Goodbye, Grandma

Our trip from Kansas to Las Vegas took a sad, but not entirely unexpected turn last week. The message to me, as usual, was that the Lord knows best. Early in the week, my Mom called and said that my Grandma, her Mom, wasn't doing well and may need a blessing. I said I was more than willing to go and was glad I was in Utah to help. She said she'd let me know and that they may wait until Friday when she and my Dad were set to arrive. Grandma had been struggling with dementia for some time and had slipped into a slight coma. The doctors had thought she might make it a few more weeks, but she had taken a turn for the worse.

On Wednesday, Mom called and said she needed me and my brother to head over and administer the blessing. Of course, we agreed and headed north. When we got there, my aunt and her two daughters - Shauna and Christy - were there. Chris gave a wonderful blessing. After the blessing, we were able to sit with the family for several hours and just talk about Grandma. It was really a wonderful evening. I am so happy that I was able to be there in Utah at the time. If we'd already moved to Las Vegas, that wouldn't have been possible. For that, and many other reasons involving this move, I've realized that the Lord just knows what's right. I firmly believe I needed to be available over these last few days.

Grandma passed away about 10:30 the next morning. Sandy and her daughters were there, as well as Shelly, one of Frankie and Sandi Jo's kids - who was also Grandma's home hospice nurse. I picked Mom up at the airport that morning and we arrived at about 11:00. Again, I am grateful to have been available to be there for my Mom and my extended family. I truly wouldn't have been anywhere else at that time.

Dad arrived on Friday and the viewing was held Sunday with the funeral on Wednesday. I spent much of those two days with brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins that I hadn't seen in many years. The passing of my Grandma did one of the things Grandma loved the most - brought the family together. We talked about our memories of visiting with Grandma, about what she liked and didn't like, about her life and her legacy. We caught up on our lives and where we were headed and how many kids we had and what we were going to do next. We cried some and laughed a lot. To me, the weekend was about what all funerals should be about - the love of family and the promise of reunion. That's such an integral part of the Gospel - that we will be together again.

The day after the funeral, we left for Las Vegas. We're here now. We're in the house we are renting. The kids are thrilled. Leah and I are thrilled. There is so much to experience and so much to do. The Lord wanted us to take a little time to get here. It's been a heck of a four weeks, but those are stories for another day. His plan is just better than my plan.

I know it sounds cliche, but Grandma is in a better place, now. She's in a place where she isn't restricted by a body that was breaking down. She can share her thoughts and feelings. She can talk with loved ones that she hasn't seen in decades. She can reflect on her own life and the legacy she left behind. For the past few years, none of those things have been possible. I love my Grandma very much. I will miss her in this life, but I look forward to our promised reunion, as well. I hope she has the fudge-stripe cookies!

Breaking News: Winning NOT a Crime!

Do you ever have something that you look forward to and look forward to and then, when you think there's no way it will ever happen again, it happens and you're so excited and so happy and so thrilled and you jump up and down and you hug everyone around you and then. . . you don't know what to do next? That's how I feel right now. So, if this comes across as a bit of a ramble, please remember that it has been 20 years and two days since any of my teams actually won the title. 20 years and two days. I was fourteen. I watched the '88 championship in the Schumman's basement, then rode in and on their VW bus around downtown and campus. Now I'm 34. I watched the Jayhawks cut down the nets in my brother's basement with his wife and kids. I nearly cried. Then I drove back to my in-laws house and tried to sleep. Let's just say, sleep was elusive!

The Game
Wow. I mean, holy crap! That was absolutely amazing.

At halftime, I thought, "They are playing really well. A good run in the first ten minutes of the second half and this game is over. Just absorb whatever Memphis throws and it will be fine."

Well, Memphis threw one heck of a punch. When Rose's desperation bucket that was at first ruled a three, then a two went in, I thought, "Well, that's really it. Those are the kinds of baskets that go in for teams that are meant to win."

Down 9 with 2:12 left: "It's been a great year. Nothing to be ashamed of."

CDR misses two free throws: "Interesting."

The steal and the Collins three from the corner: "Yes! Yes! Wait, not Collins! Not Collins! Yes! Yes, Collins!"

