Mizzou Links, 5-29-07

A short Links today...will make my Kent State preview a standalone piece.

• In random news, Brandon Rush has a torn ACL. KU is optimistic that he'll be able to practice again by November. And meanwhile, Andy Katz has Memphis as the '07-'08 preseason #1. I almost agree with this. I downplayed Memphis all last season, and they came up huge in the tournament. They're big, strong, athletic, and experienced, and Chris Douglas-Roberts is big-time.
• I hope everybody watched the NCAA Lacrosse finals yesterday. Fantastic stuff. When my parents lived in DC earlier this decade, I dragged them to the Finals in College Park in 2000. It's a great event. For midwesterners like ourselves, it was a little disorienting seeing thousands upon thousands of children wearing their lacrosse gear and twirling their sticks and cheering along. It's the rich, white sport on the east coast. The Duke saga last year brought the sport some attention, but not the good kind...I mean, yeah the charges were dismissed and the boys who were charged are now thought of as martyrs or something, and power to them I guess...they were still partying with hookers, and I'm pretty sure they still think they own the world, but in the end I guess that goes for a good chunk of college athletes. I'll just stop talking now. It's fun to watch. The end.

Read More...

Summary only...

Quick Hits

One of the world’s worst-kept secrets was confirmed this week, when it was announced that Glen Dandridge has left Mizzou’s basketball team. As much as you can be happy for someone in a situation like this, I’m happy for Glen, who by all accounts is a great kid, and (as a basketball player, at least) needs a change of scenery as much as anyone I can remember. After Dandridge signed with Mizzou, a prominent recruiting analyst raved to me about Glen’s shooting range, and people inside the program have long been impressed with his play in off-season workouts and pre-season practices. But it just never happened for him at game time. In three seasons in Columbia, Dandridge never got hot from three-point range. And that’s not hyperbole. It just never happened, not even once, which is amazing (if you need evidence, I can produce the numbers). Here’s hoping he can find a place where he can relax, finish his degree, make a lot of shots, and be at home and happy.

Dandridge’s departure opens a scholarship and raises the question of how, if at all, the Tigers fill it. Suffice it to say, it’s hard to find impact players come late April (there are a few rumors, ranging from credible to less so, about who the staff might be pursuing), but given the fact that six more scholarships open up a year from now, it sure would be nice to find a player now. That said, there’s no point in committing to a player with only slight prospects of helping the team. If the staff can’t find the right player, I hope they’ll consider rewarding senior walk-on Nick Berardini with a scholarship in his final season. Berardini gives maximum effort for minimum glory, and he may be the most enthusiastic guy I’ve ever seen on Missouri’s bench.

Noted without comment: “[Brandon Rush] said over the weekend the classes he takes now are ‘easy,’ but he has run out of easy ones.”

I had a great time speaking to the Cass County Alumni Chapter last night, and the event reaffirmed to me the obligation I had to be accurate with Missouri’s basketball history in the book. People remember. One gentleman wanted to talk about Redford Reichert, who played for the Tigers in the middle 1950s. Another recalled the injury that Mizzou center Bob Allen suffered in 1971. Yet another remembered watching Missouri teams coached by George Edwards. Edwards, for the uninitiated, retired in 1946.

Read More...

Summary only...

Huh... well, so much for my precentages...

Okay, so I figured Julian Wright was a stronger possibility to return to KU than Brandon Rush. Then someone told him, "Hey, you can make a couple million dollars next year." That's kind of a hard thing to pass up. I wish someone would have offered me a few million to leave college early.

That being said, it'll be tough to see him go. I don't think anyone really realized what was coming to Lawrence two years ago. It was such a whirl-wind recruitment, with Wright never stepping foot on campus until classes started, that I think it caught many fans off guard and didn't know what the expect out of Wright. Now, I think, fans are sad to see him go, but are quite thankful for all that he brought to the floor for Kansas.

