Friday's Home Opener- A Possible Letdown?
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So we escaped the 0-2 start with a big win against Duke. Friday is finally the first home game for the guys and for us fans a relief to this crazy start of the season.
The travel to Hawaii & NYC has obviously been a demanding start, something only Michigan St can attest to. How much did the OT game and last second heroics against Duke take from these guys? They are human, its likely this game is going to be a bit of a letdown from the level of play that was demanded upon these guys against Indiana & Duke.
Hear me out. I’m certainly not predicting a loss, I believe we’ll win somewhere in the 20 point range but I do think it could be an ugly looking game.
Seina is about an 1 hrs drive from my hometown. They have 3 senior players that are all-conference types in their conference. Wright, a guard and Bisbing & Ogunyemi, 2 bruising big’s that will test our unsettled front-court. Seina dropped a 2 point game against George Washington which is a decent A-10 team and won the NIT last season.
They will compete in this one. For how long depends on how seriously our guys take this game.
We know Landen Lucas is not 100% and not playing at a level that is required from a KU starter. Self has said that Doke’s minutes will start to go up after his strong performance against Duke. Bragg is starting to come around as well and this is a good game to get him 20+ minutes. We are going to need good play out of our posts.
Mason & Graham have played a lot of minutes already. Graham is having some concerning issues with cramps. They are tough kids but this is a game that neither should be playing over 30 minutes. This is where having an extra small guard would have been beneficial to the team and as we saw in the Indiana game, we shouldn’t have to resort to a walk-on. Hopefully if the lead is comfortable Self will let Vick, Jackson & Svi handle ball duties and Frank & Devonte a rest
Everyone else on the team should be plenty rested and ready to step up. Any thoughts on the home-opener? Blowout, closer then expected?
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Self does a really good job at getting the better teams from these small conferences. Something I feel is underrated. Siena is I think actually a top 75 Kenpom team (ranked higher than anyone on KSuck’s schedule that isn’t Maryland by a LOT).
I was thinking the same thing, maybe a slow start then coast to victory late.
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I think this is a game where Bragg gets going early, actually, then Svi comes off the bench and finds his shooting stroke on his way to 15-18 points.
Ideally, this allows Mason and Graham to both play ~25 minutes and not get so worn down for later in the year. Self must figure out how to monitor minutes for those two in particular since he does not have a third PG on the roster.
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@justanotherfan said:
I think this is a game where Bragg gets going early, actually, then Svi comes off the bench and finds his shooting stroke on his way to 15-18 points.
Ideally, this allows Mason and Graham to both play ~25 minutes and not get so worn down for later in the year. Self must figure out how to monitor minutes for those two in particular since he does not have a third PG on the roster.
It would definitely be nice to be able to coast in some of these “easier” games and let Mason and Graham not have to play as hard.
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Speaking of Devonte, I rewatched the Duke game last night and on second viewing it was apparent that Devonte had a great game. Quality play on both ends, stepping up offensively when we needed it and running the O efficiently when Frank had to sit.
If it weren’t for the cramps I’d say he has a chance to off tomorrow.
I agree that we could and should see Svi run the O second half if we can build a comfortable lead and I liked seeing Josh driving and distributing in transition O. I think both those guys will do some damage and hopefully Doke can keep his wind to anchor the frontcourt.
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I agree. Keep in mind that Devonte played all 40 minutes, Mason was second with 35 and surprisingly Vick was third with 31 minutes.
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@BeddieKU23 I agree, I think they could hang around for a little. I personally hope we get up early so Frank, DG and LL can get some rest let Vick and Doka have a field day with JJ. George Washington is solid for sure and we may play them in the CBE.
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@approxinfinity Did you see Svi get punched in the stomach by trippin dude on his missed bunny?
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@wissox my wife caught it, I have to go back and look now
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@approxinfinity post it if u find it, please.
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@approxinfinity I spoke the truth about it on the live feed and no one responded! Which isn’t new for me.
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@wissox I missed it. We are ignoring you on purpose! Fu, right? I prefer jk
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@Crimsonorblue22 I thought you always use emojis?
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@BeddieKU23 At first glance, I was like," No way" But now I believe you have a very solid theory here.
Still though, this is the first game at home in AFH for the season. Our guys should be jacked up for it. Especially our Freshies who havent done this yet.
20 point game and Coach should give Frank and DG some time off the court. Lando too.
