Nov 13: KU vs Duke Roundup
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@wissoxfan83. Do you realize the first game started at 4:30 PM West Coast time? ESPN or any other network for that matter has to schedule the game so it is at a reasonable time for the majority of viewers; Unfortunately when it is a double header, this problem will always happen, short of scheduling during a weekend afternoon where football is king at this time of the year. We are a large country with 4 time zones so there is no solution that will please everybody. Being the second game probably gave KU and Duke a larger overall audience than playing the first game, and it was the featured game; the Wiggins-Parker match up had more upside than the UK baby stars versus the MSU very good, solid, experienced but “who-remember-their-names” players.
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ESPN article indicates that Kansas impresses:
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This game exactly fed into my posts this week.
The team with the least fouls wins. The reason why we played two PGs at the same time was Self wanted foot speed on the floor. He did it to limit PFs because he knew we had to win that battle. And by having Duke in foul trouble, it helped ease up the pressure on Wiggins because Duke would have directly targeted Wiggins to foul him out. AW3 is awesome, but he doesn’t have the foot speed of Tharpe. Having two PGs out there should help slow down TOs and PFs while helping us put foot speed on the perimeter for driving into the post and drawing fouls. As I said yesterday, this game was a competition in fouls and fouls would determine the outcome.
My other point this week was the level of commitment I made to Mason. He’s our secret weapon (for now) and he’s the chemistry chunk we need on offense. The threat of his drives helps everyone on offense and it racks up tons of fouls on the opposition. This game represents the footprint for this entire season. We have to constantly push the drive and win the battle of fouls. The more we put other teams into foul trouble, the more it helps relieve our own foul troubles. Mason shot 12 FTs… equaling the most any two other players shot for us. What impressed me is his solid composure at the line. I’m sold on Mason. I’m not sure if it matters if he starts, but he has to get plenty of minutes every game. I like the idea of pushing Tharpe over in stretches to win the foul battles.
Embiid needs to start now. HEM is right on there. We won’t stand a chance facing UK in March with Black in the post. He can make it no more than 5 minutes against Randle before getting in severe foul trouble. That fact won’t change in several months. Black does not have enough upside to keep burning all those experience minutes on the floor. This reminds me of the situation last year and not giving more minutes to Perry sooner. I hope we don’t make the same mistake this year.
If we want to have a legitimate shot at winning a NC it will only be there if we plan for it now.
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Free throws - every player takes 200 FTs every day, 7 days a week, until the season is over. Players like Embiid and Black have to have some weekly coaching on FTs and constant monitoring.
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Mason and Embiid - these guys need to get plenty of minutes from here on out.
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We understand the game as a battle on fouls and we have to win that battle every game. That means a lot of driving offense, and Mason has to be a big part of it.
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@drgnslayr I agree, agree, agree.
And Selden is under the radar. He’s quick and diversely talented… Great assists, solid defense, solid offense… hit FTs. Didn’t make mistakes.
Selden’s 37 minutes were the most by a Jayhawk. Second only to Hood who was on the floor 38 min.
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Wiggins clearly got hit on the head as he dunked the ball. It was a clear foul that should have been called and the ref made reference to him being hit on the head as he called the foul.
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Right, bskeet… Selden is under the radar. We’ve only just begun to see the skills he already has because he has been playing too conservative and tight early on as he figures out D1. He’s still thinking too much, and it slows him down. Hard to imagine what level of ball he’ll be playing at after Christmas!
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I swear, I didn’t know about this when I made that post:
####Halcyon days, Jayhawks!####
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Duke’s version of the game. Not ONE basket by us shown. Different perspective to say the least.
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I loved what I saw last night!
I know there is still some work to do, but I can’t tell who was more instrumental to KU’s win. Mason’s driving and FT shooting, Ellis’s quiet efficient post work on offense or Wiggins making Big Plays when we needed it.
One think that seemed to be happening was Wiggins defense was shutting people down. I know its not as exciting as Randle and Parker putting up 20+ points. But I will take that defense any day.
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@Case I agree that we learned a lot last night… and it seems like we have a lot of what we need. I also noticed Wiggins’ defense. Certainly it has been less appreciated by the pundits… as much as Wiggins’ offensive efficiency (22 points in 25 min), not to mention the fact that he earned the nickname “Ender” by hitting the daggers of the game - the jumper and the dunk.
An interesting question: What do we still need?
I would posit consistent intensity is the key. This team is going to be great if they play with the intensity we saw last night. It will help them learn and grow faster. Plus, few teams will have the talent and depth to handle this team when they are cranked up to 11.
They could get beat by an ordinary team if they don’t play with the passion.
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I’ve been too elated to comment. My expectations are already surpassed. My biggest concern with Wiggins was that he was too willing to disappear, but that last 6 minutes showed otherwise.
What do we still need? A center who can rebound and defend the rim.
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The nickname "Ender"is actually a reference to a popular sci book Ender’s Game that’s actually coming out as a movie soon as well (It’s got Harrison Ford in it). The title character’s name is Andrew Wiggin. I read the book and several of its sequels and spin offs in high school. Good stuff. Hopefully he will continue ending games and hopes for our opponents though. Rock Chalk!
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I see what you did there. Nicely done.
