Before we start focusing on the basketball week ahead (3 more games-6 games in 2 weeks; who made this schedule?) or posting more about recent and possible future recruits, it’s important to stop and appreciate what we have at KU. Bill Self. I remember the let down when Roy Williams finally took the NC job. I worried that our basketball success would drop a couple of notches, but the exact opposite happened. Coach Self raised the already high profile Coach Williams brought to KU to the top tier nationally and made us the team to beat each year. Thank you, thank you Bill Self. RCJH

I love Svi on offense, at least some of the time. Earlier in the season when we first saw Svi driving to the rim a la Wiggs, I thought he was going to be a difference maker on offense for this team. But, we may no longer tolerate his defensive ineptness. Vick needs to return to the starting lineup. Then, bring Svi in for offense as a spot up shooter and occasional penetrator, similar to the way Brannen Greene was used last year.

I know Svi is our fourth leading scorer at 10/game in 28 minutes. But, against Baylor, Svi’s play created dissention on the floor. Vick’s energy and better defense necessitates the promotion. Svi’s contributions have been on the decline recently, whereas Vick’s play off the bench has provided much needed offense at critical times and many have attributed our last two victories to Vick’s efforts. Reward the slashing Mr. Vick and use Svi as an offensive hammer off the bench.

I’m still enjoying the bounty of information from the Baylor box score. My goodness Frank had a great line: 39 min, 7-12 FG, 1-3 3PT, 8-8 FTs, 2 Rbs, 8 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 TO and 23 Pts. What a special player we have in Frank Mason.

Thank goodness we now have actual dribbling, shooting and defending to talk about. I still like playing the Kansas colleges; Emporia State has players from Burlington, Osage City, Spring Hill, Bonner Springs and Tonganoxie. I think it’s great that Kansas kids get to play in Allen Fieldhouse.

And, Emporia State brings a new coach to the game. Craig Doty just got hired in April and gets to play the Jayhawks as his first game for Emporia. Welcome aboard Coach. Good luck.

KU starters: Dok, Dedric, Grimes and… . I say Vick and Moore. Both because they’ve been in the program and know how KU operates. Rock Chalk.

Would someone please put together a video of Dok’s 5 fouls during the Tennessee game and add to it the hacking that goes on every time Dok gets the ball In the paint? There is a terrible double standard for foul calling against Dok-at least in my memory of watching the game live. I haven’t watched the game a second time, so maybe my recollection would change. I really liked the passion Dok showed after he fouled out. During the OT timeouts, Dok was shouting encouragement to Dedric. Dok wants to win. I like it.

My random thought is how much I love the tournament settings and process. When I saw KU plays at 1:30 on Thursday, I began rearranging my schedule and deciding what types of beer I need in the office frig for the people in my building who will certainly drop in to catch a bit of the game. Rock Chalk, baby.

Our trio of Jackson, Mason and Graham just refuse to lose. What a great win. Despite missing clutch free throws down the stretch, our guys found a way to win. It’s not always pretty, but Coleby and Lightfoot gave us some valuable minutes.

I thought Josh should have been in the paint more when Baylor had it’s zone set and we were running our half court offense. When Josh got the ball in the paint, he was unstoppable. I thought that too often he was hanging around on the wing instead of flashing through the lane for the guards to feed. But, I feel bad criticizing his game at all when he just led us to our most important win of the year.

I give a lot of credit to the Baylor players and Coach Drew for playing damn well at Allen. If our trio of unstoppables hadn’t played their best, Baylor would be leading the Big 12 now.

As I was looking at the matchups with Oregon, I find that my analysis has shifted and I can’t help it. How are the Ducks going to stop the Jayhawk Juggernaut? How do you stop Mason, Graham, Jackson, and now Vick and Svi? Whatcha got, Ducks? This special team is playing with more energy and athleticism than any other Jayhawk team. And Oh Yea, they are having a blast. The fun they are having leads to more positive plays. How about that goofy play at the end of the first half where we got a runout dunk with an assist from the ref. Fun, Fun, Fun. RCJH

This is exactly why the NCAA Tournament is so captivating if my team is still playing: I will watch parts of Clemson/Auburn to gauge the competition; KState/UMBC to cheer a home state team and follow this year’s Cinderella; WVirg/Marshall to cheer for the Big 12 and follow the Marshall story line and TXAM/NC to root against Ole Roy. Hey, I’m still having fun and enjoying the tournament after the first weekend. RCJH

When I heard the NCAA decision for Silvio, my first thought wasn’t the benefit to next year’s team, but how amazing that Silvio patiently waited all these months and stuck by his commitment to his college education and KU. I still remember the pride I felt when Silvio told his handlers he wanted to go to KU, not Maryland. Silvio sat on the bench all last year and endured all the negative attention with poise and class. Way to go Silvio. I hope to be able to shake your hand sometime soon.

@kjayhawks said in Interesting Games Today?:

I thought I’d check Nevada to see if they could snap the nations longest losing streak. They blew a 17-0 halftime lead to Texas state lost 38-24.

I thought Nevada looked really good against us. Same with BYU. Both QBs played well, except for the INTs. Except for the Illinois game, is our defense still so weak that bad teams look decent? But, 4-0 Baby. Hopefully, KU gets better on both sides of the ball this week and KU upsets Quitter Texas. I look forward to Oklahoma and Texas having the same SEC success as Nebraska and Missouri.

The offense must work on its short yardage plays. KU did fine all day running wide, but when KU needs one stinking yard, what play gets called? Yep, slow handoff to RB up the middle for a one yd loss. Make it a run/pass option and take it wide with the option to pass for the short yardage. Jeez

@FarmerJayhawk said in BYU game:

A 6 minute TD drive would be fun here

6 minute drive and 3 pts did it for us.

@Crimsonorblue22 said in BYU game:

Grimm’s so good at keeping feet in! ️TD good guys and gals!

Thanks Crimson for making this board more fun

BYU Tom Brady threw behind his receiver. Come on defense, get another stop right now.

Our defense is making the BYU QB look like Tom Brady; he gets every pass off for a completion just before the defense gets there

After Nevada, I hoped someone would show Jalen when to throw the ball away; he holds it way to long and loses too many yds

Where did the defensive players go that played for KU against Illinois?

BYU QB looks way better than reported and stats

Nice drive. Now the defense must step up. The last BYU drive was way too easy