🏀 KuBuckets Archive

What's everyone feeling for the opening game against Izzo in Madison Square Garden?

Saw a report that Coleman-Lands returned to practice yesterday but obviously we are going to be short Jalen Wilson for this one. No idea if Lands will try and play on Tuesday or let himself get 100% first.

Facing an Izzo team that has a lot of size at the wing/forward/post position should be an interesting matchup without our starting 4..

Personally I think this is Izzo's least talented team he's had in all the years I can remember. Unlike a lot of teams they didn't hit the Portal hard in the offseason, they signed 1 transfer getting likely starting PG Tyson Walker (who KU recruited a good bit). Joey Hauser, Gabe Brown, Malik Hall, Julius Marble, Marcus Bingham all return from last years 15-13 squad. Hauser & Brown averaged under 10 ppg each and neither has shown star ability. Sounds like Walker who's stepping up in competition is going to have to shoulder a big workload for them. Christie & Atkins are talented freshman guards that joined from the HS ranks (both Top 100 kids).

Michigan St struggled to score last year and don't see the firepower returning or joining to change that. Probably a close game early but I fully expect to see KU pull away in this one.

I think that Izzo will be gently coaxed into retirement very soon. It happens to the best and all of them, they lose what helped them win - their vigor and youth. It happened to Roy and K, and seems to be happening to Calipari his recruiting classes aside. Izzo is a shell of what he used to be as a coach.

DUB.

But a close game only because we are missing two rotation players if JCL is out. Fully healthy squad runs them outta the gym I think.

• PG - Harris
• SG - Remmy
• SF - Och
• SF2 - Jalen
• C - Dave
• 1B - Braun
• 2B - Yesufu
• 3B - JCL
• 4B - Cam/Mitch/KJ/Zach
• 5B - Bobby

That is just such a nasty 10 deep rotation.

Once again... I'm going off my fantasy on this matchup since I haven't seen either team in action.

I'm guessing we will go out ahead and just sort of stay out ahead... surviving a few of their run. I think our speed will be the clear advantage. Remy should be shooting a lot of FTs... probably Dave, too.

I agree with Marco... Izzo seems to be fading out. It's a shame because I always enjoyed a fired up Izzo... red face.. screaming... sweating. He's taken quite a bit of heat over the past years for being too aggressive with his fellas.

This should be a game for Och to show his athletic prowess. Let's hope he does. Let's see if he is ready to transform into more of a Type A player this year!

This is not a great matchup for KU. Walker and Remy are similar, Malik Hall is kind of a problem, and if Mady Sissoko makes the expected leap he’s going to defend Dave pretty well. And Max Christie seems to be the real deal. So we’re going to have to play (read: defend) well. We can have a B- offensive game and win as long as we guard. If we let Walker and Christie go bananas it might suck.

@FarmerJayhawk said in Early Michigan St thoughts:

This is not a great matchup for KU. Walker and Remy are similar, Malik Hall is kind of a problem, and if Mady Sissoko makes the expected leap he’s going to defend Dave pretty well. And Max Christie seems to be the real deal. So we’re going to have to play (read: defend) well. We can have a B- offensive game and win as long as we guard. If we let Walker and Christie go bananas it might suck.

Have to agree with you farmer. It's a very early Season Match up and nobody knows quite for sure to exactly expect - -that's why they play the games. Have to ay I think there seems to be a lot of people who just might be under selling Michigan State. - -I think this is going to be a real battle

In Izzo’s interview he sounds pretty confident w/his team!

@Crimsonorblue22 said in Early Michigan St thoughts:

In Izzo’s interview he sounds pretty confident w/his team!

wouldn't really expect him to come out and say anything else at this point, sure not gonna come out and say they are rotten lol - - that wouldn't score any points with the AD dept or fan base. - Like Farmer say or pretty much mention , - -don't sell these guys short I hope we don't . Think it's gonna be a battle - they got really good size to throw at ya , pretty deep

Rebounding definitely looks like an issue without Jalen. We'll see who steps up.

