🏀 KuBuckets Archive

If Perry could ever learn a jump stop or head fake, he could live at the foul line and would get a lot more 3 point plays...

@KansasComet Hope springs eternal.. Then his senior year he can work on rebounding - if he had another year, on finishing at the rim ;)

@KansasComet Alas, I have no confidence that will happen - has been much the same for two years now.

Unfortunately, good things rarely happen when Selden is driving in traffic. He is one-handed and no demonstrated ability to switch hands, cross-over or spin.

@JayHawkFanToo @REHawk I don't pretend to understand the NBA's CBA and player contract and salary cap rules, but a couple of things are pretty clear. As noted in an earlier post, he can't be resigned by Portland for another 30 days. I believe he also has to clear waivers after being bought and and released before he can sign with another team. Likely to happen as I don't think anyone else will want to be on the hook for his contract. Depending on the terms of the buyout, it is possible that he could end up with less money - if, for example, he is willing to sign for the league minimum (pro-rated) for the remainder of the year, if he (and his agent) determine that it is the best opportunity for him to play and demonstrate he can be a consistent 10 and 10 guy. If that happens, he would be in a much better position to negotiate a new, longer term contract.

@JayHawkFanToo CBSSports take on the Robinson portion of the Portland - Denver trade:

You have to feel for Robinson, who is headed to his fourth team in four years after being selected No. 5 overall in 2012. Portland elected not to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, so he now has to try to prove himself in a frontcourt rotation that is already crowded. Perhaps it will be good for him to be around Kenneth Faried, though. Teams will be interested in him if he can be a budget version of Denver's energetic power forward.

@drgnslayr I don't really disagree at all with the dichotomy - other than to question how many really uber elite game changers there are out there and how do you know in advance? Wigs and JoJo would seemed to have fit in that category - but we lost 10 games and exited in the second round. Not saying you pass on the chance at those guys - and Thon - but it isn't clear to me that that it isn't necessarily a great risk-reward bet. Seems like the optimal mix would be a bunch of guys ranked in the 10-50 range who have talent, but will also be around for 2-3 (maybe even 4) years (Perry?) augmented by a OAD type that you don't have to rely on to carry the load - unless it turns out that he really can. Duke will be another interesting study this year. I believe Cook is a senior and they are likely to lose at least Winslow and Okafor. If they don't win it all, or at least make a FF, will it have been worth it. Cupboard may be relatively bear for Coach K next year if that plays out.

@JayHawkFanToo You may be right - Denver did succeed in unloading McGee. May create an opportunity. In fact, they really don't have much in the middle right now. Certainly hope TRob gets a chance - and, more importantly, if he does, takes full advantage of it.

@JayHawkFanToo They are averages for the entire season. Interesting question as to differences just in conference play. Although, I would note that what I listed is on a per minutes basis, not per game, so not directly affected by changes in playing time over the course of the season.

@JayhawkRock78 I do, as well, but it doesn't seem like this is a positive in the near term, and it's doubtful he stays with the Nuggets. My guess is that he is viewed as - in the vernacular - a trade asset. Believe he has an expiring contract and would give the Nuggets (or someone else) cap room if he released. Difficult to see the Nuggets as a good fit otherwise - don't think he can displace Faried at PF. And, Arthur and Hickson are existing back-ups. Perhaps as a back-up at the 5, although he is undersized for that. Actually, if he is waived, a good fit could be the Wizards - hometown and they could use additional frontcourt bench help.

@drgnslayr At the risk of playing amateur psychologist and getting inside Self's head, my impression has been that he stepped up going after OADs following the Kentucky championship game loss. We overachieved with that team, but we're out-talented with a team that had multiple McDs and an incandescent freshman in Davis (now one of the 3-4 best players in the NBA). I think we have fallen into the trap of thinking that we need the upper, upper tier (as you describe it) to compete for national titles. Indeed, history is replete with examples of top frosh that teams rode to national titles. We were victims of that with Syracuse once upon a time with Anthony (although McNamara played a large role in that defeat).

