Interesting potential new building project across from the football field (Memorial Stadium). I hope the finished product looks more how I envisioned it and less like the parking garages with gardens on top in the renderings.
dylans
9276 posts
@DinarHawk If the rest of the team can in fact can raise their defensive intensity to the point of reaching the sweet 16 or elite 8 without Embiid, imagine how good they could be with Embiid. Assuming the defensive intensity remains as high with him in the lineup.
@JayHawkFanToo You are right about the body, but watch his arms also. Then think about how straight up and down Jeff Withey used to go. Withey got away with a lot of body contact because he never initiated it. I know they are two completely different type of players and the rules have changed; Withey is an unfair comparison.
[youtube video of ISU fans flopping during Marcus Smarts introduction](
I know its a few days old, but I could use a good laugh today. This did it.
If Black could keep his hands and arms straight up instead of out at an angle he'd foul less. He hasn't figured it out in 3 1/2 years it isn't going to happen now.
The most effective strategy I saw against KU when Embiid is in the game was what KSU did and a couple others: draw Embiid up to the top of the key and send the guards into the lane. No rim protector and no guard that can cut off the dribble. I am afraid that a team with exceptionally quick guards (i.e. WVU) will cut this team up in the tournament without a rim protector.
Does Bill put the full court press on Myles Turner now? Even if Embiid returns it would be nice to have a back-up rim protector. I know Michelson is near 7ft., but I know very little about him or his defense.
Oh no, no JoJo.
Holy crap, is Joel tough or what? He was playing with a freaking broken back!
Wiggins is named big 12 freshman of year by AP today.
And all this talk of Joel's back makes me nervous. I'm both concerned for this years NCAA tournament and next season. I would love to have Embiid back, but not at the expense of his health. I also hope this doesn't scare him into leaving early. It's a two sided coin.
It seems KU is closing out the season similarly to how Michigan did last year. Ranked high (#1) and lost a slew of games down the stretch dropping them to a 3 seed, before going to the national championship game.
I'd like to see KU play in nine more games.
My take on Bill's increased allowance of drives not to dish: The rules if strictly enforced favor driving to score over driving to dish due to the block/charge call and complete lack of contact allowed. If loosely enforced the advantage on a drive goes to the hacker not the hacked.
That being said, Mason needs to make a few more layups to be any kind of threat. It seems he only makes 1 of 3 or 4 layups when not fouled. The little guy gets lost in the trees, but I admire his guts. Once Mason starts making more layups and dishing more when the defense collapses on him he will be a difference maker.
Good news for someone who could use some right now: Cliff Alexander is named Naismith high school player of the year! (Article at top)
@wissoxfan83 I haven't forgotten TJ Whattley, how on earth could I forget Tarik Black? There's just been a few more names to learn with any top tier basketball program the last decade or so.
Sorry guys, I added a few of todays headlines to yesterdays link. I don't have time to move them, but there are several more news stories over on March 5 headlines.
John Rieger/USA TODAY Sports
The Big 12 conference has grown into far more than just "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk."
At the outset of the season, it was almost a forgone conclusion. The ACC -- after adding Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame -- would regain the mantle as the elite college basketball conference in America.
Just a few issues: The Irish have been thoroughly disappointing, the bottom third of the league has been dismal and North Carolina’s erratic play has had the Tar Heels as a fringe top-25 team for much of the season.
If not the ACC, there’s no debate, right? The Big Ten has made itself more than just a football conference lately, with Michigan’s resurgence -- along with the consistency of Ohio State and the fact bottom-feeders Northwestern, Nebraska and Penn State have pulled off their share of quality victories.
While the Big Ten has had a quality season, with a legitimate chance to get seven of its dozen teams into the NCAA tournament when the field is unveiled in less than two weeks, there is another conference that stands above the rest in 2014.
The Big 12.
What other league will likely be able to claim that 70 percent of its members will earn a berth to the sport’s ultimate event? Answer: None, only the Big 12.
What other league can claim that all seven of those teams will have a legitimate chance to advance to the Sweet 16? Again, only the Big 12.
The league has been run by Kansas for the past decade, and that has taken away some of the luster from the “other” programs. The Jayhawks have once again earned a Big 12 regular-season championship banner in 2013-14 with a 13-3 mark in league play, but the conference is more than just “Rock Chalk, Jayhawk.”
Iowa State has a chance to go deep in the tournament with its talented trio of Melvin Ejim, DeAndre Kane and Georges Niang. No one wants to go up against Lon Kruger’s Oklahoma Sooners team -- which currently sits in a four-way tie for second with Iowa State, Texas and Kansas State. Oklahoma may not boast a big-name player, but Kruger has more than enough talent -- and is a proven coach.
