Amazing! It's not easy finding a "diamond in the rough," but we sure did!!! Let's find some more!!!!
hawkmoon2020
180 posts
Thanks for sharing. We will be loaded next year, and that is why we KU fans should feel optimistic (as is usual) once we get over our grieving phase this season. Another team that is capable of getting 14 straight B12s, and a legit NC contender. Rock Chalk all the way!!!
I mentioned this elsewhere. Given the unexpected Bragg fumble and Udoka injury, we pretty much had to go all in with 4 and 1, and a small rotation. Still, a 31-5 record, 13th straight B12 Title (by 4 games!), and EE, and wins over Duke, Kentucky, MSU, Purdue, Baylor, ISU, OSU, WV, KSU, etc. Sure looks like a damn great year. Remember, 99% of all college teams would take that in a heart beat.
Undoubtedly, a very painful loss, and adds fuel to the thought that KU is weirdly "snake bitten," when it comes to March Madness. Under Roy and Self. Always a Bridesmaid, never a Bride. It hurts, and there have been so many factors (players, coaching, injuries, cold shooting nights, off court issues, etc.) that have given rise to our unexpected exits.
But if you would have told me that KU would beat Duke, Kentucky, Michigan State, Purdue, Baylor, West Virginia, ISU,, KSU, win their 13th straight Big12 Conference Title (that's incredibly whack!), make it to the EE, and have a 31-5 record, I would have said "I'LL TAKE IT. I would still love to have a NC, but I'LL TAKE IT!. Other than the 13 straight, I would of course, trade all of the above for a NC. .But damn, we DID have a pretty frickin' good year by any measure.
I didn't expect a NC when the season started, but really thought we could pull it off this year as it progressed, and believed we were destined to exceed expectations. It didn't happen. I am proud of our team and coach, and I look forward to the excitement of next season. We're gonna be very good again! .
5-25 from 3 was a killer. Make at least 5 more of those, and you change momentum and possible outcome. Just not in the cards tonight, and OR played at their peak for about 35 minutes.
@Eric-san said:
Just heard Altman just called us the Chickenhawks during his presser?
If true, thanks for providing us with additional motivation, Coach Altwoman.
@BigBad said:
Has any team ever had 3 guys average 20ppg in the tourney? We are approaching that!
22.6 BIFM
20 D
18.3 JJ
Holy Jayhawk feathers!!! Wouldn't that be cool.
Not sure if this was already posted.
Him staying really solidifies our teams chances for great success next year. Would love to see him stay, but I'll root for him either way. He is definitely showing his "game" now! Rock Chalk!
My high school / collage girlfriend is married to an OR assistant coach. She mentioned the arena was bleeding blue. Then said OR could only buy 1000 tickets, and that KC IS NOT a neutral court, and calling it BS. LOL Sure we have an advantage, but we earned our seeding, and won the right to play in KC. Not our fault. Excuses, excuses.
Landon is such a rock, and doesn't back down. But there are numerous times that he could easily draw a charge if he "sold the contact" when players back him down low .IMO
@Texas-Hawk-10 Good grief.
Our defense sucks, and it has almost all year. Ugh.
I think a good idea would be for us to play every game like it could be our last. LOL
It's hard not to root for Danny and his team, but I'm still a Big12 guy, and want our conference to represent well in the big dance. Would love to see KSU and OSU pull some upsets!
Just a thought regarding our D. When we play a good 3pt shooting team, why don't we NOT offer as much help inside, and guard the wide open 3 shooter who is waiting for the kick-out pass from the driving player? I would rather have them shoot an inside contested shot, than a wide open 3. This seems to kill us all too often. Of course, it is preferred to keep our man in front of us, as to not allow the penetration in the first place. .
Hope this was our last loss of the season. I've aged 10 years already this season watching the Hawks and their all too many close games. Imagine how much HCBS has aged this season? LOL
Svi? Nice scoring, but stupid mistakes down the stretch really hurt us, Brother. Time to improve your overall game, or the NBA won't be calling. Wonder what his +/- was for this game?
LOL That is true!
Doesn't it feel like it was only 5-6 months ago that we were waiting to hear what team JJ would choose? Man, time flies! It will be a sad day in Hooville when we play our last game, and begin the looooong wait until October? Ugh!
IMO Isn't the thread question "Who has the strongest conference?" And you could answer that based on either one season, or over multiple seasons (if multiple, how many years? 5? 10? 27?) I would like to know that out of curiosity and KU/B12 pride. Then the $64,000 question is "How do we DEFINE the "strongest conference?" NCs? FFs? SW16s? Tourney Bids? Season's ending mix of Final Rankings, BPI, RPI, SOS, SOR, yadda, yadda, yadda? Note: NC and FF appearances alone do not a strongest conference make!
No surprise that there are many, many statistical (and dare I say asymmetry?) factors that would reveal the answer(s), and it makes my head spin just thinking about it. I'm not a pro at this, but I still think that B12 is the strongest, and has been one of the strongest conferences overall for enough years now to shut most haters up. Rock Chalk!!
You beat me to the punch by about 7 min. LOL What a great streak!!!!
