First game of a national championship season. This could be fun. Guess the final score.

This is one team I know very very little about. In fact I didn't know it existed, but they've been D1 for about a decade and probably have a record by appearing in 3 first four games in the tournament.

It's a HBCU, won a D2 national championship in 1989. They had a HOF coach notable for his breaking color barriers in coaching. I don't have time to read about him right now but this article sheds some interesting light on the matchup. Surprisingly not, he was influenced greatly by another KU coach named Naismith. Another notable name on the KU coaching tree.

https://www2.kusports.com/sports/2023/nov/06/naismith-protege-who-broke-color-barrier-in-coaching-celebrated-by-ku-as-it-kicks-off-mclendon-classic/ ↗

So lets have your game predictions. Final Score, Leading Scorer for KU.

I've got KU winning 91-65 and I'll go out on a limb and guess Hunter is the leading scorer with 18.

Kenpom has them 306 (out of 362). Whole new team & lost entire starting 5 apparently. Spread is at 28 or so.

Certainly, would like to see a blowout but I'm not sure this crew is built for them.

82-57, Kev has 22 to lead.

I don’t believe HCBS will want a total blowout. After a big lead, he’ll start experimenting with lineups. Everyone gets playing time!

Things I’d like to see happen tonight:

— the light bulb gets a bit brighter for Elmarko.

— We figure out how to feed Hunter

— The real Dajuan shows up. Be Aggressive!

— the Hunter / KJ lob, feed, pick n roll is in full force

— NO BANKED THREES! Ok, I’ll take a banked three, but you know.

48-14

Oh wait. That's the next football game.

@nuleafjhawk That'd be one ugly basketball score!

Oh, and predictions:

Hunter leads the team in scoring and rebounding. This will be a broken record this year. Rinse, repeat.

KU wins, but who the hell knows by how much. We should at least score in the mid 80s.

I want to see Elmarko play loose and just ball.

@wissox Might have been ok 80 or 90 years ago.....

Until we prove we can hit the outside jumper and or 3 point shot , we could very easily have trouble scoring a lot of points. Your going to see a lot of double downs on Hunter, yes he is a good passer they say, but if we can't hit the jumper it won't matter..

Want to see more of Furphy , shows promise - right now till I see us hit some J's like I said it's going to be harder for Hunter. - -Anyways I'll say KU 78 - -The other guys 60

Oh I forgot- -I think Kevin will be the leader with 19 tonight

We need a penetrating player to develop and quickly probably Furphy and Elmarko. When Juan is watching everyone floundering around trying to get in place he can do his drive and scoop or take the dare and chuck it up. We'll lean on our four until the dust settles. I want to believe in Kev baby shooting 40% from three but.... KU 81 - 61 and Elmarksman with 23 or Furphy with 15. I mean it could maybe might happen. So happy it's finally here.

84-68, but not as close as the score.

I'm of the age where I can't think of the player's names but I can remember how many freckles Tootsie Taylor had on her sweet ah person from 1971.

I hope to see Furphy tonight! We won’t be able to watch (thank you ESPN+) so I’ll be checking via the internet. Is some KC station carrying the game?

!alt text ↗

No McDowell tonight

@BShark said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

No McDowell tonight

Why?

KU is favored by 30.5 tonight. I'd probably take the under because I could see Self still treating this game almost like an exhibition game more than a regular season game.

Alright Alright Alright!!!!

89 - 56 KU

RockChalk

First game of what we hope is a special year.

@BeddieKU23 said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

@BShark said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

No McDowell tonight

Why?

Injured in practice. Should be good to go soon. No minutes restriction on Furph tonight.

Thinking like 75-52. Too close at times in the first but we control it start to finish.

Anyone else still just getting the event about to start screen?

@FarmerJayhawk

Yep

7-0 early

@FarmerJayhawk said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

Anyone else still just getting the event about to start screen?

Technical difficulties

Technical difficulties for the leader of nothing

7-0 before we see it🤬

Timberlake didn’t start. 🤔

@Gorilla72 said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

Timberlake didn’t start. 🤔

Well, Elmarko hasn't done anything yet to justify his starting...

