NCAA Basketball FanHouse http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com NCAA Basketball FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif NCAA Basketball FanHouse http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Big 12 Forces Its Way Into Nation's Elitehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/big-12-forces-its-way-into-nations-elite/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/big-12-forces-its-way-into-nations-elite/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/big-12-forces-its-way-into-nations-elite/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


It seems like every year the usual suspects are lined up as contenders for the best basketball conference in the country.

Big East. ACC. Pac-10. Big Ten.

But the Big 12 never seems to get much love, despite some impressive numbers that suggest the newest of the major conferences deserve to be part of the conversation. No conference has advanced more teams to Elite Eight (13) and Final Four (six) since 2002. The Kansas Jayhawks even cut down the nets in 2008.

Also consider that in the last three seasons, it has been the Big 12, and not the Big East or ACC that has produced the top player in the country: Texas forward Kevin Durant (2007), Kansas State forward Michael Beasley (2008) and Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin (2009).

This season, the Big 12 has the preseason No.1 team in the nation and the squad many predict will likely end as the national champion in Kansas. And oh, the Jayhawks could be playing preseason No.3 Texas in this season's Final Four.

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All those are reasons why the Big 12 coaches trumpet their league as one of the best, even if no one else will.

"Years ago people used to say -- or ask the question -- is our league ever going to be considered one of the best leagues in the country, or it can't be until you win the national championship," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "Obviously, Kansas having done that, I don't know what other questions people can ask about our league. If we're not the best league in the country, we've got to be in that discussion every year.

"You go back and look at the success year in and year out, I think also in the tournament, obviously in the recruiting, where there's a lot of games won during those months."

But as special as the Big 12 has been in the past, it could be even more exciting this season with a star-studded lineup of premiere players across the league. Several players such as Texas forward Damion James, Iowa State center Craig Brackins and Oklahoma guard Willie Warren gave up the chance to be instant millionaires as potential NBA first round picks to return to school this past spring.

You combine them with proven commodities such as Kansas' two preseason player of the year candidates, point guard Sherron Collins and center Cole Aldrich, along with Oklahoma State guard James Anderson and you have a league that is certain to produce lots of exciting moments this season.

"When you look at some guys that could have been gone to go make some money and make big money, and yet they choose to stay in the league, that's a credit to those coaches and those relationships they've got with those kids," said Kansas State coach Frank Martin. "It's a credit to the league and just how much fun it is.

"It's not fun when it's late January and you get your brains beat in, but it's tremendous basketball. If you've got any hope at being any good, you've got to be excited about being in such a great conference as this."

Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel agrees.

"Like I've said since I've been here, there's some great coach in this league," said Capel, whose Sooners are picked to finish third in the league race. "Because of the talent level that our league has been able to attract, it makes the basketball a very, very high level.

This season, it all starts with the Jayhawks, who return their top nine scorers from last season's 27-8 Big 12 championship squad that advanced to the Sweet 16. Throw in another highly regarded recruiting class, which includes Top 5 recruit Xavier Henry, and it's easy to see many believe the Jayhawks will be the last team standing come April.

Kansas coach Bill Self, however, has joked throughout the preseason that it's hard for him to even think about winning the national championship when he knows how difficult it will be to win the Big 12 title.

"I really like our team," said Self, whose team is the only one of the Big 12 members to win the national title since the league's inception during the 1996-97 season. I think we have a chance to be a special group. We'll have to be very special because I think the league is the best since I've been in it, and I think it's the best it's going to be since the inception of the league.

"We've had success in the league the last few years, and certainly it will be much more difficult to maintain that because of the quality of teams in the league."

Without question Kansas and Texas will be the two premiere teams in the conference and it could be that the Longhorns could actually break through this season. Their frontcourt of Damion James and Dexter Pittman could be the most formidable in the conference and with the nation's top recruit Avery Bradley expected to add scoring pop, Texas could be the team to give the Jayhawks serious trouble. The biggest question mark for the Longhorns will be at point guard, where Justin Mason has slid over to his more natural two guard spot. Florida transfer Jai Lucas is expected to run the Longhorns offense, but he won't be eligible to play until mid-year under NCAA transfer rules.

"People are a year older, a year wiser, and I think they understand that this team will have tremendous balance," said UT coach Rick Barnes. "We want to be a transition team, and we want to get up and down the floor."

After the Jayhawks and Longhorns, the Big 12 boasts teams like Oklahoma, Kansas State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State that should make some noise throughout the season and could all end up in the NCAA tournament should the league get six bids again.

But consider this a testament to how truly tough the conference may be this season. The Iowa State Cyclones have a unanimous preseason All-Big 12 player in Brackins and the preseason newcomer of the year in Marquis Gilstrap, yet the league coaches still picked them to finish eighth in the preseason poll.

"I think it is a testament to the league. I think you could argue -- and it's an easy argument -- the seven teams that are picked ahead of us are picked ahead of us for a reason," said ISU coach Greg McDermott. "Generally, preseason polls are based on how you did last year and what you return. There's just a lot returning in our league.

"Some of the newcomers that are entering our league come from very successful backgrounds in high school or junior college, and I think they're going to have quite an impact right away. So we're picked probably about where we should be picked, but I'll be disappointed if that's where it ends up at the end of the day."




The Team That Will Surprise: Iowa State

With the 6-foot-10 Brackins in the post and junior college swing man Marquis Gilstrap, the Cyclones could easily break into the top five of the conference this season and challenge for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.


The Team on Decline: Missouri

After Mike Anderson's squad stormed into the Elite Eight last season with its version of 40 minutes of hell, look for the Tigers to take a step back to recover from the loss of leading scorer DeMarre Carroll and Leon Lyons along with Matt Lawrence.


Player of the Year: Sherron Collins

The senior Kansas guard will indeed prove this season he is the best point guard in the nation and the most valuable player to his team.


Best Chance to Win it All: Kansas

The Jayhawks have the experience, depth and explosiveness to win the Final Four. The biggest question coming into the season is which of the five returning starters will come off the bench once Xavier Henry is inserted into the starting lineup?

Big 12 Forces Its Way Into Nation's Elite originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bill SelfBillSelfCole AldrichColeAldrichCraig Brackinsdamion jamesDamionJamesFrank MartinGreg McDermottjames andersonJamesAndersonjeff capelJeffCapelMarquis GilstrapMichael BeasleyMichaelBeasleymike andersonRick BarnesRickBarnesSherron CollinsSherronCollinswillie warrenWillieWarrenTerrance HarrisThu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST As Expected, Kansas Starts Season No. 1http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/as-expected-kansas-starts-season-no-1/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/as-expected-kansas-starts-season-no-1/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/as-expected-kansas-starts-season-no-1/#commentsFiled under:

KansasKansas coach Bill Self has known the bulls-eye was coming the Jayhawks' way for quite some time.

But there is nothing like dealing with the reality that the rest of the nation is looking up at you, as Self came to realize Thursday when his Jayhawks were selected as the consensus preseason No.1 team in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Top 25 polls for just the second time in program history.

Now comes the difficult part of living up to those lofty expectations.

"I'm not really surprised because a lot of people have said all along we would be here," said Self, who returns all five starters from last season's team that finished 27-8 and 14-2 in the Big 12 while advancing to the Sweet 16.

"This is a reflection of last year's performance, who you return and who you recruited from a projection standpoint. We return good players and have a nice recruiting class. I can see us being rated that high, but I hope our guys understand preseason rankings do not mean a lot and it should be our effort to try and play to that ranking each and every day we come out to practice."

The Jayhawks have been the anticipated preseason No. 1 team since late spring when it became obvious that they would have their top nine scorers back to go along with a star-studded recruiting class. They will be led on the floor by center Cole Aldrich and point guard Sherron Collins, who both led the Jayhawks last season to their fifth straight Big 12 title.

Sherron CollinsKansas will certainly have to take the next step to avoid being the disappointment the 2004-05 team -- the first Jayhawks squad to enter the season No. 1 -- ultimately became after being bounced from the Tournament in the opening round by Bucknell. Self isn't sure the comparisons to his second team at Kansas are fair.

"That was a tired team that fizzled late. This team is more talented, deeper and probably has more margin for error than that team. But that team had some great leaders with Aaron (Miles), Wayne (Simien), Keith (Langford) and Michael (Lee) and I have yet to see that leadership except from Sherron (Collins) and Cole (Aldrich). We have to have some young guys step up."

