🏀 KuBuckets Archive

Someone posted a link to my blog here a couple weeks ago. I wanted to drop in here and say thanks for the shoutout to whomever did that.

I also wanted to let everyone know I'm doing a weekly Big 12 Power Rankings article, typically released on Thursdays. I rank the Big 12 teams 1-10, but more importantly, I'll provide some key statistics, trends, game clips, player breakdowns, etc. that I've noticed on each team.

Here is this week's article. I'll come back every week and drop a new link in this thread if people dig the article.

Enjoy. https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2017/11/30/big-12-power-rankings-november-30th-2017-edition/ ↗

(If you want to check out any of my previous Power Rankings blog posts or my preseason previews, check out this link. All of them are archived on that page. https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/category/power-rankings/) ↗

I really enjoyed your blog. I loved the detail, I can imagine that was time consuming. Please post here more often

@big12basketblog many thanks!!

Heard maston from Baylor broke his hand.

Crimsonorblue22 said:

Heard maston from Baylor broke his hand.

Out til January at the least

@big12basketblog Sign your work and you may get an unwanted job offer...Good stuff! Keep it up!!!

Ditto for me, I enjoy the detailed analysis. I see that you use KenPom’s numbers, What do you think of Massey’s numbers/rankings? I find his rankings most closely resemble my own and very subjective opinion.

I know it is early but FWIW, the Pomeroy, Sagarin and Massey computer rankings all have KU as #1. Also, the two whose conference ranking I can see have the Big 12 ranked as the #1 conference. So far, so good.

@JayHawkFanToo I check out Massey's rankings a couple times per week. Whether it's Kenpom, Massey, Sagarin, T-Rank, etc., pretty much all of these advanced rankings sites have value, as long as they explain the logic behind their rankings and you know how they function (I'm looking at you ESPN BPI).

But I enjoy Kenpom and barttorvik.com the most. This is a weird thing to say, but the actual rankings at these sites aren't what's most important to me. Obviously they're important, but I care more about all the stats and efficiency numbers, and I think Kenpom and barttorvik do it best. Their sites have loads of data and the site functionality is great. I just discovered barttorvik last season; it's worth checking out.

@big12basketblog

Thanks for the info; I will have to check Barttorvick. Unfortunately I don't as much time as I would like so a cursory view of the data is all I can do; at one time a few years ago I did take the time to go over their methods and they all have limitation...time to put an IBM Watson to work.

When I check the rankings and compare them to the 2 main polls and my own personal evaluation I find ESPN to be by far the farthest and Massey the closest to my own. Since Pomeroy introduced the luck factor, sometimes his rankings make me shake my head. Sagarin has been the pioneer of computer rankings, of course, and he tends to be very solid and it does get better as the season moves on, I guess they all do but some more so than others.

Again, thank you for posting here, your work is really appreciated and enjoyed.

I posted a new Big 12 Power Rankings post today. Enjoy. https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/07/big-12-power-rankings-december-7th-2017-edition/ ↗

Regarding Kansas, I took a look at their defensive performance thus far and how well they've played on that end.

Posted this week's edition of the Big 12 Power Rankings earlier today. https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/14/big-12-power-rankings-december-14th-2017-edition/ ↗

For Kansas, I looked at their current odd statistical profile and then examined their 3-point defense in the loss to Arizona State.

Thank you for this info, very well done and extremely informative.

@big12basketblog Very nice, I think imma little enraged watching your clips about just how lazily we closed out Sunday. Several times we just walked on the guy with the ball. There would be trash cans in the gym if I was coaching and lots of running and wall sits, that lack of willingness to compete is sickening no way around it. I think these two loses could help I think we got big headed and thought we could half ass it and still win.

@big12basketblog Just read through your blog. Thank you for sharing! Awesome stuff.

https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/21/big-12-power-rankings-december-21st-2017-edition/#more-4266 ↗

Dec 21

I took a look at my preseason predictions for the major Big 12 awards and how I would pick them now headed into conference play.

https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/28/big-12-reset-midseason-picks-for-player-of-the-year-1st-team-2nd-team-and-all-freshman-team/ ↗

Meh, Tre is good, I can't wait to see the Jayhawks kick him in the teeth.