20 seconds left - the Collins drive to the basket, down 2: "Wait! Wait for the team! Play for the win! NO FOUL?????"

10 seconds left - the Rose free throws: "Just miss one. Just miss one. HE MISSED THE FIRST!"

End of regulation: "Get the ball down there. Can't take your time. No one is open. Mario's got two guys in his face. That ball could bring rain. IT WENT IN!!!! IT'S TIED! HE TIED IT." (At this point, I believe my nephew Caleb actually said he was asking for Mario Chalmers for his birthday.)

Overtimes are funny. It seems to me, 90% of the time, you can tell who is going to win in the first minute of overtime. This one was no different. KU had all the momentum. They scored the first six points. CDR his a three just before the two minute mark, but that was really the end. The Memphis players looked like zombies. The Kansas players looked like champions! It was truly awesome.

Evaluation
Two things stand out to me as I think about the game. First, Kansas WON the game just as much as Memphis LOST the game. That seems like one of those ridiculous comments that analysts make trying to fill time before your late local news. But this rings true. There is no doubt that Memphis choked the game away in the last two minutes. I mean, they were up by NINE! They missed crucial free throws. But, at the same time, Kansas made the plays to win. If Kansas can't hit the shots, then nothing else matters. But Kansas hit the shots - especially THE SHOT! Mario Chalmers may be the new Danny Manning in Lawrence, Kansas. Will he ever pay for a meal again while inside the city limits? I seriously doubt it.

Second, this game was absolutely incredible. I mean, all time great. I'm not just saying that because I'm a Kansas fan. These were two great teams that went toe to toe for 45 minutes. They played great offense and spectacular defense. They did the big things and the little things. They were awesome. The Chris Douglas-Roberts running push shot? How do you guard that? You don't even know that the ball's gone? When Derrick Rose got hot in the second half it was actually scary to be a Kansas fan. Dorsey's steal, dunk and chest bump into Cole Adrich? Juvenile, but that's his game. I kept thinking - one more push and that guy starts throwing punches! And for the Jayhawks - the back doors to Kahn, Arthur and Jackson. Arthur, all around force inside. Rush gliding to the basket. Collins bull-rushing to the basket. Mario's shot heard round the world. It was a great game. And the Jayhawks won it!

The Pool
So, I didn't do a pool and the Jayhawks won the title. Does that mean I don't ever do a pool again? Honestly, you'll have to ask me in 11 months. I don't know. I mean, I do a pool for how many years and am crushed by disappointment after disappointment. I don't do a pool in 2008 and the Jayhawks triumph. Seems pretty "1+1=2" to me.

The Okie State Thing
So, what can I even say about this? T. Boone Pickens and his semi-pro, multi-sport franchise, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are going to try and buy Bill Self. And he has the money to do it. I'm an adult. I understand that you listen to that offer. The question is, where is Self's heart. If it's in Stillwater, then he goes. If he thinks, "I've done it in Kansas, now let's see if I can do it with a program that is not one of college basketball bluebloods." Well, I guess I can accept that. It's his alma mater and we're talking in the neighborhood of $40M! But, if his heart is in Lawrence and KU makes a good, solid offer - I mean $2.5M a year, probably - then I think he stays. I just hope it's not a money grab. Don't just go for the money.

Here's what bugs me about all of this - besides the fact that T. Boone really showed his stripes by leaking this while the Jayhawks were in the middle of a title run. One of the big perks of winning or even playing for the National Championship should be the recruiting benefit in the following years. High school players saw Self and Kansas cutting down the nets. Self can go into their homes and say, "I've been there. I've done it and we can do it again." It's an invaluable tool - unless your coach leaves. In 1988, Larry Brown left for the NBA and an unknown Roy Williams stepped in - plus KU was on probation in 1989. In 2003, Roy Williams left after losing to Syracuse for the title. Self steps in - great coach but he couldn't go to recruits and say, "We just played for it all." My frustration is, if Self goes South, we miss out on that opportunity one more time. That's what really bugs me. Like I said, I'm a grown up. $40M is a lot of money. If he want's to go home to Stillwater, that's fine. I can understand listening and if KU can't counter with a really good offer, I can understand him leaving. I just wanted to be the defending champs with the defending coach. Haven't done that yet.

