When times get tough, it is wise to consider things in an historical perspective.

To quote John Blutarsky, “Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?”

Over course not. As Rambo said, “Nothing is over.”

Some tidbits.

-Did you know that sometimes, necessity really is the mother of invention?

-Did you know that Silvio DeSousa bests Doke in rebounds per 40 minutes played by nearly two boards? That he has .5 more assists per 40 minutes? That he shoots free throws twice as good as Doke? And that his scoring rate per 40 minutes is only three less than Doke (19 vs. 22)?

-Did you know that sometimes, the best team on paper doesn’t actually win the national title?

-Did you know that folks really were concerned when Drew Bledsoe got hurt, and late round pick had to take his place in the Patriot’s lineup?

-Did you know that a grade one MCL sprain can heal very quickly, but two weeks is probably sufficient?

-Did you know that Doke doesn’t rely on sharp moves and quick cuts to score offensively?

-Did you know that we still have the best collection of perimeter players in the nation?

-Did you know that a guy named Conner Teahan hit the biggest shot of his life in the NCAA tournament?

-Did you know that folks that have suffered spinal cord injuries have walked again?

-Did you know that Marcus Garrett is beginning to play like a sophomore, and that a five guard lineup might be un-guardable?

-Did you know that undersized, quick teams can play zone defense, can trap, and can employ a full court press?

-Did you know that Nick Foles just won the Super Bowl?

-Did you know that Clint Normore will never be forgotten?

-Did you know that we are “the hot shooting team” that others fear?

-Did you know that “backs against the wall” is a phrase that is used for a reason?

-Did you know that this was the year we lost the Big 12?

-Did you know that Bill Self is kind of a good coach? Like, kind of HOF?

-Did you know that every so often, destiny can be on your side?

-Did you know that Doke, or no Doke, we ARE Kansas?

This season is not over. Nothing is over.

Teams don’t reach the Final Four without there being a clear and obvious contribution from the man on the bench.

Tonight, we saw the “A” game.

What the nation saw heading into the game – what I saw heading into the game – was a mammoth Duke team inside. Big, after big, after big. Playing a four out, one in team that had as its second big, a kid just 90 days removed from high school. And who had as its first bit a lumbering lug that while very skilled, was quick to tire and an easy mark for silly fouls.

Bill Self scripted an absolutely brilliant game plan defensively.

Quick traps, immediate help, help off the bounce, prioritizing threats, trusting match ups – you name it. What I find incredibly impressive is off the traps, how well our guys slid into the correct lanes, and how they generally were always in a position with their eyes in the right place. Not an easy task. Our defense put Duke on the defensive much of the night. It appeared that Duke (particularly Bagley) was not fully ready for our aggressiveness. Self had this team ready to play defense against the oversized Blue Devils. Without it, this game would have been over quickly.

One tremendous decision was to put Svi on Bagley – and to trust Svi. What a terrific game he had. Of course, he hit the big three. But even bigger was the job he did guarding a bigger, more athletic Bagley. A guy who could jump out of gym. But on many occasions, Svi was able to be in the right spot, deny Bagley the ball, and disrupt. That’s all Svi had to do was disrupt, and he did it magnificently.

This game was won on the defensive end. And defense like this just doesn’t happen. Two months ago, who would have believed that this team, in this moment, would win with defense?

Bill Self took a team he was complaining about being soft, and lacking chemistry (just last month), and created a unit that could coalesce into a monster defensive squad.

Turmoil, uncertainty, criticism, adversity – this team has suffered this fate more than any KU team in recent memory. But look at the product. Just look at it.

We now have the opportunity for our moment. Our beautiful, ever-lasting moment. Two to go.

And this season, which was Bill Self’s greatest coaching job yet, is not over. Not by a long shot. This team has experience, tenacity, and character. And it has a toughness that cannot just be created because a coach says so.

This team has a toughness that was earned. Earned, in part, by the bitter disappointment of the last two seasons. Being on the brink of the what is a life changing accomplishment, only to fall short. Or as the players feel deep inside, only to fail.

Why are we going to San Antonio? It’s because of the journey. It’s because of Nova in '16 and Oregon in '17. It’s because Vick went into a shell. It’s because Newman wasn’t meshing. It’s because Preston was a mirage. It’s because Mitch stepped up. It’s because of our All-American. It’s because Doke got hurt. It’s because DeSousa became a man. And it’s because this team became a team.

But more than anything, it’s because of the boss on the bench. The man on the bench took a team that many thought was rudderless, and steered it through some incredibly stormy seas. He took control. And we are in the Final Four because of it.

So look at us now.

For years, many of us have been begging for coach Self to be more flexible, to break out of the same dogmatic approaches that he insisted upon regardless of personnel.

One theme I always suggested as explanation is that great achievers, in whatever profession, get there in large part doing it their way and not being distracted by those that suggest that they moderate and change. That makes them even more resolute in their beliefs, particularly when they achieve great success. And thus less likely to change – they know what’s best.

The comment by Fran Fraschilla about Self changing his style of play actually began last season. Last season, Self broke free of the standard rigidity and truly permitted his team to play to their strengths. This followed Self’s admission that he did not handle the 2013-14 team correctly. All the while, hanging on to much of the scheme and approach that he’s always relied upon for success. Adapting, tweaking, adjusting as needed.

It’s all about flexibility. The new Bill Self.

Before the 2015-16 season, I just wanted Self to tweak his system. I’m a high/low fan, always have been. But when you have gunners, you have to gun. After a horrible end to the 2014-15 season, where our offense was in disarray, we all saw it begin in the World University games – which could be the best thing to happen to coach Self as a coach. We saw him pucker a bit in the championship game. A little regressing on the road of change.

This is all some of us have every wanted. Results are not assured. Teams will lose. Players will be at fault. Coaches will be at fault. Circumstances (illness, injury, officials, etc.) can weigh against success.

But truly, now, Bill Self is a coach that views success as being possible outside of his previous tunnel of acceptability. That’s really all it is now. That’s the change. Success can be had on offense doing things differently. For those that ardently and loyally defended coach Self, with whom I’ve battled a bit over the years, all I can say is – this is what I was talking about. Taking your talent, and melding your system to provide the best opportunity for success. As mentioned for years, other coaches do it. Self can do it. We now see it right before our eyes at Kansas. Much like Self did last season, when there were scant few discussions about scheme.

This is not your father’s Bill Self. This Bill Self is different. This Bill Self is not at war with his team over scheme and style of play, as he was in 2014-15.

There may be times when the high/low and post feed basketball returns. But now, I have great confidence that Bill Self cares little about scheme, but more about what scheme will be successful. High/low will return when high/low gives us the best chance to win.

And that is good for Kansas basketball.

Is there a better coach in college basketball? I don’t think so.