Man vs Man there's no way this KU team should lose even without two rotation guys. Izzo doesn't have any firepower returning and his hope at PG is someone who's facing much stiffer competition for the first time. Now Izzo does return experienced guys so KU will have to be fundamentally sound and limit turnovers etc. KU's best players (Martin, Agbaji, McCormack) should all feast in this one, I hope.

Jalen Wilson is (imo) the best player on this team, and we're really going to miss him when we play Michigan St. That said, I think our guard play will be good enough to win, and I don't necessarily mean that Remy is going to score 25 points. Ochai, Braun, Dave, JCL if he plays are the type of players who benefit a lot when another player can get them the ball in their spot (catch-and-shoot 3's or in the post), and I think our guards are good enough to do that this season. I'm thinking Ochai has a big game and 1-2 other players get hot from deep.

I am nervous about our defense, though.

@KirkIsMyHinrich agree that we'll miss Wilson. At any rate, it'll be a good test, and others will have to step up.

@KirkIsMyHinrich

Defense is definitely a concern this early.

Michigan St is usually pretty talented, but they are always hard-nosed. I think the defensive glass will be Priority #1 tomorrow night as they hang their hat on out-toughing teams and that starts with rebounding.

I struggle to like MSU. Izzo expects the stripes to let them play as aggressively and hands-y as they want on defense, but then wants them to call everything when they have the ball.

As of 4:45pm Monday, Vegas has MSU winning by 4

Vegas schmegas

I appreciate Izzos success. I think he gets more out of his players than some HOF coaches I despise. I think he is clutch in the tournament. And I think he has stolen a couple from Bill with key decisions and personnel choices that were solid.

All that said, I haven’t liked much about his teams in recent years.

I once had a weird dream that I was walking around campus with him picking his brain. He wasn’t likeable in my dream, whatever that means.

@SlickRockJayhawk pretty sure Vegas has KU by 4. Should be a battle nevertheless

If we can limit turnovers, stay competitive on the glass and get some transition buckets i think we’ll be fine. Prediction: KU 79 MSU 67

@approxinfinity May the Schwartz be with us, always. I'll be back later guys, gotta take Barf for a walk.

@Oldmanhawk KU 78 - MS 64

🐦 View Tweet?s=21

Pretty cool!

I never like to guess score... but for the heck of it... KU 74 MSU 68

Made closer with a late MSU run... Let's see if my consistent jinxing is in effect! lol

Looks like Wilson made the trip

It's GAMEDAY

Wow! They are considerably taller than us! We better get out and run! Better hit the defensive boards hard because I'm sure Izzo will be targeting the offensive glass with this size difference!

Let's get it going.... Ready for some Jayhawk bball!

@drgnslayr said in Early Michigan St thoughts:

Wow! They are considerably taller than us! We better get out and run! Better hit the defensive boards hard because I'm sure Izzo will be targeting the offensive glass with this size difference!

This is correct. Not having Jalen for this game really sucks.

@drgnslayr

Taller but not better.

@BeddieKU23 said in Early Michigan St thoughts:

@drgnslayr

Taller but not better.

Bill would call MSU "soft", Izzo probably does in practice.

They lost half of their scoring from a 15-13 team. There is a reason that they started the season unranked...

I see us getting off to a slow start then pulling away in the second half. Typical.

Hope I get to see the game on a big screen. Just lost power after a nasty windstorm. Funnel cloud sighted nearby, rare for the Northwest.

Tait saying Cam Martin will redshirt. Wonder what the deal is there? I'd heard zilch about that.

@FarmerJayhawk said in Early Michigan St thoughts:

Tait saying Cam Martin will redshirt. Wonder what the deal is there? I'd heard zilch about that.

Crazy! Don't think he would factor in much next year either but if he loves being in the program, there are worse guys to have around at the end of the bench.

@BShark said in Early Michigan St thoughts:

@FarmerJayhawk said in Early Michigan St thoughts:

Tait saying Cam Martin will redshirt. Wonder what the deal is there? I'd heard zilch about that.

Crazy! Don't think he would factor in much next year either but if he loves being in the program, there are worse guys to have around at the end of the bench.