But recent history actually belies the view that you need multiple McDs and OADs to win the title. Look at the other three champions in the past four years - UConn twice and Louisville. They weren't filled with top tier recruits and future NBA all-stars. What they did have were seasoned teams with tough defense and great guard play. Look at our own run of 30+ win teams - they were largely veteran teams augmented by one or two really good, but not necessarily OAD players. We've gotten away from that.

As for the current team, most of the mock drafts do have Oubre in the lottery and one has to assume that he is sure to be a lottery pick. Alexander has slipped to late first round in most - and he may fall further.

@nuleafjhawk Actually, on a per minutes basis, Frank is only 7th on the team in getting rebounds, at .11 RBs/minute, although he does seem to come down with some key ones. He is ahead of Wayne and Devonte, who are essentially tied at .09 RBs/minute. Landon and Cliff are essentially tied at the top at .30 RBs/minutes. Followed by Kelly and Perry at .24. Jamari and Brannen are next at .18 and .15, respectively.

@RockChalkinTexas I'm not sure the RPI rating is an "expert" - it's a mathematical formula. I haven't checked, but I would bet that in some recent years, we've had non-conference schedules with a more challenging slate of top 20 - big name teams. The RPI measures the schedule from top to bottom. The reason ours is so high this year is two-fold: we didn't have any non-conference patsies on the schedule - teams ranked in the 200s (or even 300s), as most major conference teams do - and, the B12 is the highest rated conference top to bottom, so we get a ratings bump from almost every game we play in conference relative teams in other conferences. Now, I wouldn't argue that the B12 is necessarily as strong at the top as perhaps the ACC (Virginia, Duke, UNC, Louisville), but it is the toughest top to bottom - no easy wins anywhere, esp. on the road.

@Crimsonorblue22 well, I can't speak to personal experience with Clyde and Wilt - at least when they were at KU - before my time. Have seen all the others play, however. Actually, I' ve followed the Hawks more closely in more recent years - ESPN and this site make that easier - and don't want to take anything away from the newer generation - indeed, Simien, Hinrich and Collison are three favorites, but I think many of the "old" guys are overlooked. And, if you compare stats and their accolades at the time, they stand pretty tall. Really speaks to the great tradition that is Kansas basketball.

Gosh, I guess I'm too old for this forum, but the bias for some of the more Jayhawks in the past two decades over some of the greats from earlier eras is difficult to justify on almost any basis. Can't really disagree with Chamberlain and Manning in the front court, although a very strong case could be made for Lovellette - he is the second leading PPG scorer at KU (to Wilt), was player of the year, and lead the Hawks to one of their 3 NCAA championships. Robisch is another KU front court great. JoJo is a no brainer for a guard spot - the best ever at KU. While I love Hinrich, there is really no way he should get the nod over Valentine for one of the guard spots - Darnell was a first team All-American and 4-time B8 first teamer. Kirk only made third team All-American. Darnell also had higher PPG and APG averages. The fifth spot - guard-wing-front court - is tougher. No real argument with Pierce, although that seems to be more a reflection of his pro career (second only to Wilt's) than his college career. Frankly, LaFrentz had better number and All-American creds at the same time as Paul. Collison also had stronger overall college career. I think a case could be made for Bud Stallworth. Gooden's and Pierce's KU numbers aren't that dissimilar. With all due respect to some of my fellow posters, Wiggins and Embid are laughable as all-time greats based on their KU careers.

@drgnslayr @JayHawkFanToo @JayhawkRock78 Of course, size matters in rebounding margin, but positioning and technique are at least as important, as you note. If you look at several of the teams that lead the country in rebounding margin (and who play top competition), many of that are just not that big (at least tall). That includes Baylor at #3, UVA at #5 (one 6'11" and one 6'8' - all others shorter), and Mich. St. at #10 (no one over 6'9". Butler, with one player at 6'8" and everyone else shorter, is #25 (the Stevens-led Butler teams were great positional defenders/rebounders). That's 10 spots ahead of the Jayhawks. #35 isn't that bad, it just lower than is typical for a Jayhawk team. Of course, we don't have as much size as years past - that is why technique and positioning become that much more important. On a per minutes basis, Cliff and Landon are our best rebounders (essentially tied), followed by Perry and Kelly. Jamari is well behind them. The worst rebounder on the team on a per minutes basis is Wayne (correct that, he barely edges out Devonte - but well behind Frank and Brannen).

