Why not a '03 Repeat?

By repeat, I mean a similar run deep into March and/or early April. I'm talking about the 2011-12 version of the Kansas Jayhawk basketball team. A team that's been brushed aside ironically by most the local pundits, the Jayhawks are atop the Big 12 once again with nearly a third of the conference season in the books. I call it ironic the local media has been the last to jump on the bandwagon because most the more experienced national experts consider the Jayhawks the best or second best team in the conference.

There are a lot of things to consider when dissecting the success Kansas has had during its current 7-game streak. With the toughest road test coming at Oklahoma during the stretch, Allen Fieldhouse has of course been a huge factor with two home games coming against top-20 teams. It is essential for KU to win its next four games before a huge matchup in Columbia which may be the first top-5 MU/KU matchup since the early 90s.

Back to the title of this post. What do I mean by a '03 repeat? There are several similarities in this blogger's mind between the Jayhawk team that marched through the West bracket of the NCAA Tournament and onto the National Championship game.

- Limited depth

- A national player of the year candidate and a sidekick worthy of all conference honors

- Three other starters who compliment in their own unique way

- A bench that's as reliable as a Ford Fiesta

- Tough schedule

In talking with the roommate, the topic of depth and its worth has come up quite a bit. With the Kentucky Wildcats making it to the Final Four in 2011, I was left scratching my head about how much having Josh Selby and Elijah Johnson play about 14 minutes a game off the bench was worth. Is it perhaps worth more for the same Elijah Johnson to be forced into played 35 minutes per game against top flight competition simply because Coach Self can't trust his backup after Johnson throws a pass into the stands?

The maturation of this team from when they played UK at Madison Square Garden to when it blasted Baylor can be attributed the starting five playing 30 plus minutes per game. They've been forced to work through their issues. Gone are the days when KU had a second five capable of beating Davidson on any given day. If Davidson's starters play better than KU's starters once out of ten games, it's enough to pull off the upset. Last year, that wouldn't have been enough. The second five Kansas could put on the floor would have bailed out the starters.

A team with a very limited rotation is better in March. That's just an opinion based on the success of Kentucky last year and the success of KU in '02, '03 and '08. In '03 especially, the weight placed on Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich prepared them for huge post season tests against Duke and Arizona. In '11, the Jayhawks were not prepared. Against USC, KU won because they had a freshman playing in his first game get hot and bail them out. That 5-star recruit is not sitting on the bench this year. It's on the starting five to get things done. They're the most important five guys on the team and when there's people on the bench to bail them out during the regular season, they might forget that when it matters most.

Now, I wasn't able to pay close attention to the '88 Championship but I'm assuming it was a similar situation. What would have happened in '97 if Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce were relied on to carry the team each and every game instead of having Billy Thomas there to relieve them? They would have been better prepared to beat Arizona in the Sweet 16.

For the sake of good argument, the '08 team used depth in the Final Four to push through to the Championship game. Cole Aldrich, a little used center came in and had his best game of the year against North Carolina. That of course won't happen this year for the Jayhawks. If Thomas Robinson gets three fouls against Tyler Zeller in the first half, Kevin Young is not coming off the bench take him to school as Aldrich did Tyler Hansbrough.

That's why this team is similar to '03. Bryant Nash was nowhere near a good enough player to bail KU out when Keith Langford picked up four fouls guarding Carmelo Anthony. That could have been the difference in the Championship. Likewise, the development of Jeff Graves because he was forced to log major minutes the entire conference season contributed to the wins against Duke and Arizona.

The X-Factor this year is Thomas Robinson. Nick Collison is an all time KU great. Robinson though could be on a different level in March. As the frontrunner for national player of the year, Robinson has been an absolute nightmare for the opposition. With a continued steady rate of development up to March, he could be set to "Carmelo'ize" the Jayhawks. He can be that dominant. If the supporting cast can divert some of the attention from Robinson, the "least talented" team in the Bill Self era of Kansas basketball could be hanging another banner next October.

Monday Eve

I'm tired... With at most four hours of sleep last night, there is no reason to still be awake listening to Kirk Herbstreit say the same thing about LSU-Alabama he was two weeks ago. Wait, never mind. The long snapper for Alabama pulled a muscle getting off the bus.

Monday eve really isn't as terrible as I make it out to be. I'm still up for the sole purpose of putting off Monday morning just a little longer. Do I dread going to work tomorrow? Of course not. It's going to be a busy week, probably more busy than any week since before Thanksgiving. For me, it'll be a good week for this reason and I'm eager to take it on.

Why the dread on a Sunday evening? It's just what we're programmed to do. Now, let's take a look back at the weekend and the week ahead (besides counting how many people sigh when you ask them how their weekend was and respond, "Not long enough.").

It was definitely a successful Friday/Saturday combo. With the expectation for a full Saturday, Friday night was spent in the company of family and a good friend. Chili, football and exorbitant amount of junk food was on the menu.

Here are a few highlights of a full day of bar hopping and basketball watching on Saturday.

- Arrive at Brooksider by 11:30. This in of itself is an accomplishment.

- The table orders enough beer and food that the waitress is clearly confused by the end of the KU-OU/KSU-MU games.

- Migrate to a friend's house for some old school Nintendo (Mario World 3). To keep the nostalgic vibe, we turn on a Disney movie power hour YouTube video.

- We travel towards Oak Park Mall to a bar we've never been to. Let's just say we traveled to the Land of Oz.

- The "Either/Or" game begins. Speed or comfort?

- We roll on back to Waldo.... did Chipotle come before or after the Land of Oz?

- With the day already a success, there was no need to make another stop but we did anyway.... Quinton's.