Despite my thinking that Wright would be back in Lawrence next year, I'm not shocked that he decided to go pro. That I said, I think he is making a calculated risk given the other underclassmen coming out, including Durant, Oden (likely), B. Wright (possible), the entire Florida starting line-up, Afflalo, oh, and that 7-footer out of China. Now, obviously, Julian could suffer a devastating injury next year in college, but if he waited until next year, I think most people are of the opinion he would improve his standing by at least two spots since there are no players like Oden and Durant (despite Frank Martin's opinion of Michael Beasley) slated for the 2008 NBA Draft.

According to this story, Julian is looking to hire an agent before the draft in June, so I guess the possibility exists, slim as it is, that he could bomb out in Chicago and in one-on-one workouts, and return to KU. However, I'm pretty sure Bill Self is going to go forward with the idea that Julian will be playing for a pay-check next season. According to the LJWorld, Self is looking at a guard at... wait for it... the College of Southern Idaho. Brad Garrett, a 6-5 guard, who is probably more a fill-in for Rush leaving than Wright since KU already has a forward in the fold. He's #22 in the CSI Basketball media guide.

The other two draft question marks for KU in Mario Chalmers nd Darrell Arthur both committed to returning to KU last night at the annual team banquet. Plus, Sherron Collins who, as the newspaper article put it "had been the victim of ill-informed Internet message board posters who insisted he was transferring to DePaul in his hometown of Chicago," (How great is that line? Has there ever been a "well-informed Internet message board rumor"?) will also be returning to KU in the fall.

In conclusion, it'll be sad to see Wright go, but I think this will be an on-going trend with Bill Self as KU's head coach. He'll continue to load up on NBA caliber talent and that means there will be high turnover from year-to-year. I think I can handle that.

Read More...

Summary only...

Mizzou Links, 4-10-07

• I try not to play the homer card too much, but this list is ridiculous. Andre Woodson, Matt Ryan, and Graham “I got destroyed at home by Chase Daniel and might not start this season” Harrell make the list, but Chase Daniel does not. Okie dokie.
• Via Dave Matter’s blog...Joe Tiller closes practices because of bloggers. I think it’s safe to say that said bloggers (and I assume he’s talking about the Dave Matter-style bloggers, not the pseudonymous ones like, well, me) weren’t all that fond of what they were seeing in said open practices, eh?
• Here are some notes from yesterday's scrimmage. Chase Daniel: 9-for-9, 145 yards, 2 TD's. Not bad...you know...for a QB's who's not one of the best in the nation...
• Pitcher Rick Zagone: national co-pitcher of the week after his 1-hit shutout of K-State over the weekend.
• Mizzou locks up wrestling coach Brian Smith for another five years. Lovely.
• And now that Julian Wright has declared for the NBA draft (but hasn't hired an agent)...Doug? Thoughts? I realize he could still come back, but he's got that "upside" that scouts love, and they'll probably all be telling him that he's a Top 5 guy...I can't really see him saying no to that...

Read More...

Summary only...

Now that that's over and done with...

I can finally relax a bit and look forward to bask... football, football season!

I knew I'd get that one right.

So, probably nobody gives a rip about my thoughts for next year's Kansas team. But, what good is this pulpit if I don't use it. Actually, I'm more writing this to see if anyone does a break-down on next year's MU squad as well, since I don't have quite the familarity with it as I did when I was still in school.

First off, I'm sure by now you've heard this bit of news. To any Arkansas readers we may have, who may think Bill Self is now cleaning out his office to head to Fayettville... allow me this moment - Ha ha ha ha ha! I'm better now.

Arkansas may call Self, but one, he's already said he's not going anywhere; Arkansas, Kentucky, etc. And, two, KU's response will probably be "Homie don't play that game!" And, will proceed to throw more money at Self's feet. Sorry, Arkansas, but Bill Self is going to be in Lawrence for the 2007-08 season.

I tell you who won't be in Lawrence... Brandon Rush. At least I think there's about a 60 to 75% chance Rush will make the NBA leap this summer. All indications are he could be a mid-round pick... next year. But, the reality is, Rush is already old for a college sophomore, let alone an NBA rookie, especially in a league that drafts as much on "up-side" as it does on results. Unfortunately, that means Rush will lose another year of earnings potential if he does stay at KU, and that's a chance he can't risk. Depending on how things shake out, he'll probably go mid- to late-first round and be perfectly happy as a off-the-bench defender/spot up 3-point shooter. He's not a marquee-build-your-team-around-him guy, but he would give any squad quality minutes, and after his initial 3 year rookie contract, probably bounce around the league from year-to-year.

