It was quite a wild ride to the 2008 National Championship tonight. Here, in pictures, is a quick chronological look at the pomp and circumstance that surrounded the Kansas-Memphis title bout here in San Antonio...

(Four hours before Armageddon hits. The quiet tranquillity of the stadium you see here won't last for long as the crowd, the teams, the bands, the cheerleaders and the energy start to fill the building.)

(Jim Nantz and Billy Packer are prepping for their first on-camera appearance of the night. Doesn't it look like Nantz is looking straight at the camera as if to ask, "Who the hell is this freak taking a picture of me?")

("Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." ESPN's Shelley Smith is about to give a court-side pre-game report.)

(Ya' gotta love CBS hoop dude Gregg Doyel. Not only does he know his roundball stuff, but he also sported the coolest haircut among the Final Four media throng. Dig the Mohawk Gregg. Although he did tell me it was only temporary because his slight bald spot is exposed more with this cut.)

(The Memphis dancers and Pouncer the Tiger are keyed up for tip-off.)

(Who's more fired up, the Kansas dancers or the dudes in the lower sections that are leering at the Kansas dancers?)

(Of course, no Final Four would be complete without Jesse Jackson, right? Here, he and Houston Phi Slamma Jamma alum Clyde Drexler are chatting it up with a mutual friend.)

(Soon after, Hall-of-Famer Bill Russell happened to pass by and made this a trio of famous people all within the frame of my camera lens.)

(For the injured Roderick Stewart, this was the only way to get around the Alamodome before the game.)

(This is the Memphis Tigers walking out of the locker room on their way to the court. As you can see from some of the players that are laughing, they were loose and even quite jovial at this moment, seemingly at ease with the big game ahead of them.)

(KU, on the other hand, walked out a few minutes later and were very quiet and serious in demeanor. I didn't think this was a good sign for the Jayhawks.)

(ESPN roundball guru Andy Katz is caught courtside looking for another story to break.)

(KU seemed a step slow in the early going, although Mario Chalmers is providing some in-your-face D here.)

(At halftime, both teams walked amongst each other on their way to the locker rooms and to my surprise there was no trash talking at each other. Unlike on the way to the court to start the game where the two teams stood in the tunnel one behind the other and a couple of F-bombs were tossed back and forth - there's a picture of that in one of the earlier entries.)

(The dreadfully shy Dick Vitale gives Patrick Ewing a hug after being introduced at halftime of the game as part of the Hall of Fame class of 2008.)

(As the game went on, you could see John Calipari's body language and expressions change as the score tightened.)

(Ya' nervous there? I bet so. This Memphis dance girl had to catch her breath as she saw Kansas start making its move in the waning minutes of the game.)

(Check out this look that Calipari was shooting at Joey Dorsey. Ouch. Coach Cal was not particularly happy with his enforcer after he fouled out of the game in regulation.)

(As was their bugaboo all season long, the Tigers couldn't hit their free throws - even though Calipari swore up and down that the poor charity stripe percentage was not a big worry of his. Here Derrick Rose tosses up another late-game brick.)

(This was my view of Mario Chalmers' game-tying shot at the buzzer. Sorry for the slight blur to the picture. Then again, this whole final sequence seemed to go as fast as a blur anyway.)

(The scoreboard and the confetti didn't lie. Kansas wins the game and the national title. The jumbotron camera is fixed on MU's Joey Dorsey as he leaves the court.)

("Did this really just happen?" Chris Douglas-Roberts can barely look up as he makes the long walk back to the locker room.)

(The Jayhawk radio crew wrangles Chalmers up for a post-game interview. Doesn't that guy look like a slightly heavier version of James Carville?)

(Coach Self gets his post-game query from Jim Nantz. This is the one media interview every college coach dreams of doing.)

(Jim Gray, manning the mic for CBS Radio, gets second dibs on Self after the TV crew is done with him.)

(Funny thing I found out about the post-game celebration... See the KU player holding up the "Champions" newspaper - something that is very common for teams that win the football national championship. Now, notice the player behind him taking the paper out of his hands...)

(This is J.D. Hamilton of the NCAA, he has a wad of those faux "Champions" papers in his hands. J.D. would later tell me that those newspapers aren't allowed to be shown because only those advertisers that are "corporate champions" to the NCAA are allowed to have a post-game presence at the Final Four. So this fake Lawrence paper printed out well beforehand proclaiming Kansas as the national champs had to be confiscated.)

(To the victors go the nylon spoils. Mario Chalmers is relishing his turn up on the ladder after the game.)

(... and one last shot of the Kansas Jayhawks holding up the rather blandly-styled NCAA basketball trophy. Ever wonder what happens to the shirts and hats that were pre-printed with "Memphis - National Champions" on them? They are set in a locked room in the bowels of the stadium and later set ablaze by the NCAA, never to be seen again.)

Continue reading "Final Four: The National Championship Game In Pictures" »

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

SAN ANTONIO -- You have to feel bad for Memphis coach John Calipari, who had a great team and a great season, but must be pained by the missed opportunities in tonight's championship game.

Even the hot UofM dancers had a hard time handling the stress...

Billy says, "Damn. I screwed the pooch on my bracket!"...

But Mr. Dunk-the-ball-then-grab-it-so-they-can't-inbound-it deserves a long walk tonight...

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 12:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO -- Kansas has scoreboard...

Kansas has cutting nets...

Kansas also has its Self...

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 12:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO -- Kansas completed its remarkable comeback and won the national championship, 75-68, in OT.

And now, we are buried in confetti.

Neither rain, nor snow, nor hail of confetti can keep us from blogging.

As time wound down, Memphis fans sense that their team had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. You really have to feel for Memphis and the heartbreaking way they lost this game.

Kansas fans also had a sense of what was coming when Rock Chalk went up with 18.2 secs left.

Final stats have just been handed over. Arthur finished with 20 and Chalmers had 18, including the game-tying shot.

For Memphis, Rose, who played every minute, had 18, but CDR led the Tigers with 20. Memphis shot 63 percent from the line, better than their season average, but missed free throws down the stretch certainly aided the Kansas comeback.

The all-tournament team has been announced. Mario Chalmers is the MOP. Artuhur, Rush, Rose and CDR are also on the team.

And that is a wrap from San Antonio. I may attempt a Hang Time entry tomorrow, but I'm not sure if that will be possible. We are closing down CSTV.com after the NCAA Tournament.

So with that said, I want to take this opportunity to especially thank my editor at CSTV.com, Josh Herwitt, and Managing Editor Dan Kaufman, for giving me an opportunity to bring coverage like this to you over the last several years. And also a big thank you to all you readers. Hopefully, you'll see me around here again sometime.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 12:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO -- Overtime started great for the Jayhawks. Collins got a steal, leading to a Rush layup. After a stop, Arther got an alley-oop from Chalmers that they didn't even signal to each other.

Chalmers just threw it up and Arthur went up and got it. The next possession saw some great passing from Chalmers to Arthur, who fed Jackson for another layup, and KU is now up six half-way through the OT. Kansas is now on a 13-1 run.

The mood in this gym has changed considerably. I'm hearing a lot more very bad words from the Memphis fans behind us.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO -- OK, Coach Cal ... guess what? We're not going to believe you from now on when you say free throws won't be a problem.

Here's a shot of Derrick Rose's choke job (following CDR's choke job) that helped KU send the game into OT:

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 11:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO -- Chalmers drained a long three to tie the game with about two seconds left after Rose hit one of two from the line and we'll have some free basketball.

Memphis appeared to be trying to foul on the possession, but none was called before Chalmers slipped away and drained a rainbow from beyond the arc.

Wonder how momentum will go here. KU seems to have it now, but sometimes the team that comes back relaxes too much after completing that job.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 11:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO -- After a miss by Memphis, Collins flew down the floor, shot in traffic and missed. Self wanted the foul, but didn't get it. CDR was fouled at the other end and went 0-for-2.

Dozier grabbed the rebound though and after another foul, CDR spiked the ball with a 30-foot bounce, and for the only time in basketball history, that move did not earn a T.

Don't know if Self complained about that.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 11:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Joey Dorsey fouls out with six points and two rebounds, but every point was big and he was 3 of 3 from the field. Tigers up six, 62-56 with 1:23 left.

It's never easy.

Posted by David Scott at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Kansas has now begun to foul and Robert Dozier is the first victim and he makes his two shots. Kansas answers with an Arthur jumper. With 1:54 left in the game, Memphis is up 60-53.

. . . Attendance 43,257.

. . . Taggart who had been awful most of the game gets a huge bank shot to go with 2:45 left in the gamne to keep the Memphis lead at 58-51.

Posted by David Scott at 11:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO -- Kansas is learning the hard way how tough it is to stop Derrick Rose. He has totally taken over the game on the offensive end for Memphis, including a back-breaking three to beat the shot clock and give the Tigers an eight point lead at the last media timeout.

Sherron Collins scored in the lane for Kansas for the Jayhawks' only bucket in quite a while.

We're watching the replay of Rose's last shot on the monitor next to us and his shot is clearly a two-pointer, so we expect the lead to drop to seven as the refs review the play.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 11:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO-- The longer the game goes, the more animated Memphis coach John Calipari seems to get. He has been gyrating, screaming and fist-pumping like a whirling dervish this second half. Here he is in one of his "calmer" moments:

And this was the KU fans reaction to the Alamodome jumbotron showing former KU coach Roy Williams in the crowd.

(See? Kansas fans still love Roy. So can we all just move on now?)

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Kansas went to a box and one using Chalmers and Robinson instead of Rush on CDR. That worked ot the extent that he hasn't scored since they switched.

However, Rose got loose for five points, and Dozier hit a tough shot in the lane, so Memphis is now back ahead 49-47 with just over eight minutes left to play.

The Tigers have done a good job on the other end keeping Kansas out of the paint, where it was so dominant in the first half (24-8 advantage). They are also attacking the glass much better in this half.

In the KU huddle, Self is very calm and collected. He's telling the team that everything is fine. He is one of the coaches who does not have a coaches' meeting prior to talking to his team. His assistants just chime in when they have something to add. Some x-and-o discussion happens and they're ready to go. It's a very business meeting-like huddle.

Right in front of us, NCAA Tournament Queen Jeanne Boyd shows us how detail oriented she is by picking up a towel from behind the Memphis bench and laying it over a chair.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Kansas got back-to-back baskets from Darnell Jackson to help keep a 43-42 lead at the second TV timeout.

I walked down to the KU huddle and got as close as I could. It's a bit loud in here, but if I heard things right, we might see a box-and-one coming on CDR. He also told the team, 'The game is in our hands."

Or maybe he was just educating them on the importance of washing their hands.

I think my first guess is better.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Memphis scored the first five points out of the locker room to tie the game, and it's been going back and forth ever since.

The action in this game has been incredible throughout, but just in this sequence, we had a dunk by Dorsey on a beautiful feed by Rose, and another by Dozier off a Rose pass. Also, in two possessions, Kansas blocked three shots by Dozier.

Dorsey also picked up his third foul on a silly play, and when he came out, he heard about it from Calipari. John's wife won't like that.

We now return you to David Scott's Memphis coverage, already in progress.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO-- Strange as it sounds, Kansas and Memphis walked intermingled with each other to the locker rooms and not a single word was said to anybody from either team. In this day and age, that's an upset in itself. I'll see if anything is said when they come out for the second half.

Oh, also, they announced the college basketball Hall of Fame class of 2008. Here's a picture of them. (Special thanks to ESPN's Shelley Smith, who allowed me to stand in the spot where her seat was.)

(I didn't hear the entire class, but second to left is Adrian Dantley, followed by Patrick Ewing, Akeem Alojuwon, Pat Riley, some lady and Dickie V.)

