Best posts made by wrwlumpy

@jaybate-1.0 This website has become much more than a basketball blog. We’ve sometimes acted like a disjointed family at Thanksgiving with the disgruntled Uncles railing at the Whippersnappers with fierce arguments about Fools gold, Jamari, Morningstar, Diallo, and coaching faux pas. Everyone has an opinion. Many times, to our amazement, our attitudes change as we talk about young men, many just young teens. Our glory days our over.

If you stay with this site long enough, you somehow end up with some great friends that have become buddies from all parts of the world. We learn about their families, their “good times” in regard to their connection to KU. Some of us go back a long time. For myself, I proudly display my avatar of the first JoJo.

What I realized last night with @rockchalkintexas was an unexpected feeling of grief, similar to the sadness one feels when a close friend loses a loved one. Thank you @approxinfinity for giving me and many others this family. @rockchalkintexas, I want you to be here at least as long as I can stay.

I miss Jaybate. No one loved the Jayhawks and Self more. He would wax eloquently and put words to what we all love most about basketball. I didn’t leave the Jayawks, but I understand the pain and anger of why he walked away. I still watch. I watched as we beat Tennessee, Michigan State, Villanova. I watched as Doke went down, I watched when Silvio was removed, I watched Self, as his last nerve was snapped by Vick. I watched with trepidation as our top superstar recruit see’s less and less floor time. I saw the strain that Self has gone through. Then I watched magic happen at TCU. The locker room exploding in Joy and Coach doing his happy dance with them. I watched as 4 Freshmen Started and Self began to re-discover the reason why he coaches. For the last 14 years, we are right where we have always been. I now care about it all. Allen Field House is crazier than it has ever been…but I miss Jaybate.

Little bit of the Globetrotter look in the Uni’s.

I don’t have the tickets that @crimsonorblue22 had for this game so I thought I would present to those at the game the views that we get at home on a rainy Saturday in front of our TV’s. Perry had a great game.

Bruce did not

A new spin on the old spin move.

Wayne had for blocks

AL Champs in the House.

Block # 4 for Wayne

One week from tomorrow, Bill Self will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Many of us on this site have been discussing and cussing for many years. Many of our discussion took place on the KU Sport website years before aproxinfinity gave us a plush lounge to kick back to give our opinions on our beloved Jayhawks. Some of us, like myself, respond to losses and painful moments with a resigned sadness and some of us get mad and blame the coach. Many have blamed the coach for the bad times. He gets paid a lot of money and has always accepted the blame in the post game news conference. There was a period before the NC and a period after the NC that some were calling for a new coach. Many, would start their comments with the phrase, “I don’t think Coach should step down but,”. Many of the old timers are still here, and some of them have just decided that Self is a pretty damn good coach.

We have seen death spirals at other schools when coaching changes have been made. Yet, some of our bloggers say that the conference winning streak has been a bad thing. Many people think Coach leaves his starter’s in too long. Some people think his pre-season scheduling is too tough. Lots of people moan because Kansas can’t get 5 first round draft picks like Kentucky. Some people think he plays the wrong players for too many minutes. Some people were apoplectic that Traylor and Morningstar were starters. I myself thought Brannen Green played too many minutes. Many thought that is was poor coaching that led to the overall failure of Diallo, Alexander, and Selby.

Jayhawks are highly educated basketball fans. We love beating Duke, UNC and Kentucky during the season. We bought every hat, shirt and DVD when we won the National Championship but we were almost a tad bit prouder two years later of the Team that lost the National Championship with players like Conner Teahan playing significant minutes.

I, for one, will be very proud when Larry Brown presents KU Coach Bill Self for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Why does Mizzou want to play us again? They did just get the best recruiting class in football today with the number 1 defensive tackle choosing MU.

NBC Sports puts him where he belongs.

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2017/05/25/nbc-sports-2017-18-college-basketball-preseason-all-american-team/

How Greene was guarded.

