@jaybate 1.0 we must hit the floor for loose balls, 50/50 balls. Our guards can play. I think Frank Mason can get into the paint against anybody. Tharpe seems ready to lead this team. Not worried about their size, we have plenty of that as well. I think it comes down to hustle and pace. No one should be allowed to come into Phog Allen Field House and dictate the pace of the game. What a non conference schedule! We have played against every type of team imaginable. Physical, finesse, fast, slow, zone, mam-to-man, and not to mention refs swallowing their whistles one-sidedly (10 minutes, 30 seconds the Villanova Game). Home games, away games,Neutral Sites, Large Venues and Small Venues. This team has seen it all. Today is the last test before conference, hopefully we have studied well.
Game will probably be close. Most regular season games on CBS are. Good for ratings I guess. We must reduce the amount of garbage put back buckets that we have given up lately. I was impressed with the way we attempted 3 point shots in our last game. It is time for our 3 point assassins to step out on a National Stage and demonstrate what they are capable of. This will silence the Talking Heads that are quick to point out that we have no outside shooting, in their opinion of course. I like this year better than years past because we know exactly who we are because we have been tested, weaknesses exposed, and hopefully deficiencies corrected. In years past we have played softer schedules and thought we were much better than what we were. Last year, we were one of the best teams in the nation, but we couldn't close games very well. This year, we must prove we can close games. The Florida game is the only game where we did not put ourselves in a position to win. We should be a one loss team, but we are not. Hopefully, the early season losses will motivate our team to take care of business from the moment they step on the court.
Not sure what pace this game will be played, but it should be a good game.
@jaybate 1.0 I enjoyed reading your post, thanks.
@approxinfinity Thanks, only one Coach Self recruit out of the three you mentioned. All were good players, just didn't work out for whatever reason. Again thanks.
More proof that Coach Self is already looking ahead to next year. This is why KU stays relevant year after year. Are there any transfers in the Bill Self era that have gone on to blossom at other schools? I am not talking about a good game here or there. With Royce Woolridge, it remains to be seen, I am talking about players that have finished playing ball in College.
Players new to the program have to be given the opportunity to get their feet wet. 3 point assassins need teammates and coaches to believe in them. We have 3 players on our team right now that are not getting very many minutes, that are capable, if given permission and the opportunity, could come down the court and knock down 3-5 three pointers in a row. We know who they are, and hopefully one day in the near future, they will prove me right.
Was pleased to see Tharpe take over this team. Loved the fact that we shot 3 pointers and made 3 pointers. We are starting to turn the corner. I see why Toledo was undefeated coming into this matchup. They hustle and really fight for the ball in the paint. We will hit our stride sooner or later.
Of course it's a compliment. There have been numerous players, come tourney time that have sent us home due in large part to their fearlessness. Frank Mason is that type of player. It is great to have a tough minded player like that on our side.
What I love about Mason is his fearlessness. He is the type of player that has sent KU home from many tournaments. Not afraid of the big moment. Other than the Oklahoma State game on the road, I cannot think of games when it appeared Tharpe wanted the ball in the big moment? I like Tharpe, but give me Mason, when times are hard. He will put his head down and get in the paint and make something happen. I can live with a loss, as long as the effort is made. I am more of a strike out swinging, than strike out looking type of person. Mason still has a lot to learn, but he will get there. Tharpe needs to be more assertive if it is his team?
I am on board with the tired legs theory. Lots of good comments.
Conner Frankamp only has one issue and that is moving without the ball. Frankamp was an excellent scorer in high school. He was able to freelance in high school. Now he must learn how to move the ball within the system. My only advice would be to watch some video of Reggie Miller. I still believe he is an excellent player and his time will come.
