good job Doke, NOT

Jackson is a major liability at the line

well we aren't playing any D either

there is no hope in this game with these officials. just get rid of them now

Amile Jefferson is Perry Ellis Father

Think about this for a moment.

Andrew Wiggins will have had to play six years in the NBA before he was as old as Amile Jefferson

Hopefully the stage isn't too big for these guys. We need poise out there. Controlled Chaos

@BShark

I'm free on weekends, I'm sure we could round up some KUbucket fans

@BShark

Good point they played together so they have familiarity.

The KU eligibility center going to be working some extra hours this spring lol

I know he visited for Late Night but it wouldn't hurt to get him on campus for a home game. When we get kids to games during the season that has seemed to be work alright

@BShark

So just a top 9 then with some x's, red bold paint maybe?

Such an odd recruitment. If Coleman doesn't go to Duke not really sure this is a contest

Will we see his top 10 next week?

@JayHawkFanToo

Jesse Newell pointed out that Duke does 2 things very well, they don't foul and they take quick 3's to avoid turnovers. We may not be able to exploit them especially if they don't foul and the way we guarded the perimeter in the opener.

He did point out that they struggle to rebound, they give up easy shots. So 2 things that could be advantages is KU will have to make good shots, and might be able to get missed shots at a higher rate

Baylor looks really good. 2 players in particular are upgrades to the guys they had last year.

Acuil is a shot-blocker, looks to be one of the best out there.

Lecomte is a knock down shooter at the PG spot. He is really quick as well.

I know its a home game and Oregon is minus its best player but Baylor's zone looks really tough and obvious upgrades at positions

@BShark

Definitely, seems like until they actually sign its hard to take what any of these kids/recruiting experts say for granted. Grimes sounds promising, some 2019 kids seem promising as well. Hopefully promising turns into results

@kjayhawks

I wish!

@justanotherfan

I could be grasping at straws because what we do know about Frank, as good as he is, he's good about getting into a vacuum all by himself and forgetting he has teammates. Obviously without his heroics against Indiana we were cooked and if he makes that FT its likely we would have won the game.

With the amount of P&R's he was using to get into the lane it seemed orchestrated by Self. Indiana didn't have a PG who matched his quickness and Mason took advantage all night. Hopefully KU will find 1 or 2 matchups to exploit. They are 6 deep and the 3 other guys they are playing are out of necessity.

@kjayhawks

I don't think so with this being Frank's last go-around. Its just as likely the confidence he gained from being the "guy" in game 1 continues. His wheels should be good to go right now

@justanotherfan

I wonder how much of Frank's play in the first game was by design. Indiana didn't have anyone to stop him, they even tried going with Morgan who had a good 7 inches on him and that didn't work. How much was this Frank being Frank or Self saying go make a play... Tonight should shed more light into how much of this team is running through him.

@BShark

Definitely Wooten looks like a guy that could be good in time with some athletic/skill abilities to work with. Getting him into the program at semester's end would be beneficial.

2018 looks up in the air right now and right now looks like a down class. Gordon would have been the ideal player to build a class around. I like Grimes and hope his interest is genuine, hope we lock him down.

Romeo Langford would obviously be a huge player to get but he doesn't seem like the type that would end up at KU. Maybe if Jackson has a big year we become serious players for him. Kind of similar players minus Jackson being a better athlete.

2019 with Jacobs and so many already identified targets is potentially a great one down the line. Seems too good to be true right now.

@BShark

I agree swinging and missing has left us in this desperation mode. And desperation for guys that if they qualified would only be on campus less then a year. No long-term stability, just a quick fix for a roster that could see plenty of turnover at seasons end and the year after (Newman, Vick, Udoka). It's a very unsettled feeling right now that I really hope turns around

@tundrahok

I'm not sure Landen will ever learn to keep the ball high, this is year 5 with the same issue. I don't think its a fundamental problem its a physical-athletic issue. He draws power from his legs because he doesn't have the natural ability to go up with the ball upon catching it.