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

SAN ANTONIO - Kansas scored the last five points of the half to take a 33-28 lead into the break.

Kansas is flat out killing Memphis on the boards, 19-11. The Jayhawks also have all but about nine of their points in the paint.

KU is also shooting much better, 52%-39%.

All that considered, coach Calipari has to feel pretty good about only being down five. His big guys had foul problems, Rose only had three points and at least as many turnovers. KU took away a lot of what Memphis wants to do, but they're still right in it.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Chris Douglas-Roberts put Memphis on his back and tied the game at 28. In the last three and a half minutes, he has a runner in the lane, a three off a great feed from Rose, another jumper to tie, and a steal which is why Memphis will inbound when we come out of the final media timeout of this half.

Kansas was able to respond with a runner by Collins and a dunk by Kaun, who is getting a breather at the moment.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO-- When Shawn Taggart drove toward the goal, trying to get a foul call but instead just forced up a wild shot that flew out of bounds, Calipari took him out immediately. He sat him down on the Tiger bench and said, "You've got two fouls! You're not going to get that call. If you're not going to get the call, don't just throw it away!"

(Taggart after getting called for his second foul earlier in the game)

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 09:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - The action, and to some degree, the tempers are getting hot.

A Rush layup and a three by Chalmers capped a 15-4 run by the Jayhawks early on in this sequence. We also had big plays by the big men, with Dorsey on a steal and dribble for a dunk, followed at the other end by an alley oop to Arthur, who had beaten Memphis down the floor.

KU had been doing a better job keeping the Memphis guards out of the lane, but the last two possessions for the Tigers were penetrate and dish threes to keep them within 3 at the 8-minute timeout.

Memphis is getting a little frustrated with the KU defense, the officials, and the fact that some technical gremlins are keeping my partner and Tiger tailer David Scott from posting at the moment. His jacket has come off and he's on the verge of getting a T.

TV just showed Roy Williams in the stands wearing a KU sticker. So, I guess we're not done talking about Roy yet.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - At the last timeout, Bill Self sent in Sasha Kaun and Sherron Collins and they made an immediate impact.

Robinson hit Kaun for an alley oop that seemed to get the Jayhawk juices flowin'.

Collins added a driving layup to tie the game and it remains tied at the second media timeout.

Memphis had a particularly frustrating sequence with three fouls and an out of bounds call right in front of their bench that went Kansas' way. Looked from here like it hit Sasha last. That possession resulted in two Jackson freebies for KU.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - At the first timeout, Kansas is losing the battle of the backcourts big time. KU trails 9-5 and it's only because of Darrell Arthur that they are in this at all. He has both field goals for Kansas.

All three of the Jayhawk starting guards have turnovers, and Robinson has a foul on a made shot by Rose.

There was one scary moment when Rush, who suffered a knee injury last year, went down hard on a dunk attempt after being fouled by Anderson. He was OK though, and Anderson helped him up, which is a kind of sportsmanship rarely seen these days.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - It was plenty loud in here for lineup introductions, and the volume seems to be pretty equal for both teams.

Memphis does a strange thing with its introductions. The non-starters bounce around in a pile, and the starter "busts" through them as the reserves jump back. No high fives, low fives, chest bumps or anything like that.

The Big Man, Bill Russell, sitting right behind me. Much better than in front of me.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO-- As the two teams were standing in the darkened tunnel you see below, some Memphis players turned around and started yackin' back at the Jayhawks who were standing behind them.

Pierre Niles and Robert Dozier (who you can sort of see in the background of the picture) of Memphis were the biggest trashers, even going so far as to throw out a few "f___ y__!" yells back at the Kansas players. The KU players were yelling stuff back as well, but I couldn't hear them as well from where I was standing.

Boys. Boys.

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 09:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

SAN ANTONIO - If you are missing a pair of blue glasses on press row, I found them and turned them in to media coordination staff. Better than stepping on them.

Tonight's lineups were not passed out to the media, but we're sitting next to the NCAA broadcast desk, so the guy there helped us out.

For Kansas:
G Russell Robinson, Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush
F Darrell Arthur, Darnell Jackson

For Memphis:
G Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Antonio Anderson
F Joey Dorsey, Robert Dozier

Our refs are Ed Hightower, Ed Corbett and John Cahill

And representing God, the Rev. Jesse Jackson

Thanks to staff paparazzi Eric Sorenson for this pic.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - The Memphis celebfans are pouring in and so far we have Mrs. Fields (Debbi Fields), who lives in Memphis with her husband, Mike Rose. Mmmmmm, cookies.

Also here are in the Memphis section are the Governor of Tennessee, Phil Bredesen, creator of the dribble drive offense, Vance Walberg, Calipari coaching pal and Manhattan head coach Barry Rohrssen and former Elvis running mate, Jerry Schilling.

Some ex-Memphis athletes include Larry Keenon, Hank McDowell, Isaac Bruce, DeAngelo Williams and Cedric Henderson.

. . . National Anthem is complete and we're inching closer to game time.

Posted by David Scott at 09:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Dang, they just moved our stat monitor to the table in front of us. I'll have to use my x-ray vision to see it. I'm not sure I drink the right kind of beer to get x-ray vision though, and it certainly wasn't being served to the media at dinner.

They did give us a pretty good lasagna (for catered food) and Caesar salad.

Meanwhile, the teams have taken the floor for warmups.

Kansas players stretch using big rubber bands.

And we have also learned that's it's never too late to learn more about your opponent.

A Memphis cheerleader phones in a scouting report on the Kansas warmups.

The championship game sometimes brings out the rich and the famous. We'll be sending CSTV.com photog Eric Sorenson out for some candids.

This pic of KU football coach Mark Mangino holding court was snapped with my cheesy cell phone camera.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 08:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO-- Here in San Antonio, the Alamo is the center point of town and a national landmark.

But in 1982, Ozzy Osbourne visited.

On a cool February night, the Ozzman, drunk in his hotel room, decided to don one of his wife's dresses and go out and about to take pictures of the city. At one point, while allegedly changing film, he decided to lift up his dress and urinate on a crumbling part of a wall. Turns out it was a wall on the side of the Alamo.

So when the police spotted him, he got busted. He was then banned from performing in San Antonio. Soon after, Ozzy did a benefit concert raising $10,000 for the Alamo. The ban was lifted in 1992.

- Turns out that Jon Feinstein doesn't like Robert Earl Keen.
Keen's twangy music and performance was being televised on the big screens around the AlamoDome and the sound was - I admit - a tad on the loud side. But Jon got up from the table he was sitting at near me and said, "Now if we could just get the staff to turn this sh#@t down."

- Just thought I'd say it here... Palm is better.
Jerry Palm nailed all 65 teams in the NCAA tournament in his projections he does right before the field is announced. He also got all the seedings correct too, just missing out on a few teams going to different venues. How did Bracketologist Joe Lunardi do? According to an XM basketball radio host, also at my table, Lunardi missed 11 of the teams in the 2-through-5 seeds. "He would've done a better job flipping a coin to get those picks."

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 08:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - There are two signs that have caught our attention more than most at this year's Final Four. The first is the NCAA's catchy, "The Road Ends Here." Problem is, Robert Earl Keen (still on the big screens live from HemisFair) has a song (that we hope he does soon) titled "The Road Goes on Forever." The rest of the lyrics include the line, ". . .and the party never ends."

So which is it? Does the road end here or does the dance never end? For one team it will be the end, but for the other the party will never end.

Our other favorite sign was posted coincidentally at our favorite drinking establishment of the fortnight here, The Sirius Club on Losoya. It read, "Stay Thirsty, My Friend."

That's exactly what these teams have done to get here. They stayed hungry, thirsty and composed.

Okay, we're getting all clichey on you now, but you get the point. Big night, big game. Enjoy it.

. . . And yes, we've stayed reasonably thirsty despite our frequent visit to Richard the Barkeep at Sirius.

. . . In between songs of REK, the Big Board is showing each of tonight's teams' Road to San Antonio.

. . . Our Posting Up Perch is located two rows behind the Memphis bench, a much better seat than Saturday.

. . . REK just did "Merry Christmas from the Family," one of his classic. We're guessing he either closes or encores with "Road Goes on Forever."

. . . Fans have been allowed in and slowly they are filling seats throughout the Alamodome.

. . . We've got to go get some nourishment so we'll leave you with a link to our feature from last year's Monday night game on the talented writer (and best singer) of "One Shining Moment."

Posted by David Scott at 07:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - The Posting Up crew has a little better seats tonight. Check that, much better seats.

TV dudes working in front of our seats.

Not only are we close, but we're at command central. I have a TV monitor on my left and a live stat monitor on my right.

No excuses for not knowing tonight's stats and Scott is already hard at work.

Bill Self's seat isn't much better than ours.

No stat monitor here, but that's why he has assistant coaches.

I spent some time today shuffling along the Riverwalk, where fans from both teams congregated for lunch and pregame lubrication. This woman had the best headgear on the river.

Excuse me, ma'am, but there's a bird on your head.

We're still an hour and a half from tip. Time to check out the media pregame meal.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 07:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - That's what Bill Self wants to know. You could see him rolling his eyes as the inevitable Roy Williams question came.

"There is no animosity or jealousy, at least on my end, when it comes to Roy Williams. We never mentioned that once to our kids. We were not motivated by that at all. This win is special regardless of who is the opposing coach. I hope we're done talking about this now and that we can all move forward."

I don't know if Packer and Nantz asked about Williams.

Self noted that the first fifteen minutes of the game were the best a team of his had ever played. He also noted that the next fifteen minutes were almost as bad as the first fifteen were good.

The stat sheet doesn't lie. KU won big. Of particular note is the shooting percentage, 53% for KU and only 36% for UNC. Kansas won the battle of the boards as well 42-33.

Brandon Rush had the big stat line, with 25 points and seven rebounds, but the player of the game was Cole Aldrich, who came off the deep bench to contribute eight points and seven rebounds, filling in admirably when Arthur and Kaun had first half foul problems.

We'll be back on Monday night with the final between Kansas and Memphis, and the dueling bloggers of David Scott and myself. That's one matchup where the motivation is all about who is on the other bench, er, keyboard.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - The Rock Chalk chant went up with about a minute and a half to go as Kansas ran away from Carolina at the end and won 84-66, meaning the Jayhawks actually outscored UNC by a point in the second half.

Both coaches actually emptied the bench for the final half minute.

I'll be back with a recap in a bit, but here's a pic or two of the celebration.

Yay, we win!

Posted by Jerry Palm at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - I can't help but think of Chaka Khan whenever I hear Sasha Kaun's name. Kaun's layup followed by a dunk on an alley oop snatched the momentum back for Kansas, and now the Jayhawkds are up by 12 again at the last media timeout.

Darrell Jackson finished the most recent sequence with an alley oop dunk and a layup of his own.

Carolina's defense in the paint went away again at the worst time.

I feel for you, Sasha Kaun

Thanks again, Eric.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Danny Green had a three-point attempt do a lap and a half around the rim before rolling off. That would have cut the Kansas lead to two, but as it stands, KU leads 58-53 with 7:53 left. Cole Aldrich is going to the line for two when we come back.

The KU band has piped up with, "We're not going to take it." They did that right before what ended up being the decisive run against Davidson as well. You gotta go with what's working.

Coach Self perhaps looking for some Divine inspiration.

Thanks to staff shutterbug Eric Sorenson for the pic.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Kansas has seen eight more points shaved off its lead since the last timeout, and now the Jayhawks are only up six at 54-48.

During the timeout, Self told the boys, "forget about the score. Just play."

