In the style of the great Dan Patrick, i've decided to do, "What have we learned today?" We learned a lot, yet very little.
I've always believed that that loosing could be a good thing is a complete load of crap. Now, you can learn a lot from a loss, and that is good. So, I suppose that if you learn a lesson, or learn something about yourself it could be a good thing. Of course i'm referring to the whipping that K-State handed Kansas tonight. And yes, for all you Jayhawk fans, I can say that. You can not tell me there was even one moment in that game where it looked like KU would win. Bob Knight commented early in the first half about "human error" Meaning that KU came into this game with a big head, after being ranked #1 and manhandling the wildcats in Lawrence. When he first made the comment I didn't believe it. Bill Self is too good of a coach to let his team think and act that way. I also thought KU was better disciplined and a better team than that. But as the game went on, the play and actions of the Jayhawks made me believe this to be the case. Frank Martin and the Wildcats came off a heartbreaking loss at Colorado just 2 nights ago to completely outplay and embarrass the Jayhawks. The only lead Kansas had all night was 3-0 at the very beginning of the game. Jacob Pullen took over and put the team on his back. KU is a very good team and despite how well K-State was playing there was always that worry in the back of my mind that KU would heat up, come back and win. But any time the Jayhawks even though about it, the wildcats had an answer. As Bob Knight said, there was not one moment in that game that looked like KU would come back and win. They took KU out of their element and they didn't know how to respond. The Morris twins were virtually non-existant. The "Shermanator" (Tyrel Reed) was the loan bright spot for the Jayhawks. K-State's aggressive defense kept KU from starting a run. The Morris twins weren't able to get going, and Reed and Morningstar weren't able to get hot from the outside. What surprised me most of all in this game was the lack of composure showed by the Jayhawks. From throwing an elbow, getting T'd up for taunting after a dunk, to poubting on the bench. This is something I never expected to see from a Bill Self coached Kansas team. Basically they acted like "sore loosers." Those of you who know me know that I LOVE to see the Jayhawks loose. For it to be to K-State and for them to act like they did is a dream.
I myself preferred to listen to Brent Musburger and Bob Knight over Dick Vitale. They were had both criticism and praise for both teams, and that's what an analyst is supposed to do. But part of me wonders how Dicky V would have handled this game with his beloved Jayhawks and the Morris twins getting manhandled and embarrased by the disappointing and underachieving Wildcats.
Ok, all jabs aside, this is not a bad thing for Kansas. They found out that even they could be humbled and beat. I have no doubt that Bill Self and the Jayhawks learned a VERY important lesson from this loss. This very likely will be the last Jayhawk loss this season. Not only that it's better to learn this lesson now than to a team like Northern Iowa in the NCAA tournament. While it will cost them their #1 ranking, it really isn't that costly of a loss. They are still one of the top 4 teams in the nation, and will still be a #1 seed in the tournament. The Jayhawks are still a great team and will still be picked by a lot of analysts and coaches to win it all. The most costly thing of the night could be their chances at a Big XII regular season title. But it's the Jayhawks, so it's still possible. So in the grand scheme of things, it's just a bump in the road for the Jayhawks. Bill Self will rally his troops as he always does.
I'm interested thought to see where K-State goes from here. When the season is over KSU will have played 3 #1 teams this season. (Duke, Kansas, and Texas) That's assuming Texas is ranked #1 next week. That may not happen, who knows. They showed tonight that they can be great. They played as close to a perfect game as you can play. Had they played like this all season, they would be where everyone predicted them to be. They showed tonight that those predictions weren't far off. So, can they still become that team and make a run at, and deep into the NCAA tournament?? Or is this a one game wonder?? They still have Missouri at home and at Texas. I agree with Bob Knight completely. While this is a great win, they need to not dwell on it. Instead of celebrating this win, ask why they haven't been playing this way all season long. In an ideal world, KU and K-State would do well the rest of the season and in the tournament, but this isn't an ideal world. KU is still the team to beat, and K-State has dug a VERY deep whole for themselves, and it's going to be hard to dig themselves out. This win is helpful, but didn't get them into the tournament yet.
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