Notre Dame to the Big....12???

I'll address that headline in a minute....and forgive me if you just spit up soda or coffee or whatever all over your monitor.

I got to thinking tonight about all the conference realignment going on these days and how my beloved Tigers of Missouri are affected in all this. I have to say that I am both confused, annoyed, exasperated, and curious about just what the heck is going on.

A few months ago, Missouri seemed like a logical choice for Big 10 membership, but after the events to this point, it seems less and less likely that an invite is forthcoming. All we've heard from Mizzou admins is "We are proud members of the Big 12 Conference...." yadda yadda yadda. If there was no approach from Big 10 admins, all Mizzou would have to say is there has been no approach, no application, no invite, or anything else along those lines. If Mizzou had not approached the Big 10, why can't they say so in those exact words? And why was Mizzou given an ultimatum to pledge a commitment to the Big 12 if they weren't going anywhere?

Missouri AD Mike Alden sent out a press release today how open and honest they have been throughout the process and that something big and exciting was on the horizon. So why all the secrecy? If anything I would say Mizzou admins have been less than honest when it comes to sharing information and keeping their fans calm. They preach "Stay Calm" but please, explain to us why we should?

While it's not over until it's over, I am beginning to think that Mizzou is leaning another direction. Maybe it's the lack of sleep, I don't know, but here's my thought: With Texas about to pull out of the conference as well, Mizzou, Kansas, K-State, Iowa State, and Baylor may seek to build a new conference, a new Big 12. Add a few up and comers, throw in Memphis from Conference USA and another big name or two and voila...instant rebirth.

And for the sake of argument....why not add Notre Dame? The worst that could happen is they could say no. But expansion has always been and always will be about money. So if all the teams saying sayanara to the Big 12 are paying buyout fees equal to a certain percentage of their television revenue shares; and the schools with the biggest shares are the ones who are leaving (see ya Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, etc...) then therein lies a huge chunk o' change. I'm not certain of the numbers, but there are 7 schools and counting contributing to a fund that just might be used to help persuade the Fighting Irish to consider the option and tell the Big 10 that No means No.

Hey, I never said it was a solid plan, just a possibility. And it wouldn't be the first time an administrator has had delusions of grandeur. Just don't rule it out until after the dust has settled.

Baylor 40, Mizzou 32

Wow...didn't see that one coming.

But then again, since the B12 conference season started, Mizzou football has been a season of surprises.

From the 27 points surrendered to Nebraska in the 4th quarter to ZERO touchdowns scored by the Mizzou offense in the second half of any conference game this year. In the non-conference games, Mizzou was a 2nd half team. Remember the comeback against Bowling Green? Seems like a distant memory now.

I'm thinking Mizzou is gaining a reputation as a choke artist the way they keep coughing up leads in the 2nd half of games. Baylor was not only considered a must-win, but by many it was also considered a "can't lose." At this point, MU goes into its game with conference leader kansas St next week with a 1-4 conference record. It's still possible, assuming Mizzou beats k-St, for MU to tie for the B12 north. Probably not very likely, but its possible.

This season is starting to remind me of the 2004 squad - a year that the division as a whole was having a down year and the B12 championship was there for the taking. Mizzou went into a 5 game slide, I think it was and lost to teams they had no business losing too. Personally, I'd say that at 5-4, Mizzou needs to quit worrying about the B12 north and start focusing on becoming bowl eligible.

At least basketball season is right around the corner....

Save the season, save the world...

Mizzou 36, Colorado 17

Guess those Tigers got that monkey off their backs, huh? Wanted to watch, but our satellite system doesn't carry FSM so I had to follow along with Gametracker again - which froze up with about 10 minutes to go in the first half. Glad to see the offensive breakthrough, but I would be lying if I said I hadn't been concerned about how easily the Buffaloes seemed to be scoring points in the 2nd half! But the defense held tough and Mizzou got the "W". Baylor is up next, in Columbia and with a little more luck Mizzou can start to put a little win streak together.

Some folks are giving scenarios showing how Mizzou could wind up winning the Big 12 North again, but personally I think they lost too many games too soon. Kansas State looks strong, and Mizzou would have to win out to even have a shot at it, plus MU would need help from other teams in the league to have a shot. My thought is that one of the two kansas schools will win the B12 North this year (I think I just threw up a little typing that) but it would be nice. Doesn't really matter though, I guess because Texas will likely steamroll whoever plays them in the conference championship game.

I missed my Sunday night cartoons this week....I am seriously in need of a fix on Family Guy (ummm, new episodes please?). I was searching for episode guide info earlier tonight and it seems the long awaited Empire Strikes Back parody has been pushed back to May, possibly a season ender? A parody of Return of the Jedi is also listed for season 8, but I don't see them running both this year.

World Series...Seriously?? Whatever happened to tradition of day games in the Fall Classic? Why must all of the games be played at night now? And don't give me the excuse of TV ratings because you can't tell me that everyone across the country wants to watch the Yankees and Phillies. Being a fan of the NL myself I will root for Philadelphia, but I can find better uses of my time than listen to broadcasters sing the praises of the Yankee players and organization for 4 hours a night.

Finally tonight, I want to say Happy Birthday to my son, Tom Hendricks, who turned 20 today. Another year and he can legally have a beer! Also happy birthday to my girlfriend's daughter Sarah who turned 16 today. And we've entered the home stretch for the true birthday of my first grandchild. My daughter Kaitie is due to deliver any day now...she was hoping for yesterday. Trick or Treat!!

Save some birthday cake and Save the world...

Been a while...what the hell happened?

My apologies for the lack of information coming from this page! Just one of those things, I guess...

Combining work and school are one thing and adding in some real life is another. But I digress.

On the subject of Heroes...after the 1st week back of the new season, when I summarized the first two episodes, I began to wonder just what the heck I was setting myself up for! I don't remember last season being anywhere near as fast paced as this season has been. By the time the next week rolled around I was a bit under the weather and since then I have been doing good just to keep up with the show. So instead of summarizing, I think maybe I'll just throw in a few key thoughts and go from there. Feel free to jump into the discussion...