Some Baylor Post Game:

1. 8-1 Lead: The first few minutes of the KU/Baylor game really did happen – kind of like the tree falling in the forest and making a sound. I tried logging on to CBS’s site, and was treated to a continuous role of commercials for CBS programs I won’t ever watch. But the game log proves that it happened. I just wish CBS and other networks would put together a quick video summary of the scoring. How hard is that? Or at least verbally recap what had happened. And how hard would it be to add a little look-in feed in the corner of the screen during the game that is finishing, for the markets affected by the run over games? Ugh.

2. Svi vs. Greene: A battle few of us saw Greene winning, but win it he has. Unsure of the status of Greene’s thumb, but Greene looked great today. Terrific, really. He showed the ability to slide defensively, guarding Baylor’s quick guard effectively a few times. He also drove the ball with some confidence. Created a hoop. With Greene, we just need some improvement in those other phases to compliment his marksmanship from long range. It appeared to me (as noted in my post from Thursday, that Green had won the 4th rotation spot. The 5th guy gets scraps. Let’s hope Greene stays on Self’s page.

3. Mickelson: What a terrific game. Going against an all-conference level player (Gathers) and a quick post player, Mick gave Kansas exactly what it needed. Competent defense in the middle, a guy that can block and change shots, and a guy that hustles and compliments our skilled perimeter. Nice line. The best choice to start next to Ellis to be sure. Mick is like adding a new post player. He was a non-factor last season. I sure hope Self keeps him in the starting spot. Couldn’t be happier for the kid getting his well deserved chance.

4. Post Rotation: Self went away from the path he led us down – that everyone wouldn’t play. @jaybate-1.0 called this correctly. For those suggesting Self would go off merit, I hope you saw who the first big off the bench was – Carlton Bragg. If Bragg didn’t know what he was doing, or if he was lagging in practice, or if he was too skinny, why would Self put him in FIRST? The fact is, Bragg is ready now. He just needs the fine-tuning of experience. In the second half, Self went primarily with Ellis and Mick. Lucas spelled Mick, and JT finished the game from the 5:00 minute mark until “scrub” time. I (of course) would have preferred Bragg at the 5:00 minute mark. JT had done nothing to that point, but did have nice poke away and great block (who we all saw coming – little guard should have dished). When JT plays 10 minutes or less that’s a sample size that fits well for him. And we all want Diallo to play, I think. But when he’s gunning up 17 footers, it’s not a persuasive element of his case. His stretch in the first half gave us the ups and downs. Made jumper. A nice high/low pass to Lucas. Great block leading to fast break hoop. One board. A couple missed shots that weren’t the best bets, and a foul. But I hope those that are against playing Diallo now see how he can impact the game, and really his limited first half stretch framed the discussion. Peaks and valleys. But elements that Lucas, for example, can never bring. Diallo represents the path to this team’s ceiling THIS SEASON. Fortune favors the bold – or so I’ve heard.

5. Mason/Graham: This season has led to one unmistakable conclusion – All I can say is “thank you Nic Moore.” SMU’s Moore reminded Self of the path, and reinforced his prior stated view that playmaking is invaluable. If Moore had flopped with Mason in the WUGs, we might not have what we have now. This is a dynamic backcourt. Remember when Self referenced playing small before last season, when we also had CF? Then he said that the playing small thing was not in the cards after CF left – implying that his statements were related to personnel? Well I’m glad he stuck with it now. I loved the idea of moving Selden to the three. A view I have held since late last season, mainly framed during the “Selden is not a point guard” discussions that were held here. Selden is the “big wing” that Self said he was. When Selden was excluded from the press break, that’s code for “big wing.” And Wiggins and Oubre handcuffed Self to an extent. What if Self would have started Tharpe and Mason, or Tharpe and CF in 2013-14, and brought Selden off the bench? What if Self benched Selden last season (as he should have – letting him come off the bench) and inserted Graham? I don’t know. But I do know now that this team’s engine is the Mason/Graham duo. This is special. It is my favorite composite perimeter group I can recall at Kansas.

6. Playing To Our Strength: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I submit to you, as Exhibit A, the Kansas/Baylor contest of January 2, 2016. I ask that you return a verdict finding 1) that KU’s strength is its outside shooting, 2) that KU should continue to play to its strength all season with focused resolve even if there are bumps in the road, and 3) that term “Fool’s Gold” be forever banned from further discussion. This is an easy case. The verdict was actually returned about this time last season. Apparently there was an appeal. Those take time. But the court’s order is now in effect and Self is willingly abiding by the court’s order, it appears.

7. Ball Movement and Pace: While we know we can shoot, this team is an animal when it comes to ball movement and pace. I will be very interested as to what occurs when an aggressive defensive team disregards the back cuts and overplays. The team that comes to mind is the 2007 Southern Illinois Salukis (we played them in the NCAAs that season). One of the best defensive teams I’ve seen, and they played in your jock. Not near it, in it. I guess the game I’ll be interested in is at Texas Tech. Tubby Smith is a master at controlling pace, and TT seems to have a decent squad. K-State might try to slow us down, but they are low on personnel.

8. Set Plays/Self: I counted four clear set plays that led to baskets (and I was casually looking for it). We had a sweet inbounds play for a basket, as usual. Seriously, we can’t take for granted the opportunities that Self creates for the team when he focuses on that. What I mean is that in some years, I think he purposefully makes the team run its offense without the help of set plays throughout the game. This season – and I haven’t kept track – it just seems like there are more set plays being called. I don’t know what anyone else thinks there. One other item: We were exquisitely prepared for our conference opener. That credit goes to one man, the coach. Can anyone have hoped for a more prepare team today? It was an impressive notice to the rest of the conference. As usual, this whole deal runs through AFH.

9. Gathers vs. Mamadou: I would pay to see that one on one battle. Gathers is a skilled brute. Mamadou a freak of nature. I’d bet on Gathers, of course. Actually, think about Gathers playing the 4 and Mamadou at the 5 for Kansas. We might never shoot another three. Mamadou, for what its worth, was wildly underutilized by UC-Irvine. How many times did their guards penetrate and literally all they had to do was flip the ball in the air? How many set plays or screens were done for Mamadou? It is not hard to script say six plays. Pass to Mamadou on the block and have him immediately bounce the ball to draw the double and script a cutter or rotation play through the double. How bout back screen? Or box to box screen? Or Mamadou flashing, then spinning around to the basket for the lob? Saw nothing from UC Irvine. I watched the game again on TWC sports channel (yes, I’m glad I have it now). By the way, Mamadou is his first name, right? Sounds good to me. I ask this in all seriousness, is he a member of the Zulu tribe? I rode the Zulu at World’s of Fun a few times, but that’s the extent of my experience there. That is what’s called a tangent.

10. Oklahoma on Monday: So let me get this straight. A bunch of settlers raced in wagons to Oklahoma to be there “Sooner” than everyone else, to stake their claim for land in a barren, dust bowl landscape, devoid of any real natural beauty, in the middle of Tornado Alley (or Tornado Hell), that now is subject to the most earthquakes per square mile in the world? And they have just one major sports team? Whatever. Kansas might be a bit comparable, I guess, but we do have AFH. That’s a trump card. This will at least give Buddy Hield a chance to meet the Big 12 player of year again in person (Wayne Selden).

