🏀 KuBuckets Archive

Duke the overall 1 seed

Belmont got an at large

MSU the 2 seed in the east

Looks like it should be a Duke/MSU E8

Virginia playing Gardner-Webb in the South.

OU got the 9 seed in the south and playing Ole Miss.

@wissox Wisconsin playing Oregon in a 5-12 game.

KSU is the 4 seed in the south playing UC Irvine in San Jose. Potential KSU/UW second round.

St. Mary's and Villanova in a 6/11 first round match up that should be a good game.

Tennessee gets the 2 seed in the South.

@Texas-Hawk-10 Interesting because in both the UW Final Four years they played Oregon in the 2nd round.

Tennessee gets a bad draw potentially having to play cincy in columbus.

Rick Barnes is going to be primed for another early exit with a potential 2nd round game against an under seeded Cincy team.

KU probably ends up in Salt Lake City at this point

South should be an absolute crapshoot with the top 2 seeds being teams/coaches that have historically underachieved in the tournament.

UNC is the 1 in the midwest and play the winner of Utah St./Washington.

Interesting "home team", in a game played in a different state.

KU is 4 seed in Midwest playing Northeastern.

Potential second round game against Auburn and potential S16 game against UNC in KC.

I know little about Northeastern.

Midwest, the Blueblood region

KC will be the place to be come regional time.

Great for Belmont, glad we are in the midwest and wow Dook as the overall overall 1 seed? Only reason they went 1-2 vs UNC was Zions missed travel calls.

Texas Hawk 10 said:

Potential second round game against Auburn and potential S16 game against UNC in KC.

Roy is about due a win against KU, finally. Being in KC could help us. If we get that far.

Pearl doesn't have a great track record in the NCAA tournament and KU already has a win over NMSU so KU did get a friendlier road to KC than they could have received.

Gonzaga is the final 1 seed out west, Michigan should be the 2 seed.

Seeing the ACC get 3 #1 seeds demonstrates why KU gets hurt by their weaker conference. We need that great competition. Not just good competition.

Syracuse and Baylor should be good 8-9 game. I think Syracuse could upset Gonzaga.

wissox said:

I know little about Northeastern.

What’s your prognosis for the game then?

I think Michigan comes out of the west region.

No TCU.

KirkIsMyHinrich said:

No TCU.

They didn't deserve a bid. I still don't think OU deserved a bid either though.

I thought TCU would get in and OU would have been left out, though. I thought TCU was going to get in after I saw OU.

@Bwag My prognosis is the same as every year! KU National Champs!

KirkIsMyHinrich said:

I thought TCU would get in and OU would have been left out, though. I thought TCU was going to get in after I saw OU.

TCU has 0 wins over at large teams this year. ISU ×2 are their only good wins all year. OU's only wins over at large quality teams were Wofford and KU. Neither team deserved an at large by finishing 4 games under .500 in a weak B12 this year.

Hmmm...chance to play on KC as a four seed. Maybe the NCAA favors KU?

Hawks have a miraculous chance here. Let’s win 2 games. Get to KC. Lean on our amazing fans and make this happen. Rock Chalk.

wissox said:

I know little about Northeastern.

They suck

@HighEliteMajor KU has to get there first though as NMSU took KU to the wire back in December. Also keep in mind Self has lost more games at Sprint Center than AFH despite playing significantly fewer games there. If KU even makes it to the S16, I think this is the year Roy finally beats KU.

Northeastern plays 4 guards and shoots a ton of threes. Shoot 39% as a team. Not the greatest of matchups for KU. Vegas opened the line at KU -10.5 and it is already down to 8.5.

When do we learn what time we play?

joeloveshawks said:

When do we learn what time we play?

Should be sometime tonight. Next couple hours.

joeloveshawks said:

When do we learn what time we play?

it will be coming soon tonight- probably within the hour seems like it has been

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@HighEliteMajor KU has to get there first though as NMSU took KU to the wire back in December. Also keep in mind Self has lost more games at Sprint Center than AFH despite playing significantly fewer games there. If KU even makes it to the S16, I think this is the year Roy finally beats KU.

Were not going to have to worry about it - -we get by our 1st game - - Auburn will smoke our ass. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

I'd pick us to lose to Auburn right now. If we get the matchup with UNC in KC that would be great, though.

