@Blown

KU with Jackson on the bench

I went to the Nuggets and Thunder game tonight in OKC with my son. I was watching Collison working on various shots and moves. He left the court toward the Thunder tunnel and grabbed a sharpie from security to sign autographs.

Of course I made my way just a few rows from our seat. Thunder fans crowded along the rail to get his attention, waiting with various items for him to sign.

I found a small opening and caught his attention by saying, “Rock Chalk Nick!” He smiled and responded back, “Rock Chalk!” I asked, “Are they going to do it again this year?” To which he replied, “I think they can…” I thanked him and went back to my seat. As I walked away, many Thunder fans began calling out, “Rock Chalk Nick…Rock Chalk…!” They weren’t a truehawk. As I walked away to my seat, I turned and watched him wrap up his session by giving high fives entering further into the tunnel.

What a great night, and hopefully it’s a great sign for tomorrow. It’s weird to see Nick Collison and Carmelo Anthony playing on the same team. I’ll try to post some pics of Collison going through his pre-game shooting exercise.

I explained the significance of that experience. My son said, “Dad, I’m going to take this program, autograph, tickets, and put them on the bulletin board in my room.” I was truly proud that my son got to have that experience with me on this night. Incidentally, he is crazy about Frank Mason and DG.

@drgnslayr Like TRob, Alex punishes the rim.

May we never forget…BTW, I love TRob’s dunk over Howard, priceless.

March Madness voids all this complex thinking. Just take your theories and wad them up and throw them in the fireplace. They simply don’t matter. We should all know this by now. How many times has KU’s numbers been completely dominating? How many times have those numbers been proven wrong? In how many years?

I can recall at least two tourneys where KU’s numbers were exactly what some are wanting on this board, only to lose at some point in the tourney. No, the numbers don’t lie @HighEliteMajor, but those numbers only give you a picture. Then, when the teams get on the floor, it’s not the same team and we should know this at KU.

It’s simple: Who wants it more? Green is sparking, Selden is looking good, Ellis gets better (per his interview), and we can get some bench; We might just surprise a few people.

I think this tourney may provide some shocking surprises. This may be the year the numbers don’t quite support what will actually happen? Just some thoughts.

I know one thing: KU is not favored at all and frankly we are dubbed the weakest. In fact, Borzello and Eamon says the Midwest is “O.K.” apart from UK. Many have UK winning this thing and if @HighEliteMajor is correct, then let’s forgo the hassle of having a tourney this year and just give the NC to UK. They meet all @HighEliteMajor criteria.

@chriz JTray played for The Mean Streets of Chicago. This kid is street tough. I picture him on a play ground getting mugged or busted in the mouth, only to rise up and play through his pain. This kid is tops in my defensive book. He won’t make any analysts’ list, but he is all heart. In fact, if our guys follow his example, we will be entirely unstoppable. The kid is playing with wreckless abandon. He knows this is his last rodeo. He’s going to play hard and look back without little to no regrets. Rock on JTray, go for it.

Mason 2.0, but two differences I noticed from the links. Jacobs is every bit as good as Mason. I see Jacobs as a much better shooter off the dribble than Mason. I do see Mason being much more physical at this point than Jacobs. They are both extremely similar in play overall.

I am stoked about Mr Coleby. This guy wants a NC.

KU players, especially the guards MUST learn to create contact. They can’t try to look pretty and avoid contact by trying to jump away from defenders, expecting to make shots and/or go to the stripe. Mason does it more than any guard on the team. But he has his moments where he’s trying to avoid contact. He’s got to jump right into the defenders. They are jumping out of their shoes to block Mason. They will foul him every time. I see it every single game. Last night it was Graham. Oubre gets it. He’s learned to drive and create contact. They can’t drive right into the center of the defenders either. They have to get an angle and make the defenders move or lean.

They’ve got to learn that teams, especially ISU (ala, Niang) will set up a charge every single time. They’ve got to learn how to go around Niang. They need to crossover and leave him standing like a fool. Niang sets up for a charge and KU like a moth to a flame charges right into the big lug. He gets that charge called almost 100% of the time.