Texas may not look like a typical Rick Barnes team over the past decade or so in terms of talent, but the Longhorns have what’s been missing in Austin of late: chemistry and team-oriented players. Mix that with enough talent and you get a team that is 21-8 overall and has wins over North Carolina, Kansas, Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and a sweep against Baylor.
Kansas State, not unlike Texas, wasn’t supposed to be in this position. However, Bruce Weber and the Wildcats got wins over Gonzaga and George Washington (two lock tourney teams) and have taken advantage in league play and accumulated 10 victories thus far.
[+] Enlarge
William Purnell/Icon SMI
While toward the bottom of the Big 12, it seems Marcus Smart and the Cowboys have their mojo back.
Baylor and Oklahoma State are down toward the bottom of the league with sub-.500 marks of 7-9, which shows more of the strength of the conference than their weakness. There is just one cupcake in the Big 12, a TCU team that remains winless with an 0-16 mark. This league is unforgiving, with no games off except for the Horned Frogs. Even Bob Huggins’ West Virginia team was on a bubble for a minute, after a three-game stretch that included wins at Baylor and at home against Kansas State and Oklahoma.
Marcus Smart and Oklahoma State appear to have their mojo back. Remember, this is a team that was trying to figure itself out when Smart got hit with the three-game suspension. The Cowboys lost their interior defensive presence, Michael Cobbins, and also their backup point guard, Stevie Clark, for the rest of the season. But who would want to face Oklahoma State in the NCAA tournament nowadays? No one.
If the season ended Monday, the ACC and the Big East would each likely get 30 percent of its teams in the NCAA tournament. The SEC will probably wind up with four of its 14 teams in the field, and the A-10 should end up with a handful of its 13. The top half of the new American Athletic Conference has fared well, but the other five have been downright terrible -- and none of Cincinnati, Louisville, UConn, Memphis or SMU have done enough to warrant a top seeding. The Pac-12 has enjoyed a quality season, with Arizona carrying the torch for what could wind up as a seven-team NCAA tourney group. However, Washington State and USC have been walkovers with a combined three league wins -- and Utah, Washington and Oregon State are all likely NIT or CBI-bound.
The only argument is between the Big Ten and the Big 12. The Big Ten has five teams considered a lock to go dancing: Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Iowa. Minnesota, for the time being, is on the right side of the bubble -- while Nebraska likely remains on the outside looking in. That’s 50 percent of the league’s teams. Let’s face it: Michigan State hardly looks like a team (unless Keith Appling’s wrist heals quickly) that could go deep come March, and Ohio State doesn’t resemble a team that could make any noise. Penn State and Northwestern have had their moments, but let’s face the facts: Indiana, Illinois and Purdue are all mediocre this season.
The Big 12 has a team that could cut down the nets come April in Dallas, and six more teams that could be still standing entering the second week of the NCAA tournament.
That qualifies it as the best conference in America.
Is Bill Self recruiting Charlie Weis's successor? I hear Harbaugh and management are butting heads...
“It has gone too fast,” Andrew Wiggins said. “I wish I had more time to stay here, do my thing and be with the team, the coaches and all these wonderful fans."
It's called a sophomore year...
"When you’re doing something interesting, time flies,” Black said. “That’s how this season’s been. It’s been so intriguing and so interesting and just so fun that time has really flown by.” Tarik Black 2014
@Crimsonorblue22 There's a little more info in the fox sports article.
Didn't Oubre choose KU because he felt like he wouldn't be forced into being a OAD? He would be huge as a soph.
Loved the way he casually inserted Travis Ford's name in the sequence of legendary coaches. I literally LOL'd.
@FarSideHawk I got a good chuckle out of that also.
Slow news day I could only find a few new articles. Guess I'll have to work instead...
Goal one: grow together as a team in the non-conference. Check
Goal two: Big 12 Champions. Check
Goal three: strong Big 12 tournament. TBD
Goal four: National Champions. TBD
Final four teams during the Bill Self tenure.
SEED TEAMS
2013 1, 4, 4, 9 L'Ville, Syracuse, Michigan, Wichita State
2012 1, 2, 2, 4 Kentucky, Kansas, Ohio St., L'ville
2011 3, 4, 8, 11 UConn, Kentucky, Butler, VCU
2010 1, 2, 5, 5 Duke, W. Virginia, Butler, Mich. St.
