Bloody hell, can we beat Duke??
I like our chances against zone but can we beat their length?
I despise Duke. More than UK. Orders of magnitude more.
Can we beat them?
Doke's gotta be on point. We gotta have him.
Our guards, we gotta have good nights from all 5 of those guys.
Well I kind of look at it like every elite eight game before it. If we make our threes, we win. If we don’t, we won’t.
Not if we get fouled up.
Concerned for two quick whistles on Doke (a la Josh vs. Oregon) but Duke is beatable if we refuse to lose.
I'd be more worried if their guards were long like Oregon last year. I think our 4 guard lineup has them running around and confused in their zone. Self teams has historically killed zones. With our shooters I think it happens again.
What about their bigs?
New era boys. We trade 3 for 2 all game and win.
Hope Dok is close to 100%. Looks like he could be sore after tonight.
The lost 7 games this yr.
Do our guys want It more?
If they do they will find a way to win
The Duke/Syracuse game was awful to watch. Torture really. I've become accustomed to faster play, so watching zone defense by both teams was much worse than paint drying. The last time I saw zone by both teams was in middle school.
Vick is going to be the key player Sunday. He must be aggressive and confident, looking first for his own shot from the lane, then passing to Dok and Vick when the defense collapses on him. We'll need better 3 point shooting to win this one.
@stoptheflop What is everyones' biggest fear for this game?
I am just praying we don't lose possessions by pretending the other team cannot block shots despite mounting evidence during the game. Hopefully, what we learned last year at this time will dispel the theory that layups will magically miss defenders (but we failed to adapt that lesson to Konate in our first WVU game this year). Newman is the only one who seems conscious of the need to do a Mason-esque job of protecting the ball on the way to the rim. When Doke is out, layups may be impossible.
Speaking of Doke, if I were Self, I would restrict his defense to no further than the paint. Both to avoid dumb fouls and to keep him from expending energy so he can play longer.
I was worried about this matchup coming to fruition from day 1. My disgust for Duke goes back to 1986 and knows no bounds.
Watching Duke yesterday I was not impressed. If we’re on point and we are only playing 5 on 5 we beat them by 15. If we have to play the refs as well I dont think Ill be able to watch the whole game for fear of losing my cool entirely.
I want this game so badly it hurts. So does Self and company and I think this is Grahams game to shine. KU by double digits, refs notwithstanding.
Yea KUsteve drinks the true blue stuff, I like it!
I'm worried about what @elpoyo is going to say gonna say after we win this darn thing.
I'm worried about the Duke whistle more than anything.
I'm worried about K meeting with the refs during a TO like he did when Wisconsin was winning by 10 in the 2nd half in 2015. (true story)
I'm worried about the truck unloading cloth money bags to Duke players will entice our players too.
I'm worried that Grant Hill, who by all accounts is a classy, likeable guy both as a player and announcer, will forget his neutrality and trash KU.
I'm worried that Grayson will trip bad wheel Doke.
I'm worried that ACC officials are right now trying to ensure two ACC teams will stay alive in the tourney.
I'm worried that @jaybate-1-0 will write a war and peace rivaling post about the greatness of Bill Self when we win.
I'm worried about the lowest watched National Championship game ever when we play Silo Tech, after beating TTech by a 1/2 point in the semis.
I'm worried that I will incur the wrath of God when I stay home from kids club at church tomorrow night to watch the game.
I’m worried about all the self-can't-get-past-elite-8 posts coming if we do lose. Should be a tough tough game. And yep if we hit our shots, we should be 👌
But So far, This has been a great season, let’s face it! Win or lose, been a great ride for me at least.
My biggest concern with this game is Duke's offensive rebounding. We don't have a good option for Wendell Carter unless Self played DeSousa alongside Doke some.
This game is might the biggest clash of styles in the tournament so far between top teams.
I'll give the same prediction Jay Bilas gave and the same one I've said for awhile, if KU shoots at or above their season average from 3, KU should win.
@Lulufulu It is kind of interesting that KU beats a "5" seed by 4 (in a game they led by 20) and the pundits say the Hawks are vulnerable. Duke also wins by 4 over an "11" seed, literally the last team in the field, and they are world beaters. East cost bias, you be the judge.