Bragg had a play in the 2nd half where he caught it and layed it in without the ball coming down which too me showed the difference between the 2 players athletic ability.

Around the 2 minute mark is the play

@wissox

Bragg should do okay tonight. He did have 12 points in just 18 minutes due to foul trouble/etc. We didn't even unleash his outside game yet. Big game for him to step up in.

@JayHawkFanToo

1 team in the nation, hard to see them underdogs as the "supposed" top team. Will be interesting to see if the money line changes with the freshmen out

@REHawk

You'd best never listen to him, he truly will never have an un-biased opinion of KU. Mason had 9 dimes in the opener and was forced to become the main offense after seeing how much of an advantage he had getting to the lane and to the FT line.

Now his point about Mason/Graham's size has some merit. Not much we can do about that but we do have plenty of length from Vick/Svi/Jackson.

@BShark

You know my stance on Preston/Duval so I see no need to keep beating a dead horse. Our top 2 recruits by ranking could possibly not even play for KU. Until evidence says otherwise we should guard ourselves from believing anything else. If they do sign, I really do hope something changes in their fortune.

I do worry that the fatigue from the travel schedule and OT game will have some effect especially in the 2nd half. We'll see how much fire they have.

Who ya got? How do we win? It's Madison Square Garden, the stakes don't get any higher. How do we avoid going 1-5 in this freshman showcase/Dicky V mute the TV fest. How do we avoid going 0-2 to start the season for the first time in a long time. Please share how its done

Self get a T, influence the ref's you already know Coach K paid them off months ago.

Just watch the calls on KU tonight for breathing, that's right inhaling oxygen on another player is now a foul in College Basketball. I mean we all saw the 3 hour slugfest against Indiana and the 60+ combined fouls. Probably see 59 tonight, 41 on KU.

Keys to a win:

1. Rebounding (shocking).

Duke shoots just as many 3's as Indiana. They have always relied on it and with their 3 big freshman out they are as lean as KU is in the post. Long rebounds will be key, hustle, effort, we'll know early if our guys got the message from Friday.

1. Making shots difficult on defense:

We saw how little we adjusted to Indiana chucking all night. Whether it was a hand in the face, poor closeouts, wide open shots Indiana made 15 of them and really exposed our perimeter defense as I thought they would. We have to make shots difficult for Duke tonight, they know they have to make 3's to win with the personnel that is out.

1. Beat Tripper Allen at his own game:

Well, obviously we can't go around tripping people. Had to say it.

I'm still trying to figure out who is going to guard him but I'm guessing whoever it is will be in foul trouble. Allen lives at driving to the hoop where he gets the friendly Duke call with some acting involved. He is a very good outside shooter and playmaker. We can only hope tonight isn't one of his better games. Early, whoever Allen is guarding, its paramount that they are aggressive, draw him to early foul trouble. Beat him at his own game. Make him less aggressive and hope he settles for shots and misses.

1. Someone other than Frank Mason show up:

I'm calling out Devonte Graham who has looked rather average in the exhibitions and 1st game. Say what you want but I expected an All-American type player from him and I haven't seen it, at least not yet. Hopefully its just a slow start. Hopefully his cramps don't show up and Graham has a big shooting game. I'm also calling out Josh Jackson. This is your stage, your supposed to be the ultimate competitor and generational talent. PROVE IT. These 2 guys stat lines will be the difference in a W/L.

1. Be aggressive, put Duke in foul trouble.

Duke is thin, they really are down to 6 players. Getting Delaurier, White & Vrankovic on the floor is a major advantage for KU. What else is there to say, make Duke foul you!