2009 1, 1, 2, 3 UNC, UConn, Mich. St., Villanova
2008 1, 1, 1, 1 Kansas, Memphis, UNC, UCLA
2007 1, 1, 2, 2 Florida, Ohio St., Georgetown, UCLA
2006 2, 3, 4, 11 UCLA, Florida, LSU, G. Mason
2005 1, 1, 4, 5 UNC, Illinois, Louisville, Mich. St.
2004 1, 2, 2, 3 Duke, UConn, Okla. St., Ga. Tech
Lots of success by one seeds. Champions in bold.
Texas was in the 2003 final four one year pre-Self.
@bskeet ditto on the shirts. I still haven't figured out how to embed videos, but maybe someday.
Looks good in the locker room!
@approxinfinity Thanks, I do what time allows.
Here's a couple new stories.
Just thought I should though this out there: I like Tubby Smith, but can't stand Billy Tubbs.
@globaljaybird Don't forget lead poisoning for varmit control. :)
(bump)
@RockChalkinTexas No problem.
After reading Keegans most recent drivel; No way in hell would I pay for that service (or link his articles here). Let me enjoy basketball, don't remind me of how disconnected with the reality of the rest of the state Lawrence is. It's like a freaking foreign country. I love it, but only if I can remember it as I choose.
The worthless hippies were funny when I was in school all drugged out and goofy; most never becoming sophomores. Now those kids make me angry for throwing away such an awesome opportunity.
Basketball and integration are intertwined because of reality (it happened). You don't just get to insert your social issue and say, "It's a basketball issue, because I say so." Well you can free speech and all, I just will skip your future articles.
@RockChalkinTexas I knew there was a reason not to read the CJ other than all the bad writing, poor Jesse is the exception. Wish he wrote for an accessible site. If KUSports was fee based I may pay, ESPN gets $20 per year to read there site (plus bi-weekly magazine), KCStar wants you to pay, but there are work arounds.
Instead of a free information highway; the interweb is beginning to look like a toll road.
I haven't tried, but erasing the tracking cookie the CJ put on your computer would reset the counter and allow you to continue reading for free.
@bskeet Thanks for knocking it out day in and day out!
Those mix tapes do set unrealistic standards, but dang it's fun to get the hype machine rolling along with imaginations.
@globaljaybird You mean not Scott Drew, right?
Anyone seen this yet? Impressive mix tapes of a couple young ballers. Thon Maker a 7'1" Soph. and the video of the little guy a 4'11" 8th grader with mad handles.
@approxinfinity True, post times would need to be accounted for. And there are definite hot button topics like Smarts flopping, Wiggins signing would've been huge and Embiids health of late.
I'd rather have Embiid who is shooting 62% have the ball down low, than have a perimeter player shoot 36% for three. So why is playing the odds the wrong choice? 3 of 17 doesn't beat anyone. Take 4 less three and make 2 more layups and it's a W.
I will always favor a layup opportunity over a guarded three. If it's wide open after swinging the ball shoot the three, but don't shoot three just to get the volume up to satisfy the non-coach critics. Making threes opens up the lane not shooting threes. I could shoot threes all day long and you would be right to sag off and let me shoot away...
This teams problems start and end on defense. The offense is fun to watch, especially after watching last years terrible offense. McLemore was the only scoring option; not so this season. Wiggins, Selden, Tharpe, Embiid, and Ellis can all light it up.
I don't want to be like Duke or any other team that lives and dies by the three. Those teams get bounce early most years, but we tend to remember the good runs.
@Crimsonorblue22 I know, I try to put on a good front, but I die inside a little after each loss. The next game can't come soon enough.
Approx. I would find it interesting to know the number of daily posts for each of the last thirty days to determine the following:
How many posts on a typical day during basketball season?
How many posts on the day before a game? preceding wins and losses
How many posts the day after a win or the day after a loss?
I know I don't read as much or post as much the day following a loss. I was curios if there are a bunch of fellow BIRGers (Basking In the Reflective Glory) here as well. I don't mean to be I just get too into the games. I try to not get too up following wins (NC aside) and too down following losses, but it's hard to care and not be down following a loss. I just don't let it ruin my day, usually through various avoidance tactics.
@Blown I only remember Wiggins on the floor once or twice this year, but many times he could've been... Maybe my expectations are still too high. I know there are times he is putting forth effort, but do to his athleticism he appears to be loafing.
@joeloveshawks I was anticipating the season so much with all the Wigginsmania and the unknown factor of Embiid, that I had to attend the first game of the season. It was a costly venture, but well worth it!