I posted by weekly Big 12 Power Rankings one day late, but here they are. This is a little different this week, but I examined one reason to be optimistic and pessimistic about each Big 12 team headed into conference play. It's a nice reset as we head into conference play tonight. Enjoy.

https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/29/big-12-power-rankings-december-29th-2017-edition-conference-reset/ ↗

Earlier today, I posted my newest edition of my Big 12 Power Rankings. Included this week:
- Texas Tech's stifling defense
- TCU's extremely balanced offense
- The improved play of Mo Bamba, Kameron McGusty, and Teddy Allen
- Kansas State shooting more 3's than ever before under Bruce Weber
- Iowa State's porous pick and roll defense

Regarding Kansas, I took a look at the continued trend of opponents going to the "Find Svi, Attack Svi" offense in late-game situations.

https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/04/big-12-power-rankings-january-4th-2018-edition/ ↗

@big12basketblog Great stuff, as always. I wish our guys would watch a few of the TTU clips - very good positioning and balance on defense. Contrast those you show attacking Svi and Cunliffe. Where I might disagree with you somewhat is pinning it on those guys. Neither keep their man from getting by them. The bigger problem IMO is that there is no help defense or rim protection and footwork and balance for almost all our guys is awful. Note particularly Vick in the second to last clip. It's almost like they are playing 5 on 4.

Here is this week's Big 12 Power Rankings post, my 9th edition this season. Regarding Kansas, I took a look at the absurdity of Kansas' 3-point shooting performance vs. Iowa State on Tuesday and their 3-point shooting compared to Bill Self's teams of the past.

Some other things included this week:
- Further examination of Trae Young's defense
- An update on the statistic that makes West Virginia tick -- shot margin
- TCU's only offensive weakness

https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/12/big-12-power-rankings-january-12th-2018-edition/ ↗

some great stuff in this weeks!

Here is this week's Big 12 Power Rankings post, my 10th edition of the season. Regarding Kansas, I examined what a former Big 12 coach could tell you about the current Big 12 title race and what the Jayhawks' continued road success means for them.

Also included this week:
- How Texas Tech could still win the Big 12 regular season title
- The play of Oklahoma's other freshman, Brady Manek
- Sagaba Konate destroying the hopes and spirits of his Big 12 foes
- Kansas State's most interestingly different team during Bruce Weber's tenure in Manhattan
- The Anatomy of a Comeback featuring Oklahoma State
- TCU's 2-point defense concerns and their poor defense vs. dribble penetration
- Iowa State's continued poor play on defense and allowing players to have their get-right game
- Texas' sudden turnaround in 3-point shooting
- Baylor's switch to Mark Vital and what it means for the Bears

https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/19/big-12-power-rankings-january-19th-2018-edition/ ↗

@big12basketblog is TT's Smith, out for the season? Haven't heard much about his injury.

@Crimsonorblue22 The only thing I've read with any sort of clarity about his injury was in this article (http://lubbockonline.com/sports-red-raiders-mens-basketball/sports-red-raiders/sports/2018-01-15/tech-hoops-notebook-red) ↗ which didn't look too promising. Chris Beard didn't confirm he's out for the season, but it certainly sounds that way considering what he says about Smith's future.

@big12basketblog thx

I want us to continue our conference streak. But I am always saddened when players go down to injury.... not only for the player but for the player's team. I think Chris Beard has really stepped up and he is definitely bringing up the standards of the Big 12! Great job, Chris!

I'm glad TT has become a quality team and is challenging us. My thoughts and prayers go out to Zach! He's a top-notch player and person... he is missed... and not only by TT fans!

@big12basketblog

Hey man... Thanks! Just found your blog and am enjoying the read.

I've got you bookmarked.

Here is this week's Big 12 Power Rankings. Regarding Kansas, I took a look at some of their offensive sets and how Bill Self is an offensive coaching genius.