Don’t get me started on this airborne passing habit. They are getting caught in the air during a pass. The guilty ones are Mason, Selden, and Graham. They’ve got to stop that crap.

Enough of ISU for now…RCJH beat UT.

I think it’s huckin fliarious that Wiggins is putting up the numbers, the defense, and the skills as a TEENAGER. What was Love doing his first year in the league? Not this at all. James was great, but how great was he his first year in the league? Of course James skipped college too.

My point: I’m going to say that Wiggins is better than Love at this point than when Love was a rookie. I’d say that he’s as good as James at this point as a rookie, if not better. I know the argument is moot, we all agree, but it’s funny they are forgetting Wiggins’ age and comparing him to James and Love. This is pretty amazing. He’s being compared to two very long time veterans in the league.

link text

I just can’t seem to do a whole lot on kusports. I glance and then read some of the comments, but that board is really bad. Some on this board still comment. But lately, I’ve just chosen not to because they’ve gotten extremely negative. Anyway…I really like this piece on Svi.

“It’s a process,” Mykhailiuk said Thursday…This is mature.

He said, “every day I guard Kelly (Oubre Jr.) or Wayne (Selden Jr.). They are really good.” This will only sharpen his skills.

I’m trying to work every day when it’s possible,” he said. Great European work ethic.

You need to be tougher physically and mentally. Defense is not just physical, it’s mental. This is a statement beyond his years. He understands the game. He’s had some good coaching in Europe.

“The guys love him. He’s a stud,” Self said. The makings of a great leader.

It’s the best chance (opportunity) what I have in my life,” he said of playing at KU…He appreciates his opportunity. Doesn’t sound like a kid that’s going back home to mommy.

Just give him time,” Self said…This is all he needs right now.

These are some great comments and the makings of a player who will be a solid player in the near future. Again, these kids have to recognize their role and be extremely patient. It will payoff. Self is waiting to debut his European gem.

Hang in there Svi. You have all the tools and talent. Just be patient and your time will be guaranteed.

Once again, thanks for choosing KU and RCJHGoKU

@Kubie It has gotten increasingly worse within the last 48-72 hrs.

@jayballer73 They can take away our basketball, but they can’t take our BEER

@Texas-Hawk-10 Plus he went and played bball with one of the local high schools here in the OKC area, Del City HS too. Apparently, he touched all the recording devices during a pre-game interview to make a point all well before his pre-game tip diagnosis. But, he was cleared a few days after his diagnosis.

I dont want to waste my time commenting on the lack of leadership from the NCAA, especially at the top.

Maybe NCAA Classics? I can pretend I’m seeing it for the first time.

@Kubie Sorry, all cancelled. Your life is cancelled. You are confined to house quarantine. I hope I’m sounding pathetic, because as serious as this is, I believe it’s reached some ridiculous proportions.

In fact, I think we should cancel this entire website…ok, maybe not. But exaggeration is always great when trying to make a ridiculous point. Plus, I’m going through bball withdrawals. I think this is a pandemic in and of itself. I think there are proven symptoms for college bball withdrawls. I’m experiencing many of them and more to come.

@drgnslayr It actually looks intimidating…We have the Truth, the Process, and Doke can become the Intimidator of college basketball. Not to barrow Dale Earnhardt Sr. from NASCAR. Could you imagine driving the lane only to meet Doke with a face mask?

The thing with Doke now is for NBA scouts to determine whether they’ve seen enough. They will make him go through tryouts, if they have them, and then determine if he’s NBA ready or talent enough. We all know he has the size and strength. The dude has paid his dues. He’s done his part. He should be in the top 10 of the first round. It would be an insult to make him do anymore work. Damn, the kid has worked his azz off and proven himself time and time again. This virus is NOT his fault.

This is not the kind of basketball history I wanted KU to make this year. I was hoping to see scissors and nylons.

It’s called…your team sux and you have to make them feel better. Everyone gets a trophy, remember?