Behind the Kansas Jayhawks in both polls are Michigan State at No. 2 and Big 12 rival Texas has been selected third by the voters in both polls. A combination of Kentucky, North Carolina and Villanova round out the next three spots in varying order.

But the pressure is at the top where the Jayhawks received 55 of a possible 66 first-place votes in the AP poll. They received 27 first-place votes in the coaches' poll.

"I almost hope there is pressure because I hope they realize that if they are not their best every day and try to get better each and every day, someone else has our game circled on their schedule," said Self, whose team was also picked to finish first in the Big 12 preseason poll. "I hope we don't have to be taught a lot of valuable lessons."

Associated Press Preseason Poll
1. Kansas
2. Michigan State
3. Texas
4. Kentucky
5. Villanova
6. North Carolina
7. Purdue
8. West Virginia
9. Duke
10. Tennessee
11. Butler
12. Connecticut
13. California
14. Washington
15. Michigan
16. Ohio State
17. Oklahoma
18. Mississippi State
19. Louisville
20. Georgetown
21. Dayton
22. Georgia Tech
23. Illinois
24. Clemson
25. Minnesota

ESPN/USA Today Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Kansas
2. Michigan State
3. Texas
4. North Carolina
5. Kentucky
6. Villanova
7. Purdue
8. Duke
9. West Virginia
10. Butler
11. Tennessee
12. California
13. Washington
14. Connecticut
15. Michigan
16. Oklahoma
17. Ohio State
18. Minnesota
19. Mississippi State
20. Georgia Tech
21. Georgetown
22. Dayton
23. Louisville
24. Clemson
25. Syracuse

As Expected, Kansas Starts Season No. 1 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Terrance HarrisThu, 29 Oct 2009 18:10:00 EST McCray Has Resurgent Kansas Focused on NCAA Tournamenthttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/21/mccray-has-resurgent-kansas-focused-on-ncaa-tournament/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/21/mccray-has-resurgent-kansas-focused-on-ncaa-tournament/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/21/mccray-has-resurgent-kansas-focused-on-ncaa-tournament/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Danielle McCrayDanielle McCray has never played in the NCAA Tournament. "But I don't think you have to have been there to know what it takes to get there," the Kansas standout guard said this week. "We want it so bad, and I think we have it in us."

McCray and her teammates are trying to break a 10-year NCAA drought for the Jayhawks women's team. Four returning starters and McCray's emerging status as the top player in the Big 12 Conference may finally be the ticket.

After a 22-14 season that ended with a defeat in the WNIT title game, the Jayhawks have been picked to finish second in the Big 12 by the league's coaches. McCray, who averaged 21.6 points a game as a junior, has been selected as the preseason player of the year.

The Big 12 race looks as competitive as it has been in a while, with the conference's power teams such as Oklahoma and Baylor in rebuilding modes.

Time for a change? Time for Kansas?

"I don't know if it's really a changing of the guard," Coach Bonnie Henrickson said. "But it's as wide-open as it's been since I've been in the league. I think there are easily more than a handful of teams that, if they can stay healthy and win at home, have a chance to win the championship."

Henrickson has been at Kansas for five years. This is as confident a team as she's coached.

"They are accountable to each other in a way that has been very positive," Henrickson said. "They are on each other for mistakes before I can even get to them. They expect more from themselves and from each other and you can see that."
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McCray is the leader on the floor, parlaying her experience with USA Basketball this summer -- she was part of the World University team that won a gold medal in Serbia -- into newfound confidence and an improved game. She said she is unfazed by the preseason accolades.

"It's an honor, but it's just something to live up to," McCray said.

"She's always been the leader, she's a pulse for this group," Henrickson said. "When she's good, we're better and when she struggles, we can see that in the rest of the team as well. But she's the same kid. She's stayed true and she hasn't changed with her success. She's humble and gracious. She always was the first one on the floor every day and she still is."

McCray will be flanked by a new point guard, the leading candidate being redshirt freshman Angela Goodrich, who sustained an ACL injury in the preseason last year. Back are senior guard, Sade Morris, the team's second-leading scorer at 12.7 points per game, and the junior post tandem of Nicollette Smith and center Krysten Boogaard, who combined for 15.4 ppg.

Henrickson said her team is getting its timing down in these early days of practice.

"We don't have much rhythm offensively," Henrickson said. "We'll get there, but it might be painful."

Kansas' experience late last season, winning nine of 12 games and making a run to the final in the one-and-done WNIT format, has fortified the team's resolve to make it to the NCAA field for the first time since 1999-2000.

"But they need to understand that it's the process that's important, not the result," Henrickson said. "If all you are thinking about is, 'we've got to win', you lose sight of all the little things it takes to be successful. I won't browbeat them with that. It's much too far away.

"I won't say i won't use it, but I won't use it every day."

McCray Has Resurgent Kansas Focused on NCAA Tournament originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bonnie HenricksonDanielle McCrayMichelle SmithWed, 21 Oct 2009 12:58:00 EST Kansas Is Pick to Win Big 12http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/14/kansas-jayhawks-concensus-pick-to-win-big-12/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/14/kansas-jayhawks-concensus-pick-to-win-big-12/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/14/kansas-jayhawks-concensus-pick-to-win-big-12/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Sherron CollinsThe Kansas Jayhawks are the No.1 choice almost every preseason basketball publication, now they are also the unanimous pick to win the Big 12 championship by the league coaches, according to the poll released Wednesday.

The Jayhawks, who return all five starters and pretty much all of their scoring from a season ago, received all 11 possible first-place votes by the Big 12 coaches (head coaches can not vote for their own team). In addition to the retuning starters, which include All-Big 12 First Team selections Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, Kansas also brings aboard one of the top recruiting classes in the nation.Collins and Aldrich have also been selected the preseason co-Players of the Year.

Texas, which obviously received KU coach Bill Self's first-place, was picked second in the poll and has the lone remaining first place vote. The Longhorns return four starters from last season have been largely regarded as a top five team nationally by most basketball experts.

Following the Jayhawks and Longhorns are Oklahoma (third), Kansas State (fourth) and Texas A&M (fifth).

Team (First place votes) Points
1. Kansas (11)* 121
2. Texas (1) 111
3. Oklahoma 95
4. Kansas State 92
5. Texas A&M 74
6. Oklahoma State 69
7. Missouri 66
8. Iowa State 57
9. Texas Tech 34
10. Baylor 33
11. Nebraska 27
12. Colorado 13




Preseason Co-Players of the Year
Cole Aldrich, Kansas, C, 6-11, 245, Jr., Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson
Sherron Collins, Kansas, G, 5-11, 205, Sr., Chicago, Ill./Crane

Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Marquis Gilstrap, Iowa State, F, 6-7, 215, Sr., Covington, Ga./East Side/Gulf Coast CC [Fla.]

Preseason Freshman of the Year
Avery Bradley, Texas, G, 6-2, 180, Fr., Tacoma, Wash./Findlay Prep [Nev.]

2009-10 Preseason All-Big 12 Team

Name School Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous school(s)

Craig Brackins, Iowa State** F 6-10 230 Jr. Palmdale, Calif./Brewster Academy [N.H.]
Cole Aldrich, Kansas C 6-11 245 Jr. Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson
Sherron Collins, Kansas** G 5-11 205 Sr. Chicago, Ill./Crane
Willie Warren, Oklahoma G 6-4 199 So. Fort Worth, Texas/North Crowley
James Anderson, OSU G/F 6-6 205 Jr. Junction City, Ark./Junction City
Damion James, Texas G/F 6-7 225 Sr. Nacogdoches, Texas/Nacogdoches

** - Unanimous Selection.
A tie in the voting created six spots on the preseason squad

Kansas Is Pick to Win Big 12 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bill SelfBillSelfCole AldrichColeAldrichKansas JayhawksKansasJayhawksSherron CollinsSherronCollinsTerrance HarrisWed, 14 Oct 2009 16:18:00 EST Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor Injured in Apparent Altercation With Football Teamhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/23/kansas-tyshawn-taylor-injured-in-apparent-altercation-with-foot/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/23/kansas-tyshawn-taylor-injured-in-apparent-altercation-with-foot/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/23/kansas-tyshawn-taylor-injured-in-apparent-altercation-with-foot/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Tyshawn TaylorKansas' basketball team may have an early-season problem, but Kansas' athletic department may have an even bigger mess on its hands.

