TEAM. TEAM. TEAM.

After re-watching the game last night one thing that sticks out to me is how much of a TEAM effort yesterday's win was.

Several players stepped up at various points in the game. Russell Robinson hit some big 3's early in the game and his finger-roll-with-spin layup was huge later in the game, not to mention his FT that sealed it. Mario launching 3-after-3-after-3-after-3-after-3. Sasha going on a nice spurt where he hit the boards hard and got a couple of putbacks. Brandon hitting a couple of big 3's. Julian Wright was everywhere, blocking, dunking, passing. Darrell Arthur while silent most of the day offensively had a nice 2-pt bucket in the second half. Sherron, while scoreless, had a few nice passes that led to buckets. Darnell had that sweet alley-oop dunk and a few other strong plays inside.

TEAM, TEAM, TEAM.

I turned to the guy I was with at several times in the game and said "we've got to attack on offense" and that is exactly the mentality that the team took on.

The other thing I was thinking about is: Think about how easy it would have been for our team to mentally fold the tent down 12 at half with Durant and co. completely on fire.

Folks, that shows toughness. A toughness that I don't think any team before this one under Bill Self has fully grasped. It will serve us well in the postseason.

I wish I didn't have to wait 5 days for another KU game!

Mic

1900 Wins & Big 12 Champions

Just returned from Lawrence.

WOW...what a GREAT game and an INCREDIBLE experience!

Below are some of my thoughts as well as a link to some pictures of the day's events.

1. I am so thankful for friends like Mark Robinett, who offered me a ticket a few days ago. Thanks Mark. It was an awesome experience.
2. Kevin Durant is the National Player of the Year. End of story. His first half was one of the best I've ever seen from any player against KU, much less a freshman.
3. UT played one of the best first halves that any opponent has ever played in Allen Fieldhouse. They were mindbogglingly proficient.
4. Even though KU was down 12 at the half, I had a good feeling that our guys were going to find a way to get back in the game. I was THRILLED when they started the second half with a 22-7 run.
5. I've been to a lot of games in Allen Fieldhouse. I'm not sure I've ever seen the Fieldhouse rocking more than it was today. Every single fan was into it and helped WILL this team to the outright conference championship.
6. I am so happy for this team and for Bill Self. Watching them celebrate after the game and cut down the nets will forever be a great memory in my mind.
7. It was really cool being in Allen Fieldhouse for win #1900.
8. 50 Conference Championships in 100 years. Are you friggin' kidding me?
9. It was great to see so many Jayhawk friends today, both in Allen Fieldhouse and at the Salty Iguana post-game.
10. Allen Fieldhouse: There is not a better place in the country to watch a college basketball game.
11. When Kevin Durant rolled his ankle, I took a moment to thank the ghost of Phog Allen.
12. As I waited in the line outside of Allen Fieldhouse before the game, with Phog Allen's statue just a few feet away, I mentioned to the group I was with that I knew the EFKAN paver was somewhere nearby. Sure enough, I look down and my right foot was standing right on it. Check the pictures for a shot of the paver.
13. For all of those KU fans that criticize Bill Self for losing in the first round of the NCAAs the last couple of years, please take a moment to kiss my ass. He is the right man for the job and is an excellent representative for the University of Kansas. Plus, he doesn't have two DUI's like the guy that coaches in Allen Fieldhouse West. (congrats to K-State, by the way. I think they locked up their NCAA tournament bid with a win today over OU in Manhattan).
14. Shame on CBS for assigning two no-name announcers to the battle for the Big 12 Title with the #3 team in the country and the likely National Player of the Year.
15. It takes a lot of guts, determination and toughness to bounce back from a first half like the one our Jayhawks faced today from Texas. They pulled together and got the job done. This team has learned a lot about themselves with the last two close games. Hopefully that experience will help them in the postseason.

Click the link below for the pictures.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=wb94q1i.31mm9y5a&Uy=-8eyr09&Ux=0

As a wise man once said: "Every day is a great day to be a Jayhawk, but somedays are a little bit better."

Rock Chalk,

Mic