Jesse Newell

73-70 KU.

Jesse Newell

Big sign in the UT student section reads “.144”. I figured it was some percentage, like KU’s winning percentage at the Erwin, before realizing what the number actually was. I’m sure you guys will figure it out.

stupidmichael

Is .08 the legal limit?

Jesse Newell

Nice job, stupidmichael. You win.

denverjhawkfan

Jesse, you have the BEST job ever!!!!

Jesse Newell

denver — I agree.

melrank

Raef

Jesse Newell

Another sign: “Brady, will you be my DD?”

denverjhawkfan

If getting in Brady’s head is their biggest concern, they haven’t seen much of KU basketball this year!!!

sarahkumari

Brady’s BAC?

denverjhawkfan

KU 80
UT 76

Jesse Newell

Some big names already have taken their place on press row next to me. ESPN’s Andy Katz and CBS’s Gary Parrish are two …

melrank

Stupidmichael – I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely scared.

denverjhawkfan

Jesse, you are my idol.

Jesse Newell

When walking around the Ervin Center, I saw some pictures from people who have performed here. Who would have thought that Madonna, U2 and Stevie Wonder had all performed in UT’s basketball arena?

melrank

Jesse – where would you put the over-under on points for D. James?

sarahkumari

Denver- I agree. Thought it was kinda funny that that is the player the students put so much focus on. Hope Barnes has the same game plan.

denverjhawkfan

I guess I DID meet Oliver North once. OK, I didn’t actually meet him. But I DID stand by him!!

Jesse Newell

melrank — I’d say 20. His season average is 17.8, but he’s scoring 19 in league play. KU needs to keep him off the offensive glass, or the number could be higher.

stupidmichael

Impossible question:

Who is the better human being?

Tim Tebow or Drew Brees?

Jesse Newell

What’s wrong with Drew Brees?

denverjhawkfan

I like ’em both, but Drew Brees is Da Man!

travelinggeek

doesn’t sound like Texas fans have a lot of class, but since I’m not in the KU student union I don’t see what our students put up. I’m nervous too, but am hoping they will just be really pumped for this one.

melrank

I’d take the over. That guy has a way of playing up to the big moments.

I don’t think we can win if Marcus doesn’t have a big game. That being said, having him guard James scares the daylights out of me. It would be awesome if X could handle James for periods of time to make sure Marcus stays out of foul trouble and has the energy to contribute offensively and on the glass.

Jesse Newell

melrank — It’s darned if you do, darned if you don’t with Marcus. If the two guard each other, James should have the same concerns about staying out of foul trouble, as Marcus is pretty good at picking up whistles inside.

okjhok

Interesting question, but it’s hard to compare Raef and Cole. If Cole had Raef’s sweet turn around, he’d be unstoppable…but he doesn’t…just like Raef didn’t have Cole’s shot-blocking. I’m going with Raef. I was in the student section when he had that vicious tip-dunk.

kufan1993

Who do you all think will be KU’s leading scorer?

okjhok

Looks like ESPN programming/Big East style of play is going to screw us out of the first 5 min at least…still 15 minutes to go in Morgantown.

Jesse Newell

kufan — Marcus.

denverjhawkfan

Good point, melrank. I think Marcus is the key to winning this game. He has really been the X factor for us.

Jesse Newell

You guys must be watching the Cram Session. Either that, or we all think alike …

Jesse Newell

Damion James draws 6.5 fouls per 40 minutes played, which is the 62nd-best mark in the country.

denverjhawkfan

kufan – I hope all our starters have 15 each and the bench scores another 20!

melrank

kufan – Sherron

Jesse – I hope you’re right on Marcus because that’s a likely win for us if you’re corrrect.

kusayzone

Mario hits a three to put the 2007 Big 12 Championship game into overtime…….How many games did he shoot that three and what was his percentage of makes!

NEBjayhawk

What does X need to do to get back to his form from the beginning of the season?