I can remember sitting in my Dad’s car listening to Max create pictures in my mind about the greatness of Jo Jo White. In the sixties, there were few TV games of the Hawks and Max actually created a greater mental image than the video. His voice was the friendliest, mellifluous sound that even when something outrageous happened on the court you could certainly be outraged but the man describing it never went overboard. When Clyde Lovelette stepped on the chest of a KStater, he described the moment in his slightly humorous way. “He probably wanted to step over him but his stride was too short.” He also encouraged Jayhawk fans in creating respect for the opposing players and their coaches. When Norm Stewart came to KU after his retirement to receive his “Sit Down Norm” rocking chair, people like Max knew that Norm was a great villain and a great coach because of Max and his rolling humor throughout a game. During the years, whenever a Big 8 team made it to the tournament, all of the League would become a fan of that team. Max was friends with with Hank Iba and later with Eddie Sutton. When OSU played KU at home in a game where Kirk and Nick were playing their last game against the Cowboys, while the game was still going on and the players were going to the bench for the last time, the cheers for them were loud, but got louder when Eddie walked down the court to the KU bench during the game and hugged both of them the place went berserk. Max admitted that a tear came to his eye. I’ll always remember that and the closeness of the old big 8 rivals. Max recognized the great players that we were playing against. We gained respect for the the great ones that came into Allen Field House. The proof is when we stood and applauded for Keven Durant when he came back into the game against us even though he had twisted his ankle. 16,300 stayed after the three overtime game against OU to applaud Buddy Hield and his 44 points in a losing effort. Max taught us that and his name is in the rafters for that reason.

Holly asked Kelly at shoot around how he has made such an improvement from the first of the year until now. “I’ve never had a coach work me as hard as coach Self does.” The first ten minutes of this game was about who would imposes themselves on the other team. Iowa State worked there butts off to keep the lead, but once Brannon came in and hit the three, the Phogg took over and the second wind and the third wind took over. I was shocked when Holly said, “Coached asked Perry if he was ready to go back in, Perry said not yet. Coach said we’ve got another time out left, we’ll put you back in then.” Self knew that the exhaustion factor had to be controlled. This was a war, and the chess game now involved who could still breathe. Hudy helped us win this game. If you look at the box, you’ll see who the Iron Men are. Even though Devonte played 14 minutes, Frank still played all but 3 minutes. Hustle was there all over the court from all, but being tired mostly rears it’s head at the free throw line. Finally, the Phogg. Fran did his usual travel guide urging all who have never been to Allen Field House to see in person how amazing and wonderful this Basketball Mecca really is.

Participating in the game thread last night I noticed some new members of the Sect, commonly known as the “Anti’s.” It began with HEM, then such folks as elpoyo and KUinLA. All of these folks are true Jayhawk fans that often share a view that concentrates on the on-going negatives of the team that predicts gloom and doom and the ultimate early exit at the end of the season. Usually these comments bring an expected reaction from others labeling the “anti’s” as Debbie Downers. There has to be some joy in beating ISU in the most hateful environment of college basketball. Some comments are clever and true. Most of the negatives are truths which we already know. I myself said last year that Carlton could never be a replacement for Perry. Last night I saw a tremendous positive from Carlton when he accepted that he was a backup and just did what someone with his talent and height could achieve. Frank and the whole team could be better, but right now Frank is the best and our team is pretty good. A clever comment on twitter was that our 18 turnovers is equal to 45 in UWV dollars. I compare an anti to an audience member in a comedy club saying “That’s Funny” instead of laughing. The difference between these two forces could be explained using one play from last night. Josh had a stupid turnover which started an ISU breakaway. Josh started 10 feet behind him and came up with the block of the season. Do you comment on the turnover or the block. Hilton has the toughest, meanest, foul mouth fans in the country, and I really, really enjoyed the victory last night. I didn’t enjoy the turnovers but I loved the rebounding. Life is too hard not to allow yourself to enjoy 16 straight victories.

Listening to how great Kentucky is all night from Vitale can wear on this Jayhawk fan’s nerves. Kentucky will be much better as the year progresses, so will KU, but because of an empty bench, our practice time will be cut to about one hour a day.

I woke up to a picture of Marcus Garret, Malik Newman and Udoka Azubuke with the caption, “Experienced Jayhawks defeat UK.” ?

With five minutes left in the game and the game tight, Doke, who hit two straight free throws earlier for the first time ever, was standing at the line trying to breath. Coach had Mitch waiting to come in and give him a breather so he might be able to finish the last three minutes on the court. He missed both free throw and Kentucky got the rebound. Doke played four more possessions before a time out. He blocked a shot and got two big rebounds during those possessions.

Clay Young might become the next Christian Moody.

Here is Henry Fonda, Tyrone Power, and Nancy Kelly in the Move “Jessie James” filmed in Pineville Mo. The cave was on my parent’s property at Crag O’ Lea resort.

OK Mitch, no pressure, but the entire season now rest on your shoulders. Holly asked Mitch once about being yelled at this year by Coach Self and does it bother him?. “No, last year I didn’t get to play and he never yelled at me.”