I don't really understand why Purdue is a 3-seed. I would take just about all of the 4-seeds over Purdue right now. I'm not that impressed with Big 10 conference titles because of a schedule imbalance.

Self “ Shocked” KU got MW bracket

@Texas-Hawk-10

have you seen Auburn play recently? - -Did you see how they rolled though the Sec tourney? - the people even on ESPN and CBS were talking about how actually got seeded to low.

They could very easily smoke us - -we go on way to many scoring droughts - -you can't do that against good teams - - we got to just take one at a time - -not even begin to think about KC - I don't think there is much chance of that happening - there was a lot of people right here saying even BEFORE these brackets came out was saying they didn't think we would make it out of the 1st weekend - -seeing Auburn - only makes it more solified. - -We can - but with the way we have played - -I would say chances are slim

Texas Hawk 10 said:

St. Mary's and Villanova in a 6/11 first round match up that should be a good game.

Marquette and Murray State out be something to watch -- Howard against the Dude from Murray State

@Woodrow I don't want us to play 4 guards again this season. We've lost about 7 games that way

(edit: US playing four guards, not against four guards)

@jayballer73

They were mediocre during the regular season. Compare them to seton hall of last yr who did Similar. Ku can win or lose, nothing should surprise us

@DanR with a a few days to prepare hopefully Self can come up with a way to play Dedric and DMac and still guard

I wish KU played Friday instead of Thursday. As soon as we lose, whenever it is, I will pout and quit watching. At least for a few days. But I sure enjoy this tournament.

@HighEliteMajor Thanks for your comment. This is the best proof yet as year after year I hear about the NCAA screwing us with the bracket. Salt Lake is the furthest from home we've played I'm sure in a decade.

DanR said:

@Woodrow I don't want us to play 4 guards again this season. We've lost about 7 games that way

(edit: US playing four guards, not against four guards)

But D Lawson guarding a perimeter guard?😳

Good draw for KU.

@Crimsonorblue22 We are so offensively challenged, we need whatever gives us points, I think. Heck, play zone. Pressure that 3 pt line. Reality is there are no good answers right now. We desperately need Agbaji to get going — that would make things a lot better.

Where art thou Romeo??? 🤣

@wissox Maybe they are just trying to give us a chance to be humiliated further by their shenanigans.

Heard 3:00

KU and Northeastern will tip after the conclusion of the first game Thursday in Salt Lake City (New Mexico State/Auburn), which tips at 12:30 p.m. CST. So likely around 3 p.m. CST Thursday (on TNT). #kubball

@Crimsonorblue22 I can't make it home from work that early. Will need an OT game before so I can make it.

@wissox There is that new fangled contraption called a DVR.

@HighEliteMajor True, i prefer watching live.

wissox said:

Salt Lake is the furthest from home we've played I'm sure in a decade.

We haven't been lower than a 2 seed in a decade.

@Crimsonorblue22 on the flip side, their little guard on Lawson while we're on offense. I'd take that matchup. I know Self is preoccupied with defense, but our problem is on the other end of the court.

@DanR I just wish we had an athletic 4 guy! I hope he finishes better than he did sat.

@wissox

Go right now and get the March Madness app MM Live. You can watch any game on any of the four networks right on your phone or computer. I’ve done that in years past while at work due to the wonky game times. I’ve also used it when the fam was watching movies and I wanted to watch basketball. Pretty cool deal and its all free.

BeddieKU23 said:

@jayballer73

They were mediocre during the regular season. Compare them to seton hall of last yr who did Similar. Ku can win or lose, nothing should surprise us

they spread the floor like Iowa State - we have seen how that has worked for us -- They will iliminate David being on the floor by spreading out - -that puts Dedric out on the floor we see how he responds trying to guard in open space - NOT a good match up

@tis4tim That's great advise, but I am on a data limit. My family wouldn't appreciate me using up data to watch basketball!

@wissox Where are their priorities!?!

jayballer73 said:

BeddieKU23 said:

@jayballer73

They were mediocre during the regular season. Compare them to seton hall of last yr who did Similar. Ku can win or lose, nothing should surprise us

they spread the floor like Iowa State - we have seen how that has worked for us -- They will iliminate David being on the floor by spreading out - -that puts Dedric out on the floor we see how he responds trying to guard in open space - NOT a good match up

Meh, I'll worry about the matchup if we even get that far. We can ill afford this season to take anyone lightly, even a mediocre Northeastern team.

