurt in the game. That should even the odds this weekend...

We all wear KANSAS on our uniforms, and we're proud of that.

More importantly, they're proud they finally can read words longer than four letters!

Final Summary

A Communist-style thought control process is fully under way in Larryville, but not everyone in the media has been snowed under. Specifically, Tom Keegan and Luke Winn ain't buying any of it and continue to gas yall up aite.

Meanwhile, if you truly have enough time to waste, take a gander at the many laughable comments from Jayhawk fans at the end of some of these stories. If the phrase "shoot the messenger" is in effect, then Keegan looks like a piece of Swiss cheese by now from all the potshots he is taking.

Let's just say it takes groupthink to a whole new level.

But the most damning article of the day has to be this one. We're talking about a cultural conflict that has been going on for anywhere from 1-5 years, and university officials either have done nothing to stop it or simply taken steps that have proved, as of Wednesday, to be totally impotent and ineffective.

Impotent and ineffective also are words I would use to describe the public statements and lack of concrete action on the administration's part - just as Kevin Kietzman predicted would happen Wednesday.

I reiterate that the people who really should be offended and concerned are the parents of non-athlete students. They're the ones whose kids continue to be endangered by this bullshit and they're the ones who are owed some kind of explanation for the ridiculousness that ensued this week.

This one's not going away, KU. It's going to hang over your heads all season(s), and the more you try to sweep it under the carpet, the worse it will get. You ought to learn a lesson from Colorado and Missouri, who thought they could contain the fallout from the Gary Barnett and Quin Snyder eras.

In the end, procrastination merely led to more widespread damage, as not only coaches, but athletic directors and even university presidents, were forced out in disgrace. Bernadette Gray-Little should tread carefully, lest she eventually turn into Marie-Antoinette Gray-Little.

So far, judging by her weak stance and deferment to Lew Perkins, early returns on the new chancellor's term are not good. Unlike Kirk Schulz and John Currie, she's not pursuing the "new sheriff in town" strategy, even though KU could sorely benefit from a dose of that right now.

After all this denial and inaction, God help KU officials if another fight breaks out in the near future and exposes all this sweet talk as empty words. But as long as wins are the paramount driving factor in Lawrence, the inmates will continue to run the asylum and Perkins will continue to pull all the strings.

Now that's what I call a lack of institutional control.