Andrew Wiggins shutdown a lot of negativity about his game today. What a Herculean effort! There is not a better player in the Big XII. We really missed the Big Fella today. Hopefully, a rematch next week. Not going to bash the ones that didn't show up today. I am sure they know who they are and/or have been informed by Coach Self by now. Time to rest up and get ready for Thursday and beyond.
KansasComet
982 posts
@Hawk8086 They were already standing around before he took over.
I absolutely love watching Andrew Wiggins play. I am certainly glad he decided to become a Kansas Jayhawk. It is rare to find a player of his skill set that is also a team player. He is the best player on the best team in the Big XII and he even delivered in the clutch versus Duke and Texas Tech. There are those out there that never cared for the young man, mostly because of his one and done status. Choosing to point out the deficiencies of this freshman phenom is laughable. His NBA stock will not suffer one bit. He did not ask for one and done status. He did however, earn it! Andrew Wiggins has been an excellent teammate and deserves to be Big 12 Player of the Year. Averaging 18 points a game did not help Kane, Ejim, or Staten win the Big 12 Title. Kansas was not swept by any team in the Big XII. Andrew Wiggins has not done anything to bring negative attention to the Kansas Jayhawks. I'm a fan. I hope he wins.
@jaybate 1.0 What I witnessed this season was a team that replaced 5 starters, looked lost at times, had chemistry issues, lost a game they should have won (CU), won a game they could have lost (TT), and battled through injury while playing with target on their back being "everybody's Super Bowl" in all of their road games, especially conference.
So congratulation to this year's Kansas Jayhawks and Coach Self for playing with zero returning starters, constantly improving, fighting to win every game they participated in, even when the calls did not go their way or the shots did not fall. This team team could have easily finished in 3rd or 4th place, but they didn't. They deserve to be applauded for their effort and encouraged by their fan base. 10 Conference titles in a row, unbelievable.
PS, Marcus Smart's after game speech would have been more accurate if he had said that he came back to school for another chance at a conference title, and possibly more, but once again Coach Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks are cutting down the nets, and the entire conference could not stop them.
@Saguaro_Jayhawk Good point. Lots of different factors in this one.
@Lulufulu85 you are right. The scary part about this team is they were up 10 on the road, in a hostile environment despite not having their "A" game.
33 Free throws for OSU to 18 for KU. That pretty much says it all.
@lincase I completely understand why.
My favorite part of the game was the support from the starters when they were on the bench. The way they look on in awe and appreciation of Tarik Black after his dunk says a lot about our team. Andrew Wiggins is a class act. I am glad he chose Kansas. It appears it was a well thought out, informed decision. A big thanks to our top 50 recruits that don't divide the team by complaining about playing time. It is refreshing to read about them trying hard to earn more minutes. Games like yesterday are reasons I enjoyed the ride, watching this team come together.
Can't say what would happen if Lyle chose KU. He is a thick player. He looks solid from what I saw on his highlights. I say come to Kansas "Where four and five stars have to earn minutes".
@icthawkfan316 i hope you are right about Monday's game. It should be a good one, nonetheless.
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Mason's open court move....we are just scratching the surface with this young man. Mason does not have a fluid 3 point jumper, but he has knocked down a few clutch 3 pointers for us. He is going to be a joy to watch over the next few years. Definitely will be a reliable scorer.
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Perry seemed to be in good rhythm early....agreed. He did appear a bit cautious after his 2nd foul. He needs to come up with a move for the secondary defender. He will easily beat his man one on one, and then get his shot swatted by the secondary defender.
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While I would love to see Greene getting a few more minutes....the fact that Self said players like Greene, Frankamp, and Lucas get caught up in a numbers game is good enough for me. There are a lot of great players out there, that would have loved the opportunity to play for the University of Kansas. Their time will come. Cannot wait to see the day, when White, Greene, and Frankamp put on a 3 point exhibition.
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Selden is able to fly under the radar, but is just as talented as anyone we have on the team.
ICT, thanks for pointing out the obvious to me. You did make several great points, my mistake for not acknowledging them before.
@icthawkfan316 you are right you did and they are much appreciated.
@ralster I appreciate your comments. Head in the sand? That means to hide from something, correct? Leaving it up to OSU to handle it is not avoiding the issue. I am more concerned with our teams play Monday Night. That is what is concerning to me. Something will probably happen to the two individuals involved, and it's not my call. I do have personal feelings about the issue. This is not the format for it. In my opinion, I would much rather discuss KU Hoops, and agree and disagree with all the fine fans we have in this format. I'd much rather know how you feel about the upcoming game Monday Night? SInce you appear to like CAPS to get your point across, AINT NO OSTRICH IN ME!!