It's weird for sure. Self and co know what they're doing I guess he's decent insurance. Also gets his whole master's paid for which is probably some factor. Doesn't seem like a pro.

@FarmerJayhawk self must think he can develop him into being a factor next year. You’re right tho, I never even thought about him being a redshirt candidate

@FarmerJayhawk said in Early Michigan St thoughts:

@BShark said in Early Michigan St thoughts:

@FarmerJayhawk said in Early Michigan St thoughts:

Tait saying Cam Martin will redshirt. Wonder what the deal is there? I'd heard zilch about that.

Crazy! Don't think he would factor in much next year either but if he loves being in the program, there are worse guys to have around at the end of the bench.

It's weird for sure. Self and co know what they're doing I guess he's decent insurance. Also gets his whole master's paid for which is probably some factor. Doesn't seem like a pro.

Sounds like he just doesn't have it athletically for this level in the eyes of the staff. But yeah next year the next oldest guy in the post will be Zach (LOL) barring a vet transferring in. So it's always good to have an older guy around, for practice if nothing else. If he helps bridge next season that's a bonus.

@Oldmanhawk Ditto. I should've done the math but I thought this was the end of his eligibility barring something weird like a medical. But turns out he's only played 4 (last year didn't count) so is a 2x1.

Did not expect that at all

We shall see if he is right

Cam Martin with the red shirt??? Wow.
That is out of the blue.
Anybody else yet?
I thought Cam would get some PT this year. Next year won't guys like Adams and Clemence log jam his spot?
Weird.

Official he will redshirt per Self. Cuffe still possible as well

Well, that can only mean one thing, for better and possibly worse: More Mitch time!

Wow mitch is the backup again. So bill.

Bobby or Yesufu will be first guard off bench

Adams and Clemence will play this year, how much he doesn't know

Hopefully enough so that I don't have to see Mitch a lot

We get a starting lineup for tonight yet?
I gotta work some more, so will DVR it for tonight.

I would assume Harris, Remy, Braun, Agbaji, and Dave

MSU start 7'0, 6'9, 6'8, 6'6, 6'0 so maybe Self goes bigger

Thoughts? ... Rock Chalk Jayhawk.. Not impressed with either Duke or Kentucky.

Whz listening to the local sports broadcast today & hosts they made some really good points I though about the game last night. The 1st thing one brought up and if you think about it have to agree. He said offensively he was impressed , because being the 1st game of the year your offense is usually can be rust lagging. He said but for KU to come out and hang 87 points on any Tom Izzo tam is pretty dam good, he said especially when you consider McCormack didn't really have that great of a game , AND you was missing Jalen Wilson- you take that combination and hang 87 on Michigan State - -not to shabby.

Also talked about Oachi and scoring his 29 points , not necessarily that he scored 29 points BUT how efficient he was in scoring those 29 points in taking 17 shots to score those 29 points , said he looked like for once he had the look of a dominant player, like I'm gonna get mine

They brought up other good points about the team - talking saying Bill wanted after last year to be more athletic - - they ARE more athletic , talked about how the team can get out and run every position player for his position can get out - - true. - - - talked about the young guys being Athletic - - -He mentioned and I agree - -we got us one I think with Bobby Pettiford - -kid is gonna be a stud.

They talked about saying now - - if you think Oachi is going to go out and score 29 night in and night out - - that's not going to happen BUT like they said he shouldn't have to , if Oachi can go out score in between 15-20 in a game - -were good, and saying what we seen from Dave last night isn't what were going to see as the Season goes on - -talked about how he always starts slow, that they know he will come
talking about if Christian goes out and gets those 7-8 rebounds a game can hit an open three every now and then when he got it, grab some rebounds like he did last night - that's all we need. - -Talking about how we know Remy is gonna get his, you figure he didn't score in the 1st half last night and ends with 15 , true they said he may take some forced shots BUT he makes those shots - for the most part. - Lot's of good points brought out.

Said true you can't over value ONE game but for the 1st game against a quality opponent - pretty solid