ISU and the Risk of More Inside Out
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The NCAA tournament is really a crap-shoot; I am as loyal KU fan as there is but KU winning in '88 was a fluke. On the other hand, there were other years when it should have won and it did not.
If you shoot pool, you know that players that concentrate on the 9 ball seldom win. Yo have to play the ball at hand and position yourself for the next one, always keeping you eye on the 9 ball, until you get to the 9 ball. If you start concentrating only on the 9 ball you will miss the ball at hand and never get to the 9 ball; this is what all the top players do.
We can extend the analogy to basketball and you play to win the game at hand and then the conference, which in turn will prepare you for the tournament and get you a high seed. Remember when UK was concentrating on the tournament and taking the regular season for granted? They ended up losing to Bobby MO in the first round of the frigging NIT. Nothing prepares you better for the tournament than a good run in your own conference. A few weeks ago Pick Pitino stated that the only reason the tournament is single elimination is to give EVERY team a chance (basically, a crap-shoot); if the format is changed to a best of X, then only the elite teams would have shot. Look at it, last year UConn was not even a top 20 team with 26-8 overall record and 12-6 conference record and with a good run in March ended up winning the title…who would have predicted it. If you don’t win your own conference, how can you expect to win the national title?
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Been there. Done that!
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Am I the only one that does not have a problem with Jamari’s T?
To me, the “T” sent a message to the younger players that the older, bigger players had their backs. Also, the “T” ignited the crowd and the team and it went on 9-0 run that started to set some separation. I am sure Self was upset because it cost 3 points and one foul but I will guess that deep inside he was proud of Mari and how his actions brought the team together.
It reminds of one time when I was called to my son’s principal’s office because he had gotten in a fight at school. As it turned out, there was on older, bigger kid that kept bulling the younger kids; at recess he went after my son and his friends and was told to go away and he finally shoved a girl to the ground. This is when my son turned around and drop the kid with one punch (I had taught him some boxing) and the bully would not get up until a teacher would come to help him. At the principal’s office I told my son that it was not a good thing to punch another kid, all the while I had a big grin on my face. The principal asked my son to leave the office so he could “talk” to me, and then he proceeded to tell me that I should not be smiling because the next time it happened there would be serious consequences for my son. I told him I was grinning because I was proud that my son had not only stood up to the bully but also stood up for his friend, and if it ever happened again he would not be seeing me but my attorney who would be getting his information so we could sue him personally as well the school district for allowing bulling…of course it helped that the parents of several other kids that had been bullied were waiting outside the office. He was never bullied again and at the end of the term I understand the other kid was “asked” to transfer to a different school. My kid was never bullied again and he did not get into any other fights in school.
Afterwards, I had a long talk with my son on this issue and at the end I gave him the same advice Mr. Myagi gave Julie in the Karate Kid…
Julie-san, fighting not good. But if must fight… win.
It still brings a smile to my face when I think about it 20 years later…maybe I am too much old school. I hope Coach Self will also remember it positively in the future.
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“The NCAA tournament is really a crap-shoot; I am as loyal KU fan as there is but KU winning in '88 was a fluke.”
I totally agree… that the tourney is a crap-shoot. But we still can’t discount it and not consider it until March. Any single game in March is a crap-shoot. However, over time March is not a crap-shoot. When you look at the broad stats over time, March is not a crap-shoot. Kentucky winning all those championships wasn’t a crap-shoot, neither are ours.
You have to build enough structure to win in March. That doesn’t mean you win every game in March. As you said, it is a crap-shoot. But you need to put yourself into position to win in March. By doing that, over time, you will show positive results. Any fan thinking his team is going to win out in March every year is delusional.
Some of the focus on March has to happen before March. You can’t go into March with an inexperienced bench and expect to win. By putting some focus on March before March you open yourself up to better things happening in March. That still doesn’t mean it isn’t a crap-shoot. It is!
