Kansas

GameNight: Kansas vs Syracuse (CBE Final)

Jeff Borzello — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:16:30 -0500

Start: Nov 25 2008 - 10:00pm

Preview & Prediction: By Jeff Borzello

In a rematch of the 2003 NCAA Tournament title game, tonight’s CBE Classic championship will pit Kansas (3-0) and Syracuse (4-0) against each other in a contest between two of the last six national title winners. Both teams are undefeated and were thought of as borderline top-25 teams heading into the season. The Jayhawks lost seven of their top nine players from last season, yet have won their first three games by an average of almost 25 points per game, including a surprising thrashing of Washington in last night’s semifinal. Syracuse is looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament, and the Orange are off to a good start, winning their first four games, including last night’s victory over No. 18 Florida.

Kansas is led by its two main returnees from last season, guard Sherron Collins and center Cole Aldrich. They are the only two double-figure scorers on the roster, and control the perimeter and paint, respectively. Besides those two and guards Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar, the rest of the rotation is newcomers. Guards Tyshawn Taylor and Travis Releford see time on the perimeter, while the Morris twins, Markieff and Marcus, and Quintrell Thomas anchor the frontcourt. On the other side, an experienced Syracuse side has four double-figure scorers and plenty of offensive options. Jonny Flynn is one of the best point guards in the country, while Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins seem fully recovered from their injuries that kept them out most of last season. Paul Harris is one of the most versatile players in the country at forward. Arinze Onuaku is a load to handle down low.

Both teams are trying to get back somewhere – Kansas to the Final Four and Syracuse to the NCAA Tournament. Each is off to a good start, but one will fall short here. The Jayhawks are a young group that is still getting their feet wet in college, while the Orange have plenty of experience and talent. Tonight, that experience will make the difference, despite the fact Syracuse’s defense was torched by Florida all night in the semifinals; Kansas simply doesn’t have the offensive firepower to take advantage of the Orange’s deficiency.

WINNER: Syracuse MARGIN: 4-6

GameNight: Kansas vs Washington (CBE)

Raphielle Johnson — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:29:59 -0500

Start: Nov 24 2008 - 10:00pm

Preview & Prediction: By Raphielle Johnson

The second semifinal of the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic matches up the defending national champion Kansas Jayhawks (2-0) and the Washington Huskies (2-1). Bill Self’s team may be undefeated, but make no mistake about it: this young team has been tested more in practice than in either victory. The frontcourt, which has one returnee in Cole Aldrich and a number of newcomers, will be tested by one of the nation’s best forwards in Jon Brockman. Sherron Collins is the lone key returnee in the backcourt, but their matchup with the likes of Justin Dentmon and Quincy Pondexter is far more equitable. Brockman currently leads the Huskies in scoring and rebounding, with Dentmon and freshman Isaiah Thomas picking up the slack on the perimeter.

So how did Lorenzo Romar’s team lose to Portland? They went a frigid 3-16 from behind the arc, while in their two wins they took twelve shots from behind the arc in each game. When Brockman is the starting point of their offense the Huskies can hurt you. But if they settle for perimeter shots they’re in trouble. While Kansas isn’t a very good perimeter shooting team themselves (8-31 on the season), they forced UMKC and Florida Gulf Coast into a combined forty-six attempts in those two wins. The thing about the Jayhawks is this: they may lack experience but they make up for that with depth. Nine players average at least twelve minutes per game, and that’s something that won’t change much with the upgrade in opponent.

Another thing that will help Coach Self’s team out is the fact that this game will be played in Kansas City, a mere twenty miles away from Lawrence. If Washington doesn’t rely too much on the outside shot they’ve got a chance to win this “road” game.

WINNER: Kansas MARGIN: 5-9 pts.

CBE Classic Preview

Kevin McNeill — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:47:53 -0500

CBE Classic (Nov 24-25)

Syracuse vs. Florida

Kansas vs. Washington

Before you turn on the TV for this tournament, do yourself a favor. Forget about last season. None of these teams resemble what you saw a year ago.

National champion Kansas lost no less than eight players from their roster, five of them to the NBA Draft. For just about any other program this would mean a dreadful rebuilding year. Not Kansas.