Most teams are bad matchups for KU at this point. We lack an identity and we have so much unpredictability from game to game. I'm not going to overreact over the SEC tournament. It was an impressive run by Auburn and they played to their ceiling. When they make perimeter shots they are deadly. They will be a tough matchup if it happens.

I'm not worried about auburn. We have a good path..

Northeastern.- 15 point win

rematch with New Mexico State: 10 point win

Fighting Roy's: KU steals every pass like in 2008. Jump out to 30 point lead. squeak by with 5 point win.

Iowa State: Revenge game with a 20 point win

UVA: cold shooting night from UVA. win 58-55

Duke: play 2/3 zone. watch zion get 25...rest of duke shoots 2 - 40 from 3. win by 15

ESPN bitches KU got home court advantage and 2/3 zones vs and inept 3 point shooting duke team is illegal. Forces NCAA to have sanctions on KU not for amateur violations...but just because they didn't get their happy ending.

Northeastern has the 145th ranked defense. Ranked 59th out of 68 teams in the tourney.

How we played Saturday night is not a reflection of how I think we'll play against a poor defensive squad that lacks athlete's and size. They do have 1 athletic post man but that's it. Those layups will fall against a 3 happy team without rim protection (only 71 blocks as a team) over the year.

If we get the chance to play Auburn (32nd ranked D) or New Mexico St (48th ranked D) those are not bad matchups for KU's offense. Auburn has a team full of athletes that gun a ton a 3's and NM St took us to the ropes in the Sprint Center earlier this year so we'd have film to use on them. Auburn played extremely well in their last 5 games- 4 in the SEC tourney, however were extremely average for most of the year losing most of the big games they had. I don't see how they would have the advantage against us unless they just made everything from 3. I think KU got the best matchup of the other 6 seeds/potential 2nd round matchups for #4 seeds. I wouldn't want to play Belmont/Maryland, Buffalo or Villanova in the other regions.

I'm optimistic we can get to Kansas City. I think we got a good draw in the toughest region. Making the Big-12 final was important for this team, experience in the tourney setting. I hope our experience of playing good teams every week comes through here. Self will have to play it smart. I hope he cuts the rotation to 7 and uses Charlie/KJ in emergency. Dotson has to stay out of foul trouble. Dedric has to make shots and at least try on defense. We can only hope the best versions of Ochai & Grimes show up. Grimes effort has improved dramatically. We can only hope Marcus has one of his better shooting games and finishes his drives. Mitch gives us rim protection and toughness on D. Dave continues his momentum despite the limited minutes on Saturday. His ability to contribute on both ends is the x factor for KU. It's time for these guys to show us what they are made of!

@BeddieKU23 agree on all of that. I think Dotson and Dedric will have to play 36 plus minutes a game. Might have to ask Dotson to go 40 a game. He can rest this summer. There is no reason to play Charlie and KJ unless severe foul trouble happens. Just go with Mitch and Garrett off the bench and let it fly.

We will need Q to play like he did in the Big 12 and Ochai or Marcus to at least produce something on offense. I’m not overly optimistic about this team winning two games this weekend, but it’s March and you never know.

Woodrow said:

@BeddieKU23 agree on all of that. I think Dotson and Dedric will have to play 36 plus minutes a game. Might have to ask Dotson to go 40 a game. He can rest this summer. There is no reason to play Charlie and KJ unless severe foul trouble happens. Just go with Mitch and Garrett off the bench and let it fly.

We will need Q to play like he did in the Big 12 and Ochai or Marcus to at least produce something on offense. I’m not overly optimistic about this team winning two games this weekend, but it’s March and you never know.

I agree we need to make it happen with just 7 unless guys foul out or you can steal a minute before a tv timeout. It's a 1 game season now. No reason to save legs.

Some doofus on CBS SportsNetwork just picked Northeastern to beat us. While I understand a little, I still get outraged and offended, and butthurt, and flabbergasted, and I need more synonyms, where's @jaybate-1-0 when you need him, uh am generally put in a bad mood when someone has the nerve to say some team is going to beat us.