Jesse Newell

Neb — Good question. Simply making a few of the same shots that he hit early in the season would help. But he also hasn’t been driving as well and seems to always get cut off before making it all the way to the basket. He shoots too much for a guy in a slump, and I don’t think he always shows the toughness out there that Self likes to see from his players. He also would be helped by not letting missed shots affect his defense.

okjhok

TT is the x-factor tonight, and I think he will be for the rest of the season. When he plays well, nobody beats us. He has a complete game that neither Brady nor Tyrel can match.

melrank

Here’s a dark horse for impact player tonight – Markieff.

He could be called upon for extended minutes and would likely be checking James quite a lot. The guy has been quiet for ever and is due to have a big game.

denverjhawkfan

I think X is struggling to find his role on this team. He was obviously the focal point of the offense in high school, with every play designed around him. Now, he is adjusting to being a member of a well-rounded team. IMHO

denverjhawkfan

Jesse, are you seeing a lot of blue in the stands?

Jesse Newell

Derrick Johnson of the Chiefs just popped up in front of me. Lots of celeb types here.

Jesse Newell

Denver — Yes, there is quite a bit of blue, but most is in the upper tank. Still, I’d say at least 50 percent of the fans in the upper deck at this point are KU fans. That will probably change as we get closer to gametime and more locals show up.

melrank

NEB – great question. I know Coach has asked him to be more aggressive. Are we asking him to drive the rim and penetrate too much?

Or should he play to his strength and float around the perimeter and look for open 3s?

His stroke is very pure but it sure has disappeared the last few weeks.

NEBjayhawk

Thanks…that’s just been bugging me for a while now. And I definitely agree okjhok. He’s one of those guys that doesn’t get all the attention, but can completely change a game.

denverjhawkfan

Yeah well Todd Helton of the Rockies lives 2 miles from me and I think I saw him in his Camaro one day! 🙂

SanFranHawk

What is the atmosphere like compared to the game in Manhattan, comparable?

Jesse Newell

SanFran — I’ll know more closer to gametime, but I don’t think this atmosphere will come close to K-State’s. Those fans want that win so bad. And, as I mentioned earlier, there are a ton of KU fans here — much more than I was expecting.

bradam

Think Withey gets many minutes tonight?

Jesse Newell

bradam — After last game, Self said that Withey might get more minutes tonight because UT plays two traditional big men. Having said that, in these types of games, Self usually plays the players he trusts the most. I wouldn’t expect more than a handful of minutes from Withey tonight, with all of those minutes probably coming in the first half. Foul trouble, of course, would change everything.

Jesse Newell

Scott Thornley is one of the officials tonight. I saw him in at least two other KU-UT games played on ESPN Classic earlier today.

denverjhawkfan

Dang, still 8 minutes to go with ‘Nova and Coach Handcuffs’ WVU! Gonna miss the first several minutes again. I guess I shouldn’t complain, I can’t even GET to an actual game on time when I live 20 minutes away!

stupidmichael

Bill Self said it’s not over if Kansas wins this game. But let’s be real here. The Big 12 race is over if Kansas wins this game, right?

BTW I’m not jinxing Kansas. I predict they will lose this game.

Jesse Newell

Mack Brown is shown on the video board. Fans go wild. Football is king, no matter the season.

denverjhawkfan

Jesse, if you say you see Matthew McCaunahey there my wife is gonna jump thru this computer and come out yours, so be careful with the name dropping!

SanFranHawk

All we can ask for is Nova go on a huge run for the next 3 minutes and no fouls!!!

Jesse Newell

Haven’t seen Matthew yet. And if I do, I won’t say a word.

SanFranHawk

Be careful if he does, I hear he doesn’t wear deodorant

denverjhawkfan

That’s what I say!!!! Heck, that’s all most of us have on him!!

Jesse Newell

All right, guys. I’m going to close up. Thanks for the chat. Be sure to check out the live game blog for polls, photos and analysis.

denverjhawkfan

Alright, let’s get it on! Game time!!!!

SanFranHawk

Yeah, most of us aren’t as good looking or as rich as he is….he can really do whatever he wants and the girls will come running!!

bradam

Who’s calling the game? I MUSt hope it’s not Brent and Robby.

Moderator

It is.