OMAHA, NE. -- Two things KU had going for it over UNLV tonight was a big disparity in height and a much deeper bench.
Well it turns out they didn't really need either of them.
KU used a 14-3 run midway through the second half and some lock-down defense for all 40 minutes to quell any upset hopes for the Runnin' Rebels tonight, in a 75-56 win in Omaha.
Continue reading "Omaha Regional- Kansas goes small, moves on." »
OMAHA, NE. -- Yep, I'm calling my shot now. There's only four minutes left in UNLV's season. It's now 65-51 KU and from this rather dark picture below you can see that people are already heading for home en masse. Oh well, it was good while it lasted.
(Wait! Wait for me!)
OMAHA, NE. -- With 7:33 remaining, the Jayhawks have built up a 60-46 advantage. UNLV's best shouter, Josh Barger has exited the game with five fouls and the Reb fans behind me are starting to blame the refs more and more... just like good fans are supposed to do.
Yep, this one is nearly over. But I'm saving room for a blistering comeback by UNLV. But that light at the end of the tunnel is very likely an on-coming train.
How did these ne're-do-wells get seats at mid-court, five rows up?
Really now, Mr. Pirate.
OMAHA, NE. -- It's still KU's game... but there's still hope for a good finish.
The whole arena can feel ole Mo' putting on Jayhawk white. Their energy is still much better and are filling the passing lanes very well. Long and lean Sasha Kaun just came in to give Darnell Jackson a breather. He's got fresh legs, so it won't be a drop off.
After a timeout, it was deflating for the Rebs to give up an easy layup to Sherron Collins. That puts KU up 46-37 with 13 and a half remaining.
Again, if UNLV can just hit more of their shots (still shooting just 31% compared to KU's 56%, this could still become a game.). But UNLV is having to work much harder for their points, being outscored 22-8 in the paint.
OMAHA, NE. -- The Omaha Regional really needs a ball game. No, I mean one of those Ew-mah-Gawd! finishes. Maybe this will be the one that goes down to the wire. Right now, KU leads - expected - by 34-29 - unexpected.
(UNLV point forward Curtis Terry leads the Rebs with nine points so far)
And get this... if UNLV would just hit a few more shots, they'd be ahead in this bad boy. So far UNLV is just 8-for-27 from the field, including just 3-for-13 from beyond the arc.
KU is using its significant size advantage to garner 16 points in the paint. It's been pretty even scoring for KU as well since Mario Chalmers leads them with a team-high nine points. But Darnell Jackson is the beast under the glass, grabbing a game-high nine caroms so far. Fourteen of the 18 KU rebounds have come on the defensive end.
No one is in serious foul trouble so far. KU has only made one three-pointer.
OMAHA, NE. -- Because the post-game press conference after the Wisconsin-Kansas State game went so long (and still nothing of real worth was said) I didn't get to this Kansas-UNLV game until halfway through the first half
(As you can tell by his sleepy eyes, press conferences bore Michael Beasley too)
Anyway, UNLV is not just hanging with the top-seed Jayhawks, they're leading the Big 12ers by a 19-17 margin here at the eight minute mark of the first half. Maybe THIS will be a ballgame. Since we haven't had any here in Omaha worth cooing about. Dammit.
OMAHA, NE.--Kansas State had the better players. Wisconsin had the better team.
The Badgers used a steady, pass-first offense and its usual suffocating perimeter defense to bury Michael Beasley University here in the first game of the Omaha Regional's second round 72-55.
Continue reading "Omaha Regional- Wisconsin constricts the Cats, 72-55." »
OMAHA, NE.-- As you can tell by this picture, the blood-loving media just LOVE when there's an injury. Notice all the cameras pointed at Kansas State's Bill Walker as he lay on the floor?
(What is this, Princess Di or something? Tame your cameras paparazzi)
Wisconsin does what they like to do, squeeze the life out of people. They bled the clock down to the four minute mark and hold an insurmountable 72-53 lead. That loud slamming sound you just heard was the sound of a door slamming.
OMAHA, NE.-- As an unbiased observer in the game, I gotta say, it looks like Kansas State is getting the shaft on a handful of calls in this second half so far. They've been whistled for eight fouls, while Udub has just four.