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@approxinfinity Yeah, DG had a great game. I literally could not tell he was cramping til I read about it. Strong stuff that is.
We may only have two smaller guards for PG duties but Svi and JJ have shown in the first two games that they are capable of initiating the Offense and creating for others. I have faith in them
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During the last timeout he was laying on the floor and the trainers were working on his legs; when he got up he was chugging Gatorade.
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I’m sure you all probably heard or read what Self said after the game about Devonte:
“Devonte’ couldn’t do much,” said Self, recalling that Graham played all but just a few seconds in the win. “He asked to come out and I said, ‘I can’t take you out.’ He’s cramping with five minutes left in the game and I told him to just go stand in the corner. And that’s what he did.”
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@DanR I read that, I don’t recall him standing in the corner, do you? Was it during the last possession?
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@Crimsonorblue22 Might have been earlier–last few possessions were just clear-outs for Frank or pick and rolls, IIRC
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I remember this. But there’s no GIF. How the heck are people creating this GIF files anyway? The output from my cable box is HDMI, which is encoded. Do you have to have a setup where the game can be played/recorded on the computer?
In any case, would love to see that!
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No one gave me love for my KU, Dook prediction, I said 78-73 lol
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@Crimsonorblue22 OK… I’ve been meaning to re-watch the end of the game, so this gave me an excuse! In the last five minutes after JJ fouled out. Graham stood in the corner or wing for 7 for seven of the last nine possessions. The other two he had an ugly turnover and a quick assist.
O: Ran the weave with Svi, Frank and Vick. Graham stood in corner. Frank layup.
Graham gave up a layup on D by JonesO: Graham staggers out for a pass and turns it over at half court
Stop, but Graham missed rebound. Frank got it.O: Bragg hits two freebies. Graham stood in corner.
Vicks guy nails threeO: Graham plays point, lobs to Bragg for a layup
four point play, Frank’s man.O: Graham stands in far corner, Frank drives, ditches to Bragg
O: Graham in corner. Frank drives and scores.
Euro step scoreO: Graham on wing. Clear out for frank. Missed three vick. Missed bunny Svi. (not that big of a gut shot by Grayson. The dude hanging on Lucas’s neck was worse)
Layup GraysonO: Graham wing. Frank drives, knocked oOB. Graham corner. Svi miss.
D. Duke Three ties game
O: Graham corner. Frank hero
The end.
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@DanR can’t believe I didn’t notice!
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I hope they are jacked up. I think things will be tight early and our overwhelming talent advantage + home court will take over. Just hope the little guys get some time to rest when the game hopefully goes into comfortable territory.
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The best part about this game is we know when it will actually tip off.
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What a crazy first eight days of the new season. I vote for Lucas and Mason to sit this one out, or at least play minimal minutes. Coach should play Svi, Vick, Lightfoot, and Doke 40 minutes or as close to it as they may possibly play. Even Tyler Self should play 20 minutes. The Indiana game showed there are going to be times this year when Tyler and the others are needed. I don’t write this to indicate Siena should be taken lightly. This is one of several games on our schedule to let these five players gain the experience that will be desperately needed later in the season. Just look back to the five players on the court at the end of the Indiana game. RCJH
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Not sure if Doke can play more than 20 without fouling out haha.
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@BShark he did better than 4 others.
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@BShark That’s OK; let Doke play and foul against Siena. Lucas, Bragg and Lightfoot can play the rest of the minutes if he fouls out. Doke looks great for a very young frosh. I really like his energy and confidence, even though I find myself holding my breath whenever he has the ball. I’m just hoping it doesn’t go horribly wrong for him.
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@stoptheflop said:
@BShark That’s OK; let Doke play and foul against Siena. Lucas, Bragg and Lightfoot can play the rest of the minutes if he fouls out. Doke looks great for a very young frosh. I really like his energy and confidence, even though I find myself holding my breath whenever he has the ball. I’m just hoping it doesn’t go horribly wrong for him.
I do want him to play enough to foul out. He needs the experience.
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Coach talked on his radio show about the 12,000 miles and two games against National powers in one week. I bet yesterday’s practice was nothing but walk through of scouting report. Coach said that we really needed to recharge our batteries and get our legs back. Even with the comfort of the planes they flew on, that is a lot of miles.
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@kjayhawks WHAT!? Your a freeking prophet!
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@Lulufulu sure if tonights prediction is good lol
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@kjayhawks HA!