Nice fb

12-4 KU

There we go. Elmarko h needed to see one fall

Hunter with 10 early. Kev with 5 and Elmarko has a layup

Edy with 16 and 11

Nick!!

Nice. Looks like a get right game

Hunter’s decent at this game of shooty hoops

3's🌨️🌨️🌨️🌨️

The HAWKS ARE COOKING

Shooting the 3 well. Good to see

I like this team. Where have they been?

Nick showing he should have started. Competition is good.

@bskeet said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

I like this team. Where have they been?

This is why it's silly to take away too much from exhibitions. Bill loves letting them flop around in those.

Some guys play better off the bench. Maybe the case for Timberlake.

Just in case you all forgot Juando is here

This is why Dickinson is a potential NPOY player this year. If he gets set up in the high post or top of the key, he can do so many things from that spot on the floor. This is also why him not being a speedster isn't a big issue for fast breaks. He's probably starting a lot of them off of rebounds and even if he doesn't start them, his 3 point shooting is a big weapon as the trailer in a fast break that can open the lane up for others if someone doesn't close out or he knocks down an open three.

Also, this is why Timberlake will come off the bench. Jackson has a mich higher ceiling, but will make mistakes. Also, if KU gets off to a slow shooting start, Timberlake can be the spark. If he starts and his shot is off, KU doesn't have anyone to turn too in that scenario. Timberlake off the bench is the better fit because of what you look for in a 6th man.

The Furp has some skill and b0unce.

Got to get Juan to take some shots.

@Zabudda said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

The Furp has some skill and b0unce.

Aussie players tend to be much further along on tge offensive end than the defensive end. He'll likely have a couple of nights where he goes off on offense. Biggest thing for him right now is learning how to play defense because that's rarely a strength of Australian players at this stage of their careers.

I'm really tired of the airball chant.

Juan

Already covered

I’ve resigned myself to not liking Adams all year. Just not sure how he’s going to help us

@FarmerJayhawk said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

I’ve resigned myself to not liking Adams all year. Just not sure how he’s going to help us

He has had some problematic moments in this game. Won't matter tonight obviously.

Furphy a dude

Happy for Furphy. just the start.

Question is why McDowell hasn't gotten minutes, esp. with 3 fouls on Elmarko?

@BeddieKU23 said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

Furphy a dude

A lot to like. High IQ

@BeddieKU23 don’t f with the Furph

@DCHawker he has an injury

@DCHawker hurt

Parker looking much better

Okay - thanks for the update!

Really excited about Furphy's upside. He's going to be good.

Dickinson, McCullar, Harris look great. No surprise there

Shoot Parker has even looked decent

Parker good underneath

Hunter hustle1

Dickinson is really good

Leading the break? Cherry picking?

Hanged up 59 on em

There you go Juan. He shot the ball

21 assists on 22 made baskets. 78% from the field. 9/12 from 3

Bill said turned up all is well

Hunter with 17, Kev with 15, Nick with 10.

You're telling me I have to focus on two sports at once? My god man, no one can live at that speed!

Hunter says I wish i would have had Juan sooner.

Dare I say we look athletic?

ESPN Shows KU with 21 assists on 22 made shots

@stoptheflop

OMG

I mean what can you say ? - -well just - -WOW. I didn't see that coming lol. -- If we could even shoot half that % on three's this year we would be fine.

You know who I'm most happy for though ? - -- Timberlake, really glad to see his shot fall , were gonna need that.- just gotta say looked good, can't really find anything to complain about.---6-6 from the stripe , - - 75 % from the 3 -what can you say ? - - -ROCK CHALK

@stoptheflop said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

ESPN Shows KU with 21 assists on 22 made shots

21 ASSISTS IN A half LOL

@FarmerJayhawk said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

Shoot Parker has even looked decent

He didn't look bd at all

I love Wayne Simien

You know the squad is playing well when I don’t have a dang thing to say

The opposing team is overmatched —-our measuring stick game will be uk before the gauntlet BUT showing this is great to see

See shots fall is encouraging

My 1 gripe is Juan has to look to score. He can’t be facilitator Juan against legit competition and needs to practice now

Dickinson looks cool and calm.

