Postgame Thoughts: KU vs New Orleans

Here are some postgame thoughts, in no particular order.

*Glad to hear Self say in his postgame interview with Fran Fraschilla that he can really see a couple of these freshmen coming along and that he would really expect to see them to start playing more minutes. I'm hoping and praying he is referring to Wright (who should be playing A LOT more going forward) and Chalmers, who HAS to play to gain more confidence.

*Anyone else think that Chalmers is getting relegated to the 2-guard spot and that JHawk and Vinson are #1 and #2 at the point? It sure looked that way tonight.

*Self also mentioned that this team has a lot of wasted possessions. I agree 100%. They don't value the ball. 18 TO's against this opponent is pathetic.

*It will be VERY interesting to hear what the deal was with Micah. I can't believe the announcers didn't say anything about it and didn't ask Self about it after the game. Anyone hear anything on the radio?

*Did I mention that JW needs to play A LOT more going forward? I was glad to see he had 29 minutes tonight.

*It's time for Rush to quit shutting down mentally when his first few shots don't fall. He was 2-for-11 and disappeared in the game, though did have 7 boards. However, that's not what we want to see from the one guy on the team that has the ability to take over a game offensively. He seems so tentative and out-of-control at times offensively. It's almost like he doesn't realize that he can take over a game.

*That first half was painful to watch. This team can, as Self puts it, really "labor to score".

*Also interesting when Fran asked Self about the team having depth and Self said "we're too deep". Hopefully the rotation is going to get trimmed soon, but WHO do you take minutes away from as only maybe one or two players are distinguishing themselves from the pack?

*The combined "effort" (6 rebs, 8 pts.) of Kaun and Giles tonight was pathetic. Those guys better find a mean, aggressive streak before Kentucky rolls into town and definitely before the conference season starts.

*Mario makes mistakes, but he also makes plays and forces turnovers. He also pushes the ball more, brings more energy and is quicker at getting the team into their offense than JHawk (4 TO's tonight, by the way), IMO.

*Great game for Case. He was on fire tonight. That being said, it's much different being on fire in practice or against a team with Division II talent than it is in a big game with the pressure on. I have serious doubts whether Case will consistently hit from 3-pt land when we play a team that has some talent. And I don't think this team has time to find out, so I expect Case to be back on the pine soon.

*The team shows some solid defensive effort, but got pretty lazy guarding the 3 on a few occasions tonight. The breakdowns in effort is very discouraging.

*I am really curious to see how good this team can be when they put together 40 minutes of quality effort and execution. Unfortunately from what I've seen to this point, we're a long way from seeing a game where that happens.

*Anyone else think Self looks very frustrated?

*Anyone else expect this team to look signficantly sharper in execution by this point in the season? I know I did.

*What's your best guess on when Self finally lands on the 9-man rotation? Will it be by the Big 12 Tournament? Will it happen at all?

*10 blocks was nice to see and 4 of them from Julian, giving yet one more reason to play him more.

*6 of 12 from the FT line tonight. I think Self should make these guys pay in practice when anyone misses a free throw. I really don't think these guys value those free points the way they should.

*Another quiet, yet effective night for Russell Robinson: 24 minutes, 9 points, 3 rebs, 5 assists, 1 block, 2 steals, only 1 TO.

*UNO outrebounded KU 34-32.

*Giles played, brace yourself, TEN minutes tonight.

*I REALLY like the energy and effort that Darnell Jackson brings to the court. He had 8 pts. and 5 rebs. in just 17 minutes.

*Nice stat for KU: 29 field goals on 23 assists.

*Nice stat #2 for KU: UNO shot 34%.

*Nice stat #3 for KU: 14 steals.

*What's up with Kleinmann only getting 1 minute?

*Here's the ESPN box score: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=253632305

March Madness games shown free on the web

From The Kansas City Star....


Out-of-market March Madness games will be shown on the Web
Starting next year, if you don’t like the March Madness game you’re getting on your local television station, you can have your pick of any of the rest of the games through the regional semifinals.
That is, if you have a high-speed Internet connection on which you can get streaming video.
And it will all be free.
CBS, CBS SportsLine.com and College Sports Television are teaming with the NCAA to provide free streaming video rights for what they call out-of-market coverage. It will be called NCAA March Madness on Demand.
The game of primary regional interest will be shown exclusively on the local CBS affiliate (Channel 5 in the Kansas City area).
But if you’re not a Kansas or Missouri — or dare we even say Kansas State — fan and you would rather pick up a Gonzaga or Coastal Carolina game, you can tap into it at NCAAsports.com.
“For the first time ever, fans everywhere will have an opportunity to see their teams play live, at no charge, on NCAAsports.com via our new broadband channel, no matter where or when that game is being played,” said Larry Kramer, president of CBS Digital Media.
In addition to the games, the streaming video will feature interviews and pre- and postgame press conferences and highlights.
It may not all be good news for those cooped up in an office, however. Webcasts of games broadcast by CBS Sports in fans’ local markets will be subject to blackouts — making them available only on TV.
More information about the deal can be found at www.NCAAsports.com .

KU-St. Joseph's Thoughts

*Jeff Hawkins finally found his stroke in the first half. Unfortunately he left it in the lockerroom at halftime.

*The Jayhawks win this game if ANYONE would have guarded Gerry McNamara....er, Nick Fazekas.....er, I mean Chet Stachitas. 6-for-7 from 3 point range in 40 MINUTES OF PT and he, of course, ties his career high...some of that is good shooting...some of that is just flat-out poor defense.

