I just dont think you can have it both ways. Getting yourself tossed out of a game is irresponsible and certainly detriments the team. It is not by any definition playing tough or acting tough... it is just stupid. So when someone now says we need someone to do that my response is still "that is stupid". We just need our guys to get their confidence back, this problem is mental. Yes we have issues that are not getting rectified such as we will not have elite PG play regardless of whether or not EJ gets his mojo back but every team in the country has flaws and if this team can get things going I will like gonig to battle in March with an experienced group coached by the best in the business. We may go out early or we may play in another Final Four but my money is on the notion that we will play hard, with heart and toughness... even if we dont get anyone tossed out of a game.
"There's a difference between playing tough and playing stupid and the twins and T-Rob did cross that line once or twice in their careers and I'm not saying to go out and throw and elbow for the sake of throwing an elbow because that does make someone look like a thug. However, if someone on KU is getting mugged by an opposing player repeatedly and that KU player happens to catch the guy mugging him with an elbow while clearing out, I don't think that would be the worst thing that could happen to this team this year because it would show a little bit of toughness and that people can't get away with bullying KU."
There's no difference to the refs. It doesn't matter WHY you plant an elbow on a guy, you're getting tossed if it happens and it hurts the team when that happens. It doesn't intimidate anyone. All it shows is that you'll lose your cool if prodded. The only message delivered is of a lack of self control. All that does is push people to try to push you around MORE to force you to get tossed again. Net result = BAD. That would ABSOLUTELY be the worst thing that could happen.
I do think KU would benefit by having a nice scrum for a loose ball where KU shows some heart and toughness within the rules of the game that don't put players participation in the game at jeopardy. Show some fight, not frustration and foolishness.
Well KU did pick the right year to underperform as many other teams appear to be doing it also. Unless a team or two starts clicking on all cylinders over the next 5 weeks, one might be just as accurate picking names out of a hat to fill in brackets this coming tournament.
Kansas still has opportunities to sweeten their resume. Home vs. #10 K-State @ #17 Okie State and @ Baylor and Iowa State, two ncaa tourney teams. With as many losses as are likely from all the other top 20 teams, Ku could climb right back in the thick of things and snag a good seed. There is still plenty of chances for good thuigs for KU.
A win tonight against K-State is imperative for their season. Win and KU is tied in the standings. Lose and they are two games back with more tough games to go. K-State still has two games vs. Baylor and @Okie State, so they don't have a cakewalk ahead. We aren't out of the running for anything just yet. The season isn't over until there aren't any games left on the calendar.
I agree that tonight is key. Back to back losses at home is almost unheard of and send them on an even steeper downward trajectory. I hope they win tonight, but they way they are playing, I won't be surprised by another home loss.