Coach Bill Self has yet again proven why he is one of the very best recruiters anywhere. Not only has he landed a stellar freshmen class, but also welcomes JuCo transfer Mario Little, who could well wind up as a first team all-conference guard (though he's unfortunately out for the first month). Throw in the fact that Sherron Collins will be back (already scoring 20 ppg), and that they will be playing in Kansas City, the Jayhawks could walk away from this tournament seemingly not missing a beat from seven months earlier.

Interestingly enough, should Kansas get by Washington, they could face a rematch of the 2003 title game with Syracuse, a game that could almost be as good as the last one.

Before the start of last season, Syracuse was not only hungry to avenge their NCAA Tournament snub, but had their sights set on a low seed. Then their go-to shooters each blew out a knee and were lost for the season. Soon after, troubled guard Josh Wright left the team mid-season, leaving the Orange with all of seven scholarship players, forcing just about every starter - especially freshmen Jonny Flynn and Donte Green - to play as much as 38 to 40 minutes a game. The team wore down faster than the season, and Syracuse once again ended up in the NIT, only this time it was no snub.

Now Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins are back and healthy, and ready to boost emerging star Flynn in the backcourt. Greene is off to play for pay, but this still looks like a team that can contend in the Big East, especially if the development of junior bruisers Paul Harris and Arinze Onuaku continue on the path they have been.

Contrary to popular belief, Washington will not be counting entirely (just mostly) on senior Jon Brockman, who led the team in scoring and had twice as many rebounds as anyone else on the roster, to help them put together a winning season this time around. No, this year, they are putting their faith in a freshman.

Isaiah Thomas, a 5-8 guard from South Kent in Connecticut, is one on the most hyped freshmen ever to come to Seattle. His incredible speed and scoring ability is expected to bring back the high-flying, up-tempo style Washington loves to play. This should be an improved team from the one that lost in the first round of something called the College Basketball Invitational last year.

Florida will be the one team that bears the closest resemblance to the team they fielded last season, returning all their starters except Marreese Speights, who left for the NBA. Still, this team should be greatly improved as their incredible freshman class from a year ago gets ready to take the next step, especially Nick Calathes, who could well be the player of the year in the SEC. The Gators also feature no less than six freshmen on the roster, with a couple of 6-10 forwards - Eloy Vargas and Kenny Kadji - leading the way. It would be shocking if Florida does not find itself deep into the NCAA Tournament next March.

Big 12 Coach Ranking: Self-Esteem

Kevin McNeill — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:08:14 -0500

Continuing this week's Coach Ranking series: The Big 12

#1) Bill Self, Kansas

Being the head basketball coach at Kansas can be a little intimidating. One must not only excel in the midst of almost implausible fan expectations and media saturation year in and year out, but must coach in the constant shadow of the likes of Hall of Famers Phog Allen, Larry Brown, Roy Williams, and some guy named Dr. James Naismith. For Bill Self, however, those were the least of his worries.

Arriving in Lawrence after taking Tulsa and Illinois to the Elite Eight, Self had to fill the shoes of a beloved coach in Williams, who stunned fans with his departure to North Carolina soon after losing the national title game to Syracuse. He also had to work overtime to convince Williams’ recruits not to follow him.

While Self’s first season saw the Jayhawks come within a hair of returning to the Final Four in an overtime loss to Georgia Tech, he had to overcome constant distractions, not the least of which included reports of Williams contacting his former players during the season. Adding insult to injury, the following year Williams went on to win the national championship against Self’s former team, while KU lost in the first round in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1978. The Jawhawks again bowed out in the first round the next season – the first year in which Self was mostly playing his own recruits - leading the simmering “fire Self!” KU message board posts to rise to a dull roar.

Well, they’re pretty quiet now. Bill Self stands right alongside those great coaches in Kansas lore, sporting a national championship (just the third in KU’s history) and a ridiculous .816 winning percentage since arriving on campus. He is widely regarded as one of the top recruiters in the nation, so much so that his Jawhawk team is currently ranked in the Top 25 despite losing five players to the NBA, and eight overall from last year.