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Until a Danny Green three right before the first media timeout, Kansas and Carolina were basically trading baskets, which is fine for KU. The next time down for Kansas though, Sasha Kaun was called for knocking down Hansbrough, so UNC has the ball when we return.

Danny Manning told Kaun, "it's a very bad word call, but you gotta go with it."

The biggest lead ever blown in a Final Four game belongs to Maryland, who gagged away a 22-point cushion in 2001 to Duke.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Bill Self could hardly have asked for better. Even though Carolina cut into what was a 28-point lead at one time, Kansas leads 44-27 at the break after a Sherron Collins jumper at the horn. That letup late in the half will give coach Self something to talk about.

Rush leads Kansas with 12 points, a number he's been sitting on for a little while because he didn't play much at the end of the half due to foul trouble.

Five other Jayhawks have scored between 5-7 points. Cole Aldrich is the leading rebounder in the game with six, and has helped KU to a 23-15 advantage over Carolina. KU shot 18-33 from the floor for 54.5%, and 4-6 from behind the arc.

The Kansas crowd is a pretty U dancers/cheerleaders performed at the half, but otherwise it's just highlights, music video-style on the big board.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Kansas has gone a little cold. UNC has a 10-0 run to cut the lead to 18 with 2:27 left.

The players aren't the only ones cold. The cheerleaders changed to long sleeves.

KU missed a dunk out of the timeout, but slammed one home on the next possession to momentarily stem the tide.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Do not adjust your monitors folks. It really is 38-12 KU with 7:32 left in the first half. The Jayhawks are holding a team that averaged 93 points a game in the first four rounds of the tournament to a 40-point pace. The only concern is fouls, of which Kansas has nine. They are absolutely kicking Carolina's rear ends in every other aspect of the game.

Hansbrough has eight points, but only one rebound. Rush already has 12 and 4, and Cole Aldrich, a 6'11" freshman from Minnesota, has 4 and 6 off the bench.

As we went to the media timeout, referee Tom Eades was explaining to Bill Self how Darrel Arthur getting slapped in the face badly enough that they had to stop play wasn't a foul. I'm sure Eades said something like "must have been the wind blowing something into his eye."

While that was going on, assistant coach Danny Manning went over and exhorted to the Jayhawks not to let up.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - At the second timeout, Kansas' lead is now up to 13. They are forcing turnovers on defense and beating NC down the floor for easy baskets. Almost all of the Jayhawks' points have come in the paint.

They have also started some fast breaks with blocked shots.

The only concern at this point is 2 quick fouls on Sasha Kaun. And our hit-and-mostly-miss internet connection.

And the fact that sometimes the game looks like this.

Can't see the forest through the trees.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Internet troubles have reared their ugly head again, so we'll see how well this goes.

Kansas is trying to go inside right away and succeeding. They are also having more luck trying to run because they have forced a few turnovers.

Arthur and Jackson already have six points in the paint, but Kaun missed a tough layup from a bad spot under the basket.

Of course, it's not always easy to see what's going on.

No, really. Down in front!

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Here are a few images from between the games. I am sitting about 15 feet beyond the end of the baseline in the corner by the Kansas bench at the first press table that goes that far. I'm wearing a green shirt, if you're looking for me.

This guy got a little too close for the comfort of the lady on the left at one point. Me too. He was practically in my lap.

Hey! Down in front! How are we supposed to see the game?

Newly injured Rod Stewart (not the singer) watches as his teammates warm up.

KU didn't bring that half-pint jaychick to the Final Four. We get Big Bird, er Big Jay.

The lineups are in.

Kansas starts G Russell Robinson, Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush, and F Darrell Arthur and Darnell Jackson.

UNC counters with G Marcus Ginyard, Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, and F Deon Thompson and Psycho T.

Our refs are Tom Eades, Tony Greene and Verne Harris.

Game tips in about 10 minutes.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 08:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN ANTONIO - Kansas has a difficult challenge in the second semifinal tonight when it faces the tournament's top seed, North Carolina.

Both teams are very fast and like to run, so we could see a high scoring game. A lot of the focus is on trying to stop, or at least slow down, Tyler Hansbrough. Although, coach Bill Self realizes that's not the only problem.

"They're averaging about 90 a game and he's getting 23 of them," Self said yesterday. "There's still a lot of other points there. Everyone concerns me."

Self thinks it will be important to slow them down. "We have to do a real good job I would say defending the first five to ten seconds of the possession."

He said that was important because Carolina gets a lot off shots off that quickly, and often times the defense isn't ready yet to rebound misses, so they can get a lot of putbacks. The transition defense, stopping the ball, closing out on shooters, and most importantly, rebounding misses is going to be one of the keys for Kansas.

In partcular, in any rebounding situation, they have to find and try to box out Hansbrough, who is a relentless rebounder. He'll get some - you can't shut him down entirely - but they need to minimize the damage.

Offensively, very simply, they need to play loose. Against Davidson, they were tight, short-arming shots and playing not to lose. That resulted in a pretty ugly 59-point performance that was good enough to win that game, but will get them embarrassed today.

Kansas does a good job of creating turnovers on the perimeter and turning them into points. It would be ideal if that would happen today, but it's not likely to be a common occurrence.

They also need a good performance from Brandon Rush, who is the one guy for the Jayhawks that can beat you outside and inside.

One other factor is simply being mentally in the game. The injury to Rodrick Stewart shook the team a bit, and made what should be a fun day a real downer. They need to shake that off and focus on the task at hand. It is too big of a task to allow for distractions.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Fifteen minutes or so after the Kansas win, the celebration continues. The nets are being cut down.

Strangely though, no chant of Rock Chalk Jayhawk has gone up yet. In fact, I heard that more in Denver than I have here, and Kansas wasn't even in Denver.

After the game, Davidson left with their heads held high, but Curry and Richards were obviously a little frustrated.

Curry might be hungry. He should be. He played the whole game.

Self had an extended talk with Richards afterwards.

Davidson's fans sing Sweet Caroline one more time before hitting the buses.

Davidson leaves the floor, beaten but unbowed.

A happy bevy of Jayhawks

Oh, there goes the Rock Chalk chant.

I expect my hotel to party all night long tonight - if anyone is still there. A lot of people checked out already.

The all-regional team has been announced.

From Kansas, Sahsa Kaun, Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers.
From Davidson, Jason Richards, and the Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player, Stephen Curry.

The PA announcer, after getting his name right all weekend, mispronounced it Ste-fahn when he announced him as the MOP.

It is a bit unusual to have the MOP from the losing team, but there really was no choice.

I'll have a wrap of the Detroit experience on the Hangtime blog tomorrow, including any useful quotes from the postgame.

Also, the Hangtime blog has the details of my excellent adventure from yesterday.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 07:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Kansas defeated a more-than-gritty Davidson squad 59-57 to earn a trip to the Final Four in San Antonio next week. Jason Richards missed a long three at the horn that would have won it. On the final play, Kansas defended Curry well and forced him to give up the ball to Richards.

Kansas reaction to winning seemed to be more relief than celebration. Richards was fighting back tears afterwards. Heck, even I'm shaking. What an effort by Davidson.

So we now have our first ever Final Four with all four number one seeds.

Back with more in a bit.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 07:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Stephen Curry may finally be running out of gas as Davidson trails by 6 with 59 seconds left and the ball coming out of a timeout.

He has missed two straight threes, one in transition after a steal by Richards. He also had a shot blocked from behind by Rush in the lane.

Chalmers also had a big block from behind on Lovedale before Lovedale fouled out seconds later. He was shown a lot of love in the form of a standing O from the DC crowd.

There is no panic at all in the Davidson huddle during the timeout. It's all business.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 07:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - A Kaun layup has KU back up three with 3:31 left and they have the ball when we come out of the timeout.

The hero for Davidson today hasn't been Curry, but Barr, who has 11, all in this half, but with 4:17 left, this is where you could find him.

What am I doing here?

He has been the only reliable option besides Curry and gave Kansas someone else to guard. Without him, Davidson would be toast already.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 06:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Yet another three by Barr had Davidson up four with the ball, and it looked like Kansas was starting to pucker. But Chalmers got a steal and made the layup this time, then after a Curry miss, Collins buried a three, and now Kansas is back up 1 with 6:11 to go.

This is going all the way to the wire, as the DC band kick into 'Sweet Caroline," the theme for the team. The fans behind me are in full voice.

SWEET CAROLINE!! OH OH OH!!!

Posted by Jerry Palm at 06:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Brandon Rush hit a three, then a couple of minutes later, drove to the hole for a layup and one. If he heats up, it could be trouble for Davidson, who now trails 43-38 at the 12-minute timeout.

It could have been worse Chalmers blew a chance when he got a steal but missed the layup at the other end.

Kansas seems more aggressive on defense this half, using a mix of man and box-and-one to shadow Curry. Since those first five, he hasn't scored, or even really had a good look.

Most useless sign of the day - Davidson cheerleaders holding up signs that say "Stand up and Cheer" and "Make Some Noise". DC fans have been doing that the whole game.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 06:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Curry scored the first five points of the half for Davidson, and we are tied at 35 at the first timeout.

Really though, he's been the only semi-reliable offensive option. Kansas is doing a good job on the other guys.

Rush seems to be short-arming everything for Kansas, which is a sign of feeling the pressure.

Kansas finally got an alley oop to work to Kaun, with an and one. Kaun missed the FT though, and when Rush rebounded the miss, McKillop turned to Stephen Rossiter on the bench and says, "Get him (the player missing the box out) the very bad word out of the game."

Arthur and Kaun have each picked up their third foul already in this half. Lovedale also has three for Davison, and he and Kaun remain in the game.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 06:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Collins dished to Jackson for a layup late in the first half to give the Jayhawks a two point lead at the break.

Kansas probably has to feel pretty good about its position considering how badly they have played. They have too many unforced turnovers (9 total turnovers to just 3 for the Wildcats), and shot only 13-28 for the half, which doesn't sound so bad, but a lot of those misses were pretty good looks.

McKillop probably feels the same way. He's still hammering his team about rebounds. Late in the first half, he turned to the bench and yelled, "We have got to get the loose balls and rebounds! We should have had that one down there and we should have had that one down here!"

A minute or so later, he pulled Archambault, and McKillop got in his face on the bench with , "It's very simple, you either give me the body, or I give you the bench!"

McKillop is right. KU leads the rebound battle 22-13, although they only have five offensive boards.

KU switched to box and one late in half to try to slow down Curry, and generally, Kansas has had success defensively. Curry has 15 on 5-12 shooting from the floor and 3 freebies.

Chalmers leads Kansas with 11.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 05:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Kansas has had to use two timeouts to bail out of bad situations due to good defense by Davidson, and then ran out of time on the shot clock anyway. We're tied at the four-minute timeout.

We don't have LeBron James tonight, but we do have former Chicago Bull Bill Wennington

Wennington played for McKillop at Long Island Lutheran HS

Davidson's cheerleaders provide a pleasant distraction during timeouts.

Pay attention to the coach, boys.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 05:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Stephen Curry scored eight straight points for Davidson to give the Wildcats a one-point lead at the 8-minute timeout.

Chalmers answered with a couple of threes to help keep it close.

One thing I've never understood is why there has to be a coaches' meeting at every timeout.

But there always is, while the players cool their heels. You don't see coaches go right into the huddle anymore.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 05:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - It's still tough going for the shooters here. Davidson has hit two in a row to take a 9-6 lead at the second timeout, but they are only 4-15 from the floor for 27%. KU is only 3-14 for 21%. It's been so rough that one of the shots that went in for Kansas took two laps around the rim before falling. Even their one alley oop attempt, while resulting in a basket, didn't work as drawn up.

