🏀 KuBuckets Archive

Also see our Daily Threads, March 21, and the News Digest for Yesterday, March 20, as well as Daily Threads for Yesterday, March 20

NCAA Tournament 2014 Schedule: Times, Dates, Live Streaming and TV Info ↗

BRACKET: PDF ↗ | Join KU Buckets Group on ESPN ↗

KU 2014 Tournament Guide ↗

Dodd: KU's Tharpe heeds brother's advice: Shoot the ball to the ceiling ↗

ST. LOUIS — He’d say it all the time. When the shots weren’t falling, when the legs looked heavy, when his little brother needed a reminder.

Tishaun Jenkins would pull Naadir Tharpe, his youngest brother, to the side and say the same six words.

Shoot the ball to the ceiling.

Newell: KU basketball makes the most of limited time to prepare for unfamiliar opponent in Eastern Kentucky University ↗

Perry Ellis knows a lot about Marcus Lewis … even if he can’t tell you his name.

To Ellis, Lewis is simply No. 12, otherwise known as the Eastern Kentucky player he will be matched up against defensively when the Jayhawks open the NCAA Tournament against the 15th-seeded Colonels at 3:10 p.m. Friday.

Dodd: South Regional notes: Wiggins brothers get to catch up ↗

ST. LOUIS — There was plenty of familiarity in the Scottrade Center locker rooms Thursday. Between the Kansas and Wichita State practices, the Wiggins brothers met in the Shockers’ locker room.

Although their teams will play in the same arena today, the only way the Wiggins brothers could face off in the NCAA Tournament is if both advance to the national championship game.

Kansas coach Bill Self said that’s probably a break for their parents, Mitchell and Marita.

Dodd: Battle for Kansas between KU, WSU, KSU is more like a hoops Cold War ↗

WICHITA — In a back corner of The Beacon, a weathered brick diner on Douglas Avenue, they drink dark, black coffee and chatter about the local undefeated basketball team.

This is the kind of greasy spoon where they serve omelettes with one-word descriptions and the breakfast menu is available all day. Today’s debate is about old as the restaurant’s recipe for country fried potatoes.

Local sports briefs: Brownback declares Kansas 'cradle of basketball' ↗

BROWNBACK DECLARES KANSAS ‘CRADLE OF BASKETBALL’: Gov. Sam Brownback has issued a proclamation describing Kansas as the “Cradle of Basketball” and praising the three teams from the state playing in the NCAA Tournament.

Biancardi: Who was hurt the most in missing JaQuan Lyle ↗

When looking at the final four schools involved for JaQuan Lyle -- Oregon, Memphis, Oklahoma State and Kansas -- the one that lost out the most was Oklahoma State, as I believe it needed him more than the other schools.

Smith: Live from St. Louis: Media day at Scottrade Center ↗

NCAA round of 64 preview: (2) Kansas vs. (15) Eastern Kentucky ↗

BOTTOM LINE: After playing the nation’s toughest schedule, the Jayhawks finished 12-8 against NCAA Tournament teams during the season. If they take care of the ball, Kansas should breeze.

Please add stories here

Also see our Daily Threads, March 21, and the News Digest for Yesterday, March 20, as well as Daily Threads for Yesterday, March 20

Of course, I like to think that Kansas is the cradle of basketball, but getting three teams into the tourney isn't all that unique. Even when one is a #1 seed (see 2013).

Last year we had 2 get to the sweet sixteen.

Let's see if two teams can get back to the sweet sixteen before we toot too much.

@bskeet

For states like California and North Carolina with lots of Division I scools, it is not uncommon to send 3 or more teams to the dance. However, for states having at least 3 Division I schools, Kansas is the only one to send ALL Division I teams to the dance and this is the third year in a row to do so. Two states with 2 Division I teams, Nebraska and New Mexico send both teams; however the University of Nebraska at Omaha which is on provisional status did not make it.

California, Ohio, North Carolina and Texas have each 4 teams in the Tournament; however these states have large numbers of Division one schools, California 24, Ohio 13, North Carolina 18 and Texas 21. Illinois and Indiana do not have a single team. When you look at in in context, Kansas sending all 3 Division I schools is quite remarkable, particularly when this is the third year in a row and includes a #1, #2 and #9 seeds. Indeed, not only the cradle of basketball but the current hot bed as well.

It's the Big Dance. This is basketball on another level. I am excited! I have enough butterflies in the pit of my stomach for everyone. Let's go Jayhawks!!

@KansasComet Your butterflies and mine could rival the swarm that migrates to Mexico every year!

@bskeet Here's hoping at least one of the Kansas teams (without State in it's name) makes at least the final four.

The pod makers could have turned St. Louis into a Kansas v. Kentucky thing had they also been able to put Louisville into the St. Louis pod. Imagine three Kentucky teams, three Kansas teams. As it is, the state of Kansas can send two Kentucky teams packing today. That's pretty satisfying as well.

@dylans Cheers!

If Sam will support building KU some basketball housing and expanding Memorial Stadium, I will support his proclamation.

Othewise, KU is the cradle of college basketball. Full stop.

@jaybate 1.0

Right on! Well... leave it to a politician to feast on the gravy of free potatoes.