He also turns all of 47 in December, which means he will be on the sideline and winning games for a long time to come.

# 2) Scott Drew, Baylor

It may be considered a stretch to label such a young coach as the second best coach in the conference, but the program he has built up from the smoldering rubble of the Dave Bliss fiasco is nothing less than astonishing.

To recap, after it was revealed Bliss committed some minor infractions, such as framing a murder victim to cover his illegal payments, the Bears were forced to play a half season in 2005-06, lost scholarships, and had paid recruiting visits reduced from twelve to nine for the 2006-07 season. Oh, and the program was placed on probation until June 22, 2010.

Despite all this, Drew has assembled top notch recruiting classes year in and year out, and last season carried Baylor to 21 wins and a NCAA Tournament berth, only their second appearance since 1950 (the other being 1988).

Seriously, how many coaches in America could have led a team to the Big Dance five years after the NCAA leveled the most severe penalties on a basketball program since the Southwestern Louisiana point shaving scandal? With a school with little to zero winning basketball tradition (unlike say Kentucky, who was able to rebound not long after the Eddie Sutton affair)? How many could talk a blue-chip recruit like LaceDarius Dunn, and others, into coming to Waco, despite the fact the school won’t be off probation until he’s a senior?

Going out on a limb, I’d say very few, which is why Baylor very wisely signed Drew to a 10 year contract extension after last season.

#3) Rick Barnes, Texas

In a conference that sports no less than nine coaches with two seasons or less under their belts with their respective teams, Barnes stands out for his consistency.

He is a three-time Big 12 coach of the year. In his ten years at the helm, the Longhorns have not missed a NCAA Tournament, with two Elite Eight appearances in the last three years, five Sweet Sixteen runs in the past seven, and a Final Four in 2003. Barnes also has three regular season titles to his credit, although he has not yet won the Big 12 Tournament.

#4) Jeff Capel, Oklahoma

Jeff Capel, as with some other relatively new coaches in the Big 12, have to be rated more for their potential than their achievements, due to their youth and experience. Still, after just two seasons, it is starting to look like the former Dukie could well be one of the best hires in school history.

After taking over for Kelvin Sampson, and subsequently losing blue chip-recruits Scottie Reynolds and Damion James to other programs, Capel has done an outstanding job of bringing in top notch talent to Norman, led by future stars Blake Griffin and now Willie Warren. He also engineered a remarkable turnaround last season, winning 23 games and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after finishing 7^th in the conference a year earlier.

Capel should stick around long enough to build the Sooners into a perennial conference contender…so long as Coach K doesn’t retire anytime soon.

#5) Mark Turgeon, Texas A&M

The Aggies got off to a great start in Turgeon’s first season, finishing with a 25–11 record and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The 25 wins matched a Big 12 record for the most wins by a first-year coach.

While they lost DeAndre Jordan to an ill-advised decision to enter the NBA Draft, the Aggies still look like they could build on that success this year. Turgeon, like so many new coaches in the Big 12, is an outstanding recruiter and is building the foundation for long term success, starting with incoming freshman David Loubeau and what is so far an outstanding 2009 class.

#6) Travis Ford, Oklahoma State

Ford arrives at Oklahoma State as one of the hottest coaching prospects in the country, having turned down an offer from Providence, and taking himself out of consideration at LSU before accepting the job in Stillwater. He led UMass to 49 combined wins in the past two seasons, and before that memorably led Eastern Kentucky to the NCAA Tournament where they gave his alma mater, Kentucky, all they could handle in the first round.

Ford is aggressive on the recruiting trail, likes to constantly push his players, and likes to score – a lot. With the three point line moving back, Oklahoma State fans may not see the Cowboys throw up as many threes as UMass did last year (they attempted over 900), but they will definitely see a far more up-tempo style than they are used to.

#7) Jeff Bzdelik, Colorado

Coach Bzdelik came to Boulder having just overseen the most successful season in the history of the Air Force Academy, with a 26-9 record and a NIT semifinal run. He led the Falcons to only their second NCAA Tournament appearance in over 40 years in his first season.