There is a reason why many of the blue blood programs have the most tournament wins. They have more of the pieces in place to win in March. Doesn’t mean a blue blood program wins this March. However… it is more likely a blue blood program wins it. For many reasons, including having a certain degree of focus on March before March. That is a big part of UCONN’s success. Here is an example of a non-blue blood program piercing through to victories in March. Often times, they can’t even win their conference but win out in March. How is that so? This is one of the teams that puts a great deal of focus on March, and it has been an effective strategy to lifting their program all around. It has helped them land top guards, and guards is their focus. That’s part of their March strategy.
“Am I the only one that does not have a problem with Jamari’s T?”
I see both sides to that coin. He doesn’t need to demonstrate the lack of discipline all the time. But what he did was put a rubber stamp on this season that he and Cliff have everyone’s back.
We needed that T. We needed someone besides Self having to be the one that shows fight. We need that to soak in to players like Perry. That should have been Perry. But just this once, and perhaps one more time later if the team needs the reinforcement again.
You can’t let any opposing player push around one of your players. That sinks in the subconscious. It’s the start of a subordinate role, something you never want to get into with your foes, unless it is them caving in!
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@JayHawkFanToo good story! I’m not sure what words came out of Mari’s mouth, but can guess. The bad thing was Mari got in foul trouble and had limited minutes.
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1 “T”, 3 ft by the Smurf on Steroids - Part Deux, 1 foul on Jamari that limited playing time - COSTLY
Change in momentum and gain in team chemistry -** PRICELESS**
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“Julie-san, fighting not good. But if must fight… win.”
Amen to that!
I was a big kid as a preteen. Kids started picking on me. Calling me racial slurs. Every time a kid did that, I beat him up! I didn’t have to beat up too many kids before they stopped calling me names. From that point forward, I had earned respect and I was rarely challenged. I also stuck up for kids that were teamed up on. Sometimes I felt like a kid cop.
There was one kid that was known as the biggest bully around. He stole my bike, which was his big mistake. Turned out to be the best thing he ever did! What that kid didn’t know was that theft represented the 5th time my bike was stolen! I was in no mood to settle for a conversation about getting my bike back.
When I found out the kid had stole my bike, I marched to his house and I kicked the crap out of him! He had never experienced a whooping! His mother saw it all and came out to confront me. I told her the reason I gave him a smack-down was because he stole my bike (as I gathered my bike and left). She didn’t say a word and looked on.
Later, at a HS reunion, that kid came up and thanked me. He was a horrible bully until that point, and after his whooping he realized just how bad he was victimizing other kids so he stopped. Actually turned the other direction and started standing up for victims.
Every kid doesn’t learn from these experiences… but many do. I had to learn my lessons, too… I was just fortunate enough to learn it early on.
This is an area I target Perry.
The real lesson is that we are all vulnerable. We all have to fight for what we get because others are there to take things away from us if we don’t; our stuff, dignity, identity, future and safety! You have to build character inside to stand up to the bullies, even if you get your butt kicked! Know that it is a lesson and will make you stronger. But don’t back down! Any push coming my way and I’ll push back harder! (exceptions being when someone has a gun!)
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@drgnslayr said:
(exceptions being when someone has a gun!)
Julie-san, fighting not good, But if must fight…win (exception being gun toting psychopath, then run like hell at 45 degree angles!)
Note: that was an allusion to your 45 degree angle of escape comment awhile back, if the evil of football has not robbed that post from your memory banks.
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Ah, I am feeling a mighty fine game day brewing, how about you?
Be sure to brew up a batch of your best, healthiest juices so that you will be at full strength.
Say, I have noticed you have not come over to JNewell’s live blog to talk up the game in real time.
I believe some of your knowledge would be of assistance during the games.
Might you consider virtual attendance for the ISU contest?
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I can’t watch and chat. Quick thoughts that are written down always get me into trouble. I’ve read some of the dialogue and the anger towards my team, and the increase of people on the chat distract me from biting my lip and throwing things while the game is on. Sometimes, I can’t watch when the team goes south and I switch to the Velocity channel before going back to the DVR and catching up. I have learned over the years when watching Self what he wants the team to do and cringe when it doesn’t happen, knowing the red face that is going to call a time out and chew and chew until we get it right and a smile returns to the master’s face. We each have our own game plan.
