🏀 KuBuckets Archive

What I noticed from West Virginia on defense was much of the same that we see every year but last night it seemed to be clicking on all cylinders. Baylor just gifted them a handful of possessions. It was a historically bad performance for Baylor. It doesn't make Baylor overrated for losing one game no matter the score, they were one of 2 unbeaten's going into last night playing a Top 10 team on the road and they got their lunch handed to them.

When we play them we have to look out for the high ball screen hedge that turns into a quick double team. Usually a big, either Adrian or one of their others is forcing a smaller guard to find someone over a bigger guard.

They do a great job of getting you to waste your 30 seconds doing nothing.

I suggest that Jackson is the screener in these cases because his cut to the basket after can be utilized with a quick pass. If we use Lucas on that high ball screen we are giving the defense what they want because no one is going to throw the ball to Lucas if he's not 3 feet from the basket.

The middle and quick passes are always the key in beating West Virginia's press.

The goal of every game fran does from now on is to mention the Svi travel. He got it in at the end of the game. I was drowning him out if he got in another dig before.

Why ESPN do you put him on every KU game?

@jayballer54

Morgantown will be umm what's the word, frustrating to say the least. If we handle the press like Baylor did well we can keep that bus warmed up when they get off. West Virginia is night and day better at home as we saw last night with the ammo to knock off the #1 team. Baylor didn't even show up after halftime, typical Drew fashion.

The advantage for KU is we have 3 guards who can break a press down. I don't trust Svi or Vick with the ball Svi's passing has been especially lazy as of late. We'll see in a few weeks.

@BShark

Average right? He could do better.

I saw that Matt posted he was watching. Can't imagine he wasn't impressed watching Mason and Graham last night dominate their guards

After seeing McGusty play I think he'll be the PG for OU going forward when Woodard is gone. More and more evidence for him to head to KU

@Kcmatt7

No question he'll get drafted playing like this. 2nd round seems where he will go if he continued this pace. His 3 point shot being 55% at the moment gives him a ticket to some team. Super athletic, can rebound, pass, he's using the floater and mid-range more. Forget size with this guy, he's a ball player who can score. I'm glad he is playing like this to get his name on the radar again, he's got a family to support. Couldn't be happier for him

@drgnslayr

Your right he's far from NBA ready. All that off-season talk has become folklore. In this day and age you have to wonder if he'll look at other options. His role was taken, his spot was given to a guard playing forward. Big ego hit. Is Bragg smart enough to endure the tough times to keep developing? I hope he is still here

@drgnslayr

I saw Frank visibly chirping at his players especially in the 2nd half. I believe there was a play in the 2nd half where OU drove to the hoop, it was lazy defense and he was talking to those players after the play, he was pissed. The emotion he showed after going on an incredible individual scoring spree was the type of thing I thought the team did respond favorably too. I think we get more out of Frank then we got from Perry as far as that type of leadership.

It's clear that Frank has become amazing at putting the ball in the basket. His 3 point shot looks automatic right now (12-15) last 3. If he's hitting shots it seems to bring out the most emotion that we can expect from his type of personality..

Good stuff!

@drgnslayr

You have to wonder if Carlton will be around long enough to get in sync. In this day in age he is the type that is having the type of season that finds its exit after the year. I'm in no way speculating what that could mean but where is the Carlton we had last year? Every call that goes against him you are seeing a frustrated player. I'll chalk this one up to just one of those games but how many of those does he get? We need him to be solid, if not consistent rebounding and a few post points a game. I would love to know what's going on with him and better yet why has the staff been unable to relate to him in a way to get the most out of his talents. Somewhere the answer lies..

@Crimsonorblue22

Agreed

Saw that Trae Young is averaging 41.4 points in his last 5 High School games. Absurd

4-0 start, as expected with a 1 game lead going into the weekend after Baylor's no-show at Hack Virginia. Not a bad spot to be in this early. Now to the game.

Insert__tag line to describe the first half. . We would be hard pressed to find as poor a half this season. Lack of energy, lack of pride on defense, lack of rebounding, missing easy shots, turnovers. Removing that half from memory and moving on..

2nd half was excellent. Urgency, aggressiveness, making shots, rebounding, the attempt to defend was there.

We saw heart in the 2nd half all started by our Senior POY Frank Mason. Self pulled the right strings and got his response immediately. Josh Jackson set up 2 momentum swinging plays.

Once KU got the lead it was clear the air had left Oklahoma. That was a signature performance from Frank Mason last night. Amazing really, the guys fed off his emotion and shot making. @drgnslayr pointed out that he wants an emotional leader on the court, I think we saw how this team fed off Frank having one of those "Sherron Collins" type nights in Lloyd Noble. That's what we want from our senior leader.

