10am Start, Thurs WISCONSIN
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@wissox and I will offer our scouting report on Wisconsin as we each follow both teams. Here we go:
On offense, Wisconsin is a system team only. They really are not looking to take guys off the dribble and rarely play freely. They want to touch the post on every possession and regularly play late into the shot clock. They don’t often take bad shots and they’ll make you defend for 30 seconds.
On defense, they play tough M2M at all times and will make you earn it. They don’t reach a ton, don’t often go for steals and aren’t super interested in getting out in transition. It’ll be a meat grinder game that they’ll try to muck up and play ugly.
PG–Chucky Hepburn is really the only perimeter player they have who will look to take you off the dribble. He’s had a REALLY slow start to his season offensively, especially from 3. He’s capable offensively and is their engine, but it’s been ugly so far because of his struggles. His backups (Lindsay and McGee) aren’t special. Lindsay can shoot the 3, but is a walkon turned scholarship player.
SG–Max Klesmit is a transfer from Wofford. Scrappy with a decent outside shot. Defends like his life depends on it. Will probably piss you off as a KU fan. Just a solid player. His backup (Essegian) is a freshman who can really shoot it. Looks like he’s 12 and doesn’t really defend, but is Wisconsin’s only player who I’d say is a scorer.
SF–Jordan Davis thinks he’s his twin brother (who just got drafted in the top 10) and is nothing close to a high major BB player. My opinion is that he got a scholarship in order for UW to get his brother. He’s really only a threat to score close to the basket but will shoot the ball freely…which you should root for. Good defender. His backup (Ilver) barely played before this year and he’s only a 3-point shooter. Not much athleticism.
PF–Tyler Wahl is their best player who would be at a place like Kansas if he could shoot outside of 10 feet. He does everything else well…rebounds, defends, passes, leads, ball handling…just isn’t much of an outside shooter. UW wants to get him the ball on the block, clear out, and let him try to back you down. He’ll then go over either shoulder with a jump hook…usually after a pump fake. He can switch 1-5 on D and plays super hard. His backup (Gilmore) is another walk-on turned scholly player who is very limited offensively, but plays hard and physical on D. I’d be shocked if he shot the ball on offense except off of offensive rebounds
C–Steven Crowl is a true 7-footer who can play with his back to the basket and shoot the three. Not very athletic and pretty robotic, but can hurt you inside and out. He’s getting better moving his feet, but he really struggles against length and athleticism. Another guy they’ll throw it into and let him try to back you down. His backup (Hodges) plays 5 minutes/game and is raw.
I can’t imagine this will be a pretty game. KU has WAY more talent and athleticism and should win with ease. That said, UW grinds you and if they get KU into a wrestling match it works to their advantage. I think UW keeps it close for 30 minutes and then KU has too much and wins 68-52
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Not much to add to that scouting report. Wisconsin is giving up 49 points a game in 4 games so far so don’t expect another 80 point outburst like today. Jayhawks will need to be patient.
Until today, which was such an odd game, the Badger bench had been nonexistent scoring wise. Today the starters were really pretty bad and the bench had the majority of the points. For Wiscy to win Hepner is going to have to find his shot. He’s good enough to have hit the BIG clinching 3 pointer at the buzzer against Purdue last season. I don’t know how they’ll get him going.
Finally, a hand on the arm in the handshake line is likely to start a memorable rumble between Gard and Self. I think Bill wins that fight!
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I’m surprised how much KU misses McCormack. The post play this year is wretched. Udeh runs around like a chicken with his head cut off - without intent. Zuby is raw, but actually looks like a post player. KJ is playing the best, but has no size. Zach can’t find the court.
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@dylans Could have went after someone in the portal but it feels like they thought/were hoping Zach would be the guy.
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Gonna have to strap it on today. Gonna have to take good shots, Wisconsin has held all 4 of it’s opponents under 60 this year - - & holding opponents to 11 % from the three. - -I think they said opponents like 7 - -62 shooting the three against them
Got to play D for the entire clock cause they gonna play like they in mud–ROCK CHALK FELLA’s
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At this point I do not see any Big who can play Self’s Hi-Lo, throw it to him who can score in the paint with some moves.
Can anyone develop post moves and skills? Time will tell.
Until then Bill will have to rely on what KJ can do and also use Wilson/McCullar combo for 4-5 spot.
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@BShark said in 10am Start, Thurs WISCONSIN:
@dylans Could have went after someone in the portal but it feels like they thought/were hoping Zach would be the guy.
