KU/Tennessee Game Thread



  • Bobby has a strained hammy



  • An average shooting night would’ve won this game easily. Glad to see joe get some positive minutes.

    Not even sure if there are lessons from this game beyond rebound better and hit shots



  • We’ll be fine. We’re not remotely close to healthy. Juan, Zach, MJ, and Bobby are still getting back to 100%. I haven’t seen a team that’s very consistent so far. Let’s figure out who we are in the next couple weeks. I won’t lose sleep over this one.



  • Jeez. Just finished watching that ugliness on DVR.

    The Volunteers simply were bigger, stronger, more aggressive and they outmuscled us.

    (And they nailed some 3s)

    Not much to add that hasn’t been argued to death above already.

    As goes Jalen, so go the Jayhawks…



  • We looked tired and then tired and demoralized. Add in the loss of Juan and Bobby and, and, and, and. The sea lion looked tired and whoever was the color announcer in our game was (I can’t find an all encompassing word) but impressed me by over reacting for 40 minutes straight. Ugh. Come on monday!



  • Some people need additional hobbies, goodness.



  • Bobby P out weeks with hamstring strain. Nothing new for him here



  • @BeddieKU23 said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    Bobby P out weeks with hamstring strain. Nothing new for him here

    Will be forced to play Joe or MJ now. Whew boy.



  • 17-1 in our last 18 games. National champions. 81% winning percent. The recipe this year needs more time to bake. Around the end of Jan, the beginning of Feb, we’ll start to emerge as a real team. We’ll have defined roles. and rotations that work. We’ll start sharing the ball. A 5 man will emerge. They will figure it out. Remember, Bill doesn’t really have a floor- his floor is 20+ wins with a 4 seed in the tournament.



  • @Jethro Fire Bill clearly





  • @Jethro Bill wants a freshman big key word FRESHMAN big to emerge. He doesn’t want Kj at the 5 for all these minutes and him saying freshman means Zach isn’t looking at much opportunity if Bill has it his way.

    Wish Zuby had some more run yesterday he can at least rebound



  • @BShark yes, clearly program needs a shake up Bill ain’t cutting it……kidding for those who’d actually take it seriously. He’s a hall of famer doesn’t mean infallible.

    He’s giving the freshman some minutes they just look awful



  • @kuballin10

    Zach has had some chances so far and has shown little to make a case. He has to hit the boards hard as hell and bricking treys is not good. I can see he has been told to get their tall guys away from the basket but he has failed to scare anyone. I wonder if he has been nailing three’s in practice? Maybe that explains it although the one missed that Bobby cleaned up was necessary because of the clock running out.



  • Mr. Hat, what did you think about the loss?



  • KJ adams 2-14 from the line on the season. Translation = Doke could beat him in horse at the line



  • @Zabudda said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    @kuballin10

    Zach has had some chances so far and has shown little to make a case. He has to hit the boards hard as hell and bricking treys is not good. I can see he has been told to get their tall guys away from the basket but he has failed to scare anyone. I wonder if he has been nailing three’s in practice? Maybe that explains it although the one missed that Bobby cleaned up was necessary because of the clock running out.

    Starting to think we were oversold on Zach’s shooting ability. I recall somebody saying a while back he was the best shooter on the team. Hmmm. Not trying to be negative on Zach, as I’m hopeful for his future as a stretch big, but he’s gotta show us some shooting ability at some point.



  • @BShark said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    @BeddieKU23 said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    Bobby P out weeks with hamstring strain. Nothing new for him here

    Will be forced to play Joe or MJ now. Whew boy.

    We have an issue here for sure.

    One PG on the roster for the foreseeable future. No bueno.

    McCullar will have to have more time on the ball, too.



  • Guys like MJ and Joe have an excellent chance to get some PT.



  • @Zabudda said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    Guys like MJ and Joe have an excellent chance to get some PT.

    I for one would really like to see more of MJs game. He seems raw, but his nose to score should help. Seems like he doesn’t quite grasp the structure of the offense yet. Self will have to decide how much of that he can cope with if he’s on the floor. He missed some assignments on D last night if I recall as well.

    But, our offense seems less structured this year anyway — give it to Jalen and watch him drive. Guessing MJ can do some of that.