I had waited a bit to see if someone else got a post game thread running – at my wife’s suggestion. She wanted to go to dinner. But seeing nothing was started, our dinner date was delayed. She’s used to it … not happy, but used to it. She understands that it’s hoops season and the world revolves around KU hoops. Greatest time of the year. I think it’s her choice of restaurants tonight, though.

It’s now down to this … we’ve been here before. KU has a #1 seed and a reasonable path to the Final Four. But the last four times we’ve been in this position, our season has ended with painful losses. Logic says it will happen again. Champions, many times, defy logic.

1. Defense Wins Championships: The old adage is generally true. Rarely does a top defensive team win the title when it is poor defensively. We posted about this yesterday … even UNC in 2005 and 2009 were in the top 40 in defensive efficiency. Roy’s teams that won the title played pretty good defense. I do think an overwhelming offense can overcome, but we’re talking six games, no margin of error, against top teams with great coaches. It’s why Self loves to have some character tests during the season, some games where we persevere and win when the ball doesn’t go in the hole. We have joked about how Self actually prefers low scoring games – this is surely part of the reason.

2. Our Weakness: Defense has been our bugaboo all season. Someone aptly described the KU defense parting like the Red Sea when TCU attacked at times. We are lacking in that department. We have good perimeter defenders, but when the dike starts to leak, we have nothing to plug it with. We have zero rim protection from the post positions. JJ is an athletic guy, but nothing comparable to our ideal – Aldrich, Embiid, Withey. Erasers that cover leakage.

3. Udoka: This was a huge loss. Udoka provided us a true rim protector. Coach Self inserted Udoka in the starting lineup, quite obviously, to prep him for this moment. To permit him to arc upward and gain experience. The wrist injury ended all that. And it sent our chances to play good team defense down the drain.

4. Defensive Efficiency: If there is a big negative for KU’s chances of an NCAA title, it’s defensive efficiency. Kansas sits at 99th in defensive efficiency. Since Self has been the coach at KU, no team that has won the NCAA title has been worse than 74th. So we’re 25 spots away from that bottom-dweller position. Here is are the numbers for NCAA title winners for defensive efficiency, with Kansas shown for 2017.

-2004: UConn 6

-2005: UNC 19

-2006: Florida 19 (KU was 1)

-2007: Florida 16 (KU was 1)

-2008: Kansas 4

-2009: UNC 39

-2010: Duke 9

-2011: UConn 75

-2012: Kentucky 9

-2013: Louisville 3

-2014: UConn 19

-2015: Duke 63

-2016: Villanova 14

-2017: Kansas 99

5. KenPom Defensive Efficiency: Using a different metric, KenPom’s efficiency ratings, the news doesn’t get any better. No NCAA title winner since 2004 has been worse than 21 in at the KenPom ratings regarding defensive efficiency. KU is now at 30.

-2004: UConn 5

-2005: UNC 7

-2006: Florida 7

-2007: Florida 15

-2008: Kansas 1

-2009: UNC 21

-2010: Duke 5

-2011: UConn 15

-2012: Kentucky 8

-2013: Louisville 1

-2014: UConn 10

-2015: Duke 12

-2016: Villanova 5

-2017: Kansas 30

So what does this all mean? I think quite simply it seems to mean that we are living on borrowed time. It seems like harsh reality. It’s why when you have a team constructed for March, like we have many times before, you have to cash it. It’s why the possible titles in 2010, 2011, and 2015, where we could argue that we should have won, are so precious. We needed one of those. And a team like this just can’t win a national title, can it? Well, it shouldn’t.

We all know we should not win the title this season. We look like Duke in 2015 I heard someone say, comparing Winslow and Jackson at the four, but ignoring the guy named Okafer. This season and its success is a result of Bill Self, and taking a team, and its warts, and constructing a scheme and plan to put our guys in the best position to win. The best example I have seen from coach Self in this regard. But we are have weaknesses that tend to get exposed in March. That inability to stop other teams from scoring.

I have been content this season. A good word – content. We look at 2008-09 many times as Self’s best coaching job. This season, in my mind, is clearly the best. Landen Lucas and fumes in the post. Carlton Bragg, who’s played like the bong was his brother. And Dwight Coleby, whose game has had more holes than a block of Swiss most of the season. The leader, Lucas, continually plays to his ceiling. An amazing story. But he has been it.

And the lack of inside presence has led to an inability to cover perimeter mistakes. It has led to perimeter issues, too, when our defenders have had to shade and protect against the drive, leaving open threes (ISU a great example). For those that shrug at the idea of rim protection, you might consider how valuable a Hunter Mickelson would be right now to this porous perimeter.

Can we remain optimistic? Sure. This season may be decided by something other than defense. But don’t bet on it. And don’t bet on KU this March. That’s the ugly negative. The “we can’t” stuff that is easy to spew.

This is Kansas, if I recall correctly. We can.

The good news is that there are no lock down defensive teams in our bracket, aside from possibly Louisville. Here are the teams we may face, with defensive efficiency/KenPom defensive efficiency - Louisville 22/6, Oregon 19/22, Purdue 23/16, ISU 96/43, Creighton 91/27. Our possible second round opponents come in as follows - Michigan St. 92/34 and Miami 92/20.

Has the NCAA selection committee done us a favor? A blessed favor? Maybe. Only one number from the two metrics in the top 10. The selection committee clearly gave us a favorable region. Who would have wanted Duke, or UCLA, or UK, or Arizona, over what we have? Would anyone have wanted defensive stalwarts UVA as our 5, or Wisconsin as our 8, or Florida as our 4? Maybe they all stink, but it seems that avoiding top defensive teams might be our best path.

In our region, in top half of the seeds, only Michigan is better than KU on the offensive end of it, under both metrics. The differences aren’t substantial, but they are differences. And who scores better on under the basket in-bounds plays, anyway?

This team also has experience, and it has the biggest (figuratively), baddest (literally – as in how Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington from Welcome Back Kotter might say it) player in the tournament – Frank Mason. The single baddest player in CBB.

Guards win titles, and this may be the clash of metrics vs. simplicity. The best guards win. Lots of examples where guard play has propelled teams to the title. If that is really the case, start find room in the trophy case.

When I bet, I’ll bet on the best point guard in Kansas history. I sure as heck am not betting against him.

I’m not betting against KU in the Sprint Center, either. AFH west has been gifted to Kansas, again by that evil NCAA. The gold brick path to the Final Four is there. It used to be Kemper, and Roy remembers UVA, and Jeff Jones. Bill Self has no such memory. This is our town.

