I forgot to mention Kansas the other day in my blog about NCAA basketball national championship contenders.
The only reminder I needed was watching the Kansas-Baylor game Monday night on ESPN. The Jayhawks destroyed the Bears like they do to most teams appearing in Allen Fieldhouse.
This was supposed to be a down year (don’t use the rebuilding word) at Kansas. Some down year. The Jayhawks are ranked No. 4 with just one loss. They are posed to take their ninth straight Big 12 Conference title. Can you say domination?
It’s difficult to stop Kansas because it has a sold inside-outside game. Center Jeff Withey is a solid inside scorer who also blocks shots. The outside game comes from the likes of Elijah Johnson, Ben McLemore and Travis Releford. McLemore is the prize of that group and he went down with an injury against Baylor, so we’ll see if that has an effect on the Jayhawks. I think they have enough weapons to withstand a brief McLemore absence.
The long-term question is does Kansas possess the toughness to survive a grinding NCAA tournament? Are they tested enough in a league this year having a down cycle? Are they susceptible to a hot mid-major team in the NCCAA tournament?
Showing posts with label Bill Self. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bill Self. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Iowa State's Gut-Wrenching Loss
As basketball losses go, this one had to be near the top of disappointment, frustration, pain—you get the idea.
Iowa State outplayed No. 6 Kansas on its home floor for most of the game. The Cyclones looked like they were going to upset the Jayhawks and stun college basketball.
The Cyclones held a three-point lead with less than a minute left but Kansas had one last chance to tie. Ben McLemore three-point bucket with 1.3 seconds remaining put the dagger in the visitors. It wasn’t like McLemore wasn’t capable because he was scoring all the night. But a bank shot to tie the score? Come on.
I knew right there that Kansas would win the game in overtime. And unfortunately, my prediction was correct. Kansas dominated the overtime. The Jayhawks had been on the brink of defeat and they weren’t returning there.
Iowa State played probably its best game of the season. The Cyclones haven’t been impressive until Wednesday. But a loss is a loss.
Kansas escaped with the win. Style points aren’t necessary. Good thing for Kansas.
Iowa State outplayed No. 6 Kansas on its home floor for most of the game. The Cyclones looked like they were going to upset the Jayhawks and stun college basketball.
The Cyclones held a three-point lead with less than a minute left but Kansas had one last chance to tie. Ben McLemore three-point bucket with 1.3 seconds remaining put the dagger in the visitors. It wasn’t like McLemore wasn’t capable because he was scoring all the night. But a bank shot to tie the score? Come on.
I knew right there that Kansas would win the game in overtime. And unfortunately, my prediction was correct. Kansas dominated the overtime. The Jayhawks had been on the brink of defeat and they weren’t returning there.
Iowa State played probably its best game of the season. The Cyclones haven’t been impressive until Wednesday. But a loss is a loss.
Kansas escaped with the win. Style points aren’t necessary. Good thing for Kansas.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Overachieving Kansas in the NCAA Final
Seriously, did anyone believe that Kansas had the stuff to play in tonight’s NCAA basketball tournament final?
This was supposedly a rebuilding year for the Jayhawks if a program as storied as Kansas ever has one. But look at them now. Sometimes, things just happen.
Kansas has been close to going home almost in every game of the tournament. The Jayhawks have lived for the comeback especially in the second half. They looked dead against Ohio State in the national semifinal Saturday night, but like a determined prize fighter, the Jayhawks came off the canvas.
Kansas needs to play a complete game against Kentucky tonight or it has no chance. Obviously, if the Jayhawks wait around until the second half, Kentucky will probably bury them.
Kentucky has a bunch of stars. Kansas has a few stars. But the good thing for Kansas is it only plays the Wildcats one game. This isn’t best-out-of-seven. With one game, Kansas has a chance even if it’s a slim one.
Yes, Kansas has Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor. But I think the key player for the Jayhawks is Jeff Withey. The 7-foot center has been outstanding in some games and so-so or non-existent in others. Withey needs a solid game. He must score points besides block shots. He must be a presence under the basket. He needs to control traffic and keep Kentucky from having its way at the rim. When Withey plays well, Kansas usually wins. When he doesn’t play well it struggles.
Kentucky has the most pressure in this game. The Wildcats are definite favorites. The Jayhawks pressure is minimal unless they stumble in the first half. Then the pressure will be fatal.
This was supposedly a rebuilding year for the Jayhawks if a program as storied as Kansas ever has one. But look at them now. Sometimes, things just happen.
Kansas has been close to going home almost in every game of the tournament. The Jayhawks have lived for the comeback especially in the second half. They looked dead against Ohio State in the national semifinal Saturday night, but like a determined prize fighter, the Jayhawks came off the canvas.
Kansas needs to play a complete game against Kentucky tonight or it has no chance. Obviously, if the Jayhawks wait around until the second half, Kentucky will probably bury them.