  • @Jethro said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    @kuballin10 said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    @FarmerJayhawk not at all I explained to you. Just because you are in a power 5 conference doesn’t make you legit competition

    Maybe we’ll let you polish our national championship trophy!

    Jethro , you didn’t listen we not winning a National Championship with Coach Self - not with a Bill Self team. Ol wise one said so



  • @BShark said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    @Jethro Fire Bill clearly

    Lol, start the campaign I’m there for you - -let’s do this lmao



  • @BShark said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    @BeddieKU23 said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    Bobby P out weeks with hamstring strain. Nothing new for him here

    Will be forced to play Joe or MJ now. Whew boy.

    I think Joe at the PG—would still like to see more of MJ on the floor at least a better probability of scoring if he can get things straightened out - -we need him



  • @jayballer67 said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    @Jethro said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    @kuballin10 said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    @FarmerJayhawk not at all I explained to you. Just because you are in a power 5 conference doesn’t make you legit competition

    Maybe we’ll let you polish our national championship trophy!

    Jethro , you didn’t listen we not winning a National Championship with Coach Self - not with a Bill Self team. Ol wise one said so

    This team without developing the bench and developing at least one other consistent scorer isn’t winning a national title this year and may not win the B12 this year. This team has all of the hallmarks of Bill Self’s teams that have suffered early exits in the NCAA Tournament.

    We only have 5 games left before conference play starts and TSU on Monday is the only cupcake of those 5 games. Seton Hall has a good defense and good coach that took St. Peter’s to the Elite 8 last year. Missouri has a looked good so far, albeit against cupcakes, but it’s a rivalry game on the road. Indiana is more than capable of running KU out of the gym like Tennessee did. Harvard should be a cupcake, but they’ve given KU issues in the past so we’ll see.

    Point is, Self may not have the opportunities to develop the bench without potentially sacrificing some wins which goes against Self’s philosophy.



  • Think we were run out of our gym last year by Kentucky, and my guess is many thought the sky was falling. Throughout the season many were negative towards Big Dave and different aspects of the team. A loss like yesterday hurts our pride, but I’m sure Coach Self will use it to bring about a great deal of improvement in a variety of ways.



  • @COHawk many, many!



  • @COHawk said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    Think we were run out of our gym last year by Kentucky, and my guess is many thought the sky was falling. Throughout the season many were negative towards Big Dave and different aspects of the team. A loss like yesterday hurts our pride, but I’m sure Coach Self will use it to bring about a great deal of improvement in a variety of ways.

    The UK loss mostly didn’t bother me but the TCU loss did. XD



  • The loss yesterday was a blessing. It finally ended our mental picture of still being national champs. Until a team losses after winning it all, it is still on the honeymoon of that title.

    We will still be targeted by all our opponents… but we should be able to play a little more relaxed. Dajuan was showing the wear of 3 games in as many days while trying to keep our national title streak going.

    Now it’s time to develop! Players, team, roles, perspective, motivation. It all starts now!

    I’m glad we lost.

    Now… finally… this team has lost the identity of last year’s National Champs! The burden has been lifted and they will now have to move forward realizing they have to find their own identity (not riding the tails of last year’s history). Now they realize they can play as crappy as any other D1 team and get beat by any D1 team on any given night.

    B12 play is upon us but I think we will be as ready as we can, considering we now only have one PG!

    I’m still very optimistic with this team and expecting big time fireworks come March!

    RCJH!



  • This game is a good teaching moment for Harris. He took himself out the game with some bad fouls each and every time he needed to put a lid on it. With Bobby hurt for a while the backup pg position just became a mess putting an even bigger burden on Juan. Good thing the Hawks only have 5 games in December. There is a whole lot of issues going on especially health wise



  • @drgnslayr said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    The loss yesterday was a blessing. It finally ended our mental picture of still being national champs. Until a team losses after winning it all, it is still on the honeymoon of that title.

    We will still be targeted by all our opponents… but we should be able to play a little more relaxed. Dajuan was showing the wear of 3 games in as many days while trying to keep our national title streak going.

    Now it’s time to develop! Players, team, roles, perspective, motivation. It all starts now!

    I’m glad we lost.