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Was at the game in Chicago and there were a ton of KU fans present. KU won because of rebounding and free throws. KU outrebounded Duke 39-24 and made 77% of their free throws compared to Duke’s 57%. Perry Ellis was also huge. He was efficient from the field, he rebounded well, and he played good defense against Jabari Parker. Obviously Parker played extremely well but Wiggins was nearly as productive playing 8 fewer minutes and he was the better player down the stretch. Also, Frank Mason is a confirmed stud. That’s pretty much it. KU should start Embiid.
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Kirk, great call!
A+
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@JRyman: That 5th foul on Parker was indeed when his right hand brush across BOTH of Wiggy’s up-stretched forearms while he was entering the cylinder with the ball in the act of dunking. (I’ve seen the replay 4-5 times slo-mo…). Credit Wiggins for finishing strong. If Parker “broke up” the dunk, and sent Wiggins to the line for 2 shots, he very well could have missed 1, and it would have been a loss of 2pts for KU. Perhaps a key sacrificial attempt by Parker to save his team–> he knew he had 4 fouls. My hat’s off to Jabari Parker for the awesome game he played, but more kudos to the young Jayhawks (& their coach) for ‘containing’ Parker in the 2nd half. If anybody is the “next LeBron”, it is 6’8 235lb Parker, who by the age of 22-23, could well be 250+ lbs that LeBron is.
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Got a kick out of Hudy celebrating after Wiggins breakaway dunk to ice the game and the huge smil
es from Wiggins and Self in the post game. Nice to see our guys savor it… Smell the roses. Not just a relief to win a big game.
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@approximity. I also saw Andrea and though that she deserves a lot of credit for getting the team in such good physical condition. Also, when they were showing one of Duke’s former players, I thought I saw Sherron Collins in the audience; did anyone else see him or is it just me?
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Sherron was there. Sat to the right of KUs bench behind scorers table.
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Everyone on this thread has eloquently highlighted & stated & overstated again the importance of all these kids contributions most affirmatively & quite accurately. But once more, and with great exuberance, I’d like to acknowledge Perry’s lunch bucket, journeyman level performance on this great stage. Remember how completely timid & shy he seemed most all of last season blanketed with all the accolades, press, & pressures a MCDAA gets? Also recall his surprisingly huge contributions in the late season tournaments when our obvious lack of depth was beginning to expose our weaknesses? This game at the United Center on Tuesday was the official unveiling of not PE the simile of the fashion mogul, but Perry Ellis the Beast of the BG 12, who we will need to, and can depend on night in & night out to bring that lunch bucket skill & mastery, & put up about 16 pts & 10 rebs every game. And the more the merrier. It’s gonna get dirty at times too, but Lava & pumice will clean him up very well later. He’ll matchup against a lot of real tough Tarik Black & Jamari Traylor types, stronger, taller & quicker than he many times over, but he’s been mastering that apprenticeship every day in the gym for a couple of seasons now. So IMO count on it guys, Mister Ellis, with game & an attitude, is my dark horse for at minimum the conference POY, and the brick & mortar that clenches these baby Jbirds together for a record 10th straight BG 12 Championship next March. Plus as an added bonus to me personally, I love to see the ever so miserable, homely, & rat-like facial expressions Konsanants (ode to jaybate) makes when his Dook preppies are getting a real good wax job (not at the salon). Painful as hell for him, but I didn’t feel a thing!
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Phof! Global!
Perry is proof that chemistry is king in college basketball. He’s happy that Wigs is here to steal the spotlight, so Perry can take his lunch bucket to work in the shadows… racking up huge stats in the process to help his team win!
I believe Perry will be rewarded for his quality, mature attitude at the next level. Most NBA teams suffocate on all the egos staying busy creating chaos and problems preventing team cohesiveness. Perry is like a breath of fresh air and smarter management will see what a grab he is in talent and ability to play well with others!
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Thank you for the kind words slayr. Whether it sports, a corporation, or the assembly line, amazing managers always see authentic & natural talent & allow it to flourish within their system for the rewards of all. That’s why tremendously great organizations have so little turnover & monumental & superior successes. Damn- that sounds like KUBB!
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For what it’t worth…
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@Blown I’d say that it is worth a buck fifty-nine.
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…Or maybe a dollar, two ninety-eight.
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not bad, not bad, then. cause I was thinking about a dime
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FWIW, probably less than a dime, but my friend (big Kentucky fan) was at the game Tuesday night, saw Okafor and said there were Kansas people around him, and it looked like he was hanging with them. My friend caught his eye and said “good luck next year” and Okafor said, “thank you sir”. Sounds like he’s a good kid, or polite in any event.
I think they are headed to Duke, but I also thought Wiggins was headed to FSU…
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Sherron posted a pic of himself with Magic from the game on Twitter.
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Blown… OMG on the link.
I didn’t know sports media made the decisions for the players themselves.
I wonder how many of these people picked Wiggins to Kansas? Uh… maybe 3%.
Through your link I tracked their yack about Alexander. According to these dingalings Alexander has a 52% chance of going to Illinois and a 43% chance to Kansas. What are those stats based on? Absolutely nothing. Just the ideas of other sports media from around the United States.
http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/Cliff-Alexander-at-Curie-Metropolitan-9552/Predictions
What makes it all a joke is how much these writers commit to absolute nonsense.
No one knows where these 3 recruits will land because none of them or their crew has snitched.
I bet my dartboard is more accurate than these clowns.
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Right there with ya Slyr. I was just sharing it cause I came across it.