This KU team also knows how to win. Bill Parcells said that good teams win close games. Some say that good teams blow out the opponent. True. But good teams know how to win close games. That’s of great value. We’ve done it on the road, we’ve done it at home. We’ve done it. Just win, baby. Yea, I hated the Raiders. All Chiefs fans did. But over time, one respects the mantra and even the despicable QB (Kenny Stabler). This KU team just wins. It is all that matters.

Sometimes, in the most pressure packed moments, a player rises to the moment. Better than he ever was, better than he will ever be. We have candidates, and one that has overcome a devastating knee injury to rise again. We’ve seen glimpses. On that crucial night, we might only need 12 solid minutes. But titles are won on 12 solid minutes. Call it a hunch.

The optimist will say that we can overcome the history of the numbers defensively. Of course we can. We shall overcome. Someone always overcomes the numbers. Always. Standards and numbers change. Good grief, the Royals won the World Series again before I was dumped in a pine box. Would not have believed it possible. So odds have been destroyed before. Recently. Here.

As we know, KU has had the odds in its favor many times in this event, and failed. Again, the last four times we were a number one seed we went down in flames before the Final Four. It would seem apropos for Kansas to win the title when the numbers seemed quite ominous. That’s how the world works. It’s not like we have to win the popular vote, lots of useless votes on the left coast – we just need the rest of the electoral college. Advanced metrics have been mocked by actual results quite recently, I tend to recall. Odds and probabilities be damned. That feeling is still in the air. .

Red state? Deep state? State of denial? No – it’s a belief. A collective belief in what’s right.

We overcame odds before, I think … in 1988. With a POY. We now have the POY again. And the POY shall lead them. The stars, planets, and little black birds on the wire can line up. We aren’t Villanova in '85, or the Wolpack of '83. We don’t have to be either to win it all. We’re above that.

I might also argue that KU deserves this title. That’s right, we are the chosen ones. Given a life of KU basketball. We were born to this earth to don the crimson and blue, and to look down upon the world below us. This is of course a capitalistic system, one where the strong survive. The losers lose. We will not redistribute the wealth. We are aristocracy and we deserve another title – with our wine, and selection of tasty cheeses. The goblet gets passed around amongst the blue bloods. We shall drink. It’s been too long. We must drink.

And Self deserves it. Man, does he deserve it. Hugging his son, grasping the trophy, cementing his place as the greatest coach in KU history. Self deserves this.

This is a national title team until it isn’t. Six games. Three, four team tournaments. Easy, right?

Maybe, just maybe, in a season of unprecedented off the court distractions, when the hits just keep on coming, the team with the supposed fatal flaw locks arms, with the chip squarely on their collective shoulder (see @drgnslayr), and that team drives powerfully to the title. Flipping the bird at that attack force media gathered outside the locker room. Saying screw the traitors, and the naysayers, and the enemies. We are 16,300 strong every freaking night, but that locker room and that coach has seen the knives come out from the treacherous, yet, predictable few. Waiting to pounce on perfection, and on a program and coach that do things the right way.

We’ll pounce on this. There is no reason why this can’t happen. No reason.

The best coach. The best player. And a team that has persevered all season, in dark situations, with an eye on the ultimate prize.

Write KU in as your national title team. Or don’t. There is no ever present karma other than what runs through that locker room. This team has “it.” And I want a ring.

We are Kansas. The greatest basketball school ever. Now on to the most amazing spectacle in sports.

What’s a blue blood? Easy. It’s Kansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, UCLA, and Duke. There is no tried and true formula. We just know it when we see it.

We have a significant “blue blood” accomplishment. We’ve won 14 straight conference titles, in a real conference, with real world roster turnover. Bill Self stands alone. Kansas stands alone.

We now face what has been a Bill Self Roadblock – the second weekend of the tournament. Bill Self has generally been successful navigating to the second weekend. He has of course made every tournament since he was hired, and has won every first round game, but for the killer B’s (Bucknell and Bradley).

But it is the second weekend that challenges Bill Self. It is the second weekend that has tempered the adulation for our blue blood program. We have failed, regularly, to make the Final Four.

Final Fours matter. There are chirps from some that Final Fours don’t matter unless you win the title. Or that they are not that important. Idle, irrelevant, and ignorant chatter. Schools hang big banners for Final Fours. Big ones. That is an undeniable fact. The college basketball universe recognizes Final Fours. It is a high bar used to judge programs and coaches. Undeniable. Programs are mocked for the failure to even stumble into a Final Four once in 120 years (MUst we mock?). Final Fours are the World Series, Final Fours are the Super Bowl. You get there. It’s an achievement to arrive at the “big dance.” The Final Four is the big dance. Without getting to the dance, you can’t win a championship.

And the big dance has painfully eluded coach Self. In his tremendous career at Kansas, with all of the great teams and talent, we’ve seen but two final fours. Coach Roy found his way to four Final Fours.

This has been a clear roadblock for coach Self.

The past two seasons are clear cases in point. Against Villanova, we lost to the eventual national champion. But Kansas was the #1 seed, had played the stronger schedule, and seemed like the more talented team. Against Oregon, the loss was shocking. We had the national player of the year and we had the best OAD in Kansas history in Josh Jackson. Yet we still failed.

Final Fours matter. Think about the discussion if Self had reached the FF in 2011 and 2016. Narrative changer to be sure.

Each season we fail to reach the FF, we bring new or rehashed excuses. I will not list them. Some silly, some partially correct, some even legitimate. Some are present in every loss, by every team. But they sound good because they make us feel better. When the years go by, and the excuses mount like a burning dung heap, they matter little any longer. Just do it. Teams achieve greatness all the time despite the excuses (rational, irrational, or otherwise). It’s our turn to do it.

And what better year? We’ve always discussed how being a team NOT assumed to be a national title team might be the year we actually achieve the ultimate goal.

We need only win two games to reach the Final Four. That creates a legacy. It adds to the legacy of our blue blood program. We need this one.

For some reason, at this moment, I feel it. I’ve felt it a few times this season. I felt it in my last thread regarding how this team could respond without Doke, and that nothing was over. Now we have Doke and there is no discussion of how we survive. We are fully loaded. We will be at maximum RPMs.

I don’t know, but sometimes when things are a bit rougher, when things aren’t meshing, when things seem more disjointed and chaotic, the end product can sometimes be that much stronger and resilient.

This season can fit exactly into that category. There is no player that exemplifies that more than Malik Newman. And how many alpha dogs can one team have? We have multiple players that can take over, and that are comfortable taking over. Guys that have produced in critical situations – Graham, Svi, Newman, and Doke. And we have that extra big we desperately needed. Don’t sleep on him. He can win us a game.

For some reason, it kind of feels right this season – finally. But now is the only time it really matters.

Do we have the best team? I don’t know. Do we have the best team to win the next four games? I know this – I wouldn’t trade our team with any other team in the tourney.

Kansas 83 Clemson 69

Kansas 74 Duke 70

See you in San Antonio, my friends.

