Best posts made by lincase

I have never started a thread before–only replied, but I was awake last night thinking about this. I watched Coach Self in the post game interviews, and my jaw was dropping. The man has the best three-point shooting team in the conference, and he is positively glum about it. He also has the team with the second worst two-point percentage in the conference, but he thinks we need to play inside-out because some day “just making shots” is going to let us down. It seems like simple math to me, but I always thought that the team who scored the most points won.

HEM and several others have developed this topic far batter than I , so I won’t belabor the point, but I think that it is common sense to play to your strengths. No one is saying to stop getting easy twos, but they have been slow in coming this year. I believe Coach is forcing square pegs into round holes, and that is what is foolish. Also, the team seems to be happier when the game is more open.

Greene took THREE three-point shots last night. In the course of a game how many does Forte take? If Greene were playing for Coach K or for Hoiberg, how many would he take?

There is not much point in hitching a race horse to a plow. I have the greatest respect for those that pull plows, they made this country bloom. This year we have race horses: let them run. They might not go far enough, or they might win the Derby.

First time posting this year. My grandson dealt with a basketball concussion his freshman year in high school. Took him a year to get over it. I can’t believe Newman is playing under these circumstances. Also, when you look at this team vs last year’s team, several things are evident.

1. I think Doke may eventually be better at the 5 spot. So plus 1.
2. Svi replacing Svi is a wash, but he may be a bit better at defense this year. Even up.
3. Devonte is not a better point guard than Frank. Minus 1
4. Malik is definitely not a better shooting guard than Devonte. Minus 1
5. Vick is not better than Josh. Minus 1
6. Bench is basically not there. Minus a couple. I think it is not surprising that this team is not as good as last year’s team.

Last night General Self said to his weary troops: “Men,BAD ball is not working. We are going to have to step it up and take it to another level. It is time to play WORSE ball. If we can just dig deep we can find it within ourselves.” And, lo and behold, WORSE ball got our rag tag little band to eleven straight conference championships. Injured and hurting, they march on.

Do you suppose that if they ever reach the summit and play WORST ball that the NCAA Championship is attainable?

@drgnslayr I was teaching high school in Indiana when Glen Robinson was playing for Purdue and Greg Ostertag was playing for KU. Robinson dunked over Ostertag and talked some trash. Ostertag just smiled and gave him a “well-done” pat. Purdue won. The next day I dreaded facing my students, thinking I would have to endure some trash talk as well. The only thing they wanted to talk about was Ostertag’s sportsmanship. Made me proud on lots of levels.

I watched the game. Those three point shots were amazing! I would like him better if the announcers and ESPN didn’t act like he was the only person on the floor. I expect that very soon they will flood the basketball court and Trae will dribble, pass, and shoot while running on the water.

@cragarhawk Might be a good time to try the one in and four out offense.

@jaybate-1.0 I believe it was Hadrian who said, when asked how he was going to build (or rebuild) Rome. “Brick by brick, my friend,” One game at a time is all you can play. The first order of business is to root like mad for the Longhorns tonight, but either way, ONE of those two teams will pick up another loss. I never coached (except academic teams) but I taught high-schoolers. You bring your best game as a teacher, see that they have all the skills, and do all you can to motivate, Deep down, it is up to them. A week from tomorrow, we should know a lot more.

@drgnslayr Couldn’t agree more. I hope Coach Self is happy with the way his square pegs look in the round holes. Many people have said “Live by the three, die by the three.” I would rather die by the three–with some honest offense built around it–than die the way we died tonight. Outcoached by Weber: I may throw up.

Well now I can enjoy Disney World with my grandchildren this March, because I sure won’t be having to seek out sports bars to watch the Jayhawks.

@BShark For the most part, they are decent people. Our son is a Purdue graduate, so there are a lot of side bets going on in our family. In addition, our daughter-in-law is a graduate of UCLA, and our daughter is a Northwestern alum! It has been a fun tournament for our family so far. As KU grads, my husband and I have no divided loyalties. Rock Chalk.