If we are firing on all cylinders like we were in the first half of yesterday’s game, We’ll be fine. That was so fun to watch all the guys having fun and contributing. Yea DG was cold shooting but was spot on directing the offense and on D. Ok maybe Svi’s O stunk a bit, but overall everybody looked loose healthy and engaged.
Near impossible to guard all of our players when the shots are falling... especially the treys.
If we get into a slow low scoring games with their trees and the zebras gang up on Doke, it could get ugly.
But who’s the number 1 seed in our bracket again? Oh right, it’s that team everybody keeps picking to lose who just keeps winning. Time for another win, and another hole in their brackets.
@StLJhawk I don't think we're going to get the same looks we did against Clemson. I predict Devonte will score 25 against that zone, and we wear them out with the lob. I think we're going to have to try to play faster, and push tempo with transition offense. I think it will be a low scoring grind game, as Dook has to play stall ball because their man to man sucks.
Bosthawk said:
I’m worried about all the self-can't-get-past-elite-8 posts coming if we do lose. Should be a tough tough game. And yep if we hit our shots, we should be 👌
But So far, This has been a great season, let’s face it! Win or lose, been a great ride for me at least.
This is what REALLY REALLY pisses me off. In coach Ks 34 years has he once developed a 3 star player? Has he ever not had the most talent? He has NEVER had a season where he didn't land a McDonald's All American. He is now the biggest one and done guy. In the past 16 seasons Duke has been either a 1 or 2 seed 12 times yet only made it past the sweet sixteen FOUR times. Despite all this talent EVERY year he never gets called out for "choking".
Bill Self has just developed back to back 3/4 star high school guys into first team all Americans. He ROUTINELY does more with less. The fact that he completely maximizes the talent almost always means a tournament "upset" will happen because Kansas earns seed beyond their talent. VIrginia did the same thing this year. Yes the accomplished things to be a 1 seed but at the end of the day their talent(not a single nba guy) isnt really 1 seed quality.
I know most here hate Kentucky the most. I don't have enough hate left for anyone after Duke.
Rock Chalk
wissox said:
I'm worried that @jaybate-1-0 will write a war and peace rivaling post about the greatness of Bill Self when we win.
Man, you WORRY too much!
Just in this long winded post of yours alone that I clipped the above from, you wore the callouses off your palms with dry washing.
EASE. THE. FLIP. UP. :-)
What I am so happy about with Bill Self is that he has been so good that even I have underestimated him.
Really, I and other have been calling attentions to Bill Self's basketball genius for so long, and he has been winning conference titles and going deep for so long, and has won one ring so far, and 14 consecutive titles so far, that I have been flabbergasted at how long possibly literal morons have taken to warm to him.
Of course, literal morons are slow to take to most new things; that is largely what defines them as morons, is it not?
Shills, of course, one should not be surprised about. Shills are impervious to change. What was that wonderful wisdom? It was something like it is hard to change a person's mind, when his/her income depends on not changing it.
Watching the slow uptake by some about how truly great at coaching Self is has nevertheless been among the most astonishing things I have ever witnessed.
Rock Chalk and enjoy the wins when they come.
The way Newman is playing and shooting I'd be tempted to put Devonte in the middle of the zone. He is usually our best decision maker and lob thrower. Plus he shoots a great mid range ball.
Surround him with Newman, Vick, Svi.
When Garret is in put him in the middle.
@Buster-1926 we even have inadvertent whistles over a smack in the head.
@Buster-1926 I want this sooo bad for our srs!
Dok was limping quite a bit as he walked off after his 5th foul. I dunno if he will be up to 30-35 minutes of court time. Any word on that?
The Zebras allowed KSU to win. So, we have a chance.
Then again, two teams from Kansas in the FF Is bad for business.
Blown said:
The Zebras allowed KSU to win. So, we have a chance.
The refs tried very hard to give it to Kentucky and KSU won in spite of them.