- The group's getting very stoic at this point. I'm leaving with a few friends close behind, battling through the crowd. All pro d-bag nudges my friend and I out of the way, I elbow him in the back, he gives me a good shove in the back. I turned around and returned the shove (He's a little stocky guy. I was about to start biting). His massive friend then gets between him and I telling me, "Trust me, you don't want to f*ck with us." Cue stare down. Now, I'm not sure who won the stare down but I departed with the urging of my two friends and the other dudes departed at the urging of the bouncers.

- We make it home in one piece. The customary "You alive?" Tweets and texts flow.

Sunday... Lazy Sunday.

Sunday starts well with a partner in crime from the night before at Jalepenos. This was a single mission with two objectives; morning fuel and recovering the ride (He spent the night behind the Brooksider).

What else? Nothing. There were apparently some NFL Playoff games on the TV when I was lounging on the couch. I take a road trip down to Leawood to find Mom and Sister going through old children's books from our childhood. So strange. "Erin, is that a baby seat in your CRV?!"

Mom and I then make Philly Cheese Steaks. Delicious. It's cheap, easy and yields plenty of leftovers for a few lunches at work.

Work tomorrow.... Yeah, this post is done.

2012: To do list (before December 21)

In no particular order, the following is everything I intend to do this calendar year. No, these are not resolutions and I'm not trying to justify being better at anything simply because the calendar reads 2012 versus 2011.

I'm fully expecting Yellowstone to erupt or The Walking Dead to become non-fiction late this year, hence the reason for such a busy year.

- Purchase season tickets

I've always bought single game tickets or mooched off well-connected family members for admission into the city's many events. Sporting Kansas City is the current leader. I'll hold off on the Royals or may purchase the sporting event equivalent of a snack pack.

- Drive obscenely fast on a winding two-lane road (freshly paved is a must)

Sure, the acceleration on my car is nice (Subaru WRX), but it's not a muscle car. It's an AWD rally car. If there's any likelihood that I might not be able to drive it in 2013, I need to get my money's worth in 2012. If there's time and significant funds, I'd like to take it off road too.

- Visit Vancouver (and acquire a passport)

A good friend lives in Seattle and another good friend is Canadian. The two don't ever shut up about how awesome Vancouver is, the Canadian constantly reminding co-workers and me that it's been named the greatest city in the world.

- Play soccer

I enjoy watching soccer and playing Fifa on the XBox but I haven't kicked (much less touched) a soccer ball since I was in middle school.

- Have a Bloody Mary at Louis's West

Way back when I lived down the street from my favorite bar, I hadn't yet developed a taste for the fantastic drink that is a Bloody Mary. I've been told Louis's West makes the best Bloody Mary in Lawrence.

- Have Wheel pizza

Yes, there are several pizza joints that are better than the basement at the Wheel in Lawrence (Waldo Pizza!). There is no late night pizza I've found in Kansas City that matches with Wheel pizza at 2 in the morning. Torres and Joes in Westport don't even come close.

- Wear suits more frequently

I wore a suit the other day to work and enjoyed it. I'm of the belief that dressing well effects the way I act as well as the way others view me.

- See a tornado

I've lived in Tornado Alley my entire life and have yet to see one. Perhaps this will happen when the world is ending.

- See a wolf, bear or cougar in the wild

Growing up, I was a total Discovery Channel and National Geographic junkie. I'd like nothing more than to actually see one of these beautiful animals I was so fascinated with during my childhood.

- Eat Chicago deep dish pizza (again)

I was fortunate enough to have Geno's when I was a sophomore in high school. It's unfortunate I haven't been back to Chicago since.

- Use my future niece to pick up women

"Is this your daughter?! She's so cute!"

"No, my niece. What's your name?"

- Run a 6-minute mile

I've always been somewhat fit but never in great shape. I hope to change this.

- Bet on sporting events at a Vegas sports book

There aren't many things that seem as fantastic to me as watching multiple sporting events at a time with the same interest as I do when the Jayhawks are playing. Of course, having pretty waitresses bring scotch and smoking a cigar is a bonus.

- Visit the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts

I'm not into the ballet or symphony, but it's undeniable how awesome this addition to Kansas City is.

- See a live performance by a rapper

Drake's coming to Sprint Center this year.

- Watch the Jayhawks in the Elite 8 in person (should they make it that far)

I've always thought the Elite 8 was the greatest round of the greatest postseason tournament in sports. I've seen the first and second rounds, Sweet 16 and National Championship in person, but not an Elite 8.

- Sit in the student section again

There's nothing better than the party near the front of the student section for a big basketball or football game.

- Get good at golf

When I was in my late teens, I regularly shot at or below 80 (including a personal best, 75). Now, I struggle to shoot 85. This needs to change in time for me to bring home a medal for VML in KC Corporate Challenge golf.

- Drink one less drink during each bar outing and give the money to charity

- Cook more

I'm a good cook and there are usually leftovers. It's also cheaper than eating crappy take-out.

- Attend multiple Oklahoma City Thunder games

For as big a basketball fan I am, it's crazy that I've only been to one NBA regular season game (Denver Nuggets).

- If possible, see Muse in concert again

Muse at Kanrocksas last year was one of the best live shows I've ever been to.

- Stop hitting the snooze button

- Read more

- Go to the Schlitterbon in Kansas City, Kansas

The roommate will attest to this, I won't shut up about going to this water park.

- See a college football game at one of the great mega stadiums

Bryant Denny, The Big House, The Shoe, Death Valley, Between the Hedges, Neyland are all options.

- Ride a train

I have never ridden on any train bigger than a New York City subway

- Blog

I'm very opinionated and enjoy writing.

If/when I come up with more, I will update this blog throughout the week with additional to-do's. Stay tuned for updates throughout the year on my progress.