@ralster I agree that it is a team D fail more than anything else. While I've been fascinated with the singular focus in various threads and over the course of the year on the offense - x-axis v. y-axis, outside-in vs. inside-out, 4 small, one in, freeing the 3, etc., there has been relatively little discussion re defense.

While I share frustration in not seemingly embracing the teams strengths (and not continuing to play to our weakness on the offensive end), I'm most frustrated by our relative weakness on the defensive end - relative to past Jayhawk teams and to what one might expect from a team with a lot of L&A wings, if not in the paint. The fact is that this group of Jayhawks just isn't fundamentally sound defensively. A lot of that can be attributed to youth (although the hated UK youngsters are playing historically good defense) - but some of it is clearly desire basketball IQ. After DVRing wins and losses, it is painfully obvious that no one on the team boxes out well - a basic tenet of fundamental basketball.

Mason, Graham, Selden and Oubre are solid to good on the ball defenders, but none of them are defensive stoppers and Selden in particular seems to give up when his man gets by him. Oubre is the only one that routinely defends the passing lanes and initiates easy transition buckets.

Last year we were a fundamentally poor defensive team (Ellis has actually improved markedly), but those shortcomings were masked in part due to having one real stopper in Wiggins and real rim protector in Embid. Without those this year, it becomes that much more critical that we play fundamentally sound team defense - boxing out, ball pressure, playing the passing lanes, and rotating quickly to cut off penetration.

The end of the WVU game was a defensive breakdown - and its not the first time. We have to be able to consistently get defensive stops - which has historically been a hallmark of Jayhawk teams in the past, even when shots weren't falling on the offensive end and points were tough to come by....

@justanotherfan Given that in many respects this game was decided by rebounding (i.e., WVU would have struggled to get 50 points without 22 ORs and numerous 2nd and 3rd chances), I was struck by your comment that our two best rebounders are Cliff and Jamari. Indeed, Cliff is our best rebounder on a per minutes basis - actually tied by Landon. However, Jamari is actually a very poor rebounder - only 5th on the team on a per minutes basis, not much ahead of Greene. Given that he also is second on a TO per minute basis (to Landon), statistically at least it seems to be hard to justify that his "energy" makes up for his negative play. He doesn't defend well, doesn't block out, and turns the ball over far too frequently.

But, perhaps surprisingly, the worst rebounder on the team is Wayne. Actually, he edges out Devonte by hair of our top 10 rotation guys. That's right, the 6'5" 220llb chiseled guard rebounds at a lower rate than Frank, about half the rate of Greene, and about a 3rd the rate of Kelly and Perry. And, he also has the highest turnover rate among our top 8 rotation guys, with the exception of Jamari. He defends well on the perimeter, but let's quicker guys get by him, doesn't block out or rebound, has a poor handle, and can't finish at the rim (he looks timid going into the paint).

I don't know if it's desire, "manhood", basketball IQ, or coaching 'em up, but we need these guys to step in up in the paint the rest of the year.

We've now missed 5 shots at the rim. Have to go up strong - at least get to the FT line...

The Naismith 30 list was announced this afternoon. 5 from the B12, but no Jayhawks. Nash, Staten, Gathers, Niang and Hield. Not that surprising, but maybe a little locker room - bulletin board fodder for Perry and even Frank. Interesting to see if whether the all-B12 ends up with the same 5.

@DinarHawk I would go a bit further. There is a separate thread re a USAToday article comparing Coach K and HCBS over the past decade. Concludes that Self has a better record - indeed, better than any other coach over that period. Taking into account Xs and Os, recruiting, graduation rate, embrace of Jayhawk tradition, and likability, I think he has been and is the best.

