Kansas basketball: Don’t take conference titles for granted
By Stan Unruh
The Kansas basketball team has won 14 straight conference championships. Some say coach Bill Self puts too much emphasis on winning conference titles.
CBS basketball talking heads recently debated the importance or significance of winning a conference championship. Some Kansas basketball fans agree with Hall of Fame coach Bill Self. Winning the conference title is very important and should be a goal every year. On the other hand, a few fans disagree. Winning in March and saving your team for a long run in the NCAA tournament is more significant and ultimately more important.
There are outstanding arguments on both sides of the question. After 14 consecutive, some Kansas basketball fans (not many) take winning a conference title for granted. It’s old news. We’ve been there, purchased a t-shirt and enjoyed the celebration. All the success is boring.
How important is winning a conference title? Did you watch CBS Sunday afternoon? Cincinnati’s one-point victory over Wichita State will give you some indication of the significance of winning a conference title. Both teams desperately wanted to win. In twelve seasons, Bearcat coach Mick Cronin has not one an outright conference title. He did Sunday.
Former Jayhawk Conner Frank has enjoyed a couple of Missouri Valley Conference titles with Wichita State. The Shockers won the conference the past four seasons. Last spring, they left for the American Conference. Coach Greg Marshall wanted to find some tougher competition. He found some. Winning a conference title is not easy.
Devonte Graham didn’t miss
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Sunday’s slugfest between Cincinnati and Wichita State came down to a final shot by the former Bill Self recruit. Frankamp missed badly and the Shockers missed out on a share of a conference title. It’s was a tough loss for Shocker nation. They lose 6 seniors from that team.
Frankamp’s missed shot reminded me of just how close Devonte Graham came to missing a shot at Texas Tech on February 24. Graham hit a couple of huge shots down the stretch. His wild shot off the glass to put KU up 72-68 almost rolled off the rim. It went in to secure a win and a conference title. Remember that the next time anyone criticizes the Jayhawks about winning conference titles They are precious. That’s why Self has won conference titles 18 of the past 21 seasons as a head coach.