Jesse Newell

72-69 KU. And I’ll say Travis Releford is KU’s most improved player next year.

stupidmichael

KU’s most improve player next year will be Tyrell Reed.

Jesse Newell

Without Marcus on the team, Tyrel might take that award this year.

Jesse Newell

Great point made in the media room. Lots of blue vs. orange games today. Orange took the first one (Tennessee over Kentucky). KU tries to win one for blue. If not, it will be up to Villanova to save the day (against Syracuse).

honk_for_hawks

Jesse, I’m thinking it depends on Andersen. If he has less than 20, I say KU wins 76-63. If he has over 20, 74-69. And I agree Releford will be great next year. I saw him at pickup games at the student rec over the summer and he was arguably the most versatile player on the court.

Jesse Newell

honk — I think a lot will depend on Marcus Morris and if he gets into foul trouble. He’s the best matchup KU has for Anderson. If he gets two fouls, I think you have to go to Brady. Xavier has the same body type as Anderson, but he gets caught up in screens too often. If you give Anderson a little opening, he’ll make you pay.

KU08

I vote for Mario Little but would love to see Releford become a big contributor.

stupidmichael

If KU loses this game and Kstate beats Missouri, which team will be under more pressure to win next Wednesday?

Jesse Newell

michael — Good question. KU has a tough slate from here on out. If the Jayhawks did lose today, losing two of three or even three of three isn’t completely out of the question.

KU08

Jesse, how’s Xavier looking in the pre-game warmups? I’m hoping he can play himself into a top 5 draft pick the rest of the season. I would love to see him come back for another year, but it’s best for KU if he does outstanding now rather than next year.

Jesse Newell

KU08 — He was looking just fine. They aren’t on the court now, but he was swishing some threes earlier when I was watching him. I would still say KU is set at the 3 next year even without Xavier, as either Mario Little or Releford should be able to step in immediately.

honk_for_hawks

good point. no offense to brady, but andersen is going to go for 20+ if he is guarding him all game. marcus needs to just move his feet, fight through the screens, and contest every shot. Xavier isn’t mature enough defensively too guard a scorer like andersen.

stupidmichael

If KU loses today and KSU wins, will I be able to watch the KU v. KSU game without having a heart attack?

number1fanfromillinois

KU- 77
OSU- 59

My big prediction for the day- Kansas as a team gets 12 blocks- Cole with 6

As for most improved player next year, I hope to Thomas Robinson become a huge force after practicing with Cole, MC & MK Morris and Withey, and the great coaching from Danny!

Jesse Newell

honk — You’re right. Marcus’ biggest contribution today might be defense over offense, though I think his work on the offensive glass against OSU (a good defensive rebounding team) is pretty important as well.

Jesse Newell

stupidmichael — No, I don’t think so.

Jesse Newell

number1fan — I think Thomas should become better when he steps into more playing time. He seems to be pressing and trying to do too much, knowing that he might only have a few minutes in there. Once he settles down, I think we’ll see immediate improvement.

stupidmichael

Daaang it.

honk_for_hawks

number1, I hope thats the case. as for thomas robinson, he will be a beast next year. has one of the best work ethics on the team and danny manning is arguably the best big man coach in the country. one offseason + danny manning + thomas robinson= more athletic d-block

Jesse Newell

Quirky number: KU 0-1 on CBS this year.

stupidmichael

If there is one station I would like KU to play well on, it’s CBS.

Jesse Newell

Another stat: Obi Muonelo is shooting 46 percent from three in Big 12 play, making 40 of 87. KU’s Big 12 opponents have made 39 percent of their threes against the Jayhawks. Does Tyshawn get that defensive assigment?

honk_for_hawks

hope that doesn’t mean anything jesse…CONSIDERING THE TOURNEY IS ON CBS!

number1fanfromillinois

Jesse-any word on whether or not we will see CJ for the rest of the season?

honk_for_hawks

UNC may actually win a game today. 54-47 UNC with 7 to play? they’ll probably choke though

bulldawgs

anyone want to take a bet on how much CBS preempts for tsunami coverage?

Jesse Newell

number1 — I mentioned this in the live blog on the front of the side, but C.J. is going through pregame warmups with the team for the first time in quite a while. Self said C.J. was about 70-80 percent during a press conference on Thursday. I would say if the game gets out of hand one way or the other, we might see C.J.

honk_for_hawks

tyshawn or brady should guard muonelo.

KRichards

CBS better figure it out. I have Dish network and my HD cbs is completely yellow screen and standard cbs is pink screen.

Jesse Newell

This is starting to look like most of KU’s road games. Blue-shirted fans are mostly in the upper 10 rows, especially in the corners. I would guess there will be about a couple thousand KU fans here.

honk_for_hawks

must be dish richards. my cbs is working fine.

Jesse Newell

Didn’t make it to Eskimo Joe’s last night. Did I miss much?

honk_for_hawks

Nope. UNC is actually INCREASING their lead. up 10 with 5 to go. they win this and they are probably going to beat us to 2k

KRichards

Jesse-

Any guess as to who else we might pick up on the recruiting front for this year?

Jesse Newell

KRichards — I don’t consider myself an expert in recruiting, but from what I’ve heard, KU should have a decent shot of getting Josh Selby. Aziz N’Diaye, a 7-foot junior college player, could be in the mix as well.

number1fanfromillinois

and the Texas downfall continues….down by 11 with 6:41 to go

KRichards

It doesn’t matter to me about the 2k. Who wants to brag about being second?

honk_for_hawks

krichards. this is actually the real race. UK is going to lose this season when they realize john wall had his SAT taken by someone else.

number1fanfromillinois

any chance CBS switches over to the KU game before the tarheel game is over?

KU08

I care about getting to 2000 wins before UNC. You never know. Kentucky could have this season vacated, and KU will retroactively be awarded the “First to 2000 Wins” title. It could hang in the AFH rafters next to the Helm’s Foundation NC banners.

Jesse Newell

Still plenty of empty seats here in the upper section. I’d heard this was going to be a sellout. It doesn’t look like that, at least yet.

honk_for_hawks

number1, not if it stays in single digits.

Jesse Newell

James Anderson in warmup line. He’s going to give it a go.

Jesse Newell

All right, guys, thanks for the chat. I’m closing it up. Be sure to check out the live game blog for analysis, polls, photos and more from today’s game.