Some other positives:

Landon Lucas with his 3rd double/double in Big-12 play. He is simply giving us enough to make it by with the guards. Stayed out of foul trouble, got the rebounds he was supposed to and just played hard.

Devonte Graham didn't have a scoring barrage this time but I thought his energy was excellent early in the game and in the 2nd half. Had some really sweet passes and made shots when he needed to. Happy with his last 2 games, I think he clearly got the message of how he was playing.

Just OK

Josh Jackson had his 2nd "off game" on the road. I want to see better from him in future road games because this team will not survive them in more hostile environments. Outside shot wasn't there, but he quietly got his points in the 2nd half after yet another foul happy 1st half. I don't know if I've seen a player as good as him make such stupid fouls. When he gets early fouls it seems to set the mood for his night. I did like his aggressiveness to the basket 2nd half and for once his FT shooting was better than average. There is still more this kid can give this team..

Concerns:

Svi & Vick's defense. Both glaring weaknesses last night. Svi is an easy target to drive because he offers little resistance. Vick is possibly the worst help defender I've seen, he has some major strides to gain on defense. Every-time he leaves his man, that guy ends up making a 3. Saw it numerous times last night. Some tweaks need to be made with both of them.

Carlton/Dwight/Mitch. A forgettable game for Bragg, I think he was yanked after that shot he took from just inside the 3 point line that was not a shot Self wanted that early in the clock. We saw quickly why we have a 7 man rotation (and for most of the night 6). Mitch/Dwight come into the game and get called for offensive fouls. Nothing will get you on the bench quicker then doing that. They didn't audition well for being used in a pinch.

On to Saturday against Oklahoma St, I believe the last Big-12 team to beat us at home? Is that right?

@ralster said:

Maybe Chris Beard is just better?

I believe that

@Crimsonorblue22 said:

Is young there?

No

Announcers talking about the 77 variations of the foul call = THESE DAMN RULES SUCK AND THEY ARE JUST MAKING IT UP AS THEY GO

Wow that's a foul

Can't believe James missed that

Lazy defense tonight

Svi defends at an optional rate

@DoubleDD said:

So does Lucas get drafted?

Not in a milli9n years

Graham while not scoring much tonight has been stellar

@approxinfinity said:

@Blown Love seeing him hit free throws too!

I literally pray sometimes when he's at the line

@Blown said:

Who wins ft contest --Shaq or JJ?

Dwight howard

Jackson is hot from the line. Call espn he's at 75% tonight

Mason

One more for bonus. Betcha ou gets there too soon

Refs saw the fouls going one way. They quickly corrected at

Lol ref. Made up something to call

Bragg dumb shot

If frank gets over 30 he will get press for POY. More than he's currently getting

@drgnslayr I think we found our emotional leader when things are not going well. Absolutely putting them on his back

Bonus coming soon wooo

Frank Sherron mason tonight in norman

@Blown said:

@BeddieKU23 all I am saying is he needs to stop taking 3's

In rhythm 3s have been his best shot from deep he has to know when to take them

Wow what a turn

@Blown said:

@BeddieKU23 you are kidding right? He has one of the worst outside shots on the team. His mechanics are terrible.

So he missed a shot he also set up 2 baskets this half that forced a timeout

@Blown said:

Svi continues to get beat on d and boards.

Made a 3 and got a rebound. Different half

@Blown said:

Jackson, there is a reason you are that open.

Looked like a good shot, is he your man crusher tonight

DG!!!

Wooo

A 3 a rebound a foul good start

I'm mad that self is not red in the face

@DoubleDD said:

Man OU fans are going to be sad tonight.

Let's hope so

@Blown said:

Jackson doing his best Wiggins impersonation.

Did you forget the team minus mason and Graham in that post..

Espn talking heads not watching the game? Because they just said a lot of good things about our players that are playing in poop so far tonight

@approxinfinity

Very true. Besides mason and Graham who even showed up on offense. We shot 2 ft I think

Worst half of the season by far. Missing easy shots not rebounding, and foul trouble has us where we are. We will see if we are a 2nd half team or not

Typical half can't get any worse so I expect we come outo ready to play

@DoubleDD said:

@HawkChamp said:

@DoubleDD you think we looked good against KSU? Or Indiana? Or Sienna?

That's like 3 games. It's a long season.

Don't worry you would probably have to go back months to find the last positive thing he said abouto the team

Nice rebounding

Lucas

@Crimsonorblue22 said:

Where's Josh?

Foul trouble of course