There are days and events that are important in every walk of life. For Christianity, it was certainly the birth of Jesus. For the United States, it might have been the signing of the Constitution. For mankind, maybe it was Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, or perhaps the defeat of Nazi Germany. For some folks, it could be the release of a new Star Wars movie. For others, it might just be a new pair of pants.

T0day is a day for a large contingent of KU basketball fans to bask in the warmth of beautiful affirmation. Its a day to mark on your calendars.

Today, December 18, 2015, Bill Self blessed many that post at kubuckets.com with some stunning words. Here are the wonderful and glorious words:

Bill Self - "I do think we need to shoot a higher percentage of threes. I do think we need to play to our strength, which is shooting the basketball."

Bill Self - "Last year, we kept trying to force it to become something we probably weren’t."

I apologize if I don’t ooze with humility at the moment. But may I ask a very simple question:

Isn’t this exactly the foundation of everything I (and others) have been suggesting since the beginning of the 2014-15 season?

I feel at peace.

Has Self made a deal with the devil? Has he met on common ground with the evil that is outside shooting, and the perceived negatives that flow with actually making shots?

Perhaps. It might just be a tentative deal. One that hinges largely on our continued ability to score in the paint – without the luxury of the conventional post feed and resulting back to the basket hoop. Self, in his post game tonight, said that the second half against OSU was the best we’ve played this season.

Whoa.

@DoubleDD posted a thread today about Fool’s Gold. Interesting timing. The game today was at the same point in time as the Utah game last season, and both at the Sprint Center. The Utah game was really the Fool’s Gold game, not Texas Tech (which is the more famous one).

At halftime of the Utah game, we led 39-21. In that game, we were 5-8 from three in the first half, we destroyed Utah with our shooting ability, and were 12-20 from the field. During a half time interview, Self singled out Perry Ellis using the Fool’s Gold phrase. He was clearly disturbed with our inability to score inside. He was ticked off and we were up by 18. Very importantly, he was ticked off even though we had played great defense, and had only given up just 21 points. After half, we were just 1-3 from three point range. It was obvious the three point shooting was scrapped. We continued, possession after possession to try to jam it inside. In the second half we were 6-23 on field goals. Of course, Utah came back, tied up the game, and we nearly lost. Utah outscored 39-24 in the second half. For the game against Utah, we scored just 10 points in the paint.

The Utah game highlighted Bill Self’s post feed focus. Suffice it say that we weren’t then, and we aren’t now, a team that could/will score reliably on the conventional post feed.

Ah, but tonight was different. Has Bill Self accepted this style of play?

Well, what did Kansas do after halftime? We shot the ball more. We shot more three pointers. We played a style of play that matched our talents. We found ways to score in the paint without back to the basket scoring. Self permitted his “best shooting team” to blow the doors off of Oregon St. by doing what it does best – shoot the ball AND play fast.

All with Self’s apparent blessing.

The best moves made by Self coming into the season were moving Selden to the three and starting Graham. This has clearly done what Self envisioned. We move the ball well, we create off the dribble, we get the ball up and down the floor, and we play with that ever important pace.

In our second half run, here’s how we took it to Oregon St: Mickelson got it going with a fall away jumper. Next, Mason hit a two point jumper. Mick hit an 18 footer. Mason scored on a drive, then Graham on drive. The two drives were done quickly when very little shot clock had expired. Then DG hit a 17 footer and Selden scored on a fast break. And what do you know, the game was tied at 48. More to follow – Ellis hit an a 18 footer, and then Mick fed Ellis, inside/out, for an open three pointer. Self tossed in some pressure, and DG got a steal and an easy layup. Kansas is up 55-50.

That is your 2015-16 Kansas Jayhawks. And Bill Self just said that the second half against Oregon State was the best we played this season.

Pace, shooting, and playing to our strengths. Some excellent pressure, some terrific and disruptive defense. And nary a back to the basket hoop to be found. We can score in the high/low, post to post, every so often. Ellis can and will get baskets inside as the season progress. But we got our points in the paint – the necessary easy baskets – by attacking and playing the game on the run. Transition points. Good ball movement inside. This time, Kansas was able to get into the paint for 34 points based mainly on an attacking style, and playing the game at a high pace (compare to 10 points in the pace against Utah last season).

Our defense helped create our offense. This can’t be overlooked. Self has to love that.

With that, our coach didn’t shut down our outside game tonight. He didn’t look to the post feed to bail us out. He accepted our maturing identity. No, not with a warm hug. But more like a firm handshake. It appears that we have a tentative deal. Could it unravel? Sure. But it’s looking good right now.

Whatever it is, we see what we’ve been discussing – play to your team’s strengths. That’s what we saw tonight. The “best shooting team” shot the ball, but a team that can drive the ball and attack, did just that. And it disrupted our opponent defensively.

In the off season, some asked for changes. I was focused on tweaks. Tonight we saw a game nearly opposite in many respects than the Utah game last season. The biggest opposite was the approach of our coach.

Is the post feed dead? It’s too early to make that call. But we’re trending strongly in the right direction. Regardless, the good old high/low can work. We can score inside/out as we demonstrated tonight. We can of course shoot the ball and shoot it well. And we can attack and create baskets in the paint to get easy baskets, to provide the balance that Self desires (and requires). This team can also play some pretty disruptive defense.

My friends, does this team have an identity that is beginning to solidify?

Good afternoon everyone. I appreciate the posts and those that have reached out to me elsewhere. I’ve just been very engaged in politics since summer, most of it unrelated to any HEM accounts I have (which I will keep very secret from my basketball friends as well as those that don’t call me a friend). The reality was that I was very much in “election mode.” Nothing good comes from that. The discussions here are for KU basketball and not (generally) politics. I didn’t want to contribute to a deterioration of KU hoops discussions (at least not any more than normal).

Suffice it to say, I felt – knowing myself – that it was better for me to disengage here while my mind was much more focused elsewhere.

Screw politics. Hard to get any enjoyment there.

That said, my mind is clearing a bit. I’ve been following KU hoops just like normal, just not posting or taking notes during games (my wife prefers that). Enjoying the ride, so to speak.

I"ll get back in the flow soon.

And thank you again to those that have reached out. Very much appreciated. Even got contact from a handful that said they don’t post here, but just read. One called himself a “lurker.” Very cool.

After a well played first weekend, we look forward to our second four team tourney - Marching to KC:

1. Self Over Izzo: A couple of reporters observed Self calmer than normal during the game. Here’s a quote from Self, “It’s a hard game to coach because nobody is listening to me. Shooting too fast. I was a fun, fast paced game.” That’s awesome. There is zero doubt that he is coaching differently, and that his change in approach is well calculated. Great coaches do that.

2. Scott Drew: Apparently Scott Drew (a regular punching bag here) visited KU locker room and wished the Hawks good luck. Thought that was pretty cool. Also cool was the UC Davis players after our first game, and the well wishes from the MSU team. Izzo is a great guy, great coach. There is also a neat story on Tom Crean that Jay Bilas posted, where he bought food for and gave a bible to a struggling couple. My guess is that with many of these guys, the view we have is far from the truth. But with some, they may be as bad or worse than some assume.