Not to belabor the point, but if you can coach and recruit at a US military academy – where sky-high SAT scores and academic requirements for admission all but disqualify 85% of applicants – you can coach and recruit anywhere. Colorado is very young and in the process of rebuilding, but they should begin to show signs of growth under Bzdelik in his second season.

#8) Doc Sadler, Nebraska

The Nebraska Cornhusker basketball team opened their first practice on October 17^th… in full view of about “30-40 Husker fans,” according to the school. By contrast, the Nebraska Spring football game drew a record crowd of more than 80,000 back in April.

Such is the life of college basketball at a football school. Still, having recorded a 20 win season last year, and an NIT berth, in just his second season, Doc Sadler looks like he has the program headed in the right direction. Losing Aleks Maric will hurt, but the Huskers could sneak up on some teams this year.

#9) Mike Anderson, Missouri

Mike Anderson showed glimpses of his potential after taking over for Quin Synder, going a respectable 18-12 in his first season. But the following year, just as Mizzou fans were starting to move on from the Ricky Clemons fiasco, off-court issues tripped up their season once again.

Right at the start of conference play, five players were involved in a bar fight that led to their suspension, and, eventually, the dismissal of leading scorer Stefhon Hannah – forcing the team to finish the year short-handed. Even before the season started, leading rebounder Kalen Grimes was dismissed from the team for smashing someone’s face with the butt of a shotgun, Darryl Butterfield – who was later one of the players involved in the bar fight - was arrested for punching an ex-girlfriend, transfer DeMarre Carroll was shot in the ankle, and Mike Anderson, Jr. – the coach’s son, had a DUI.

The Tigers have a lot of potential this season, especially with the arrival of transfer Zaire Taylor. But Coach Anderson will be judged not only by his ability to get his team back to the Big Dance after a five year hiatus, but also whether his strict new team rules can finally get this program under control.

#10) Greg McDermott, Iowa State

When Greg McDermott first began coaching, at Division II Wayne State, he compiled a losing record over his first two years at the helm. He then guided them to four straight 20 win seasons. At Northern Iowa, he endured a losing record in each of his first two seasons, then rattled off three straight 20 win seasons and NCAA Tournament appearances before heading to Ames.

Iowa State has gone 29-34 under Coach McDermott in his first two seasons. Cyclones fans are anxiously awaiting his third.

#11) Frank Martin, Kansas State

It’s no secret that Coach Martin at least in part owes his job to his close relationship with Michael Beasley, specifically his ability to keep Beasley on campus after the shocking departure of Bob Huggins to West Virginia. Now that Beasley is gone, Martin has a lot to prove.

#12) Pat Knight, Texas Tech

Texas Tech fans are still stewing over the surprise mid-season resignation of Bob Knight, and the quick transfer of coaching duties to his son, whose only head coaching experience was a very brief stint in the USBL and IBA, with teams that folded soon after he arrived.

After taking over, the Red Raiders lost 7 of their last 11 games. Inconsistency was the main concern, evidenced by a great win at home against Texas followed up by a 58 point drubbing by Kansas.

Cheerleader of the Day: Kansas #2

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:23:22 -0500

Cheerleader of the Day

Thanks to our friends over at Icon Sports Media, CHN has access to thousands of great college & NBA basketball photos. Each day, along with our daily BIG Picture, we'll be featuring a Cheerleader (or Dancer) of the Day. In September & October, we'll be rolling out some girls of the gridiron.

Kansas Football

- Check out past Cheerleaders of the Day!

- Also check out the BIG Picture of the Day!

- Watch all of CHN's favorite College Basketball Videos!

Big 12 Player Grades: 2008-09

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:17:59 -0500

Big XII Player Grades

I've graded each Big 12 starter based on projected stats and overall talent. Along with a bench grade, each team has a potential score of 60.0. Teams are ranked according to the sum of the player grades, but these do not necessarily match my (or the sites) predicted standings. The projected stats are from CHN's Fantasy Stats Preview. . Each team's top graded player is highlighted in red.

