I got a chance to take in senior night in Lawrence on Wednesday night. Here are some of my thoughts on the KSU/KU experience.
I brought my Canon 50D camera and 70-200 lens to photograph the event. Collins has also been one of my favorite college athletes and my seats were prime real estate for some excellent pics. Click on the photo to the left to view my photos online.
HoneyBaked
Great write-up Greg. And agree that the Refs choked. They essentially took Curtis Kelly out of the game before it really started. That said, congrats to the Hawks on a solid win.
Johnny Utah
the game was rough. if they didn’t call those fouls, it would have been brutal. fact is, college basketball is WAY TOO physical.
KU coaching staff invited a porn star to the game: http://bit.ly/c280wR
JS
What important game has there not been complaints about officiating? It’s such a recurring issue that you know it is going to be the first thing the “losing” team complains about. Look at Missouri last week at K-State and Anderson’s comments. There is and will always be a home court advantage. K-State saw it in their favor against Missouri and KU saw it last night. Why grouse about it every game? It is tough to win on the road because you have to beat the team, the fans and the refs.
Cliffy
Against my better judgement, I read that. Think I will vomit now.
Ptolemy
Grousing about officiating IS relevant in this game because officiating is a large part as to why KU and MU have had long win streaks in their home arenas. Is that the way it should be?
Saying, “that’s the way it is – move along” is as idiotic as throwing-up your hands at the growth of the federal government and the attacks on liberty and freedom that are happening politically in this country. With a mindset like that, this country would still be kissing the Queen’s fat ass.
No thank you.
MrOlathe
Nice takes GH. Glad you enjoyed you nite. And PT, officiating is not a “large part” of the long winning streaks. The large part for KU (and MU) is that they have been BETTER than the other team. Better talent. Better coach. Great crowds. Is that really that difficult to realize???? KSU did not get beat by the refs last nite. They got beat by KU. Again! Shocker!
Creighton Coover
So shocking that Ptolemy thinks KSU got screwed. Far be it for a KSU fan to ever admit that KU is just better than them as evidenced by their 2 victories on the court and winning 40 of the last 42 meetings. KSU shot 31 free throws to KU’s 27 while KU had 25 fouls called to KSU’s 22. Also, KSU is #1 in the country if Free Throws Attempted. KSU fan complaining about the officiating is laughable.
Jerry mazar
So i see you have discovered where I take a crap at.
Gavin
Creighton, if you think that Ptolemy is going to be persuaded by something so easily manipulated as facts (what he will almost certainly call “lies”), you are sadly mistaken. This is the same dude who predicted mass suicides of KU fans when K-State put the season sweep on KU, remember? Now that there hasn’t been a wave of slit wrists, he has to blame something and officiating is the first refuge of fans that lose and can’t come to grips with it. Rather than admit that K-State played tight and couldn’t hit the big shot when they needed, it’s easier to blame the officials. “We really are better than KU and if the damn refs would just let us play, we’d prove it!”
Instead of being happy with his team’s very solid year and taking pleasure in the thrilling first game and still very entertaining second, Ptolemy has to blame someone.
Real fans love their teams. Ptolemy just loves hating KU.
dp
Hey I’m as big a K-State homer as anyone and the refs DID NOT cause us to lose last night. Kelly and Samuels need to learn to get their hands off of people, seems like they are in foul trouble every game, home or away. Pisses me off how they complain every time they get whistled and then stare at Frank…
Look, we weren’t going to win on Collins’ senior day, especially after KU got waxed by Okie Lite…doesn’t wreck the season. If we win Saturday we’ll be 25-5 and 12-4…better than anybody would have thought.
tybme
Whew Ptolemy I was worried that you might slit your wrists after being swept by KU this season. Then of course I realized that in your lifetime it’s all you know so you would be safe.
Great job KSU on a fine season – personally as a KU fan I would prefer to not face them again – they are tough!. I do worry that they will find the officiating very tight in the tourney and get knocked out early but you have my best wishes!
Queen
Did someone call us? ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST. AND ANOTHER ONES GONE AND ANOTHER ONES GONE. ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST. HEY!!!
