Post mortem

Really want to disagree with you, Peter.
Can't and won't even try.

Self clearly has E-8 issues; that's undeniable. Is it the quick turnaround and inadequate game planning? Lack of elite assistant coaches doing the scouting reports? Any of a dozen other questions we could all list?

I don't know.

What I do know is that, in Self's defense, he didn't get our most talented and athletic player taken completely out of the game (and flow) just a few minutes after the opening tip. He didn't ask to have to play Svi and Vick at the same time as a rarely used lineup that was required for a major chunk of the first half due to those fouls. He didn't control the fact that Oregon was hitting 3s in the opening half that bounced off the rim several feet up and then back through the net--or banked off the glass into the rim right before the buzzer sounded. He didn't personally chuck up open-look 3 after open-look 3 without any success whatsoever (DG, here's looking at you). He didn't cause our players to clang into one another on multiple occasions, causing sure rebounds to go back to Oregon to give their possessions new life.

Notwithstanding things he DID actually have some control over and might have changed, the above aspects were bonecrushing in their effect on the game--and just as clearly as any other factor (including the Self tightness theory) were the difference between a loss and a win.

Players have to play. And aside from Frank and Svi last night, none of ours got it done. Looking beyond Graham and Jackson, Landon alone missed enough close-in bunnies to alter the outcome. There are just so many variables in the mix...

Lastly, even if there's something to the notion that Self has an E-8 monkey on his back, which seems clear, here's the rub: You can't have an Elite 8 problem if your program isn't consistently good enough to provide you with the opportunity to HAVE that problem in the first place. In other words, KU under Self has been a model of elite winning consistency, as evidenced by the fact that we now own the record for most consecutive NCAA tourney appearances. That is something to be treasured and admired, and I'd never want to convey the impression (or buy into the concept) that KU should trade Self for someone who will bring far less winning consistency yet once in a blue moon get us a title.

I want Bill Self to continue to be our coach, for he is an elite winner and a good program/university steward. But I ALSO want him to take a seriously objective look in the mirror and make some corrections (staff, planning, hypnotist, psychologist, motivational specialist, or SOMETHING!) to help get over this freaking speed bump that prevents KU from achieving elite level POST-SEASON success that is commensurate with its regular season success and historical bloodline. The program deserves that level of success. The players deserve it. And HE himself deserves it, for all that he consistently puts into his trade.

Hope this makes sense. Typing on a phone, so excuse if not, or if typos...

It all makes sense, Konza.

But, while we cannot absolutely know for sure, I think many would agree with me that the coaching specific things that were done -- like before the game talking about how the E8 game is actually the toughest game to win and otherwise unwittingly displaying fear in front of his troops) -- or weren't done (more use of the devastating press displayed earlier in the year??) -- hurt, and hurt badly. And that Larry* or Roy would have handled things differently -- so much so that this conversation would probably not be happening. Or at the very least we would have been competitive in losing.

Like you, this is NOT to say we want someone else.
It IS to say that we want our guy to do better in the postseason!
I like your potential courses of action, none of which are mutually exclusive.
And I think I can safely say that we ALL share your hopes!

ROCK CHALK!

*Did you hear Reggie Miller during the game talking about how Larry Brown was simply the best in-game Xs and Os coach he has ever seen? Man, I wish Larry would sit down with Bill and go over the video of the bad games this year to talk about what Bill was thinking and why he did what he did. I'd bet Bill would benefit. Hey, do you think Larry would consider being an assistant coach as his retirement job?

I would LOVE for Larry to come on the staff as an advisor...or, barring that, to review and share guidance on Self's performance.