Soldiers follow Final Four

Lawrence Journal World (Kansas) ^ | 04/05/2003 | me

[KsSunflower]

The war may be raging, but it's basketball on his mind!

[KsSunflower]

If there is someone who can do it...please post this picture in the thread...it is priceless, especially if you are a KU basketball fan!

Click on link above!

[kayak]

Well, 43 other people will probably see this and post it also but here ya go ...... :-)

[JennysCool]

Safe to say KU plays better defense than Saddam! FReegards!

[KsSunflower]

Thanks kayak!

[KeyWest]

During the Vietnam War I was a PIRAZ evaluator on the USS Wainwright. On New Years Day I had all the bowl games put on a radio channel in CIC, so with our split headsets we could fight the war in one ear and listen to the bowl games in the other. All the A/C under our control asked for updates (not on the war but the bowl scores), which we provided.

[KsSunflower]

Hey, KeyWest..that is awesome! The story accompanying this photo in the newspaper said when this soldier used a phone from an imbedded reporter and called home, he was rather cool and calm when talking about the war, but that when they started talking Kansas Basketball he really got excited.

Watch out Marquette...this picture is up in the Kansas locker room in New Orleans. Talk about inspiration!!

[schaketo]

We are down to the Final Four! But enough about the Iraqi Army.

[southernnorthcarolina]

I was in the New Orleans airport Wednesday, and I heard on the PA system...

"Paging Mr. Williams... Mr. Roy Williams... Please pick up the nearest Carolina Blue courtesy phone for an important message... Mr. Williams... Mr. Roy Williams..."

Of course, I have no idea what that was all about...

[KsSunflower]

Sorry...he's staying. So what was the deal with Dougherty?? Were things really that bad??

I think that the timing stinks for poor ol' Roy, though. If his Jayhawks go on to the National Championship, it really is too bad that this whold NC thing has been a cloud over the excitement of this week.

I think that if the outgoing coach was not Matt, a longtime friend and member of Roy's staff here, I would be a little more concerned. But Roy is such a loyal friend, I just can't see him stepping in following such a bad situation for Matt. Also, the thinking here is that since he didn't go before, he realizes that K.U. is HIS dynasty, the program HE built and that we can't even remember the names of any other coaches. No matter what, at NC, he will be in Dean Smith's shaddow.

Those are some of the prevailing thoughts here...oh, and the word is that he is not flat out denying the rumors because he and our new AD don't get along well and that Roy is just yanking his chain. The sentiment here is if one of them has to go...it won't be Roy!

[southernnorthcarolina]

Yeah, things evidently were that bad with Doherty. I had been in his corner, hoped he'd be given another year to turn things around, but some things are coming to light since the axe fell that lead me to believe that he truly does have an abusive personality... not just a matter of "whining" players. If everyone stays at UNC, we'll easily be Top 20 next year, maybe better. But they all wouldn't have stayed with Doh.

Our AD, of course, has managed to p*** off not one, but two of the greatest fan bases in college basketball. I'm sure Roy's made up his mind, but he's not saying. I truly think it's a 50/50 call whether Roy's in Lawrence or Chapel Hill next year. He's in love with both places, of that I'm convinced, and vice versa. I don't have any idea how money-driven Roy is, but let's just say he's in a strong negotiating position

Best of luck in the Final Four. I'll be pulling hard for KU, as will most over here. The connection between our two schools is amazing (Dean played for Phog; Larry Brown and Roy played for Dean), and that won't change no matter what the outcome of the coaching situation is.

[KsSunflower]

I guess we'll see in the week ahead.

Thanks for your well wishes. We always pull for you, as well. That may change, however, if Roy leaves..... :0)

[ewing]

I heard that Larry Brown pretty much agreed to coach Carolina verbally and sign a 5 year deal.

In some bizarre way I think this Carolina situation is taking the edge off the players becuase they know how ridiculous the idea sounds of Roy leaving a Kansas Team with 5 sophmores coming back (and possibly a national title)

[SirTaurus]

The CUSE is In the HOUSE

[KsSunflower]

You win. Roy's in the air on his way to NC according to local reports. Just left the team locker room in tears.

Sentiment here...fine, take him. EVERYONE here is sick of this drama. I'm afraid that the good feelings between the two programs may be gone along with him. I guess we'll see, but when he wasn't willing to make it clear he was a "Kansas Guy" as the team was going into what could have been one of the greatest weeks in the history of the program...he really ticked a lot of people off.

I guess it's all your gain. Congratulations.

[southernnorthcarolina]

I'm afraid that the good feelings between the two programs may be gone along with him.

Sun, I hope you're wrong. And I honestly believe you are.

Feelings are running high now. Higher than they should, in light of other things going on in the world. After all, a college coaching change isn't life and death ... and just about now, other things are.

For what it may be worth, there's a thread underway on a UNC fan site urging UNC fans not to be jerks by going to KU sites and spouting off. Here's what I said on that thread:

I just got back from the Masters, where I rooted in vain for Tar Heel alum Davis Love. On every pairing sheet dipensed to the spectators is an admonition from Bobby Jones, written in 1967, which states in part:

Most distressing to those who love the game of golf is the applauding or cheering of misplays or misfortunes of a player. Such occurances have been rare at the Masters but we must eliminate them entirely if our patrons are to continue to merit their reputation as the most knowledgeable and considerate in the world.

Adapted for the current situation:

Most distressing to those who love Tar Heel basketball is the cheering of misfortunes of another program. Such occurances have been rare at UNC but we must eliminate them entirely if our fans are to continue to merit their reputation as the most knowledgeable and considerate in the world.

True Carolina basketball fans will realize that KU and UNC are inexorably linked. True Carolina basketball fans will realize that KU, like UNC, has a storied past, an extraordinarily successful recent history, and a bright future. True Carolina fans will recognize that KU has always "done things right," and has earned the respect of the college basketball world. And true Carolina fans wouldn't even consider trash-talking KU fans, either in person, or, worse, in a cowardly anonymous fashion on their boards.

I couldn't be more delighted that Roy is "coming home." But let's not forget that he acquired a large part of his "class" (to employ an overused word) at KU. Those who denigrate KU, or KU fans, do a disservice to Roy, and to UNC.

[KsSunflower]

Truly wise sentiments...Kansas does have a storied history and tradition, but Roy raised this program to an entirely new level...especially than that of his predecesor, Larry Brown.

The talk around town is that Bill Self, Illinois, and former Larry Brown assistant is the front runner. I, for one, hope they go a different direction. Roy took a program, though one of the defending national champions, that was ethically in shambles and soon to endure the loss of scholarships. Roy has had some great assistants over the years...I would rather have one them come back. We KNOW they have experienced how a top level program, both competitively and academically, should be run.

Our players, however, are stunned and deeply hurt...Wayne Simien is downright angry. I really believe they felt that when Roy turned down your offer 3 years ago, that door had been permanently closed...he had faced his choice and as difficult as it was, said "No" to leaving Kansas. I guess we'll see what happens here. Already bad noises coming from Padgett's family, one of our top recruits, and Keith Langford.

By the way, noticed at the press conference your players were all in suits and ties...looks like Roy is having a positive effect already. Good luck and God Bless!