Today starts KU’s defense of their National Championship. Does anyone — even the Jayhawk faithful — have them going very deep in the tournament? Probably not. Let’s put it this way, if Kansas successfully defends their title, ESPN would probably collapse on itself. They could be the least talked about defending champion, perhaps ever. That’s what happens when the players who helped win it leave the team for greener *$$$$* pastures of the NBA, leaving a team composed primarily of younger, less experienced players.

Not to mention less talented. The reason I’m talking Kansas is because they are in the first group of day games getting ready to begin. Their opponent is North Dakota State, and I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if they gave the 3-seed Jayhawks absolutely everything Bill Self’s crew can handle. Should be a good time. Moving on, here are the highlights from Western Kentucky’s removal of Illinois.

Somewhere, Sir Leitch is taking a cookie sheet to the face.

Nicely done, Toppers — even though, the idea of the win over the Illini is being downplayed in terms of being an upset. I’m sorry, a 12 beat a 5. That alone makes it significant. We’ll be back in about 30.

11:25 – OK folks, In KC, I’ve got Tennessee/OK State and The ‘Cuse versus Steve Austin, AKA, the Six Million Dollar Man. I’m not sure if that’s going to be enough to stop Jonny Flynn and crew. The Orange are up early.

Speaking of orange, I’m sure my boys at LWS are all about them Vols, bitch.

11:30 – It’s KU time in Kansas City as the Jayhawks are underway. I can’t wait for my Internet connection to get fixed today so I can enjoy some of MMOD. The crowd at the Minnesota Gopher’s gym is decidedly against the higher-seeded Jayhawks.

And, Gus Johnson is here. An upset will get awfully loud with Gus around. KU’s order is looking taller than you might expect, all things considered.

11:40 – From very early glances, it looks like NDSU and KU is going to be a good game. NDSt is on fire from 3, but they won’t be able to stop Sherron Collins. As for the Orange of Syracuse, it looks like me might have an OU/Syracuse Sweet 16 showdown. They are dismantling the bionic college basketball team.

11:50 – We have two very good games in the making. Oklahoma State and Tennessee is playing out like a 8/9 match up should. As for the defending champs, NDSU is giving the Jayhawks all they want. Conversely, Sherron Collins is giving State everything they want.

Syracuse and Marquette, on the other hand, are handling their opening opponents.

12:05 – Kansas has opened up a little breathing room, but a couple of NDSU 3s could easily change that. The game of the opening session, provided NDSU doesn’t upset Kansas, is going to be Tennessee versus Oklahoma State. Any Kentucky fans reading will remember just how much Travis Ford enjoys beating the Volunteers, but here, the Vols are the bigger, more athletic team.

Ford’s Cowboys counter with good perimeter shooting, so this should go down to the wire.

12:15 – NDSU is not going away, friends. And Brian Williams of Tennessee just about killed Keiton Page on a pick. Verne Lundquist’s reaction was vintage Verne.

12:20 – The KU/NDSU game is Ben Woodside versus Sherron Collins. Woodside has 16, Collins 17. Neither team has any idea how to stop other’s point guard, obviously. More importantly for KU fans, the Jayhawks closed the 1st half on a 16-7 run and lead by 9.

12:30 – Wow. Jonny Flynn just destroyed Eric Bell’s ankles; so much so, he was laughing about it on the way back up the court. The ‘Cuse is in control. Their second round game against either Arizona State or Temple should be a good one … Provided they don’t fall asleep at the wheel.

12:45 – If there’s a theme to this first thread, it’s NDSU won’t go away. Guess what? They’ve cut a KU’s lead down to 3.

12:53 – NDSU’s Woodside carries the ball when he dribbles it. It’s very subtle, but that familiar “hand underneath the ball” is certainly there. OK State and Tennessee is, guess what?, still close. And Woodside used his great dribbling ability — no carry this time — to cut the lead to 4 with a free throw coming.

1:00 – Sherron Collins is trying to answer Woodside on every possession. He has not. Collins has 4 second half points. Woodside has 7. KU needs to avoid falling in the trap of going into “let Sherron do it all” mode. Collins does to.

1:05 – This damn NDSU/KU game is making me lose focus on Tennessee/OK State. Let’s not forget about Utah State getting right back in their game against Marquette.

Collins – 23, Woodside – 25. Great guards make watching basketball so much better.

1:08 – Lost in the Collins/Woodside battle is the great game by KU’s Cole Aldridge. His 16-10 double-double is the reason the Jayhawks are holding off NDSU.

1:12 – The Vols and Cowboys have combined for 48 3-point attempts, and there’s still 6 minutes left in the game. KU’s finally opened up a little breathing room against their pesky foes. Don’t be surprised, however, if Woodside leads another comeback.

1:20 – I hope no one complains about the lack of quality in the opening session. All but one of the games have been competitive, close, hard-fought affairs. Lost in all this for me is Marquette/Utah State. The Aggies are indeed up on the Golden Eagles after a slow start in the first half.

1:29 – As I said, Cole Aldridge is the reason KU will probably win. NDSU doesn’t have an answer for his 23-13 double-double performance. Then there’s Sherron Collins’ 28 points to at least pace Ben Woodside’s 35.

1:33 – Byron Eaton just hit a man’s man shot driving shot against Tennessee to take the lead. Free throws coming up, followed by the final few seconds left on the clock … and the Vols fall as Tyler Smith misses at 3 at the buzzer.

On to Marquette/Utah State.

1:40 – Cable company’s here to work on my connection. Be back soon.

Tags: Big Dance, Kansas Jayhawks, March Madness, National Champions, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

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