We won the game and there is a reason that Coach Self recruits the East Coast so well. It is physical. I am not saying that it is right, only that it is a physical brand of basketball. Remember, There is trash talk from both sides. There are elbows being thrown from both sides that we may not see. There is retaliation for things said and for physical acts throughout the course of the game, such as a subtle push in the back or grab of the arm, that the refs did not call or see. I can tolerate Jay Bilas, he can say what he wants, I am sure he is getting paid quite well to do so. Everything is not going to go our way, and believe me there are plenty of fans out there rooting against us saying we get every call because we are Kansas. If you think that game was physical, wait until we go on the road for Conference play, that is exactly what Coach Self set these games up for, to prepare the team for a long hard fought physical journey. It can be hard to watch, and I agree that the commentator's comments can lead to further frustration, but we will be alright in the long run. We are not the only team experiencing physical play. We did end up with quite a few knots on our heads today, and I didn't like it either. These are the kind of games that have sent us home early in the tournament. Can't say that we were soft this time around.
Games like this are the reason Coach Self recruits East Coast Talent!
HEM, that would be great, with lots of transition buckets.
I would love to see Lucas and Embiid in the game at the same time.
HEM,
Thanks for your response. I enjoyed reading it. You make good points as always. Even if I don't agree from time to time, I take them into consideration. Not sure what our record would be without Wiggins. I think our record would be much better with Lucas getting more playing time. I love his hustle. As far as AWIII goes, I don't know what else he can do to get time on the court? He appears to be in excellent shape, and seems to have an excellent attitude. If he transferred, I would wish him nothing but the best. We all know that year 3 in Coach Self's program is where players usually blossom, so who knows? Glad your mind remains open, we may have 3 OAD's before the season is over.
Landon Lucas can play, he always could. Once again, and I do not mean this as a negative, Coach Self limits minutes/red shirts quality players to hold onto them as long as he can. Joel Embiid can play, he just was not given the chance. Tarik Black can play ball, unfortunately he has not adapted to this years rules. You can't grab and hand-check anymore. I personally feel bad for AWIII. We have saw glimpses of what he can do. He is capable of heating up like "The Microwave", when given a chance. Conner Frankamp can hold his own and light it up as well. Freshman year at KU is a crapshoot. The best example is Cole Aldrich. He sat bench most of his freshman year, and then he gave Tyler Hansbrough the business on the big stage at the Final Four when called upon. I don't see much light at the end of the tunnel for AWIII at this point, but you never know. HEM, I have always maintained that Landon Lucas can play at this level. You said you didn't think he would do much based on his "Star" rating out of high school. Also, I told you that Andrew Wiggins would be great for Kansas Basketball, one and done or not. You didn't really want him. As you can see, he has not upset the Apple Cart. Wiggins remains someone that can get us that much needed bucket come March. He does not appear to be afraid of the big moment. I enjoy reading your post, they are insightful.
The reason I stopped posting on KUSPORTS is quite simple. It has nothing to do with FaceGate. It is about changing the rules in the middle of the game. That is something that I cannot support.
Great Schedule put together by Coach Self. Once again he is playing chess, while everyone else is playing checkers. He knew these losses were a possibility. However, theese losses are affordable. It prepares us for trips to OU, ISU, OSU, KSU, BU, and UT, which will all be hostile environments. This team will come together. The passing must improve. The low post moves must improve. Big men kicking the ball out for open three's does not appear to be part of the offense. There's room for improvement including coaching. We must adapt to the way the games are officiated. We will be okay after all We Are Kansas!!
HEM, Tarik Black will be okay. His production is not what you would expect for a starter. Better two quick fouls on Black, than two quick fouls on Embiid. What are your current feelings on Lucas? I have said all along that he can play, he just got caught up in a numbers game.
HEM, not concerned because these guys can shoot. It will work itself out. This is one of the few KU teams that did not get a chance to feast on Allen Field House Cupcakes. They will be okay. Much more worried about knocking down free throws. The bigger problem in my opinion are free throws, because as we all know, they are uncontested. I do understand where you are coming from. Remember, Mario's Miracle does not happen without great free throw shooting that night, it is also what did in Memphis. On the flip side, terrible free throw shooting cost us the 2003 Title, we withstood McNamara's 1st half 3 point barrage. I still believe in these guy's and their 3 point ability.