3. Dwight Coleby: Terrific decision by Self to use Coleby over Bragg. I entered the tourney hoping he’d channel his inner Jeff Graves. He’s not at that level. But he could be exactly what we need. And critical to a title run. He seems to be exactly what Carlton Bragg is not. Coleby could be a much needed fouler Thursday vs. Purdue. Remember Justin Wesley? Enters, immediate foul. Just as if the refs knew they could even up the fouls and Self would be quiet about it. When Coleby came in today I was sure that his first defensive possession would be a foul. He held his ground, held his arms straight up – no foul. A sign the refs see him as a real player. That’s good. He does have fouls to give, though.

4. Purdue: Remember KU/MU, 2012? We could not play Withey and TRob together. Why? Because MU had Kim English at the 4. We could not guard him with Withey or TRob. It forced us to play small. Swanigan is a beast. But he’s one guy. Purdue is pretty stout. But who isn’t this time of the year? Odd I mentioned 2012 – a key Teahan three helped us squeak past the Boilermakers that tourney. Purdue is a good team. We’ll have to be on our game. But we’ll march on.

5. Nova: All those Villanova faithful are just polishing their nice, shiny ring from last season. The early exit this season is meaningless. I’m sure they don’t care. Much like we didn’t care much that the Royals missed the playoffs last season. The luster is still there. Nova has immortality with the national title. It does mean that much – and more.

6. Bad Officiating: No accountability is my biggest gripe. The ultimate old boys’ network. Lots of back scratching going on. From an inexplicable no charge call in the UNC/Ark game that turned the tide, to the ridiculous no goal-tending call in the NW/Gonzaga game (followed by the technical), to latent inconsistency within the same half of the same game. It’s not that they are bad, so much, it’s that they don’t pay for their incompetence like other professions. They just keep getting work.

7. Underwood: My first impression is that he’s pretty ungrateful. Did he get rejected on a raise request? Is the AD hard to work with – the same AD that game him a power 5 job? I don’t know. All I know is that OSU is a better job than Illinois. That much I’m quite sure of.

8. Bill Self Leaving?: Hear me out here – Tyler graduating, unprecedented turmoil with the press, etc., never know about the behind the scenes stuff with the administration, possible NBA jobs opening up come summer, no players that he has a major emotional attachment to (Graham would only have a year left), weak recruiting class – and – and – a national title? I know it’s not likely (Self leaving), but this could be a testy summer even if there is no national title. If there is another national title, Self will go down as KU’s greatest coach. And if he left after a second title, I would not be shocked. And no one even mentions OSU anymore. Odd.

9. Oregon/Michigan: Who’s worried? I’m not. Good programs. Good teams. No sleeping on those programs – no UNI or VCU there. At AFH “EAST”. Like our region now? We decide our fate. We’re not going to get beat by a comparable team, like our loss to Villanova. But if we play Oregon, isn’t that Nike vs. Adidas – ugh. I’ll leave that prognostication to @jaybate-1.0. Regardless, Oregon isn’t as good as KU. And neither is Michigan. One will be our elite 8 victim.

10. Roy: Can’t help but look ahead to Phoenix. Could the basketball gods so bless us with another Self vs. Roy match-up? Roy’s a great guy. In the NCAA selection show, the team was at his house. There was a stained-glass window with a Jayhawk. He’s still a Jayhawk. Wish we didn’t have to eliminate him again, if it comes to that.

11. OAD: The OAD stench is sweet. The OAD distractions are minimal. And the concern about an OAD shutting it down late to protect against injury, and ensure millions? Not Josh Jackson. The best OAD there ever was. Reggie Miller, I think, uttered the daunting comparison Friday – Dr. J. Dr. JJ? This is the kind of player that can lead us to a title.

12. Lucas’ Baby Hook: The one move that every post player should practice and perfect – check that – every player. Never know when that baby hook will come in handy. It’s been a long time comin’ Landen, but it sure looks good. Left or right, the guy has a go to move. How many times does he score on Swanigan?

13. A Mission vs. Swanigan; Draw fouls. If I were drawing up the game plan, I’d look to create some circumstances to isolate Swanigan and draw a few fouls. Perhaps using that Lucas baby hook as bait. Or Coleby looking to get a shot into Swanigan’s arm. Or see if you can bait Swanigan into a compromising position on the perimeter. You don’t want such a mission to distract from winning and scoring, but is Purdue even a game without Swanigan? It is worth a possession or two to target Swanigan.

14. Big 12: Our best three teams are in the Sweet 16. To gain national respect, we need two FF teams and a national title. I know that’s not fair, and I know all these metric and non-con games create discussion points, but we need to follow up OU’s FF appearance with more. We’ve lacked in March accomplishments. The only way to shut people up is to win.

15. MVC: I’ve seen much discussion of the disrespect for mid-majors, the MVC, WSU, etc. I refer back to a common theme – win. At some point, for mid-majors to have some credibility, they need to win a national title. Butler came close. The big schools win the titles, and it’s a relatively small club. However, like most, I was a bit puzzled by the seeding. Is Gonzaga a mid-major, right? I’d say so (though they’ve been good for a long time). Not one final four.

A sweet 16 trip, landing in the Sprint Center. Couldn’t have drawn it up better. I have never been more confident in coach Self. Beating Izzo, and permitting his team to step on MSU’s throat the way his team is best suited and constructed to step on it? That continues to be a beautiful thing.

I went an entire post without mentioning Frank Mason. So there – FRANK MASON. Best point guard in KU history.

@Crimsonorblue22 Just shows you for the extreme hypocrite you are. I don’t care what you say about the players. I’m cool with it. You’re the hypocrite.

@approxinfinity Look at how discussions start … then the anger and B.S. that follows. Quite frankly, I just don’t take it anymore. I respond and refute the repeated lies, mischaracterizations, and accusations.

Anger? Hmm. Hitler, racist, klan member, white supremacist, hater, asshole, sicko, etc. That’s a sampling what is directed at me by folks that quite frankly can’t hold my jock.

I’ve been much more aggressive over the last few years because I’m sick of turning the other cheek.

I abandoned the real BB analysis because it inspired so much anger and garbage. It just wasn’t worth it any longer.

I want to leave some of you leftists with this thought -

Imagine if I chose to protest by taking a piss on MLK’s grave? Just to protest his immorality, womanizing and sexism.

Well that’s how many, many Americans feel about dishonoring American during the national anthem.

Folks want to attack America? I’ll always be their enemy. Always.

They may have the “right”, but that doesn’t mean it’s right. Just like my sample protest isn’t right.

It’s all hypocritical. Can you imagine if folks on the right did anything near this? Or like Seattle? It would be the end of the world.

What Seattle needs is a few real Americans, just a few of us, and the Chaz zone would be done and over.

I’m done here.

This site has gone to hell. And it will never recover.