This next player may be a bit idealistic on my part, but I am about 70% sure Julian Wright is coming back to Kansas next year. By all accounts, he promised his mom he would earn a degree before going to the draft, and if not for his mom, he would have not come to Kansas in the first place. So, I think that shows just how much weight she carries when it comes to his decisions. Plus, he did really dissappear in the Sweet 16 and the Elite 8, so that may chew at his mind in making the decision. I leave a 30% window, because if someone were offering me $3 million a year for 3 years to leave school... I would have to really think about it.

Now, Darrell Arthur may think about testing the draft waters, but the reality is, he faded way to much in the second half of the season, especially in conference play to expect anything more than a second round pick. I think Self will make that readily apparent to him and he'll remain in Lawrence, at least one more year.

Everybody else stays in a Kansas uniform. Plus... one major addition: Cole Aldrich. From many accounts, I get the feeling this kid is the consistent low-block scorer Kansas has not had in uniform since Nick Collison. The kind of guy you can give the ball to 5-feet from the basket, and you know he's going to get it in there. Kaun is a great defensive player but is not a force offensively, Jackson could be a similar guy to Aldrich, but I think he's much better served as a really tenacious rebounder. Both Wright and Arthur seem to do better a little further away from the basket. But, this Aldrich kid, he could be something special before all is said and done with his time at KU.

I'm not into season predictions this far away from the opening tip... but I think all of these new coaches are going to do their damnest to improve their squads, and I think KU is prepared to meet that challenge head on.

So, now I have to ask, does anyone have early returns for MU next year, especially the recruits that Anderson is bringing in? I think this is the part of the transition from mid-major to major basketball that coaches stumble with the most. Consider Bruce Webber at Illinois. It's becoming more and more clear that he cannot recruit Big Ten style players to Illinois. He probably doesn't have a problem getting similar kids like he did at SIU, but in the long run... those guys don't cut it when you're going up against Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Michigan State on a nightly basis. I'm curious if Anderson is going to be able to recruit those kids that will buy into his system, but also be players that you could say: "Yeah, I could any of them at Texas, Kansas or any other school in the conferece." Thoughts?

Read More...

Summary only...

I just want to say...

...that it's a damn shame Micah Downs transferred from Kansas because he's one of the easier players in the NCAA to dislike. He cries after every call that goes against him, and he's not nearly as good as he thinks he is (12 points on 14 shots tonight...way to go...though the 10 boards were pretty surprising)...just seems like he and KU should have been a natural fit, you know? Just sayin'.

(Though at this point, he's a pretty good fit at Gonzaga too...I've rooted against them ever since Mizzou went up to Seattle and got a 10-second backcourt violation late in the game...with 28 seconds left on the shot clock...or maybe it was when two of their guys ran into each other and Mizzou was called for a foul...which led to a 3-point play...not sure the exact moment...can you tell I have trouble letting things go sometimes?)

Read More...

Summary only...

Good news! We don't have to wait a year!

Granted, it only took eight days for K-State administration to respond to the story everybody knew about. But, I have to say the first line made me chortle (because people just don't chortle enough anymore).

Seriously, why even bother saying things like, "The University has a long-standing policy that considers live animals (except guide animals) at athletics events to be contraband." And, "These acts cannot and will not be condoned or tolerated."

Obviously, K-State and has been turning a blind eye to the tradition for years. If they really wanted to crack down on students bringing chickens into Bramlege Coliseum... it would not be that difficult. How do you smuggle in chicken without looking obvious? In your pants? Anybody have any experience?

I'll be interested to see next year's KU at K-State game... but I fully expect to have another picture like we did only a week ago.

Read More...

Summary only...

Okay, my heart feels better now...

That's the kind of game you knew KU was going/needing to experience. It just doesn't make it any easier to watch in the last minute and a half.