But I will say that double-technical call was warranted, Bill Walker appeared to be innocent, but I've noticed he's been hacking and hand-checking a bit more than should be allowed. Still, these calls need to even out a bit for the Cats.
(Bill Walker giving the zebra the business after a questionable double-technical)
OMAHA, NE.-- Apparently the governor of the great state of Kansas, Kathleen Sebilius, is a K-State fan, as you can tell by her purple attire for today's game:
(the governor of Kansas getting interviewed by a writer that just won't leave her alone to enjoy the game)
My guess is that she'll be changing to a blue blazer for game two today.The honorable gov is sitting in the first row right behind the two rows of press peeps.
It's now Wisconsin 49-35 on the strength of a 3-point jumper by Trevon Hughes. He's making up for that last ill-advised rush at the end of the first half.
OMAHA, NE.-- As the Badgers were exiting through the bowels of the stadium, one of the UW players said this to another player regarding Trevon Hughes' length-of-the-court drive and subsequent three-point attempt at the end of the first half.
(Coach Ryan, so angry his eyes are devil red, consults with Hughes about his last second shot to end the half)
At the half it's Wisconsin 39, Kansas State 33. But really, it's Udub's three-point shooter 21, Beasley 17. THAT'S the story of the first half of the game. Overall, the Badgers are 7-for-15 from beyond the arc while KSU is 0-for-4, choosing to pound the ball inside instead. State has 24 points in the paint, UW has just 10. KSU is also leading the rebounding at 17-12.
Wisconsin has to like the pace of the game so far, however.
OMAHA, NE.-- It's now 26-18 at the 6:36 mark .
But during the previous timeout, while the Cats were huddling, Michael Beasley was way down at the end of the bench getting his left ankle re-taped. He hasn't looked gimpy or anything - to say the least - but it's something to keep in mind as the game goes on.
(Beasley getting a quick tape job during a timeout)
Meanwhile, Beasley is 4-for-9 with 10 points and the rest of the Cats are 2-for-10. Wisky is now 4-for-10 from three point land and their ball movement has been incredible. If Bohannon heats up, look out.
Also, there have been some huge ovations from the Badger fans for Krabbenhof, Stiemsma and Butch every time they've come out of the game. Their fans are saavy enough to know they are the key to containing Beasley.
OMAHA, NE.-- Wisconsin either seems alright with Michael Beasley getting his points or they can't stop him, because he's slashed, dashed aand fallaway jumpered to eight of his teams points and taken seven of the Cats' 13 offensive shots.
But UW just hit another and got an old school three-point play by Greg Stiemsma to surge ahead 16-12.
(Look at all the different types of shoes that K-State players wear. Does Nike approve?)
OMAHA, NE.-- Today is day two of the Omaha Regional and the two biggest questions going into today's action have to be...
1- Will K-State revert to typical freshman form and play great one day, but awful the next?
When you consider they'll be going against the best defensive team in the country in Wisconsin, this could be the case.
2- Will Kansas be pushed at all by the much-shorter, matchup-challenged UNLV Walkin' Rebs?
Judging by the looks of things, my guess is that Kansas will come out looking better than anybody in today's action. Just my hunch of course.
OMAHA, NE-- For a dude that's worth something like 65 billion dollars or so, he sure does live modestly. He lives in a house just East of UNO which cost him $31,000 when he bought it back in the 1970s.
I drove by it this morning to see if I could hop the fence, ring his doorbell and run away in time, before the hounds were released. You know, like Montgomery Burns always does on the Simpsons.
Instead, I found this quaint little abode that's not all that big and has NO security fence or security personnel of any sort. Here's the multi-billionaire's house.
Day Two of the Omaha Regional is about an hour away from tipping off.
OMAHA, NE.-- Wisconsin won, but Josh Akognon was the show tonight.
Cal State Fullerton's Junior spark-plug did a lot of shakin' and bakin' and went off for 31 points, but didn't have enough talent around him as the Badgers take the last game of the day here in The O, 71-56.
(That look of concern on Wisconsin Coach Bo Ryan's face is there because he knows if Udub plays like it did tonight against K-State on Saturday, they'll be starting their off-season Sunday.)
