Archive for October, 2008

Additional Notes on KU versus K-State

Posted by Shiver On October - 31 - 2008
  • With a win tomorrow KU will have a 3 game win streak against the Wildcats. The first time that has happened since 1988-90′. It would also mark the the fourth win out of the last five meetings
  • With a win tomorrow, Kansas would also become bowl eligible for the 4th straight season. The 6th win in 4 straight years, would be a first for the Jayhawks since 1902-06′.
  • With 245 yards passing, Todd Reesing would become the all time leader in passing yardage, passing former KU quarterback, Frank Seurer.
  • With one touchdown reception, sophomore Demond Briscoe would tie Willie Vaughn and Bruce Adams for the career touchdowns record
  • Briscoe has caught at least one touchdown in 3 straight games and 6 of the last 8.
  • With eight receptions, Kerry Meier will pass Richard Estell for the KU single season receptions record.
  • KU’s 64 wins against Kansas State are its post against any other school

Friday Buzz……The Anxious Week Starts Today

Posted by Shiver On October - 31 - 2008

Rumors, facts, rumors, facts, who knows anymore. One thing we do know, is no one should thinking Xavier Henry heading to Memphis just yet. TheShiver.com has learned over the past few days that the Henry recruitment is far from over. By many, Henry was rumored to be a lock, or at the very least, a heavy lean towards Memphis. That no longer seems to be the case, and it might be the exact opposite after this weekend.

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Danny Manning on Recruiting Trail

Posted by Mojo On October - 30 - 2008
We just received word that Danny Manning is in Texas yesterday recruiting.  We have been unable to confirm who he is there to watch, but it is more than likely Julian Washburn.  The 2010 Small Forward from Duncanville, TX, is starting to generate some interest from some high major programs.  TheShiver staff will keep a close eye on this as things unfold.
EDIT* We have confirmed that Coach Manning was in Duncanville to see Julian Washburn
Pic courtesy of www.rivals.com

 

 

Camacho

When I was asked to work on a Feature Article on the opening weekend for the NBA for TheShiver.com this week, I have to admit, nothing good came to mind. Being a Lakers fan, I thought about writing a discourse that concluded with, ‘so in conclusion, just hand these guys the NBA Title.’ But then I remembered, its Halloween weekend. You know, the weekend when Elvira greets you at the grocery store next to a stacked house of Coors Light cases and the weekend that, by no real coincidence, the NBA opens up. With Halloween eve almost upon us, I figured I’d do something a bit more philanthropic for those revelers that may be having trouble choosing that perfect NBA Halloween costume. So here are some great, funny and somewhat scary, NBA Halloween costume ideas.

One really great idea, particularly those of you cruising around Los Angeles neighborhoods looking to freeload some Gumballs, would be going as Shaq. I am not saying Shaq is scary, which makes this costume a bit more complex. To really put the fear of God in all those that passeth by you, you need to constantly be positioned as if you are about to miss a critical freethrow.  Speaking of Shaq, he was on Dan Patrick’s radio show this morning, when asked which NBA player he’d have his kids watch as an example for footwork and playing style, he replied, ‘Kobe.’ Guess Shaq has Halloween and April Fool’s confused.

If you are more into the conceptual costumes, I suggest you dress up like Jerry Buss. Next, add a super hot girl to follow you around and caress you. In this case, you are going as a ‘paradox.’ In the event you don’t know what a paradox is, then dress up like Allen Iverson, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know what it means either.

For the next one, tape a bunch of Bounty Sheets all over yourself and go as Pau Gasol playing center against the Celtics. Having Paul Pierce follow you around with a rack would be an excellent detail.  And by ‘rack,’ I mean ‘goal;’ this article is PG, get your minds out of the gutter please. I was actually at Game 3 of the NBA Finals last year between The Celtics and Lakers. Somehow, I was closer to all the action than Gasol was. Go figure….

How about going as Greg Oden? For this one, you will need a time machine. Basically, you need to get in the time machine and tell it you would like to age 400 years. Once you accomplish this, get out, then get back in and go ahead and age another 100 years just for safekeeping as to maintain the integrity of the costume.  Next, fall down the stairs and totally hurt yourself, go inside and end Halloween early that night. If you have a friend willing to dress up like Darius Miles, you will have The Ghost of Blazers Past in tow for a perfect franchise disaster combo. 

Another conceptual costume would be throwing on a Charlotte Bobcats cheerleader outfit and going as ‘one redeeming quality.’ I know, that’s mean, but its true; and its much less complex than the ‘paradox’ costume. The Bobcats being the worst team in the NBA is, well, obvious. 

The next costume idea requires that you go around bumbling things. For example, when you reach down to pick up the Snickers Bars out of the old man’s hands, drop them, then slowly turn around and act as if you have no idea where they went. If you can do that, you can go as Kwame Brown. Having been a lifelong Lakers fan, I can tell you this guy dropped more balls into his vast chasm of turnovers than Sarah Palin dropped the term, ‘maverick’ in the last five minutes of her VP debate conclusion speech. 

 A really fun idea would be going as Mark Cuban on Dancing with the Stars.  First, get an all black Spanish style top and pants (notice, I clearly referred to it as a ‘top,’ as opposed to ‘shirt.’). Second, drain your body of all your testosterone then re-inject it with Windex, or estrogen (whichever you have handy). And finally, eat like 300 pixie sticks and run to the streets before you lose the sugar-high. You might consider arguing with an elderly person over whether or not he dropped two peanut butter cups or one into your pumpkin, for attention to detail, that is.