NOW LETS START SHOOTING THREES!

Making Jokes about a certain Big 12 Coach.

@elpoyo I’m ashamed to win the conference. I’ve always thought that a lower seed would be much better. I wish we were more like Villanova. I think a team should go to the NIT for 17 of the last 31 years before winning a National Championship. Talk to Self and tell him it would be much better to lose the Conference and give Mitch and Colby more playing time to make them good enough that we could win the National Championship next year. This thirty wins per year thing is getting mighty old. If he would just lose five of those games, maybe it would help us win the NC.

Best guard in the nation.

Best skeleton crew to hang in on the road against a ranked team after many of their followers have written them off. Devonte going inside and lightfoot “Mitch-Slapping” six blocks, scoring inside and from the three line, hitting free throws on a night when Udoka fouls out. Lads, Keep hanging in there.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/jojo-white-celtics-legend-dead-71-article-1.3760790

I went out for breakfast in Jo-Co this morning and was seated next to a booth that contained two men my age that were also retired teachers. Many similarities, except they were K-State fans.

What I listened to was unbridled happiness that seemed permeate their conversation about last night’s game. Their joy was imbued with real expectations of being in the Final Four next week as they prepare for Loyola of Chicago in their next game.

Before I got up to leave, I congratulated them and told them that they had a gritty, defensive team. They found out that I was a Jayhawk and wished me luck. They also felt that the other two Big 12 schools were going to win.

Sorry, but I felt happy for these two men my age. I know, I’m the one who put the Liberace photo’s on our site. I’m the one who put the slum pics. of Manhattan on my opponent previews.

Rock Chalk.

I really thought hard about doing intro’s for this season as I wait for the other shoe to drop. However, My old Thomas Jefferson quote, “The worst evils that Man suffers, are the ones that never happen.” Let’s hope that rings true and enjoy this season.

I am very political. I used to be a speech writer for a great man who won his election for congress and died on the evening of his victory in a plane crash on way to a victory celebration in KC with his family. The polarization of today’s political world has only caused me to remove myself, in this wonderful venue, from losing friends that I care about. I’m getting old, but I still try to keep an eye and ear open for another idea that is different than mine, where I am able to see the other side. My one open thought that I will share is that I don’t think anyone should be perceived as a bad person simply because they are poor. I have a minor in Russian History, and I love the Russian people, but not the Russian government. I believe that people should be able to love who they love. I also believe in God. But on this site, where I have cried with @rockchalkintexas, laughed my ass off with @jaybate while I learned Naval history and came to respect HEM, though I disagree with almost everything he says, I draw the line at politics.You are all my people, but the civil discourse I have seen when anyone offers their slant on personal politics, has only ended in name calling and learning that some of people that I love to share Jayhawk basketball with, out of no where, hop on a soapbox of hate. Having said all this, I will remove myself from this topic because I would rather hear opinions on KU basketball and cheer and argue with each of you. Even the “Fire Bill Self” crazies that throw themselves into the topic after a painful, but rare loss, make be smile with their audacity and I hope they stay on line while I try to rip them a new one for their stupidity. Rock Chalk. Aprox, I hope your Quixote approach to changing all of this works. You will always be my hero for creating this perfect KU Basketball site. Thank you for the advice, and I will click ignore.

Why Ken Pom failed.

Famous Alums

TCU on the road is a memory. Some are happy, some are saaaad, whoa oh oh listen to the Music. Before K-State lost Tuesday night, Lunardi had them in the Tournament. They are going through the tough part of the schedule like we are about to do. Last night was a critical win for us and I’m deeply proud of the consecutive titles. I would love a National Championship, we all would, and I don’t think our win, though UGLY, will hurt. I am sure that Coach, some say he is “not very good,” will use this as a teaching lesson and the time for preparation and practice will make this game a return to the “Three for all” that some are wishing for.

located In Manhattan Kansas.

Famous Alumni.

Past and current coaches of the Wildcats.

