Sorry if text is jacked up, I have no idea what is going on today! Grrrrrrrr.
KU vs Baylor pregame notes
LJW Smithology: These guys again
Self understands the significance of KU's road game against Baylor. If the Jayhawks win, they can wrap up at least a share of the Big 12 title with a home victory over Texas Tech on Saturday.
"We're in good shape, but we need to go play great on Tuesday," Self said. " Now, if you win on Tuesday, you obviously put yourself in a terrific position."
KC Star
ABOUT BAYLOR (20-7, 9-5 Big 12): The 19th-ranked Bears moved up six spots in this week’s Associated Press poll after winning an overtime game against Iowa State and blowing out Texas in a 78-64 road victory last week. Baylor will look for a better defensive effort against KU after allowing 102 points in the teams’ first matchup on Jan. 2; before that, the Bears had held 61 straight opponents to fewer than 80 points. Baylor has received an offensive boost lately from forward Johnathan Motley, who averaged 25.5 points in his last two games and earned Monday’s Big 12 player of the week honor.
KC Star
No. 2 Kansas at No. 25 Baylor (Waco, Texas), 8 p.m., ESPN2, Tuesday: With a two-game lead, the Jayhawks are marching toward their 12th consecutive Big 12 regular-season title. The Bears are no match as they try to deny what seems like destiny.
Prediction: Kansas 69, Baylor 63.
ESPN Brown
No. 19 Baylor can make history at the Ferrell Center on Tuesday night by knocking off its third straight Top 25 opponent.
Finishing off that trifecta couldn’t be more difficult since No. 2 Kansas is standing in the way for the 7 p.m. tipoff.
“Texas was a big game, but this is an even bigger game,†Baylor forward Ish Wainright said. “It’s kind of like a must-win game just because it’s KU.â€
The day after their 84-66 loss to Texas Tech on Feb. 13 at the Ferrell Center, the Baylor players closed off the locker room and cleared the air. It was the Bears’ most disappointing loss of the season and they didn’t want to continue sinking downhill.
“It was a great team meeting,†Wainright said. “It was players only, no managers, no coaches. They all came into the locker room an hour or two after practice and we were still in there. We kicked them out. It was getting it off your chest and doing what we need to do to finish this season out as a team.â€
…After playing 15 minutes against Texas, Gathers will again come off the bench against Kansas as he continues to try to build his stamina.
“I think right now he’s focused on getting himself well,†Drew said. “I think that’s r=est and taking his medicine, doing what he needs to do and getting as much sleep as he can. Whatever he can do to help the team, if it’s playing five minutes, if it’s playing 30 minutes. A lot depends on how he can perform. I think when you come off what he’s coming off you’re not your normal self endurance-wise.â€
Waco Tribune
​“Obviously it’s a big game if we want to stay in the conference title race,†Drew said. “The other thing is, it’s also a big game for everything else that’s involved at the end of the year.â€
Baylor Lariat
LJW image
Baylor junior guard Ishmail Wainright, who is 0-6 against Kansas University in his college basketball career heading into today’s 7 p.m. battle in Ferrell Center, knows all about the winning tradition of KU hoops.
The 6-foot-5 Kansas City, Mo., native is related to one of the most notable players in Jayhawk history.
​“My grandfather went to KU. He played on the same team as Wilt Chamberlain — Maurice King,†Wainright revealed to the Journal-World at Big 12 Media Day.
...“I went to KU games, MU games, and because it was the home school, UMKC games (as a youngster). Playing against KU always is amazing. It’s just amazing,†said Wainright, who had seven points and seven boards in KU’s 102-74 rout of the Bears on Jan. 2 in Allen Fieldhouse.
...KU players today will wear uniforms to honor Black History Month. It’s a uniform inspired by Jayhawk uniforms of the 1950s. ... Baylor is 0-15 all-time against teams ranked No. 1 or 2 in the AP Top 25. KU is No. 2. ... A win today would give BU three straight wins against ranked teams for the first time. ... BU’s 9-5 record ties its best-ever mark through 14 Big 12 contests.
LJW
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Kansas is shooting more 3s than fans in Lawrence have seen in a long, long time. In Big 12 play, 35.5 percent of the Jayhawks' shot attempts have come from beyond the arc. That number ranks as the highest degree of perimeter orientation we've seen in conference play from a Bill Self team since the head coach was sending Frank Williams, Brian Cook and Robert Archibald out onto the floor for Illinois in 2001-02. Wayne Selden Jr. and Perry Ellis have already exceeded the number of 3s each of them attempted all of last season. And why not? They are connecting on 43 percent of their 3-point attempts.