@wissox you called someone a name!😡

@jayballer73 Not a good matchup...but I doubt they have the athletes that Iowa State does. Having a couple of days to work on defending them will hopefully help. And they have to defend against us....

@Crimsonorblue22 I hate being caught in hypocrisy! Er, it was a spellcheck error, I was trying to type some good guy and it changed it to doofus.

BeddieKU23 said:

Northeastern has the 145th ranked defense. Ranked 59th out of 68 teams in the tourney.

How we played Saturday night is not a reflection of how I think we'll play against a poor defensive squad that lacks athlete's and size. They do have 1 athletic post man but that's it. Those layups will fall against a 3 happy team without rim protection (only 71 blocks as a team) over the year.

If we get the chance to play Auburn (32nd ranked D) or New Mexico St (48th ranked D) those are not bad matchups for KU's offense. Auburn has a team full of athletes that gun a ton a 3's and NM St took us to the ropes in the Sprint Center earlier this year so we'd have film to use on them. Auburn played extremely well in their last 5 games- 4 in the SEC tourney, however were extremely average for most of the year losing most of the big games they had. I don't see how they would have the advantage against us unless they just made everything from 3. I think KU got the best matchup of the other 6 seeds/potential 2nd round matchups for #4 seeds. I wouldn't want to play Belmont/Maryland, Buffalo or Villanova in the other regions.

I'm optimistic we can get to Kansas City. I think we got a good draw in the toughest region. Making the Big-12 final was important for this team, experience in the tourney setting. I hope our experience of playing good teams every week comes through here. Self will have to play it smart. I hope he cuts the rotation to 7 and uses Charlie/KJ in emergency. Dotson has to stay out of foul trouble. Dedric has to make shots and at least try on defense. We can only hope the best versions of Ochai & Grimes show up. Grimes effort has improved dramatically. We can only hope Marcus has one of his better shooting games and finishes his drives. Mitch gives us rim protection and toughness on D. Dave continues his momentum despite the limited minutes on Saturday. His ability to contribute on both ends is the x factor for KU. It's time for these guys to show us what they are made of!

Decent point - - however can you remind me please how well we defend the 3 ? - -how many times have we ALL witnessed WIDE OPEN 3's after WIDE OPEN 3's being shot against us this year? - -just curious - has there been some un-believable transition since the Big 12 tourney -or for the season - -have we become a shut down 3 pt defensive team?

Just to refresh memories - -like you brought up concerning average teams - -let me remind you we LOST to some so called very average teams this year. - -we can always hope - -I'm not betting anything after opening round.

@jayballer73

I have no rebuttal for how we defend the 3 it's a fundamental flaw in our approach that has reared its ugly head for years now.

I'm just over thinking of ways KU is going to get beat. It's a two way street here and I'll take my chances that Self will have this team ready to go against a team with zero tourney success and potentially a 2nd round matchup with 2 other teams who have done Jack squat in the tournament in many years. We are a fatally flawed team as it stands but I'm not giving up. The alternative is a long offseason, I'm not ready for it. I want to continue to believe until the minute there isnt any hope left. Everything can change Thursday. Imagine how motivated they might be to get to Kansas City. Everyone is doubting us. The blue blood school finally has a chip to play with. We will see how they react to the moment

For this KU team, playing against a good three point shooting team and needing to defend the three, I'd play a 3-2 zone, stretch the top near the three point line. Leave the pass to the high post open. All Dedric/Dave/Mitch (2 of the 3) to guard the block area. Make them shoot 12-16 footers. Playing zone, you will give up some looks on good ball rotation, but you can also pressure the line. You've got to give something to get something.

About 1/3 of the time, I'd do a pure matchup zone out of this look, to change things up. Then mix in trips of man D here and there.

We continue to play the same man D and we can't guard the line.

This allows us to play two bigs, and not be dictated to personnel wise as Self seems to feel is necessary (adjust our personnel so our defense isn't compromised vs. using the mismatch to our favor, i.e., Dedric or Dave vs. a smaller player).

Just a thought.

We need a good old fashion scout from @wrwlumpy to get some MO going. What do you say buddy??

