@BShark because of our upcoming schedule, Dok needs to play at least 20 minutes a game. He just needs more experience to get a feel for how to play around the basket. Self said he has a nice hook shot, so hopefully he'll be able to show that on Friday.
HawkChamp
3175 posts
@jayballer54 with K making "he has a long future ahead of him" comments, that is indicative that his return this year is in doubt.
@Fightsongwriter I agree - he still does not look like an intricate part of the offense. I still want to see more pick and rolls with him and Frank - maybe we'll see that Friday. Nice we don't have any long breaks before the next game.
I also liked how Self had Josh down on the block - scored off it too. Smaller players can't guard him down there.
That eight minute period in the second half was special. Josh playing angry is something to watch. Still wish we would put Carlton in more pick and pops. Did one in the first half and he scored.
I think it's a possibility. Long ways to go but he is playing at Sherron+ levels.
@Lulufulu Udoka is eventually going to be the starter. He is starting to get it and understand how to play. We will be very good in March
Bragg looked more comfortable tonight. Hit a huge shot at the end of the shot clock. We will continue getting better.
@Crimsonorblue22 amen to that
@BShark I think he did. He was very aggressive, made a few shots and looked to drive it to the hoop. Him playing like that takes us to another level. Played pretty good d too
Yes!!!!! Frank is the man!!!
@Bwag he has really improved
Big plays by mason and bragg!!
Phantom calls on Josh. This is stupid stuff
We are so much better when our freshman are fired up
Wow!!!!!
Josh!
That call made him mad. Go Josh!!
Not a smart move by Svi. Got to play smarter
Our guards are playing well
Agree with jay. Terrible call on josh
Such a hard game to watch. Our guys really need to play a lot smarter.
Man, this team needs to clean up its play. Several months to work on it
Here come the duke refs to the rescue!
This team makes you want to pull your hair out. So sloppy and careless at times. It's like a team full of tyshawn taylors
Just not a good team right now
11 fouls in the first five minutes. Wow
Poor start
I wish we would run as much as Kentucky does. Best way to get easy points. All starts with rebounding.
UK and MSU entertaining so far
@dylans ESPN hype machine - I have made the choice this year to not follow national media for a reason. I will stick to the KU sites.
Baylor does look good, but I think it is more of Oregon being subpar right now, especially without Brooks. Oregon is 3/21 from three - they might struggle shooting the ball this year. Can't really take much from these early games. And besides, it is never an indicator of how far teams will go in March. In '11 - '12 season, we lost to UK and Duke in the non-con and got what some would call an asterisk win over Ohio State without Sullinger in Lawrence, yet went to the title game. It's a long season.
@BShark It really is quite remarkable. Indiana shot 50% on 15 made threes, we made seven and shot 33%; they outrebounded us by 11, and Landon, Carlton, Josh and Devonte did not do much, yet we were still in a position to win.
I don't really care much for predicting the score as much as I would like to see our big guys and wings work their butts off for defensive rebounds. That means playing smart, like not standing under the goal. These guys are physically and mentally capable of putting their body on someone and pushing them out - that is pretty simple folks and requires no basketball talent to do.
@BShark Absolutely. I haven't really been watching. How does Oregon look compared to last year?
With Bolden, Tatum and Giles out, there is no reason for not winning. I know the guys have a ways to go and are not anywhere near their ceiling, but those three were the main reason Duke is #1. We need to win this game.
Keep in mind that last year's team did not have a great start to the year and blew a lead late to MSU - that was an ugly game. Won the Maui tournament, but the teams out there weren't exactly stellar. February is when they hit their stride and started playing like how we thought they would. This year's team will improve, it is just a matter of figuring some things out and rebounding better. They'll get there.
@BeddieKU23 there does need to be more scheming, and I think that aspect leaves a bit to be desired. He did get the ball in the post on one play in the Indiana game - I just wish there was more stuff like that to keep opposing defenses guessing.
@BeddieKU23 great point about that missed wide open layup. I was hoping Josh wouldn't be another soft OAD (or trying to avoid injury, which ever one). It seems as though he is not what we thought he was - not dunking it was pretty soft.
@Lulufulu when a player does not play well, you can't always assume "he's injured". Sometimes, believe it or not, guys don't play well.
The rebounding is frustrating - I don't believe for a minute that the coaches have not told them how to block out, assuming they didn't know. Personally, it's all about "want to".
@wrwlumpy dang, they're dropping like flies!
@BShark he was, but missing him does nothing to help the current situation, so it is a pointless activity. Our guys have all the tools to succeed and improve, so that is where the focus should be.
@betterfireE to me, it doesn't look like certain guys are maximizing their potential. Jackson is settling for shots and I personally think, contrary to what Jaybate thinks, that his one on one defense is not the best, Carlton is not putting in enough mental effort to rebound, and Devonte has been fooling around ever since the exhibitions started. I know Devonte has been dealing with cramps, but he needs to tighten things up and stop having crazy drives. Frank and Svi have played well. Landon has played better than what others are giving him credit for, though his rebounding numbers could be higher.
In regards to Indiana, things always look better when shots go in. They made 15 threes and shot 50%, with several of those being contested and a hand in their face. They are a good shooting team, but they won't have many games where they shoot that well.
@JayHawkFanToo exactly. I don't know what is so complicated about blocking out. We can't do much when a team is hitting threes with a hand right in their face, but rebounding is completely under the defense's control.
@Crimsonorblue22 interesting development. Even if Tatum plays, if we rebound and shoot a little better, we can still win.
@jaybate-1.0 after these first few games, it is clear we should all temper our expectations heavily like in 2011-2012. There are kinks that I assumed would be fixed by now but arent, which gives this team an outside chance at a final four. I think there can be improvements throughout the year, but until guys start taking it personally when they get beat on the glass, the numbers won't improve. Hopefully Bragg will decide to stay for his junior year. Devonte could windup staying also. Josh will go because of "potential".
Having some losses is not a bad thing. Michigan was highly ranked to start the year in 2012-13, wound up with seven losses, a four seed yet made a run in the tourney. This team could do something similar to that once the pieces fit and everyone focuses on improving the weaknesses.
@Bwag now that I think about it, you're right. We would need to be able to match Dukes three point output, something we didn't do tonight.
@Jaybate I don't agree about the "rebounding gene" but I do think Carlton and Josh can be taught better rebounding skills. The coaching staff needs to work with them
@kjayhawks yeah, they were +11 on the glass. How many teams are going to make all those step back hand in the face threes? Most opponents would have struggled with that. If Duke doesn't make 15 threes, we have a chance.
@BeddieKU23 that and Indiana made a lot of tough threes. Very tough to stop those
@cragarhawk I think some let it get to their head. Devonte has not looked focused even during the exhibitions
@Bwag Devonte was out of control and fell asleep on defense on a key possession that cost us three points. His focus was not what I expect from an upperclassmen. Svi played pretty well. Carlton was better offensively and showed a low post game but isnt blocking out. We need to run more pick and pops with him for shot opportunities.