So how about that kiss between Claire and Gretchen?

Will Sylar/Gabriel be redeemed or is it time to kill him off? I think if he is not going to be redeemed a villainous character deserves to go out in a blaze of glory. Not necessarily one of those deaths or explosions where the body is never recovered, leaving us to wonder about his fate, but something more resembling the battle at the end of season 1, where all of the "good guys" took a turn in the battle. I don't think they could send him off to prison just because his abilities would never allow him to be held.

Will Sylar turn on his new friends? If Samuel pisses him off, or if he wakes up and realizes just who he is, I think Sylar could find a smorgasboard of abilities ripe for the picking.

How the hell is Peter going to heal Hiro? Will Peter hold on to his current ability until Hiro comes back (anxiously awaiting the scenes with Jayma Mays, aka Charlie, again!)

And finally....it appears to me that Heroes characters don't die. They just move over to Glee on Fox (Jayma Mays, Jessalyn Gilsig, even Elle's dad "Bob" is over there now.)

Mohinder will be back, or so I've read....


FOOTBALL --

Well, it has been 3 games since I last blogged about Mizzou football. I really thought we had a chance to win at least 1 of the next three games, possibly two. Did we? Nope...try 0 for 3. And not just losing them, but losing them in grand fashion. I mean, I went to bed at the start of the 4th quarter of the Thursday night game with Nebraska with MU winning 12-0. I wake up the next morning and Mizzou has lost 27-12?? WTF?? Then there was Oklahoma State last week and Texas this week. Here's a tip for the MU defense. When you have the opposing quarterback (or any other opposing team member who happens to have the ball) wrapped up in your arms, PUT HIS ASS ON THE GROUND!!

And Style Points?? Excuse me?? Seems like when Mizzou was winning the past two years by large margins, Mizzou was being unsportsmanlike. But when Oklahoma did it to people, including Mizzou, Texas did it to MU last night, it was "Style Points" and they get applauded for it. What a crock.

So MU is now 4-3 and are still 2 wins away from being bowl eligible. I still think they can get there and honestly the next 5 games are winnable. Its' a weird season this year. I mean, Iowa State won at Nebraska? Texas A&M beat Texas Tech? I was slightly surprised to see kansas lose to Oklahoma yesterday too. With Bradford out, and Reesing at QB for the beakers, I expected a closer game. Even winless Ball State got their first win of the year yesterday. So a lot can happen still...

Give me your thoughts, or at least something to talk about.

Save my mind, Save the World...

Mizzou 31, Nevada 21

As much as I wanted to plop myself down in front of the tv last night to watch this game (for FREE), I was unable to do so because I had homework to do for my math class. So, as before, I just followed along with GameTracker on the internet.

GameTracker left me confused at times as to just what was going on, but it appeared to me that Nevada put everything they had into stopping the rushing offense of Mizzou. They pretty much succeeded in doing that as the running game was almost non-existant, minus a 42 yard run by Derrick Washington. Mizzou countered as expected with Blaine Gabbert's passing game.

Let me repeat.

Blaine. Gabbert's. Passing. Game.

This dude has an arm. 414 Yards?? Are you kidding me?

Gabbert is going to force teams to defend against the pass, and this SHOULD open some running lanes for the rushing game. I say should because through 4 games this season, I have yet to hear about many huge gains on the ground.

But at least Mizzou did survive again and came away from a quality opponent ON THE ROAD with a win. Yes, Nevada is now 0-3, but look at who else they've played. Nevada is going to really surprise any team who takes them lightly.

Bye week next week, then it's a Thursday night game in Columbia against Nebraska. Words that have been unable to be said for quite some time regarding these two teams can now be said with a smile: Nebraska has lost 3 straight in Columbia, and 2 straight against the Tigers. Now if Mizzou can just put together 23 more straight wins against the Huskers, I'll be a happy man. But just one more win against Nebraska will be just fine too.

So after another undefeated non-conference season, let's ask: Is Mizzou for real? Did the Tigers truly reload instead of rebuild? The next 3 games will answer that question and I would expect MU to win 2 of the next three. What is your opinion? (only serious discussion please. Any attempts at flaming will be deleted, no questions asked.)

Mizzou 52, Furman 12

Now this was the kind of game I expected Missouri to have against an overmatched team. Like last week, I did not actually watch the game, since I am too cheap to shell out $29.95 to watch on pay-per-view (we thought about it, but lower the price a bit, and we'll talk) so I followed along with the help of an occasionally slow updating Gametracker.

Mizzou did take a few series to figure things out and apparently it was time well spent. Mizzou was up 42-0 at halftime. In the second half, I wondered how much time QB Blaine Gabbert would spend on the field. He played the 3rd quarter, while backup Jimmy Costello got the 4th.

Mizzou managed 10 more points in the 2nd half while Furman attempted a comeback with 2 touchdowns, but missed the point-after kick both times.

Now, here's a little bit that has bothered me the last few years. There are people around Missouri who don't like to see the Tigers run up the score on their opponents. I believe Coach Pinkel even subscribes to that notion. But how many years did we watch opponents run up the score against MU? Anyone remember the Norman Conquest? (Oklahoma 77, Missouri 0, in Norman, OK) Last season prior to the Big 12 Championship Game, the Oklahoma Sooners were PRAISED for scoring 60 points or more in so many consecutive games. Yet if Mizzou does it, people think the Tigers are unsportsmanlike? I really think that had OU not been scoring so many points, that the Texas Longhorns would have been ranked higher during all the confusion that had to decide the Big 12 South champion and would have been playing against MU instead. Not to say Mizzou would have beaten Texas, but what bothers me is the notion that the Sooners were granted "Style Points" by the pollsters which gave them the extra little push to put them in line to play for the championship. (end rant).