Both teams have missed a bunch of layups and open shots, and neither has done a particularly good job of taking care of the ball, although Kansas has more turnovers at this point.

So far though, this is the kind of game Davidson needs.

Right after the timeout, and two Darnell Jackson misses from the line, the clock went nuts and lost three minutes and all the points.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 05:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Detroit has a lot of nicknames like Motor City and Rock City, but so far, it's Brick City in this game. It's only 2-2 at the first timeout as each team has only hit one of its first six shots. Included in those is a miss by Curry and a block by Lovedale of an Arthur layup in transition.

Russell Robinson is on Curry initially.

Davidson coach McKillop is his usual, intense self. He turned to the bench and yelled, "C'mon! We gotta box out!" after a Kaun tip-in, as if any of those guys were in a position to box out.

And after a reach in foul on Richards, he got after the ref with, "C'mon, that's a cheap foul, Randy!"

Posted by Jerry Palm at 05:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Davidson's players and coaches are all smiles as we get ready for the tip. Assistant Matt Matheny is jokingly taking deep breaths, trying to relax and signaling to folks in the crowd.

Let's have a clean fight, men.

If there's any pressure on these guys, it's not showing before the tip.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 04:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, Davidson fans are pumped up and ready to go. We are over a hour from our tip and the only people here are these guys:

Davidson fans think you can't be here too early.

Davidson is a school of 1700 students, or roughly the size of both my high school and my dorm at Purdue. And it seems like they're all here. I bet it's a ghost town today.

Actually, many of those folks got on buses at 3 AM this morning for the roughly 12 hour trip to Detroit. Davidson sent seven buses full of students up here on Friday, and five more made the trip today.

I asked one of the students who made the trip when they were leaving and she said, "Tonight after the game. We have classes tomorrow. I hope we get back in time for my 8:30, but I wouldn't have missed this for the world."

Some more drove up on their own. I talked to another girl who said she made the trip late yesterday, and it took her a little more than 10 hours. "It would have been faster, but we ran into traffic in West Virginia of all places. Who knew that many people would be on the roads in West Virginia?"

Actually, Gus Johnson and Len Elmore are working already also.

I'm ready for my closeup!

Both teams have arrived on the floor for warmups. Kansas walked in to silence because their fans are still getting lubed up for the game.

One of the keys for Davison today is the play of Jason Richards, the point guard who had the ridiculous line of 13 assists and no turnovers in the game against Wisconsin.

With Memphis cruising, Davidson has the last chance of preventing the first Final Four with all #1 seeds.

The lineups are in, and here they are.

Davidson will start:
G Jason Richards, Stephen Curry, Max Paulhus Gosselin
F Thomas Sander, Andrew Lovedale

Kansas' lineup is:
G Russell Robinson, Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush
F Darrell Arthur, Darnell Jackson

Our refs are Tony Greene, Randy McCall and Doug Sirmons.

The only starter on either team from the school's home state is Curry, who is from Charlotte. The teams collectively start three foreigners. Gosselin is from Quebec, Lovedale from Nigeria, and Chalmers is from Alaska.

Note to editor, yes, I know Alaska isn't technically a foreign country.

A couple more shots of Davidson fans:

The Curry family nervously awaits

Sign of the times

Posted by Jerry Palm at 04:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Davidson is looking to become the second double-digit seed to go to the Final Four in three years when it takes on Kansas here Sunday night.

Stephen Curry had another big game against the Badgers, and there is no reason to think he can't light up Kansas as well. Defending Kansas may be another issue for the Wildcats.

The Jayhawks run up and down the floor as well as anybody, and are one of the quickest teams in transition in this tournament. They also try to move quickly after made baskets. They are able to get easy shots inside, or threes for Robinson, Rush and Chalmers by beating teams down the floor.

Davidson had some success pressuring Wisconsin, and I look for them to do more of that against Kansas to try to force some turnovers and get some easy hoops.

Athletically, the Wildcats are wildly overmatched, much more so than they were against Georgetown. I don't see any way they can run with them, but Davidson isn't much of a slow down team either.

Like Davidson, Kansas likes to create turnovers, so taking care of the ball will be critical. The Wildcats have done a good job of that so far.

Kansas is also motivated to get its coach, Bill Self, to the Final Four for the first time and get that monkey off his back.

For the fourth time in a row, I'm picking against Davidson. That is good news for Wildcat fans. I also picked against Mason every time out in 2006.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Kansas finished off Villanova 72-57. Both teams called off the dogs with about 30 seconds left.

Not exactly the raucous celebration like when Davidson won.

KU finished with 54% shooting on 24-46. Rush had 16, Robinson 15 and Chalmers 14 for the Jayhawks.

Nova got the shooting percentage up a bit to 36%, but it wasn't nearly enough. Reynolds had 11, and Clark and Cunningham had 10 each.

KU fans aren't even doing the Rock Chalk thing yet. Maybe they all went home.

So we have Davidson vs Golaith again on Sunday at, it was just announced, 5:05 ET.

The beggars are out behind me. Some pre-teen boys are hitting us up for media guides and, I'm not sure this is a good idea, used towels from the Nova bench.

Time to find the Davidson party. See you on Sunday.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 12:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Jay Wright and Nova never gave up. He coaches all the way to the end. He pulled Stokes with about 1:45 left and let him having it for blowing a defensive assignment. "You gotta get out on that man! We're down very bad word 15!"

Now, they're down 12 with just over a minute left.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Jay Wright was trying to get Weed (I'm pretty sure) to do something, but what exactly that was remains a mystery. He just kept yelling 'C'mon Weed!" over and over until he got sick of it and turned to his bench to send in a sub with, "Go get Weed." I'm also pretty sure that he was not placing a take-out order.

Anyway, Weed, that is Dwayne Anderson, is out.

So is Nova, trailing by 17 with 3:30 left.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - It isn't getting any better for Villanova as they still trail by 19 at the 12-minute timeout.

Much of the crowd has headed for the exits.

Jay Wright is starting to lose his optimism and show some frustration at his team's inability to stop the alley oop, of which Kansas has about six.

The Wildcats haven't quit though. They're pressing and trying to get back in it, but KU is toying with them.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 11:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - This is getting ugly. Jeremy Case drained a three late to extend the Kansas lead to 41-22 at the break.

Kansas cooled off from their torrid start, but is still shooting 59%, while Nova is a putrid 25%. Russell Robinson has 13 and Brandon Rush 11 to lead KU. Scottie Reynolds' six paces a very balanced Wildcat attack, such as it is.

Jay Wright is still keeping a positive outlook though.

Just talked to Brent Stover from the Big Ten Network, who reports that the Wisconsin locker room was like a morgue. No surprise there.

We actually got a little halftime entertainment this time. The Kansas Dance team performed, but because my cell phone takes mediocre pictures at distance, I don't have one, which will disappoint our colleague, Eric Sorenson.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Kansas has finally stopped Nova's run with a 7-0 run of its own to extend the lead back to 15 with 3:45 to go.

Jay Wright had Scottie Reynolds out of the game for a minute, and when he sent him back in, he told him, 'When he's outside the three point line, keep your hands off him." Not exactly sure who he meant, but my guess is Robinson.

Also, after a Reynolds walk, Wright turned to one of his assistants and said, "Don't say anything. Just don't."

Sasha Kaun tried a goofy-looking, two-handed tip that looked more like he was trying to set a volleyball than tip in a basketball. It didn't work.

When Wright called timeout here, a manager grabbed a couple of stools for the players to sit on, and a priest sitting with the team grabbed a couple also. I guess he doesn't just provide moral support.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

DETROIT - The Villanova bench is lively at the 8-minute timeout because they have cut the lead to 10 and KU just threw the ball away.

Scottie Reynolds has a couple of threes to spark this 8-2 run.

Remember how I said that little schools have cheesy mascots. Here's a cheesy big-school mascot.

More of a jaychick than a Jayhawk. The number on the jersey is 1/2.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

DETROIT - Kansas is on fire to start the game. The Jayhawks have hit 9 of their first 11 shots, including three dunks and three long balls by Russell Robinson to get out to a 24-10 lead with 11:42 left. Kansas also has at least four steals already.

Villanova coach Jay Wright is staying positive and encouraging. He's not nearly as animated, or to this point, negative as McKillop is on the sidelines.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Kansas is getting up and down the floor all they want early on as they have jumped out to an 11-6 lead at the first timeout.

The Jayhawks already have two alley oops, and almost got a third. They are very quick in transition, but even after made baskets.

That must be way coach Self seems so relaxed.

All he needs is a bar to go with his stool

Posted by Jerry Palm at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - While the Hoops Odyssey boys are off doing the postgame rounds, let me clean up some garbage from the last game.

Davidson came back on the boards to finish within 3. It seemed worse than this, but the turnover margin was only +5 for Davidson, but they had nine steals.

We don't get info like second-chance points.

Now, the lineups for game two, which is five minutes away.

Kansas starts:
G: Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers and Russell Robinson
F: Darnell Jackson, Darrell Arthur

Nova counters with:
G Scottie Reynolds, Cory Stokes
F Antonio Pena, Dwayne Anderson and Dante Cunningham.

Our ref, Doug "Show of" Shows (pardon me for channeling Berman for a moment), Pat Evans and TV Teddy Valentine, who I may have to report for stalking me. He's like Visa, everywhere I go.

Danny Manning just came out onto the court. His famed championship run in 1988 came through Detroit. Back then, they played in the Pontiac Silverdome. They beat Vanderbilt and Kansas St to get to the Final Four. The 4th team in that regional was Purdue, which is why I was there. The Boilers were the top seed, but lost to Mitch Richmond and KSU.

Not that I'm bitter.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 09:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT -- The Detroit regional features two of the three double-digit seeds remaining in the tournament. It's not likely either will still be there when the dust clears on Friday.

Continue reading "Midwest Regional: The Day Before Preview" »

Posted by Jerry Palm at 05:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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." »

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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!)

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 09:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 09:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How did these ne're-do-wells get seats at mid-court, five rows up?

Really now, Mr. Pirate.

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 08:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 08:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 08:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 07:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 03:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)

Continue reading "Omaha Regional- KU in a breeze" »

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 02:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 02:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 01:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 01:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Eric Sorenson at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Was it good enough?

The canvas Kansas presented to the NCAA tournament selection committee got its most prominent paint when it defeated Texas in the Big 12 tournament championship game. But for the next 90 minutes, Kansas will wonder whether it was enough to earn a top seed.

Continue reading "Kansas 84, Texas 74" »

Posted by Ian Guerin at 05:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Sherron Collins just iced this game.

As a result, Kansas wins its third consecutive Big 12 tournament title over Texas. The Rock Chalk chant was deafening.

Kansas 84, Texas 74.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 05:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After Connor Atchley hit a pair of free throws to cut KU's lead to four, Darnell Jackson stepped in bounds while bringing the ball out.

With 1 minute to go, Kansas 77, Texas 73.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- By my count, Kansas and Texas have changed leads 19 times.

It's been that sort of game.

With 3:35 to go and Kansas with possession, KU 72, Texas 71.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 04:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A nice give and go between Brandon Rush and Sasha Kaun didn't net a basket, but it draw Texas forward Connor Atchley's fourth foul.

Atchley hasn't lit it up offensively, but he has done a great job playing defense inside against Kansas' big men. Kaun headed to the line after the break.

NOTED: Attendance for the day was just announced at 19,047.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 04:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Texas guard A.J. Abrams has sandwiched 3-pointers around one by teammate Damion James.

Abrams scored 24 points on Saturday, and he's up to 13 today.