I not even sure myself but for some reason I feel ok with this game KU-Duke. - I mean yes in reality Duke is a very good team - - loaded with NBA players. - -Plus with Bagley & Carter pretty dam tough duo. - - - going to cause some real match up problems. - - But then again on the other side Duke defense isn't the greatest either - shows by Duke playing zone this year. - -This to me is an advantage for us - - - if were on - I will be so happy to see them playing zone - - We space the floor well - and a huge plus to have 4 players that can knock down the three. - - We STILL haven't had a really good night with the three yet. - -Last night was better - would love to see us scorch Duke with the three. - I just feel we have a pretty decent chance.
They cause match up problems for us when they have the ball - -we cause match up problems for then when we have the ball. - The really ONE thing I worry about is Doke getting 2 quick fouls - -he has to stay on the floor. - It's going to be our perimeter game against their inside game. - -they were terrible shooting the 3 last night against Syracuse, looked at the box score and something like 5-26 -that doesn't mean they can't and won't drain three's - id tripper boy gets hot could be different. -vick just has to look to be aggressive when he gets in the middle of that zone - he has had problems he has at times not even looked to take the shot - -wide open for short jumper but always wanted to kick it out - -but yet he has been playing much -- much better.
Listening to ESPN this morning - was talking to Jay Bilas and when they wrapped it up she says to Jay - - So Duke to the final four? - -Jay says - umm I just think it's a toss up game - it all depends if KU is hitting it's perimeter shots. - -He says this is Duke's 1st year playing zone and they aren't the best defensively - -and KU shoots 42% from the 3 - calls it a toss up - - I have a tendency going to be a very close game I think - the last thing we can't afford - -come out flat - -fall behind 7-8 points right of the bat and have to fight just to stay and or catch up most of the game.
Hopefully be a classic. - we have played 6 times in the tourney they said - Duke is up 3-2 - let's do this even this up THIS YEAR - -THEN FINAL FOUR - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
“I’m telling our guys to let it fly, because no matter who we’re playing we’re going to have to shoot 30 3s because they’re going to be playing zone,” Self said before Duke defeated Syracuse.
Our greatest advantage may very well be Coach Self...haven't heard/seen him this loose (before/after the Clemson game) since 2012 and we know that outcome.
I am more worried about Carter than Bagley, he is a better defender and rebounder.
My biggest worry is the refs. They have tried hard to be part of the story and determine the outcome of important games and the calls have varied wildly between games with some becoming foul-fest and others they have hardly called anything. The tried hard to give the game to a Kentucky and without their help, the Clemson game is a blowout, so we know they will not favor Kansas teams and coach rat face will be riding the refs from the get go.
If the refs get involved, as I suspect they will, KU will have to them and Duke as well which would be nice but very hard.
BigBad said:
Bosthawk said:
I’m worried about all the self-can't-get-past-elite-8 posts coming if we do lose. Should be a tough tough game. And yep if we hit our shots, we should be 👌
But So far, This has been a great season, let’s face it! Win or lose, been a great ride for me at least.
This is what REALLY REALLY pisses me off. In coach Ks 34 years has he once developed a 3 star player? Has he ever not had the most talent? He has NEVER had a season where he didn't land a McDonald's All American. He is now the biggest one and done guy. In the past 16 seasons Duke has been either a 1 or 2 seed 12 times yet only made it past the sweet sixteen FOUR times. Despite all this talent EVERY year he never gets called out for "choking".
Bill Self has just developed back to back 3/4 star high school guys into first team all Americans. He ROUTINELY does more with less. The fact that he completely maximizes the talent almost always means a tournament "upset" will happen because Kansas earns seed beyond their talent. VIrginia did the same thing this year. Yes the accomplished things to be a 1 seed but at the end of the day their talent(not a single nba guy) isnt really 1 seed quality.
I know most here hate Kentucky the most. I don't have enough hate left for anyone after Duke.
Rock Chalk
I hate Duke too. Most teams would kill for what KU has even this year though.
Starting two McDAA. 4 PG, 5 MCDAA SG, 4 wing, 4 wing, 4* MCDAA C.
Duke is the absolute king of having MCDAA buried on the bench even though, it is ridiculous.