So next week, Mizzou is on the road for a Friday night game at Nevada. Despite a 3-0 start for Mizzou and an 0-2 start for Nevada (losses against Notre Dame & Colorado State), this game concerns me. First, it's on the road. Second, despite the record, Nevada is a more experienced team (Anyone remember Mizzou @ Troy a few years back?). And 3rd, after this game Mizzou has a bye week before opening the conference with a home game against Nebraska. Can you spell Nevada "T-R-A-P"?? In fact, following Nebraska on the schedule are Oklahoma State (in Stillwater) and Texas (in Columbia).

It may appear that all is well in Tiger Nation for the moment, but how well will be determined over this next stretch of 4 games. Winning 2 of these 4 is a must. Winning 3 of these 4 is possible and would be nice. Winning all 4 would spark - I don't know what. But the Tigers will definitely need to maintain their focus and take one game at a time to get through this stretch.

Where the hell is Spider Burke when you need him?

Missouri 27, Bowling Green 20

I did not get to watch this game. I could have, but I chose not to shell out $29.95 for the pay-per-view broadcast. Just a thing I have, where I disagree with the concept of pay-per-view broadcasts of games against what is supposed to be inferior competition.

I say supposed to be because Bowling Green was anything BUT inferior. I don't know if it was Mizzou believing their hype this week, or enjoying its spot in the rankings, or if Bowling Green is just that well coached and prepared but the Falcons have certainly had Mizzou's number this decade.

I was away from home this afternoon and when I got home this evening, I had some errands to run before the game. I got back home about half an hour after the game started and when I turned on the computer to see how things were going (thank God for Gametracker!) Imagine my surprise to see Mizzou trailing 7-0, followed by a Bowling Green punt that was fielded by Mizzou, then fumbled away. The Tiger defense managed to hold the Falcons to just a field goal, but I still had hopes that it was just a fluke.

That was late in the 1st quarter.

Mizzou actually trailed 13-0 before they managed to put a pair of field goals on the boards to make the score 13-6 by halftime. Incidentally, is anyone going to give props to Mizzou's new field goal kicker, Grant Ressel?? Where the heck did this guy come from? He only has to replace the most prolific kicker in Mizzou history (no pressure though) and so far this season he has been money from over 40 yards out.

In the second half, Bowling Green came out and scored another touchdown on their opening drive to make the score 20-6. Mizzou could have easily quit at that point, but I like to think that these guys saw the moment as a true gut-check and decided right then and there that they were not going to give up. They battled back and scored three unanswered touchdowns to steal the win away from the visiting team. Twice they went for it on 4th down and twice they succeeded in keeping the drives alive.

This team may be full of youngsters, but tonight they showed that they have no quit in them. If they go down, they will go down swinging. From a fan's perspective, I would have preferred to see a blowout, but when I reflect on this game, I think what we ended up with is much more valuable. These Tigers were given a test. A chance to battle back from adversity and fight for respect. Bowling Green had aspirations of coming in to Columbia and scoring an upset on the road (much like Houston did to Oklahoma State) but it wasn't to be. These Tigers passed their test and I would venture a guess they will be better prepared for Furman next week.

I don't think Mizzou will go undefeated this year, but I do think we are looking at something special. The start of something Mizzou fans have been dreaming of for years. Watch for good things to happen as this team begins to gel and barring early defections to the NFL, an undefeated season is certainly possible within the next two years.

M-I-Z!!!

Mizzou 37, Illinois 9

I guess this should answer one burning question: Is Missouri rebuilding or reloading?

I was pleasantly surprised with today's outcome. Count me among the doubters and those who thought it might be a long and tortuous season. I thought the more experienced Illinois team would come out and put a whoopin on old Mizzou in much the same fashion they do every December in the braggin' rights basketball game.

However, Mizzou's young quarterback making his first collegiate start while playing in his hometown St Louis had other ideas. And so did the normally generous Mizzou defense. Bend, don't break actually held today. I was very impressed with the way they held Illinois to 3 points for most of the game before allowing a touch down in the 4th quarter.

One concern the team might be looking at, I thought, would be rushing. I haven't looked at the box score yet, but I don't recall seeing many decent runs by the Mizzou rushers.

Can't wait till next week! Mizzou at home vs Bowling Green....Should be fun to watch!

25 and 2

Unless you want to get technical and count the former Rolling Stones manager who passed away recently, we've gone 2 days without a major celebrity death :)

And you were worried when news broke of Rupert Grint's battle with Swine Flu!

Today is Day 25 since I left MU and I'm still listed as an active employee. Sigh... So in a little while I am going to head over to Human Resources and see if we can't get things hurried up a little.

Fun times ahead...

Save the blogger, Save the World...

UPDATE: Rumor has it, I have been terminated! (Yes, that's a good thing, LOL). Another hurdle down...

It's been 24 days since my last day of work...

I continue to wait for the Human Resources person at MU to either terminate me in the employee database, call me, or return my email. So far, none of which has happened. The rep I had been working with on the supplemental retirement was also going to call me this morning and we were going to attempt to go meet with HR if necessary, but I haven't heard from him either. Could be just one of those days, but seriously, I don't have very many of those days left.

With any luck, I'll hear from him today and things will be all straightened out. Keep your fingers crossed...

Day 20 and Counting...

I felt the need to vent today and since I have this blog, well....why not.

It has been 20 days since I left my job at the University of Missouri. Twenty. As in two zero. Why does it matter you ask? Because they apparently think I still work there.

My employment status is currently listed (still) as active and until it gets changed to terminated, I cannot receive a cash-out check from the 403b plan I participated in. This is important because I need the money to finance my move.

The paperwork has been sent to Human Resources, but the person who is sitting on it tells us that her first priority right now is to assist with Time and Labor implementation. Never mind that there are over 600 people waiting to have their status terminated right now. That, it turns out, is low priority.

So I sit and wait, held hostage by a bureaucratic system that would rather cut costs by employing fewer people to do the mountains of work that waits for...apparently no one. I mean, if she can't get to it now...when will they get to it? Ever?

Sigh...Stay tuned folks...

