@jaybate-1.0 You may not be able to tell how good they are based on "apparent asymmetries" but I expect that most folks that watch a lot of basketball would say pretty damn good. Per most metrics, they had one of the most efficient offenses in years.
They rolled through this tournament winning by double digits. They b****-slapped the 3 best teams in the B12, supposedly the toughest conference in the land. But, maybe this wasn't the toughest row to hoe on the way to the title. But, it's not a one time thing, is it? Two years ago they beat 5! ranked teams to win the title, including 4 in the top 10 (of course, our beloved Jayhawks along the way). Only 2 of those games were close. Not sure if they got the benefit of the same "asymmetries" that time? With two titles and a 136 wins over the past four years, Wright and Villanova have had a historically good run....
@Hawk8086 Perhaps the apparent lack of commitment on the court game after game???
@JayHawkFanToo I think you (perhaps not intentionally) highlight the more overlooked aspect of the game. Yes, Villanova opened up a big lead early with the onslaught of made 3s - and carried a 15 point lead at halftime with 13 made 3s.
But, as you note, Villanova scored 1 more point in the second half - 48 - with just 5 made 3s. While Villanova is a VERY good offensive team, we managed to make them look GSW-like with really bad defense. They lit us up in the second half with only 15 of their 48 points coming from 3s. This was statistically the worst defensive team under Self (by far) and it showed in this game (painfully so).
The other issue that decided the game was how poorly we played in the first 8 minutes on the offensive end. Getting down 22-4 was a function of them not only making shots (22-2 run after Doke's first score of the game), but our inability to do so. We played them even after the initial onslaught, but just couldn't get the stops necessary to ever really close the gap.
@DoubleDD I'll take that bet... ;)
None of our guys went after the long rebound on Malik's miss...
Well, in contrast to past years, I don't feel too bad about the loss - it's to a better team that played well. We played to our seed and really over-achieved bit. Just wish we had played better than we did...
Surprised and disappointed that they never ever made a run this half...
They have 17 assists to our 6. They really move and share the ball. Would be fun to watch if it wasn't against us...
Why are we double teaming after someone has picked up his dribble??? It just gives them wide open looks.
@HighEliteMajor Totally agree - for someone who has played ball for as long as he has and was a fairly high recruit...
@DCHawker Guess it just did...
Has out in-bounds pressure ever generated a TO?
First bucket by Svi...
@kjayhawks He has a better team this year (in contrast to the last time)...
@Blown Against OSU, ASU and TTU this year?
Svi has nothing tonite. Paschall eating him up...
@HighEliteMajor Well, we did almost squander a 20 point lead to Clemson, so anything is possible. But, I fear that Villanova is simply the better team. And, no shame in that - would be in contrast to some other recent tournament losses where I really thought we were the better team, but failed to play like it...
@HighEliteMajor At least 3 of our 6 attempts have been from about 24 feet. Only one that was a clean look at the line was DG from the corner and he missed it.
@kjayhawks Sure, you don't expect them to make than high a %, but you can scheme to take away the 3 - or at least frigging contest it. Most of their shots have been open looks...
The difference is they switch on every screen and have 5 guys capable of guarding the perimeter. We could too, but not with Doke. They are just completely out-scheming us right now. The issue is that they aren't doing anything they haven't done all tournament...
They still have only 4 2 pt shots....
@DoubleDD They're making a high % of 3s, but they have against everyone other than TTU. The question is why they are getting so many completely uncontested looks (other than Brunson's make)????
They've only taken 4 2 point shots...
They've taken 16 3s - we've taken ZERO. How come they can defend the perimeter and we can't??????
Pathetic perimeter D...
@BeddieKU23 Have to get another 5 stops....
2 made FGs and 5 TOs...
We had a week to prepare for this??????
@BShark Kinda out everything right now...
@HighEliteMajor Interesting to note that KU has beaten 10 of the top 20 and 13 of the top 30 this year and if we beat Villanova, it's 11 of the top 20 and 15 of the top 30. Just saying...
@approxinfinity Would add De Sousa to that - 10 boards and very active. Came up big when we needed him to...
Who'd a thunk it????
Malik carried us again....
DG bailed out....
DG has to make these - then's it's over...
They had a good look...
Please be KU ball. But, won't be much time left on shot clock...
@Hawk8086 A stop - and then make the g-damn free throws..
Downhill....
Let's get a 5th on Duvall...
Gonna have to step up with FTs - have 3 1-1s in front of us...
Bad call but I will take it!!!!
Take it downhill - try to get Carter out - evens up the size...
Except for the refereeing (and our stupid TOs) a pretty damn good ball game...
WOW!!!!
DEFENSE!!!
Only the 4th effing foul on them...
Ouch
13 point difference off TOs...
Not sure why Svi didn't step up - took it from an extra 4 feet out..