Basketball

Kansas recruit Perry Ellis was named a McDonald’s All-American and will be one of 24 high school seniors playing in the annual all-star basketball game March 28 at Chicago’s United Center.

The 6-8 Ellis averages 26.1 points and 9.7 rebounds for Wichita Heights. He's had one of the most successful careers in Kansas high school history as a three-time state Gatorade player of the year. Ellis has led his team to a 6A championship in each season.

First off, let me assure you I didn't write this open letter to Kansas basketball coach Bill Self. I personally am on record as supporting the stance of the woman who sent it to me and other media outlets, that Kansas and Missouri should continue their Border War rivalry as a non-conference matchup in any and all sports.

But let's face it, primarily in football and men's basketball.

I'll add only one editorial comment to what you are about to read: Self was arrogantly and impudently wrong in telling us on Saturday night that fans don't drive the bus.

Bill Self offered his most vigorous defense of guard Tyshawn Taylor, and addressed the future of the Border War after the Jayhawks’ 74-71 loss at Missouri on Saturday.

On Taylor:
“He’s damn good. He is damn good. He played so well the first half, and kept us in the game. In the second half, he didn’t make good decisions down the stretch. (But) I’ll put the ball in his hands every day.”

On the Border War and its future:

Next to Norm Stewart, no major college basketball coach had a greater influence in Missouri than Charlie Spoonhour, who died on Wednesday.

At Southwest Missouri State, now Missouri State, and Saint Louis University, Spoonhour created winners with a defensive brand called "Spoonball."

Spoonhour nurtured the Bears through the early years of its Division I membership and never had a losing record in nine seasons (1983-1992). There were five NCAA Tournament teams and players such as Winston Garland and Kelby Stuckey helped the program win four league championships.

Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive will be the guest speaker at the March 27 Kansas City Tiger Club meeting.

"He doesn't generally speak at booster clubs, but I guess he saw this as an opportunity to establish a beachhead," said Paul Blackman, who arranged for the visit by Slive and other SEC staffers.

Missouri, of course, will officially leave the Big 12 Conference for the SEC in July.

Blackman said that in anticipation of a large gathering, attendance at the event at the Westport Flea Market will be by reservation only.

Tickets to the 75th annual Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship go on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m. The tournament will run from March 14-20 at Municipal Auditorium.

Single-session tickets may be purchased at the Municipal Auditorium box office, at any Ticketmaster outlet, on-line at Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

General admission tickets are $5 for students and $12 for adults (add $3 per ticket for reserved seats). Tickets are good for four games each during the first four days of the tournament.

The latest sports-themed video to go viral was conceived in an instant, during a particularly stressful time in the life of every college student: finals week.

In mid-December, Andrew Carter — a junior journalism major at Missouri — recalls feeling “maxed out” due to his studies. He needed a break, so he decided to hop on the Internet.

Doors to Mizzou Arena will open at 7 a.m. Saturday for ESPN's "College GameDay," which will air live on ESPNU from 9-10 a.m. and ESPN from 10 a.m. CT.

"GameDay" coverage will also return at 7 p.m. on ESPN for one hour before Missouri plays Kansas in the latest edition of the Border War.

Admission for "GameDay" is free and open to the public. MU is encouraging fans to bring signs and wear gold. One student will participate in the State Farm Half-Court shot promotion for a chance to win $18,000.

Rich Zvosec, who was in some of the most entertaining TV spots while he coached UMKC basketball and before he turned to hoops commentary, came up with an interesting opinion on 610-AM with Bob Fescoe on Tuesday morning.

Zvosec said of Missouri's loss for the season of Laurence Bowers to a knee injury: "It's a weird dichotomy. It's addition by subtraction.

"Losing Laurence Bowers I think may have been the best thing for Frank Haith and this team.

"They certainly wouldn't be as good an offensive team with Bowers in there as opposed to the extra guard."

Day after thoughts of Kansas’ 92-74 victory over Baylor on Monday

The game’s turning point came late in the first half. Baylor overcame an eight-point deficit and took a 27-22 lead. What happened over the next few minutes changed the game.

The Jayhawks started an inevitable flurry, with Tyshawn Taylor doing most of the damage. But a couple of Baylor baskets would have stemmed the tide. Instead, the Bears lost their offense purpose and started taking quick shots without ball movement. On KU’s 17-2 to end the half, Baylor missed eight of nine shots and turned it over three times.