Vaughn Tolle said:

 

As one who predicted boldly the Chiefs would go 5-11 (before the first preseason game), I'm beginning to think I was overly optimistic. I'm not a fan of the Chiefs, never have been, but good golly, there's something to be said for a competent NFL franchise in our viewing area (since we get to see the Chiefs on TV so much, at least make the viewing of the games somewhat enjoyable).

On KU basketball; it's OK to begin a countdown. My preliminary thoughts are that the early season games will not be overly encouraging, what with Wright going to the NBA early, and the need to integrate the young players into the offense/defense. I think they're going to do well in the Big 12. Watch out for KSU this year; raw talent abounds, whether there is sufficient coaching ability to do anything with it remains an open question. Be mindful of Texas and OSU.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

Yes! Let the countdown begin.

First exhibition game is vs. Pitt State (puts some money in the coffers for the Gorillas) and will be played Thursday, November 1st. That is FIFTY-ONE days!

The next exhibition game is vs. Fort Hays State on November 6th.

There first regular season game is played against Louisiana-Monroe on November 9th.

I love college basketball and especially the Jayhawks so I will be counting down the days!

Rock Chalk Jayhawk - GO KU!

 

lindainks55 said:

 

I read something recently about an OSU player who transferred and I think the article said something about him being "the latest transfer..." However it was worded made me think they are having some problems there.

 

Tracy Phillips said:

 

PITT STATE????
That's only 30 miles from me.
Lemme guess, they play in Lawrence?

PITT ROCKS in football.
B-ball, not so much.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

real good guess sherlock! lol

I visited Pitt State a couple of times and manned a booth at their Career Days. They gave us tours, hosted a reception so graduating students and prospective employers could visit, etc. I was so impressed with their degree program in Wood Technology! Have you ever seen it? Well worth taking a look at.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Yes, Tracy, they play in Lawrence. As Linda points out above, the entire KU playing games against the state's Div. II teams was at the suggestion of a now retired Topeka Capital Journal sports editor. Back then, every Div. I team nationally played at least one regular season game against a Div. II team; the suggestion was to keep the money in state by KU and the other two Div. I teams playing the state Div. II teams. Roy Williams began the "tradition". Now that the NCAA allows exhibition games to be played against Div. II teams, KU ends up most years playing three of the four state Div. II teams; two as exhibitions, one during the regular season. This year's regular season game is against Washburn, in December. ESU is the odd team out this year. I note that neither KSU nor WSU has taken the lead of KU in this area; I believe WSU had one exhibition game last season against a state Div. II team, and maybe KSU did as well. I've not seen their schedules, so I don't know what this season may bring.

Back to KU and early season possible problems; Rush will not be back from his knee surgery until Dec. 1, as I recall; so there will be some additional "rust" to clean up on his part early.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Linda, on the issue of OSU transfers. While I'm not the college basketball maven I used to be, it seems to me that there was one transfer over the off-season, the center. There were a number of transfers before the past season, which left OSU woefully short of bodies, as could be seen in the games; these transfers, I think, were to what the reference was made you recalled.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

To close out my preseason look at Big 12 men's basketball, I'd suggest the teams at Missouri and Baylor will be much improved this year as well.