Seeing the joy this team is playing with so far really makes you look back at the last two years and ask what the heck happened in that locker room. So far this group seems to enjoy playing with each other and that's a good thing as we get into the meat of the season where that chemistry and comradery will matter most.

Merry Christmas bucket fam

@wissox83

Nice stat drop on the 3pt defense. Some of it is pure luck but I do think the switching defense and the length/athleticism of the team has created fewer good shots for opponents from 3. I see improvements when contesting shots, close outs. This is a good defensive team when they play together.

Upcoming games against NC State & Davidson will test this 3pt defense as both are shooting near 40% as a team. NC St has 4 guys with more made 3's then anyone on KU (35% of their offense this season from 3). 4 guys are individually shooting over 47% from 3 so they look like they will be a difficult assignment on the road next weekend.

The last two games have been interesting to watch with Peterson back and everyone adjusting to him. In the Mizzou game it was Tre White who had the standout game. Saturday it was Council. Flory and perhaps Tiller are also capable of these kinds of games so that's encouraging to see guys can step up and take over when needed even with the "star" back. We may be seeing actual benefit to Peterson being injured. It's good to know that this team isn't just a 1 trick pony.

No Peterson tonight. Won't be the last time someone writes that this season

@drgnslayr

Oh I agree about Hunter, he was the catalyst to our internal issues. I'm not sure he was the only one from last years squad though. There were several that also contributed to it. Im glad this bunch is looking like vintage Self teams from a chemistry and team aspect.

@BShark

+2 spots to #17, O +5, D +2 after game. Missouri isn't good but it was a good game for metrics and such

@Jayhawk_69 said in Kansas Jayhawks vs Missouri Tigers Game Chat 12/7 12:00 CT:

Some day after thoughts

-Flory needs to get back to being efficient around the basket. Be strong and try to draw contact!

-Tiller is a KJ level shooter. Is KJ's strategy of just not attempting 3s, or Tillers strategy of chucking bricks when left open superior?

-Speaking of Tiller, by gum, he and Flory form a menacing front line. Both are shot-blockers who can guard the perimeter

-Maybe one day we will get to see a game where DP just plays with no strings attached. No minutes restrictions, no going to the locker room, no bugs, no sitting the whole second half, no constant cutbacks of the staff working on him on the bench. fwiw, I am not criticizing DP, just commenting on the situation.

-If we want to make noise in March, Tre White has to show up.

Agree on Flory, he's been un-flory like around the rim the past 4/5 games. Rushing shots at the rim that are not dunks.

Tiller can shoot, just in a funk. Similar to Hunter's funk last yr but hopefully he can snap out of it.

White is indispensable out there. Does so many things well that we need. His ability to just draw contact is impressive. When he's on we are not going to lose many games.

Tiller and Flory play better when they are together. I think Self has definitely figured that he gets his best lineup with the 2 bigs on both ends. The only thing missing is that 3rd big they could use as insurance. Doesn't seem like Mbiya is good enough for that despite his massive size. White was supposed to be the 4 here however he has played so much better at the wing and matchup wise he's a difficult cover. If he's gonna shoot 40% from 3, he's going to make it difficult for teams to leave him open.

@approxinfinity

Certainly, took them not guarding him to heart and made them pay.

Council is so fun to watch

Self says Peterson is likely to play Saturday, saying he's been more explosive in practice

@approxinfinity

Now let's get a W tonight in the ol barn somehow, minus that freshman again

This is awesome

Ref show

I know ESPN makes it a point to show Hurley freaking out on the sideline between every play but it's absolutely 100% cringe to watch his behavior. It just looks so classless and isn't a good look. I guess ESPN was making it a thing to show his freak outs for some reason. I bet UConn fans don't even want to see it. You can't tell me this behavior doesn't impact how the refs call the game.

Iowa St taking Purdont' to the woodshed. Up 23 on Purdont's home floor with 9 to go. They look like the best team in the conference

A big finally scored

@BShark

Fran likes to compare Mari to Garrett. I can see that as far as role player growing into something but they really are not close in skill. Mari a much better shooter and not nearly the defender at this point. Weird comp tbh.

Mari has 12 baskets, 11 from 3. Filling a key role and as long as he can do that and defend he earns his spot. We need both him and Elmarko to show the staff can still develop guys into KU guys and both are settling in and starting to show that. They definitely have skin in this having had tough redshirt years.

@drgnslayr

You can see the makings of a good shooter in Tiller. He needs reps and experience; kid missed over 12 months of basketball then had a shortened offseason recovering from the injury and is starting which I'm not sure many expected coming into the year. A lot has been thrown at him in a short amount of time. You see the touch he has at times on short jumpers and from 3 when it all comes together. I'm not surprised we are seeing some struggles, but I also don't think they are long-term. Agree on his mechanics and probably something they are working on but may require a full offseason to fully correct. We'll likely get "hot and cold" games until there's development there.

If we are thinking ahead to next season (I know way too soon), he seems like the "must retain" guy on the roster. We really lucked out getting him committed, getting him in early for rehab. He was a 5-star kid in his original class, and you can see why. This was excellent work by the staff to keep him away from Auburn/Indiana which were also in on him.