NINE points?! NINE!

Two in a row to the slavers, and no Keith Langford broken foot to cry about.

So I want to be rational and mature about this. KU has taken much better and mature teams into Columbia and lost to worse Missouri teams. Thomas Gardner went off in the long tradition of going off against KU, think Anthony Peeler, Askia Jones (26 in K-State’s last win in Allen in ’94), Melvin Booker (32 points in a win over #2 KU at Allen, also in ’94). Gardner’s 40 was as good of a game I’ve seen in Big 12 play.

Hell, one of Roy’s best teams (no Debbie, not his best, that would be Drew’s 16-0 in the Big 12 Final Four ’02 team, but that’s another column…) went to Mizzou in '97 and lost their only regular season game, and to a Mizzou team that was barely a .500 team. That ’94 team highlighted above did this team one better, losing to both MU and KSU at home (although I’m sure this group can still surpass them with a home game against MU still forthcoming), and they still ended up in the Sweet Sixteen (Mr. Ostertag meet Mr. Robinson, yes, go ahead and shake his hand).

But this is bad. Bad, bad, bad. That ’97 team was coached by Norm. This is Quin Snyder. And WE HAD A NINE POINT LEAD WITH UNDER TWO MINUTES. The game was over. I was celebrating, had cracked open a beer, and was thinking how we’d turned the corner. The coaching was bad. How about not having the 50% free throw shooter Christian Moody (is booty) in the game? Maybe a double team on Gardner to force him to pass? Just maybe? I mean, letting him shot over Robinson was brilliant and all, but perhaps we want someone else taking those shots at the end of the game? And a box-in-one with Hawkins on Gardner? Good god.

The only thing stopping Gardner was Quin’s bizarre move to sit him down for periods of the second half, allowing KU to make their big run. But I’m sure Quin knew KU would melt down, allowing the game to go into overtime and Snyder knew he should keep Gardner fresh for the OT. Right.

But let’s be positive. So that means the first half is out, as is the last two minutes. But the first 18 minutes were as good as KU has played this year. Welcome to Kansas Mario, it’s nice to see you. The switch went on for him definitely. Rush was Rush. Good, not great. I don’t see him in the NBA next year. He’d likely develop better there where he’d be pushed every day, but I think he needs another year to get into the first round. Robinson is our point guard, and that’s finally settled.

The front court is a mess. I have an undying hatred for Moody (the player not the man, he's doing what we would all like to do, good student, blah blah blah). The blown free throws hurt, but it goes way beyond that. I just don’t think he has a shred of athletic ability, and that he NEVER makes a play on the defensive end and can’t rebound anything that doesn’t hit him in the hands. Why not Darnell Jackson at the 4, and Giles/Kaun at the 5? Moody and Wright off the bench…but whatever. Just pick some kids and let them play! Opps, I was being positive wasn’t I? So that Fort Worth Bowl was good, wasn’t it…

I suppose I’m spoiled. Kids my age think it’s only ok for KU to miss the Dance after a title and due to some Larry Brown shenanigans-induced NCAA sanctions. But then again, UNC missed two Dances (including an 8-20 season) and won the title shortly thereafter. And I’ve heard during Ted Owens’ reign we sucked regularly…so which will this be? Likely somewhere in between, but hey, at least Self can recruit.

Devastatingly pathetic

Someone call me when Moody and Self are gone and it's safe to watch again. I'd say more but I'm busy vomiting.