    Now… finally… this team has lost the identity of last year’s National Champs! The burden has been lifted and they will now have to move forward realizing they have to find their own identity (not riding the tails of last year’s history). Now they realize they can play as crappy as any other D1 team and get beat by any D1 team on any given night.

    B12 play is upon us but I think we will be as ready as we can, considering we now only have one PG!

    I’m still very optimistic with this team and expecting big time fireworks come March!

    RCJH!

    START Udeh at the 5 for 3 games. I’m talking 30 minutes. Give the dude a full look. If we’re still being outrebounded at the end of 3 games, then pull the plug, scoot JW to the 5, add in MJ Rice or somebody, and start running and gunning. 5 out all the way. Run, run, run. I’d also like to see us throw some pressure at other teams. Maybe do some traps, some full court, throw a zone at them for a few possessions. Make them think too much. We’re making it too easy for them.



  • @BeddieKU23 said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    This game is a good teaching moment for Harris. He took himself out the game with some bad fouls each and every time he needed to put a lid on it. With Bobby hurt for a while the backup pg position just became a mess putting an even bigger burden on Juan. Good thing the Hawks only have 5 games in December. There is a whole lot of issues going on especially health wise

    What issues you think we have other than health?



  • I think basically everything this year has gone as expected with the notable exception being Zach. If he was decent, we would be very good. I’m torn on if he can get there or not and it’s frustrating because last year he showed that he was better than this.



  • @BShark said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    I think basically everything this year has gone as expected with the notable exception being Zach. If he was decent, we would be very good. I’m torn on if he can get there or not and it’s frustrating because last year he showed that he was better than this.

    Yup, I thought Zach would be a big part of our success as well. I think one of two things needs to happen with Zach…assuming he’s healthy of course.

    Zach needs to either play down low and forget about his “outside” game, or sit and fill in off the bench.

    He’s 100% not proved he can shoot the ball in a game.

    Start with big man basics. Rebound, play hard, throw some elbows, post up.

    Then let the outside game evolve over the years.

    We have no clue what the coaches are urging him to do, but that’s my view.



  • @rockchalkjayhawk

    The 5 spot and bench are definely early weaknesses that have to be ironed out. Shooting has been average at best & we seem to have a lot of below average FT shooters so far.

    I’ve been pleased with a lot things so far, I think this teams DNA knows how to win but we do need to see some guys step up so there’s more consistentcy.



  • @BeddieKU23 said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    I’ve been pleased with a lot things so far, I think this teams DNA knows how to win but we do need to see some guys step up so there’s more consistentcy.

    Agree with this. They are tough at least. The biggest factors in the Tennessee loss were Juan only playing 18 minutes and our main guys being tired. We have offensive issues but that was an all time putrid performance.

    I think we see Self and co want to slow things down when we hit conference play.



  • @Jethro

    We looked like that kind of team the first few games. Then the competition became tougher and it wasn’t as easy to control tempo.

    For one big reason… we aren’t rebounding well and when you don’t do that it is impossible to control anything.

    The Tennessee game was frustrating because we finally showed we weren’t invincible since before the tourney last year. Our expectations need to come down to reality, and I think they did for many now… hopefully the team.

    I don’t know what to think about who to start at the 5. Think I’d have to sit in practices to know more about that.

    Let’s go retro for a moment… back to the good ol’ KU days when Self either didn’t have a NC under his belt, or only had one. Before January we often looked like total crap. We would usually make big gains over the holidays because the players get a little run of straight practice.

    We can look at what we don’t have on this team and moan. Or we can look at the pieces we do have and smile. I’m smiling. I see so much potential with this bunch and I hope they realize it after the holidays. Meanwhile… I’m prepared for some smelly basketball.

    I hold high hopes that Rice will become a solid contributor this season and we get at least 2 bigs playing better.

    Say a prayer that Dajuan and JWil stays healthy. We will meltdown if we lose either one of those guys.

    GD will have some great games this year, but unless he figures out how to shake himself open when closely guarded, his results will be mixed. Saw him push up some ill-advised shots during this tourney and it helped bring down his % from trey. Maybe it will help people realize he’s not ready for the NBA yet… and that’s not even addressing his boy body.



