Well said both of you above. I’ve been a jayhawk hoops fan for many years. I used to enjoy the other site, but when it turned negative and the best posters went here, I felt lucky to have found this site.

I’ve been logging in with a new account recently, as my old one jhwkinTgrtown, didn’t want to work anymore, and while a not a big commenter, I’ve really enjoyed learning about the game from people who know it much better than myself.

And sometimes, like when HEM disappeared or someone shares a joy or a loss like rockchalkintexas has, I realize that its not just the knowledge and opinions - those can be found elsewhere on the interwebs - that keep me coming back, but the personalities behind the writing.

I can’t say I “know” of any of you (but feel free to look me up if you’re in st. louis) but sometimes our writing here gives glimpses of who we are. So in that way, I feel like I “know” some of you. Mostly kind, intelligent and passionate folk who share a common history of attending a great school during formative years of our lives.

I was bit surprised for the grief I felt for rockchalkntexas’ loss, someone I’ve never met, I think it speaks to the quality of people, and writing, on this site. Thanks everyone, for your wisdom and wit and efforts that keep this site alive.

Cherish the time with your loved ones and merry christmas to all.

Tim

Not quite a “team” stat, but a good one nonetheless… when we beat UMKC tomorrow night, Bill Self will get his 6ooth career win (8 more KU wins and he’ll be at 400 wins at one school). Not bad for a guy who’s only 53. We are lucky to have not just a smart, winning coach, but a class act as well.

Good article with more details here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article118845143.html

Earlier in his KU career, I used to cringe when Landen Lucas would get the ball. “Soft hands!” and “Missed another bunny!” and “Why is Coach still playing this kid when he has _________ (fill in the blank) ready to play” I would yell at the tv screen to no avail.

I changed my mind, and my tune, as this intelligent young man grew more into what Coach saw in him all along. Instead of cringing, I now feel assured when I see that big body near the basket. He’s not the best big man KU has ever had, but he has definitely earned his place on the team, and my respect.

And though I missed part of the game last night, it appears he has also earned the respect of his peers too. Every time I look at this clip it makes me laugh.

Now just LL’s *glare *can push a 6’ 8" 220lb Texan backwards several feet looking for his mama, er ref, to help him. Looking forward to seeing you intimidate more foes this year, Lucas-san, go get em!

I’m sure it was the refs fault Liberace lost again

I consider myself to be one of the more optimistic rats here, but as we pissed away that big lead in the final minutes, I too felt like we were toast. Not just in another disheartening road loss but in our quest for #15 too.

My hand was on the off button in anticipation of what I arbitrarily deem the point of no return in a game. One eye closed, the other squinted and my stomach felt a bit sick as it always does when we lose and My finger almost pressed down. A 17-2 run by the bad guys in the last few minutes coupled with 4 TOs and the inability for anyone to make FTs can do that to me.

But then… something happened that I didn’t see coming with this group given their recent past road performances. We played through our mistakes and fought back to send the game to OT with unheralded K.J. slipping in the last bucket in regulation.

I’m so glad I hesitated!

Yes, I should have been happy enough that they finally played with heart for 38 minutes. Yes, I should have kept my premature “that was ugly” comment to myself. But dang it sure looked like “deja vu all over again”.

This group proved to me that they are capable of fighting back from deficits on the road and I’ll keep my trigger finger in check the rest of the season. Like Beddie i too feel it was a turning point.

It’s good to be proven wrong like that and a good reminder that, as always, it’s good to be a Jayhawk.

I ran across the little trip down memory lane today and thought I’d share. Amazing player, classy fans, come from behind win for the good guys to keep our streak going…

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2745322-hes-going-to-get-80-on-us-how-kd-almost-toppled-the-jayhawks-big-12-dynasty

Also, nice spanking of Oakland tonight. It is good to be a jayhawk!

Nice balance of youth and experience. Consistenly finds new ways to win. Unselfish chemistry between kids that grew up so fast in the last couple months. Peaking at the right time. Uber conditioned.

This may not be the prettiest team at the Dance, but just might be the last one on the floor.

9 consecutive wins against them… I say it’s a close first half then we relax and pull away. DG finds his stroke again and hits 5 3’s.

Down to the last two games in AFH games for most of our starters… and they make a statement (finally) against a lesser opponent.

@wissox

I watched the end of the Duke game too, what a perfect way to end a great weekend!

One bright spot for me in an otherwise somewhat painful game was seeing Cunliffe get some time on the floor. I think he should get more minutes based on the stats (granted a small sample).

Sam_________Malik______Garrett

9 min________21_________25

7 pts_________9__________6

3-5 FG_______4-8________3-3

1-1 3s_______0-2________0-0

0 TOs________2_________1

2 RBs________3_________6

I’m just not feeling it yet from either Malik or Garrett, though Garrett seems to have more potential to lock in. At 6’6" and 200lbs he’s taller and stronger than both of them. Plus he’s a good defender with experience at another program.

@Marco I know, I feel the same way. But like KJay says above, China seems to be mostly over it and I’m hoping for the best here. Maybe it will not be that big a deal here, but seems wiser to at least be open to the idea that it might be. Not overreact, yet not blow it off either.

As with most things, finding balance can be tricky.

Leaving KC in a few hours after a weeklong visit with my sister to head back home to Riverside CA. Plane has a stop in Sacramento, oh joy. Hopefully it will be half empty again so I don’t have to sit Right next to some cougher.

@FarmerJayhawk

Yes and thank you!!

@drgnslayr

Umm, can you point me to that reference about the CDC losing the court case? My son has autism and I’ve done a LOT of research and found absolutely no link between vaccines and the disease and I think it’s very dangerous and irresponsible to suggest otherwise unless all that earlier research is somehow proven wrong.

@jayballer73

I heard that too. But regardless, a chunk of players are going to be sick with the flu come April. Wouldn’t it suck if the champs were whatever team had the healthiest roster?

@dylans

Well that would be one strategy I guess. Another would be to prepare for a rough couple of months as best you can.

A few random questions…

Assuming the projections for a 40-70% infection rate are correct, lets forget about the death rate from the virus itself and think about what happens when half the population gets a bad case of the flu in a relatively short period of time.

If you’re in an accident or fall down the stairs, how long will it be before the police, fire dept or ambulance responds? Who will be available to treat you at the hospital? Who will deliver the medicine and supplies to the hospital?

When a storm causes massive power outages, how long will it take to get the lines fixed?

Who is going to deliver, stock, sell and prepare the food and supplies we need every day?

I think we’re in for a rough couple of months.

And I wouldn’t hold my breath about the tournament, which totally sucks because our chances to win it are so darn good.

Some random facts updated as of this evening…

110/195 countries infected

109,974 Total Confirmed Cases

3,828 Deceased

542 known cases in US

22 deceased

40-70% projected to contract it

15% of US population is over 65

8 states have declared state of emergency

1/4 of population of Italy quarantined

Got to say I’m pretty stoked this year about this team… and also the lack of other strong teams out there.

Yea it’s all a crapshoot who is hot on any given Dance night, but I really like our chances. Especially given how this team looked in May last year.

@BShark that’s awesome, thanks for the share.