If you want something that is a bit easier in scope, visit Men’s Wearhouse, purchase a cheap suit, then spray paint it a tacky color. Then you will be Craig Sager. Pretending that Shaq likes you is most likely going to be the toughest detail of this costume.

For the top spot, if you can find a friend, you two could go as two former Kansas Interstate rivals. That is, only if you think you can pull it off. If you have the savvy, go as newly Miami Heat Teammates Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasley, well, as getting high (above the rim of course, like I said, this is PG). These two college stars recently left College and went for the green. Ok, I’ll stop, this is totally out of hand.

 

Whatever you so decide upon, remember, just go out there and have fun. That’s what Halloween is all about…oh, and make sure you don’t get caught staring at the Elvira Coor’s Light display for too long, that makes you look creepy, not scary. Trust me, I’d know.

 Cory Hedgepeth is a featured blogger. His work ranges from a former writer for The Daily Kansan, to his gonzo style work at Surfelport.com

 

On paper, the “Sunflower Showdown” doesn’t appear to be that appealing to anyone outside of the state of Kansas. Frankly, why should it be? Kansas State hasn’t looked anywhere near the program that played in a BCS game in 2003 and the Jayhawks have had much more recent success, but haven’t exactly played up to expectations so far this year. Now the two programs face off Saturday with a lot riding on the game for both programs.

Up and down is the best way to describe Kansas State so far this season. The Wildcat offense, however, has been impressive throughout the season. The Wildcats have scored 28 or more points in 7 of their 8 games.  

The Wildcats are coming off of an impressive offensive performance against #4 ranked Oklahoma. The Sooners have been questionable on defense throughout the season, and the Wildcats took advantage of it. The Wildcats outgained the Sooner, 550-528, in total yards.  Josh Freeman became the Wildcats all-time leader in pass attempts and touchdown passes after throwing for 478 yards against the Sooners. Kansas coach, Mark Mangino has taken notice as well.

Kansas State is a very improved team from the beginning of the year. They do a lot of good things on the offensive side of the ball. It all starts with their quarterback, Josh Freeman. He has really matured and he looks in command. He is probably doing a better job of looking for his second and third progressions than he has done in the past. He is throwing the ball with accuracy and he looks poised and confident. He is also their leading rusher at this point in time. He has a host of people who are playing well around him. Their wide receivers, (Brandon) Banks, (Aubrey) Quarles and Deon Murphy are all contributing. Their tight end, Jeron Mastrudhas, has made a lot of catches. Their offense can score points and they are very successful in the red zone. There are some elements of the spread offense in there. There are times when they play power football and there are times when they feature the quarterback carrying the football. They have their own little package and they play to their strengths.”

Although Kansas State ended up losing the game, 58-35, the Wildcats defense did have some positives in the second half. Heisman candidate, Sam Bradford, was held to only 41% passing and the Wildcats held the Sooners to only 129 yards and 3 points in the second half. Something Mangino took notice of.

On the defensive side they are tightening the belt more and more. The guy that jumps out is Ian Campbell at defensive end. He is a good pass rush guy and he is a good run stopper.  He uses his hands and he has good quickness. There are a number of other guys that are playing well. Reggie Walker has been there a long time. They are also getting good play out of Courtney Herndon. On special teams they do all kinds of different things. They fake punts, block field goals, surprise on-side kicks. You name it and they do it on special teams. So we have to be really prepared on special teams for this game. It will be a challenge for us.”

The Kansas Jayhawks have a similar story to tell this season. After starting 5-1, the Jayhawks have dropped two in a row and are in the middle of a tough stretch of games that are now crucial if the Jayhawks want to become bowl eligible.

Kansas has plenty of stars on the offensive side of the ball. Todd Reesing, Kerry Meier, and Dezmon Briscoe have all put up impressive numbers this season.  Meier has been one of the most consistent receivers in the country. Briscoe, who has nine touchdowns on the season, has put up huge numbers the past few weeks and looks to be developing into a future NFL receiver. Of course, Todd Reesing does what Todd Reesing does. He has thrown for 19 touchdowns and is averaging over 300 yards passing a game.

The Kansas defense is what has put Kansas in a must win position. The Jayhawks defensive gave up 9 touchdowns on 13 possessions to Texas Tech last week in Memorial Stadium. The biggest struggle for the Jayhawks has been getting off the field on 3rd down. By not stopping the opponent’s offense, the defense is simply just on the field too long.  It’s a performance that the Kansas players, like Mike Rivera, are trying to put behind them.

Last week we didn’t play very well and we have to put it behind us and get ready for the next game. That’s exactly what we are going to do. We aren’t going to think about that game anymore. We are focused on K-State.  I can’t wait to get after it in practice and get a good week in.”

Put it behind them, is exactly what the Kansas defense must do. With the Big XII getting better and better, it won’t take much to slip back into the middle to bottom the pack. Consistency year over year is what is going to separate programs in this conference. Kansas is now faced with a must win against Kansas State, something no one could have seen just a few weeks ago. With Nebraska, Texas, and Missouri looming large in the month of November, Kansas must show the state and the country that they are program that intends to remain at the top of the Big XII conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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