With 7:53 left, Texas 67, Kansas 64.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 04:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After Mario Chalmers drilled his seventh 3-pointer of the game, he continued to show the emotion he has much of the game.

Instead of the leg kick or fist pump he used earlier, though, Chalmers ran back to the defensive end of the court, just leaving his right arm and hand elevated above his head, a la White Men Can't Jump.

Chalmers now has 25 points and is getting a quick breather.

With 11:16 to go, Kansas 60, Texas 54.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 04:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas and Texas have made it a point this half to establish some sort of an inside game.

Kansas Darrell Arthur drew a second foul on Texas' Connor Atchley, and UT, using back-door passes and nifty dribbling, have forced a pair of fouls on KU inside.

With 15:48 left, UT 49, KU 47.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 04:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- That list of 3-pointers Texas and Kansas players have been hitting also comes with an added bonus.

Texas has hit 72.7 percent (8-of-11) of its long-range tries; Kansas is at 60 percent (9-of-15). So it's not like these guys are just airing out junk. Both teams are getting good looks and, more importantly, making them count.

Second half is about to begin.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 04:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas and Texas aren't fooling around.

As expected, this matchup is a good one because of the two teams' strengths and their desire to earn that No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Neither are letting fans down.

D.J. Augustin leads all scorers with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting (4-of-4 from 3-point range). Kansas' Mario Chalmers, not normally a huge scorer, is only a point back of Augustin, and he's got five 3s. Brandon Rush and Justin Mason have 12 points each for Kansas and Texas, respectively.

Texas' Damion James has also started hot, scoring 10 first half points. For KU, Darrell Arthur also has eight points, and Sasha Kaun has added five rebounds.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 03:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas-Texas has turned into a four-man game.

Texas' D.J. Augustin (15 points), and Justin Mason (12) are exchanging shots with Kansas' Mario Chalmers (14) Brandon Rush (12). The four have combined to hit 14 3-pointers.

With 3:00 left in the first, Kansas 42, Texas 38.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 03:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Apparently grabbing a Kansas basketball player by the arm with some force is a huge no-no in Bill Self's mind.

Referee Curtis Shaw was trying to instruct KU forward not to knock the ball back after scoring, and with the noise in here, there was no way Arthur was going to hear him. After a timeout on the floor, Arthur began heading back to the bench with his team when Shaw interrupted by grabbing his forearm. It stopped Arthur in his tracks.

Enter Self and assistant coach Joe Dooley, who took turns ripping into Shaw.

With 5:36 left to go, Texas 32, Kansas 32.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 03:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The turnover problems continue for Kansas. No. 7 came a moment ago as Sherron Collins basically just dribbled the ball out of bounds.

With 9:15 to go in the first, Texas 24, Texas 21.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 03:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas guard Brandon Rush's 28-point performance on Saturday against Texas A&M might have fueled something.

In a little more than 9 minutes against Texas today, Rush is again making himself known. He's got a pair of 3-pointers, and he's taken two other shots that just missed. After coach Bill Self criticized Rush earlier in the season for not taking enough shots, it looks like Rush is finally taking the hint.

Texas, meanwhile, is lucky to only be down three points. Kansas' offense has had four passes sail lazily out of bounds or into the hands of Longhorns.

With 10:55 left in the first, Kansas 21, Texas 18.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 03:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas fans are competing with each other, and it's making the Sprint Center as loud as it's been this week.

On one end, every time the Jayhawks make a stop, the place erupts. Offensively, Darrell's Arthur's break-away jam just sent it to another level. Arthur has six points and a pair of boards.

With 14:58 left to go, Kansas 10, Texas 8.

NOTED: I'm not sure anyone in college basketball has more intimidating elbows than Kansas senior Sasha Kaun. He throws those suckers out there when he grabs a rebound. No one wants anything to do with them.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 03:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- No shockers in the starting lineups.

Texas is going with D.J. Augustin, A.J. Abrams, Damion James Justin Mason and Connor Atchley.

Kansas is countering with Mario Chalmers, Russell Robinson, Brandon Rush, Darrell Arthur and Darnell Jackon.

Don't be shocked to see Kansas throwing a slew of players at both D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams. If the two guards heat up, KU would find itself in a world of hurt early on. It could easily override tournament history, which at least recently is in the Jayhawks' favor.

Kansas and Texas have now met in three consecutive Big 12 tournament finals, with KU winning 80-68 in 2006 in Dallas and then 88-84 last season in Oklahoma City.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 02:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- T-minus 90 minutes until tip-off in the Big 12 tournament title game, and the Sprint Center consists of every official in house getting ready.

From the red-coated security guards practicing walking to their spots on the foul line during timeouts to a group of seven award recipients at mid-court to ESPN's TV crew setting up shop, there is a different feel to this game already.

Continue reading "Sprint Center bustling on last day of event" »

Posted by Ian Guerin at 01:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Three consecutive years.

Three consecutive Texas-Kansas matchups in the finals of the Big 12 tournament. Kansas backed up its side of the arrangement by beating Texas A&M 77-71 after Texas smoked Oklahoma in the early game.

Continue reading "Big shocker -- Kansas, Texas to meet in finals" »

Posted by Ian Guerin at 06:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Russell Robinson made a sweeping lay-in to push Kansas' lead to four points, and Beau Muhlbach missed a 3-point attempt for the Aggies.

Add in a couple of Brandon Rush free throws, and the Jayhawks will move on to meet Texas in the Big 12 tournament finals for the third consecutive year.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 06:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- With 1:20 left to go, KU is leading 73-66 over Texas A&M.

The Aggies have the ball, and both teams are in the single bonus.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 06:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Courtesy of Beau Muhlbach's 3-pointer, Texas A&M now trails Kansas by just two points.

With 5:13 to go, KU 65, A&M 63.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 06:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- If you watch any highlight shows tonight, there's a good chance you'll get to see Bryan Davis' 3-pointer.

The 6-foot-9 forward grabbed the ball at the left elbow with time on the shot clock was expiring. In one swift -- well, as swift as a big dude can be -- move, Davis wheeled, threw the ball baseball-style toward the goal.

The ball banked off the glass and went in, bringing Texas A&M fans and Kansas fans alike to their feet.

With 6:38 left, Kansas 63, A&M 57.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 06:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- On the strength of a 9-0 run, Kansas now has a seven-point lead less than 5 minutes into the second half.

The Jayhawks created three consecutive turnovers from A&M and converted all three into points.

With 15:47 left, KU 46, A&M 39.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 05:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A few minutes ago, Kansas guard Mario Chalmers had to leave the game after turning his right ankle on a break-away layup.

Chalmers returned to the game, but only for a couple plays before coming right back out. The absence seems to heavily favor Texas A&M.

The Aggies finished out the first half on a 7-0 run to tie the game.

Kansas' Brandon Rush and A&M's Dominique Kirk each have eight points, to lead all scorers, and A&M's Chinemulu Elonu has seven points and four rebounds.

At halftime: Kansas 34, A&M 34.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 05:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas apparently didn't want Texas A&M center DeAndre Jordan playing much.

On four of the last five possessions, the Jayhawks have gone right at the big man. Eventually, KU accomplished it's goal, getting Jordan whistled for his third foul.

With 4:52 left in the first, KU 28, A&M 22.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 05:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas freshman Cole Aldrich came to Lawrence under high expectations.

Aldrice, a former McDonald's All-America, continues to show glimpses of what fans want to see. The 6-foot-11 center has six points and a pair of rebounds so far against Texas A&M.

His last two points came on an alley-oop slam from Russell Robinson.

Certainly Aldrich's playing time will continue to increase as older players such as Darrell Arthur, Darnell Jackson and Sasha Kaun move on, and from the looks of what he's done at times this year, KU fans probably won't be dissapointed.

With 7:29 left, Kansas 23, A&M 20.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Long-time TV and radio commentator Fred White was just introduced during the last media timeout.

White, who has been serving with the ESPN crews for the past several years, is retiring at the end of this season.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 04:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas big man Darrell Arthur headed to the bench after getting called for his second foul of the game.

Depending on how Sasha Kaun, Darnell Jackson and Cole Aldrich play here, we might not see him for the rest of the half.

Granted, if this place stays as loud as it was after a Brandon Rush break-away dunk, the Jayhawks might not need him.

With 10:33 to go, Kansas 19, Texas A&M 16.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 04:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- At the first media timeout, Texas A&M holds an early lead over second-seeded Kansas.

The Aggies have utilized strong inside play on both ends, and the Jayhawks have yet to get going.

With 15:50 left in the first, A&M 9, KU 5.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 04:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Envy comes in many forms.

For teams not located in Lawrence, Kansas, it also comes with two names -- Sherron Collins and Sasha Kaun. The pair of former starters turned reserves were as big a reason as any why the Jayhawks climbed out of an early hole against Nebraska and eventually won 64-54.

"You could make a case tonight, they were our best two players," KU coach Bill Self said.

Continue reading "Kansas 64, Nebraska 54" »

Posted by Ian Guerin at 09:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Well, apparently the game is over.

The Kansas fans have started the "Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk" chant, their traditional symbol meaning end-game. Technically, there are 37.6 seconds left, but with KU up 62-52, it's pretty much done with.

Wrap-up post to follow.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 09:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas' Sharron Collins was just fouled while making a break-away layup, and apparently the points were good enough.

Collins walked over to Ade Dagunduro -- the player who fouled him -- and immediately started gabbing. After a referee tried unsuccessfully to calm Collins down, he slapped him with the technical. Somewhere in the mix, the Nebraska bench did something to warrant a technical.

We have free throws from both teams coming up.

With 1:19 left, Kansas 58, Nebraska 48.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 09:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas has a solid seven point lead at the last media timeout, and whether or not the Jayhawks advance to Saturday's semifinals will likely depend on free throw shooting.

So far, Kansas is 13-of-17 from the line, and three starters are perfect from the charity stripe.

With 3:25 to go, Kansas 53, Nebraska 46.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 08:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- KU got a 3-pointer from Brandon Rush earlier this half, but for the most part, Kansas' points during it's second-half run have come from inside.

Now, it appears the Jayhawks are going to continue to push the ball there time after time in order to get some of the Nebraska players into foul problems. Darnell Jackson has already had one trip to the free-throw line, is headed back for a second, and Sasha Kaun and Darrell Arthur also have a trip.

With 11:49 to go, Kansas 40, Nebraska 36.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 08:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas' players are beginning to smile, and that might not be a good thing for Nebraska.

Since the start of the second half, when Nebraska led 27-22, KU has been extremely active on both ends of the floor and in the transition. It is, in part, thanks to a 12-4 run to open the second half.

With 14:30 left in the game, Kansas 34, Nebraska 31.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 08:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- This Sprint Center crowd -- the majority of which are decked in Kansas blue -- are waiting to go nuts.

So far, about the best they've had is a self-created "Let's go Jayhawks" chant. KU has had flashes of playing like it has most of the year, but for the most part, Nebraska is the team playing solid basketball.

Because of it, the Huskers are up five points at halftime.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 07:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Coaches at the Big 12 tournament have spent the past day and a half talking about energy.

Kansas, after coming out flat against Nebraska, certainly just got a shot of it in the arm.

Huskers center Aleks Maric went up for a dunk a few moments ago, only to be denied by 6-foot-1 Kansas guard Mario Chalmers. While Nebraska would eventually score the next bucket, Chalmers then converted a layup on the other end. The Jayhawks will need much more of the same if it wants to win this game.

Nebraska is definitely here to play.

With 3:20 left in the first half, Nebraska 23, Kansas 18.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 07:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas forward Darrell Arthur just got owned by a 5-foot-7 dude -- named Cookie.