Whenever a team changes its shot emphasis, it's customary for observers to proclaim knowingly that the change makes perfect sense given the personnel on hand. But of course that's what's so interesting about this case in particular: KU's personnel has hardly changed at all since last season. Selden's playing wing now, a position where Kelly Oubre logged minutes last season. That shift has made more minutes available this season for Devonte' Graham alongside Frank Mason III. Nevertheless, for a second consecutive season, this is an offense in which Ellis, Selden and Mason are mainstays.
In this case, at least, the coach appears to have changed more than the situation. In Self's first 12 seasons in Lawrence, his average Kansas team devoted just 29.2 percent of its shots to 3s in Big 12 play. That tendency continued on its steady trajectory all the way through last season (28.7), but now, with many of the same players, the coach has made an adjustment. The widespread presumption among commentators and fans alike that Self doesn't like 3s may require a similar adjustment.
ESPN Gaswaway ($)
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Kansas is on a seven-game role, and sits atop the Power 12 this week because of it. Villanova may be the AP Top 25's No. 1 team, but I'm taking the Jayhawks all day, every day and twice on Sunday in a head-to-head matchup.
Same with Oklahoma, who sits at No. 2 despite a 1-1 record this past week.
Many may disagree with Xavier at No. 3, but the Musketeers have yet to show the nation their best basketball, which will come this week in a matchup against Villanova.
Below are my Power 12 College Basketball Rankings for Week 16.
Campus Insiders Cornette
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LJW image
3. Bill Self, Kansas
It's hard to believe, but it was only four weeks ago that the Jayhawks dropped three out of five games and appeared destined to snap their 11-year streak of winning at least a share of the Big 12 title. Now Self's team has won seven straight, including a sweep of Oklahoma, and has a two-game lead atop the standings with four games to play. In an era of massive roster turnover, KU's streak is one of the great achievements in all of sports. We should never have doubted him.
…I’m somewhat surprised that Kansas's two freshman studs, Carlton Bragg and Cheick Diallo, are not playing meaningful minutes. But I am truly shocked that sophomore swingman Svi Mykhailiuk remains a non-factor. Last season he was a young freshman with no American experience, so it made sense that he rode the pine. Now, however, he is at the end of his sophomore season. Mykhailiuk came to Kansas with a huge reputation, so it will be interesting to see if he decides to stick it out at KU or transfer elsewhere in the spring.
…Kansas at Baylor, Tuesday, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Baylor can come pretty close to matching Kansas's talent, but not its toughness. That's why the Jayhawks throttled the Bears by 28 points in Lawrence on Jan. 2. Normally I might try to anticipate the swinging pendulum and go with the home team, but Kansas has proven it can win in tough road environments. I also believe Jayhawks are really, really determined to win another conference title.
Kansas 78, Baylor 70
SI Seth Davis COY Candidates
My Big12 COY opinion changes each day. Two weeks ago, Shaka. Then Huggs. Now Tubby. If BU upsets KU tonight I'll switch to Drew. Tough call.
— Jason King (@JasonKingBR) February 23, 2016
Currie very transparent and tells #TheDrive that the decision to play "Sandstorm" was a reward for the students and it was "freakin awesome"
— 610 Sports Radio- KC (@610SportsKC) February 22, 2016
Yes, chanting profanity is bad. So is bumping opposing players and accidentally engaging your rivals’ mascot in oral sex. That’s not the issue.
The behavior of this administration has gone too far in its quest for sportsmanship. Schulz must decide, and soon, if he’d rather have fans or the perception of “classy and well-behaved†students among his peers because he can’t have both.
K-State fans are sick and tired of being told what they should be. They, the fans, are truly K-State proud. it’s just sad that this administration isn’t.
K-State Collegian
Of course the weekend’s action also featured the 283rd renewal of the Dillon’s Sunflower Showdown, as the Cats battled back using tough defense, clutch free throw shooting and 13 points each from Stephen Hurt and freshman Barry Brown in front of one of the loudest Octagon of Doom crowds I have experienced in my seven years at K-State. Although the ultimate outcome was not what we wanted I am proud of the fight of our team. And, thanks to a year-long collaborative effort led by our unbelievable K-State students, the â€chant†which has caused so much concern among K-State Alumni nationally in past years wasn’t nearly as pronounced as past years. I know we can continue to build our first-class national reputation as a Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program and Tier 1 university while still being incredibly loud, intimidating and supportive of the Cats. We look forward to another great scene tonight against the Longhorns! I will see you there!
AD Currie
VOTE FOR PERRY!
