Official Baylor vs Kansas Big Monday

Good game!  I want to see how they look in some conference road games.

I want to see how they look in some conference road games.

I thought we looked pretty good in Lubbock and in Norman but you're right in that playing at AFH is a big advantage.

Well I was talking more about when they play in Manhatten and Columbia.

Next three Saturdays:

@Texas, @Iowa State and @Mizzou

Next three Saturdays:

@Texas, @Iowa State and @Mizzou

I'd be very content with 2-1 in these games.  

KU played like the were looking ahead to this game on Saturday and they did not disappoint tonight.  When the two best players combine to go 21-32 fromt the field and score 55 points, KU isn't going to lose too often. Withey's defensive presence is unreal and that block/foul he had on Acy was rediculous would be right there with T-Rob's ally-oop to open the game and Taylor's and-1 while falling down as play of the game.  When KU is on like that, I can guarantee that NOBODY in the country wants to play them.

The new T-Rob avatar photo will be up tomorrow.

I have got to admit that when TT had 2 or 3 straight TO's early in the game I was about to kill the TV! 

Then WOW, this team finally came together and i will actually say that they had 2 really solid halfs in the same game.  Now, I might be mispoken some when I say this but other than the National title game I might have enjoyed this as a close second in the last 4 years.  Really was proud of the team last night. 

TT, has my vote for now as the best point guard in the league and maybe the nation.  I still have questions about his steadiness, but I can live with some lackluster games against so-so teams when he brings it like he has the last two games.

We played awesome and Baylor isn't as bad as they looked at times.  When we go to Waco its going to be a war.  The only thing I will say that might contradict that is Baylor is not very tough mentally or physically compared to us.  They will lose a few more games in conference. 

TRob was the best player on the court taller  than 6'8 without a doubt.  Perry who? 

Withey right now has my vote for defensive player of the year in the conference.  He is altering shots and blocking them without any hesitation.  As far as comparing him to a player, I will say that his offense is much better than Aldrich and his shot blocking is as good.  He could get stronger around the hoop yet, but wow, he has came along further than I think any one of us would have ever thought by now.  Credit to the strength and conditioning program and our coaching staff especially Manning. 

Like I stated, I enjoyed last nights game almost as much as our NC game.  In some ways maybe even more  because last nights team played to its highest level while I will say in the last 3 years we have seen us have tremendous up side and i don't know if we every saw those teams even get close to reaching there highest level?  Last night I saw a team that loved the court they played on, loved the fans they play for and played for each other.  I don't know if I can remember seeing us play with that kind of passion in recent years.

Well said GoKuhawks, KU played with team effort, class, passion for the game. Very proud to be a KU fan. Awesome avatar twocoach. GO KU!!!

I know some have compared this team to the 88', and there is some similiarities but I tend to think we might mirror UCONN from last year just as much.  We have an inside player that can dominate and a guard who can do the same thing.  Sure, Walker was an awesome shooter and scorer, but I am not sure that TT can't drive the lane better and score than Kemba ever could.  Now UCONN didn't have an inside dominant person but they had 2 or 3 really  good players that in all truth make up what TRob does for us.  They weren't a deep team and won several game in a row because they had a guard who could win games when he had too.

Now I put some of that along the side now and say that to be honest Baylor is a Top 10 team.  They won't lose many games this year because they are a super talented group of shooters and its hard to guard them the way we did last night.  We might be one of a handful of team with athletic enough guards to match up with there shooters and have size to match up on the blocks.  So what we did last night shouldn't be taken just as a home court win.  AFH is wonderful and we do play better at home, but we outplayed them in all areas of the game last night and that speaks for our coaching staff and its preparation.  Baylor didn't play poor.  THey hit shots.  They just don't play good defense.  They could have a long game against Mizzou this weekend.  Both really are offensive teams that don't really put the hearts into defense. 

Now, looking back how many would have taken a 15-3 record right now?  Considering we beat G-Town, UCLA, USC, Long Beach ST, OSU K-State, Iowa ST, and now Baylor our resume is really good with our losses too Duke and UK and  that after thought game against Davidson.  Which if not for the Davidson loss, who knows where this team would be at.  Might have been the best loss of the season for us.

We have beaten at least 7 tourney teams already.  Either USC or UCLA will go to the tourney so I did include them.  Win at Texas and I say we only have a handful of really hard road games left.

@Baylor, @KSU, @ISU, and @OKIE ST.  Since Mizzou has moved I don't see playing at Mizzou near the threat it once was.  I think we do lose 3 or 4 conference games this year.  Texas always scares me and Okie St.  KSU and ISU are kind of mirrors of each other so those games are tougher than usual.  Baylor in the return game is going to be a great game win or lose. 

With all that said its our defense thats winning games.  That means its our effort and passion.  So I guess if we show up not ready we could lose all our games left on our schedule.  A road win at TExas would go a long ways in what this mental make up of this team is. 