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Very Superstitious…
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Some of these people chat.
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@drgnslayr Wow, you are old school.
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@HighEliteMajor I think we’ll have to throw up a ton of perimeter shots - they certainly will be firing away…
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The thing that separates OAD from Old School is the difference between having enough talent to insulate you from hard work, real effort and the concept of improving – every season, every game, every practice, every time you lace 'em up.
In other words, the difference between Carmelo Anthony and Jason Kidd. 'Melo never made a team better – Jason not only made every team he played on better, he also improved every teammate he ever had.
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@wrwlumpy and @drgnslayr
Or at @drgnlumpy
Or wrwslayr
Cue the Twilight Zone music.
I won’t say anything if you don’t.
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Or should I say…
@KU62drgnlumpy…
or
well, like I said…
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How about all of you come on over to @JNewell’s live blog?
Howling!
PHOF
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@JayHawkFanToo Fluke is a little strong. We did after all have the Nations Best Player and the Nations Best Coach! I prefer to call it Karma for 1986, I enjoyed your post. Lots of good points.
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Look at the numbers against the last 3 teams KU played in the tournament.
- KSU loss 72-61 at AFH
- OU loss 74-65 at AFH
- KSU win 64-63 at Ahern
- Duke loss 74-70 at AFH
- OU 95-87 loss at Lloyd Noble Arena
- KSU 69-54 loss at Kemper Arena
KU went 1-5 and the only win was against KSU by 1 point.
KU went to the tournament unranked (outside top 25) and was unranked since the 9th week of the season and had a 21-11 record and a #6 seed. The 11 losses are the most ever by a champion. KU was not expected to go past the second round.
At the tournament
- KSU 71-58 win - Elite 8
- Duke 66-59 win - Final Four
- OU 83-79 win - Championship game
When you look at the numbers above, it makes you realize how much of an improbable run KU had in '88 on its way to the Championship.
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@JayHawkFanToo I like your post. I said Karma for 1986. I stand by that. I am in agreement with you, just not to that extent. Sure we lost 5 of the 6 games that you mentioned. Does playing that type of schedule make you better? Sure it does. We not only benefitted from playing that schedule, it also contributed to everyone knowing their role and accepting their role. It’s not a fluke when you have the best player in the country and the best coach in the country. KSU, Duke, and OU were all afforded the opportunity to put Kansas out of the tournament, and they didn’t get it done. Kansas put up 50 points that OU team in the first half. No one could have predicted that. It’s not a fluke when you go out on the biggest stage and get it done. I understand what you are saying, and I appreciate it. I am just not in full agreement.
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@JayHawkFanToo I hear you on the “T” and firing the crowd up. Standing up for your team is a good thing. But, I’m sure Self would say he should be the one to decide when a “T” is good for the cause and not the players…and I would have to say I believe the same thing. But, I agree, that one was not all bad!
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I absolutely see your point. Mine was more an illustration of how much of crap shoot the NCAA tournament is. Logic would dictate that KU had a slim to none chance of winning and it did; however, there were several years when KU had a great chance of winning and did not. Had the tournament been a best of X games, KU does not win in '88 but likely wins in others. This is why, like many others in this forum, I value the conference title as much as the national title since it implies continues excellence rather than a lucky/karma-ic run in March.
In another thread there is a link to Bilas article that makes some good points and I elaborate on those when I get to my full size keyboard…too much work on a tablet.
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I see your point; however, I cannot see any situation where Coach Self would ask a player to get a “T,” none whatsoever. If there is a situation where a point need to be made to the refs, he would do it himself and not ask a player…isn’t it his job to do this? In fact, many time coaches will do just this to fire up their teams. A heat of the battle “T” that fires up the team and the crowd and enhances team chemistry is not so bad…just my opinion, but then, I tend to be old school…
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@JayHawkFanToo Oh, I agree…Self would get the “T” on himself.
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@JayHawkFanToo We are on the same page. I believe the NCAA Tournament in it’s current format is more luck than skill. Too many teams that don’t deserve to be there end up in the tournament.