Okay, let me say one more thing on that. If he really loves Kansas as much as he loves Oklahoma State, I think he has to weigh a couple of things. First, what happens if winning isn't instantaneous in Stillwater. It will be harder to get big name recruits, that's now doubt. What happens in year five if he hasn't brought the title to Stillwater. Will Pickens be leaking Billy Gillespie rumors to the press? Does Pickens fire him? None of these coaches go in thinking they're going to lose, but a contract like that brings a lot of expectations. Be ready for the fall out. On the flip side, he could spend the next 15 to 20 years in Kansas, become one of the winningest coaches of all time and be a Kansas legend. I'm serious. They'd name streets after him. He can make a lot of money in Stillwater. He can make history in Lawrence.

The Aftermath
So, here we are. I can't complain anymore. One of my teams has one a championship. According to Bill Simmons, I have to allow a five year grace period before I can complain about Jayhawk basketball again. I think that's appropriate. I have to tell you, I can't stop smiling. It's awesome. I wish I could be in Lawrence for the parade. I wish I could go down to Jock's Nitch and buy a T-Shirt. I'm already looking for deals on the Sports Illustrated Commerative book about the Jayhawks. That's what I want for Father's Day! Even with the Bill Self stuff, I am absolutely thrilled. The Kansas Jayhawks are the National Champions! What a feeling. Now, someone tell the Royals and the Chiefs and the Cougars - it's okay guys. You can do it and not get in trouble! ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!

One Final Thing
http://cbs.sportsline.com/video/player/play/collegebasketball/lSdAFK7QnyDUCeZzO9bqV2IBf0JK9PvV

End of an Era?

Sad, but true. In 1995, I started running an NCAA tourney pool. No cost entry. The winner got a sweet trophy ordered online. It's one of the most fun things I do each year. I really enjoy it. So, for the first time in 13 years, I am forced to discontinue the tradition because we will be driving cross country during the first round! Unbelievable timing on my part. So, if you've played in the past, it will be back next year. If you've never played and want in. . . it will be back next year!

Are You Serious?

Just a quick FYI. I'm leading with the sports. There's a paragraph at the end about how we're doing, but this one is pretty focused on the race for College Basketball Player of the Year. Feel free to skip to the end, if needed.

Look, Tyler Hansborough is a good player - a great college player even. He has some really nice tools and an engine that just won't quit and he plays for the number one team in the country. He's clean-cut. He doesn't have tattoos. He's in his thrid year in school and, especially if the TarHeels fail to win it all, he will most likely be back in Carolina Blue next year. He says all the right things. He does all the right things. He absolutely deserves to be a Naismith Award Finalist and a 1st Team All-American. Oh, and one more thing. He's white.

Now, let's talk about Michael Beasley. He, too, is a great college player and will most likely be a great pro player, too. He has an incredible tool chest full of basketball talents. He can score inside and outside. He can rebound. He can play defense. He doesn't back down from a challenge. He plays on the 3rd place team in the Big 12, but a definite NCAA tourney team. He's a little rough around the edges. He has lots of tattoos. He's in his first, and most likely only year in Manhatten, no matter what the 'Cats do in the tourney. He doesn't say the right things. He absolutely deserves to be a Naismith Award winner, a 1st Team All-America and the Freshman of the Year. He also deserves to be the National Player of the Year. And, also, he's black.

No, I'm no Jason Whitlock. I don't play the race card often. In fact, except for making the Big 12 tougher and better, I've spent much of this year rooting against Michael Beasley. He predicted, then beat, my beloved Jayhawks in Manhatten, ending a prolific winning streak for KU. He's brash. He's scary. He drives me crazy. But, he is far and away the very best basketball player that I have seen this year. I mean, it's not even a debate. He is clearly better than Tyler Hansborough. Sorry, Carolina fans. He is. He is the best college basketball player this year and should be awarded accordingly.

