I took a few weeks off from the "blog" after Big 12 football ended just to let some things simmer.  There's been a lot going on, so let's get caught up.

I've said it on OTL but I'll say it again:  The Bill Snyder hire doesn't totally enthrall me.  I don't think its a good long-term solution but you have to wonder if that's what K-State is looking for.  I still contend that its a safe hire.  If Snyder leads the Wildcats back into the national title picture, great.  If he does anything short of getting the program killed for massive violations of some kind, he can re-retire and 'Cat fans will still love him for what he did while looking to the next guy.  It's a fine little experiment with very little possibility for dire reprecussions.  I'll be interested to see what approach Bill Snyder takes from a scheme stand-point on offense and from a recruting stand-point.  I know age is just a number, but many folks will continue to wonder if the 69 year old still has "it" until the 'Cats prove it on the field.

One of the reasons I haven't blogged in a while is b/c I've been spending my off time (which is also the time I usually blog) doing more fun stuff.  I took a trip down to OKC with a couple of friends last week to watch my beloved Suns take on the Thunder.  Tickets were too expensive (25 bucks for a seat more than half-way up the upperdeck) but everything else was reasonable (parking was $5, beer was $6, food was typically priced, etc.).  The atmosphere was a little off, but that's to be expected.  I would say that Thunder fans are kind of quiet, but is there really such a thing as a "Thunder fan" is there?  I mean, they've played less than a dozen home games... is it really possible for anyone to be that passionate just yet?  Half of the fans in the building each night are probably there for the first time all season.  That being said, there were two or three loud pops from the crowd which was nice (though they're not quite living up to the marketing slogan of "Ok City is LOUD CITY" that banners throughout the arena proclaim).  Also, I'm pretty sure the Thunder are the only team in the NBA that have a truck stop as one of its primary sponsors (Love's Country Stores!).  Everything else was pretty standard for an NBA experience (constant rap beats without the lyrics, dancing girls, t-shirt tosses, etc.).  The other thing that stood out (and continues to stand out about the NBA the past few years) is that NOBODY in the NBA can shoot anymore!  Remember when the biggest difference between college and the NBA was the pure shooting ability of pro athletes?  When I was younger, EVERY player in the league knocked down open shots.  It was just a given:  If you leave a pro an open jumper, he's going to hit it.  The shooting the other night at the Ford Center was a atrocious (except for the 3 pointer that Matt Barnes hit with 9 seconds left to win the game for Phoenix... that was awesome).

Just a couple of other quick hitters:  Wichita State needs to keep the ball in Toure Murry's hands... I know Clevin Hannah has been hitting everything lately, but Murry is the future of the program (and he has a knack for getting to the basket)... KU will be just fine... well-coached teams always are... Hopefully I don't freeze to death at the Big 12 Championship Game!