Having said that, there are certainly times when I've been frustrated with him - as many die-hard Jayhawks have been. All coaches have systems, tendencies and biases. His have yielded extraordinary success over time. Notwithstanding, do I personally wish he would ride the same horses so much (e.g., EJ), not be so quick to yank certain players, and do more to take advantage of bench strength (well, at least in some years). Yes!!!!

But, I would be the first to acknowledge that I don't know that if he had been a bit more flexible that the outcomes would have been better. My own belief is yes, but you can't prove the counterfactual. What he has demonstrated compelling and consistently over time is that his approach and system does lead to being able to win games when shots are falling and in hostile environments. Win ugly.

What we've seen with this team, however, is that it just isn't constituted like most if not all other KU teams over the past decade. It's young and the bigs simply aren't as big or as talented. I think he's struggled to find to the right way to handle this team. For most of the season thus far, it has seemed that he has been trying to fit a square peg into a round hole - trying to generate back-to-the basket post scoring from guys that are neither big or skilled enough to do it consistently - and not at all against L&A opponents. At the same time, he is afraid of becoming too reliant on the thing that this particular group of players does better than any prior group of Jayhawks - make shots from beyond the arc, esp. when they have the freedom to take those shots and don't have to worry about being yanked the first time they miss one.

I'm hopeful it is coming together on the offensive in - more outside in, freedom to take open 3 pointers, but also a commitment to penetrate and find Perry down low when the floor is spread and he has some room to maneuver. I'm still most concerned, as I think he is, about a different balance - get more on the defensive end. As I noted in an earlier post, the defensive efficiency ratings for the past two years have been the lowest of the Self era - dramatically worse than most years. I think he believes, and I would concur, that we have to be able to consistently get stops for those games where the shots - from 3 or 2 - just aren't falling.

Because of youth and constitution, I'm not persuaded that we will get much better on the defensive end - hard to see significant improvement in basic stuff like boxing out and sliding to cut off penetration over the next 10 games. If so, it would seem that our best chance to make a run is simply to play to this team's strengths and a bit differently than Jayhawk teams of the past. Whether Self agrees is another matter. But, I still wouldn't trade him for anyone else....

Picking up on @HighEliteMajor 's reply to my earlier comment and @wrwlumpy 's Self quote, while I, along with most everyone else, have been concerned with his seemingly stubborn insistence on trying to score in the post with guys that just aren't very good at it and slow embrace of a more outside-in approach, I actually think the comments cited by @wrwlumpy are right on the mark.

He is scared to death of being too reliant on 3 pt shots, because there will be days when they aren't falling (although with this group, we should be able to avoid performances like Arizona and Syracuse in years past). He doesn't want the guys getting too comfortable launching from beyond the arc and not looking to penetrate and dish or look for openings down low when the other team is overplaying the 3. We saw some success down low in the 2nd half - Perry had a good seal, as did Landon (alas, he couldn't finish).

What I really took away from his comments however was the classic Self view, with which I agree, that there will be days when you aren't making shots and can you still find a way to win. That means defending and rebounding - getting stops. This team hasn't yet demonstrated it can consistently get stops in crunch time. True of last year's team, as well. Check Kenpom's defensive efficiency ratings over the past 10 years. KU has consistently been in the top 10 in DER - just not that past two years. That's a function of youth as much as anything else, but also energy/desire/hustle.

The energy lapses are one thing (probably why he's given Mari so much rope), but the consistent failure to box out and give up offensive rebounds, or get beat off the dribble and then not have anyone slide quickly to provide help, is probably what galls him most.

He takes pride in winning the ugly games, which is what we've been able to do pretty darn effectively during the Self years. While I think he is coming around a bit in opening it up on the offensive side to play to our strengths there, he is probably correct that the chances of a deep tourney run are diminished if we can consistent stop the other team. If not, you are really counting on staying hot for 4 to 6 games, i.e., 40%+ every game from deep against defenses designed to stop that. Possible - sure? Likely?