@BShark This is relevant to absolutely nothing, but I do love your joke at the end of your posts.

I, too, have been very frustrated by Ellis’ play this season, but I would be willing to bet that the most frustrated person of all is Perry himself.

I believe that last year Jaybate said that Ellis played like a “furiously committed Trappist monk” (excuse me if I am misquoting you, Jaybate, or not giving credit to the proper person). I though that was the best summing-up phrase ever. You do not become the valedictorian of your class and achieve that level of athletic success without being driven from within or without. This year he looks depressed to me. I think his body language is very telling. I love all the nicknames that the players are given, but I would like to see them limited to positive ones. How would we feel if the students in the opposing bleachers started chanting “butterfingers” at him (or at Lucas)?

On a totally different subject, why did Alexander receive the technical? I have seen other players do the same. Did he mouth off at someone? If so, it was not obvious on television. Trappist Monk, he is not!

@BeddieKU23 I was just about to post the exact some thing about the free throw shooting,

I hear that several of you have been under the weather. I had gall bladder surgery and a minor hernia repair yesterday. In at 6:00 am and home by eleven. I had to fit it in between KU games. I win.

Seriously, I hope all of you feel better soon.

@jaybate-1.0 A one point win may be elegant, but I’ll take a 20 point win every time–much easier on my heart and blood pressure. I’m sure some of those one point wins have taken years off my life (not as much as losses have). I expect at the end, I will vote that it has been worth it.

@RockChalkinTexas And the people say, Amen. Didn’t see that article. Thanks for posting.

@DoubleDD BG might be in there for his ability to shoot free throws, as well.

@RockChalkinTexas I usually just read and don’t post, but I feel a special affinity for another woman on the site. I am so sorry for your loss. My Dad died just before Christmas a few years ago–doubly tough. I will remember you in my thoughts and prayers.

@justanotherfan I do not believe I have ever seen a KU player with a steeper learning curve than Silvio’s this year. I’m sure there have been others, but to come in at semester and progress to where he is now? . . .Amazing. We are fast approaching the time when I would just as soon have him in as Doke.

@ParisHawk You are exactly right about the people on this site. Thanks to all of you who set this up and who post regularly. I know you put in a lot of time. I have learned a great deal from reading your viewpoints. I have appreciated not being ridiculed, and I have been inordinately proud when I have gotten a “favorite.” It has been lots of fun.

@jaybate-1.0 I volunteer at the Kansas City Zoo and spend a lot of time at the various big cats exhibits. I know a lot more about big cats than I do about basketball. I really enjoyed your analogy. Big cats sleep 18-20 hours a day. Maybe Perry is about to wake up and go hunting. Hope so.

Love the Roosevelt quote.

@brooksmd I spent a career teaching every level of biology from remedial to AP at “indoctrination” centers. I coached academic teams and spent countless hours before and after school helping students who were struggling. Our indoctrination center did not get to pick and choose our students, but we did the best we could for everyone who came. Yes, some of us didn’t do a good job, but most of us worked our tails off for low pay and precious little respect from the public. I kept the parents of my students informed. We welcomed volunteer help when we could get it. Sorry, I know this is a basketball site, but I found that remark deeply offensive.

@drgnslayr I have been carrying this burden since 1997. I had a sterling silver Jayhawk pendant on a chain. On my way to a friend’s house to watch the Arizona game, I twisted the chain and it broke. I couldn’t wear the pendant. It is my fault that we lost that game. I still think it was the greatest KU team ever. Thanks for giving me the courage to get this off my chest.

I never thought it would happen, but my grandson’s basketball team won a game in their postseason tournament. (Trust me, this is equivalent to a 16 seed upsetting a 1 seed in the NCAA’s). His game will begin about one hour after the KU game starts. They are just kids, but it is important to them. No shoe salesmen will be there or will care about the game.