Wow - I thought you guys wanted me to let it go?

I've become a thorn in the side of KU fans. Cool.

But to be such a thorn, I have to keep in mind that some (note: I did not say ALL) KU fans have selective reading, which is quite similar to selective hearing. Meaning they only read or hear certain words or phrases.

The initial comments I received from the repost of an article I didn't even write encouraged me to just let it go, move on, quit carrying such a hatred, blah blah blah. I've tried. This is actually my third blog entry since then, but the comments, they keep on coming. And sometimes, they get personal. Let's stick to the subject at hand, shall we?

It's sad to a point, and eventually it just gets so dang ridiculous that maybe it is best to acknowledge that debating write and wrong with some people is like banging your head against a brick wall.

Let's look a little closer at two player situations: Darrell Arthur of Kansas and Keith DeWitt, an MU signee from Charis Prep School in North Carolina.

As some of you may know by now, it's been reported for the last few months that the NCAA was looking into the academic program at Charis Prep. It's been reported for awhile now that DeWitt may not make it through the NCAA Clearinghouse and be allowed to play basketball at Mizzou this in 2009-10. Yes sir, the NCAA really cracked down on this one!

Arthur, on the other hand, "graduated" from South Oak Cliff HS in Texas, and was cleared by the clearinghouse to play basketball for the Jayhawks of Kansas. According to the official KU website, Arthur was the 4th leading scorer on the team during his freshman season (2006-07) and started in 7 out of 38 games. Coming out of high school, he was tournament MVP his junior and senior years as his team won back to back state championships in class 4A. Sounds like a great player anybody would want on their team, right? In May of 2008, after 2 years of playing basketball at Kansas, WFAA-TV in Texas investigates and discovers the grade changing scandal at South Oak Cliff HS and learns that Arthur likely should not have graduated, therefore being ineligible to play basketball at Kansas. Here's a link to the story at WFAA:

Grade questions could void another SOC title

Now lets stop for a moment and emphasize a point. Missouri Head Coach Mike Anderson is not resposible for DeWitt's course selection or grades at Charis Prep. Neither is Bill Self responsible for the grade change situation involving Arthur and South Oak Cliff. The high schools are the ones submitting the transcripts to the NCAA and its up to the NCAA to clear the students to play. My argument today is with the NCAA.

Mizzou loses out on a player because the NCAA won't accept his core courses and rightfully so. Meanwhile, KU has a player on the court for them for 2 YEARS and it takes a Texas tv station to discover he didn't make the grade? Where was the NCAA clearinghouse looking on that one?

Mizzou is not perfect, I'll give you that. But in the past when Mizzou has tried to bend the rules a little bit, MU got caught and punished for it, often immediately. And I will say that I am thankful they did get caught in the past because when Mizzou gets to the final 4 and wins a national championship, then Mizzou fans can truly appreciate the journey of getting there and winning with honesty and integrity.

Well, would you look at that...

It appears I've touched a nerve!

Apparently a few readers out there neglected to read the first line of my last post, which clearly states "This post is not my original work." Looking back at my traffic feed, I can see that most people who have found that post were from Kansas, so maybe reading isn't one of their strong suits. But still they made it through the blog post and there were no pictures to help them along, so I must give them some credit.

Seriously though -- I didn't write it. I found it posted on Tigerboard. It also clearly states that it is not meant to state a complete picture of things at KU.

I posted it for one reason and one reason only. The difference in media coverage between Missouri and Kansas sports is highly laughable. If somebody so much as sneezes wrong at Mizzou, the entire free world hears about it. A football player runs down a teammate at Kansas, causing head injuries and sending him to the hospital and its completely covered up and ignored by media.

I know Mizzou is not perfect in the way things are done. No program is. I can accept that. But when Kansas and their fans can own up to the fact that their beloved bird can get away with so much shit, and can pretty much break any NCAA rule around without so much as a slap on the wrist when in fact there should be serious consequences, I will find an ounce of respect for their program.

If you want to comment or criticize me for posting this go right ahead. I welcome them. But let's keep the personal slanders out of this shall we? You want to bring up the past problems at Mizzou? Fine, but how about this little nugget: try limiting it to an NCAA violation that was swept under the rug or perhaps Mizzou got away with. I don't think you're gonna find one.

Oh, and the Carmelita Floyd comments and Ricky Clemons jailhouse experience doesn't count. It wasn't an NCAA violation and Ricky was already off the team at that point.

FWD: The Undressing of Bill Self: A look back at Kansas Basketball

NOTE: This post is not my original work. I wish it were. It was originally found on Tigerboard.com, a message board for the use of fans of the Missouri Tigers.

To visit Tigerboard, you may not know it was for MU fans, by the sheer number of Kansas Jayhawk posters there, but trust me - it's a Mizzou site.

I'm copying and pasting the following from that site because it involves a detailed account of activities within the Kansas basketball program. Seems like when something negative occurs within the KU program, most media sources tend to hide it, or at least bury it until it becomes so old that no one really cares anymore. So in the name of Truth, Justice, and the Tiger way, please enjoy the following:

http://www.tigerboard.com/boards/missouri-tigers.php?message=6559640

The Self Years

**Note – this is not meant to represent a complete picture. It only contains information that has publically been brought to light.
2003 offseason

After going on national television and proclaiming “I don’t give a **** about North Carolina, Roy Williams in a surprise move takes the knife which he has used to stab anyone in reach in the back with the last 10 years and plunges it squarely in KU fans hearts - proclaims the KU head coaching job to be a stepping stone job by leaving for North Carolina, just as his predecessor did. Tears are shed by all parties.

In an ironic twist of fate, after being chastised by KU fans for coaching a brand of basketball that is a disgrace to the game and not really basketball after hammering KU out of the 2001 NCAA tournament, Bill Self leaves Illinois and is introduced as Kansas basketball coach

Darnell Jackson becomes Self’s first commit to Kansas as after receiving over $5,000 in illegal benefits during his recruitment.