Seeing some of that really good passing from Hunter

Joel Embiid with 43 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists in 3 quarters tonight

45 points

46 points

Good point by Wayne there on football getting redshirt rules right

Remember me calling out people for comparing Hunter to Dedric Lawson 🤣

Me thinks kev might have spent some time with a basketball making a few baskets in the offseason

Well "Dickinson with the rejection" is one difference between Dedric and Hunter.

Kentucky started 4 guards and Tre Mitchell against New Mex St. I sure wish we were playing Kentucky tonight.

Michigan State losing by 13 to James Madison 6 minutes left in 1st half.

Listening on radio while driving home. It looked like on the radio that NCC plays very porous defense. Am I right?

I don't even know who these guys are on the floor.

@wissox they’re atrocious

Did anyone see the news about New Mexico State from last yr, on espn today?

@wissox said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

I don't even know who these guys are on the floor.

Parker Braun, Nick Timberlake, Johnny Furphy, KJ and Kevin

@KirkIsMyHinrich Who was 13 who just took a seat?

Elmarko Jackson

FURP!

@Crimsonorblue22 I was checking out Kentucky score and they were talking about that with NMSU

@wissox

Yeah they suck. KU capitalizing

@wissox disgusting! I didn't think it could get much worse! That's on the DA coach that was w/Marshall

great energy all around

Like I used "Gradey", I think I'm going with Johnny for the Freshman from downunder.

As far as openers go, this has been very enjoyable

Reporting from AFH.., we look pretty good, but central is really bad

Kinda hope we just go #WalkOnTime the last 10. Really nothing else to gain

Furphy has a good stroke. It looks good even when he misses

Only negative is no one is driving the lane.

10 dimes for Juando

Braun isn't expected to be any more than a minor role player right?

Elmarko is second level fast.

@wissox

Would be nice if he can give you what Mitch gave us 2 yrs ago

@BeddieKU23 looks like he’s better defensively but man idk what he gives you on offense except the lob

Well his last name is Braun. We could just play CB and hope no one notices

@FarmerJayhawk

He's a little bit bouncer then I expected. Just hope we can rely on him at times

Nice night for The Big Dicker

Shoot, my prediction of us scoring 91 is gonna be untrue in a second or two

@DanR said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

Only negative is no one is driving the lane.

That's what NCC took away and KU punished them for it all game long.

Anyine else think Elmarko looks like a younger Jay-Z?

JANK

I wonder how many guys ever have had a line like DaJuan has. Zero points and ten assists. No shots taken even.

Love how the bench appreciates him, Jank

Hunter wearing one crimson and one blue sneaker is Peak #Jayhawk

K-State plays #21 USC tonight on TNT? That's kind of weird

33 assists on 37 made FG's is an unreal stat.

@KirkIsMyHinrich said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

K-State plays #21 USC tonight on TNT? That's kind of weird

Game's in Vegas, but I guess TNT is adding to their live sports catalog.

JANK

Joel has 48 points. More than NCCU

I'd like to see KU keep this lead above 50 points

@RockChalkinTexas said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

Joel has 48 points. More than NCCU

He did it in 3 quarters too. Couldn't buy a bucket in the 4th quarter! (He sat the 4th)

Is this a pass first team or what?

Congrats to the Wilder Evers over bettors. Also get some help you degenerate

We better hit 100… I’m sticking here till the end

Damn, not gonna keep it under 50!

@KirkIsMyHinrich Colorado beat #1 LSU womens in the first game in Vegas.

Booooo

Geez, even Wisconsin is gonna score 100

@wissox said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

@KirkIsMyHinrich Colorado beat #1 LSU womens in the first game in Vegas.

You love to see it

Not that it matters but the walk-ons got hilariously cooked. Was 92-38 when we went to them and ended up 99-56

@KirkIsMyHinrich I know. I used to live there in BR, but LSU athletics just turned my stomach most of the time and that womens team last year were just so cocky and arrogant.

@wissox score?

@Crimsonorblue22 They're beating Ark St 100-71 with 4:30 left!

@wissox gals

@Crimsonorblue22 Oh sorry, I think it was 88-74

I liked all aspects, except Juan not scoring.

See you Friday.

