The Baker Galleries

Lame name…should be “your inner-celeb” or something along these lines. In short, it is a site that allows you to upload a photo and the service will run face recognition software to find match against their celeb database. The first few attempts with Blaine and Casey came up empty…but then we hit a homerun with AFP and Aspinal. I’ve always said Aspinal was JackieO.

Kudos to Dennis Yang for this find. As an aside….when with this “my_insert-your-moniker” ever come to an end.

Last season’s Bucknell – yes now a verb in my book – was attributed to the player’s health and an overall lack of continuity. The 06 Jayhawks seem to have reversed all of these and Bill Self’s team was poised to take “his team” for a fun ride.

Alas, another BU spoiled the season. As disappointed as I am I know that losses like Bucknell and Bradley are what make the tournament the event that it is. And with more parity will come more heartbreaking losses. Congrats to both Bradley and Bill Self as each had amazing seasons

Heading to the wine country today to forget basketball, work, and everything else for a while. And yes, I’ll resist temptation to begin thinking about next season….even with quotes like:

“Yes, I’m back next year. I can’t go out like this,” Rush said after scoring nine points off 4-of-14 shooting in the Jayhawks’ 77-73 first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Bradley in The Palace of Auburn Hills. “I was still undecided at the time of the game. Now I’m sure I’m coming back next year.”

Rush said he made the decision after looking at his teammates in the losing locker room.

and this from Julian Wright:

We want to remember this feeling and prepare twice as hard for next year. Hit weights, everything that helps the team. We’ve got to look at tape, do whatever it takes to get better.”

Until next year…here is one final Rock Chalk

Two significant events occurred in 1984. The first was Robert’s discovery of the Van Halen brothers. The second, and purpose of this post, was the beginning of KU’s total dominance of k-state on their home court. Yes, you read that correctly….k-state’s last victory over KU in Manhattan was a single point victory (58-57) on Jan. 29, 1983.

For context, KU’s steak is currently the third longest of all time. Rhode Island’s run of 23 at Maine from 1927 to ’57 is only second to UCLA’s dominance (shocker) of Cal from 1961 to ’85.

But streaks were made to be broken. Take, for instance, KU’s 59-55, loss to k-sate in Allen Fieldhouse on Jan. 14 — KU’s first home loss in the series in 15 years. Another even more significant streak buster was Mangino’s crowning achievement as the 05 Flying Mangion’s final put to rest Nebraska’s 36 years of football dominance. Granted, that was home and away but cripes…losing 36 straight is a bitch.

With a share of the conference title on the line I feel pretty good about our chances of sitting beside Rhode Island in the record books. The emotions of Senior Day will be quickly be erased as KU jumps out to an early lead and locks up 23 with a vengence.

KU – 73
k-sate – 66

Tonight is Senior Night at KU…one of the more special Senior Night’s in the country. This year, in addition to losing seniors Moody, Vinson, and Hawkins, KU loses one of the greats in college broadcasting: Max Falkenstein. Max, a fan favorite for 60 years, has been calling KU games longer than anyone in the country.

To put this in perspective Max covered games coached by KU’s second basketball coach Dr. Phog Allen. Max was calling KU games for 10 years prior to Wilt arriving. Max has covered every game played in Allen Fieldhouse. 1946 – 2006…it’s hard to belive.

Tonight Max had an honorary banner hung next to Lovette, Vaugn, Woodard and Chamberlain. It is sad to see this KU legend move on.

Here’s the final Channel 6 piece as he says goodbye to 60 years of broadcasting KU football and basketball

(btw… John Roberts (not the SC Justice) is Christian Moody)