Big 12 Jayhawks Football Preview

posted by Jeremy Chrysler on 6/28/2006 - -

Our friends over at Big12-Fans.com have put together a strong preview of the Gridiron Jayhawks that you should definitely check out.

Bearish on Kerry Meier but bullish overall on the ‘Hawks, it’s an evenhanded, if slightly positive analysis of KU:

Last year’s 11th ranked defense will be a disappointment if they’re not as rigid as they were last year. They lost some solid players, mainly linebackers, but the interior line and defensive backs expect to make up for that inexperience. James McClinton and Wayne Wilder look to be mainstays in the middle, with a pair of backups that would start at most other Big 12 schools, Todd Haselhorst and Caleb Blakesly. T

2006 NBA Draft

posted by Hoopinion on - -

This will likely be the last Jayhawk-free draft for a number of years but anyone interested in the proceedings is free to follow live draft commentary at Hoopinion.

Obligatory Jayhawk content: I strongly believe that Julian Wright, had he entered this year’s draft, would have been picked in the lottery. Luckily for us, he could be good enough that he waits to turn pro until he’s a top five pick.

Working Collins into the lineup

posted by Jeremy Chrysler on 6/26/2006 - -

Based on what I’ve seen of Collins and what I’ve read and heard about his performances at camp games, it will be very hard to keep him off the floor. But then again, the same can be said of both Robinson and Chalmers.

I think that both Chalmers and Robinson will end up losing minutes to Collins, relative to what they were playing at the end of last year. I had some concerns about the effect that might have on chemistry, so I was definitely heartened to read this today:

“I see it as a great thing. I can’t play 40 minutes a game,” Robinson said. “The more help we have, the better we’re going to perform. We’ll definitely push each other in practice and make each other better.”

I think Self and Co. are doing a lot to manage expectations this summer for PT later this year. Doing so will prove a wise use of time. Darrell Arthur, a player whose firght and resolve many folks questioned, has reinforced to the press that being a Jayhawk is about working hard. Robinson appears to be happy about losing minutes.

If Self can keep this mentality up among his players, the much discussed chemistry problems will be minimized.

Congrats to Simien

posted by Peter on 6/21/2006 - -

Even though he didn’t play one second in the Finals, it was still nice to see a Jayhawk actually celebrating a championship. It looks like fun.

An offseason of good news

posted by Jeremy Chrysler on 6/20/2006 - -

After last year’s debacle ridden offseason, this summer feels like a kid does when he finally gets a hold of a machine that can create super desserts, like the one he’s always dreamed of - the Twinkers - which is a Snickers within a Twinkie. It feels good, you see.

Reader Gen reminds of just how Twinkery things are when he points us to the following article, which calls KU one of the top 5 winners of the offseason. The article is written by Luke “I am yohr fatharr” Winn, so being called a winner is an even more ringing endorsement, coming from him. :

They added yet another McDonald’s All-American to their stable (number five in the past two years, if you’re counting), 6-foot-9 forward Darrell “Slim Shady” Arthur. He said he saw himself playing for KU in a dream the night before his decision, and therefore eschewed top choice Baylor to play for Bill Self. KU’s real coup, however, was simply keeping a trio of future first-rounders — freshmen Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers and Julian Wright — from bailing out of Lawrence too quickly.

Simpsons Video: The World Cup

posted by Jeremy Chrysler on 6/19/2006 - -

Americans have a lot of opinions on the World Cup, and they’re all evidenced here in this fantastic Simpsons’ vid:


Thanks to our friends over at Deadspin for this one.

Andy Katz says KU #2

posted by Jeremy Chrysler on - -

1. Florida
2. KU
3. UNC

Check it out heah.

His picks call for an exciting game over Thanksgiving.