Continue reading "Omaha Regional- Wisconsin eventually bleed Titans dry. Pull out the win." »
OMAHA, NE.-- Cal State Fullerton's Frank Robinson committed his fifth foul at the nine-minute mark and that could signal an end for the Titan hopes.
(Robinson was the second leading scorer for CSUF before fouling out)
Right now, Wisconsin holds a 56-45 lead with just under eight minutes remaining in the game. But Josh Akognon is still putting on a show, leading the Titans in scoring with 22 points. But Wisconsin is like a snake slowly squeezing the life out of them. Brian Butch still leads Wisky's balanced attack with 12 points and seven rebounds.
OMAHA, NE.-- Intense backing of screaming fans wills Udub back ahead 35-31.
Trevon Hughes just went slashing through the lane, put up a layup, got fouled by Frank Robinson and came crashing down to the floor. Every single Big Red fan flew to their feet and pumped their fists at once. This game is intense man. Intense.
OMAHA, NE.-- Cal State Fullerton led early, fell behind, then rallied to pull within two at the break. It's Wisconsin 30-28 as the Titan dance girls hit the floor.
Josh Akognon is mostly the story for the Titans, garnering 12 points and ducking inside to grab five rebounds (yes, a 5'11" guard is the top rebounder in the game).
For being such a human bruise, Scott Cutley has had a quiet game so far with just five points and two rebounds.
Wisconsin has dictated the pace, but still has only a two point lead. The Badgers are hitting just 38% of their shots, but hold a 21-17 rebounding edge. 6'11" Brian Butch has just two rebounds and leads the Badgers with eight points on the night.
Most surprising stat? Cal State Fullerton, a team that doesn't start anyone taller than 6'5" has outscored the Badgers 16-14 in the paint.
OMAHA, NE.-- The kings of the court delivered, but it was the pawns that really helped decide the game.
(Mayo and Beasley battled each other all night)
O.J. Mayo, Devon Jefferson, Bill Walker and Michael Beasley got their points. To be exact, 20, 15, 22 and 23 respectively. That you knew was going to happen.
Less expected was the contributions of non-starting frosh Jacob Pullen and Ron Anderson who both had what some might consider to be career nights in helping Kansas State paste USC 80-67.
Continue reading "Omaha Regional- Wildcats find new pieces on the board to down USC" »
OMAHA, NE.-- This might be a moment to keep in mind, but Brian Butch made a driving layup to help Wisconsin finally wrestle the lead away from Fullerton at 17-16.
This may be one of those things where it's a lead they take for good. Just a guess on my part.
OMAHA, NE.-- Dear Wisconsin, don't fall asleep on Fullerton here.
Right now it's 13-8 CSUF at the 15 minute mark after a three-point rainbow from Josh Akognon.
I can't imagine it's going to last, so let's enjoy this while we can.
OMAHA, NE.-- K-State leads 76-62 with 1:20 left. I'm going to see the rest of the Duke game now.
OMAHA, NE.-- USC used a rash of points from O.J. Mayo to tie the game at 47 with 13 minutes left.
But since then, KSU has pounded the ball inside and gotten to the line on the SC hackings that have taken place the last few minutes. It's KSU 61-54 with 7:37 remaining here in Omaha.
(Mayo can lift Walker. Now if only he could lift his teammates to play better)
Mayo has raced out to 15 points, after having just seven at the half. Michael Beasley has taken a "damn the torpedoes" approach and is playing aggressively despite his three fouls. He's got 16 points and nine rebounds now.
OMAHA, NE.-- It was a pretty poor half for the Men of Troy. And pretty sweet for Kansas State. KSU leads 37-37, mostly because the Trojan plan to surround, hound and pound Michael Beasley just ain't working out so well.
On the other hand, one thing USC does have going great guns...
(The USC Song Girls. The gold standard of dance squads. "Come hither" look thrown in for free)
K-State's "other" star, Bill Walker, is making minced meat of USC's D with 17 first half points. The Purple Cats are also out-rebounding the Trojans by a 20-11 margin. A full 12 of those rebounds have come on the offensive end of the floor. The Wildcats have scored 16 points in the paint, as opposed to SC's eight.
Tim Floyd has usually been a great second half coach. Tonight he'll need to be just that again. In spades.
