‘Pros vs. Joes’ comment provided motivation for KU ahead of Maryland game
The NCAA Tournament selection show on CBS may have been a train wreck, but we know this much: the Kansas basketball team was watching.
In praising the Jayhawks, Doug Gottlieb also gave them ammunition to get motivated for Thursday’s Sweet 16 game against Maryland:
What the #KUbball players were referencing by "pros versus Joes." pic.twitter.com/3lQE275mXg
— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) March 25, 2016
The Sporting News had a story with the headline: No. 1 Kansas lacks NBA-caliber talent we expect of NCAA champions.
Kansas’ Wayne Selden mentioned that talk after the 79-63 win over Maryland on Thursday, saying: “People counted all of us out of this game. They said they had pros over there and we were just joes. I think this locker room took it personally.”
Here is what Selden said:
Of course, KU was a 6 1/2-point favorite, so people weren’t overlooking the Jayhawks. But they were clearly motivated by that quote.
Others thought Selden’s quote was a stretch:
@ChrisFickett now that's funny. Lol. No one counted KU out! #1seed #silly
— Drew Sherman (@drew_sherman) March 25, 2016
@ChrisFickett @NicoleAuerbach Seems like a bit of an over-exaggeration.
— Mitchell Skurzewski (@MSkurzewski) March 25, 2016
@ChrisFickett @NicoleAuerbach Yes, top seed in the tournament, tell us more about being everyone's underdog story.
— Tyler Dreiling (@TylerDreiling) March 25, 2016
Kansas was the biggest betting favorite of the Sweet 16 round. Athlete delusion is awesome. https://t.co/IytHjfHMAT
— Sam Mellinger (@mellinger) March 25, 2016
Pete Grathoff: 816-234-4330, @pgrathoff
This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 10:29 AM.