Topics created by tis4tim

@Crimsonorblue22 Oh, I agree on Big Dave. I love the guy, his energy and his work ethic. You could literally feel Doke’s shadow hanging over him during the early part of the year. But then you could also see him stepping out from that shadow mid-year and since then he has been a force. But that Texas game I just felt we should have gone with what was working. Texas definitely stepped up the defensive intensity in the second half and they may have won anyway, but I can’t help but think we should have continued with the combo that built the 14-point lead. @Kcmatt7 It appears Shaka’s new 'do has given him a Samson-esque quality against us!

Wish I could still ball. I’d drop the cash and see if I could stumble around a court like a 7-footer! ha.

@JayHawkFanToo said: My question is: Would you like to be a member of the team that ends the streak? Any one that has played competitive sports will say…no! Ask any of the current players and they will all say…hell no! I want to reiterate I hope the streak stays intact. The main reason for my post is to wonder out loud how much the pressure of The Streak is affecting these young men both in-game and throughout the course of their daily campus lives. I can’t help but think some of the off-court behavior we’ve seen in recent years is the result of trying to get away from the day-to-day pressure that being a KU basketball player brings. We all look at the glory and adoration and the BMOC status many of these guys receive being in that exclusive fraternity, but there is a downside and I’m merely speculating at how much that pressure to succeed affects the mental make-up of these guys. Some may be able to handle it and others not. It’s why I speculated that some of the off-court issues may be a by-product of playing in a big-time program. It’s easy to say, “hey, if you can’t take it then maybe you shouldn’t be playing at a program like KU”, but I don’t think it’s that simple. Stress is an extremely debilitating entity and I really think it plays a role in injuries, in game performance and statistical aplomb. Hudy is awesome with the physical aspects of our players, but I wonder how much time is devoted to mental preparedness. For some time I’ve advocated for these guys to learn bio-feeback or other discipline that might help deal with some of the stress and could even push performance levels higher. Anyway, if and when The Streak ends I think this program will finally be able to take a deep collective breath and get back to playing free and easy, something I’m not sure our team has been able to do for several years.

@JRyman Kim Anderson should see if the students could stage the next sit-in at the arena!

@Crimsonorblue22 Spot on. How many of us at age 18 or 19 would have made a better decision? Sometime we lose track that these are just kids barely out of high school.

@Shanghai_RCJH Niang has really peaked in the conference and gone up as much as he is going to. He was projected as a second round prospect but the success ISU had this season, today’s game notwithstanding, might move him into a fringe first round draft pick, in which case he might bolt for the NBA. I don’t believe his stock would go any higher next year and he is also one year older than most players in his class.

@globaljaybird lol!

@statmachine I get the whole philisophical debate and I’m with you on that, but I’m wondering if perhaps Snacks brings a calming influence to the players when Bill is affixing butt to bench for the most minor of infractions. Maybe CH builds a little confidence in the players when Self is tearing it down. Maybe he takes a little time and explains the game plan in simpler terms or in language the players can better understand. Perhaps he offers words of encouragement at critical times or reminds players of little things that get glossed over in timeouts. I don’t know what effect his absence has had exactly, if any. I’m merely trying to spur discussion. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how this team plays upon his return and whether any dots can be connected.

@tis4tim You get a PHOF on your first thread. Had me laughing!! Good work!!