Kentucky has a bunch of stars. Kansas has a few stars. But the good thing for Kansas is it only plays the Wildcats one game. This isn’t best-out-of-seven. With one game, Kansas has a chance even if it’s a slim one.
Yes, Kansas has Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor. But I think the key player for the Jayhawks is Jeff Withey. The 7-foot center has been outstanding in some games and so-so or non-existent in others. Withey needs a solid game. He must score points besides block shots. He must be a presence under the basket. He needs to control traffic and keep Kentucky from having its way at the rim. When Withey plays well, Kansas usually wins. When he doesn’t play well it struggles.
Kentucky has the most pressure in this game. The Wildcats are definite favorites. The Jayhawks pressure is minimal unless they stumble in the first half. Then the pressure will be fatal.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Iowa State Cyclones Riding High
Ames city officials just as well give a key to the city to their unofficial “Mayor” Fred Hoiberg right now.
The Iowa State basketball coach and his team are the talk of the city and the state of Iowa.
Hoiberg’s bunch defeated Baylor Saturday and clinched a third place tie in the Big 12 Conference with the Bears. The Cyclones will be the No. 3 seed in this week’s league tournament based on a tie-breaking win over Kansas.
The postseason awards are coming in for Iowa State too. Hoiberg was named co-Big 12 Coach-of-the-Year along with Kansas’ Bill Self. Sophomore Royce White earned first team all-Big 12 honors.
Iowa State has overachieved this season. It was picked to finish in the lower division of the conference. Few also expected 22 wins and a NCAA tournament berth.
I was in the stands for the Baylor game. People at Iowa State are extremely excited about their team. Saturday’s game was another sellout and there were folks outside wanting to purchase tickets.
It a love fest plain and simply. Iowa State fans have wanted this for a long time. Favorite son Hoiberg has delivered.
The Iowa State basketball coach and his team are the talk of the city and the state of Iowa.
Hoiberg’s bunch defeated Baylor Saturday and clinched a third place tie in the Big 12 Conference with the Bears. The Cyclones will be the No. 3 seed in this week’s league tournament based on a tie-breaking win over Kansas.
The postseason awards are coming in for Iowa State too. Hoiberg was named co-Big 12 Coach-of-the-Year along with Kansas’ Bill Self. Sophomore Royce White earned first team all-Big 12 honors.
Iowa State has overachieved this season. It was picked to finish in the lower division of the conference. Few also expected 22 wins and a NCAA tournament berth.
I was in the stands for the Baylor game. People at Iowa State are extremely excited about their team. Saturday’s game was another sellout and there were folks outside wanting to purchase tickets.
It a love fest plain and simply. Iowa State fans have wanted this for a long time. Favorite son Hoiberg has delivered.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
This Team has Missouri's Number
The Missouri Tigers have lost only three games the entire season. That’s the good news. The bad news is two of those loses came against Kansas State.
It’s safe to say the Wildcats have Missouri’s number.
Kansas State dominated the Tigers in a 78-68 win last night at Columbia. The Wildcats flexed their muscle and Missouri put up little resistance.
Kansas State is on a mission of its own. The Wildcats beat then No. 9/10 Baylor last Saturday. Now, they add No.3 Missouri to its resume. This work should be more than enough to earn Kansas State (19-8) a NCAA tournament bid.
Missouri is in danger of losing a Big 12 Conference title. The Tigers are one game behind Kansas and must face the Jayhawks in Lawrence Saturday. Missouri will have to show much more toughness against Kansas than it did against Kansas State to have a chance for a victory.
And you can bet Kansas Coach Bill Self took notes on how Kansas State bullied Missouri. Look for the Jayhawks to try that same route Saturday.
Missouri should be fine once it gets past this week. But don’t bring the Kansas State name to the Tigers. Understandably, they are a bit testy about the subject.
It’s safe to say the Wildcats have Missouri’s number.
Kansas State dominated the Tigers in a 78-68 win last night at Columbia. The Wildcats flexed their muscle and Missouri put up little resistance.
Kansas State is on a mission of its own. The Wildcats beat then No. 9/10 Baylor last Saturday. Now, they add No.3 Missouri to its resume. This work should be more than enough to earn Kansas State (19-8) a NCAA tournament bid.
Missouri is in danger of losing a Big 12 Conference title. The Tigers are one game behind Kansas and must face the Jayhawks in Lawrence Saturday. Missouri will have to show much more toughness against Kansas than it did against Kansas State to have a chance for a victory.
And you can bet Kansas Coach Bill Self took notes on how Kansas State bullied Missouri. Look for the Jayhawks to try that same route Saturday.
Missouri should be fine once it gets past this week. But don’t bring the Kansas State name to the Tigers. Understandably, they are a bit testy about the subject.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)