I am torn: if we use the bad weather in KC (if it materializes) as an excuse not to go to grandson’s game, is this bad karma which will throw the basketball universe out of whack and bounce back and bite KU? We can DVD, but there will be people at the game checking phones and reporting the score every 5 seconds.

I dearly love my grandson, and this will be his last basketball game of the year. I dearly love our Jayhawks, and clearly they need all of us. Fortunately my spouse is a rabid fan also, so there is never any question about what we will do during a game.

What do I do, KU Buckets?

@Crimsonorblue22 We did get to the game. We were a little late because of the weather. For an 11 year old, our grandson plays good defense, and is a good rebounder, but he doesn’t have much of a shot. . He also suffers from asthma, so he has to rest sometimes. We aren’t alerting Bill Self just yet! Also, he is very smart, and we have hopes of an academic scholarship. They lost the game, but we expected that. It was amazing that they won the first one in the tournament.

We put the KU game on DVD, and went into a media blackout. What an ending. Thanks for your interest. I really like the people on this site. RCJH!

@jaybate-1.0 Does Svi get 10 seconds, too?

@wissoxfan83 I tend to agree. Can’t help contrasting Cliff’s announcement with the way Andrew Wiggens announced–at his high school, one reporter, no hats.We have been on the wrong side of the hat ceremony enough times for me to feel empathy for anyone else who is.

@HighEliteMajor OK, I guess it was fun. I’m positive my life is being shortened by these close games. In the end, do you suppose I’ll vote that it was worth it? Oh, yes! RCJH.

@wrwlumpy OMG! Now we women have to be very careful what we ask for!

Good analysis. Personally, I bear Trae no ill will, but I am royally sick of hearing his name mentioned every two seconds. You would think no one else was in the game! Even when other games are on, ESPN is constantly promoting him. I wish I had my little clicker that I use at the zoo to count interactions with visitors. I would use it tonight, and I’ll bet it would count into the hundreds.

AARGGGHH! Just went to ESPN’s website: first 3 stories are about young Trae!

I wasn’t me–I’m a grandmother! (Although I can shoot free throws as well as Doke, when the rim is lowered for kids!)

I hope you are right–you usually are. Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I love Devonte, I love this team, but what if the unthinkable happens and Devonte gets hurt? No one else has meaningful experience at point guard in a game situation. I assume others take turns in practice, and someone might be able to step up if he had to (fingers crossed). I would argue that sitting him down with a comfortable lead would have two benefits: 1. It would give him a short breather. 2. It would give someone else some experience.

I don’t mind Self resting his players, I just didn’t know he was going to do it while they were on the court. Also, I wish he had told the rest of us!

@drgnslayr I have been reading all season, but I am just now trying to get the hang of posting. I reminds me of when I first learned email. It was easier to reply than to generate something new.

I went to KU when the last glaciers were receding, and I emerged with a degree in biology and education. I am trying to imagine the following scenario:

The high school teaching scouts come to me after my freshman year and tell me that I am ready for the big time now. I might benefit from staying to get my degree, but if I come out now, I will make millions. I might not see much actual teaching time, but I will be set for life and I can help my family. I believe that I might have gone in a heartbeat. Certainly, preparing to be the best teacher I could be was a more worthy goal for my life. I love biology and I love teaching, but it wouldn’t have been an easy decision to make. Unfortunately (or, perhaps, fortunately) no one gives teachers that choice.

@wissoxfan83 lol; copy and paste. Sounds exactly like my marriage.

@drgnslayr AND for Oakville, those of us who are walk-ons, who read every day, but seldom see posting time except during mop-ups against inferior opponents , promise to give you our enthusiastic support from the bench.

@globaljaybird I think that it is impossible for anyone who has not gone through what you are going through to understand. We have, and we do.
From Will Rogers: “If dogs do not go to heaven, I want to go to wherever it is that they go.”