@jaybate-1.0 Well you figured that out about me. I'm a pessimist, but guardedly optimistic tomorrow. I really think it's going to go down to the wire. And then DG is driving on a fast break for a game winning layup and gets tripped by you know whom and there's no foul called, K winks at the ref, the CBS people talk about what a heady play by Grayson, and we'll have something else to complain about until the day we go to that big AFH in the sky!
An outstanding observation
Barney said:
@Lulufulu It is kind of interesting that KU beats a "5" seed by 4 (in a game they led by 20) and the pundits say the Hawks are vulnerable. Duke also wins by 4 over an "11" seed, literally the last team in the field, and they are world beaters. East cost bias, you be the judge.
Mt daughter has a scholarship awards dinner tomorrow. Guess what time? And it is not even a big award she could win ($1400) but her fav teacher nominated her so she has to go. This cant be happening.
Obviously Dook is the best 2 seed in the tournament, kinda odd that they received the 3rd 2 seed when most folks thought they’d get a 1 over us or Xavier. Dook on paper is one of if not the best team in the country with how they play on both ends. They are 3rd in Adj offense and 8th in Adj defense (KU is 5th and 47th). The stat that scares me the most going in to this game is 39.2%, Dooks offensive rebound percentage which is #1 in the land. On paper and talent wise it should be a route in favor of Dook. The keys for us are 3% shooting, Defense and Rebounding. We have to have least an average or better 3 point shooting game and play above average in the other 2 categories. If there ever was a time for all of guards to be playing at a high level it would be tomorrow. You all know I take stats this time of year with a gain of salt because you can’t predict who’s gonna have a monster game and who’s gonna be cold as ice. I trust DG, Svi and Vick, guys that have been sent home in this round for 2 straight years to play with a big chip on their shoulders. Hopefully that enough to give us a fighters chance, we all know of Self struggles in this round but the last time we won in this round we again were underdogs lacking depth and talent to a ACC foe.
Man was comparing stats of the two teams for the season. - -unbelievable how similar we are.:
Fg % - -Duke 49.4 - - - KU 49.5 - - -Ft% - - Duke 70.9 - - -KU 70.2 - - -3pt%- - Duke 37.7 - -KU 40.5 - - -TO'S - - Duke 12 per- - -KU 12 per
Blk- - Duke 5- - -KU 4- - - Stls- - Duke 7 per- - - KU 7 per - -real similar - -the only thing is Rebs - -Duke 41 - - KU 35
I'm ready , call me crazy I just feel fine - -ok - -could we easily lose? - - hell ya. - But can the same be said that we could win just as easily? - -hell ya we could. - - Could Doke get in foul trouble early? -ya. - -but the thing is - If we come out and drain the 3's shoot the ball well early. - What's Duke gonna do? - -let them pick their poison, who they gonna shut down? - -we don't have one 3pt shooter we have 4 - -and spread the floor really well. - so they come out and defend the 3 - -That opens Doke up on the inside - -they come out and try and contain the 3 - we got guys driving the ball SVI - -Devonte , - -We hit the 3 it opens Doke - who is gonna stop him? -- Bagley? - -ya ok - go ahead - guaurantee you Bagley try and HE is getting in foul trouble. - take that to the bank. - physically they have NOBOBY to contain Doke down low - to big - bulk - physical. - I'm nervous - BUT not overly concerned. - -LET'S DO THIS - - - ROCK CHALK MY KU FRINDS
"Freaky Friday" on a Sunday.
Role reversal: KU goes Duke style (guard-centric) and Duke goes KU style (big-centric).
Can. Hardly. Wait.
Crimsonorblue22 said:
What about their bigs?
Sorry Meeotch fans, this is going to be a classic case of needing more Meeotch. I'm concerned.
I think DeSousa holds his own.
Doke will be ok.
If Meeotch is going to have a big game in the tourney, this would be a good one to have a good game. I mean the best game of his career.
Blown said:
The Zebras allowed KSU to win. So, we have a chance.
KSU is Nike.
KU is not.
Blown said:
Then again, two teams from Kansas in the FF Is bad for business.
Entertainment value: its fantastic!
