redbrian
02-21-2005, 10:00 AM
Another classic Kansas melt down…..
Posted on Mon, Feb. 21, 2005
Blair Kerkhoff
Sunflower State droops in hoops
BLAIR KERKHOFF COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Days turned into weeks as Kansas' three Division I basketball programs piled up victories — and some were head-turners. Kansas State trailed at Wyoming by nine with 3 minutes remaining before pulling out the win. Four of Wichita State's first six triumphs came on the road. Kansas escaped an upset bid one night and toyed with a foe the next.
Not until Dec. 28, when Rutgers defeated Kansas State, did a state team lose.
It gave December a time-machine feel, a reminder of an era when competing for league championships and planning for the postseason were givens. Perhaps, with a fortunate bounce or two, it could be that away again in the Sunflower State.
But this dribble went off the foot and out of bounds. All the early success looks like a tease, especially after last week, which may have been the worst in the state's hoops history.
Each team went 0-2, and all had their hearts ripped out.
Two overtime losses for the Jayhawks will send them reeling from the No. 2 ranking when today's polls are revealed. Kansas, especially J.R. Giddens, has lost its shooting stroke. Giddens' 16 field-goal attempts were nine more than leading scorer Wayne Simien in Saturday's home loss to Iowa State. Simien finished with 17 points; Giddens had seven.
Look no further for an explanation.
Kansas State's sixth straight loss, on a buzzer-beater by Oklahoma on Saturday, provided another example of just how close the Wildcats are to playing with the Big 12's elite but can't cross the threshold, as if the overtime loss a week earlier at Texas wasn't convincing enough.
The skid had Wildcats coach Jim Wooldridge sniping at reporters in the postgame session. He later apologized, but the last few games have taken a toll. Wooldridge is battling for his job, and Saturday's game might have been a last-stand opportunity to make a positive impression. Nothing short of a miracle run in the Big 12 tournament or an NIT appearance may be necessary for Wooldridge to return.
Wichita State, once in control of the Missouri Valley, fell at home to Creighton at midweek and lost to Miami, Ohio, in a Bracket Busters game on Saturday. That's three straight losses for the Shockers, desperate for their first NCAA appearance in more than two decades.
Bishop Miege product Jamar Howard, a four-year starter along with Randy Burns, has played so poorly lately that coach Mark Turgeon is considering a lineup change.
“They've helped us win a lot of games over the years, but right now they're not playing up to their potential,” Turgeon said.
The Jayhawks wouldn't own a top seed in the NCAA Tournament if the field were picked today, but this is a senior-dominated team that was one basket away from winning each of its previous two games. If Giddens finds his shot and the Jayhawks work harder on getting Simien the ball, Kansas' two biggest problems are solved.
A victory tonight at Oklahoma would put the Jayhawks back on track and set up Sunday's showdown against Oklahoma State in Lawrence. Win that, and Kansas all but locks up the top seed in the Big 12 tournament.
Solutions aren't as easy in Manhattan, and Wichita State is playing itself out of the big reward. K-State must somehow remain inspired to complete a season in the ashes with the prospect of a coaching change.
The Shockers must reverse a trend that nobody can seem to explain. Their RPI in the low 40s didn't take a hit with Saturday's loss, but the selection committee will be looking for reasons to flick off the fence-sitters. A late February losing streak makes the committee's case.
If none of it works out, the memories of a successful December won't nearly be enough to overcome the depth of disappointment.
Who will be the first with the classic, oh yea but MU………..retort?
Posted on Mon, Feb. 21, 2005
Blair Kerkhoff
Sunflower State droops in hoops
BLAIR KERKHOFF COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Days turned into weeks as Kansas' three Division I basketball programs piled up victories — and some were head-turners. Kansas State trailed at Wyoming by nine with 3 minutes remaining before pulling out the win. Four of Wichita State's first six triumphs came on the road. Kansas escaped an upset bid one night and toyed with a foe the next.
Not until Dec. 28, when Rutgers defeated Kansas State, did a state team lose.
It gave December a time-machine feel, a reminder of an era when competing for league championships and planning for the postseason were givens. Perhaps, with a fortunate bounce or two, it could be that away again in the Sunflower State.
But this dribble went off the foot and out of bounds. All the early success looks like a tease, especially after last week, which may have been the worst in the state's hoops history.
Each team went 0-2, and all had their hearts ripped out.
Two overtime losses for the Jayhawks will send them reeling from the No. 2 ranking when today's polls are revealed. Kansas, especially J.R. Giddens, has lost its shooting stroke. Giddens' 16 field-goal attempts were nine more than leading scorer Wayne Simien in Saturday's home loss to Iowa State. Simien finished with 17 points; Giddens had seven.
Look no further for an explanation.
Kansas State's sixth straight loss, on a buzzer-beater by Oklahoma on Saturday, provided another example of just how close the Wildcats are to playing with the Big 12's elite but can't cross the threshold, as if the overtime loss a week earlier at Texas wasn't convincing enough.
The skid had Wildcats coach Jim Wooldridge sniping at reporters in the postgame session. He later apologized, but the last few games have taken a toll. Wooldridge is battling for his job, and Saturday's game might have been a last-stand opportunity to make a positive impression. Nothing short of a miracle run in the Big 12 tournament or an NIT appearance may be necessary for Wooldridge to return.
Wichita State, once in control of the Missouri Valley, fell at home to Creighton at midweek and lost to Miami, Ohio, in a Bracket Busters game on Saturday. That's three straight losses for the Shockers, desperate for their first NCAA appearance in more than two decades.
Bishop Miege product Jamar Howard, a four-year starter along with Randy Burns, has played so poorly lately that coach Mark Turgeon is considering a lineup change.
“They've helped us win a lot of games over the years, but right now they're not playing up to their potential,” Turgeon said.
The Jayhawks wouldn't own a top seed in the NCAA Tournament if the field were picked today, but this is a senior-dominated team that was one basket away from winning each of its previous two games. If Giddens finds his shot and the Jayhawks work harder on getting Simien the ball, Kansas' two biggest problems are solved.
A victory tonight at Oklahoma would put the Jayhawks back on track and set up Sunday's showdown against Oklahoma State in Lawrence. Win that, and Kansas all but locks up the top seed in the Big 12 tournament.
Solutions aren't as easy in Manhattan, and Wichita State is playing itself out of the big reward. K-State must somehow remain inspired to complete a season in the ashes with the prospect of a coaching change.
The Shockers must reverse a trend that nobody can seem to explain. Their RPI in the low 40s didn't take a hit with Saturday's loss, but the selection committee will be looking for reasons to flick off the fence-sitters. A late February losing streak makes the committee's case.
If none of it works out, the memories of a successful December won't nearly be enough to overcome the depth of disappointment.
Who will be the first with the classic, oh yea but MU………..retort?