Arthur was attempting to throw an outlet pass to one of his guards when Nebraska's Cookie Miller broke up the pass. It originally came right back to Arthur, and when the big man tried to throw the outlet again, Miller jumped high enough to keep Arthur -- all 6 feet, 9 inches of him -- from throwing it high enough.

Miller batted the ball back toward the Kansas bench, beat Arthur to the ball and then -- after Arthur knocked Miller to the deck -- the referee called the ball out on Kansas. Not a bad exchange for Nebraska, and it was enough for Kansas coach Bill Self to pull Arthur from the game out of frustration for a second time.

With 10:42 left, Kansas 11, Nebraska 10.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 07:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas and Nebraska aren't lighting up the scoreboard, and it's not simply because they aren't hitting shots.

Neither team can seem to hold on to the ball. Kansas forward Darrell Arthur has had the ball fly out of his hands twice after receiving it in the post; guard Mario Chalmers had it go into the Nebraska bench while he wasn't being guarded and Nebraska big man Aleks Maric -- normally sure-handed, has had two balls go off his hands and out of bounds while he was under the basket.

With 14:05 left in the first half, Kansas 7, Nebraska 5.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 07:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- No. 2 seed Kansas is moments from trying to prove to the rest of the Big 12 it deserved to be called co-champions.

The Jayhawks missed out on the top seed for the event by losing its head-to-head matchup with Texas, but that didn't stop the conference from awarding KU a trophy. Kansas will take it, but what it really on the line for KU this weekend is probably much more important.

Continue reading "Kansas-Nebraska minutes from tip" »

Posted by Ian Guerin at 06:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- For Longhorns fans, a win can't taste much sweeter.

With UT football star Vince Young in the house, the No. 11 Texas hoops team refused to give in on the hardwood, battling back from a four-point halftime deficit to knock off No. 3 Kansas, 72-69.

After D.J. Augustin missed the back end of two free throws in the game's final seconds, Kansas had a chance to tie the game with a three, but Kansas' Mario Chalmers shot at the buzzer rattled out as Texas held on for the victory.

"Kansas is a very difficult team to guard and they do a great job of passing the ball," Texas head coach Rick Barnes said. "But it was really an effort from our guys and they just found a way to get it done."

Another factor in UT's victory was a sold out and rowdy home crowd, which coach Barnes attributed to the team's success.

"When this building is full, its as good as any in the country," Barnes said.

And boy is he right.

Just ask Kansas' head coach Bill Self.

"I think they just outmanned us in the second half," Self said. "That was our focus at halftime and our guys did not respond to their aggressiveness."

According to Self, one of the reasons for the rise of the UT basketball program is due to the fact that the Texas defense has improved tremendously, one of the key reasons for the Longhorns big victory.

After getting outscored 42-38 in the first half of play, the Horns battled back to outscore the Jayhawks, 34-27, in the second half en route to a three-point nail-biting win at the Erwin Center.

However, when the Jayhawks' Chalmers addressed the media following the Longhorns' victory, he informed the reporters that Kansas is still the team to beat in the highly competitive Big 12 Conference.

"We're still the favorites and I think we're the best team in the conference," Chalmers said at the conclusion of Monday's game.

Texas might have something to say about that.

And sure enough, they did... But the Horns aren't about to get ahead of themselves.

"When you're behind and when it's a close game, it feels the same because you get lost in the game and just try to take care of the details," Texas junior guard A.J. Abrams said. "Sometimes you get behind and have to fight back, but fortunately today we shot the ball well in the first half and hung with them."

Connor Atchley led the Longhorns in scoring with 16 points, going 4-for-4 from 3-point range as well as grabbing four rebounds and dishing out two assists.

Longhorn sophomore guard D.J. Augustin also played a clutch game, despite a poor shooting first half.

"I've told him many times that I don't care what he's done up until the end of the game, but he's our guy and we're going to go to him," Barnes said. "I trust him totally."

And that's a good thing, especially considering the star guard's penetration in the second half helped propel the Horns to a big victory.

"There is no question when we get down to the end of the game, we are going to put it in his hands, because he knows his teammates so well," Barnes said. "He's got a lot of confidence and he's certainly going to do something to get A.J. [Abrams] involved."

Speaking of A.J., the junior guard notched 14 points in the Texas victory while teammate Damion James had a monster game, garnering a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

With the victory, Texas moves to 20-4 overall while improving to 7-2 in Big 12 play, as the Jayhawks drop to 23-2 overall and 8-2 in the conference.

"Our crowd really came out today and supported us," sophomore guard Justin Mason said. "We all can feel it in the atmosphere, the crowd was there early when we were shooting around, and I think that really helped us out with the victory."

Final Notes:

With Monday's victory over Kansas, Texas secured its ninth consecutive 20-win season, building on the prior school record of four (from the 1988-89 season to 1991-92).

In addition, UT is now 9-3 against Top 10 teams at the Erwin Center under the helm of Rick Barnes and improves to 12-2 at home in Big Monday contests.

Also, the Horns had four players score in double figures on Monday night against Kansas, the sixth time for that to occur this season.

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at denton.ramsey@gmail.com

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 12:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Longhorns have finally done it.

UT knocked off Kansas in front of a sold out, rowdy crowd in Austin as 'The Eyes Of Texas' rained down on KU.

Texas finished the night on 22-for-51 shooting from the field (43.1 percent), while Kansas finished shooting 43.9 percent from the field (25-for-57) as UT held on for the W.

With the victory, Texas now joins the leaders in the Big 12 Conference as the Horns drilled home the biggest win of the season thus far.

The Longhorn's three-point victory came due primarily to fantastic, clutch free throw shooting by UT in the game's closing seconds.

Check back soon for postgame quotes and final stats...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 11:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- I told you it was a good time to be A.J. Abrams...

Abrams just blocked a potential game-tying 3-pointer by KU's Rush as Texas holds a 67-64 lead with 0:40 left and James at the line for two free throws...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 11:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- The tides have turned, and now it's KU facing a four-point deficit. Kansas just called a timeout in an attempt to cool down the hot Horns.

UT currently holds a 67-63 lead with 2:29 left in regulation....

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 11:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- With a little under 2:30 left in regulation, the Texas Longhorns have a 66-63 lead over Kansas with Augustin headed to the line when we return to action.

As of lately, the Horns have taken control of the game and aim to close things out with a big victory here at home over KU.

Check back soon for the latest...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- With just about 5:30 left in regulation, Texas holds a 62-57 lead over Kansas as the home crowd continues to voice their support for UT...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 10:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- It's a good time to be A.J. Abrams.

The UT guard drew a charging foul against KU with 7:28 left in regulation and the game tied at 57-57 prior to a media timeout.

When we return to the hardwood, it's Longhorns ball as this dog fights continues in Austin...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 10:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- The City of Austin may very well be the biggest fans of Texas Hold 'Em.

If the Horns can do just that over the final 11:18 of regulation, UT can pick up a big win in the Big 12 on Big Monday.

Currently, Texas holds a 54-53 lead over Kansas and we're midway through the second half of play.

This one's coming down to the wire...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 10:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- After trailing by four at the break, the Texas Longhorns now hold a three point lead over KU.

And Kansas was just forced to call a timeout with 14:42 left in regulation as UT holds a 51-48 lead and the crowd continues to grow louder by the second...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 10:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- You can't ask for a better game.

With UT down four at the break, the Horns came out hot to begin the second half and currently hold a 50-48 lead over Kansas with 15:44 left in regulation...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 10:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks currently lead by four at halftime over the pesky No. 11 Texas Longhorns, who refuse to go away as the burnt orange host KU.

Both teams have shot quite well, with Texas shooting 46.2 percent on 12-of-26 shooting from the field and Kansas shooting 45.9 percent (17-of-37).

Meanwhile, both squads are hot from the charity stripe, with UT shooting 80 percent on 7-for-9 shooting from the line compared to KU netting 85.7 percent from the line (6-for-7).

From beyond the arc, UT leads the 3-point charge on 6-for-13 shooting (46.2 percent) compared to 2-for-7 from the 3-point line for KU (28.6 percent).

In the scoring department, Texas' Atchley leads the Horns with 12 points while teammate Abrams has 10 at the break. For KU, Texas native Arthur (14 points) and Jackson (11) lead the Jayhawks in scoring at the half.

Looking at halftime stats, Kansas is pounding the ball in the paint, scoring 24 points inside compared to only 6 points for Texas. In addition, Kansas has done a remarkable job on the glass, pulling down 23 boards (while Texas only managed 13).

With the halftime clock hitting seven minutes and counting until the second half of play, it's time to get this blog at the half updated as we prepare to return to hardwood action here in Austin...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Kansas Jayhawks just called a 30-second timeout as Head Coach Bill Self aims to get his team on the same page with KU on top, 41-38.

When we return to play, it's KU ball with 55 ticks left in the first half...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 09:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Longhorns just called a 30-second timeout in an effort to cool down the Jayhakws.

Returning to action, it's UT ball with the Horns down 39-36 with just over two minutes remaining in the first half...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 09:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- With 3:35 left in the first half of play, KU has a 35-33 lead after Kansas slammed home the go-ahead shot just seconds ago.

Texas has called a quick timeout and will retain possession when we return to play.

Halftime is right around the corner, and I will make sure to give fans the latest stats and news for tonight's game...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 09:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- Leave no doubt, we are in for a battle here in Austin.

With 7:42 remaining in the first half of play, UT holds a slim 29-26 lead after A.J. Abrams drained a three-pointer to put Texas on top after KU battled back to knot the game at 26.

When we return to action, it's Kansas ball after a tough no-call drive to the basket by D.J. Augustin led to a UT turnover...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 09:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- Near the midway mark of the first half, Texas holds a 20-18 advantage over Kansas with 11:50 remaining in the first half.

Atchley has drained three big 3's for UT, helping to propel the Longhorns to an early lead as Gary Johnson awaits free throws for Texas after we return from the timeout...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 09:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- With 15:20 left in the first half, UT has a 15-12 lead over KU, due in a large part to two big 3-pointers by Connor Atchley.

Texas was just fouled driving to the lane and will get the ball after the TV timeout...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 09:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- In just under two minutes, two of the nation's best teams will battle it out on the hardwood in Austin.

For NCAA basketball fans, nothing is sweeter than a match-up such as this one.

And right now, it's hard to both think and talk as 'Texas, Fight' echoes throughout the walls of the arena...

Check back soon as the Horns prepare to host the Jayhawks on ESPN on Big Monday. The lights are off and UT's players are about to be announced... Tipoff is right around the corner...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 09:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Jayhawks just hit the hardwood to the boos of the Texas faithful, which means game time is just around the corner.

Shortly after the blue and red jerseys found their end of the court, UT's band struck up their fight song as the Longhorns hoops team hit the floor to a standing ovation.

It's hard not to get goose bumps in this type of setting, and as mentioned earlier, America, we're in for a fight to the finish... no doubt.

Vince Young just walked past press row to a roaring applause from the Texas band and student section, as a group of Longhorns fans quickly surrounded the football star to shake his hand and welcome him back to Austin.

With Vince in the house tonight, who knows ... maybe it's time for the Longhorn's losing streak against Kansas to end tonight with UT's super star at the Erwin Center showing his support.

We'll all find out soon enough, as tipoff is just mere minutes away.

And I can tell you right now that Vince and those in attendance are ready to bring down the house with a UT victory.

Check back soon for the game's opening tip and live coverage of tonight's super showdown between two of the Big 12's best...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 08:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- Despite the hype surrounding this evening's highly anticipated match-up between the Longhorns and Jayhawks, the stadium remained only half-filled by 7:20 p.m. CT.