BeddieKU23 said:

@jayballer73

I have no rebuttal for how we defend the 3 it's a fundamental flaw in our approach that has reared its ugly head for years now.

I'm just over thinking of ways KU is going to get beat. It's a two way street here and I'll take my chances that Self will have this team ready to go against a team with zero tourney success and potentially a 2nd round matchup with 2 other teams who have done Jack squat in the tournament in many years. We are a fatally flawed team as it stands but I'm not giving up. The alternative is a long offseason, I'm not ready for it. I want to continue to believe until the minute there isnt any hope left. Everything can change Thursday. Imagine how motivated they might be to get to Kansas City. Everyone is doubting us. The blue blood school finally has a chip to play with. We will see how they react to the moment

oh I agree with you - - not looking forward to that long off season - -and things can change ALOT - - I truly hope we can go on a run - - take that chip and play it. -- I'm so tired of hearing these commentators talking crap on us -- saying good chance we don't even win one game. - -I'm like you I'll be right there pulling to the end - -they need to use this as motoviation - -let's us hope

HighEliteMajor said:

For this KU team, playing against a good three point shooting team and needing to defend the three, I'd play a 3-2 zone, stretch the top near the three point line. Leave the pass to the high post open. All Dedric/Dave/Mitch (2 of the 3) to guard the block area. Make them shoot 12-16 footers. Playing zone, you will give up some looks on good ball rotation, but you can also pressure the line. You've got to give something to get something.

About 1/3 of the time, I'd do a pure matchup zone out of this look, to change things up. Then mix in trips of man D here and there.

We continue to play the same man D and we can't guard the line.

This allows us to play two bigs, and not be dictated to personnel wise as Self seems to feel is necessary (adjust our personnel so our defense isn't compromised vs. using the mismatch to our favor, i.e., Dedric or Dave vs. a smaller player).

Just a thought.

what if we played some Junk Zone? - - like a triangle and 2 - find their best 3pt shooters and defend them and zone the other - might work?

@jayballer73

I hope the boys are watching the tv's as they doubt them. I assumed this was what the media would run with.

When Duke/Kentucky have off years they vomit themselves to death to make them appear as "darkhorses who can make a deep run". Nobody knows what this team will do. If there is a year where KU is vulnerable we know its this year. We didn't need the media to figure that out. Starting 4 freshman, very little tournament experience on the roster. We have plenty of unknowns. But I agree the narrative seems all to easy to run with. Kick KU while they are down.

BeddieKU23 said:

@jayballer73

I hope the boys are watching the tv's as they doubt them. I assumed this was what the media would run with.

When Duke/Kentucky have off years they vomit themselves to death to make them appear as "darkhorses who can make a deep run". Nobody knows what this team will do. If there is a year where KU is vulnerable we know its this year. We didn't need the media to figure that out. Starting 4 freshman, very little tournament experience on the roster. We have plenty of unknowns. But I agree the narrative seems all to easy to run with. Kick KU while they are down.

ya, you noticed that too? - -not that hard - -I get so sick and tired of listening to these ESPN - -ACC kiss ass - OH ACC gonna have THREE # 1 seeds oh ACC - - ACC -- ACC - -well the ACC can kiss my ass - - ESPN - can KISS MY ASS - -Dick Vitale - -can KISS MY ASS. - -all I can say is they better enjoy it now while they can - we won't be like this for long.

I DID notice on another KU site that we finished the year still ranked in the top 25 - -kind glad the regular voting is over though cause we were sliding continually down - -Yet the last voting means we now have been ranked in the top 25 for - - - 200 straight weeks -- not to shabby

All we can do is sit back pull for the guys and what happens - happens and enjoy the effort and the season we HAVE had - let's just hope it's not too soon.

If we get out of the 1st weekend I truly feel anything past that is gravy for sure. - I think a sweet 16 the way our season has played out would be a really good season all things considered -we shall see - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@jayballer73

I'll be extremely happy if we make it to Kansas City.

jayballer73 said:

Yet the last voting means we now have been ranked in the top 25 for - - - 200 straight weeks -- not too shabby

Here's another streak we should be hearing more about:

Who has the most consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances?