@dynomitehawk Nice to have you back in the fold.
@icthawkfan316 my hope is that we continue to remain classy and concern ourselves with Kansas Basketball. OSU has their issues to deal with, just as we have ours. "Glass Houses" as far as I'm concerned.
Now what matters: Monday Night! We must play defense, we must rebound, and we must score. This KSU team can play with anybody, especially at home. We are a road tested team and should be able to handle the chaos. These are the type of games I look forward to. These are the games that help prepare the team for the NCAA Tournament. A hostile environment is waiting for us on Monday Night. Forget the so-called East Coast Bias. ESPN is salivating over this one. There is a reason road games against Iowa State and Kansas State were scheduled for Big Monday, this is Box Office. This is what we are all about, this is Kansas Basketball, I can't wait!!
Long, long way to go. Starting to get some chemistry. Better to take care of what lies directly in front of us instead of worrying about other teams situations. It appears everyone has accepted their role, which will be a good thing moving forward.
@HighEliteMajor Agreed. Takes away from the College Experience.
Wichita State has had a difficult time finding teams that will play them home and home. I think they have done quite well this season. It is hard to get fired up for lesser opponents, but they manage to get it done. I don't know how far they will make it in the tourney, but they have had an exceptional year.
@HighEliteMajor I can dig it.
This has been another awesome year of Kansas Basketball. 5 starters gone from a Sweet 16 team, yet here we are in the top 10 and leading the Big 12 Conference. There is a lot more to feel good about than bad. Been a long time since we have had a losing season in basketball. Enjoy the view from the top. Losses will happen, but so do many, many wins. We have a wonderful program, and we are everybody's Super Bowl.
@justanotherfan Nice breakdown, thanks.
Andrew Wiggins is a perfect fit for Kansas. Kansas is a perfect fit for Andrew Wiggins. I love the way he lets the game come to him. Wayne Selden, wow! Flying through the air to save balls from going out of bounds. Incredible athleticism. Perry Ellis was in attack mode. Tharpe ran the show like an efficient quarterback. Embiid continues to dominate and draw double and triple teams. There was not a drop off when Lucas got in the game. That being said, what I am most proud of are our talented bench players that may get in some games, and may not play in others. They continue to stay positive and ready to contribute at a moments notice. They appear to realize it an honor and a privilege to suit up for the University of Kansas and I applaud them for it. Their time will come. A 10th Straight Conference Championship would be great! This team has a chance to be special, they have not yet realized their full potential, but they are on their way. I am enjoying the ride.
If Black does not play, it's another opportunity for Lucas to step up. Great to have a surplus of talent.
The bench is capable. I will continue to talk up Lucas. The 2nd Five could be a top 25 team. We are in great shape for years to come.
Wichita State will be a tough out for anyone. Would love to see them play Louisville again in the tourney.
@Blown Good luck in your pick up league.
@jaybate 1.0 Great point. It is College!
@HighEliteMajor Thanks. After 4 losses this early in the season, there should not be a letdown on a National Stage. Traylor has put in work in the program and it shows.
@Blown Thanks. On the court, it's just my opinion, but I don't see any correlation between Darnell and Jamari. Once again Coach Self is playing Chess, while the rest of us are playing Checkers. Imagine the Chicago Bookends next year with Traylor and Alexander? If Jamari keeps improving at his current rate, the sky is the limit. I do understand the point that you are making and I appreciate it. Just not in full agreement with it. Always a pleasure to read your comments!
@HighEliteMajor Letdown games are an excuse at home. I don't like the term especially for a team that's used to 16,000+ nearly every time they suit up. It is Big Monday and the Nation is watching. Sometimes we just get beat.
@Blown Jamari is the first of his kind. Not like anyone we ever had before. I love his desire.
@Blown Good to know you are not bad luck!
Another close game televised by CBS. Good for ratings I guess. There are rarely any blowouts. Teams get big leads, but most of the time there is a ref-aided comeback. I give a ton of credit to OSU for shooting 3 pointers in the second half, however Smart working the refs is what kept the game manageable for OSU. The constant flailing of the arms and flopping was an embarrassment to Big 12 Basketball. Four of Wayne Selden's five turnovers in the 2nd half were ridiculous. Those passes were terrible. He is a much better passer than that. I thought the OSU press was not that tough, I thought we kind of panicked. Other teams watch tape, we must be ready for presses/traps here on out.