The way it’s playing out it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see Zach hit the portal
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Happy Thanksgiving all!! Hopefully we are watching 2 more games of basketball then a beatdown of KSU!
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@AsadZ I’d guess that guy will be Zuby…his Jr year. This year I have no idea who will be a good post presence.
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I hope that Udeh will work his butt off and develop over the summer.
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@AsadZ it seems he puts forth a lot of effort in game day. I hope the game slows down for him soon.
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I am grateful for Gradey Dick, don’t even want to think about this team without him.
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@BShark Guess what?!? He’s not just a shooter. Lol. I lost track of how many times the talking heads said that yesterday.
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@dylans about as many times as Bilas said Scheyer was “born for this” or w/e the line was.
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@BShark I need another emotion other than just upvote for this. Lol
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As far as the bigs it’s really impossible to say this year. Someone might develop in time, they might not. Overall I’m very confident in Zuby being good eventually. Right now he feels like the guy that doesn’t get enough minutes. He’s better defensively than Udeh but worse and lost offensively. Udeh is a bit lost on that end too but has had more flashes. Zach before he got hurt was just an abyss on offense.
Get McCullar at his usual production, get a little bit out of Rice (Joe is not a P5 player, Rice might be) and we should finish 2nd in the Big 12. Bob is a good bench player. KJ is a good bench player too but he is forced to start so it’s hard to see us finishing ahead of Texas.
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Ku 65 Wisconsin 59.
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@Jethro I’d be frustrated during the game but I’d take it!
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@BShark said in 10am Start, Thurs WISCONSIN:
As far as the bigs it’s really impossible to say this year. Someone might develop in time, they might not. Overall I’m very confident in Zuby being good eventually. Right now he feels like the guy that doesn’t get enough minutes. He’s better defensively than Udeh but worse and lost offensively. Udeh is a bit lost on that end too but has had more flashes. Zach before he got hurt was just an abyss on offense.
Get McCullar at his usual production, get a little bit out of Rice (Joe is not a P5 player, Rice might be) and we should finish 2nd in the Big 12. Bob is a good bench player. KJ is a good bench player too but he is forced to start so it’s hard to see us finishing ahead of Texas.
I felt the same way last year about this time. I had concluded there was no way Och, Braun and the gang were ever going to get past the S16. Then the magic happened. With this team, I’m not convinced there will be magic. Great individuals with JW, Juando, and the Gradey revelation, but I’m not seeing the donut hole in the middle as anything but a weakness. Still, our floor is the highest in basketball, period. A bad year for us is 25 wins and a S16.
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@Jethro Yeah my guess was 8 regular season losses before the year and watching the team has reinforced that for me. Duke is one I thought was a loss. 12-6 in the Big 12 is about where I think this team is.
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Which Gradey will we see today? The first half, can’t miss Gradey or the second half where the hell is Gradey. Loved his first half shooting.
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We are going to have to get some production from the bench. Starters all played mid-30s minutes yesterday. That isn’t sustainable over 3 games in 3 days or over the season.
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We just cannot finish around the rim. Don’t go up strong and don’t have good touch…
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good grief, missing open threes
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Wow McCullar is a brick layer
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@DanR Kevin 0-4…
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I do not like early games. KU never plays well.
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1-8 so far and the 7 misses haven’t been close to going in…
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KU shooting 12%; McCullar 0/5. Come on now.
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The selfishness and bball iq of this team is atrocious today
Dick was just on fire last game and do they look to find him? Heck no - McCullar jacking it like he’s at the nba combine
Pass the effin ball you can’t shoot
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@stoptheflop gotta pass him the ball
He’s playing d and rebounding his teammates think it’s the Jalen and Kevin are high school buddies and think it’s their show
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Zack sighting…
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Zach Clemence sighting
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Zach. Didn’t see that coming
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Jinx
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Wisconsin getting very good looks; KU not so much…
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shooting under 10 percent and only down three!
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Harris, Pettiford, and Yesufu in together. That is a small line up.
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Why is Wilson shooting the technical?
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Why was that not a shooting foul???
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Joe has been awful so far this season…
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14% shooting and tied…
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Clemence battling well
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Please no alley oop attempts today
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@DCHawker he is brutal same with Kevin
Mj PLEASE
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What the hell is this line up?
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I’m not ready to give Wisky that much credit for the shit shooting. McCullar has been wide open on all of his clankers
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Well I think they are starting to play better. Shots will fall, law of averages
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This game is about unwatchable.
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if we were shooting a dismal 25% we’d be up by 10