The Kansas football and men's basketball teams are at odds, resulting in at least two skirmishes Tuesday and another early Wednesday morning. Sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor suffered a thumb injury in one of the altercations and likely will not be available when the Jayhawks begin practicing next month.

The situation is serious enough that it demanded the attention of the school's administration, as well as basketball coach Bill Self and football coach Mark Mangino, on Wednesday.

"We are aware of an incident that occurred last evening that involved members of the football and men's basketball teams," said KU athletic director Lew Perkins in a released statement Wednesday. "I am disappointed that some of our student-athletes put themselves in this position, and it's something that I am taking very seriously.

"I continue to gather facts about this incident, and I plan to address this issue personally with both teams. I also know that Bill Self and Mark Mangino are working together to address it, and I am confident that they will handle the situation appropriately with their teams."

It's unclear what started the disagreement, but it's clear things have escalated. The initial skirmish took place Tuesday afternoon at the student union building, but the trouble spilled over into some of the dorms.

According to the website of the The Daily Kansan, the student newspaper, basketball players Sherron Collins, Mario Little, brothers Marcus and Markieff Morris and Taylor were placed at the scene, as were members of the football team, including receiver Dezmon Briscoe and starting cornerback Chris Harris.

Taylor, who was sent to the hospital and treated for a dislocated thumb, was the only athlete known to need medical attention. The police were called but no arrests were made.

In attempt to defuse the explosive situation and show some type of unified front, the Kansas athletic department met with several members of both teams Wednesday, and they released a combined statement about the incident. The combined statement comes from basketball players Cole Aldrich and Collins and football members Kerry Meier, Todd Reesing, Jake Sharp and Darrell Stuckey.

"We realize that over the past couple of days we've let a disagreement between a few guys grow bigger than it ever should have," the statement read. "We're embarrassed about that.

"Now we want everyone to know that we have met and talked it out. We realize we're all Jayhawks. We're proud of what both teams have accomplished."

This is certainly a first step with the members of each respective programs' leadership speaking out against the altercations. But the school has yet to reveal what will happen from here and how the players involved will be disciplined.

"We will handle any discipline regarding this incident internally, and we will have no further comment about it," Perkins' statement said.

Taylor is expected to miss three to four weeks of action due to his injury. Basketball practice is set to begin in the middle of October.

But Taylor's injury could be the just the beginning of the problem Mangino and Self have on their hands. Feuding athletic teams on campus is hardly new, but both of these programs have a great deal riding on their current and upcoming seasons.

The football program is 3-0 in non-conference play and has a chance to win its first Big 12 North Division title this season. The men's hoops team, with a bevvy of returning talent and another big-time incoming class, is expected to start the season as the No.1 team in the country. The 20th-ranked football team hosts Southern Miss on Saturday.

The gathered members of the respective teams pledged to squash the bad blood and move forward.

"We appreciate the support these teams give each other," the players' combined statement continued. "We'll be in the stands rooting for each other like we always have.

"We all wear Kansas on our uniforms, and we're proud of that. We need to act like it. We've met; we're all on the same page, and we will move forward together. The football team is ready to get back to work, focused on Saturday's game against Southern Mississippi, and the basketball team will continue to prepare for another great season."

Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.

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Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor Injured in Apparent Altercation With Football Team originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bill selfBillSelfcole aldrichColeAldrichdezmon briscoeDezmonBriscoemark manginoMarkManginosherron collinsSherronCollinstyshawn taylorTyshawnTaylorTerrance HarrisWed, 23 Sep 2009 14:23:00 EST Texas, Kansas Claim Big Presence on ESPN's Big Monday Schedulehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/16/texas-kansas-claim-big-presence-on-espns-big-monday-schedule/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/16/texas-kansas-claim-big-presence-on-espns-big-monday-schedule/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/16/texas-kansas-claim-big-presence-on-espns-big-monday-schedule/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Kansas and Texas should be the class of the Big 12 next basketball season and ESPN is certainly banking on as much.

The Big 12 and ESPN released its Big Monday package for the 2010 campaign and both the Jayhawks and Longhorns will appear four times each in the eight-game package, which includes an anticipated February 8th showdown between the two power teams. Kansas will likely enter the season as the nation's No.1 ranked team while Texas is bringing in an influx of young talent that should make the Longhorns a Top 10 team.

The Big 12 kicks off its longstanding relationship with ESPN's Big Monday platform when rivals Oklahoma and Oklahoma State meet on January 11. Here is the full slate of Big 12 Big Monday games:


Date Game Time (CT)
January 11 Oklahoma State at Oklahoma 8 p.m.
January 18 Texas at Kansas State 8 p.m.
January 25 Missouri at Kansas 8 p.m.
February 1 Texas at Oklahoma State 8 p.m.
February 8 Kansas at Texas 8 p.m.
February 15 Kansas at Texas A&M 8 p.m.
February 22 Oklahoma at Kansas 8 p.m.
March 1 Oklahoma at Texas 8 p.m.

Texas, Kansas Claim Big Presence on ESPN's Big Monday Schedule originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Terrance HarrisThu, 16 Jul 2009 13:23:00 EST Henry-Kansas Saga Offers Proof NBA Rule Wrong for College Basketballhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/04/henry-kansas-saga-offers-proof-nba-rule-wrong-for-college-basket/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/04/henry-kansas-saga-offers-proof-nba-rule-wrong-for-college-basket/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/04/henry-kansas-saga-offers-proof-nba-rule-wrong-for-college-basket/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Xavier HenryAnyone following the Henry-Kansas basketball drama this week has been thoroughly entertained.

Kansas coach Bill Self has to be scratching his head now wondering, "What just happened here?" Self and his staff had successfully lured Xavier and C.J. Henry, the offspring of former 1980s KU basketball standouts Carl and Barbara Henry, into the Jayhawks' fold after breaking their previous commitment to Memphis in April.

All was right in the slimy world of big-time college recruiting.

That was until Sunday's Kansas City Star article that took a look at the Henry family and its diva ways. The story delved into why the Henry family had elected to have the boys remain in Oklahoma City to work with a personal trainer, instead of heading to campus for summer school and some ahead-of-time bonding with their coaches and teammates as thousands of incoming college recruits do.

But the story's sometimes critical tone didn't stop there, also revealing Carl had looked into sending Xavier, a smooth 6-foot-6 shooting guard who has NBA lottery pick written all over him, to Europe for a year just a month after his sons signed with KU. Carl came off as a sometimes out-of-control stage dad.

Carl was livid.

A couple days after the story ran, Carl hit the radio airwaves stating his disdain for the article and threatening that his sons might not end up in Lawrence after all. It turns out Xavier still wanted to play for John Calipari and might be headed to play for the former Memphis coach at Kentucky. What?

The passionate and vocal Jayhawks fan base let it be known their displeasure with their beloved basketball team being played for a fool. The idea that the fans who once cheered Carl had turned on him and his family infuriated the elder Henry more.

Not surprisingly within hours of Carl's radio rant, Self and several staff members boarded a private jet Tuesday night for Oklahoma City to smooth things over. Within hours Xavier was confirming his commitment to Kansas, and by Wednesday Carl was backing off his threat to pull his boys out.

But anyone who thinks we've heard the last of the Henry-KU drama isn't really seeing the problem and the root of it.

Clearly, the Henry boys and their dad have little interest in school. The NBA and it's minimum-age requirement is forcing a one-year marriage between the Henrys and KU we all know will end badly. C.J., a 23-year-old former Yankees prospect and a skilled 6-foot-3 point guard, could have given the NBA a shot but he's a bit rusty after a few years in the minors, and doesn't possess the can't-miss talent of his younger brother in basketball.

Some of this makes you wonder why Self would want this headache. The team he already has is good enough to make the Jayhawks the preseason No.1 and the odds-on favorites to win next season's Final Four. Now, finding a place and ample playing time for the Henry boys will be a must or risk a blowup and chemistry issues during the Jayhawks' title run.

Interestingly, FanHouse asked Self a couple weeks ago if he thought it was reasonable for major college coaches to shy away from recruiting the one-and-done divas, who often leave programs high and dry. Self responded honestly.

"In a word, no," he admitted.

We all know that no coach in his right mind would turn down a potential lottery pick and the potential he could bring to a program, even for one season.