2003-2004 Season

Kansas, under Bill Self, after only two games becomes ranked #1 in the Nation;

In its first game thereafter, #1 Kansas promptly loses to Stanford (64-58] surrendering its No. 1 ranking; Next, Kansas is blown out by Nevada (75-61); A week and a half later, Kansas suffers humiliating defeat AT HOME against Richmond (69-68];

Another week and a half later, Kansas loses to Iowa State (68-61); then is crushed by Oklahoma State (80-60), crushed by Nebraska (74-55) and crushed by Texas (82-67)

After finishing 3rd in the conference Kansas loses again to Texas in second round of Big 12 tournament (64-60);

Kansas loses to Georgia Tech (79-71) in NCAA tournament after beating heavyweights UIC, Pacific and Alabama-Birmingham;

2004 offseason
Departing players receive customary graduation checks from appreciative boosters. Team sets off on illegally organized barnstorming tour where they receive the gate money to supplement their income.

Omar Wilkes, Moulaye Niang, David Padgett announce they are transferring from Kansas basketball program;

Kurtis Townsend hired as assistant basketball coach; Townsend’s experience includes being a member of the staff at California (1993-1997) during one of the largest NCAA recruiting violation investigations in history which landed the school on 3 years probation. He followed that up as an assistant at Michigan (1998-2001) during the greatest recruiting scandal in the history of the NCAA, which resulted in four years of major sanctions for the school; As a bonus to the Kansas basketball program, Townsend brought along with him recruit C.J. Giles, formerly committed to USC when Townsend was coaching there. However, when Townsend left USC for Miami, G.J. Giles transferred along with him to Miami. Once Townsend was fired at Miami, C.J. Giles again transferred with him, this time to Kansas.

Julian Wright commits to Kansas without ever visiting campus; Wright, who had previously eliminated Kansas from his list apparently and inexplicably changed his mind and committed on the spot during a Self and Townsend in-home visit; Scheduled visits to various other schools are abruptly cancelled;

Perhaps not surprisingly, Rodrick Stewart, another one of Townsend’s former players and recruits, transfers to Kansas from USC;
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cbasketball/176969_locke09.html

2004-05 regular season

Kansas blown out in 20 point loss (83-62) to Villanova;

Kansas loses three in a row to Texas Tech (80-79); Iowa State AT HOME (63-61); to Oklahoma (71-63);

Kansas loses to rival Missouri (72-68];

In a strange and somewhat sad tradition, KU finishes second in conference Oklahoma but in an attempt to appear something they are not claim a conference championship despite losing the tiebreaker to them. Kansas knocked out of Big 12 tournament (78-75) in loss to Oklahoma State;

Self manages to accomplish something that hasn’t been done at KU since 1978, as Kansas is shocked in first round of NCAA tournament (64-63) by 14th seed BUCKNELL. It is the first NCAA tournament victory ever for Bucknell’s entire conference, and the first win by a 14 seed since 1999. The preseason #1 team ends its season by losing to a team with only 5 scholarship players.
Benefiting from having a game day coach and tactician, Illinois goes 37-2 and reaches the NCAA title game.

2005 Offseason
Departing players receive customary graduation checks from appreciative boosters. Team sets off on illegally organized barnstorming tour where they receive the gate money to supplement their income.
Alex Galindo and Nick Bahe announce they are transferring from Kansas basketball program;

Only 300 fans show up for Kansas basketball awards ceremony; Majority of seating for 2,024 remains empty; “The ones who didn't show up can sit behind their desk, their computers or whatever and complain till next season," said always-quotable Keith Langford.

Highly publicized bar fight involving starting guard J.R. Giddens occurs. Multiple witnesses report that Giddens was the primary instigator in an attack that saw 10-12 people beat Olathe resident Jeremiah Creswell with fists, bricks and bottles. Saying he was trying to defend himself, Creswell brandished a knife and stabbed Giddens and four others. Witnesses said KU forward C.J. Giles also threw a punch and tossed bricks at Creswell as he lay defenseless on the ground getting stomped.

At some point in June, Kansas athletic department receives anonymous tip regarding improprieties centering around J.R. Giddens and NCAA recruiting violations
Ronnie Chalmers, previously a high school coach in Alaska with only 5 years of experience, but more importantly, recruit Mario Chalmers’ father, is announced as Director of Kansas Basketball Operations; his son also elects to come to Lawrence

Keith Langford and Aaron Miles, never able to adjust to Bill Self’s slow and methodical hi-low offense, go undrafted in the 2005 NBA draft
Known for his lack of sportsmanship and being on scholarship despite stealing felony amounts of merchandise from Wal-Mart, J.R. Giddens has developed into a one dimensional player and is thus becoming expendable given all the off the court issues he brings to the table. Giddens announces he is leaving the Kansas basketball program under request from Self to get a fresh start elsewhere.
With only walkon Christian Moody ever avging more than 1 rebound a game at the D1 level as returning players, CJ Giles receives no similar treatment and remains on KU’s team.

Among other undisclosed violations and disclosed violations, such as the discovery of massive and rampant academic fraud within Kansas’ football program, Kansas announces that it also discovered that its basketball staff had traditionally engaged in a practice of allowing monetary payments to graduating players and other Jayhawk players who had exhausted their eligibility in violation of NCAA rules; A self-imposed two year probation is levied against their athletic department; Other sanctions are levied against women’s basketball and men’s football; Curiously, men’s basketball escapes all (self-imposed) punishment;

Rodrick Stewart suffers gash on head after getting having a bottle smashed over his head during a fight at a Lawrence, Kansas bar

Not exactly clear when, but Brandon Rush commits to Kansas basketball program. Rush narrowed his college choices to Illinois and Oklahoma. Then he couldn't qualify at Illinois. Then he couldn't qualify at Oklahoma. He decided he would have to enter the draft straight from high school as he couldn't qualify at a D1 university, except it looked as though he wouldn't be a first round selection, something his brother had already have happen to him. His brothers talked him out of it. Two weeks after school started he got into KU and even though he at times carried a 0.0 GPA in high school managed to get a 3.6 at KU while missing the first two weeks of classes. This strangely coincided with the same time frame which their compliance department was noted to be severely understaffed and inadequate by the NCAA and academic fraud was occurring.