#1: Kansas — 30 (1990-present)

Also-rans:

2: North Carolina — 27 (1975-2001) ...
3: Duke — 24 (1996-present) ...
4: Michigan State — 22 (1998-present) ...
5: Gonzaga — 21 (1999-present) ...

tundrahok said:

jayballer73 said:

Yet the last voting means we now have been ranked in the top 25 for - - - 200 straight weeks -- not too shabby

Here's another streak we should be hearing more about:

Who has the most consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances?

#1: Kansas — 30 (1990-present)

Also-rans:

2: North Carolina — 27 (1975-2001) ...
3: Duke — 24 (1996-present) ...
4: Michigan State — 22 (1998-present) ...
5: Gonzaga — 21 (1999-present) ...

very very true - -I knew about this one too - -let's hope that continues. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Another hot take. CBS thinks we are ripe for an upset! wahoo

Northeastern was a bonus: #11 on the Giant Killer according to ESPN

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2825706-dedric-lawson-is-right-where-he-belongs ↗

Nice article on Dedric here

@BeddieKU23 I will be too. Although I don't think we'd fare too well against UNC, a matchup with them would be a blockbuster!

Yes other words describing the cbs analyst come thru on my autospell as d—sh-t, dumbs—t, douche—g.. and doofus as well

@wissox

I think the matchup itself with UNC is not promising.

However the one hope I have going is just how influential playing in Kansas City could be. You'd think it would be a pro KU crowd. Self is 3-0 in the tournament against Roy. You give Self a week to prepare and he usually finds a way to beat whatever coach he's up against.

@BeddieKU23 Do you think the whole AFH East thing is a bit overblown? Obviously we've had some stinging defeats there. I think it might be that the stadium is in Missouri and that state and bad basketball go together and it wears off on us.

well it's good to hear finally that Weber finally came out and said what we already knew. - -That Wade would not be playing in the NCAA'S - - said Wade wanted to play was progressing but they didn't want to jeopardize his future - Saying the injury was worse then what they thought. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@wissox

I've gone back and forth on that. If UNC/Kentucky/KU all make the regional we may not have a pro crowd as much as we think. There are advantages to being close to home. Less travel, familiarity with the venue etc. It certainly will give a lot of KU fans in the area a reason to go support. I can imagine fans would be pretty excited about going up against Roy again. I would consider that an unique situation that creates some buzz just thinking about it. For this team, any edge, especially physiological could be everything

BeddieKU23 said:

@wissox

I've gone back and forth on that. If UNC/Kentucky/KU all make the regional we may not have a pro crowd as much as we think. There are advantages to being close to home. Less travel, familiarity with the venue etc. It certainly will give a lot of KU fans in the area a reason to go support. I can imagine fans would be pretty excited about going up against Roy again. I would consider that an unique situation that creates some buzz just thinking about it. For this team, any edge, especially physiological could be everything

IF that wee to happen and I still think that's a pretty big IF - - but if it did play out that way - -let me ask - do you think with the teams you mentioned all playing there and chances more then not - - like you said knowing if we would have that big of an advantage with THIS team. - would if be an advantage - -OR would it just add MORE pressure on the kids wanting to preform better an just adding more pressure? -- Just curious -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

I hope that us, UK and UNC make it to Kansas City. That will be an electric arena for sure.

@jayballer73

I don't think there's any added pressure on this KU team. A few years back when Oregon punched us in the teeth in KC it certainly looked like pressure got to them.

I wouldn't be surprised if tommorrow's 1st half is the biggest worry in terms of pressure. All 5 starters have never played in the tourney. Marcus is the only guy that played in all tournament games last year. Mitch was a factor in the first two games but only played 4 minutes the last 3.. Then you add in playing in Salt Lake City, fatigue could be an issue in higher altitude..I think the first 10 minutes or so are very important tommorrow

@wissox I think a couple of things may be in play. We haven't necessarily fared all that well in KC......the KU crowd is not as loud and effective as rattling the opponent as we see in AFH....could be type of fan (i.e non-rowdy student), acoustics that affect the noise.
Also,....I can imagine that NC and Kentucky fans may have already bought tickets on the secondary market gambling that their chances are pretty good they make it there. Further, those that wait until they see if they make it....are probably pretty willing to pay a high price to go.
Hence,.....I don't think we will have the advantage that some might think on the surface.