Hey all.
-- I've got to get with the boys on the Slant Podcast here at some point, but I absolutely want to share some thoughts with you following today’s Border War Press Conference in Lawrence. First, as I made my way to the Allen Fieldhouse media room, campers were all over the place getting ready for the game on Saturday. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that the atmosphere inside Allen Fieldhouse will be unbelievable on Saturday. It’s going to be epic for sure.
-- The first game in Lawrence a couple of years ago was dominated by Kansas. The game last year in Columbia was dominated by Kansas. I expect the game on Saturday to be dominated by Kansas. I’m not sure if you all recall or not, but in that first meeting in Lawrence, Christian Braun came out like his ass was on fire and it was never a game.
I think he just kind of set the tone and it’s been the same since. It sounds like Thomas Robinson is going to talk to the team, either before the game or at some point before the game, and I’m guessing he’ll do an amazing job getting his message across. He might not be the only former player to address the team before the game.
-- As all of you can probably imagine, Thomas Robinson was “all in” with coming back to have his jersey retired against Missouri on Saturday. If you have time, you should be back and watch some of his highlights from that game against Missouri in 2012. Just an unbelievable performance by Robinson and Kansas.
-- Both Dajuan Harris and Parker Braun talked about the Missouri program and facing the Tigers on Saturday. They were very respectful of the program, which wasn’t very popular based on the reactions of some Kansas fans on “X”, but no need to give MU any extra motivation before the game.
Braun said his experience at Missouri was good and he was able to get a good education. He also touched on knowing about the rivalry as a god growing up because his mom played at Missouri and his dad is, and always has been, a Kansas guy. I don’t recall the exact year, but Brain mentioned Tyrel Reed hitting some big shots against Missouri in Columbia one year as something he remembered about the rivalry as a kid. Parker, I believe, also said that Christian was “always” a Kansas fan growing up.
-- I think it would be unfair of me to say Dajuan Harris hates Missouri, but on Thursday afternoon, he those media outlets in attendance that he hopes Kansas beats Missouri by “a lot” on Saturday. Harris was a big Missouri fan growing up and was able to attend some games as a kid. However, those warm feelings about the Tigers have passed.
-- At today’s press conference, Dajan talked about how much last year’s performance in Columbia meant to him, and he played really well, but he’s got to be even better on Saturday. I’m not just talking about getting teammates involved, defending, and taking care of the basketball. Harris needs to be a factor on the offensive end of the court. He needs to get back to hitting that floater and, more importantly, if Missouri is going to dare him to shoot from the outside, he needs to shoot. No need to turn down open looks.
-- So, being that Missouri is coming to Lawrence on Saturday, I asked Coach Self if he changes anything about the way he prepares or conducts himself during practice simply due to the rivalry. Not necessarily how he will coach the game, but the way he does things leading up to the game.
“I would think some,” said Self. “We haven't practiced since we played on Tuesday, so we had to take yesterday off. So, we only get two days to prepare so it'll be turned up today and tomorrow. From a preparation standpoint, without question, I hope the players sense there's a bit more urgency in how we go about our business, but I don't spend a lot of time trying to dial it up when I think it can easily be dialed up on their own without my help.”
-- I've got to get with the boys on the Slant Podcast here at some point, but I absolutely want to share some thoughts with you following today’s Border War Press Conference in Lawrence. First, as I made my way to the Allen Fieldhouse media room, campers were all over the place getting ready for the game on Saturday. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that the atmosphere inside Allen Fieldhouse will be unbelievable on Saturday. It’s going to be epic for sure.
-- The first game in Lawrence a couple of years ago was dominated by Kansas. The game last year in Columbia was dominated by Kansas. I expect the game on Saturday to be dominated by Kansas. I’m not sure if you all recall or not, but in that first meeting in Lawrence, Christian Braun came out like his ass was on fire and it was never a game.
I think he just kind of set the tone and it’s been the same since. It sounds like Thomas Robinson is going to talk to the team, either before the game or at some point before the game, and I’m guessing he’ll do an amazing job getting his message across. He might not be the only former player to address the team before the game.
-- As all of you can probably imagine, Thomas Robinson was “all in” with coming back to have his jersey retired against Missouri on Saturday. If you have time, you should be back and watch some of his highlights from that game against Missouri in 2012. Just an unbelievable performance by Robinson and Kansas.
-- Both Dajuan Harris and Parker Braun talked about the Missouri program and facing the Tigers on Saturday. They were very respectful of the program, which wasn’t very popular based on the reactions of some Kansas fans on “X”, but no need to give MU any extra motivation before the game.
Braun said his experience at Missouri was good and he was able to get a good education. He also touched on knowing about the rivalry as a god growing up because his mom played at Missouri and his dad is, and always has been, a Kansas guy. I don’t recall the exact year, but Brain mentioned Tyrel Reed hitting some big shots against Missouri in Columbia one year as something he remembered about the rivalry as a kid. Parker, I believe, also said that Christian was “always” a Kansas fan growing up.
-- I think it would be unfair of me to say Dajuan Harris hates Missouri, but on Thursday afternoon, he those media outlets in attendance that he hopes Kansas beats Missouri by “a lot” on Saturday. Harris was a big Missouri fan growing up and was able to attend some games as a kid. However, those warm feelings about the Tigers have passed.
-- At today’s press conference, Dajan talked about how much last year’s performance in Columbia meant to him, and he played really well, but he’s got to be even better on Saturday. I’m not just talking about getting teammates involved, defending, and taking care of the basketball. Harris needs to be a factor on the offensive end of the court. He needs to get back to hitting that floater and, more importantly, if Missouri is going to dare him to shoot from the outside, he needs to shoot. No need to turn down open looks.
-- So, being that Missouri is coming to Lawrence on Saturday, I asked Coach Self if he changes anything about the way he prepares or conducts himself during practice simply due to the rivalry. Not necessarily how he will coach the game, but the way he does things leading up to the game.
“I would think some,” said Self. “We haven't practiced since we played on Tuesday, so we had to take yesterday off. So, we only get two days to prepare so it'll be turned up today and tomorrow. From a preparation standpoint, without question, I hope the players sense there's a bit more urgency in how we go about our business, but I don't spend a lot of time trying to dial it up when I think it can easily be dialed up on their own without my help.”