"But there is no guarantee they would leave after one year," Self said. "There have been a lot of guys who have been projected as one-and-done who've been in school for three. There have been a lot of guys who have been projected to be in school for four who leave after one or two.

"Everybody matures and develops at different rates. I do believe it is an inexact science and I do believe that coaches still want to recruit the best guys."

Self was also asked about the viability of high school prospects avoiding college by going to Europe for a year as Brandon Jennings did last year. The unflappable coach responded perhaps knowing that Xavier and his family were considering an overseas venture.

"To me, Europe is an option. It's an option if you have no options," Self said. "I don't really see a lot of good things that come from as an 18-year-old who goes over there but had the opportunity to go to school, to be qualified and play at a place where he can be exposed and coached and all those things.

"There are too many risks with Europe. Who's going to be your coach, maturity level, are you able to handle it, breaking up families. I think that is a big risk."

Henry-Kansas Saga Offers Proof NBA Rule Wrong for College Basketball originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bill selfBillSelfbrandon jenningsBrandonJenningsc.j. henryC.j.Henryjohn calipariJohnCaliparixavier henryXavierHenryTerrance HarrisSat, 04 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST Henry Family Reconfirms Commitment to Kansas for a Yearhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/01/the-henry-family-reconfirms-commitment-to-kansas-for-a-year/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/01/the-henry-family-reconfirms-commitment-to-kansas-for-a-year/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/01/the-henry-family-reconfirms-commitment-to-kansas-for-a-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Xavier Henry, McDonald's All-AmericanFor a rather wild day, it looked like things were going to get even weirder than they usually do in the college basketball offseason. Even before the summer recruiting began. In the end, it was a lot of noise but no change. Xavier and C.J. Henry are still going to Kansas for the 2009-10 season, not reversing field to go to Kentucky to be with John Calipari.

Xavier Henry is one of the top-5 high school players in the country. He had already switched his commitment from Memphis to Kansas, but since he could not sign a new National Letter of Intent (NLI) he is not actually bound to Kansas until he shows up on the campus and signs the scholarship papers. His older brother, C.J. Henry, is a walk-on with the New York Yankees paying his way following a failed baseball career.

Then there is dad. Carl Henry played basketball for Kansas, and holds strong views about his sons, their talent, future plans and comparing them both rather favorably versus the other talent on the Kansas basketball team. He let many of them fly during a feature article in the Kansas City Star.

Among the gems: Xavier is not that interested in going to college, this is definitely a one-and-done thing for him (duh), they considered Europe for a year, C.J. is probably better than both Sherron Collins and Tyshawn Taylor, and that coach Bill Self needs to be on-board with the Henry plan,

Shockingly, with opinions that suggested that the Henrys were bigger than Kansas, it was not embraced by the Jayhawk faithful. This led to an angry Carl Henry to go on a local sports radio station to complain that the article made him and his sons look like prima donnas and that all Carl does is talk. Plus, the negative reaction on the internet and elsewhere by Kansas fans has the Henrys so upset that they were leaning very strongly towards going to Kentucky instead. Interestingly, in the radio interview, Carl Henry admitted that there was nothing factually inaccurate in the story.

Recapping that last bit. A reporter hangs out with the Henrys. Gets the facts right. Carl Henry and his sons do not like the way it made them look, because it made them look spoiled. Carl in particular disliked that it portrayed him as someone always talking. So in response, Carl Henry goes on the radio to talk some more and announces that while they are not prima donnas, they had their feelings so hurt by the negative reaction to the story that they might very well go to Kentucky instead.

Well played, sir.

So for several glorious hours yesterday there was chaos on the Kentucky and Kansas message boards over all of this. Especially since a decision could come that night. It did, in a text message to the same Kansas radio show.
But late Tuesday, Xavier Henry sent a text message to Cory Anderson of the Chris and Cowboy Show on 610 Sports Radio confirming he would not change his mind.

"I'm goin to Kansas and that's final," the text read.
The thing is, that while most of this was about Carl Henry's mouth and the tantalizing talent of Xavier Henry, it was probably C.J. Henry's situation that kept things as the status quo.

The Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy Tweeted this point.
The Henry's hadn't much leverage. If X took off on KU, what about CJ? Think the NCAA would have given him immediate eligibility everywhere?
C.J. was already a freshman on the Memphis roster this past year (PDF). He sat out while recovering from surgery. He has already had to apply to get immediate eligibility at Kansas. What are the odds the NCAA would let him switch to Kentucky as well? Probably not that good. Which means that Carl Henry was -- once more -- just doing a lot of talking.

Henry Family Reconfirms Commitment to Kansas for a Year originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Chas RichWed, 01 Jul 2009 09:54:00 EST NCAA Coaches Critical of NBA Age Limithttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/06/24/college-coaches-critical-of-nba-age-limit/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/06/24/college-coaches-critical-of-nba-age-limit/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/06/24/college-coaches-critical-of-nba-age-limit/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Could the NBA and its minimum age requirement really be guilty of hypocrisy?

It certainly appears that way to Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel and some other Big 12 coaches after watching the most recent NBA Finals and seeing which NBA players were pushed as the faces of the league throughout the season.

The straight out of high school players, who are the type of players the NBA no longer wants to be associated with, are now carrying the torch for the world's best pro game.

"If you follow the NBA, if you look at the guys who are promoted as the face of the NBA, you are talking about Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett," Capel said. "Those are four that jumped right out and none of those guys attended college and I don't think it hurt them."
Check Out FanHouse's NBA Draft Coverage

Most college coaches have been steamed for some time at the NBA rule that requires players to be at least 19 and one year removed from high school, thus giving birth to the sometimes destructive one-and-done college players.

Legendary basketball coach Bob Knight was one of the first big name coaches to boisterously speak out against the one-and-done phenomenon two years ago when he made the point that the NBA rule has opened the door for players to come to college and not be serious students. Other coaches have since joined the growing chorus.

The NBA, during its 2005 collective-bargaining agreement, passed the minimum age requirement to protect the integrity of its game. The NBA no longer has to bank on the pure potential of players who may or may not pan out. But the NBA's gain has become college basketball's problem.

"It's a bad rule, it's a really bad rule," said Capel, whose sophomore forward, Blake Griffin, is expected to be the first player taken in Thursday's NBA Draft. "In my opinion it makes a mockery of education in college and also I think it's condescending on the NBA's part."

Conversation about the feasibility of the rule has heated up with this year's NBA Draft upon us and the likelihood that up to three one-and-done players -- Memphis' Tyreke Evans, USC's DeMar DeRozan and UCLA's Jrue Holiday -- could be lottery picks and a fourth, Ohio State 7-foot center B.J. Mullens, could also go in the first round.

It also hasn't helped that the alleged actions of two former one-and-doners, Derrick Rose of Memphis and USC's O.J. Mayo, have threatened to rock their respective programs. Rose has been accused of cheating to get into Memphis, while there are illegal payment accusations surrounding Mayo, which caused head coach Tim Floyd to step down earlier this month.

Problems seem to be arising that college coaches didn't envision when the NBA instituted its minimum age requirement.

"I thought initially making kids go to school for a year was a good thing, but after the recent things that have occurred ... I don't think you can blame it all on one-and-done as the main reason things have occurred," said Kansas coach Bill Self. "Those things could have just as easily occurred if these kids were in school two or three years." "I think these kids should have the right to go straight from high school. To be quite honest with you, some of them aren't college material and the one-and-done rule makes a mockery of that."
-- Jeff Capel

But clearly what the college coaches seem to be asking for is some relief by the NBA. The obvious first choice is to allow high school students to go straight from graduation to the NBA riches. The second would be to require NBA players to be two or three years removed from high school.

"I do think there will be a movement to make it a year older," Self said. "My personal opinion is kids should be able to go straight out of high school or stay for three. I think it will move to two and that will be good because in all honestly is [if] somebody wanted to make a mockery of our education system, they could with the one-and-done, they could.

"You pass six hours in the fall and don't go to school in the spring, and next thing you know you are still eligible to play the whole year. It has been abused a little bit, but not sure the abuse we see is strictly because of the one-an-done."

Texas coach Rick Barnes has a unique perspective on the one-and-done players and how to keep academic integrity. He says he talks to perspective student-athletes who might have that opportunity to exit for the NBA early and explains if they do so that he is OK with their decision as long as they take care of their school work during that spring semester.

