So this is it? After 36 games starting in November, that's all! This years stunning loss in round two of the NCAA shows that nothing really is satisfying at this level unless you go deep into the Tournament. KU, unfourtunatley has a history of early exits in the last 20 years. The loss to Northern Iowa this year could have been predicted in the way Kansas played throughout the year. A team laden with talent never could quite put average teams away. There seemed to be too much talk about a National Championship drive led by Sherron Collins even though his shot left him somewhere in early February and turnovers mounted. Xavier Henry was mentioned constantly about being a one and done player but his sporadic play showed that he is not ready for NBA play let alone 1st round status. Cole Aldrich was a dominant force on defense but his offensive skills in the post against opponents his size proved to be limited. Kansas won 33 games and only lost 3 but expectations are that Elite teams make Elite finishes in the NCAA. Bill Self is a great coach but sometimes his stubborn resolve not to adapt to situations lead to his teams looking stagnant for certain stretches in games against all types of opponents. Wouldn't it have been wise to speed UNI up in the first half with full court pressure in the form of a press? I read in the paper today that he might not watch the game film. Too painful to watch. Seems to me it might be a good idea to see how Bucknell, Bradley, Southern Illinois, Lehigh and UNI, teams who have much less talent, seem to give KU such problems in Tournament play. Unfortunantley when you root for KU you are expecting the highest level of play from the countries elite basketball players. Was this seasons a success? Most college teams would die for 33-3 records and league titles. KU 's success is measured by what is does in March. By that measure it was one of the biggest disappointments in the History of KU basketball. I will be back again with the same fervor for the 'Hawks. I hope Coach Self finds a way to re-evaluate what needs to be done to get further than the first week in the NCAA Tournament; the gauge for his teams and he as a coach. Let's face it, there is all kinds of heat in the KU kitchen.
