Recently Mr. Drew Switzer, a Missouri apologist, told me I was starting to drink the Kansas Kool-Aid, and putting my blinders on about how good they actually were. Well, Drew you are right because baby I am thirsty. I have reveled in my objectivity, because I am neither a KU nor K-State fan (Or Mizzou for that matter).

I can objectively say that Bill Self has done a masterful job of coaching this season and should be near or at the top of the National Coach of the Year Race.

There has been much made of what he has lost, a starting five to the NBA, but let’s talk about what he is working with.

Sherron Collins has always been great, but he has taken his game to the next level, and Cole Aldrich has turned into a potential NBA lottery pick.

As for the freshman, the Morris Twins look like the finally “get it” and Tyshawn Taylor dropped 26 last night, outshining a more highly recruited Willie Warren. (Ask Self he wanted Warren more than Taylor).

This freshman class was OK, but not nearly as good as the one that won the national championship a year ago, and on paper, not nearly as good as the one coming in next season, which does not even included #1 overall prospect John Wall, who lists KU as one of his finalists.

Bottom line is Self has these kids believing and defending, which is remarkable to do with freshman and sophomores that usually develop twice as fast on the offense end.