I don't see how you can still make that comparison. Didn't Roy face NCAA violations when he first arrived?

Self pretty much inherited a bunch of All American/ All Conf. players that had tons of tourney exp. I don't think comparing eachothers first 5 seasons can tell you much.

I don't know.
Call me an innovator, but I bet you could talk about a game 30 hours before it happens in a thread that isn't an "official game" thread.

I don't think you understand in the tourney many times the better team doesn't exactly win. You think Gtown and Wisc would lost to Davidson on a consistent basis? I don't and I know you don't but thats the thing about the tourney it's a lose one and done format. Which is fine, but all I'm saying KU didn't exactly have to play the tough teams they probably should have played. Not saying it's their fault which you seem that I am going that route. Kansas hasn't played a team all season that is at UNC's level. Not only that but UNC is playing their best ball at the best possible time. There were only 2 teams in this whole tournament I was scared of. One obviously is UNC and the other WAS UCLA, but they have just been playing like shit. Playing a 16, 8,12 and 10 seed on the road to the final 4 is a blessing in KU's favor. Self finally gets the monkey off his back for not being able to make a final 4 (granted they win tomorrow). I just don't think KU has really played any good teams on the way there.

Why have two threads about the same game when there's only 1 day between the previous game and gameday? I know we have the NCAA thread, but this one is going to get created regardless of whether it's 12:30 this morning or sometime tomorrow. :shrug:

Self wins every comparison I can think of. I can't come up with any that favors Roy. Self beat Roy by 16 in the Dance in 2001. Self also beat Roy by 14 in 2000.

Unfortunately, I think UNC looks like the 2003 Jayhawks. Stomping the competition and then the wheels fall off.

Who has UNC played that's KU's level?

Duke? Surely not.
Clemson? Hell no.

IMO, the only blessing is Villanova (and maybe UNLV because they were a weak 8, but Kent State was a weak 9... but it's not like there are many 'strong' 8s or 9s). Villanova was down 18 to Clemson and Clemson choked (see Anti-Hawks, that's the proper use of the term). And even after Clemson choked, Villanova choked right back. The last few minutes was a chokefest. Then they play a Siena team that was apparently just happy to have won a game.

But, I digress. Kansas earned the game against Portland State. UNLV/Kent State was expected. Villanova was not, and Villanova didn't really do anything to get to the SS. Davidson has earned their spot in the EE, and they are hot, fearless and very dangerous. I personally would rather play them over Georgetown or Wisconsin because it'll be more entertaining, not because I fear one over the other two.

Thank you. :D


Well, I'm off to see the Brigade... I heard they gave up 90+ points last week. :doh!:

Hmmm... nice comeback. It does look like they're on a mission, but I hadn't thought of it that way because of all the UNC love. I think Louisville will be there first real test in a while, like Texas was for KU in the Big 12 Championship game. I mean, WSU was supposed to be good, but you hold UNC under 70 (first team all season to do it) and still lose by 20? Yeah, not really the balance that Kansas would show them.

I don't really think there is such a thing as an easy road to a final four. If a lesser seeded team wins, doesn't that mean they're playing pretty well right now. Once you get to the 3-10 seeds, it's all pretty even anyway.

It's pretty clear at this point that Davidson is a very strong team. They played right with UNC, Duke, UCLA and other major conference teams, have played great in the tourney. I don't think it's comparable to some of these surprise miracle runs... they didn't just skirt by and get hot in the tourney, they blew out their conference.... had a lot of 20-30 point wins, just like a team like KU or Georgetown would probably have in their conference. I expect KU to win this game, but you'd have a hard time convincing me Davidson isn't as good as any 3-5 seeded team in this tournament. They just didn't get that kind of seed because of their conference.

Wow, I totally missed that he included the 8 seed. :)

And he included the 16 seed.

I guess in his world being the #1 seed doesn't gain you advantages.

Roy had 2 Final Fours in his first 5 years. There is no comparison.

Also, I just realized that in 10 years, Bill Self has more Elite Eights, 5, than the entire history of Mizzou basketball, 4. Wow.

Roy went 132-37 his first 5 years. Self is 139-32 so far with games left. That's 81% to 78% advantage Self.

And you would trade those 7 more wins, and 5 less losses for the two Final Fours Roy went to? I don't think so.

The point is there was no dropoff when Self took over. Our winning %age went up, not down. Making the FF involves a lot of luck with matchups and isn't a good indicator of success