Does Kansas Have an Attitude Problem?

Watching a couple of guys talk about their alma mater's basketball team is probably about as fun as listening to someone describe their fantasy football roster. But a recent conversation I had with a friend of mine from my college days at Kansas brought up a question that I don't have an answer to: does it matter if your team is outwardly passionate about the game? Or is it good to have some cool heads who stay calm within the flow of a tight game?

Here's a snippet of the email convo between my friend Monte and I. Monte is one of the all-time greatest sports hecklers I have ever known, so his opinion matters to me:

Monte: I really have no read on this KU team. I agree that they have the tools to make a Florida-like run, but they sure the hell aren't showing the signs of it. When is the last time we actually played well? It's been awhile. The way this season has gone, I have a tough time seeing them put it together for 6 straight games.

Me: I told my dad today that I felt like the team was so bland. You see energy from Jackson and Chalmers, and on Saturday, from Kaun, but everyone else looks like they're clocking in at the box factory.

Monte: Very good point. Brandon Rush looks like you could give him $10 million or punch him in the nuts and he would still have that "Eh...whatever" look on his face. I guess that could be a good thing at times, but it's much easier to get behind guys that look like they really give a shit. I'm not saying Rush doesn't, I'm just saying it's tough to tell. With Jackson, you pretty much know that dude is going balls out.

As you can probably tell by our correspondence, we'd like to see a little fire n' ice from any team we root for. If Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur are laid-back souls, so be it. That's why you need the guys who get pumped to show up when the going gets rough.

We mention Florida not only because they are two-time defending champs, but because they played somewhat the way Kansas does - no horse that dominates scoring night in and night out, team game, tough defense. But as much as we all hated Joakim Noah, even we have to admit that his over-the-top screaming and shouting got his teammates fired up. His energy was reflected in his persistence in grabbing loose balls (insert own joke here) and generally making a nuisance of himself to the opposing team. Kansas has the silent assassins, but a couple of berserkers wouldn't hurt, right?

This would be an excellent time for you, the reader, to nominate your own favorite "energy guy" in college basketball today. He probably comes off the bench or is a role player, but he has that "go get-em" attitude that a great team feeds off of.