Sherron Collins commits to Kansas amidst various media reports that he was steered by his coach/street pimp Anthony Longstreet, considered by Chicago Public League coaches as the new Landon “Sonny” Cox for his ability to recruit players to Crane; Scheduled visits promised to various other schools are abruptly cancelled; Afterward, Longstreet, without being prompted or even accused of taking money, bizarrely challenged local sportswriters to “get the proof, produce the canceled check.'' Thereafter, Longstreet refused to ever speak again on the subject. He explained, "Right now, I've been told to be quiet because this stuff is getting too ugly.”

Darnell Jackson ruled ineligible by NCAA Eligibility Committee for 9 games for receipt of $5,000 in benefits from a Kansas booster over a three year period while being recruited by Kansas;

A cbssportsline.com article suggests that J.R. Giddens is also ultimately wrapped up in the Darnell Jackson scandal, questioning: “Did Don Davis also have a "relationship" with Jackson's best friend and former AAU teammate, J.R. Giddens, the McDonald's All-American who signed with Kansas in 2003? Because if the answer is yes, Kansas has a big, big, big problem.”

2005-2006 Season
The Bill Self led Kansas Jayhawks start the 2005-2006 season unranked in the polls for the first time in 14 years;

Arizona, despite shooting 28% from the field, defeats Kansas (61-49);

The very next day, Kansas loses to Arkansas (65-64) dropping the program to 1-2 for the first time since 1987; "This is the worst-case scenario for us…" Self said. "I'm disappointed about it. I'm sure our players are. We can't change it."

Kansas thereafter loses to Nevada AT HOME (72-70), falling to a record of 2-3 for the first time in over 30 years; After the game, ESPN TV cameras captured an exchange between Kansas University assistant coach Joe Dooley and 19 year old Nevada player Nick Fazekas. When Fazekas held out his hand to shake Dooley’s in an apparent show of sportsmanship, Dooley instead screamed “F*** YOU!!!!” directly at Fazekas. Afterward, Coach Bill Self reprimanded Dooley stating: "Obviously, in a hotly contested game like this one, emotions were high after the game. Coach Joe Dooley responded in an inappropriate manner to an exchange with a Nevada player.” Coach Dooley added: “"I have great respect for the Nevada team. They played well tonight. I responded in a negative manner to something that was said to me following the game. I certainly apologize to the Nevada program and this is not the manner in which Kansas basketball should be represented." However, replays of the exchange show Dooley’s statement to be less than truthful as Fazekas clearly did not do or say anything to Dooley prior to the exchange other than making the gesture of holding out his hand.

Kansas suffers its second loss in a week falling to St. Joe’s (70-67); The loss drops the Jayhawk’s record to 3-4 on the season and ran their record over the last 16 games to 6-10.

Reports surface regarding NCAA investigation into potential violations involving Kansas freshman Brandon Rush. The potential violations centered around Rush’s involvement with an agent and possible payment of travel expenses by NBA teams the previous summer during Rush’s workouts with the teams.

The NCAA suspends Brandon Rush after the NCAA determined that he had improperly received benefits from an agent after applying for the 2005 NBA draft. An appeal by Kansas is granted within one day and Rush is re-instated without missing any games.

Kansas loses to in-state rival Kansas State at home (59-55); Bill Self sets yet another record at Kansas marking the first time in the last 31 games against KSU and the past 12 years that Kansas has lost against KSU;

2 days later, Kansas loses to rival Missouri in overtime (89-86); This loss puts Coach Self’s record at 0-5 on the year for games decided in the final minute; Additionally, it places Self’s record at Kansas in the last 25 games at 13-12, barely over .500;

Micah Downs announces he is transferring from the Kansas basketball program
In a strange and somewhat sad tradition, KU finishes second in conference to Texas but in an attempt to appear something they are not claim a conference championship despite losing the tiebreaker to them.
Following up the once in the last 20 year accomplishment of losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament….Self manages to again accomplish this feat by losing to Bradley (77-73). Self has taken KU’s proud history of choking in the NCAA tournament and turned it up a notch. Considerable pressure mounts as ‘win at all costs’ goes into full effect when the fan base begins to call for his firing.

2006 Offseason

Christian Moody becomes the first Jayhawk player since the 1980s to not be eligible for his graduation checks from alumni, as the pending investigation causes KU to cease such open forms of paying their players. Later, his agent writes a note requesting video of him missing free throws to lose a game to Missouri be taken down from youtube.com as he feels it is hindering his client from finding gainful employment…all of which could have potentially been avoided had the NCAA not had rules against paying amateur athletes.

The NCAA responds that KU failed to demonstrate Institutional control and that the minor violations self reported in basketball in KU’s report do not seem to be all-inclusive. KU fans continue to say nothing will come of the allegations, at least those who are aware KU is under investigation as the news media fails to provide any coverage to the story.

KU placed on probation for major violations across multiple sports and for Lack of Institutional Control. The committee seems impressed with KU’s innovative strategy of eliminating the middleman (by electing to not maintain a compliance department, KU didn’t detect or report violations in a timely manner, which resulted in them being able to claim a statue of limitations on many violations and go unpunished), however they are still charged with:
Illegal payments given to potential recruits
Illegal payments given to current players with the approval of coaching staff
Illegal payments given to players after eligibility is exhausted
Providing illegal transportation to recruits
Providing illegal clothing and other benefits to recruits
Providing illegal transportation to family members of recruits
Making special arrangements to facilitate a vehicle for family members of recruits
Academic Fraud
Failure to report violations
Failure to employ a compliance auditor
Negligence to provide adequate oversight
Violation of probationary period
Lack of Institutional Control

KU placed on three years probation. Reduction in the total of grants-in-aid award in the men's basketball program to no more than 12 during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons; also reduced the total of official paid visits by a total of eight from the maximum number allowed during the 2006-07 and 2007-8 academic years. Dissociation of a representative of the university's athletics interest for a period of four years; annual compliance reporting required -- Summation, probation and a reduction in 2 scholarships to be taken in the years KU chooses for the above violations.