What I am looking forward to is Saturday, because I think this will be the first time in conference that Kevin Durant will face a couple of players who may be better able to guard him, mainly in Julian Wright and Darrell Arthur. Not that I'm deluded enough to think Durant is not going to score... just that Kansas might actually be up to the task defensively to limit his production somewhat. Though, Nebraska managed their game by allowing Durant to score whatever he wanted, and locking down the rest of the Longhorns. Granted, the Huskers still lost, but that is another way to handle the game plan.

Now, for something of mutual interest...

Really? Really? There are whispers of a coach about to be fired... just rumors really, and the first place the fans and media go are the coaches of the top 2 teams in the Big 12, another two coaches in the same conference in their first year at a new school and finally, a coach who looked to be ready to make the major conference jump last year.

I understand Arkansas has won a national championship, since the last time KU did, but that's basically the only thing in it's recent history the school has going for it. I don't see how you can use that as a selling point for either Bill Self or Billy Gillespie.

Yes, Fayetteville is closer to Edmond, OK than Lawrence... but only by an hour. Then there's the whole money thing. It'll cost quite a bit in salary in lure either Self or Gillespie... not to mention any buyouts to Kansas or aTm.

Now, if Doc Sadler were still at UTEP or Mike Anderson still at UAB, then those guys might be likely candidates, but not now. Not when they are both trying to build programs in year one.

One poster mentioned how South Carolina State was able to hire both Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier... well, yes... however Holtz was out of football when the Gamecocks called, and Holtz then, basically, hired Spurrier.

Kudos to the Razorback fan base for aiming high... but in this case... I think their aim may be off by more than just a little.

Read More...

Summary only...

Stranger in a strange land...

Fair to say, I'm sure no one expects a KU fan to show up and offer substantive, informative talk to a blog which is Mizzou-centric. But, hey, someone has to.

To pay homage...

First, big thanks to Bill for extending the invitation to allowing me to offer my own opinion and snarky comments on, hopefully, not just Missouri sports, but also the Big XII, and my own center of expertise, KU.

A nice win for the Tigers last night. I'd be lying if I said I watched any of the game, but from what I understand, Mike Anderson's squad continues to play as well on the road as any other team plays at home. And, as Oklahoma and Oklahoma State can atest... sometimes better than the home team.

Few things in this world would make me openly cheer for the Tigers, however, if MU winning out, and doing damage in the Big XII tournament knocks K-State out of contention for the NCAA's... I would not only sing True Son at the top of my lungs... but I would also giggle like a school girl.

Just wanted to throw that one out there.

On the subject...

Of K-State. I'd like to address your attention to this photo from KUSports.com. It raises many questions that I frankly cannot keep to myself.

Consider, by all accounts this chicken was dead when it landed on the floor of Bramelege Coliseum. And, I would even go so far as to say, freshly dead. Given that fact, someone had to purchase this chicken the day of the game, and at some point kill it. Whether this was prior to getting the doors or after... it also means that someone was sitting in the arena... holding a dead chicken for at least a couple of hours. And, KSU fans think they can talk trash of any kind?

I'll give the Antlers some credit. Their antics, while bizzarre, do not normally require the death of livestock. Yes, they may dress in drag for the KU game... but obviously the members of the Antlers enjoy it, since it has become an annual tradition ("Hey guys, we're wearing dresses on Saturday!" "Yaaah!!") But, for a fan to willingly kill a barnyard animal just to throw it onto the basketball court during pre-game... I feel a trip to a couch or padded cell is in order.

And, finally, because I can...

I look at this current KU team... and I want to book tickets to Atlanta (if I had the financial wherewithall), I really do. But, I would really like to see this team finish un-defeated in the regular season, and win the Big XII tournament. There is something to be said for playing the way KU has the past four games or so. Every possession has mattered... whether it was the sacrificial blood-letting against Nebraska or taking the K-State crowd out of it in the second half.

But, I've seen too many teams, KU especially, grow complacent when the competition is no longer as tough in the latter half of the season. That's why Monday's game terrified me. That's why Saturday's game worries me. And every game from now until KU proves they are not the team that folds when the opponent finally bites back.

Read More...

Summary only...