@Crimsonorblue22 The wealthy stay at the Greenbriar and the others…

The Bizarro World of This year’s K-State basketball team have separated the younger and the older fans from both schools. At State, the students want Weber gone, the older boosters are proud of Bruce for the many suspensions of Marcus Foster and others. Many picked Foster as the pre-season POY in the Big 12. The words Weber has used in discribing the suspensions are “violations of team Policies.” Many have speculated what these violations are on the radio call-in shows, but we really don’t know. k-State will probably not go to any post season tourney, since the NIT says you must at least win half of your games. This futility that Weber has faced is what has separated the young from the old at KU. My son points to the Vegas line tomorrow favoring KU by 5 1/2 points and sees a way to clench #11. The older fans and the many on this sight that dissect every player, every coaches decision and those of each team in the Big 12, see this with a bit of trepidation. A packed house filled with what was once considered our nearest thing to a rivalry until ISU and Oklahoma got good coaches, will be waiting for us in what many call the Wildcat Super Bowl. This game is all that the cats have to play for. Presumably, Foster and Harris will play and the same team that has beaten OU twice, and also have wins over OSU and Baylor might be the team that suits up against us. Forget history, and think of a cornered wild animal. KU must have this game to at least share the title, presuming we win our final two home games and maybe lose at Norman. I like our chances since there is no way we will be taking this game lightly. Tech and TCU have done there share in changing this conference season. If all our players bring energy and Dive for every loose ball we will win. This is the toughest conference in all of college basketball. ROCK CHALK.

By the way, the paint was wide open for Frank.

From KC Star

From CBS Sports

Why do I do it? On the way home tonight, 610 was talking baseball and I like the Royals, but it is March and the Jayhawks clenched the Title last night. I switched to WHB where Keitz and Jack were talking about KU winning the league with the worst team that Bill Self has ever Coached. Then Jack wanted to say that KU only wins at home because the Refs are too intimidated to call a foul on KU. Kevin chimed in that on the last play of regulation, that there were bodies all over the floor and nothing was called. If you have watched the highlights all day, Lucas got a clean block and then had his legs taken out by his own man,(Wayne), and three Jayhawks were on the ground. Jack said that they will be gone in the first round this year, but Bill is a great coach. My Radio then exploded.

They Cheick in but they don’t Cheick out.

http://www.sportingnews.com/list/4644226-ranking-college-basketball-top-25-teams-preseason-unc-kansas-maryland

Body language.

Landon knows that Diallo has enrolled for summer school in Lawrence this week as he watches Mick become the new Darling of the Phogg. The frustrated shove against Serbia at the end of the half and the “I don’t want to play in mop up duty” attitude he exhibited last night is far from the Landon Lucas we all expected this year. He has worked hard and accepted a red shirt. He has gotten much stronger but still has not learned how to use his strength. Bragg started last night and he has been relegated to the farthest end of the bench for the Bigs. Colby will also be enrolled this summer and will probably play ahead of him next year. In mop up, Jamari played with a smile on his face while Landon didn’t seem to want to be there. D1 basketball can be a cruel world. Show that you want to contribute, cheer on those teammates that are on the court and be ready when Coach puts you in. Don’t listen to any recording of the Eagles that might feature the song “There’s a new Kid in Town.”

After this many years, all should realize that Coach is first, last and always a defensive coach. Greene was good against Baylor, not so much Svi. He and Svi both hit a three but we’re clearly playing Matador defense. Hunter is the better offensive player but was getting Pushed around inside and had the ball taken away from him twice on rebound attempts. As pretty as this game was, it was still a muscle game. Hence defense and muscle = JT and Lucas. Seth Greenberg said yesterday that both KU and OU have four great players but that no one in the country has five. Our C-5 gives us a better defensive option than most.

Number Zero will be hanging in the rafters five years from now. He’ll be up there with Wilt and Clyde and Paul and Danny.

“YOU MIGHT HAVE PLAYED ZONE AGAINST OUBRE, BUT I HAD HIM ONE ON ONE.”

  "DON'T YOU WISH YOU HAD BARNES BACK?"

WHY DO LONGHORNS WEAR ORANGE? SO THEY CAN PLAY GAMES, DIRECT TRAFFIC AND PICK UP TRASH WITHOUT CHANGING.

THE WINNER IS! WHAT SEPARATES A GOOD TEAM FROM A BAD ONE? THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

Rihana will call him now.

https://twitter.com/phoggg/status/917506437898784768

Self - “To be candid, Doke didn’t like me much this week, but he was great tonight.”

@jaybate-1.0 Speaking of learning, Doke went into the locker at half time and the pre-game plan of using his roll to the middle jump hook was wiped out by Stretch Armstrong. Doke became Kevin McHale and did the up and under thing to give him his daily double-double. He was rebounding much better. He’s getting better and better and better and better…

Best photo this year

https://smoregraham.com/

Vote!

http://kuathletics.com/news/2017/6/22/mens-basketball-frank-mason-iii-nominated-for-an-espy.aspx