Self is correct that we're not going to make 50+% of our 3s every game (last few games notwithstanding). But, if we make only 33%, we still have a better effective FG % than we do from 2 pt range - arguably, even at the rim with this team. The key is that with 3 pt shots built into the offense, the opponent has to defend them, which in turn opens up the interior. We actually scored several times at the rim in the second half against TT because the floor was spread, the ball move quickly, and there were better angles for entry passes to the post.

@globaljaybird Ha! My rhetorical glass may be half full/empty, but rest assured my half past the yard arm class is full - or is promptly refilled...

Following the second half meltdown at Gallagher-Iba, there has been a lot of hand-wringing, angst, and reflection on the state of the Jayhawks. The question heading into the TT game (trap? rebound?) is whether the glass is half full or half empty?

Half Full:

We are 19-4 against the toughest schedule in the country. Would anyone have not taken that before the year?
We have a two game lead in the B12 and are well positioned to chalk up #11.
We are #1 in RPI.
With the exception of the 2nd half at GIA, we've managed to grind out tough wins, including on the road (e.g., GU and Baylor), plus a road beatdown of Texas, the team most pundits look at the primary challenger (if not vanquisher) to the Hawks.
The PG problems that have pegged us the past couple of years are, for the most part, behind us as Mason has turned out to be the team's MVP and Graham is solid with the ball and should only get better.
We have the best line-up of trey gunners in years.

Glass Half Empty:

We're 19-4, but it doesn't feel like it. Arguably, we've only played one complete game (TX) and have struggled to hold onto big leads and put away even mediocre teams
The two players most counted on coming into the year, Ellis and Selden, haven't lived up to expectations. Ellis can't score against L&A, at least down low. Selden, while a solid on the ball defender and set shooter from 3, can't finish at the rim or do much of anything in the paint and doesn't rebound.
Our two highly touted freshmen have had moments (and both need to be on floor), they have been consistent contributors (KO seemed to be headed that way until recent slump; hopefully that is illness related?).
Our best player on a team with a bunch of MDAAs isn't one. Another starter couldn't have sniffed one.
Our Kenpom efficiency ratings are the lowest of the Self era - last two years have been by far the worst defensively.

One could obviously add to both categories. It's certainly been an unusual ride - as others have pointed out, we're 2/3rds into the season and the team still doesn't have an identity. It's not clear from game to game or half to half whether will be playing inside-out or outside-in or what the level of energy will be.

So, the last question - what is the degree of confidence that by tournament time, this team can string together 4 wins to get to another FF?

The sky isn't falling, we are still in 1st place and we control our own destiny. Conference road wins are always tough to come by, esp. at GIA. So, a loss there isn't that unexpected and it isn't the end of the world. And, the Hawks are consistently better road warriors than anyone else in conference.

But the way we lost is still very disappointing. It's one thing if the other team hits their shots and just outplays you. Then it's hats off. But, when you make 1/3rd of your 2pt shots, commit 18 turnovers, shoot barely 50% from the FT line, don't handle pressure (really wasn't much of a press) and make bad decisions down the stretch, it just really disappointing.

But, as badly as we played, the game was still winnable. That's pretty remarkable. But it's also remarkable that the guys we were most counting on coming into the year - Ellis and Selden - simply can't be counted on game to game.

Selden made some 3s today, but that's it. No rebounds in 34 minutes. This for a guy who is 6'5" and 200 lbs plus and supposedly has an NBA body. This game isn't an anomaly - he contributes nothing on the boards and while his on the ball defense is generally solid, if his man gets by him, he gives up. He does not block out. No steals. 4 bad turnovers. No handle at all - he is one-handed and clueless when going into the paint in traffic. He has been the biggest disappointment this year by far - really expected him to step up this year and it hasn't happened.

The numbers that tell the tale - 11-33 on 2pt shots, many of those at or near the rim; 10-19 FTs, a few of those front-ends, and 18 turnovers (and especially bad ones).

