stoptheflop said:

Newman, not Graham has become the leader of this team. on a

Totally disagree with this. I have been hard on Devonte this year on this board. I called him out for not being a leader and chucking up dumb shots and making horrible decisions at times.

He has actually learned that there is more to being a leader than leading the team in scoring. Yesterday he settled the guys down, didn’t force stuff against the zone too much, and made great decisions, including finding the hot hand Newman.

He’s become a better leader than I thought he could and it’s been great to see.

My son and I made a last minute trip from Ohio for this game. Our first time back since 2020 senior night. It was an awesome night in the fieldhouse. Such a great environment.

So far this trip is UNBELIEVABLE. Visited the Fieldhouse this morning and did a walk up tour so got some good pictures by the floor. While My son and I were looking at the Naismith rules an older gentleman and his wife approached us.
He then told my son “that’s my granddaddy”. It was in fact Jim Naismith, James’ grandson. Crazy! Then before we left the Fieldhouse we actually ran into Dok(e) and my son got a picture! We still have the game to look forward to!

After this weekend, if one of these two men win the title, that man will be labeled the best coach in college basketball. If its Jay Wright it’s because he is perceived to have ushered in “small ball” to college basketball and won 2 championships in 3 years. If its coach Self then a second championship validates his insane regular season record over the last 15 years at Kansas.

The are both in their mid 50s and will probably reign another 10 years. Izzo has had his media darling image tainted with all the MSU issues and he hasn’t succeeded lately in the tournament. K and Roy are both in their twilight years.

All of this is just media fodder, but it can define the perception to casual college basketball fans. However I would suspect that just like us, Villanova, Kentucky, Duke, UNC, and Michigan St, wouldn’t trade their coach for any of the others regardless of perception.

Bosthawk said:

I’m worried about all the self-can’t-get-past-elite-8 posts coming if we do lose. Should be a tough tough game. And yep if we hit our shots, we should be

But So far, This has been a great season, let’s face it! Win or lose, been a great ride for me at least.

This is what REALLY REALLY pisses me off. In coach Ks 34 years has he once developed a 3 star player? Has he ever not had the most talent? He has NEVER had a season where he didn’t land a McDonald’s All American. He is now the biggest one and done guy. In the past 16 seasons Duke has been either a 1 or 2 seed 12 times yet only made it past the sweet sixteen FOUR times. Despite all this talent EVERY year he never gets called out for “choking”.

Bill Self has just developed back to back 3/4 star high school guys into first team all Americans. He ROUTINELY does more with less. The fact that he completely maximizes the talent almost always means a tournament “upset” will happen because Kansas earns seed beyond their talent. VIrginia did the same thing this year. Yes the accomplished things to be a 1 seed but at the end of the day their talent(not a single nba guy) isnt really 1 seed quality.

I know most here hate Kentucky the most. I don’t have enough hate left for anyone after Duke.

Rock Chalk

I want to exorcise all the demons…

• Beat an 11 seed in Elite 8… avenge VCU

• Beat Nova in Final Four… Stick it to Jay Wright

• Beat Duke in the Final… avenge 1991 and send K out a loser

@nuleafjhawk My 11-year-old son was on the verge of tears and acting like a punk at halftime. I told him to stop or he was headed to bed. Man that would suck to have gone to bed at halftime!!!

• Coach K’s first final four-game in 1986 beat Kansas
• Coach K’s first championship in 1991 beat Kansas
• Coach K’s last game LOSES championship to Kansas!!!

This is a MASSIVE low point for me with this transfer/NIL stuff. If it is like this yearly I’m going to have a real hard time watching this.

Was a great game to be at!!

Imagine reading these posts 10 years ago. College sports just feels dead to me.

Self is going to go out with a BANG

@BeddieKU23 that was probably his role on the scout team and they couldn’t even guard him

Not sure how many here saw this.

https://x.com/derrick__shelby/status/1910146609322610697?s=46

I’m interested in Flory becoming a serious shot-block threat. If he does the perimeter defense will improve massively. Its easy to pressure the ball when you have a shot blocker behind you.

Moved up to the #1 player in the class

https://247sports.com/article/kansas-signee-darryn-peterson-will-finish-as-the-no-1-ranked-prospect-in-the-2025-class-248504078/

Modern basketball in a nutshell. Down 2 in the bonus and you get nothing going to the basket. You attempt a half ass elevator screen to free up a 28’ three. Yes I know there were other options before that last one. But this modern chuck every 3 imaginable has just led to kids settling for bad long shots.

Nice!

He is a pure scorer. Has an old man’s game already.