Don't worry, though, come tipoff time, I have no doubt that UT's house will be rocking.

A school with a rich tradition in football, it's taken a while for the Longhorns faithful to fall in love with basketball.

However, that is no longer an issue and the Horns look to take care of business tonight at home in a pre-March madness match-up with the No. 3 Jayhawks.

It's now 7:30 p.m. CT, and this place is beginning to fill to the brim with burnt orange passion... just 30 minutes and counting until game time.

A win for Texas could very well help propel the Longhorns to the next level by proving to the doubters that they can, and will, take care of business on their home hardwood.

A Kansas win, meanwhile, will solidify the Jayhawks as one of the best team's in the country, putting the Big 12 leader in the mix with teams such as Memphis and Duke as the nation's best squad.

Check back soon and often for the latest and greatest in Monday night's Big 12 battle between No. 3 Kansas and No. 11 Texas...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 08:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUSTIN, Texas -- Kansas (23-1, 8-1 Big 12), ranked No. 3 in the nation in both the AP Poll and the ESPN Poll, will be battling it out with the No. 11 Texas Longhorns (19-4, 6-2) in a little over an hour here at the Frank Erwin Center.

Whether you love the Horns or hate them, this place is going to be rocking come 8 p.m. CT... and it will most likely be an automatic ESPN Classic.

Kansas, coming off a hard-fought 100-90 victory over the Big 12's big surprise, the Baylor Bears, is looking to secure their lead in the race for the conference title, currently sitting alone with in-state rival Kansas State with just one loss in Big 12 play.

Texas, meanwhile, aims to prove to the nation that they can beat the big names at the big times, especially at home, including a much-needed victory over the Jayhawks tonight in Austin.

If the game is anything like the prior four match-ups between these two highly touted squads, we're in for a fight to the finish.

Also, keep an eye on Texas native Darrell Arthur (Kansas' leading scorer) and UT guard A.J. Abrams. If either Arthur or Abrams catch fire, it may be smart for the opposing team's coach to call a quick timeout and stop the bleeding before it becomes a massacre.

Check back at 8 p.m. CT for the latest news and notes on the Kansas-Texas Big 12, Big Monday game of the week on ESPN.

Until then, break out a few cold ones and open those bags of Lays... an Austin barn-burner tips off in just over an hour...

Posted by Denton Ramsey at 07:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Bill Walker turned the tables on packed media room.

"I got a question for y'all," the freshman forward said after Kansas State's victory over Kansas. "How many of y'all thought we would win?"

Walker's answer was a resounding silence.

But after the Wildcats' 84-75 victory over rival Kansas -- the first win over their in-state rival in Manhattan in 25 years -- Walker probably deserved to ask any question he wanted. Gone are the assumptions that K-State simply is no match for the Jayhawks. Gone are the assumptions that KU would run away with the Big 12 conference title.

And gone is the stigma that K-State was just an early flash in the pan.

Behind 25 points from Michael Beasley, 22 from Walker and 20 from guard Jacob Pullen, KSU beat Kansas quite handedly and now stands atop the conference at 5-0 (15-4 overall). Kansas (20-1, 5-1), meanwhile, left Memphis as the lone undefeated team in the nation.

"We weren't going to run the table," Kansas' Bill Self said, admitting the Jayhawks' 24-game win streak in Manhattan coming to an end stung relatively little when compared to dropping a game to his team's rival.

That sting Self and Co. felt came in large part to Beasley, who finished with those 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point range. Despite the Jayhawks' best efforts, they couldn't contain the freshman.

"He scored real points," Self said. "He scored pro points."

The pros are where most assume Beasley will be shooting next season, as most consider him an NBA draft lottery lock. On Wednesday, though, Beasley did his damage in the college ranks.

Beasley obviously wasn't alone. Walker's points came despite playing just 11 minutes in the first half. The true difference against Kansas might have been Pullen.

While Beasley and Walker have proved nearly all season they could put up points, Pullen -- a reserve after starting the first nine games -- came into the game averaging 9.4 points per game. He topped that average from the free-throw line alone. There, he was 10-for-10, seven of the makes coming after halftime.

The trio made sure another stigma is gone for the time being.

"People act like there's one team in Kansas," Walker said.

Not anymore.

Instead, the party started as the final buzzer sounded and fans stormed the court. Willie the Wildcat crowd-surfed; a 10-year-old boy shook vigorously in front of a TV camera. And Beasley stood atop the scorer's table pounding his chest like the king of Manhattan he has quickly become.

"Twenty-five years -- I would have rushed the court, too," Pullen said.

The game and the aftermath also had reprecussions for Kansas. On top of losing for the first time, it also leaves less room for error in a Big 12 that is extremely tight in spots two-five.

Kansas guard Brandon Rush said moments after the loss he was already preparing for what was to come, be it from Kansas State or hecklers.

"Now they think they can beat us on our own court (March 1 in Lawrence)," said Rush, who also said an expected influx of phone calls was going to force him to change his cell phone number during the drive back home.

That might be Rush's only solace.

As for Kansas State, Aggieville is surely already hopping. And Walker is beaming. Anything he said now carries more weight than even the preseason prediction Beasley made declaring K-State would beat Kansas.

"Until someone knocks us off the top," he said, "We're the best."

Posted by Ian Guerin at 11:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- That's one way to kill a streak nearly 25 years in the making.

Kansas State is still celebrating mid-court after beating Kansas 84-75 in Bramlage Coliseum. The victory ends what had been a 24-year losing streak to the Jayhawks in Manhattan. It also gives KU (20-1) it's first loss of the season.

More to come.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- The most-hyped Kansas State-Kansas game in years is turning into a purple-clad Wildcat party.

Frank Martin's squad leads 83-75 with 26.9 seconds left, and barring a minor miracle on Kansas' part, KSU is going to head to 15-4, but more importantly, 5-0 in the Big 12 most people assumed was all Kansas'.

Most people thought wrong -- at least for now.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- One of two unbeaten teams in the country is about to fall.

And Kansas coach Bill Self won't have to look hard to figure out why. The Jayhawks have hit just seven of their 21 field-goal attempts in the second half. And now, with 2:27 remaining, they trail No. 22 Kansas State, 76-64.

Bramlage Coliseum is just a few moments from collapsing upon the floor, and it will be rightly deserved. The Wildcats have not beaten Kansas in Manhattan in 25 years and 1 day -- a streak that's very close to ending.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Jayhawks are scratching their heads.

Kansas State fans are trying to break eardrums.

Courtesy of Michael Beasley's wide-open three-pointer with 4:10 to go, the Wildcats now lead, 67-57, here in Bramlage Coliseum.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 09:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- No. 22 Kansas State is 7:31 away from handing mighty Kansas its first loss of the year.

The Wildcats have already received 34 points from their two stars -- Michael Beasley and Bill Walker. Meanwhile, Kansas continues to struggle.

With 7:31 left -- K-State 57, Kansas 49.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 09:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- At least the referees are consistent.

With a number of players drawing multiple fouls in the first half, tonight's officials for the Kansas-Kansas State game have continued to call a relatively tight game. During the last 4 minutes, four fouls have been called, including a fourth foul for both Kansas forward Darrell Arthur and K-State reserve Darren Kent. Kent has been forced to pick up some of the slack left by three early fouls on Wildcat starter Bill Walker.

With 11:58 to go, Kansas State 49, Kansas 45.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 09:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Kansas coach Bill Self just delivered a few choice words to the referee crew for tonight's game against Kansas State.

But like it or not, most of the Jayhawks' problems early in the second half are their own fault. Kansas has managed just one bucket -- a Darnell Jackson breakaway dunk -- so far after halftime. Inside, the Jayhawks are just not enough without forward Darrell Arthur, who has yet to play after picking up three first-half fouls.

With 16:16 left to go, Kansas State 44, Kansas 38.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 09:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Pick your cliche.

Kansas State isn't scared. The Wildcats are drawing enthusiasm from a ruckus home crowd. Whatever.

Whatever your poison, Kansas State certainly isn't letting itself getting controlled by arguably the best team in college basketball, No. 2 Kansas. KSU's slim, 38-36 lead at the half is an attribute to it's ability to find variation on both sides of the court.

Forward Bill Walker -- the Wildcats' second-leading scorer -- played just 11 minutes after finding himself with three fouls. However, Chicago native and fellow freshman Jacob Pullen has picked up some of the slack. He and Michael Beasley have each added eight points to Walker's 12.

Conversely, Kansas' depth is already being put to the test. Forward Darrell Arthur has already been called for three fouls. Senior reserve big man Sasha Kaun also has two, as does guard Mario Chalmers.

Any extended foul trouble, and Kansas' bench might soon mean little at all.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 08:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Michael Beasley might be making the most of his time at Kansas State, but it's a pretty good thing the Wildcats stud freshman is good at basketball.

After spilling out just moments ago, Beasley drew chants of "Michael Beasley" from the packed Bramlage Coliseum when he proceded to towel up his own sweat. It didn't work out so well.

As soon as play started again, teammate Darren Kent looked the part of a slip-and-slide participant when he hit the same spot on the floor.

Beasley got a second chance a few minutes later on the other end of the court. So far, the second try seems more effective than the first.

With 25.5 seconds left before half: Kansas State 38, Kansas 36.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 08:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Having witnessed the "blow" that just sent Kansas guard Mario Chalmers to the floor, I have a bit of advice for the Jayhawks' junior.

Avoid a fist fight.

Chalmers drew a foul on Kansas State forward Bill Walker with a hair more than 5 minutes remaining in the first half. And whether it was Chalmers have a glass jaw, Walker being the strong, a little bit of acting or a combination of the three, Chalmers hit the deck, and Walker was immediately whistled for his third foul of the game.

Continue reading "Chalmers Makes Martin Pay" »

Posted by Ian Guerin at 08:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Less than a quarter of the way through No. 2 Kansas against No. 22 Kansas State, a key player from each team has already been whistled for two fouls.

On consecutive possessions, Kansas forward Darrell Arthur and K-State forward Bill Walker were called for their second infraction. For now, at least, it may turn out to be in Kansas' favor.

The Jayhawks have one of the deepest benches in the country; Kansas State is known more the 1-2 combo of Walker and Michael Beasley. Walker currently leads all scorers with 12 points.

Even with him on the bench, the Wildcats lead 28-22 with 9:18 remaining in the first half.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 08:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Using a combination of a tightening defense and it's fast-break offense, Kansas has equalized what had been an early K-State lead.

Jayhawks guard Brandon Rush already has eight points with about 12 minutes left in the first half, and Kansas has an 18-16 lead.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 08:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Whether No. 22 Kanas State is trying to set up No. 2 Kansas to utilize an inside game or it just thinks it can live and die with the 3-pointer, the Wildcats are certainly taking advantage of the deep shot early.

Courtesy of three threes -- one each by Bill Walker, Clent Stewart and Blake Young -- K-State holds an 11-5 lead four minutes and 33 seconds into the game.

The Wildcats have also missed three three-pointers, but even at a 50-percent clip is more than paying off so far.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 08:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- As expected, Kansas State forward Andre Gilbert will not play in tonight's game against No. 2 Kansas.

Gilbert, KSU sports information announced, has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules and will have his status determined at by coach Frank Martin at a later date.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- Kansas-K-State will not tip off for more than an hour, but already the Wildcats have been dealt a blow of sorts.

A release from Kansas State's sports information department is expected to follow soon, but it appears small forward Andre Gilbert has been suspended for an undisclosed violation. Gilbert, who has started 13 of the Wildcats' 18 games and averages 5.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per, did not practice this afternoon and will not play tonight.