29-11 so far this half

We are not blocking out. As HCBS would say, we are getting sped up. Poor shot selection. Penetrating without a clue as to what to do when in the paint...

Worst half in a while in taking care of the ball. For all his other attributes, Selden has absolutely no handle. And, Traylor had some ugly turnovers, as well.

I would take 14-4 right now, but thinking that 13-5 is more likely. As @KUSTEVE suggests, UT, OU and WVU will be tough - more likely Ls than Ws. And, between OSU, KSU and TCU, another one is distinctly possible - or, we slip up once at home (where we haven't exactly dominated the past few games). Would also bet that 13-5 still wins the title, or no worse than a tie. Just don't see anyone else winning a majority of road games and holding serve at home...

@justanotherfan Agree that Selden looks like a NBA 2 guard. But, at the point, I'm not sure the evidence supports that he is simply in a slump. It may be that he is what he is and not what we all expected him to be. Look at the stat lines @Shanghai_RCJH posted above. Other than 2 pt % being down appreciably, his numbers across the board are similar to last year. I assumed that he would explode from last year's numbers without being the third fiddle to Wigs and Joel. But, with 1 -1/2 seasons behind us, what do we now know - he is a below average jump shooter, he has a below average handle, esp. when getting into the lane (no ability to adjust), he is a weak rebounder for a guard his size, and, while he is a solid not the ball defender, he isn't lock down and gets beat regularly by faster players I thought/hoped he would be a lean leader and score 15 pts per along with Perry this season. It may be that his knee issues have been a major contributing factor in this lack of overall production, or it may just be that he is a solid complementary player and nothing more. Hope that isn't the case - but, absent a significant upward trajectory, more of his minutes should go to Graham and Greene - and, maybe his per minute production will improve as a result.

As others have noted, no shame in a loss at Hilton - the Clones are a good team and they present major match-ups problems. Frankly, what is surprising is how we were within 3 at the half and ended up just loosing by 5. We were clearly outplayed the most of the game. Went back and watched it again this morning, and it became apparent that it could easily have been a blow-out. ISU missed a lot of free throws and several shots at the rim when they blew by our guys. Give our guys credit for continuing to battle, but give up 50 points in the 2nd half?!
So, while not a bad loss in the grand scheme of things, there don't seem to be too many positives to take away from this - Perry at least showed up (but, he still can score in the post when he has to initiate and the other team focuses on him (even if they're not L&A), and he still can't defend), Mason was again our best player, and Graham was solid. Negatives were many - as most have noted, transition defense was horrible (esp. Selden), we can't stop penetration, we don't block out, and we can't finish at the rim. The latter problem is because our supposed slashers can't handle the rock - they get into the paint full tilt and can't adjust. Selden really has no handle - can't believe Self ever thought he was an option at the 1. Oubre not much better, but with him, it's a matter of experience and would expect continued improvement. Greene has shown he can score going to the basket, but apparently Self has decided that his defensive shortcomings outweigh his ability to generate offense.
Half way through the season, we still don't have an identity. Difficult to figure out what kind of team will show up from game to game. We need Mason, Graham and Oubre on the floor together more. They're the most consistent players and the only ones that create turnovers and generate transition buckets. More minutes to Alexander. Perry if his head is in the game. More of Svi and Greene and less of Selden and Traylor.

@JayHawkFanToo A giant leap backwards. As putrid as was the offense - and it stunk - the defense was even worse. Temple is, or at least was, one of the worse offensive efficiency teams in D1. Ranked 240 or so in scoring and 350! In FG percentage. But, they sliced through us like a hot knife through butter. Terrible fundamentals - can't keep guys in front of them and help defense is half assed effort at best. Offense not much better. Second game in a ow where he has been a complete non-factor - actually a negative presence. Has to be the biggest disappointment in D1 relative to preseason hype so far. Has no concept how to create space or use ball/head fakes. And, he wasn't going against L&Aguys. Our other Wooden 'candidates' aren't far behind. But other than that, Merry Christmas...