(Hint, you don't have to vote for 3 candidates)
Marcus Morris said the twins felt betrayed by the organization after he and his brother worked out a cumulative deal with the franchise back in 2014 with the understanding the two were a package. The brothers lived together and even share the same bank account.
…Things went south when the Suns agreed to trade Marcus to the Pistons last summer — without giving either of them a hint that a deal was taking place, they said.
"If they had told me, 'We might be going after LaMarcus (Aldridge),' I would've understood," Marcus said. "I would trade myself to make that happen. Even if they didn't tell me, not to give Markieff a heads up or at least say something is brewing ...
"You build a relationship, you expect certain things."
Shortly after Marcus’ trade, Markieff said he made it clear he wanted out of Phoenix. He got his wish Thursday when he was traded to the Wizards for Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair and a first-round pick in this year's NBA Draft.
"Everybody thinking that we're upset because we don't get to play with each other," Marcus said. "'Kieff can't deal with adversity? We're from north Philadelphia. This isn't adversity. This is betrayal."
Link
“Pay Heed. The game you love began here. Respect those who came before you. Make their legacy your own. Because destiny favors the dedicated. And rings don’t replace work. In this game you don’t get what you want. You get what you earn. We are Kansas. Together we rise. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!â€
Big 12/College News
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#Big12MBB: Of the 13 teams that have 6+ wins against squads in RPI top 50, FIVE are from the Big 12. #Big12Strong pic.twitter.com/bidVggF1k0
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) February 23, 2016
Kansas State coach Bruce Weber took one final look at the stat sheet and sighed.
It was moments after a 71-70 loss to Texas, and Weber was struggling to explain how the Wildcats let another game slip away Monday. The words never came. Weber thought they played hard, avoided turnovers and grabbed loose balls, doing everything he asked of them. Yet they walked away with a loss. He was baffled.
“We won everything but the game,†Weber said.
KC Star
Cup Check https://t.co/HB6ep5ie73
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 23, 2016
Final two minutes, West Virginia on its way to its 21st win, Iowa State on its way to its ninth loss, and ESPN's Fran Fraschilla summarized things in the Big 12 perfectly.
"Sometimes you lose games in this league not because you're struggling ... but because of the competition."
Yeah, that's the long and short of it.
And it's difficult to avoid losing streaks when 70 percent of your conference is currently projected to make the NCAA tournament, which is the case with the Big 12. So, it's true, Iowa State has now dropped five of its past eight games thanks to Monday night's 97-87 loss at West Virginia. But all five of those losses are to schools Jerry Palm projects to make the tournament, which says more about Iowa State's schedule than anything else.
Let me put it another way.
ISU was a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament last season.
The Cyclones were great, everybody agreed.
They finished ranked 18th at KenPom.
And guess what?
They're now ranked 18th at KenPom.
So the coach is different and the players are a little different, and the mood surrounding the program is undeniably different. But there's not much difference between last season's Iowa State team and this season's Iowa State team, and that's probably worth noting.
Meantime, Bob Huggins in on his way to his 16th 25-win season.
That's amazing.
One day, he'll be in the Hall of Fame. But, for now, he'll have to settle for second place in a loaded Big 12, where even good teams lose regularly, and bad teams have no chance.
CBS Parrish
The Mountaineer Maniacs certainly did their homework ahead of tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/XLEMnv2Oe4
— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) February 23, 2016
Hearing tonight Ford is definitely gone at #OKState, so who do Cowboy fans want to be their new basketball coach?
— GREG SWAIM SHOW (@GSwaim) February 23, 2016
Hmmm, this seems vaguely familiar
Oh yeah, now I remember
Recruiting
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Blessed to have a scholarship from Kansas University
— Andre Rafus Jr. (@cantstoprafus) February 22, 2016
After watching him last night, Kansas has offered 2017 point guard @ImMarcusGarrett of Dallas (Texas) Skyline.
— Eric Bossi (@ebosshoops) February 23, 2016
Marcus Garrett (mentioned in previous tweet) is a big, versatile guard. Can play point or all around perimeter. On the rise in 2017.
— Eric Bossi (@ebosshoops) February 23, 2016
PRE-REGISTER NOW for this year's #JayhawkInvitational (April 29-May 1) at @Drive5Sports in Overland Park, KS. pic.twitter.com/99E65qtWQa
— Jayhawk Invitational (@JAYHAWK_TOURNEY) February 22, 2016
The KC Classic is moving to the SPL in Lawrence, KS! Visit https://t.co/TM2UfrIfiQ for more info & to register! pic.twitter.com/T6EcMFPNYS
— Hardwood Events (@HardwoodEvents) February 22, 2016
Recruiting Calendar (updated for 2016)
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