Prediction

KU- 85, Duke- 80

Share your thought gang! let's get a big win tonight

Saw that Wooten is likely an early enroll player because he's ineligible to play HS ball this year. Could bode well for KU seems how they just happen to have an extra scholarship hanging around

@Bwag

Either am I. It just seems ill advised to run the same stuff that works for a traditional lineup if your putting out 4 guards and expecting the same results. The difference in the game was 1 play, here and there so I'll wait for tonight's game to draw another conclusion from this offense.

@elpoyo

Oubre, Jackson, sure no impact

@Crimsonorblue22

The game is Thursday night.

Slight possibility that Embiid might be limited due to it being a back to back game. I have seen them sit Joel twice during their long stretch of games in a short period. You have to wonder if that will be another situation. I really hope they get to face each other.

If by any chance Joel doesn't play, they play again for the last time January 3rd!

@HawkChamp

Still a top 5 team without them. If Allen was one of the missing players it would be a huge difference, their entire identity on offense would be gone.

@RockChalkRedlock

Nice venting! We all need to let it out after an opening game loss, regardless of opponent.

We know what Lucas is, we'll see if he can get healthy enough to improve on the things we know he's limited on. The Bringing the ball down has plagued him his entire career. I think he will prove to be better then he was Friday, Bryant is an NBA player and Lucas won't play against many that are better.

Serious question did Lucas look better because of Perry Ellis? Without the attention Ellis commanded will Lucas's game suffer? I do think Lucas is hobbled, still playing, because the injury hasn't progressed to the point where he needs to sit or rest but its there. Lucas is not 100%.

I would continue to temper expectations of Udoka. Another missed dunk attempt (starting to look like that is a problem) and good thing we cleaned up his miss. Honestly would you want Udoka in the game with that FT form, he looks like a 30-40% FT shooter. Bigs will just foul him and dare him to make a FT. He offers some intangibles but there was one play he didn't use his body enough running his man up the paint and let the big recover for a turnover. He's just as raw as Diallo, if not more. Hopefully as the months pass on, his comfort level increases. I hope our guards figure out how to maximize his current talent level (like throwing a good lob pass) or staying in front of their man so he's not forced into an obvious foul situation.

@jaybate-1.0

I hope that if defenses sag off Jackson on the perimeter that Self puts him somewhere else on the floor.

Why not run him on the high post or down on the block like we did with Perry? Hard to believe we can't find ways to exploit how a defense may play him. I think it would be a shame to force Jackson all season to sit on the perimeter and create his own offense. So many ways to use his size and athleticism that don't involve him making a play 20 feet from the hoop.

I'm really interested in seeing how he responds from the loss as well as the team. Have to think we'll see some better focus in area's that were lacking.

Crazy, he's been really impressive so far this season.

Up to 9th in the league in scoring average. Guys in front of him will come back down to earth. His shooting looks really improved especially his 3 point shot.

@JayHawkFanToo

Definitely missing Perry. We lacked the go-to scorer so Frank just played his 1 on 5 game again which was working but we know its not a style of play we can rely on every game. Guys have to step up, especially Devonte and Jackson.

@Crimsonorblue22

that was a great play.

@BShark

No I don't expect he will but I guess I should let it play out first.

In the game Chat I pointed out tempo several times and that seemed to be key with this group. I think of North Carolina's style of play as something this team might have to evolve into.

Again I've advocated for change after 1 game and I'm not sure how much of it is fueled by being disappointed with the loss. I suspect some of it comes from that. I don't know what actual changes need to happen to make whatever point I'm driving reality. I know that besides Frank we didn't see a very aggressive bunch out there offensively in the 2nd half and OT. Missed shots became a big issue, one that made the rebounding/officiating and missed FT's seem more of an issue in the moment.

The big positive I keep taking away from the game is how beneficial it is to play a top level team so early. It forces Coach and the players to really think about the effort they must give to beat good teams. If Friday's loss turns into Tuesday's win because of that experience I'll be thankful the schedule played out the way it did.

@Hawk8086

Good point, the issues would have still been front and center but it would have felt really good with a win to work on those issues.