@BeddieKU23 Yes, great performance from Oubre - showing the skills we thought were there from the get go. But what about Mickelson??? Was the second best player for the Hawks on the floor today - at least during the most important stretches. Certainly didn't see that coming given the complete absence of PT until now. Was HCBS simply hiding him? Svi also had a strong game ; hopefully, this will be a confidence builder. On the downside, what the heck with Ellis. Complete non-show - and, against exactly the kind of team one would think he would feel most comfortable against. And the starters defensive "effort" at the start of the second have was pathetic. Give Self credit for pulling all of them except for Mason. Glad we have the depth we do - let's hope we get to see it used more in the games ahead.

The talking heads at ESPN Daily Word take on the game:

"1. Florida's first true road game comes at Phog Allen Fieldhouse. How can the Gators stay in the game?

Andy Katz: Make shots. Florida's defense wasn't the issue in the Bahamas. But the Gators couldn't shoot. If Michael Frazier II gets hot, then the Gators have a chance. They need someone to be a shot maker.

Eamonn Brennan: I don't want to say they can't, because Kansas has shown plenty of flaws of its own this season. The good news for Florida is the Jayhawks aren't forcing any turnovers so far this season -- which was among the Gators' issues in their three losses thus far. The bad news is Kansas is pretty good at disallowing good looks at the rim, and the Gators have shot just 29.5 percent from 3 and 44.1 percent from 2. It would take a totally different performance for Florida to leave Lawrence with a win.

C.L. Brown: The only time the Gators started 3-3 under Billy Donovan was his first year in Gainesville. Their confidence has taken a beating, but staying poised is the only way they have a chance of winning in Phog Allen. Florida will need point guard Kasey Hill to assert some serious leadership in that environment."

The key will be not letting Frazier get off. Gators will struggle to score if he isn't hitting from deep. Overplay Frazier and make other guys step up - I don't think they will.

Legit observation about our lack of creating turnovers, however. We don't anticipate well. Ties into the point that @drgnslayr made re lack of fundamentals on the offensive side. OADs and McDs are all long on talent, but woefully short on basic basketball fundamentals. Key reason that talent doesn't always win out.

On cbssports.com this morning:

Frank Mason looks like Kansas' best PG option: Bill Self wants his floor general to be tough, which fits Mason's persona every time he takes the floor. Armed with a mindset of a strong safety who wants to blitz the quarterback every play, the 5-foot-11 sophomore is a feisty defender who doesn't try to do too much on offense. Mason was terrific through the three-game Orlando Classic (averaging 11 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists for the tournament) last week. But back when Devonte Graham signed with the Jayhawks last spring, many assumed he would be Kansas' starting point guard. Many people also seem to forget returning players often are more important than newcomers. The Jayhawks have played their best basketball with Mason at the point, which can't be debated.

@HighEliteMajor My reference to lack of effort and intensity is relative to some prior year's teams - which I attribute in part to the general tendency of OADs and MAAs to put much emphasis on defensive fundamentals, e.g., low center of gravity and lateral quickness and understanding team defense principles. With specific reference to this game was the unacceptable number of times we got beat down the court - and not just on steals and breakaways. That is lack of effort/desire, pure and simple. Also, in both this game and the previous ones, if you go back and look at a game replay, you should note that there is too frequent "lackadaisical-ness" in switching back after a hedge and closing down passing lanes. Both last and this year's teams get very few steals and easy basket transition opportunities - hallmarks of both Roy's and Bill's teams in the past.

Well, it's a quality, gutty win against a tough team that we haven't had a lot of success against, so can't really complain, but it is also difficult to get too ginned up about it. MSU went ice-cold the second half - some of that certainly attributable to better perimeter defense, esp. on Valentine, but the Spartans also missed a couple of lay-ups and chippies around the basket. Half court defense was solid overall, but O
our transition defense was atrocious (got beat down the court half a dozen times), which shouldn't be the case given our supposed speed, and we too often get beat off the dribble with fairly easy penetration into the lane (a recurring theme in the first 6 games). Other than Mason and maybe Svi, we don't slide well. Selden is a solid defender on most 2s and 3s, but quicker guards and SFs give him trouble. I just don't see the same effort and intensity as with some past teams.

