Have a question about KU basketball or football? Send it to Matt, who will be taking questions at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

jgkojak

I’d be curious how many of our likely future opponents (for now, Detroit, Purdue or St Marys) has ever played against a guy like Withey?

ozzzy

Have you heard any rumors on potential 5th year transfers yet?

ozzzy

Any additional incite if we will be running or 4-3 or 3-4 defense next year?

BadHaaseJayhawk

Matt,

Have you tried using that
“1 truck of a tiny belly.

Cut down a bit of your belly every day by simply using this 1 wierd old tip”

That I always see advertised on the side of this website?

J_Oroke

Can Heap play in the spring game?

KanFan27

What players do you think might do really well under the new Weis system on offense and Campo system on defense? Also are there any players that might struggle more than in the past under the new systems?

kustrong

Matt, do you believe that bringing in all these JUCO players will hurt Kansas when it comes to recruiting high school players?

Rock Chalk

kustrong

How far do you have Kansas going in the tournament?

Rock Chalk

Code_2008

Does making the NCAA tournament keep Bonnie’s out of the hot-seat or do you think that she should still step down

lonestar_jayhawk

What is latest on BB Recruits Sampson and Parker?

lonestar_jayhawk

Follow-up question, if we add one more scholarship player (Sampson, Parker or Nino), who leaves?

Toto_the_great

Matt,

Kim English here. Our fans are the craziest. No really… they are clinically crazy… like straight-jacket crazy. First, some folks think Bill Self threw the Baylor game so there wouldn’t be a KU-MU rubber match. Second, the fans think that KU is ungrateful by not showing any emotions when their selection was announced when we were given a ticker-tape celebration. I know we had our differences, but do you think the rubber match could happen in the Final Four? How crazy would that be? Too bad it can’t be in Kansas City. OUR city! Well, maybe that is Harpo’s I am thinking of. Okay, we only have a bar but that is still OUR bar so stay out of there!

Sincerely,

Kim English

kustrong

Am I crazy for thinking Mizzou got robbed of a #1 seed by UNC? Can the same argument be made with Duke and FSU? Did UNC really get rewarded for being the last #1 seed in with the easiest road to the Final Four?

Rock Chalk

jhawkjunkie

Does Charlie Weis have any or stated any philosophy about the football scheduling in the future?

en1gmatikk

If we had a BCS-type setup for the basketball national championship, who would you place in the title game, Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, and Orange Bowls?

en1gmatikk

If we had a BCS-type setup for the basketball national championship, who would you place in the title game, Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, and Orange Bowls?

en1gmatikk

If we had a BCS-type setup for the basketball national championship, who would you place in the title game, Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, and Orange Bowls?

Tribehawk

So what’s the story with Brady Quinn on campus? Is he helping out with the team or just catching up with Coach Weis?

53jayhawk

How did your mistake in citing KU-NU women’s basketball results from last year get past the editor and why has it not been corrected?

mikendal

Ok, Matt & Jesse. You both are assistant coaches at KU. Then, someone sends you both the quote from the Detroit big man saying, “Thomas Robinson needs to handle me”–or whatever he said. This catches your eye. How do you think you would react to this, being on the coaching staff, and, how do you think the KU players will react to the quote, especially Thomas Robinson?

mikendal

Syracuse’s Fab Mello, the Defensive Player of the Year in the Big East, ineligible now for the Tournament, how do you see this affecting the Orange’s chances to win deep in “The Dance?”

Thanks–KUFanSince1975

Bangkok_Jayhawk

In my opinion, a red shirt should only be burned if a player is either going to be a starter or play a major role. Last year Gill semed to burn a lot of red shirts from guys who did not play a lot. Mangino was usually better, but using a year of Todd Reesing’s eligibility to only play a few snaps seems to be a big mistake looking back. Do you see Weis being a guy who is slow or quick to burn red shirts?

Bangkok_Jayhawk

A couple months ago many of the posters (including myself) and fans were talking a LOT about a stadium renovation. You told us to “tay tuned” until Spring or Summer… Any updates?

ajs10

If you were coach Weis, who is the one guy of the basketball team you would offer a scholarship to and why?

swunruhawk

Any update on where Brock Berglund decided to play college football?

Also am amazed at the great Twitter support HCCW has shown the other sports teams, are you?