From the instant Embiid walked onto the court you could tell he is a special athlete. I didn't know what to expect; he could've been a Moulaye Niang clone for all I knew. Those fears were quickly laid to rest though. His offensive polish was completely unexpected as is most of his game. The dude is an absolute stud.
I don't think this really applies here, but think about Lester Earl pre-inury and then how he was at KU. Back injuries can completely ruin a career, I hope his back is just tweaked because of his knee being weak. Knee injuries are bad, but you can salvage a servicable career (i.e. Manning, Rush). However if the knee needs surgery (ACL especially) the explosiveness never seems to return (i.e. Manning, Rush).
@Crimsonorblue22 Too bad to hear Adams is still in his spiral.
@Blown Preferential treatment; giving his son a redshirt, the nerve of some people. sarcasm font
Double rainbow, what does it mean?!?
Anyone who has every strained any joint knows it doesn't get right with anything but rest and time. Embiid only has so much time in a Kansas uniform. 1-2 years barring a debilitating injury.
Bill only has Wiggins for one season. Bill is trying to win the national championship this year not next. Next year Bill will try to win that championship, but that's next seasons concern. So back to this year.
Embiid has the grace and agility of a 6 footer. I have thought many a time he would be a truly intimidating individual where ever you saw him: Basketball court, back alley, Cameroon, my backyard, (not so much on the gridiron though). Just saying he is very large and freakishly athletic.
Embiid needs time to recover and KU needs to learn how to play without him in the meantime or the losses will pile up. Embiid will not be 100% until next season, but will 85-90% be good enough to win it all? I think so, but Embiid is about 40-50%. Will he get enough time off to heal up?
@Crimsonorblue22 Probably right. Defensive liability against small fast guys in a man to man defense. But Lucas got almost no minutes even when Black tweaked his ankle, Embiid was out, and Traylor sitting.
I wish I could see what Bill is thinking. I haven't figured out why when teams (Texas K-State) are pulling Embiid out to the perimeter on defense; Bill doesn't have Embiid sag down into the lane. Gipson isn't shooting threes or driving on anyone. KUs sad perimeter defense needs a rim protector or a point guard who can cut off the driver. Frankamp was very disruptive, but i don't think Bill is going give him many minutes, so Tharpe's D must improve.
Or Bill could implement a zone defense 2-3 zone fits, but that ain't happening. You will most likely see a triangle and 2 though in the tournament. (Hope I didn't give away any trade secrets)
Any thoughts on why Lucas couldn't find the floor against KSU despite a limited number of bigs? He's a great rebounder, but I'm not sure about his defense.
I thought KSU was doing a good job of drawing the bigs up to the three point line to take away any help (from the bigs) on drives by the guards.
KU absolutely needs a healthy Embiid to compete for a national championship.
7 man lineup vs 9 man lineup.
We (KU fans) would like to see Greene, Frankamp, Lucas, and White III play. If Bill played everyone the minutes would be split up pretty thin. So with a nine man lineup you develop depth and your bench. IF injuries or foul trouble happen in the tournament you have depth to compensate. IF a starter is cold you can put in a shooter.
With a 7 man lineup you develop good conditioning, chemistry, and everyone who plays gets a ton of game time experience. In the tournament there are so many tv timeouts that depth doesn't matter that much. I know it's countered some of the depth that Roy's teams had. They would run you into the dirt in the regular season, but with a few extra minutes to suck air during timeouts the opponents overcame the depth disadvantage.
Personally I'd like to see a 7-8 man lineup. It means 5 guys are playing at an exceptionally high level and only need breathers. I'd hate to see KU go 10 deep because it means no one has separated themselves as being dominant and the core group will not be properly developed in time for the tournament.
Just lost a long post so heres the cliff notes version.
With no healthy Embiid KU has no rim protector.
No rim protector = 11 made layups for KSU in the second half.
No rim protector = 2nd round loss
Healthy Embiid = good shot at final four
Agressive Wiggins + healthy Embiid + Tharpe playing D + Ellis rebound and playing D = National Champs
Gotta love the support and nothing but support for posters here. I was blasted by a few (supported by most) on the Facegate site for venting about the loss of my bro. I would expect nothing, but support and love from the posters in this site.
Here's to a better class of like-minded individuals! Thanks again Aprox. For all your efforts.
It will be a packed house all right, no question about it.
I am now wondering that, if in view of what transpired at TTU, some of the more obnoxious signs will not be allowed...
Yeah right, K-State would hate to see a KU player nationally disgraced and suspended.