Also included:
- The good and bad of West Virginia's triangle offense set
- I state my opinion on the Trae Young debate
- I speculate wildly about Scott Drew's future at Baylor
- Iowa State's issues with spacing on offense
- Alex Robinson controlling the court in the pick and roll for TCU
- Texas Tech's recent offensive struggles
- Mo Bamba should be in the NBA
- How have Dean Wade and Barry Brown played since the injury to Kamau Stokes?
- Oklahoma State's improved 2-point defense

https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/26/big-12-power-rankings-january-26th-2018-edition/ ↗

@big12basketblog really enjoy this! Thx!

@Crimsonorblue22 Not that this site isn't good enough, but is there another Kansas forum I should be posting this at? Want it to reach as many eyeballs as possible.

big12basketblog said:

@Crimsonorblue22 Not that this site isn't good enough, but is there another Kansas forum I should be posting this at? Want it to reach as many eyeballs as possible.

https://scout.com/college/kansas/Board/Hoops-Talk-103719 ↗

Much bigger audience. They might not be as nice but I'm sure your blog would be welcomed as its excllent

@BeddieKU23 agree

@big12basketblog

There are several KU related groups on Facebook.

@big12basketblog question about your analysis of us against TT in your January 4th edition...

https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/04/big-12-power-rankings-january-4th-2018-edition/#more-4342 ↗

Noticed in that play when the ball goes to the weakside after the Doke screen, Doke drops, I think he's got a switch on him and instead of posting on the weakside he stays on the left side behind the defender with Vick and Svi standing right next to each other in the corner behind him and Devonte walking around. Svi eventually shoves Vick to make him move. But my question is...

Why does Doke not seal his man and post on the weakside? Is this just our offense, and we always stick to keeping our big on the opposite side, letting the guard penetrate and lob? Do we ever post the big weakside there?

Tech is ranked the highest they’ve ever been ranked at #7, have spent the most weeks in the top ten they ever have in one season, and is likely having the best season they’ve ever had. That being said they have only made the tournament 16 times total, have 8 wins in the NCAA tournament total, and have never won a Big 12 title.

Best season ever and tied with a down KU team atop the Big12. We are truly spoiled.

@approxinfinity Our weave and screen actions are so much better than our just straight post ups.

@big12basketblog

I haven't had a chance to comment on your work, but the writing you do is top notch. Your analysis and breakdown is excellent. You deserve a lot of credit for what you put together in your power rankings and your bracketology work.

Here is this week's Big 12 Power Rankings. Regarding Kansas, I made a fun Devonte' Graham pie chart and examined who he assists most often. Also included:

• Some interesting team comps for Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and TCU
• I question Shaka Smart's coaching ability.
• West Virginia might be in okay shape in the conference title race.
• Baylor's bad luck
• Hilton Magic is now backed by data.
• Jeffrey Carroll's odd senior season
• Kansas State is surprisingly bad at rebounding.

https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2018/02/09/big-12-power-rankings-february-9-2018/ ↗

@big12basketblog as always, thx! Very good stuff! Really appreciate you sharing it w/us.

I posted a topic with a link to the blog over at https://scout.com/college/kansas/Board/Hoops-Talk-103719 ↗ and it looks like it'd been held up by the mods.

If anyone knows any of the mods over there or has enough standing to get it posted, it would be greatly appreciated!

"I question Shaka Smart’s coaching ability" -- that will get @JayHawkFanToo upset. He's Shaka's biggest fan.

@HighEliteMajor

Now, are we tall king about Shaka “legend in his own mind,” Shaka “smoke and mirrors,” Shaka “one hit wonder” or Shaka “no so” Smart?:smiley:

This week's Big 12 Power Rankings are here. Regarding Kansas, I took a look at Bill Self's love of lobs from a statistical perspective and with some game clips.

Also included:
- I go deep on the Trae Young problem at Oklahoma
- Texas Tech's motion offense
- West Virginia's defensive issues
- The emerging play of Cameron Lard at Iowa State
- Baylor's NCAA Tournament chances
- An established trend for Bruce Weber teams at Kansas State
- The continued efficiency of Vladimir Brodziansky
- The importance of Kendall Smith to Oklahoma State
- I finally talk about Dylan Osetkowski's hair

https://big12basketblog.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/big-12-power-rankings-february-16-2018/ ↗

@big12basketblog as always excellent work and entertaining! Loved the Trae young hi lights.