Tuesday is important for many reasons. You don't want to be 0-2 with the type of roster we have

@jaybate-1.0

But Josh can make shots outside, he just has to be smart about it. Releford was not a shooter but became efficient at picking his spots. Josh wasn't aggressive in this game didn't even attempt to drive the hoop and missed a gimme layup he could have dunked. I expected different from this one but his first impression leaves you thinking this is just another OAD that isn't all that again. I hope this was an eye opener for him.

Self has to evolve this offense and let it shoot quick shots and force tempo. We built leads when they played fast. This doesn't look like a grind it out squad

@drgnslayr

Landon is just not an athletic player where he can change that. Bragg got the ball and kept it high on a few plays in the post because he has the ability to do so.

That play with Lucas was another example of poor officiating, the ball did not go off Landon.

The problem that I saw with the 4 guard offense is that Self just ran the same offense through it. What exactly is that supposed to do? So you look to get your best players on the floor and run the same structured offense that only works with the right lineup. We plugged guards in all game and saw the results of that.

I know its game 1 but if Self is going to Change, you actually have to Change the offense your running to get the results you want from it.

It was game 1, again, I have to remind myself of this. So much time to make things work. Devonte had a bad shooting game and didn't impact the game at all. Same with Jackson and we were more then 1 pathetic officiating call (missed shot clock violation & in OT player was out of bounds and scored on resulting possession) from winning or a made FT (Mason). Things will get better but we might be 0-2 before we start seeing it

@BShark

I don't think SF Austin had 1 player that was a big as Kentucky's smallest post player. New coach, new system it sure made Kentucky look better then they might be.

When teams figure out how to zone Kentucky and force them to shoot outside we will see vulnerabilities in that team

I'm disappointed. No other way around it honestly.

I said after the exhibition games that Indiana & Duke were more prepared after watching them and it showed last night in the fundamentals. Some were quick to say how you can take anything from exhibition games but you can. Right now KU is a good team, and far from a great team.. Maybe that's exactly where they need to be so that this team doesn't peak too soon, but the bigger picture is this team still should have found a way to win and it didn't.

I'm not ready to overreact because we played a top 15 team in the first game. That isn't how most years start but it was a great eye opener. This helps the team going into Tuesday. Whatever they can correct between now and then will remain to be seen.

We did see plenty of positives besides the obvious holes right now. We know Frank Mason is going to lay it all on the line for his team and I think as this group grows more comfortable with each other that they will join him. Right now Frank gets it, everyone else has to reach his level of play for this team to get where they want. I've been very disappointed in Devonte Graham right now. As a leader and upperclassmen he's not where I thought he would be.

What we do know already is that the margin for error with this group is very low. Until everyone gets on the same page off-nights from any of the top 7 will be felt in the final score. Jackson certainly didn't make a good first impression on the fan-base. He was non-existent besides 3-4 plays.

Things will get better, the season is a gauntlet. We'll learn from this loss

IU's offense is one that lives on 3's, much like Duke. If they were missing them this wouldn't have been a close game. Crean has changed his offense and has made it exciting. Self has to adapt and I'm sure he'll do it

@Bwag

It's early and Self said the 4 guard lineup wasn't very good yet but offered the most long term potential.

we'll see tonight wasn't a very good first impression of what most fans think could be the year. again I'm not overreacting but we shouldn't have lost and we did.

@approxinfinity

I expected the fouls to be out of control because the refs are under a microscope to enforce new rules like every year. But there is little consistency as always.

The shooting % was okay, enough to win games but shots that were critical really hurt us in the end.

I don't think we tried to pick and pop with Bragg all night. Bragg played well besides the fouls and a missed bunny. But for this team to maximize its potential it needs to plug Jackson into the game offensively and use Bragg as a outside mismatch. We didn't do much tonight other than let Mason go wild, which he was terrific.

@Bwag

most of it from 1 player. FT shooting didn't lose the game in my mind. Too many missed shots and IU made theirs