It worked with Kevin Durant, who left the Longhorns after one spectacular season in 2007. Barnes had the same conversation with D.J. Augustin, T.J. Ford and LaMarcus Aldridge. He hasn't had a problem with the NCAA and its APR guidelines.

"If a person told me they wouldn't do that then we wouldn't recruit them," Barnes said. "That's a decision we have to make it so we lay that out."

While the college game has been left holding the bag on these dilemmas, the NBA has just gone about its business. NBA commissioner David Stern has only offered that his league's primary concern is nurturing its game the right way and that is by bringing in experienced players. Players can get that experience either in college, the NBA Developmental League, and now Europe seems to be becoming an option.

Point guard Brandon Jennings raised some eyebrows last year when he left high school and went over to Europe for a year to play ball. And after an underwhelming season with Lottomatica Roma of Italy, Jennings seems poised to be a late lottery pick in Thursday's draft.

Self isn't sure Europe will be the answers, though the floodgates appear to be opening.

"People look at him and ask did it work? The jury is still out on if it worked," Self said. "You pay a 20-year-old young man a lot of money, but can he impact a professional team with 25 or 30-year-old men on it? That's hard to do. [Jennings] is obviously a great talent and everything but I don't know if teams in the future and the economic times, that guys are going to get million dollar deals over there.

"I think it's kind of pie in the sky with what a lot of people view overseas to be and it's not quite like that. Those are business people trying to make the best decisions. They're not just throwing away money."

But whose problem should it be if things don't work out overseas or if the NBA is forced to draft players on potential instead of proven talent or if players opt for pro riches before they are ready?

Capel says that burden should fall on the shoulders of the college basketball game. In the last two years Capel has had two freshmen who looked at the NBA but decided to return to school. Griffin considered the jump last summer and Big 12 Freshman of the Year Willie Warren weighed his options this spring before deciding to return next season.

"I sometimes think that we make a mistake and think that we have to save or protect kids from themselves," Capel said. "I don't agree with that, I just don't. I grew up with a father and mother, people that constantly taught me about choice and that you have to live with the choices and accept things that come along with your choices and that also include bad choices.

"I think these kids should have the right to go straight from high school. To be quite honest with you, some of them aren't college material and the one-and-done rule makes a mockery of that."

NCAA Coaches Critical of NBA Age Limit originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bill SelfDavid SternJeff CapelRick BarnesTerrance HarrisWed, 24 Jun 2009 21:40:00 EST Big 12 Hoops Coaches Say League Will Be Best Next Seasonhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/06/17/big-12-hoops-coaches-say-league-will-be-best-next-season/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/06/17/big-12-hoops-coaches-say-league-will-be-best-next-season/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/06/17/big-12-hoops-coaches-say-league-will-be-best-next-season/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Bill Self, Kansas coachThe debate about which conference is the best basketball league usually heats up in December.

But the Big 12 coaches set fire to the debate early by staking claim as the best basketball conference Tuesday, some five months before the 2009-10 season begins. So the Big East, ACC, Pac-10 and SEC will have to just lineup for second best.

"I do think it's going to be the best with what we have retuning and the things that we've done in the last few years," Texas A&M coach Mark Turgeon said during the Big 12 summer teleconference call Tuesday. "I've talked to some so-called experts out there and they think we are going to be the best league, too.

"As far as talk goes this season, we'll be No.1 and I think rightfully so. We have some really good teams at the top and we have some good depth so as a coach it's going to be a challenge but it's going to be exciting, You're going to be getting a lot of publicity throughout the year. "

Such bravado is fueled by the league's recent success in the NCAA tournament combined with the uncharacteristic return of NBA-quality talent for next season. Texas' Damion James, Kansas' Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, Oklahoma State's James Anderson and Oklahoma's Willie Warren all defied the recent trend of early entries into the NBA to remain in school.

During last season's NCAA tournament, the league went 6-0 in the first round, had three teams advance to the Sweet 16, two to the Elite Eight and even Baylor made it to the NIT championship. But the Big 12 coaches insist the proof is in the players next season where they several frontline guys and arguably the best depth of any of the major conferences.

"With those people returning for their junior and senior years for the most part, probably made this league unfortunately for coaches probably the best league that's going to be in the country this next year," said Nebraska coach Doc Sadler. "If the guys from Kansas would have left or James Anderson would have left or Damion James would have left, all of those guys are obviously very very good players that can make a difference in your league and probably some day will be playing in the NBA.

"All that does is add to the depth that everybody in the league wants you to have. It's going to be an interesting year. The league is going to be really fun to watch."

Kansas, which is a year removed from winning the national title and lost a hard-fought Sweet 16 contest with eventual national runner-up Michigan State this past season, returns all five starters and its top nine scorers to go along with a top five recruiting class. Can you say preseason No.1 lock?

But most believe Texas will be in the national contending conversation before the season is out with big man Dexter Pittman and James combining with what most are trumpeting as the best recruiting class in the country.

The loss of national player of the year Blake Griffin and several key players from last year's 30-6 Elite Eight team won't prevent Jeff Capel's Oklahoma Sooners from making some noise next season. OU is bringing in Jeff Cape, Oklahoma coach versus North Carolinaa stellar recruiting class that includes Keith Gallon to combine with Warren.

The Sooners, along with Texas A&M, Kansas State and Missouri could bring Big East-like competition to the Big 12 next season.

"Kansas and Texas are going to be very good, the rich get richer," said Texas Tech coach Pat Knight. "But with those two programs, I think you will see some teams that were struggling last year that are going to be better because they had young players and some teams did a good job recruiting.

"I just think this league is always going to be tough."

But Knight says the key to the national knowing how tough the league is is through exposure. The ACC and Big East seem to be the media favorites, while attention certainly seems destined to return to Kentucky next season with the arrival of John Calipari and a big-time recruiting class.

Not being afraid to say how good your league is, no matter how early, might be the first step in the big 12 getting the recognition it believes it deserves as the best basketball conference next season.

"We were talking about that in the coaches meetings, we have to get better exposure for this league because we really feel, if not the top basketball league it's going to be top two," Knight said. "We just have to do a better of promoting it from a conference standpoint and a coaches standpoint."

Big 12 Hoops Coaches Say League Will Be Best Next Season originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>blake griffinBlakeGriffincole aldrichColeAldrichdamion jamesDamionJamesdexter pittmanDexterPittmandoc sadlerDocSadlerjames andersonJamesAndersonjeff capeljohn calipariJohnCaliparikeith gallonKeithGallonmark turgeonMarkTurgeonpat knightPatKnightsherron collinsSherronCollinswillie warrenWillieWarrenTerrance HarrisWed, 17 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST Kansas Gets Tough in Non-Con Slatehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/06/03/kansas-gets-tough-in-non-con-slate/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/06/03/kansas-gets-tough-in-non-con-slate/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/06/03/kansas-gets-tough-in-non-con-slate/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Kansas Jayhawks team could very well enter next season as the top team in the nation.

If they remain that way throughout a grueling non-conference slate, they will deserve it.

Kansas released the non-conference portion of its 2009-10 basketball schedule Tuesday and it features some must-see matchups, including a rematch of the 2008 national championship game against Memphis while also renewing the rivalry with UCLA.

The Jayhawks, who return all five starters and their top nine scorers from last season's Big 12 regular season champions and Sweet 16 qualifiers, will play eight teams in non-conference that made last year's NCAA tournament and a total of 13 with their league opponents.

"This year's strength of schedule should certainly measure up with the best we've had since I came to Kansas," said KU coach coach Bill Self, whose team still has three games to announce for its non-league schedule. "Playing 13 teams that made the NCAA Tournament last year will be a stiff challenge for what many consider a young ball club. I'm excited about the possibilities as we will be tested home, away and at the two neutral games."

The Jayhawks will meet Memphis for the first time since the 2008 national title game in San Antonio, locking up during the Hall of Fame Classic in St. Louis Nov. 17. They will later play UCLA as part of the Big 12/ Pac-10 Hardwood Series at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Dec. 6.

Rounding out their non-conference opponents who made the tournament last season are games against Michigan, Tennessee, Cal, Cornell, Temple, and Radford.

