Kansas secures No. 1 seed in NCAA tourney.

Darin · March 3, 2007 2:08PM

KU overcame a 16 point deficit to Texas today, and an incredible 25 point first half outburst from Kevin Durant, to secure a No. 1 seed. Texas was brilliant in the first half, at one point making 12 straight shots. But Kansas was resilient, somehow staying within striking distance. And early in the second half, the well balanced jayhawks struck, stunning the longhorns with a dazzling array of offensive weapons and quick defense that forced turnovers. Mario Chalmers was great today, as was Julien Wright and Russell Robinson. KU could make some big noise in the tourney this year.

And UCLA got upset today, so KU will move up to No. 2 in the nation behind Ohio State.

Looks to me like KU and Ohio State are the only teams who have locked up a No. 1 seed. The two others are up for grabs.

Darin · March 3, 2007 2:15PM

By the way, despite an incorrect yahoo story I read, KU took the lead before Kevin Durant injured his ankle, not after. KU took all Texas had to offer, shrugged it off, and dismantled them down the stretch.

Volver · March 3, 2007 2:16PM

I would say no one has locked up a #1 seed. The conference tourney will have some weight on their position

Darin · March 3, 2007 2:48PM

Volver, you agree with Seth Davis of SI then. He said Kansas probably needed to beat Texas and then win the big twelve tourney. I disagree. KU has won eight straight games, won the Big Twelve conference, beat Florida this year, Texas twice, A&M, and a host of other good teams. The Big twelve season is over and Kansas won, simple as that. The conference tourney shouldn't be a factor in the seedings, at least for KU. Maybe a team that's on the bubble, if they win a couple, could help them get in.

While other teams like UNC and UCLA and Wisconsin are faltering down the stretch, KU is playing their best ball of the season. They should be a lock.

Volver · March 3, 2007 3:00PM

Seth Davis aside...too many same-grade teams this year. In a nutshell no clear cut favorite

MajorDanby · March 3, 2007 4:40PM

<< I disagree. KU has won eight straight games, won the Big Twelve conference, beat Florida this year, Texas twice, A&M, and a host of other good teams. The Big twelve season is over and Kansas won, simple as that. The conference tourney shouldn't be a factor in the seedings, at least for KU. >>

And say Texas A&M wins the Big 12 tournament? And say UCLA, Wisconsin and UNC win their respective league tournaments? Does KU still get a #1 seed? I would hope not.

And Kansas lost to A&M....at Kansas.

<< While other teams like UNC and UCLA and Wisconsin are faltering down the stretch, KU is playing their best ball of the season. They should be a lock. >>

I wouldnt say UCLA is faltering down the stretch. They lost a meaningless game to Washington at Washington. The day before they locked up the Pac 10 regular season title by beating the 2nd best team in the PAC-10 and a likely 3 seed in the NCAA tournament.

And wisconsin has two respectable losses...both on the road. And their game against ohio state likely wouldnt have been a loss had brian butch been in the entire game.

Darin · March 4, 2007 1:13AM

Major Danby- My mistake, KU did lose to A&M. But my point is, I think far more consideration should be given to who wins their conference regular season title than the conference tourney. KU won their conference, they got their trophy after beating Texas. They are the Big twelve champs. They shouldn't have to win a tourney now to prove they're Number 1 in the league. I think the selection committee does recognize this aspect, that the regular season is far more important than the, for lack of a better word, meaningless tourney after the champion has already been crowned.

But like I said, the big twelve tourney could be valuable for a team like maybe K-state, who actually might already have made the NCAA field, but if they knock off a couple good teams would really solidify their place.

reiny81 · March 4, 2007 10:30PM

Kansas has secured nothing. If they lose in the Big 12 tourney they could lose out on a 1 seed to either Wisconsin or Texas A&M. It is not anywhere near sealed. They have to get it done it the conference tourney. They could lose in the final and still get a 1 seed if it is not A&M to whom they lose.

kcballboy · March 4, 2007 10:35PM

Kansas should be hoping to get a #8 seed so it will be easier to swallow losing to a #9 instead of a #15 or 16 like Bucknell or Bradley.

coinkat · March 5, 2007 7:01AM

Bill Self is a good coach and at Wichita State, he did well in the NCAA tourney... unfortunately that succes in the NCAA Tourney never really followed at Illinois and Kansas. I hope Kansas does well... they are playing as well as anyone.

As for securing a #1 seed, that is premature as others have suggested

Darin · March 5, 2007 1:18PM

Bill Self didn't coach at Wichita State. But since you mentioned them, its really disappointing how they've done this year, considering last year they made the sweet sixteen. Mark Turgeon is their coach, former KU player and former assistant coach to Roy Williams.