3 point shooting could be better, and that will come in time. I am not concerned about 3 point shooting in the least bit, or this "pick one" talk. Most folks are upset because we lost two games, and the real issue is staring us right in the face ---- Wait for it......FREE THROW SHOOTING!!!!! Yes, free throw shooting. In the two losses we shot 60% in one game and 65% in the other. Knock down free throws at a rate of 70% and we are not having these conversations. The problem is not whether Frankamp, White, or Greene gets enough playing time to get into the flow of games, that will work itself out. Coach Self is doing a wonderful job trying to figure out what works best for us. Fact is, we are a tournament team, and will be a tough out for anyone facing us come tournament time. We need to hit our free throws and not shoot them like the 2007-2008 Memphis Tigers. We have played 8 games, and only had 3 games at home. I think for this team, it is great to gain experience in hostile environments and pressure situations. This is much better than loading up on cupcake games at home, and thinking we are much better than what we are. We managed to tie the two games that we lost, so that proves we can be clutch. The best way to close out games will be at the good ole charity stripe.
It's not just you.
HEM, you are right on the money
Thanks, there really isn't a need to kill the confidence of these obviously talented young men. We have a chance to be one of the fresher teams entering March.
Have not seen much from this team to be concerned about. With the exception of the 10 and 1/2 minute stretch in the Villanova game where the refs obviously swallowed their whistles on one end, allowing Villanova to grab, pull, and push. This enabled Villanova to gain the advantage on those 50/50 balls that Coach Self talks about. Other than that, it is an easy KU victory, and most of these conversations are not had. Winning is a great deodorant. The only real issue with this team is allowing the 3 point shooters to shoot. 3 point shooters need to have confidence that the shot is going in, and that their coach has confidence in them. All of these young men can play basketball. We have at least 10 quality starters on this team. I read a comment that Frankamp can't handle the ball. Nothing could be further from the truth. He can flat out ball. He may not be used to the ball not being in his hand all the time, but he can definitely play and handle the ball. These young men were not only starters on their previous teams, they were also "The Man" on their teams. There has to be an adjustment period to becoming a role player and learning a new system. I think they will all be fine, and since Coach Self could not find a player to red-shirt, then he needs to figure out a way to use them all.
Villanova does not belong on the same court and Kansas. However, Villanova attacked Kansas yesterday. The referees swallowed their whistles and Villanova gained confidence. The score was 11-2 KU, and it appeared KU thought they could go through the motions. We were attacked and the only players that had fight in them were Frank Mason, Landen Lucas, and Embiid. We are more than capable. The game reminded me of several losses in the NCAA Tournament. Hopefully, we will be in attack mode from this game forward. This team is much too talented to sit back and let someone hand it to them like that. We beat Duke on a big stage, and then we come out and lay an egg. We are much better than that. No offense to Villanova fans, talent wise it's not even close. Heart wise, it appears they currently have an advantage.
I like things the way that they are, totally unpredictable. Coach Self has created an atmosphere that will result in highly competitive practices, and maximum effort in games. I love it. Bring it everyday, or sit. Sometimes players will sit because it just wasn't in the cards for that particular game. Accomplishments in High School mean absolutely nothing. The chemistry will come. What is great about it is opponents can't really game plan against KU. There is no defensive strategy against a squad this deep. I don't see Greene transferring, he has gotten National Exposure on a top 5 team, why leave? He is a Freshman, his time will come. I am sure Greene and Frankamp have never sat in their lives, but this is an elite team, and I am sure they are thrilled to be a part of it. When they are given the opportunity to excel, they must do just that. So far this year we have seen KU put up 50 in a half without Andrew Wiggins scoring, top 50 players get limited minutes, and a team so talented, that Coach Self, yes Coach Bill Self, could not bring himself (no pun intended), to redshirt anyone. I look forward to watching this team mature, learn, and grow while continuing to play unselfishly for and with each other.
Thanks HEM. Always a pleasure to discuss KU hoops.
What an incredible team! The second five on this team would be A top 25 team on their own. Just my opinion. Looking forward to watching this team grow.
Great Post, EJ's my guy. He had lots of big moments for us.
I enjoyed reading your post.