Kansas Men's Basketball 2009-10 Non-Conference Schedule (home games in CAPS)

Date (Day) - Opponent, Site

Nov. 3 (Tuesday) - FORT HAYS STATE (Exhibition), Lawrence, Kan.
Nov. 11 (Tuesday) - PITTSBURG STATE (Exhibition), Lawrence, Kan.
Nov. 13 (Friday) - HOFSTRA, Lawrence, Kan.
Nov. 17 (Tuesday) - Memphis, St. Louis, Mo.
Nov. 19 (Thursday) - TBA, Lawrence, Kan.
Nov. 23 (Monday) - TBA, Lawrence, Kan.
Nov. 27 (Friday) - TBA, Lawrence, Kan.
Dec. 2 (Wednesday) - ALCORN STATE, Lawrence, Kan.
Dec. 6 (Sunday) - UCLA, Los Angeles, Calif.
Dec. 9 (Wednesday) - RADFORD, Lawrence, Kan.
Dec. 12 (Saturday) - LA SALLE (Sprint Center), Kansas City, Mo.
Dec. 19 (Saturday) - MICHIGAN, Lawrence, Kan.
Dec. 22 (Tuesday) - CALIFORNIA, Lawrence, Kan.
Dec. 29 (Tuesday) - BELMONT, Lawrence, Kan.
Jan. 2 (Saturday) - Temple, Philadelphia, Pa.
Jan. 5 (Tuesday) - CORNELL, Lawrence, Kan.
Jan. 9 (Saturday) - Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.

Kansas Gets Tough in Non-Con Slate originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bill selfBillSelfTerrance HarrisWed, 03 Jun 2009 15:23:00 EST Kansas Now Fully Loaded With Xavier Henry http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/04/22/kansas-now-fully-loaded-with-xavier-henry/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/04/22/kansas-now-fully-loaded-with-xavier-henry/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/04/22/kansas-now-fully-loaded-with-xavier-henry/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

With John Calipari now coaching at Kentucky, top shooting guard Xavier Henry reopened his recruiting. C.J. was already on the Memphis squad following a failed professional baseball career, but that meant little. Ultimately Xavier Henry has opted to go to Kansas, and his older brother will be joining him.

The addition of Henry to a recruiting class that includes power forward Thomas Robinson and point guard Elijah Johnson -- both top-50 recruits -- means that a likely top-10 recruiting class will join a Kansas team that finished in the top-10 and will be returning everyone. Kansas now joins North Carolina and Michigan State as the presumed favorites for 2010.

For the second straight year, Bill Self and Kansas are the beneficiary of a major coaching change. Last year it was Tom Crean leaving Marquette for Indiana that had Tyshawn Taylor getting out of his Marquette letter of intent and heading to Kansas.

The decision by Henry also impacts one other McDonald's All-American and two other programs. Lance Stephenson was expected to commit to Kansas but was waiting to see what Henry did.

With Henry choosing Kansas, the Brooklyn native is expected to decide between St. John's or Maryland. Both programs have coaches that are bordering on desperate to land a big-time player.

Kansas Now Fully Loaded With Xavier Henry originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>st. johns red stormSt.JohnsRedStormChas RichWed, 22 Apr 2009 21:54:00 EST It's Self Before Team for Coach of Yearhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/03/its-self-before-team-for-coach-of-year/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/03/its-self-before-team-for-coach-of-year/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/03/its-self-before-team-for-coach-of-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Even if you phrase it as carefully as a major leaguer testifying before Congress, ask Kansas coach Bill Self who he thinks should be the national coach of the year and you're likely to get about the same answer as if you'd just asked him to explain the economic stimulus plan.

Which is to say a whole lot of stammering and more tap dancing than Broadway's spring season.
Ask him about his team's success, and he'll talk about maturity. Ask him about the emergence of Tyshawn Taylor or the development of Sherron Collins and he'll give all the credit to his players. Ask him about how a national championship coach can steady a team and he'll talk about those on the floor who watched Kansas cut down the nets.

Heck, you could probably ask the guy exactly why he picked out the tie he's wearing and he might somehow give credit to the waterboy.

If Self has made any mistakes this year in guiding the Jayhawks to a 24-5 record and a No. 9 national ranking, it's only that he hasn't hogged the spotlight like some past-her-prime starlet.

Because coach, this isn't a hard question.

Its answer should be obvious before the question mark meets the page, as undeniable as the outcome of a Lions game or whether or not Bruce Pearl has a dry cleaner in his Fave Five.

Bill Self should be the nation's coach of the year.

Good looking out, Trent Johnson. Nice effort, Coach Calipari. Have fun in the NCAA tournament, Jeff Capel and Mike Anderson. Way to make us take notice, Darrin Horn. But this award belongs to Self in a rout that would make Bill Belichick blush and the Jayhawks' 90-65 payback rout of Missouri Sunday look like a squeaker.

After all, Jeopardy! contests haven't answered as many questions as Self has this season.

When he started the year with a trip to Canada, just over four months after Mario Chalmers put another miracle and another championship in the Kansas tradition, the border police might not have been the only ones checking passports to figure out who the heck these guys in Jayhawk gear were. Self lost all five starters from that championship game, and six of his top seven scorers.

Only Cole Aldrich, who played every bit of four minutes in the national title game, and Collins, Kansas' engine-powered bowling ball of a point guard, returned as viable pieces.

How hard is it to replace five starters? Look at Florida, which won back-to-back national championships only to lose all five starters in 2007. The Gators spent last year in the NIT, despite a recruiting class that included co-SEC freshman of the year Nick Calathes. Two years later, they're still sweating out the bubble. The 2005 champion, North Carolina, sent four players into the lottery, but even with future face of college basketball Tyler Hansbrough anchoring the center, those Tar Heels topped out at 23 wins and a second-round NCAA Tournament loss to Cinderella George Mason. Maryland and Syracuse, champions in 2002 and 2003, lost less than five starters and both have seemingly assumed permanent bubble status.

Not even the Red Wings can change out lines that seamlessly.

Of course, the Jayhawks took their lumps early in the season. They lost to Syracuse and even fell to UMass, a team that right now is probably dreamily flipping through the College Basketball Invitational literature. Self picked up a technical late in that game. The Minutemen made both free throws. The Jayhawks would lose by one.

But that just makes their 16-2 run since a Dec. 23 loss to Arizona all the more impressive.

Self has done what, in an era before one-and-done was as much a part of the lingo as pick-and-roll, coaches did on a regular basis, developed a team across a season. There are no quick-fix freshman superstars on this club, though he's shuffled in two freshman starters. There is no single player that can win games all by himself, though Collins has been as good as any player in the nation since the 62-60 loss to Missouri Feb. 9.

There's just good players with a great coach.

And since a Jan. 10 loss to Michigan State, this team couldn't have couldn't have bulked up any faster even if it was friends with every one of Alex Rodriguez's cousins.

Then struggle has turned into a love affair.

"I'm falling in love with this team," Self said after his team clobbered Missouri. "They try hard and they're getting more and more aggressive all the time."

The Jayhawks are looking downright scary after last week's wins over Oklahoma and Missouri. Win Wednesday night against Texas Tech, and they'll clinch the Big 12 title for the fifth straight season.

Sure, other coaches have had excellent seasons. LSU's Johnson turned the Tigers from a last-place team into the class of the SEC. But Johnson benefited from the return of eight players, including five seniors and a healthy Tasmin Mitchell, who played just three games last season. Give Johnson credit for coaching the team better than ex-coach John Brady could have, but combining all those seniors, including last year's leading scorer Marcus Thornton, to dominate a so-so SEC is the equivalent of a baking soda and vinegar volcano compared to the chemistry lesson Self is handing out.

Oklahoma's Capel, meanwhile, is looking up at Kansas in the standings and has had a national player of the year candidate to rely on most of the season. South Carolina's Horn has turned the Gamecocks into a likely NCAA tournament contender, but go ahead, tell us who they've beaten outside of the SEC. We'll wait.