TEXAS
G AJ Abrams - 18, 3, 3	8.0
G Justin Mason - 9, 4, 3	6.0
F Damion James - 16, 10, 2	8.5
F Gary Johnson - 10, 6, 1	5.5
F Connor Atchley - 13, 7, 1	7.0
Bench	6.5
	41.5
BAYLOR
G Tweety Carter - 9, 2, 4	6.0
G Henry Dugat - 11, 4, 2	6.0
G Curtis Jerrells - 15, 5, 4	8.0
G LaceDarius Dunn - 15, 4, 2	7.0
F Kevin Rogers - 14, 9, 1	7.5
Bench	6.0
	40.5
OKLAHOMA
G Willie Warren - 16, 4, 4	8.0
G Austin Johnson - 10, 3, 3	5.5
G Tony Crocker - 10, 3, 3	6.0
F Taylor Griffin - 10, 6, 1	5.5
F Blake Griffin - 17, 10, 2	9.0
Bench	6.0
	40.0
KANSAS
G Sherron Collins - 13, 3, 5	7.5
G Travis Releford - 9, 2, 2	5.5
G Mario Little - 12, 3, 3	6.5
F Markieff Morris - 9, 5, 1	5.5
F Cole Aldrich - 11, 8, 1	6.5
Bench	6.5
	38.0
OKLAHOMA STATE
G Byron Eaton - 14, 3, 5	7.0
G Terrel Harris - 11, 4, 1	6.0
G James Anderson - 16, 4, 1	7.0
G Obi Muonelo - 9, 4, 1	6.0
C Ibrahima Thomas - 9, 7, 1	6.0
Bench	4.5
	36.5
TEXAS A&M
G Donald Sloan - 12, 4, 3	6.5
G Derrick Roland - 8, 3, 2	5.5
G Josh Carter - 14, 4, 2	7.5
F Bryan Davis - 12, 6, 1	7.0
F Chinemelu Elonu - 6, 6, 1	5.0
Bench	5.0
	36.5
MISSOURI
G Miguel Paul - 9, 3, 4	5.5
G JT Tiller - 10, 3, 2	5.0
G Matt Lawrence - 8, 4, 1	5.5
F DeMarre Carroll - 14, 7, 1	7.0
F Leo Lyons - 17, 7, 2	7.5
Bench	5.0
	35.5
KANSAS STATE
G Jacob Pullen - 15, 2, 4	7.0
G Denis Clemente - 12, 3, 3	6.0
F Dominque Sutton - 7, 5, 1	5.0
F Jamar Samuels - 7, 5, 1	5.0
F Ron Anderson - 8, 7, 1	5.5
Bench	6.0
	34.5
TEXAS TECH
G John Roberson - 14, 4, 3	6.5
G Alan Voskuil - 13, 4, 2	6.5
G Mike Singletary - 12, 5, 2	6.0
F Trevor Cook - 8, 4, 1	5.5
C Esmir Rizvic - 6, 4, 1	5.0
Bench	4.5
	34.0
NEBRASKA
G Cookie Miller - 7, 3, 5	5.5
G Ade Dagundrup - 12, 4, 2	6.0
G Ryan Anderson - 10, 5, 2	5.5
F Alex Chapman - 8, 5, 1	5.0
F Alonzo Edwards - 7, 6, 1	5.0
Bench	6.0
	33.0
IOWA STATE
G Diante Garrett - 9, 3, 4	5.0
G Lucca Staiger - 12, 3, 2	5.5
F Craig Brackins - 14, 6, 1	7.0
F Jamie Vanderbeken - 9, 4, 1	5.0
F Alex Thompson - 5, 5, 1	4.5
Bench	5.5
	32.5
COLORADO
G Cory Higgins - 11, 4, 3	5.5
G Nate Tomlinson - 8, 3, 4	4.5
F Jermyl Jackson-Wilson - 8, 4, 1	5.0
F Austin Dufault - 11, 5, 1	6.0
F Casey Crawford - 7, 4, 1	4.0
Bench	5.0
	30.0

8.0+ Players

9.0 Blake Griffin

8.5 Damion James

8.0 AJ Abrams

8.0 Curtis Jerrells

8.0 Willie Warren

Note: The Longhorns sum of 41.5 is slightly lower than other BCS conference leaders (UNC is #1 at 47.5). Colorado has one of the lowest totals with a 30.0 total.

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