  • @drgnslayr My thought, which you could call expectation I suppose, is that this is an 8 loss team or so. Of course things could swing in either direction by 2-3 games but I disagree with some people saying this team is a lock for double digit losses. It could happen sure, but it’s too early to say that.

    I agree let’s see what we look like in January.

    I’d love another season of Gradey and I do think it wouldn’t be the worst thing for him either.



  • Man having a little trouble shaking this being bummed after effect from the Tennessee game. - - Just played really ugly , was it all Tennesse doings ? - -No , I don’t think it was ALL Tennessee , just a matter of focus. - -I keep hearing well the kids were tired, - -well maybe but the other teams played same amount of games in the same amount of time - I can’t buy that excuse maybe some but I think just a lot of poor execution plus we got exposed concerning our depth.

    If we are going to be anything we have just got our bench to produce and develop. This game even KJ did a decent job - but Zuby & Ernest have just got to produce and develop - we have just got to get more size on the floor , Tennesse just pounded us on the boards. We just have to have more people that can score the ball.

    Tonight is really not proving anything , we have to use this game sa been mentioned as a game to get our bench floor time -we need a bench. - -moving on now get this game out my head lol.

    Texas is now # 2 in the nation. Really don’t have a problem with that - - -KU # 9 - -Iowa St # 23 - -quite a difference between the AP poll & Coach’s poll on Baylor



  • @BShark said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    I think basically everything this year has gone as expected with the notable exception being Zach. If he was decent, we would be very good. I’m torn on if he can get there or not and it’s frustrating because last year he showed that he was better than this.

    I really just don’t think he is athletic enough to man the position. Just the way it is.

    Scary thought I had today, would Hunter Mickelson start for this team?



  • I was actually encouraged by MJ’s, albeit limited, play last game. If you can get him going and Juan can quit fouling that is a good enough guard rotation. And then I think you really just have to play Udeh and Zuby through the growing pains. Force them to be more than just lob threats.

    I still think the talent is there to make noise late in the season. We are just so damn young outside of 3 dudes that this season was always destined to be up and down. By the end of the season you could see 4 freshman getting major rotation minutes, which is probably the youngest team in the Self era except for Wiggins year? Maybe Bill’s 3rd season here?



  • @BShark

    It’s just way way too early to write an obituary for this team.

    What if we lift our game and start playing like we did against the cream puffs but against real competition, including the Big 12?

    My biggest concern now is backup PG. I feel like we will work out a reasonable post solution eventually. This team is going to need to have a “team rebounding” philosophy… much as we did last year. Those CB rebounds were vital for our run!

    Actually… we should be a better rebounding team this year, and I think we will end up being respectable. Kevin is a huge asset there, and JWil is considerably more dominant. We just need medium numbers out of the 5…

    I expect MJ to end up being a big role player with this team. He needs to stay healthy and learn a lot more.

    GD should also be filling a stat sheet with more than treys. He’s mostly running around like a chicken with his head cut off so far because he has to be further educated. He’s a high basketball IQ guy and it won’t take long. Give him a dozen more games under his belt.

    Let’s not forget that Self wouldn’t trade Dajuan for any other PG in the country. PG is the head of the beast, so we will always have solid potential for a deep run.

    We are all suffering badly from that loss… but it was a loss that needed to happen. So glad it happened before Big 12 play with time to really grind on these guys to lift their games. We need big time improvements… mostly getting them to some form of gel together.



  • Some injury updates

    Cam Martin could play within a week to 10 days. Possible for Methzu.

    Kevin is doubtful for Seton Hall

    Bobby is doubtful for Methzu



  • @BeddieKU23 said in KU/Tennessee Game Thread:

    Some injury updates

    Cam Martin could play within a week to 10 days. Possible for Methzu.

    Kevin is doubtful for Seton Hall

    Bobby is doubtful for Methzu

    Do you get the feeling that Cam would be actually playing if not for injury? If people don’t think Zach is a fit, Cam’s kinda the same note, right?



  • @rockchalkjayhawk

    Probably would have played some by now. Could he really play worse then Zach or Udeh has? The bar has been set so low right now… Those two need the gym and practice badly.

    Personally I don’t think Cam can help us and unless Self has been an expert at keeping secrets we should have very low expectations if he does play.


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