Mason - @globaljaybird I agree. Mason was the most valuable player the past two games. Still not a natural distributor, but I'll take his ball skills and defense and ability to get into the lane.

Ellis - solid, but mostly disappeared in the second half (give MSU some credit for adjustments) and its hard to overlook 3-7 from the foul line in a tight game.

Selden - while solid on the defensive end, he was a major liability on the offensive end. Not just the missed shots, but poor shot selection and inability to finish at the rim. No spring or explosiveness - have to wonder if the knee is still a problem. Fascinating that Self leaves him almost the entire game notwithstanding the mistakes and he seemed tired - clearly shows his lack of confidence in Oubre and Brannen.

Svi - has clearly separated himself from other wing players with overall game - will only get better and hopefully his outside shot will fall with more frequency. Would like to see him drive to to the hole more.

Alexander/Traylor/Lucas - As with others, surprised to see Jamari in at the end of the game - even more surprised (pleasantly) to see him calmly hit the 2 FTs. Clutch. Don't quite share the love for Alexander this game - he had trouble finishing; hopefully it won't be an on-going issue against size/length. Very disappointed that Lucas didn't get more PT as he was very effective - 6 points and 3 rebounds in his 8 minutes - which projects to a pretty solid slash line over a game.

Brannen/Oubre - would love to see some consistency with the former and progress with the latter - if not not, when???

@icthawkfan316 I would go further re Mason. While Ellis and Alexander were both solid and carried the scoring load, Mason was the difference in game - especially after Tennessee had tied it at 62. The guys showed poise and ran the offense efficiently and effectively down the stretch (other than the (Selden) brain freeze on the in-bounds play with 7 seconds on the shot clock), and I give Mason much of the credit for that. As @Hawk8086 noted, interesting to see that Greene got most of the crunch time minutes. Is it because he's turned the corner and tempered his worst impulses, or because he is the best option to stretch the court, or because HCBS has no confidence in Oubre right now (justified, as others have noted, he looks completely lost). Also, Svi and Lucas didn't get much court time in the second half, even though they both contributed in the first half. Not much to add re Jamari. Down the stretch, HCBS relied almost solely on Mason, Selden, Ellis, Alexander and Greene, and to a lesser extent Graham. Will be interesting to see if we see the same tomorrow. Assuming it will be the Spartans, which will be a stern test - not the length of UK, but Izzo teams always bang.

@HighEliteMajor First time poster from the Nation's Capital. Enjoy the analysis. It is clear this team has no identity right now - and not clear where or who it will come from. On paper, our strength (as contrasted with recent years) would appear to be speed and athleticism - but through two practice games and two real ones, we certainly aren't playing to those strengths - which would suggest a lot of ball pressure, cutting off passing lanes, and, and as HEM has noted, driving and dishing. As to Mason, he has the speed and basic ball skills to blow by the Harrisons or Ulis, but then no clue how to drive into the big body and dish to a cutter (problem was the neither Ellis nor Traylor were in a position to receive any pass...) or kick out for a three. As to Ellis, wow. A complete disappearing act offensively and simply horrible defensively. He cannot block out to save his life. Where is the improved and stronger player we heard about over the summer? Frankly, Selden wasn't much better - esp. since he would the one to seem to have a match-up advantage over a Harrison or Pothyress. Although he hasn't yet demonstrated that he can consistently hit his shot (also true in Europe), the best player on this team at this point is Svi - his passes are quick and sharp, he cuts, and he defends reasonably well. Yes, it's early, but there are several eminently losable games on the early slate, and unless HCBS is willing to adapt to clearly changed circumstances (lack or low post scoring and rim protection), this could continue to be ugly - at least by Jayhawk standards....