KC ballboy- Not this year, dude. Its on to the final four for Kansas. They're too talented, and playing loose and relaxed.

coinkat · March 5, 2007 8:54PM

OOPS... Tulsa. My mistake. Sorry about that.

edited too add... I meant to say Tulsa as the team that usually surprises and plays tough in the tourney

kcballboy · March 5, 2007 11:37PM

<< KC ballboy- Not this year, dude. Its on to the final four for Kansas. They're too talented, and playing loose and relaxed. >>

Oh, Ok. That sounds way different than what I've heard every other previous February.

Darin · March 10, 2007 10:40AM

Definitely a No. 1 seed now. In fact, I think the selection show starts during the KU-Texas game. Looks like KU and Ohio State are locks for a No. 1.

coinkat · March 11, 2007 8:01AM

Kansas deserves a 1 seed.

Volver · March 11, 2007 8:03AM

Looks like Ohio State has the easiest road to the Final Four

MeteoriteGuy · March 11, 2007 10:16AM

"Bill Self didn't coach at Wichita State. But since you mentioned them, its really disappointing how they've done this year, considering last year they made the sweet sixteen. Mark Turgeon is their coach, former KU player and former assistant coach to Roy Williams."

First way to go Kansas!

Me and my brother have season tickets to Wichita State. Mark Turgeon has done a great job hear, but it is a little disappointing this year, but as you noted, that is comparing them to last year. Speaking of ranking, we make the sweet sixteen and end the season ranked (if I remember right) 24? Kinda crazy since we had beat several big teams along the way.

Mark

Estil · March 14, 2007 3:50AM

Kansas had just better watch out for Kentucky (once we get past those "other Wildcats" of Villanova). We are quite hungry for an upset after coming up four points short against top seeded Conneticut last year. GO CATS!!

kcballboy · March 14, 2007 3:58AM

<< Kansas had just better watch out for Kentucky (once we get past those "other Wildcats" of Villanova). We are quite hungry for an upset after coming up four points short against top seeded Conneticut last year. GO CATS!!

>>

Sounds like someone is getting ahead of himself a bit. Let's wait and see if KU can make it out of the first round before we start talking about the second round.

Estil · March 14, 2007 4:01AM

<< 

<< Kansas had just better watch out for Kentucky (once we get past those "other Wildcats" of Villanova). We are quite hungry for an upset after coming up four points short against top seeded Conneticut last year. GO CATS!!

>>

Sounds like someone is getting ahead of himself a bit. Let's wait and see if KU can make it out of the first round before we start talking about the second round. >>

You do understand no 16 has beat a 1, right? Besides, I want us to do the upsetting.

kcballboy · March 14, 2007 4:04AM

<< 

<< 

<< Kansas had just better watch out for Kentucky (once we get past those "other Wildcats" of Villanova). We are quite hungry for an upset after coming up four points short against top seeded Conneticut last year. GO CATS!!

>>

Sounds like someone is getting ahead of himself a bit. Let's wait and see if KU can make it out of the first round before we start talking about the second round. >>

You do understand no 16 has beat a 1, right? Besides, I want us to do the upsetting.

>>

Yes, but KU has quite efficient in destroying the hopes and dreams of their fans the past couple of years. I can only assume their experience is making them better at it. I'm just glad I'm not a fan.

Darin · March 14, 2007 8:43AM

No upset this year boys, next stop for KU is the final four.

KC- You're all avatar and no bite.

Brett's a huge KU hoops fan, by the way.

kcballboy · March 14, 2007 10:57AM

Yeah, well I hear that red X is a Tiger through and through

Estil · March 14, 2007 8:58PM

<< No upset this year boys, next stop for KU is the final four.

KC- You're all avatar and no bite.

Brett's a huge KU hoops fan, by the way. >>

I absoultely agree with that statement, if you just reverse the letters in "KU"

Estil · March 17, 2007 1:58AM

Well, we took care of business against those "other Wildcats" last night; bring on Kansas! We are hungry and we are ready to pull off the upset this Sunday! Go Cats and go Tubby!!

Darin · March 18, 2007 11:50AM

Estil, Kentucky put up a good fight. Brandon Rush had maybe the best game I've ever seen him play. KU shot the ball very well from outside, and got their running game cranked up in the second half. Now on to the Sweet Sixteen!

kcballboy · March 25, 2007 9:55PM

Now all I have to do is make it through the week long tear fest throughout the city and all will be good.

Kansas secures No. 1 seed in NCAA tourney.

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