CJ Giles suspended indefinitely for failing to pay child support.

Giles re-instated to team, then 5 days later kicked off team for misdemeanor battery to his girlfriend. No bricks were thrown or heads stomped.

2006-2007 Season

KU loses at home to Oral Roberts (78-71). Midway through the second half ORU forward Caleb Greene begins openly mocking and laughing at the crowd as they become increasingly upset that their All American’s appear helpless to stop him.

KU upsets #1 Florida in overtime. KU fans consider it one of the great regular season wins in school history…until it is revealed that multiple key Florida players had mono and were playing through exhaustion during the game.

KU returns to earth as they lose to Depaul (64-57)

KU’s young nucleus gels, and they win their first real conference championship under Bill Self. Unhappy with actual accomplishments, KU fans claim their third straight conference championship in embarrassing fashion.

Despite what most consider Self’s best coaching job to date, he is under enormous pressure as the NCAA tournament get underway as most feel a repeat of the last two years will cost him his job. While in typical KU fashion they fail to play to seed, Self’s Jayhawks do advance before being knocked out by UCLA (68-55)

2007 Offseason


2007-2008 Season

Brandon Rush arrested for failing to appear in court. The hearing is ultimately delayed until after the basketball season.

Self reaches another legacy milestone, as he leads the Jayhawks to their first lose to KSU in Manhattan in 24 years (84-75).

In a strange and somewhat sad tradition, KU finishes second in conference to Texas but in an attempt to appear something they are not claim a conference championship despite losing the tiebreaker to them. Contrary to Self’s 1 actual title, KU fans claim a fourth straight.

In a perplexing outcome, KU is awarded a 1 seed in the NCAA tournament despite beating zero top 25 RPI teams in the regular season or winning their conference. They benefit by this strange seeding by receiving a draw of playing a 16 seed, an 8 seed, a 12 seed, and a 10 seed to get to the final four.

Self begins to be courted by Oklahoma State to take over their head coaching vacancy. Terrified that their last two coaches have left them for better jobs, KU beings to make a strong push to retain Self despite the distraction it is causing.

The beneficiaries of a historic collapse by Memphis, who led by 9 points with 2 minutes to play and could have done about 5 different things to ensure KU had no chance of getting back in the game, KU wins its second national title* of the modern era. They are the first team ever to win a championship while on probation for cheating, and every player on KU’s roster who played more than 21 minutes in the championship game had a shady story surrounding them:
http://www.tigerboard.com/boards/missouri-tigers.php?message=5760318

2008 offseason

Self claims he wants to stay at Kansas, but won’t rule out talking to OSU. Eventually the draw of no oversight and little NCAA interference is too great and he elects to stay at KU.

Reports surface that Darell Arthur, KU’s leading scorer in the championship game, did not actually pass high school and passed through the NCAA clearinghouse by submitting fraudulent transcripts. As an ineligible player, per NCAA rules KU would be required for forfeit all games in which Arthur was a participant....which would result in KU being the first ever 40 loss team in a single season, the worst season in the history of the NCAA.

Listing of NCAA rules he was in clear violation of:

10.1 UNETHICAL CONDUCT
Unethical conduct by a prospective or enrolled student-athlete or a current or former institutional staff member (e.g., coach, professor, tutor, teaching assistant, student manager, student trainer) may include, but is not limited to, the following:
(d) Knowingly furnishing the NCAA or the individual’s institution false or misleading information concerning the individual’s involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant to a possible violation of an NCAA regulation;

(g) Failure to provide complete and accurate information to the NCAA or institution’s admissions office regarding an individual’s academic record (e.g., schools attended, completion of coursework, grades and test scores)

10.4 DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Prospective or enrolled student-athletes found in violation of the provisions of this regulation shall be ineligible for further intercollegiate competition, subject to appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of eligibility. (See Bylaw 10.3.2 for sanctions of student-athletes involved in violations of 10.3.) Institutional staff members found in violation of the provisions of this regulation shall be subject to disciplinary or corrective action as set forth in Bylaw 19.5.2.2 of the NCAA enforcement procedures, whether such violations occurred at the certifying institution or during the individual’s previous employment at another member institution.

14.01.3.3 Unethical Conduct. A prospective or enrolled student-athlete who is found to have engaged in unethical conduct (see Bylaw 10.1) shall be ineligible for intercollegiate competition in all sports.

14.11.1 Obligation of Member Institution to Withhold Student-Athlete from Competition. If a student-athlete is ineligible under the provisions of the constitution, bylaws or other regulations of the Association, the institution shall be obligated to apply immediately the applicable rule and to withhold the student-athlete from all intercollegiate competition. The institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student-athlete’s eligibility as provided in Bylaw 14.12 if it concludes that the circumstances warrant restoration.

A judge rules in favor of the women Sherrod Collins sexually assaulted in an elevator in May of 2007, granting damagers in excess of $75,000. She accused him of exposing himself and rubbing against her on May 18, 2007, in an elevator at a University of Kansas apartment complex. Collins does not bother to show up to court. It is the first time the case is made public, allowing Collins to participate in the entire 2007-08 season.

The school district that provided fraudulent transcripts for Darell Arthur for passing grades in classes not attended and work not done conducts and internal investigation on itself. Amazingly, they find themselves not guilty. No follow up investigation or questions are ever asked by the local media.

Lawrence officials elect not to go to trial in Sherrod Collins sexual assault case. The woman files a civil suit as her only option of pursuing justice and Collins remains on the team.

It becomes apparent that key recruits the Morris twins are not going to qualify academically. Faced with the proposition of having only 1 player on the roster over 6’7, Self arranges for the Morris twins to finish up their high school classes in Lawrence.

