KU Basketball

All of the sudden there's an abundance of information about KU hoops.

There's news of the renovation of Allen Field House: It supposedly looks the same but they have done several things including new windows, a new and improved floor (to reduce the risk of injuries), and new lights. This article talks about the noticeable difference:

"We've got more lights, brighter lights and updated fixtures. It's much brighter in there, so bright that most strobe lights will be unnecessary this year… The building was 45 footcandle last year and is going to 235 footcandle -- quite a difference."

The article also says that in the past, visiting teams would ask when the lights would be turned up. Not any more.

The same article also says a little about the incoming freshmen:

"Top class: Rivalshoops.com on Monday rated KU's recruiting class of Brandon Rush, Julian Wright, Mario Chalmers and Micah Downs No. 1 in the country. Oklahoma State was No. 2."

I saw Wright, Chalmers, and Downs play in the McDonald's All-American game. Chalmers especially was impressive, handling the ball, scoring, passing, playing tough defense, etc. He would have been the game's MVP if his team had won. Chalmers, who hails from Alaska, also won the three point contest. Micah Downs, in contrast, reminds me more of the many BTWGs (big timid white guys) of KU's past, of which Nick Collison was the exception that proved the rule. Here's hoping the best for Micah.