Keep up the awesome job.

jjjhwk

Excepting Dayne Crist, who do you think will be the most productive first year player for us next year?

kufan83

So prior to Sunday afternoon I basically don’t know anything about Detroit. Then around 2-3pm I hear a story about how great the Titans are and that they will be the best 15th seed around and I automatically think – well, that’s who KU will face…Is everyone playing up Detroit or does KU again get a surprise team of the tournament (Rhode Island, Bucknell, Bradley, Northern Iowa)

VaJay

Hi Matt! Thanks for keeping us informed!

You mentioned in last week’s chat that Dayne Crist “has already been helping the rest of the offense in the offseason” – can you expound upon that a little.
What’s he doing now to help us get better?

georgeJhawk

How far must the KU men go in the NCAA tournament for their tournament to be considered a success (given that the season should already be considered successful)?

georgeJhawk

How long, if ever, do you think it will take KU Football to make significant improvement (i.e. consistently make a bowl game which leads to a BCS bowl and contending for the Big 12 championship)?

KGphoto

Do you think Weis’ ban of media for pro day will impede your chances of making an NFL roster in 2012?

schach91

Have you seen more people interested in buying season tickets and the program in general since Coach Weis was hired?

benderjd

Is the KU Athletic Department still on the hook for the entire balance of Turner Gill’s contract, or does KU get a “credit” equal to what Liberty is paying Gill?

Valiarde

Matt,

I’ve always been curious what instructions the media are given when voting on conference awards, national awards, etc. and what criteria do you look at first when comparing players across positions, teams, conferences, etc to determine superiority. I still can’t believe that there is such a push for Davis over Robinson for POY.

brooksee

Matt:

What is the word on the Big 12 expanding to 12 members? Is that what the confrence is going to prefer?

Mike
Dover, NH

baldwinjhawk

Hey Matt, I know it’s early but… Starting five next year.

PG EJ
SG Shabazz
SF TRele
PF P Ellis
C Withey

Thoughts?

rockchalkhawks14

What is higher: Kansas turnovers vs Detroit, Kansas Football Wins in 2012 or Kansas/Mizzou Fan Fights in Omaha???

stupidmichael

I’m scared?

darshben

Who do you think will go farther this year KU or MU?

darshben

Some experts have picked us to go to the final four do you actually think that is possible with us having a down year and going through a region with lots of midmajors?

hawkjay21

So how close was Ray McCallum to signing with the jayhawks

kjc395

Do you think T Rob is headed to the NBA? He says hasn’t decided or is that just a simple answer?

Moderator

Hey guys. This is Jesse Newell, KUsports.com online editor. I’m here with Matt Tait. Matt, are you ready for this?

Matt Tait

Indeed I am. We should point out that we’re on the road to Omaha so if the connection gets sporadic, you’ll all know why. Let’s rock!

jayhawkinmullen

Is there any conceivable way KU loses to Detroit?

Matt Tait

Wow. Let’s get right to it.

In a nutshell, yes. The KU coaches and players have gone on and on this week talking about how talented, athletic and dangerous Detroit is. It’s not coach speak. It’s legit. They have a very talented starting five, with one McDonald’s All-American and another player who transferred from Indiana. These guys won’t be scared or intimidated by Kansas.

That said, I get the sense that the Jayhawks are very focused and that the loss to Baylor in the Big 12 tournament turned up their focus a level or two. KU fans should be thrilled by that and I’m guessing KU will win its Round 1 game by 12-15 points.

Should be a great game to watch, though, if you like fast-paced, athletic basketball.

d_prowess

Is it time for a percentage wheel on which Big 12 team makes it the farthest in the tournament?

Matt Tait

Now that you’ve asked it is… Long live the percentage wheel!!!

1. Kansas 33%
2. Missouri 27%
3. Baylor 20%
4. Kansas State 9%
5. Iowa State 6%
6. Texas 5%

When we’re done with the chat, lemme know in the comments below if you agree or disagree…

Bangkok_Jayhawk

Star rankings are not everything, but they are usually a decent measure of a players talent… That being said, why has KU used scholarships since the signing day to sign 2 guys (Page and Sterling) with a very low ranking? Neither was ranked above a 5.3 on Rivals.com. Is this a sign of “reaching” or is it Weis evaluating talent differently?

Matt Tait

I definitely don’t think it’s reaching. Weis said in his introductory press conference that he was not going to take players just to fill up spots. He was going to take players who fill needs and who can flat-out play.

