A few of NC State guys we were after in HS recruiting to some extent (Able, Holloman) to Williams (top target in portal).

McNeil is the main guy to lock in on from 3 (70% of attempts from 3) but isn't very efficient inside or outside. Williams & Holloman have been scary efficient from 3 so far so can't leave them open.

Williams is the matchup issue as we know from his time at Texas Tech. He had our number every single time we played against him over the past two years. White & Tiller have their hands full. Really the key to the game defensively is just trying to limit his impact not only as a scorer but playmaking. I haven't watched how they are using him but imagine they are letting him play somewhat of a Point Forward position.

They don't protect the rim well so that's good for our bigs and guards. This is not an easy game and KU will have to play well.

For KU, scoring and turnovers look like the main focuses. NC St averaging 8 steals a game (almost 4 more than KU). KU has to score at a decent clip in this one and hopefully we can get closer to 30+ minutes from Peterson in this one which would help in that department. This offense has to find a way to improve with DP back or it's not going to matter how good the defense is.

@approxinfinity

Peterson will make a difference on the perimeter defensively. His length & ability to steal the ball I think will show up as he gets healthy (hopefully). That stuff showed up on film from HS regularly, getting in passing lanes, anticipation, scraping down on drivers on help-side. We've seen that in limited fashion from games already. He's got active hands for sure.

Will also help on offense, he's a willing passer & probably has the best vision on the team so we should be excited what he can bring there as he plays more.

@approxinfinity

+2500 on Fan Duel, 12th lowest odds right now. Not a bad line to buy.

@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.

@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.

@Jayhawk_69

Ngala is 26 so yeah this is it for College. He was insurance for injury and probably a good scout practice player to use and most importanly, cheap on the budget. Defensively he can't hang but heck id give him a shot when we need a 3 in comeback situations.

@FormerlyStlJhawk

Full games from DP still allude us but we definitely need him in 5 days as much as he can go & hopefully another week of practice pushes him forward towards 100%. NC St has a Top 20 offense but 80's on D so we need all of DP's offense to compete in this one

@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.

@BShark

Classic stuff

@BShark

If he can hit a few open shots every game it's exactly what this team needs from him. Been pleasantly surprised by him lately

@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

Good win. Much needed

Hahaha Council omg

@DanR

Hurley just took him out of the game. Just didnt have it that night

Elmarko man. What r you doing

Will this be the last we see of Peterson again for a while, or for good. Sitting the bench once again

Peterson not even on the bench. Kid cant even play a full game

Good grief mari

We dont like leads

They foul every single possession