*The University of Kansas is cursed from the FT line. It really is amazing. It seem sthat year after year, regardless of who the coach is, regardless of who the players are. 6-of-19 is atrocious. I just don't understand how poor FT shooting can consistenly infect AN ENTIRE TEAM.

*3-4 for the the first time since the year I was born. The NCAA Tournament looks a long way away....but I still have hope.

*The good news is this team has tons of talent and can play with virtually anyone in the country because of that talent.

*The bad news is this team is so inexperienced that their inexperience cancels out their talent. It won't always be that way...that's just the way it is now.

*I knew this season, especially early, would be a struggle...but I didn't expect three losses with three poorly executed plays at the end of each game. We've now lost by 1, 2, and 3 in those very winnable games. I know how frustrating it is for all of us. Just imagine how frustrating it is for those players in the lockerroom and for the coaching staff. This had to be a major blow to their already fragile confidence.

*I don't have the exact number, but I know I don't have enough fingers to count the number of times that we helped on defense, a St. Joe's player dished it to the open man, and we were late getting back to the shooter....running out desperately to the 3-point line....one arm stretched out......only to watch X St. Joe Player swish it. It was beyond frustrating to watch time and again...with no defensive adjustment...it really reminded me of some of RW's teams. If someone dares to watch it again...please count for us.

*I'm pretty sure our coaches teach to give up the baseline drive so that the big men can come over and close the drive off. But I'm also sure they don't teach to give up the ENTIRE baseline and for our big men to come over a half-step to a full-step late and foul. That damn learning curve will get you every time.

*The sky is definitely still intact...it's just a lot darker than it's been in awhile. When you're used to sunny, blue skies, it takes awhile to learn to appreciate the beauty of a rainy day.

*I only hope and pray that we don't lose to K-State this year the way Indiana just lost to Indiana State tonight. I think someone just bought the FIREMIKEDAVIS.COM domain name.

*Anyone else notice we had four freshmen on the court with 20 seconds to go in the game? Yeah, we lost...but boy is the future bright.

*CJ Giles and Sasha Kaun played like nervous freshmen tonight. That's a big reason why St. Joe's outrebounded KU 33-29. Darnell Jackson can't return soon enough.

*This had to be a huge blow to this team's confidence. Like the announcers said "KU really needs a win over a QUALITY OPPONENT to give them some confidence." Yes they do....and SOON. I don't even want to think what a loss to Cal will do to this team's confidence.

*Julian Wright played a solid all around game other than looking out-of-control on a few occasions.

*I really believe Micah Downs needs to see the floor more. We desperately need the offense he can provide.

*As much as I love Mario, he looked like a first-grader in the first half. Thankfully Hawkins was playing ok. And then they switched roles in the second half. Once we get a PG that can play good for a full 40 minutes, we just might have something.

*If Russell Robinson played basketball in the forest, would anyone hear him? You hardly realize he's even on the floor. I'm not being judgmental of his game...I'm just amazed that I barely noticed he played.

*Youth and lack of experience....those are the differences between winning and losing right now. Oh...and some really bad FT shooting.

*It's definitely not the end of the season or the world, but I just can't help but think that our boys really lost a great opportunity tonight. I will be very interested to see how they bounce back against Cal.

*It's hard to believe we were actually up 17-4 in this game early on. It seems like so long ago, doesn't it?

*How awesome was it to hear Duke Vitale mention that KU/Self stole both Julian Wright and Sherron Collins from Illinois' backyard? I love it.

*For the most part, I liked the way this game was officiated. The refs let the guys play and called a fairly even game...and they gave both teams opportunities to win it from the line. St. Joe's took advantage of those opportunities and KU didn't. Simple as that.

*Dear Bill Self: You have reached your limit for close games in one season. Please make sure that no more games come down to a last posession this season. Thank you.

*Watching the Baby Jays can be frustrating...but also can be a lot of fun.

*"Pretty frustrating loss," KU coach Bill Self said. "We got to start doing what good teams do. 6-of-19 from the free-throw line. We gave them the game. Free throws have cost us two games now."

No argument here, Bill. Hang in there.

Chalmers, Hawkins...Hawkins, Chalmers

Let's use a baseball analogy..in baseball, there are starting pitchers and relief pitchers.....IMHO, Chalmers is a starting pitcher...Hawkins is a relief pitcher.....You bring in the starter to set the tone for the game and to set up the team for the best chance to win....you bring in the relief when the starter needs a breather....IMO, the team is more potent with Chalmers at the point, particularly offensively, than with Hawkins....I think Hawkins would be fine off the bench to give Chalmers a rest and to keep the ship sailing straight....but as a starter...at the most important position on the team...he doesn't do a good job of setting the tone, providing leadership, or providing offense.

And I, for one, am getting tired of people bagging on Chalmers for TO's. He had ONE bad game...against Arizona. Against Nevada, in nearly half the minutes Hawkins got, Mario had 4 assists and 1 TO to Jeff's 2 assists and 3 TO's. Against Chaminade, he had 5 assists and 1 TO. Against Arkansas, he had 2 assists and 1 TO. So the talk about him being so turnover prone isn't accurate unless the entire opinion is based on one game. I also don't buy the talk about Jhawk being some defensive wizard that is heads and shoulders above Chalmers...Mario plays fine defense.

Put Mario on the mound...and keep Hawkins in the bullpen.

NOTE TO BILL SELF

Please start Mario Chalmers over Jeff Hawkins. I would rather lose with a freshman than lose with a fifth year senior that plays like a freshman.