"TT, has my vote for now as the best point guard in the league and maybe the nation.  I still have questions about his steadiness, but I can live with some lackluster games against so-so teams when he brings it like he has the last two games."

THIS Taylor is one of the best point guards in the nation. I hope he takes a LONG look at the film and sees what is working for him and how it is affecting the team. He HAS to keep his foot on the pedal but he also has to be in control of the pedal. There is a fine line between aggressive and out of control.

Kansas looked GREAT last night and are continuing to improve. They always come out of the unlimited practice sessions between semesters radically improved; a tribute to the quality of the coaching staff and the strength and conditioning staff.

I can only hope that we see this version of Kansas as much as possible this year and that they continue to build on this and continue to improve. The defense can get better, the offense can get better. There is always more to do and to accomplish.

It was a proud night for Jayhawk fans all across the nation. In the sceme of things, we held serve at home in conference as we should be expected to. Onward and upward.

Very well put 2coach!

I do foresee us having a let down game somewhere.  Either Iowa St or Texas.  I am more inclined to say against Texas because I think Iowa St got our attention on Saturday.  Now its time to see how this team can handle some road adversity. 

We have left in no order games on the road against: Iowa ST, TExas, Texas A/M, OSU, Mizzou, KSU and Baylor.  We could lose at KSu and Baylor and play good games, so we are not unbeatable by any stretch, but when we are clicking we are a Top 5 team without a doubt.

I am surprised a little bit right now by how this team has come together on the court.  I am impressed.  I wish now that more of our recent teams would have had some of this fire.  Now I am afraid of Trob and TT getting worn down some so i do expect to see us have a midseason slump or slow down some at least.

I think the confidence this team gained when Releford stepped up really showed the main two, TT and Trob, that this was a good team and that they could rely on some one else from time to time.  Now when EJ steps up his overall game, we are as potent on offense as anyone in the nation.

Our defense is what seems to me to be the deciding factor right now.  We are imposing our will and teams are not fighting back. 

Feels great to watch this team right now.  Like 2coach said, as long as TT is undercontrol he is a good as anyone.  The other version he might be our 12th best player. 

I caution those who think this is a cakewalk yet.  We have the meat of our schedule in front of us yet.  The best thing is the fact that now the pressure is also on the other schools near the top to perform each and every night out.  It seems every year the media and some fans are crowning a new champ before the season to only see us raise another banner.  Wonder what Mizzou and Baylor are thinking about right now.  I can only imagine they see JAyhawks in there sleep!

I really like the overall layout of our schedule. We seem to have many opponents right after tough games. Here's a detailed breakdown of our remaining games:

Sat. Jan 21st - @ Texas - Texas just had a hard fought loss @ Kansas State yesterday. We have been off since Monday's win vs. Baylor

Mon. Jan 23rd - vs. Texas A&M - A&M with the quick turnaround road game after a home data against Oklahoma.

Sat Jan 28th - @Iowa State - another 5 day break for KU while Iowa State will be coming off a Tues. night game @Texas, who will be looking for revenge after a tough loss @Iowa State earlir in the year

Wed Feb 1st - vs. Oklahoma - Oklahoma will be coming off a Saturday road trip to Kansas State. Two tough road games in a row. They'll be tired.

Sat. Feb 4th - @Mizzou - Mizzou will be fresh for this game after a long break from their Big Monday road game @Texas. Not great for KU, but they are still short in size and in their rotation. I still like us in this matchup if we play smart.

Wed Feb 8th - @Baylor - back to back tough road games for KU. Baylor coming off a Sat game @Okie State.

Sat. Feb 11th - vs. Okie State - Okie State coming off a Tuesday home game vs. Iowa State that they'll likely lose. Okie State is STRUGGLING this year.

Mon Feb 13th - @Kansas State - quick turnaround for a KU road game. Hopefully we can erst some starters against Okie State. K-State coming off road game @Texas

Sat Feb 18th - vs. Texas Tech - long week to prep for weak Texas Tech. Could be a blowout.

Wed. Feb 22nd - @Texas A&M - A&M coming off a tough Sat. home game vs. Mizzou. They'll be tired, we'll be fresh.

Sat Feb 25th - vs. Mizzou - Mizzou is coming off a Tuesday home game vs. Kansas State, who should at least rough them up a bit physically.

Mon Feb 27th. - @Okie State. Okie State coming off home game vs. A&M. Could be an emotional letdown game for us after last home Mizzou game. I am a bit worried about this. Maybe it's nothing, but...

Sat. Mar 3rd - vs. Texas - Texas coming off Wednesday home game vs. Oklahoma. Tough turnaround for young Texas team.

I really like the way this team is coming together, this years new starters are looking more and more comfortable with each game in their roles and they seem to be understanding just how each can contribute in the flow of the offense and when to do what as determined by the type of defense that they are facing. Now if Wesley and Young can get the foul monkey off their backs they may be able to figure out how best to contribute off the bench but I'm liking what I see now from this squad.