Tharpe was every bit the leader I had hoped he would be. Big time shots. My man "Fearless Frank" Mason needs to be fearless on the free throw line as well. He did knock down a clutch 3 and was excellent on defense at the end of the game. Too much talent wasted on the bench. Would have loved to see White III, Frankamp, and Greene get loose, especially, once we built up the lead. Could happen on Monday Night. KSU could be the 2nd best team in the Big 12. Team showed that it is a lot more than Wiggins and Ellis.
I am proud of Andrew Wiggins. So glad he did not force shots and play hero. He always seems to play within himself. This team is stacked. Top two players have an off game, and we still get it done.
We Won!!!
@jaybate 1.0 Thanks. I can dig it. Good points.
@jaybate 1.0 I get what you are saying. What is your take on Lucas?
Coach Self must see something in Black. If Black were a Freshman or Sophomore at KU, would he play over Lucas?
The backflip is over. It is in the past and not worth mentioning. Winning the game would have taken care of that. No matter how much the media and fans try to hype it up as a rematch, it is not. Last year is gone. It is not coming back. This year Wiggins appears to be on Smart's mind. I don't know whether that's good or bad? To me, it simply does not matter. Looking forward to this matchup. Andrew Wiggins is a must have for this year's team. Come tournament time, he will be a difference maker. We are loaded with playmakers on the bench. This team has a chance to be special.
@Blown Enjoy the game. If we lose, there's no doubt who is catching the blame. I hope you have attended several wins as well? Again, enjoy!
What a great game. So many options to choose from. This team is starting to develop chemistry. The cream always rises to the top.
It appears Selden belongs in the starting lineup. Great game, lots of talent on this team.
@iowajayhawk2005 Completely disagree on Mason. Part of the problem with the team this year is they are walking on eggshells. Afraid to shoot the ball, standing flat-footed on loose balls and letting opponents dictate pace. Frank Mason is a Freshman. He has stood up for his team and drilled clutch 3 point shots when others would or could not. Did they all go in? No. Are there better 3 point shooters on the team? Yes. However, Frank Mason is exactly what this team needs. I would much rather strike out swinging than looking any day of the week.
@HighEliteMajor I am good with Selden coming off the bench for now. Black is just not better than Lucas at this point. He has an advantage of having a year under his belt in the system. There were years past where we did not have the talent. This year we have a surplus of talent. There are minutes out there. Coach Self can pull it off, just like he did when we were loaded in 2008.
@HighEliteMajor I agree with you. Mason has shown time and time again that he is ready for the big moments. He drove to the bucket and scored with time running out against Villanova, he nailed a clutch 3 against San Diego State, and above all, he has no fear. That's how you survive and advance in March.
Let the best players play. Find some minutes for the players that you recruited to play basketball at Kansas. Hold yourself accountable for the play of the team by saying it's all on me, and I have got to do a better job of convincing my players that they are the best and I believe in them. Let them shoot the ball without the fear of getting yanked. Shooting the ball from 3 point range is okay, failing to crash the boards and get put-backs is not. That is my advice to Coach Self as a fan after watching this years team.
No, I do not want to or think that I can coach the Kansas Jayhawks. These are just my some of my observations. I cannot see how Landen Lucas is not getting at least 10 minutes a game? He gets after it, and there is not a drop off when he plays. I have also never watched a team, with obviously so much outside shooting talent riding the pine. I find myself shaking my head as I watch the games.
@jaybate 1.0 Thanks. They are not attacking opponents. Too much talent to not be in attack mode.
@AsadZ Thanks. Withey and T-Rob is an excellent example.
Why did we lose? Simple answer, once again by allowing a team to punch us in the mouth and not do anything about it. We should be the punchers. It appears this team celebrated the win over Duke as it's National Championship. The talent isn't the problem, there is plenty of that. A whole lot of talent, that is not being used? I have said all along that Landen Lucas could play. Hell, I believed he could have played last year, but was Red-Shirted. If it is painfully obvious that a player can play, then let him play. Other than missing two free-throws, he was pretty much flawless and had a positive effect on the game. Embiid and Lucas would be an interesting combination. That would open up the 3 point shooting that we rarely use, because shooters are confident when there are dominant rebounders on the court.