Ronnie Chalmers, no longer the son of a KU player after Mario declares early for the NBA draft, vacates the Director of Basketball Operations position. No word yet which upcoming recruit’s family member will fill this vital position.

While living in university paid for housing prior to being eligible for scholarship benefits, 18 year old Markieff Morris drunkenly shoots a lady with a BB gun from his dorm room window. Jayhawk towers is declared a less safe environment for women than Bagdad, as KU players will molest you in the elevators and sniper you as you attempt to flee the building. Deemed too important to next year’s season, no action is taken and KU anxiously awaits the determination if the Lawrence high school replacement classes are enough to clear him academically.

Mario Chalmers and Darell Arthur are kicked out of the NBA rookie camps for smoking marijuana. Both players are fined $20,000 and required to attend next year’s camp over again.

Two weeks after school starts (shades of Brandon Rush before them), the Morris twins are cleared to play ball for KU. "While it may have taken a bit longer than we had hoped, the important thing is that the process worked," Self said regarding having them take classes in Lawrence.

Dallas School District re-opens case regarding Arthur not really being a college eligible player. Ashmore, Arthur’s Math teacher said when Arthur was failing Algebra I as a freshman in the fall of 2002, his coach asked for leniency. Ashmore said when he refused, Arthur was abruptly moved to another class. A closer examination of Arthur's grades reveal that his English III grades of 75, 60, 70 and 65 don't actually add up to a 70 as is reflected on his transcript. In fact, the average should be 67.5, meaning he should have failed the course that is needed to graduate. "Like I said, he [Arthur] just kind of checked out that third six weeks," Yourse, his English teacher said. Melanie Kidd was Arthur's theater arts teacher in the fall of 2004. She said she remembers Arthur failed the course during the final six weeks. Arthur made a grade of 50, she said. According to his transcripts, Arthur's grades for the last six weeks of theater arts are also missing. A block of grades from Arthur's Algebra II were also missing on the transcript from the fall semester of 2005. All that is present is a final grade, which was changed from "failing" to a passing grade of 70 nine months later in September the following year.

2008-09 Season

KU loses to Syracuse in the CBE Classic, allowing Self to add another notch to his belt as he leads KU to their first regular season loss in Kansas City in 25 years.

KU again accomplishes this feat, this time losing to 2-6 UMass in Kansas City. They join Holy Cross and Arkansas-Monticello as the only teams the minutemen have defeated in their 9 games.

Explaining how KU can fall so quickly from championship* to not ranked Self states, “We’re two possessions away from being (10-0) and ranked in the top 10 in the country.” Unfortunately in reality they don’t appear in the top 35 nationally in votes.

Three days later KU gets destroyed by Arizona, and no longer receives any votes of any kind for ranking consideration. Self puts forth no hypothetical’s on where they should be ranked.

During a ‘no contact period’ as defined by NCAA rules, Self pays a visit to the #1 unsigned recruit in the nation, and to demonstrate his respect for NCAA rules states in front of witnesses:
Self: "I'm not supposed to be talking to you, and you know that, but I just wanted to tell you that was a great win."
Quit the bravado for someone piloting a program on serious probation.

Despite holding arch-rival MU to 16 points in the first half, KU goes the last 8 and a half minutes of the game with only 1 bucket from the field and committed 27 turnovers to lose on the last play by 2. "We did such a poor job attacking and we did a bad job with shots," Self said.

Confirmation comes in the Darell Arthur case, that his grades were artificially changed and that his ‘graduation’ from high school wasn’t legit. Per NCAA rules that use of an ineligible player results in forfeiture of all games participated, KU falls to 0-78 for the prior to years – the worst two year record in the history of NCAA basketball. Self falls behind James Naismith for last place all time in winning % at KU with a 0.428.

KU gets crushed by 11th place Tech, losers of their previous 6 games, 84-65.

KU wins its second outright league title under Self. In embarrassing fashion but consistent with ku tradition fans attempt to portray themselves as something they are not, unhappy with actual accomplishments, and claim a fifth straight league title.

KU loses in the first round of the conference tournament to Baylor 71-64. Self notches another first, as KU becomes the first 1 seed to ever lose to a 9 seed in conference tournament history. It is KU’s first opening round loss since 1989.

After huge wins over North Dakota State and Dayton, ku loses to Michigan State. Unable to cope with having a less successful season than their rival, ku fans turn to such bizarre methods as claiming head to head scoring margin and that losing to a team who advanced farther than the team MU lost to actually means they had a more successful season.

No graduation checks are publically distributed.

2009-10 Offseason

After promising more scholarships than he has available, Self pushes two lesser role players out the door to make room for potential incoming recruits.

Sherron Collins elects not to test the European free agent market and barring being jailed announces he will return to ku for the upcoming season. Anthony Longstreet breathes a sigh of relief at remaining on the payroll and he isn’t faced with the ethical dilemma of going public for another year. Elevators everywhere are deemed unsafe for female riders.

No American Idol Tonight

President Obama will be addressing the nation tonight, therefore we will have to wait another day to enjoy the top 10's take on Motown. Idol will not be on tonight, and instead it will air on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

Ordinarily this would piss me off, but not this time. This week is different because my girlfriend is coming to spend a few days with me tomorrow. We were anticipating watching the results show together for the first time, but now we get to spend performance night together as well. She is a bigger Idol junkie than I am, so I'll let her handle the voting responsibilities.

Then after the Thursday night results show (I'll have to miss The Office this week, but hey, that's what Hulu.com is for, right?), its Mizzou vs Memphis in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA basketball tournament. This one scares me...Memphis is a great team and while I have all the faith in the world in the abilities of the Mizzou players, they have choked twice on the national stage this year. Against Illinois back in December when they were ranked 25th (for the 1st time in several years) and just before the end of the regular season at Kansas when 1st place in the conference was on the line. Which Mizzou will show up on Thursday night in Arizona is anybody's guess, but I'm sure it will be a great game!