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    Washington coach Lorenzo Romar talks to guard Elston Turner in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Seattle Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at Hec-Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle. Washington beat Seattle 87-60. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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    Seattle head coach Joe Callero watches game action against Washington in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at Hec-Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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    Washington forward Jon Brockman smiles from the bench in the final minutes of Washington's 87-60 win over Seattle in a NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at Hec-Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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    Seattle forward Mike Boxley looks on at left, as Washington's Jon Brockman, center left, and Quincy Pondexter, center right, battle for a loose ball with Seattle's Michael Wright, center lower left, and Shaun Burl, right, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at Hec-Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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    Washington forward Quincy Pondexter weaves around Seattle forward Austen Powers (42) to put up a shot in the first half of a NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at Hec-Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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    Gonzaga senior Andrew Sorenson celebrates his final 3-pointer against South Carolina-Upstate during an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., on Senior Night, Tuesday, March 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Rajah Bose)

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John Calipari has Memphis in the conversation for a No. 1 seed despite losing two of the nation's best players in Derrick Rose and Chris-Douglas Roberts. But how good are those Tigers? The average Pomeroy rating of teams Memphis has beaten in Conference USA play reads like a bad cholesterol count. Kansas' is a comparatively slim 68.

Missouri's Anderson certainly deserves his share of the credit for the way he's pulled together an 11-man rotation, survived the defection of Keon Lawrence and deftly maneuvered around yet another suspension to Leo Lyons. But what Anderson has built in three seasons, Self has done almost entirely since January.

Certainly, Kansas' schedule hasn't been a Final Four preview, but Self has kept his young team up for every game. How hard is that? Ask Wake Forest, which has three likely first-round draft picks and yet has lost to less than impressive rosters, including those of Virginia Tech and N.C. State, how hard it is to stay on top. The Deacons team crashed so hard that initial findings from the NTSB won't be back for weeks, meanwhile Kansas is in cruise control. Ask Texas how hard it is to build around one great guard and a frontcourt threat.

Self even reversed course mid-season, after his request for Collins to take 20 shots a game became an obvious error with the rise of the Jayhawks' supporting cast.

And by the time Kansas hosted the Tigers for payback, the difference was unmistakable to everyone on the court.

"I think we are better than everyone thought we would be," Collins said, after leading the Jayhawks' rout. "To me it's not surprising."

Not anymore, Sherron. Frankly, it's downright obvious.

It's Self Before Team for Coach of Year originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bill selfbruce pearlcole aldrichcollege basketball invitationaldarrin hornjohn caliparikansaslsumemphis tigersmissourinc statenick calathessherron collinstexas techtrent johnsontyshawn taylorwake forestRay HollomanTue, 03 Mar 2009 23:00:00 EST Blake Griffin Cleared to Play Saturdayhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/28/blake-griffin-cleared-to-play-saturday/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/28/blake-griffin-cleared-to-play-saturday/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/28/blake-griffin-cleared-to-play-saturday/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Blake Griffin has missed his team's last two games due to a concussion suffered against Texas, both of which were Oklahoma losses.

Needless to say, he's the most important part of one of the better teams in the nation.

Fortunately for the Sooners, Griffin has been cleared to play again, and will likely return against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday.

Griffin's absence was felt heavily with losses to Texas and Kansas, respectively, even if the Sooners did come close to winning both games.

There's been some discussion as to whether bringing back Griffin this quickly was the smart move, but Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel said that the training staff was satisfied by Griffin's physical, so one has to presume that he's recovered from the effects of the concussion.

Blake Griffin Cleared to Play Saturday originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>blake griffinBlakeGriffinjeff capelJeffCapelWill BrinsonSat, 28 Feb 2009 15:40:00 EST Ranking the Rankings: Pitt's Full Circlehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/24/ranking-the-rankings-pitts-full-circle/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/24/ranking-the-rankings-pitts-full-circle/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/24/ranking-the-rankings-pitts-full-circle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Ranking the rankings criticizes the critics when the polls come out.

Headlining: Pittsburgh beat Connecticut to kick off the week, led by DeJuan Blair's ridiculous 22-point, 23-rebound effort. It seemed relatively unlikely at the time that the Panthers could manage to jump both North Carolina and Oklahoma, providing that either one of the two won out for the week.

But then Saturday rolled around. The Tar Heels fell to Maryland and Oklahoma, without Blake Griffin for most of the game, coughed one up to Texas.

And suddenly, Pitt was No. 1 in both polls and without any real question to the matter. Just four first-place ballots went elsewhere. There shouldn't have been any debate, either. Memphis nearly lost to UTEP while the Panthers throttled DePaul to close out the week on a seven-game winning streak.

Free-Fallin': Wake Forest (20-5). Despite the dead-horse nature of "young Wake team in Cameron" from Sunday night, there's a little bit of truth to what people are saying about Dino Gaudio's team -- they've hit a wall. It's intriguing to see just how streaky Wake Forest, and specifically star guard Jeff Teague, played in Durham. Yes, they're obviously talented, but, no, they're probably not winning the national title this year.

You Gotta Rise Up: Duke (22-5). It's not so much that the Devils skyrocketed in the polls, it's just that they switched Elliot Williams into the starting lineup and pumped Mike Krzyzewski full of Red Bull for the six hours leading up to the Wake game. It was a bizarre turn for a team that seemed to be free-falling (hence their inclusion) and games at Maryland and at Virginia Tech this week could make for some interesting schizophrenic tendencies as well. But, frankly, I think the Blue Devils are much more likely to keep rolling.

Hyped: UCLA (20-7). The Bruins earned three of their seven losses over the past two-and-a-half weeks, dropping games to Arizona State, Arizona and Washington State. It's certainly a rough patch, although it is a stretch that includes a win over Washington. That's nice and all, but the problem, as Mr. Papagiorgio pointed out, is that it was UCLA's first win over a ranked opponent. Yet, somehow they're still in the Top 25. See where I'm going with this?


Bunked: Kansas (23-5). What interests me is how high the pollsters will push the Jayhawks after their win over Oklahoma. I tend to think they might get discounted because Griffin didn't play on Monday. If that's the case, it seems a little bit silly since Kansas has only lost twice since the start of 2009, and those two losses were to Michigan State and Missouri. Yes, both teams are in the top 10.

WTF? Griffin didn't play Monday night because he couldn't pass the "Standard Assessment of Concussion." Like a good little blogger, I googled that mess to try and find out what kind of sheet Holly Rowe was actually holding up. And this link (a Word Doc) appears to best represent the test. Frankly, I hope they administered that before the season and gauged Griffin based on relative results, because there's almost no chance that I could pass that thing right freaking now.

People Who Vote Are Smart (Brought to You by Pollspeak.com): Roger Clarkson pulls the bizzaro ballot this week, and really it's for just two reasons. First of all, he has Wake Forest ranked seventh. That's unacceptable with the week the Deacons had, unless he missed the game Sunday night against Duke. That would actually be even more unacceptable. Secondly, he's got Memphis 12th. Twelfth! Something ain't stirring the Kool-Aid there.

Ranking the Rankings: Pitt's Full Circle originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bill selfBillSelfblake griffinBlakeGriffindejuan blairDejuanBlairdino gaudioDinoGaudioelliot williamsElliotWilliamsjeff teagueJeffTeaguemike krzyzewskiMikeKrzyzewskirankingtherankingsWill BrinsonTue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST Kansas Wins, but That's Not the Storyhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/23/kansas-holds-off-griffin-less-sooners/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/23/kansas-holds-off-griffin-less-sooners/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/23/kansas-holds-off-griffin-less-sooners/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The story wasn't going to be about Kansas winning. Seriously. The Jayhawks never had a chance of grabbing the headlines. Even with Bill Self's crew closing out an impressive Big 12 road win, ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla was still discussing the lack of impact this game would have on Oklahoma's NCAA tournament resume.

That's because Blake Griffin didn't play. And that's not to take away from Kansas' impressive 87- 78 win over the Sooners in Norman, Okla., but it would be completely unrealistic to think this is the same Oklahoma team with Griffin on the bench.
Kansas 87-Oklahoma 78: Box Score | Full AP Recap | Standings
Still, Kansas looked good. Sherron Collins and Tyshawn Taylor blew up for 26 points each, and Cole Aldrich posted a monster 15-point, 20-rebound line. The Jayhawks, who led by seven at the half, managed to fight off a furious Oklahoma rally late in the second half and take first place in the Big 12.

But the bigger point is that regular season standings only matter through the Big 12 season. If Griffin isn't healthy by Selection Sunday, then it won't matter what kind of Big 12 banner the Sooners stick in their rafters, because his absence would turn a really good team into just a good team. As talented as Oklahoma's Willie Warren and Taylor Griffin are, they're not helping coach Jeff Capel cut down the nets in Detroit if the younger Griffin isn't back to help them.