As for our country, until folks realize that what matters is prioritizing and preserving life, nothing will get better. An amoral society is a trigger for decay. We see it now. The slippery slope is as true as it’s ever been.

And the left is more concerned about racism than life itself.

We bow down to < 13% of the population that refuses to focus on their nightly assassinations born from a sick culture of extreme violence, lack of personal responsibility, and disrespect for women. A culture that refuses to help itself. Where the leaders is the culture — the athletes — glorify the “thug life.” Great leaders.

Black Lives only matter when it’s convenient— convenient for blacks and for enabling white leftists. The same white leftists that have run inner cities for decades.

Anger? A little. More so just sick to see the shit hole into which this country is descending.

No matter how many monuments you tear down, how many ways you try to erase history, blacks were always slaves. Can’t change it.

And the cold, hard, bottom line fact is that is blacks, as a group, had the same work ethic and morality as the Hispanics that risk everything to come the US, much of this would be moot.

Racist? Whatever. Fuck off to all of you.

@Crimsonorblue22 From the hypocrite. The one that makes a federal case out of Ashley Juggs and then makes multiple comments on the appearance of teenage KU basketball players. Birds of feather …

The reality is that most don’t want to have a discussion on this topic. I’ve said it before, but the “he’s a racist” claim shields one from having to face facts. It’s easy for small minded among us (like @BShark) to avoid his lack of intellect with the accusation. But as I’ve said before, ok, now what?

I provided a link from a fellow far from a conservative that largely echos my positions (Orlando Patterson). Yet, it’s easier for many of you to be dishonest or to again cry racism.

But ok, let’s say certain positions are racist? Ok. So what? Talk to the blacks the live the horror of inner city violence. Intellectually, the claim that it is racist doesn’t matter. Intellectually, what matters are facts and logic. And the truth is, I have a lot of facts. Significant facts that can’t be refuted. They are facts that make leftists and white apologists uncomfortable. Thus, there positions are just dismissed as racist because they can’t be refuted.

One of the posts I remember is when I pointed out the issue of black out of wedlock births. Resident skinny jeans leftist @benshawks08 was caught off guard. He really didn’t even know what I was talking about. He further was attacking and dismissive of the role of faith in being part of the solution But of course, @benshawks08 - being an atheist homosexual - has a clear bias against those items having relevance. Why? Because it personally offends his existence. But we can certain exist together. He can be a gay atheist in America. Fine. But he lets that personal bias interfere with discussing realities.

Nevermind the former (leftist) mayor of Chicago, after eight years on the job, identified the out of wedlock births and faith as key components to attacking inner city violence.

And see, that’s it - the dishonest left, many here, won’t consider that this analysis is a pie graph. Lots of slices.

You can see many folks that want to have a discussion, like @approxinfinity. He doesn’t agree. But he works to address facts and logic. And there is a large difference. I throw @FarmerJayhawk in that group. I made the mistake of throwing the leftist label his way. My mistake. But he tends to attack the argument, and the issue intelligently, like @approxinfinity.

Perhaps the worst of this forum is @mayay. I’ll tell you why.

First, @mayay is a lawyer. That’s fine. I’m a lawyer. Ah, you didn’t know that. But with @mayjay, look back on his posts, when he’d get boxed it, he’d pull out the I’m an lawyer thing to throw in folks faces. As if he then had the higher ground. Well it’s pathetic. I’ve been posting for over 15 years and never once did I pull that out. Why? Because that wasn’t part of the discussion.

Second, @mayjay is full sh**. Go back and look. There was a discussion on NCAA rules and a rules interpretation. @mayjay pulled out the, well, unless you’re a lawyer thing, to support his argument. But worse, he threw out legal terms that had no applicability. That’s the b.s. lawyers use to shut down discussion. For example, he cited a principle called “res judicata.” That is a legal principal that relates to “claim preclusion.” You can’t re-litigate the same claim. @mayjay cited the term in a our discussion in response to his incorrect interpretation of the rule – WHICH HAS NO APPLICABILITY AND WAS COMPLETE BULLSH**.

Just so you know, you non-lawyers, he’s full of it. I’m a litigator, regularly deal with that issue (together will collateral estopple, which is issue preclusion).

Again, I just didn’t feel the need to throw that in folks’ face like @mayjay does.

BUT WORSE, @mayjay IS A LIAR. He does this regularly. He’s suggest someone said something, but that’s not what they said. Then he’ll used the incorrect citation to make a point.

Above, @mayjay, used a Hitler analogy. @mayjay is a complete idiot.

BUT HERE’S A RECENT AND SIMPLE EXAMPLE OF @mayjay’s DISHONESTY. BLATANT.

@mayjay said, referring to me, A dialog with someone who spews the “blacks should be happy they were enslaved because Africans are worse off” line is repeating almost word for word what Robert E. Lee said 164 years ago, around the time he was breaking up his slaves’ families through selling the parents separately and their children, too. And of course, idiot @BShark quoted his material.

He used quotes, but I never said that. He made it up. Further, assuming the use of quotes was loose, it’s still not what I said. Here’s what I said,

It seems quite a bit better to be an African-American vs. just an African. But perhaps my opinion there is off …

And more foolishness – true or untrue, blacks in America are better off than blacks in Africa? Undeniable. Turn that however you want. The point is sometimes that your reach a place in history, and most times through tragedy, that places the next generation in a better position that the prior generation. The Japanese and Germans, through tragedy, propelled America and our nation to a place that would not have been achieved without such tragedy. Do we wish it wouldn’t have occurred? Sure. Of course. But are we, our generation, in a better position because of it? Definitely.

And then @Kcmatt7 says, oh, I guess the Jews should be “happy” for holocaust because they now have Israel.

It truly the simple minded that cannot differentiate.

The point is that once tragic events happen, sometimes, the end result is better for those that follow. I’m sure the lives lost in the Revolutionary war were tragic. But the result was better for future generations. Simple concept.

But you can see (if you truly try) the significant difference. Now one is saying ANYONE should be thankful for slavery, or WWII, or the Holocaust, or any tragedy. But it is undeniable that a tragedy can place the future generation in a better position than they otherwise would be.

THE CHALLENGE IS TO FREE YOUR MIND TO DISCUSS TOPICS THAT ARE CONTROVERSIAL, THAT CHALLENGE YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS, THAT MAKE YOU UNCOMFORTABLE. WE’RE SEEING THAT NOW. BUT IT’S A TWO WAY STREET. BLACKS HAVE TO FACE THE REALITY THAT GREAT MANY OF THEIR PROBLEMS ARE A RESULT OF THEIR BEHAVIORS – PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. IF FOLKS HERE CAN’T EVEN GRASP THAT, WELL, THEN YOU ARE LOST.

I’m just not going to quietly be beat over the head for being “white” if someone is not going to have the discussion about “blacks.”

It seems ok to group all of us “whites” together, but the minute it’s a discussion of “blacks”, then we can only use the term “blacks” when it comes to discussing them as victims or their positive characteristic – but we sure as he** better not discuss their failings.