Is it just me, or are others noticing that Svi seems to be the lone wolf of the team chemistry? I know players have been frustrated with his TOs, etc.,(and maybe prefer Vick), but it sure seems like over the last 2 games, Svi gets no love no matter what he does. Whenever he makes a great pass or shot, I don't see our players congratulating him., or acknowledging him. I know camera angles don't show everything, but what I saw in this recent game was a lot of high fives and hell yeahs for the other players making shots or passes, but not for Svi..
Please tell me I'm wrong, because the kid is trying hard, and deserves as much kudos as others when he make a great play on either side of the ball, and he is an important part of this "team."
@Crimsonorblue22 Take your meds, cuz this will be a close one. Unfortunately.
Here in WA state, everyone feels that Romar is on the ropes! They're not happy. He'll be gone in a year or two if next season is a bust.
Will be fun to see him on the opposing side, and I respect his decision. Good luck Trae. You seem to be a nice young man, but don't think for 1 minute that your new team will win a B12 title, or vie for a NC in the next few years. Rock Chalk rolls on!!!
Sure there are still a lot of unknowns, but who the hell wouldn't take this roster if it presented itself?
Graham, Newman, Svi, Vick, Garrett, Bragg, Doke, Preston, Colby, Lightfoot
And here I was pouting about the 5-6 missed bunnies, dunks, etc. we missed during the game as the lead was stretched to 14 at the 3 min. mark. Not pouting now!
DG hit some HUGE 3's during that stretch too! I think he hit 3.
@ZIG Guilty here too. But decided to ride it all the way to a gut-wrenching loss. Bothered me to see fans leaving early, but I guess "that otta learn 'em!"
I think that's why it was called Greatest "Comeback." of all time.
@Fightsongwriter Agreed.
Speechless . . . almost. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW - what's the over/under for "nail biters" over the remaining Conference and Big12 Conference Tourney schedule?
Hope we run that WV press right outta the gym! Make 'em pay, and finish them off with a 15pt win!!!!
@KUSTEVE Love your optimism! I think I will get on your train.
Well, look who got the W?!!!!!!
Guess the B12 ain't all that. Ugh.
0-8 3pg, 3-6 FT (including at least two times we could have had an "and 1" opportunity and missed) and we're still in this. Amazing.
Finally got that swift kick in the ass out of the way. I think we needed it, as a reality check, and motivation. I agree the refs were pretty bad, and that's not coming from bias. We definitely had our chances, and blew some bunnies and FTs, but come on. Geesh. Anyway, moving forward, we'll see what this team has learned, and how they respond Sat. against UK. Gonna be a good one, and I still believe we are capable of getting a W. Regroup, and tackle the next challenge with confidence and authority! .
Almost unfathomable to think we would have that hard of time with, or numerous TOs breaking their press with the likes of Mason, Graham, Jackson, Svi and Vick. I mean, come on. No excuses for that this game . . . please.
Seems we get lackadaisical when we have the lead, and start to run a slow, less effective, half court offense. And when we start losing the lead, we start forcing shots or passes, etc. Sigh
Yep. Same movie, same result. Sure feels like we are already in "survive and advance" mode, and it's not even March yet. But a win is a win, and we know we can still do much better job of playing more consistently and exceptionally throughout an entire game. Need to play to OUR level, not the level of the opposing team. Rock Chalk!
As much as I love to see our players achieve their NBA dreams, it is indeed, a very rough road to success. Looking back on the past, I see all but 2 or 3 KU players chosen in the 2nd round or beyond, have not faired well in their NBA pursuits. Even a few chosen in the 1st round have had minimal success.
I would love to see Devonte and Svi stay for a banner year next year, but it's not my life, and not my call. Either way, they will always be Jayhawks, and I will always be rooting for them!
Would LOVE to have this kid, but I wonder why he wouldn't wait until March to make a decision. Doesn't it hinge on Graham and/or Svi leaving? What are the odds we have Graham and Svi back along with Vick, Newman, Garrett and Cunliffe(sp)? Granted, Trae is not considered a OAD, but . . .
Also, if you look at the success rate for KU players chosen in round 2 and beyond, there are only 2 that have really done well. Not good odds for 2nd round and beyond for NBA success. Can Graham and Svi get a 1st round nod? Time will tell.
While Mason and Jackson are carrying the point load for this team, both have their eyes on a future in the NBA. Jackson playing well could increase his top 5 draft stock, and Mason could use a POY status to improve his overall stock. . I do fear injuries, etc. as the season progresses, but I also fear that both may take their eye off the "team" concept, in Feb and March, and try to showcase their individual talents for the NBA. Can someone alleviate my fears please?.
I think you are right. I think.
Well, poke me in the eye with a stick. Who among us saw that coming? I know other teams have similar issues, but it sure seems like KU has more than their share. Keeping fingers crossed. More 4 guard platoons coming to a theater near you!
The fact that Frank is high on the list for consideration speaks volumes about his "game," and character. I am so proud of that guy, and will miss him a lot!
Have to admit that I am a bit surprised that no UK "violation" talks have occurred yet under Coach Cal. What's the over under in years for an investigation into their program? LOL