JS
Ptolemy all I am saying is that the officials are the easiest thing to blame in every game that your team loses. What about missed shots,turnovers and poor defense!
In regards to what is wrong with this country part of the problem is people like you who can’t just accept a loss and say that it was the team’s fault. They are always looking for external things to blame it on. KU is more talented and deeper in talent and that is what showed last night.
Ptolemy
Can somebody find where I said anything about the officiating having anything to do with KState’s loss?
Thanks for playing.
BlamingRefsIsForLosers
Ptolemy likes to think he gets into people’s heads when he makes non-logical statements. Faced with logic, he’ll then say how he’s really been just tweaking us. He’s so smart.
Ptolemy, quit being a baby and admit the better team won. It sucks being a KU hater, doesn’t it?
Gavin
Ptolemy: “Can anyone find where I said anything about the officiating having anything to do with K-State’s loss?” March 4, 2010
Ptolemy: “Kansas was not impressive. They needed lots of help from the stripes to beat a mistake-prone KState team. The missed foul at the end of regulation was forgiveable if you use the adage that refs let them play at the end of the game
Stevo
Great pics Greg. I hope SC can somehow step outside of himself and the pressure that is on him to perform in the tourney. He just needs to play ball and the victories will take care of themselves. I want so bad for him to go out with a final four…and while a final four is and should be a very realistic goal for this team, I think most KU fans are implying anything less is a not just a disappointment, but a failure. It’s going to be hard to get there, that’s why Self has only been there once. Everyone should just enjoy the ride.
Jimmy
Nice Pics and story.
any chance you go back to KC Star or radio?
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GH: I have done some spot radio work the past few years but I don’t see me ever returning to the box fulltime. I think The Star is undergoing a very slow but positive evolutionary change to an online/eReader product. My OTC column would be a good fit in that business model. If enough people in high places at The Star die or get canned, maybe they’ll call me.
Scott Simon
America needs more journalists like Greg Hall. He’s always ahead of the curve regarding descriptive writing that paints wonderful mind images.
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GH: Scott, nice to know you bother to log on and read my scribbling. Long time, buddy. Hope you’re doing well.
JimmyD
Go back to the Star Greg so Hearne can make fun of you
Hammy
Ah so Greg has joined the masses in the “I’m a Nebraska football but Kansas basketball” fans. Remember to change your flag around January Greg.
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GH: Growing up in Nebraska I rooted for the Huskers as if they were oxygen. Everyone there did. But we also were fans of all sports and athletes from across the country
GUIDO
Greg I can help you with the Star staff dying part…….if the price is right. Call me sometime.
I catch Greg on 980 on occasion during the week. Not sure if its a regular spot or not. Greg?
If anyone has Elin’s number call me. I would like to help her out also.
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GH: I did a morning sports/commentary spot on Chris Stigall’s show on 710 AM through last December. They are good folks at KCMO but like most radio shops right now, they just don’t have the budget to pay for outside talent. There are a lot of people hurting in radio and any advertising-driven medium.
Omaha
Greg, great pics, ya gotta love digital photography. Enjoyed your takes on the game. Allen field-house does sound like a noble destination for sports fans.
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GH: If I had the money I spent on developing 35mm film in my lifetime I would not be eating this Hostess ding dong for lunch. Digital cameras are the greatest thing since silicone.
Guido
Thanks Greg for the update/clarification. Don’t put ding dongs in your mouth. And I believe that chocolate waxy coating on the outside of them is silicone.
smartman
Holy geez Gregger, some Vatican-esque reverance, sans the little boy scandal, for Allen Field House eh? Not like it’s the old Boston Garden with lots and lots of CHAMPIONSHIP banners hanging from the rafters. Bill Self couldn’t cut John Wooden’s grass. Go to Dover Air Force Base when our dead soldiers come back home sometime. That’ll give you some real perspective on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. College hoops is a nice distraction but it certainly does not deserve to be glorified when it is a game played by immature and ignorant boys waiting to order their Escalade with the “draft package”.