And, of course, my discussion on blacks has only been on the warped and depraved black inner city culture. That’s all. And that’s all I’m concerned about. Inner city loss of life is horrific and that’s the drum I’ve been beating.

Perhaps, if you don’t want to find a solution to that (leftists) then perhaps you are the true racists – I mean, if inner city black deaths at the hands of other blacks is acceptable.

HERE’S WHAT’S EVEN MORE FUNNY. I’VE DESTROYED THE LEFTISTS HERE ON THIS TOPIC. UTTERLY DESTROYED YOU. YOU ALL SIT BACK AND SHAKE YOUR HEAD AND MUTTER “RACIST”, BUT YOUR PATHETIC ASS** HAVE BEEN HANDED TO YOU ON A PLATTER.

@jtmoney I agree. It is pathetic to point out being right. I’ve trended that way too much. But I will tell you why – go look at the absolute hateful responses and attacks when I’ve expressed opinions on this topic. I’m telling you, not proudly, that is why I’m jamming it back in folks’ faces a bit. Again, not the best look.

Bill Self was stupid to make those comments in October 2018 - infamously, “When recruiting prospective student athletes, my staff and I have not and do not offer improper inducements to them or their families to influence their college decisions nor are we aware of any third-party involvement to do so.” Stupidity. I know it’s fashionable to caste Self as some genius. Basketball wise, yes. This was not the moment he showed brilliance.

Lawyers make mistakes and misjudgments. If he relied on lawyers, this was a poor advice.

“We know that shoe companies are highly involved with basketball recruiting. It’s common place in the sport. We associate with the shoe companies and communicate, but we make no mistake, we recruit our athletes. The shoe companies obviously have a private and distinct interest in where a player may attend school. Those interests may align with our interests. But that doesn’t mean that we solicit them to engage in activities contrary to the NCAA rules. We don’t do that. The shoe companies are independent entities that have a specific business interest. My coaches and staff have never provided illegal benefits to players. We are committed to working the NCAA related to the involvement of shoe companies, the issues that the NCAA has raised regarding our program, and to address those same issues across the breadth of college basketball. We understand the NCAA’s concerns and look forward to addressing them moving forward.”

I just threw that together in a few minutes. I posted something similar just after Self’s statement. I’m a little partial to my approach …

@RockkChalkk I love your post. My view early was simply to take a much different approach to the allegations. Honesty, contrition, transparency, etc. That did not mean you couldn’t engage in a good faith disagreement on the rules interpretation. And of course, there is no guarantee that my approach would have rendered a better result.

“In this day and age where we live in the United States of Apology i’m glad Self is not bending over and apologizing to the NCAA bully. He is standing up to them and is being a fighter. I like that.” As @jaybate-1-0 used to say, “PHOF.” Man, I miss that guy.

@approxinfinity I eat lunch from 11:30 - 12:30 most days, and usually I eat out. Before all this started, ESPN was constantly regurgitating their hero Kaepernick. It was constant on the TV during this time … Bob Ley or some other host. Constant. They got stupid stuff like the “Undefeated” where all they do is talk about racial B.S. constantly. ESPN is garbage.

@Texas-Hawk-10 You don’t know much about the Supreme Court. And it’s just foolish to talk about Lincoln like that. Really idiocy. Lincoln’s actions preserved the nation. Get that? You hear that? PRESERVED THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I don’t care whether he really thought this, or something was a political ploy, etc. It all pales in comparison to perhaps the greatest achievement a president has accomplished.

Most overrated? Perhaps the most stupid thing I’ve seen posted in while. Please take it back.

It’s like saying Franklin Roosevelt was overrated. Heck, folks say he was racist. Didn’t invite Jesse Owens to the White House, while inviting others. But guess what … the guy won WW II. Lincoln saved the country as well.

http://new.wymaninstitute.org/2019/07/facing-up-to-fdrs-racism/

It’s a move of complete desperation. Discovery goes both ways and as I have did before, Self, Townsend, et. al., don’t want to be under oath.

While @Texas-Hawk-10 is late to the party on the scorched earth (I pointed this out a while back) … I was the one that said just after Self’s infamous denial (lies) in October of 2018. That we should make it clear before the NCAA made findings that we’d go scorched earth. Now? Good luck. The NCAA can’t give in at this stage.

I also said after Self’s infamous denials (lies), the risk was very high that this ends Self’s tenure at KU. Largely scoffed at by most everyone here. Folks guaranteeing that was wrong.

So now when Self references doing what everyone else did - cheating - makes you really wonder about those denials (lies). As I have said repeatedly, if you say everyone else does it, you are admitting the impropriety.

Why would the NCAA, an entity run by and supported by the colleges, be scared of this silly and baseless lawsuit threat?

Absolute desperation with the walls closing in. Good grief, look at OSU’s penalties. Those are much worse than the consensus “slap on the wrist” we routinely heard here.

The hammer is coming.

I’m sorry, but I have called this from the start. I’ve listened to folks attack, call names, make accusations, and say utterly senseless things related to this issue in response.

Yet many folks here have persisted with the opinion to attack the NCAA, to sue, all this complete baloney. Look where we are now.

There was one posting flurry where challenging Self’s honesty, when we all know he’s a liar, led to outrageous attacks and name calling from many here. And utterly stupid analogies to speeding. Just the worst of this site.

Now look at your hero. He’s pathetic.

This is horrible. Self has put us here.

We now see our coach do what no other coach has really done. Desperate and again, embarrassing.

Bill Self, the liar, needs to resign. Now. Please. It’s time. He is causing further damage to the program and university. A complete embarrassment.

@FarmerJayhawk I like your limited thinking there. I think your reply defines the difference between rational debate and idiocy.

We can debate General Lee. And monuments. But I ain’t debating George Washington.

And I ain’t cancelling Dukes of Hazard because blacks or leftist are offended by a flag on a car.

Idiocy vs. reasonable discussion.

@approxinfinity True … this is insanity. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29328113/oklahoma-state-mike-gundy-accused-using-racial-slur-1989-game

Heck, 31 years ago? This is the lead story at ESPN.com. The lead story.

And we see the further movements to tearing down monuments to HISTORY? I mean the NEGRO league hall of fame remains open. No name change. Why? It’s HISTORY. We can’t change history. Doesn’t mean certain things are celebrated. They are remembered, good, bad, indifferent.

Should we hold a long stranding grudge against the Japanese because they thought they were superior to us, bombed and killed thousands of Americans, and started the pacific war?

Well, if we hold that grudge or an old World War II vet might still call them Japs, well he’s an old racist that can’t let things go. I heard a discussion on that a while back.

Sad, but also sad that other races suffer the same fate.

Obviously … except to the leftist … if police were not forced to have high numbers of police in inner city black areas, then the contact between blacks and the police would be less, per capita.

But the leftist sees only racism and not a broader view of cause and effect.