On the other hand though, there's definitely something to be said about the effort that the Griffin-less Sooners put out tonight -- they stormed out to an early lead in front of a white-out crowd, watched that hot start turn into a sizable deficit and still stormed back against a good Kansas team.

While that kind of effort alone isn't enough to give them a No. 1 seed in either the NCAA or Big 12 tournament, it is the kind of game that screams "good loss" and might somehow propel the Sooners to greater heights.

Of course, those things depend on Blake Griffin coming back healthy. That was that the story all along.

Kansas Wins, but That's Not the Story originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bill selfBillSelfblake griffinBlakeGriffinchris webberChrisWebberfran fraschillaFranFraschillajeff capelJeffCapelsherrod collinssherrod taylorSherrodCollinsSherrodTaylortaylor griffinTaylorGriffintyshawn taylorTyshawnTaylorwillie warrenWillieWarrenWill BrinsonMon, 23 Feb 2009 23:40:00 EST Kansas Spots Archrivals 16 Points, Still Reclaims Control of Manhattanhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/14/kansas-spots-arch-rivals-16-points-still-reclaims-control-of-ma/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/14/kansas-spots-arch-rivals-16-points-still-reclaims-control-of-ma/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/14/kansas-spots-arch-rivals-16-points-still-reclaims-control-of-ma/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kansas at Kansas StateWhen you talk about being able to weather a storm in the state of Kansas, what Bill Self's Jayhawks did on Saturday ranks right up there with Dorothy dodging that tornado.

No. 16 Kansas endured an absolutely abysmal start on the road against a Kansas State squad needing an NCAA tournament resume-booting win. The Wildcats spurted out to a 30-14 lead just 12 minutes into the game -- a run almost as baffling as the fact that Kansas melted that 16-point cushion down to 43-42 at the break. KU then took the lead a little more than five minutes into the second half, and poured it on for an 85-74 victory.

Kansas State was trying to win two straight home games against its arch-rival for the first time since the 1981-82 and 1982-83 seasons -- the Wildcats broke a 25-year home drought versus Kansas last season. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, it was not meant to be.

Saturday's game was the virtual opposite of the Jayhawks' last outing, a 62-60 loss at Missouri. In that contest, Kansas built a 30-16 halftime lead before the host Tigers rallied and won.

Unlike in that loss, though -- when Kansas unraveled after halftime -- the Jayhawks rapidly regrouped in Manhattan, using a barrage of three-pointers and some nifty inside play from Cole Aldrich to chip away at Kansas State's edge. In fact, it was Kansas State that suffered from a brief loss of composure in a chippy game. With the Jayhawks leading 53-51, K-State's Denis Clemente was called for an offensive foul and, subsequently, a technical after throwing an elbow.

Kansas' Sherron Collins drained the two technical free throws, then Tyrel Reed stuck a three and, in a matter of seconds, the Jayhawks' lead had ballooned to seven. A Collins trifecta made it 61-51 on KU's next possession.

Kansas State eventually pulled within two points again, on three separate occasions no less, but could not get over the top and retake the lead.

Clemente's miscue briefly overshadowed an impressive day. He and fellow guard Jacob Pullen combined for 48 points, with Clemente's 26 leading all scorers. But the Wildcats had no answer for Aldrich on the other end. Kansas' center -- who warned K-State's rowdy fans that he would have a big game -- dumped in 21, while Collins added 19.

With the win, the Jayhawks stay in the Big 12 hunt, just a game behind Oklahoma. Kansas State, on the other hand, is now 6-5 in the league and 17-8 overall, putting the Wildcats smack-dab in bubble territory.

Kansas Spots Archrivals 16 Points, Still Reclaims Control of Manhattan originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Chris BurkeSat, 14 Feb 2009 18:10:00 EST Cole Aldrich Not Amused by Prank Callshttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/13/prank-calls-are-not-amusing-to-kansas-center-cole-aldrich/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/13/prank-calls-are-not-amusing-to-kansas-center-cole-aldrich/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/13/prank-calls-are-not-amusing-to-kansas-center-cole-aldrich/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Kansas State fans 1, Cole Aldrich 0.

A year after Wildcat fans obtained the number of Brandon Rush and flooded message boards with his digits, they've done it again. Aldrich had his number revealed as well, which didn't sit well with the sophomore.

State fans started ringing and texting Aldrich, who retaliated (if it is him) with the following very, VERY NSFW message.
"Yo what's up, this is Cole Aldrich talking back. Yeah, I got your message. I can't wait to come to Manhattan and dunk the ball all over you motherf***ers. It will be the greatest day in Kansas basketball history. I can't wait to go in there and f***ing drop 20-10 on you godd***ed motherf***ers. See you there, b***h." *end of message*
It wasn't 20 and 10 in the first meeting with the Wildcats, but Cole did drop 15 and 8 on those motherf***ers.

Wow, pardon my French, I just got carried away. The game is this Saturday at Kansas State, and should be a good one, barring any unfortunate picture texts that head Aldrich's way. That could just get ugly.

h/t Deadspin

Cole Aldrich Not Amused by Prank Calls originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brandon RushBrandonRushCole AldrichColeAldrichShane BaconFri, 13 Feb 2009 13:15:00 EST Missouri Hands Kansas First Big 12 Losshttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/09/missouri-hands-kansas-first-big-12-loss/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/09/missouri-hands-kansas-first-big-12-loss/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/09/missouri-hands-kansas-first-big-12-loss/#commentsFiled under: ,

After the first 20 minutes of play on Monday night, it looked like Kansas was going to breeze past Missouri and move to 9-0 in Big 12 play. The Tigers were playing at their trademark fast pace, but not with the results to which they've lately become accustomed. Rather than taking its opponent out of rhythm, Missouri was the one out of control, with 10 turnovers in the first 13 minutes of the game.

At the half Mizzou had just 16 points, and was shooting 25 percent from the field. In the second, they began to chip away at Kansas' 14-point lead, playing more in control against a team that wasn't used to 40 minutes at such a rapid pace. But every time they looked like they were about to get back in it, the Jayhawks would counter with a couple of quick baskets, mostly by way of transition layups.



With 5:32 left, the Tigers got the break they needed, as DeMarre Carroll's 3-pointer rattled in to pull Missouri within three. Thirty seconds later Cole Aldrich pulled down an offensive rebound, but was called for throwing an elbow. That set the stage for Missouri to tie it with 90 seconds remaining. The two sides then traded baskets, before Zaire Taylor made himself the hero, hitting a jumper to take the lead with two seconds left.

Cole Adrich's desperation attempt missed, ending Kansas' bid for a perfect Big 12 campaign. Despite the loss, the Jayhawks remain in good shape. They still have to travel to Norman, but are on track to finish with an excellent Big 12 record, and probably a No. 4 seed in the tournament. Losing on the road to an up and coming team like Missouri is certainly nothing to be ashamed of.

This was the Tigers' fourth consecutive win, as they moved to 8-2 in conference. Their schedule now lets up for a bit, with games against Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas St., before they have to travel to Lawrence and then host Oklahoma in a four-day span. In past years that would seem like an overwhelming task, but this year's team, led by seniors Carroll and Leo Lyons, looks far superior to anything they've seen in Columbia recently.

Missouri Hands Kansas First Big 12 Loss originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Jacob Wheatley-SchallerMon, 09 Feb 2009 23:45:00 EST Best Recruit for 2009 Will Not Be a Hamburger All-Starhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/03/best-recruit-for-2009-will-not-be-a-hamburger-all-star/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/03/best-recruit-for-2009-will-not-be-a-hamburger-all-star/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/03/best-recruit-for-2009-will-not-be-a-hamburger-all-star/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

John Wall is the top high-school senior in the country according to both major recruiting sites. He has yet to make a decision, and likely will not until the spring signing period. At that time, it will be either Memphis, Kansas or Baylor.

Despite being considered the best player in high school, Wall will not be able to claim to be a McDonald's High School All-American. According to Jeff Goodman at FOX Sports, Wall is out because he has been classified as a fifth-year senior. There are -- apparently -- standards.

As much as fans and athletic departments like to pump up their recruits by pointing to that honor, this will have zero impact on Wall's recruiting. He is a future NBA point guard that programs have fallen over themselves to recruit.

Best Recruit for 2009 Will Not Be a Hamburger All-Star originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Chas RichTue, 03 Feb 2009 23:22:00 EST