I like me some Furphy

Oklahoma State down to Abilene Christian by 11 at the half, 25-36. 😵‍💫

Didnt see this thread. Did not show up in my recent list. Very weird.
Sorry I missed you guys. Thought you weren't here.

@approxinfinity here

@RockChalkinTexas said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

Alright Alright Alright!!!!

89 - 56 KU

RockChalk

First game of what we hope is a special year.

Did you mean 99-56?

I still can't see it in my thread list. Bizarre.

@approxinfinity This was the game thread I think unless there was another.

@RockChalkinTexas wins with best score prediction. 1st prize is 1 ticket to a Missouri basketball game. 2nd prize is season tickets to KState basketball.

@wissox ouch

@wissox that's like winning strip poker at 2 am with waitresses from Dennys in Wichita

@wissox said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

@RockChalkinTexas wins with best score prediction. 1st prize is 1 ticket to a Missouri basketball game. 2nd prize is season tickets to KState basketball.

I WON SOMETHING OF NO VALUE TO ME AND I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD.

Way to represent ha!

RockChalk

NotBadForAGirl :beaming_face_with_smiling_eyes: :flexed_biceps: :girl: :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes: :person_facepalming_light_skin_tone: :person_shrugging: :basketball:

@BeddieKU23 said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

Kenpom has them 306 (out of 362). Whole new team & lost entire starting 5 apparently. Spread is at 28 or so.

Certainly, would like to see a blowout but I'm not sure this crew is built for them.

82-57, Kev has 22 to lead.

Looks like you won 2nd prize with your Kev prediction! Your score wasn't too bad either. Enjoy your KState season ticks

Michigan State in OT with James Madison

despite a 32-20 Foul advantage, MSU sucked shooting FT's (23-37) and made 1-20 from the arc. This is a massive upset of the #4 team in the country.

Wow, Im an idiot? Somehow i blocked @wissox and thats why I couldn’t see the thread :man_facepalming:

In my best Gomer Pyle (sorry, youngsters): Well surprise surprise!

Jeez, where the heck did that come from? :)

I’m guessing just about all of us didn’t see that coming. A very welcome sight. Too bad we missed Hunter’s first 7 pts.

Soooooo glad Timberlake found the bottom of the net. Really gonna need his contributions this season.

Just because it’s in my nature, gotta find some dark clouds in the cloudless night…

Elmarko was bad, real bad in the first half. Like saw no skills at all kinda bad. I was very worried. Thank god he slightly stepped up with a few plays in the second half. This was the perfect game for him to get some minutes to get more comfy.

And back to reality…FURPHY! If we get him for two or three years he will be a freaking beast!

Well played Jayhawks! Rock Chalk.

@approxinfinity crazy coming from you!

Watching Jayhawk Gameday live.

Very impressed with the opposing coach in postgame interviews. Also sounds like he has ties to former Jayhawks.

Good season opener. Horrible opponent but I think these guys needed to have a game like this. Friday should go similar as well before Kentucky.

Was great to hear the home crowd in Allen Fieldhouse again. Been too long.

@approxinfinity said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

Wow, Im an idiot? Somehow i blocked @wissox and thats why I couldn’t see the thread :man_facepalming:

You blocked me because I'm an idiot! It's a wonder anyone saw my post!

@stoptheflop said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

There you go Juan. He shot the ball

I swear I saw Juan take the last long shot to end the half. Yet, ESPN shows he took no shots in 25 minutes of play.

@stoptheflop said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

@stoptheflop said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

There you go Juan. He shot the ball

I swear I saw Juan take the last long shot to end the half. Yet, ESPN shows he took no shots in 25 minutes of play.

Think they ruled he didn't get it off in time.

@wissox ha, it was only my personal block list, and i assure you, you didnt deserve it

34 assists last night. Another positive if that's something this team can do at a high level.

@BShark said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

@stoptheflop said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

@stoptheflop said in KU-NCCentral Eagles!!! Tonight!!:

There you go Juan. He shot the ball

I swear I saw Juan take the last long shot to end the half. Yet, ESPN shows he took no shots in 25 minutes of play.

Think they ruled he didn't get it off in time.

Thank the zebras for that. Might make the difference between fans saying he can’t throw it in the ocean from the dock and he’s a legit 3 point threat!