@drgnslayr I posted this elsewhere, but this seems a more appropriate place: A couple of weeks ago I said that Tarik Black was rapidly rising on my list of favorite players. Someone asked me why. My reply was disjointed and not well thought out. After watching the Texas Tech game and the senior speeches, I don’t have to say another thing. I rest my case. Thanks, Tarik, and as the logic professors say: QED.

@HighEliteMajor Wiggens had me at hello, when he announced his commitment to Kansas at his school with ONE hometown reporter there. If we are going to praise the tattoo-less, let’s also give a shout out to Ellis, Lucas, and Seldon! Maybe starting a trend? Probably says a lot about their homes. Having said that, there are lots of KU players that I have loved that were covered in tats: Robinson and Releford come to mind.

@Wishawk Great post. I hope you are right about the “3-bombs”, but I am afraid it might be "wish"ful thinking. Sorry–couldn’t resist the pun.

@drgnslayr I absolutely agree with everything you said. I normally do not attack the coaching, letting Self’s record speak for itself, but I honestly believe he was out coached in this game. What in the world had Frankamp done to earn bench time most of the second half? It is not as if anyone else was doing any better. Even so, he almost pulled it off, but by the time he came in, it was too late.

Hello everyone. Infrequent poster, but avid reader. This was great stuff, as always Jaybate, but I am interested in your reverse case scenario. I’m not so sure that Florida would have come away with a win, because I am not sure any two of their players would have stepped up to the line and hit free throws like the two frosh did. That was beautiful to watch. I have pneumonia and am not supposed to exert myself too much. I did a lot of pounding the sofa cushions last night! Too old for games like this. Donovan is a class act.

@drgnslayr I agree with much of what you say about building a basketball player. I don’t believe Perry has the makings of a professional ball player, although I hope he proves me wrong if that is what he wants. I do believe he has the makings of a successful human being. He has brains, he will have a degree, and, from what I understand, he is a good person.

I hope you are correct. I tend to look upon you as the man with the crystal (basket)ball. However, I also recall that Bill Self said , when Graham was hurt, that we were going to see more of Evan Manning. I am starting to take the things he says with a bucket of salt. Since I am one of Perry’s biggest fans and have been worried about him, I will be cheering loudly when this prediction comes true.

There was a quote from Ellis in the same article that is very telling. He said he was trying to work on going out and having fun. It seems so like him to have to “work on” this.

@drgnslayr Scary! Thanks for reminding me again why we are fortunate at KU.

@DoubleDD Absolutely agree.

@HighEliteMajor I hope you can get some sleep. I am going to be pacing the floor and muttering for awhile.

@jaybate-1.0 Ah, the voice of reason. A couple of great posts on this and the other thread. I appreciate it, because I am still in my pacing and muttering mode from last night.

I think we will hold serve at home, but I am very doubtful about going to Oklahoma and winning.

As far as back to the basket goes (and I am really not an analyst, so correct me if I’m wrong), I think Iowa State might well win the conference this year without a classic “back to the basket” guy. Sometimes they play with all 5 players outside.

@VailHawk Have an iPhone. What a generous offer. I’ll let you know. It is snowing pretty heavily now. Think I can play the “We are old and afraid to drive in bad weather” card.

@brooksmd must admit, I didn’t, but I did apologize. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

@drgnslayr I absolutely agree. Knight didn’t care who the players were, he analyzed the GAME. I learned a lot about the game by listening to him. Also, it was fun to bet on how many times he said “shot fake” during a telecast. He never commented about meeting some player’s first cousin in an elevator. We lived in Big Ten country for awhile. Our son ended up going to Purdue and our daughter to Northwestern. It was fun to watch basketball when he was coaching at Indiana. No one was more fun to hate than Knight, with the possible exception of a couple of Missouri coaches. Later. we learned to appreciate him. When television goes for the entertainers instead of the analysts, the game is the poorer for it.