OMAHA, NE.-- Things are going K-State's way.
- Trojan center Taj Gibson is in foul trouble (three fouls with five minutes left in the half)
- The non-marquee players are stepping up (Stewart and Sutton hit threes)
- O.J. Mayo has yet to get untracked (0-for-4 from the field)
Only thing that's gone wrong is that Bill Walker had his mouthpiece fly out of his mouth when he had a collision and had to go to the locker room for a spell. He's back now, though.
It's KSU 31-21 with three minutes left before the break.
OMAHA, NE.-- With Pat Riley looking on, Michael Beasley finally hit his first shot of the night at the 10:23 mark of the first half. It was also his first shot attempted tonight too.
(Life of Riley: A hot chick next to him and third row seats to the NCAAs)
Dominique Sutton added K-State's third three-pointer of the game a while ago. If that kind of support continues, it could spell doom for the Trojans, who are expelling a lot of energy on Beasley and Walker.
It's now K-State 23, USC 16. 7:51 left in the first half.
OMAHA, NE.-- Apparently the Trojans plan on just frustrating the hell out of Michael Beasley in order to get State off it's game. He's already picked up two quick fouls in the game and has had two guys in his jock down on the offensive end of the floor.
(Beasley after getting called for his second foul)
But K-State has received a couple of threes from Clent Stewart and Bill Walker to take a 11-10 lead at 13:39 of the first half.
- VERSUS -
OMAHA, NE.-- Two games. Two deflating endings to a championship teams' season.
On the way to to locker room at halftime of today's second game, Kent State's Mike McGee furled up his jersey to his chin and let out a brusque expletive. Immediately, teammate Jordan Mincy came over and said, "Hold on. Hold on. Don't worry 'bout it. Let's just do what we gotta do and win the second half."
Well, KSU won the second half alright, 48-40. Problem was the first half was so terrible that there was no hope of salvaging the last game of Kent's season. UNLV won both haves combined 71-58.
Continue reading "Omaha Regional- Second disastrous game of the day" »
OMAHA, NE.-- It's now UNLV 66-45 with 2:32 left in the game.
So since there's nothing new going on, here's a picture of Larry Johnson in the crowd behind UNLV's bench...
Kent State had another great 20+ win season, but this was a lowlight, unfortunately.
OMAHA, NE.-- Hafta say, the player I've been most impressed with in this game has been UNLV point-forward Curtis Terry. And it's not just because I'm jealous of his wild Australian Outback hair that I'd never be able to grow.
(Curtis Terry, making another point to a teammate)
He's constantly talking, extolling his teammates, letting them know picks are coming, what play is called and most of all, during timeouts and stoppages in play, he's giving them a pat on the back and positive words.
I guess he's also talking to himself a lot so maybe he borders on brilliance and madness.
Terry's great passing has been impressive too. Healways seems to make the right pass at the right time. So far in this game, he's got seven assists and 425 words of encouragement.
OMAHA, NE.--It's halftime here in The O and the score is 31-10 UNLV.
It's been a pretty frustrating first half the the Flashes. In fact, I can't think of it going much worse after scoring 10 points at the midway point. Yep, ten.
Here's the ugly truth:
5-for-24 from the field
0-for-7 from three-point land
17 turnovers
Scoreless from the 11:20 mark to the 3:53 mark
UNLV has 9 steals
That's why you get a football score like this at halftime.
This has been some ugly basketball. And UNLV has been awful at times too, going just 13-for-33 with nine turnovers of their own.
Does anyone want to switch regional assignments with me? Palm? Herwitt? Dad?
OMAHA, NE.-- Ladies and gentlemen... this is the look you get when your team is down 29-8.
(Kent State coach Jim Christian, ready to rip someone's head off)
Kent State has 14 turnovers and is 4-for-21 from the field. It seems like nothing can go right. The KSU fans behind me are taking everything out on the zebras of course, but their boys just ain't playin' man.
I don't want to be in that locker room at halftime.
OMAHA, Ne.-- KSU is showing early nerves. Coach Christian looking pretty hacked.
Kent State just called a timeout at the 15:51 mark and the look on Jim Christian's face could've seared metal.