We’ve been through this before at KU — many times — and it’s something fans should be used to by now. At least at the moment, KU is going to have to be comfortable with loading up on the 2 and 3 star guys that all the big dogs don’t want. After that, if they build a winner, some of the 4 and 5 star guys may start looking. Just the way it goes. But more often than not, you have to win first.

You’re very right though about the rankings not meaning everything. A lot of coaches take guys to fit a specific system or guys they consider to be “their guys”…. doesn’t make them less talented, just not as highly touted. I bet we’ll see a lot of that with Weis, especially during the first year or two.

tmyoung

What is it about the ESPN deal that implies it will put a stop to expansion talk for awhile? As much as I like the form factor of a 10 team conference, it sure seems like the mindset should be on expansion.

I want see the Big 12 land Louisville and Cincinnati, and begin to look east to continue to grow. My dream, grab Rutgers and UConn, and then convince Syracuse and Pitt to abandon the ACC for the Big 12. Basically complete the Big East merger to get to 16 that should have happened before the Big East went nuts inviting any school in the lower 48.

Can we get there?

Matt Tait

I haven’t had a lot of time to digest the specifics of that potential deal and haven’t talked to anyone about it yet.

My guess is that the language about stopping at 10 serves two purposes:

1. More money for all of the existing member schools (and less money that ESPN had to cough up initially)

2. It also would add stability for all of the schools, which would then know a specific amount that they would be getting and therefore would be able to budget accordingly.

That said, I don’t think the deal (if and when it’s done) would mean that the Big 12 will never expand. I’ve heard over and over, even before this deal, that expansion isn’t likely happening for a while…

plotku

Since the media wasn’t allowed into pro day, is there anyway to know what teams had scouts there, and what they thought?

Matt Tait

It’s doubtful. Sometimes they release the numbers a few days after the event, so I’ll keep an eye out for that.

Even then, we might not know who was there. I’m hoping to touch base with some of the guys who went through pro day today a little later on so we’ll see if I get ’em and if they can tell me how many scouts were there.

I’m bummed that we didn’t get to cover it this year. I love that event. I also understand why coach Weis shut it down, though. Probably gives the players the best chance to do well…

tkeegan

Set the over/under for attendance at the spring football game, Dayne Crist’s debut.

Matt Tait

Wow. Good one. I’ll give you a number, but let me say this first… I hope the attendance is through the roof good. As long as the weather cooperates, I’m guessing it will be.

As for the over/under on number of bodies in the seats, I’ll set it at 15,000, but I won’t be taking bets.

I don’t have any idea how many people are going to show up, but as someone who has lived in Lawrence since 1988 I can tell you that I don’t remember a single spring that had as much excitement and anticipation surrounding football as this one.

Moderator

Time for a couple more …

clevelandjayhawker

Do you think Danny Manning will be a head coach in the next 5 years?

Matt Tait

I do. There was a great article about this in our paper today by Gary Bedore, and although Manning’s answers about this topic were pretty vague, I think it’ll happen.

Post presence: Assistant coach Manning making most of ‘great spot’ on KU bench

He’s ready now, but that doesn’t mean it’s a do-or-die year for him to get a job. He’ll be patient and make darn sure that he picks the right fit and gives himself every chance to succeed.

I think the opportunities will increase tremendously during the next few years, as well. In my opinion, it’s only a matter of time.

Moderator

OK, last one.

mcrckchlk

If it were ever to come into fruition, what would your thoughts be on a KU-ND football game sometime in the future?

Matt Tait

I think it would be awesome, but I’m not sure it would happen any time soon. I doubt Weis would be ready for that just yet and I don’t know what Notre Dame would stand to gain by playing against Weis and the Jayhawks.

Call me crazy (again), but I’m still holding out hope that the Big 12 can entice Notre Dame to join the conference one day. If that happens, the game would happen every year.

One more thing to consider about your dare-to-dream scenario, there are dozens of other schools out there who would love to be on Notre Dame’s schedule, too.

Moderator

Thanks everyone for joining us and for the questions.

Matt Tait

Yep! Thanks a bunch for participating and for being flexible again to move it to Wednesday because of the tournament. Absolutely awesome to see so much interest in football even though we’re in the middle of March Madness.

See ya next week and be sure to check out Gary Bedore’s KU Hoops chat on Friday.