Gilbert's defense, though, is what might be missed the most. He likely would have been responsible for guarding Kansas star Brandon Rush for most of the night.

Posted by Ian Guerin at 06:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- As the flow of purple lava flowed into Bramlage Coliseum just moments ago, it's hard to imagine that it has been as long as it has since Kansas State took care of its in-state rival in Manhattan.

It was 25 years and one day ago -- Jan. 29, 1983, to be exact -- when K-State last beat the Jayhawks here. Think about everything that has transpired in that time.

Continue reading "Where Were You?" »

Posted by Ian Guerin at 06:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Posting Up will be courtside for Saturday's ACC-Big 12 match-up pitting host Boston College (10-2) vs. No. 3 Kansas (13-0). The contest tips off at Noon (EST).

With our new live-blogging software, the Live Blog experience becomes even more interactive for you the user, so be sure to join us in the 11 a.m. hour when we kick things off with some pre-game Polls and sights and sounds from Conte Forum.

In the meantime, here are Kansas Game Notes.

Here are Boston College Game Notes.

You can also follow along with all the action at CSTV.com's GameTracker.

Posted by David Scott at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- If there's one player that Kansas coach Bill Self should be thanking for the next few days, it's undoubtedly Mario Chalmers.

That's because with the game clock down to 20 seconds in the second half, the junior guard came up with the biggest shot of the game for the Jayhawks, knocking down a three-pointer five feet behind the line to seal a 59-55 win for No. 4 Kansas over No. 22 USC at the Galen Center.

And while the Trojans had two timeouts remaining with 11 seconds left on the clock, it's unsure why USC coach Tim Floyd didn't take one to set up a play at the other end of the court.

Instead, the Trojans settled for another fade-away three-point attempt from O.J. Mayo in the right corner and were forced to foul Chalmers with three seconds remaining. Chalmers hit one of two free throws and Darnell Jackson grabbed the rebound on the second attempt to seal the win.

Mayo, whose shot selection easily rivals that NBA all-star playing across the 110 Freeway at the Staples Center, finished just 6-for-21 for a team-high 19 points to go along with five turnovers, five rebounds and three steals. Davon Jefferson also had another strong showing after the win over Oklahoma Thursday night, tallying 17 points and three rebounds.

For Kansas, Chalmers finished with a game-high 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting, but his coach wasn't pleased with his performance surprisingly.

"Mario did not play that well overall today," the fourth-year coach Self said. "He made some deep plays down the stretch which we needed. It was one of those grind-it-out games. We did not execute very well today."

Afterward, you could hear the frustration and anger in Tim Floyd's voice as the USC coach took four questions before leaving the press conference in a hurry.

"We gotta do some things better," he said. "They showed their experience and poise when they needed to, and I thought we did not. We looked like who we are."

Though the Trojans came up just short in pulling off a big-time upset in front of a rowdy crowd that left the building ever so quietly, it was clear as Floyd said that the Jayhawks' depth and experienced proved to be the difference down the stretch.

"We never had the game totally under control," Self admitted afterward. "We turned the ball over too much, especially at the end of the game. That should never happen."

But for as bad as the Jayhawks might have played according to their coach, it's still a win that they can take back to Lawrence and use in March when the NCAA Tournament selection committee places a seed next to Kansas' name.

"We feel that the Pac-10 is the toughest conference in the country," Self added. "This looks as if this will be the best team we will play before Big 12 play begins. It was a big win, especially on the road. It was not pretty, but it was a win."

I'll have more on this game later in Hang Time, but now we head to Westwood to see No. 2 UCLA take on No. 8 Texas at Pauley Pavilion in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 04:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- I guess Tim Floyd must have listened to me because Davon Jefferson has got No. 22 USC back in the game with 1:31 remaining and the Trojans down just by four, 55-51.

Bill Self has called a timeout and a Kansas score on this next possession could seal the game.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 03:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- Kansas is seeming to get every offensive rebound right now as the Jayhawks are holding onto a 51-44 lead with four minutes to go in this one at the Galen Center.

Bill Self's team is starting to milk some clock, and Mario Chalmer's layup with 3:35 remaining now has KU up by nine.

The Trojans need to answer quickly if they want to have a chance to upset the No. 4 team in the country, and if I'm Tim Floyd, I'm doing everything I can get to the ball in Davon Jefferson's hands. The 6-foot-8 forward from Lynwood, Calif., has been solid on the block for the Trojans, registering 11 points at the 3:30-mark.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 03:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- Free throws are really killing USC right now with Taj Gibson just missing a couple from the line minutes after a USC assistant on the bench received a technical foul for arguing a foul on the Trojans. Head coach Tim Floyd was lucky not to receive his own T after standing outside the coaches box during the altercation, but he's seemed to regain his composure with a lot of game still left to play.

And the Jayhawks are starting to gain control of this game, as Brandon Rush just hit a jumper from the right elbow to put No. 4 Kansas up by five while Darrell Arthur hit a layup to extend KU's lead to 49-42.

Little Kobe is starting to chuck up shots from way behind the three-point line, while Kansas methodically works its offense with less than seven minutes remaining now.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 03:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- So far this game has certainly lived up to the hype as both teams are kneck and kneck with 10 minutes almost gone in the second half.

No. 22 USC took the lead with 13:15 remaining after Daniel Hackett hit his second three-pointer of the half, but No. 4 Kansas finds itself back in front at 42-40 after Mario Chalmers nailed a three way behind the arc at the top of the key.

The USC faithful is slowly but surely getting angry, taking out their angst on the referees while the Trojans are having a tough time right now against Kansas' suffocating defense.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 03:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- Darnell Jackson has just had two impressive dunks back-to-back to start the second half, and a young USC team is starting to look frazzled against a more expierenced and athletic Kansas team.

And after a three-point play by Mario Chalmers, who is really starting to push the ball against the Trojans, to put the Jayhawks ahead, the KU fans are starting to make their voice heard in the Galen Center.

With 16:30 remaining in the second half, it's Kansas holding a slight 35-32 lead.

On a side note, I finally got some stats from USC media relations, and Darrell Arthur led Kansas at the half with six points. Darnell Jackson may have had an even more impressive first half with five points and nine rebounds. Six-foot-5 guard Daniel Hackett, in the meantime, was the Trojans' leading rebounder in the first half, recording four boards to go along with two points.

One surprise throughout the first 25 minutes of play has been the ineffectiveness of Kansas junior Brandon Rush, who managed to make just one of four shots for two points in 11 minutes of action during the first half.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 03:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- In what's been a thrilling and up-and-down first half, Davon Jefferson hit a jumper with less than a second remaining to put USC up, 27-25, going into halftime.

The Trojans have been looking to push the ball against the Jayhawks for much of the first 20 minutes of play, and while Tim Floyd's team has made its share of mistakes, it's also forcing Kansas into some turnovers as well.

On the stat sheet, Little Kobe, er, O.J. Mayo, is leading USC with 12 points on who knows how many shots. I haven't gotten a stat sheet yet, but it's quite a few from the way the ball seems to leave his hands ever other possession. And maybe that's what it's going to take for the Trojans to pull off what would be one of the bigger upsets in the program's history, but after the 27 shots that he took against Mercer, that won't be a key ingredient in pulling this one off.

For some reason, I just have a feeling that whatever Bill Self said at halftime to his team, it's going to make a difference. The Jayhawks may have played their first six games at home, but the wealth of talent and experience coming out of Lawrence, Kan., can't be forgotten about.

And you certainly can't say the same about a USC team that starts three sophomores and two freshmen. If this game goes down to the wire, look for Kansas' depth and experience to play the part.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 02:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- O.J. Mayo has just gone down after setting a screen near the baseline, and the 6-foot-5 freshman looks like he got the wind knocked out of him. He's managed to stay on the floor for the time being, but Kansas has just cut the lead to 22-20 with 1:38 remaining before halftime.

Mayo, meanwhile, is leading all scorers with 12 points after knocking down a pair of field goals from beyond the arc. Darnell Jackson has tallied five points for Kansas.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 02:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- The momentum has certainly swung back and forth in this one, as No. 4 Kansas is starting to take it to No. 22 USC with the Jayhawks tying the game at 16-16 with 5:45 remaining in the first half.

Darrell Arthur is making himself a real presence on the block, as the 6-foot-9 Dallas native battles 6-foot-8 forward Davon Jefferson and 6-foot-9 forward Taj Gibson. And between Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson, the Trojans are really struggling with the Jayhawks' size and length right now, yet are holding onto a 21-18 lead with less than four minutes to go thanks to a three-pointer by O.J. Mayo and a breakaway flush from Jefferson.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- No. 22 USC has darted out to a 16-6 lead on No. 4 Kansas with a little more than 10 minutes remaining in the first half, and while you would have expected the Trojans to be a little tight in playing as big of a game as they're playing, it's actually the Jayhawks who are looking out of sync on the offensive end.

But it's still early, and Kansas has gotten some better looks down the floor on the last two possessions.

O.J. Mayo, who comes in to today's contest averaging a team-high 21.3 points and 4.9 rebounds, has taken a good number of shots but has been only able to connect on one from long range.

After leading by 10, the Jayhawks have cut the lead to four, trailing 16-12 with eight minutes to go in this exciting first half.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 02:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- O.J. Mayo has just hit a three to put No. 22 USC up on No. 4 Kansas, and the Trojans are starting to get things going on both ends of the floor.

Mayo, however, has looked a little frustrated at times, and it's obvious that the freshman phenom knows just how big of a game this is if the Trojans are trying to prove that they can compete with some of the best and most renowned programs in the country this season.

Davon Jefferson, in the meantime, made a nice drive to the basket to put USC up by five, as the Trojans now lead 9-4, with 13:25 left before halftime.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 02:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- Both teams have started this game at the Galen Center looking rather sloppy, and No. 22 USC is hoping to stay with No. 4 Kansas early despite trailing, 4-2, with 15:42 left in the first half.

The Trojans are having a tough time against a stingy Jayhawk defense, but Bill Self's team hasn't been able to muster up much so far. Darnell Jackson has hit a smooth turn-around jumper to give his team a two-point lead, while Darrell Arthur scored the first points of the game.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 02:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES -- Welcome back to the Galen Center next door to downtown L.A., as No. 4 Kansas makes a visit to Southern California to face No. 22 USC, who we saw down another Big 12 foe in Oklahoma Thursday night with a 66-55 victory.

The Trojans have won six straight since suffering a season-opening loss to Mercer back on Nov. 10 here at home, and while Coach Tim Floyd's team has a real test today against Bill Self's Jayhawks, it won't get any easier next week when USC heads to New York City to face No. 3 Memphis in the Jimmy V Classic. The hype, of course, is slowly building around the O.J. Mayo-Derrick Rose rivalry that will hit Madison Square Garden, and luckily for me (and maybe you), I'll be there with DScott and JPalm to watch it all go down (the first game of the night that pits No. 18 Kansas State against Notre Dame will be another spectacle to watch with freshman phenom Michael Beasley playing under the Big Apple's bright lights).

Kansas, meanwhile, has started the season at 6-0 and has done it by an average margin of 27.8 points in the six home games, with the last beat down coming against Florida Atlantic in a 87-49 victory. The Jayhawks are led by sophomore forward Darrell Arthur, who is averaging 14.5 points and a team-high 5.8 rebounds coming into the game. Junior guard Mario Chalmers is also scoring in double figures for the season, putting up 12.2 points and 2.5 boards a contest.

But there's a good amount of Jayhawk fans in the stands, and we'll see how that plays into this game with a lot of seats still vacant throughout the building. It's sure to fill up, though, and the USC students, of course, have filled their section with yellow shirts.

Posted by Josh Herwitt at 01:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)