But, a strange thing is happening this year. Tyler was on the cover of SI. Tyler is getting all the press as Player of the Year. Tyler is the favorite to win the big national awards. Are you kidding me? Have these guys been watching the same games I've been watching? This should not even be an argument. Let's play pretend. Ignore the fact that Beasley isn't the kind of player Roy would ever recruit - Roy doesn't like superstars - even though the only National Championship he's ever won is with a team of Superstars that were recruited by the coach he replaced. No, Beasley would never fit in in Carolina. But, this is the suspension of disbelief, so let's pretend Beasley played in Carolina with Wayne Ellison and Ty Lawson. Can you even imagine that team? Seriously? Would we even be talking about Memphis or UCLA or Tennessee or Duke or Kansas right now? Nope. This would be early 90's UNLV level dominant. We'd be looking for hot tub pictures with boosters. Now, Hansborough in Manhatten? Nice team. Bill Walker is good and Blake Young is okay. But they wouldn't be a big deal. Tough team. Not scary. Not all that threatening. Not necessarily a tourney team.

So what does that mean to me? It means there is some other reason that Tyler is getting all the pub for National POY. Well, as Whitlock would say, it's because he's white. Like I said, that's not my forte. But I do think it holds some water. The politically correct way to say it is that it's about image. But that's really just semantics. "People" like the clean cut kid from rural Missouri. "People" like the kid that compliments his opponents and owes it all to his coach. "People" like the never say die engine and the two parents at home and the willingness to graduate. I know that these are broad stereotypes - but that's really all image is. When it comes down to it, this award should be about talent. And, like it or not, the very best player in college basketball is Michael Beasley. Forget about the other stuff. Give it to the kid. He's leaving anyway. Give him what he deserves!

Now, for the family stuff. We're heading out soon for Vegas. We're getting really excited and a bit sad, as well. I've dealt with the stress of a cross-country move and a new job by having an extremely painful colits flare-up that eventually required a return to predisone and a three-bag blood transfusion. Now, that's the definition of unmanaged stress! I've got to do better. On the upside - the blood transfusion has been amazing. My energy level has jumped immensley. And, that really makes sense. After all, my hemoglobin was at 5.4 - I think 13 is normal. So, we're almost ready. Leah is dealing with the stress better than me - and has been carrying the bulk of the water for the last couple of weeks. She is amazing. She really keeps me going. The kids have had their last day of school - Spring Break next week - and are excited, and a bit nervous to head out. Kate had a bit of a breakdown the other night. They are going to miss their friends, which is easily what makes me most nervous. I just want them to find a good friend with a good family when we get there. They are really good kids and I know that they will make friends, but that's still the future. Right now we can only look forward. So, we can't wait to get there. It's going to be awesome. Now we pray that the house sells. Keep that in your prayers!

Vegas is Calling

We have returned - and we have a house. Leah and I spent the last four days of last week on a house hunt in beautiful Las Vegas. For some reason - probably because we'd been told how bad the market was - I assumed we'd walk in, find some beautiful dream house that the bank had taken over, make an offer and that would be that. Well, not quite. You see, apparently, when some homeowners learn that they are going to lose their home, they take it out on the house! Not good. We looked at some really scary foreclosures! I mean, two inch cockroach in the shower kind of scary. But, we looked at some really nice homes, as well. We finally decided on a new construction two story home in Southwestern Las Vegas. We love it. I don't have the pictures on my computer, but Leah just posted them to her blog, so check them out here: http://midwestkarpowitz.blogspot.com/.

So, assuming the loan process goes as expected over the next few weeks, we'll soon be homeowners in Las Vegas! We are really excited. We've only had a couple of panic attacks about making such a sizable purchase. But, that happens! With the warm there and the cold here and the plane rides, I once again have a sinus infection. That's awesome.

The Jayhawks looked like the team they were supposed to be on Saturday night in handling Beasley and the Wildcats. Sherron Collins in nearly 100% and Brandon Rush played with a rarely seen fire. Maybe February was just a blip and they will be ready for March! I sure hope so. Two more league games and then the tourneys start. I love this time of year. Go 'Hawks!