Forcing passes, dribbling balls a ball into traffic, missing a pair of layups and most egregious of all, getting called for a 10-second violation. That's what Kent State has done in the first five minutes of this game. Five turnovers already, to be exact.
UNLV has jumped out to a quick 9-2 lead.
KU disposes of Portland State 85-61 in easy fashion.
Like a cat with a ball soaked in catnip, Kansas toyed with Portland State here and there in the first half, once allowing the game to get as close as 24-18. But a Sherron Collins three, a Brandon Rush J and a breakaway dunk by Mario Chalmers pretty much signaled the end to that, as the Jayhawks built that lead to 26-18 in no time.
In other words, the cat had gone in for the kill.
(Even Mark Mangino, the mad scientist behind KU going to a BCS bowl, looks like he had nothing to worry about at the game today)
OMAHA, Ne.-- The Kansas Jayhawks dispose of not-so-pesky Portland State 85-61. Ummm, I hope some of these other games in Omaha are going to be more exciting.
Brandon Rush is the leading scorer with 18 points. The Vikings were paced by Jeremiah Dominguez's 11 points. More in a bit.
OMAHA, Ne.-- Just in case this is Portland State's last appearance in the NCAA tournament for 30-some odd years, I thought I'd go ahead and post a picture of them coming out of a huddle. Just to prove they were actually here.
KU is still controlling things and maintaining the pace to their liking.They are a broiling 9-for-16 from beyond the arc and still hitting 55% from the floor overall.
By the way, at the half, I noticed Sasha Kaun had a little hitch in his giddy-up as he gingerly jogged to the locker room. But looks like it's not a problem now as he appears to be playing aggressively on the offensive end.
Darnell Jackson just crushed another dunk and Mario Chalmers hit a driving layup to put KU up 66-42 with seven and a half left.
OMAHA, Ne.-- Impressed with the dance girls. All very fit and did a good job during the halftime show. So I'll give them a 7.5. Keep in mind they're not quite up to the USC Song Girls - but that's a tall order for any squad to live up to.
(The KU dance girls are obviously happy with the fact that
KU has forced 10 turnovers and hit 64% from the field)
OMAHA, Ne.-- Yep, hitting 64% usually means you're playing a good game. That's what KU has done here in Omaha so far today.
The Jayhawks had a few shaky moments (emphasis on few) but they've put it in over-drive on a number of occasions and are cruising to a 49-26 lead at the half here in Omaha.
(Strolling, slapping fives, looking satisfied, KU goes to half with a comfy lead)
Brandon Rush (No. 25 above) leads the 'Hawks with 15 points, including three from beyond the stripe. Darrell Arthur (No. 00 above, slapping fives) has been able to get open looks and has sent home most of his nine points on dunks.
Portland got some looks and close shots early, but the quick hands of KU kept getting in their way. I've been really impressed with KU's feet and hands on defense. Good quickness.
OMAHA, Ne.-- Just got some kinks worked out here in Omaha, but I'm back up now. (You come to expect some problems if you've been doing this for any amount of time.)
KU had the way with PSU early on, racing out to a double-digit lead and looking quite comfy.
(Bill Self and crew looked so relaxed early on, they even had time to sit)
But the Vikings came back and pulled with 24-17 by working the ball around better and keeping their cool. But a few easy dunks here and made jumpers and the lead is back up to 31-18 at the 7:37 mark now. KU is now 13-for-18 from the field. Yikes. If that keeps up, Self and Co. can sit a whole lot this game.
OMAHA, Ne.-- Say it with me, Rawwwwwk, Chawwwwk, Jaaaa-Hawwwwwk, Kaaaaay, Yuuuuu!
You'll hear a lot of that in Omaha this weekend. Because no matter how much publicity and scouting attention that USC and Kansas State get, or how many "Is Omaha exciting enough for ya'?" inquiries UNLV gets or how much defensive love the Wisconsin Badgers get or even how many "Don't you guys usually play baseball here?" questions that Cal State Fullerton gets, this will be KU's town for the next 72 hours.
(Sasha Kaun and KU will be celebrating after this weekend)
The Jayhawks are too talented, too experienced and too bent about last year's aborted run to Atlanta, they going to be mean and nasty about making amends this post-season at the Qwest Center Omaha. Aren't they?
