The Purple Kitties have shown some flashes where they looked talented when they play chumps, but anytime they've played a decent team, their true colors show.
I predict Jayhawk transcendence to the tune of 72-59.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Pummel the Powerkittenz
The Purple Kitties have shown some flashes where they looked talented when they play chumps, but anytime they've played a decent team, their true colors show.
I predict Jayhawk transcendence to the tune of 72-59.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Ugh
Somebody has to say it.
This photo from kusports.com seems to about capture my feeling about the game.
Turnovers; lack of scoring; poor rebounding (what did we give up, like 14 offense boards in the 1st half??) . . . I was so ready for Scott to repeat his prediction glory with respect to Morningstar, but it just wasn't there. So much just wasn't there.
Ugh.
To their credit, KU won the second half, and finished with some decent fight. Far too late, of course, but it made for a nice silver lining or light at the end of the tunnel or some such.
K-State didn't look too hot at home against OU, but I have no idea what to expect on Tuesday . . .
This photo from kusports.com seems to about capture my feeling about the game.
Turnovers; lack of scoring; poor rebounding (what did we give up, like 14 offense boards in the 1st half??) . . . I was so ready for Scott to repeat his prediction glory with respect to Morningstar, but it just wasn't there. So much just wasn't there.
Ugh.
To their credit, KU won the second half, and finished with some decent fight. Far too late, of course, but it made for a nice silver lining or light at the end of the tunnel or some such.
K-State didn't look too hot at home against OU, but I have no idea what to expect on Tuesday . . .
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Vols To The Wall
Whew. We needed that one. I don't know if this gets us into the Top 25, but it at least gets us off the bubble for the moment. And maybe we've turned a corner.
This was the way we need Sherron to play all the time -- more Chris Paul than Allen Iverson. The nine assists were the key. He dished the ball enough to keep the defenders honest, which in turn helped him score at will.
And Aldrich was equally good, playing a flawless game (other than two dumb TOs in the first half) against tough frontcourt competition. We're starting to almost take him for granted this year, but I can't overstate just how rare it is to have an underclassman play with this kind of confidence in the post.
Morningstar had three turnovers, but he also made six assists and a heroic effort on those contested inbounds passes. He's starting to look more and more like he belongs out there; I wasn't so sure before, but his defense on Budinger and his performance in this one are giving me pause.
And the enigmatic Tyshawn was an underrated contributor as well. During Collins' second-half breather TT scored three straight hoops; at that point I figured it was just our day.
Mario Little looks like he can theoretically contribute, but if he's still hobbled now, should he just redshirt? That wouldn't be the best thing for the team, but maybe best for him.
Everybody's now looking ahead to MSU, but don't sleep on Siena this week. That's a tournament team right there, and our boys are due for a letdown.
This was the way we need Sherron to play all the time -- more Chris Paul than Allen Iverson. The nine assists were the key. He dished the ball enough to keep the defenders honest, which in turn helped him score at will.
And Aldrich was equally good, playing a flawless game (other than two dumb TOs in the first half) against tough frontcourt competition. We're starting to almost take him for granted this year, but I can't overstate just how rare it is to have an underclassman play with this kind of confidence in the post.
Morningstar had three turnovers, but he also made six assists and a heroic effort on those contested inbounds passes. He's starting to look more and more like he belongs out there; I wasn't so sure before, but his defense on Budinger and his performance in this one are giving me pause.
And the enigmatic Tyshawn was an underrated contributor as well. During Collins' second-half breather TT scored three straight hoops; at that point I figured it was just our day.
Mario Little looks like he can theoretically contribute, but if he's still hobbled now, should he just redshirt? That wouldn't be the best thing for the team, but maybe best for him.
Everybody's now looking ahead to MSU, but don't sleep on Siena this week. That's a tournament team right there, and our boys are due for a letdown.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tyshawn Taylor
I'm having a hard time getting a read on this guy. I've missed a few games out here without being able to get them on TV for the first time unless it's nationally televised. Probably need to bite the bullet and get ESPN Full Court or something.
He seems like a solid defender, sometimes. But he also seems like a headcase, sometimes. Yeah he's a freshman, what do you guys think his ceiling is though.
Is he more Russ Rob or more Chalmers? He kind of reminds me of a Marlon London type, but that's maybe too harsh.
And any predictions on the football hawks tonight?
I say we win the Glen Mason bowl by three TDS, 42-21.
He seems like a solid defender, sometimes. But he also seems like a headcase, sometimes. Yeah he's a freshman, what do you guys think his ceiling is though.
Is he more Russ Rob or more Chalmers? He kind of reminds me of a Marlon London type, but that's maybe too harsh.
And any predictions on the football hawks tonight?
I say we win the Glen Mason bowl by three TDS, 42-21.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Temple's Doom
That's more like it. The victory over a good Temple squad this weekend was the textbook for how we have to win games this year -- hardcore D, big numbers from Cole and Sherron, and more contributions than errors from the freshmen.
I think it needs to be said right now: Cole has been almost perfect this season so far. Now I've probably jinxed him.
Is this team ready for its first road test -- at Arizona, no less? Both teams are a little suspect, with the Cats facing coaching turnover, so I'll give the 'Hawks a 50-50 chance to steal this one.
Incidentally, I still don't see what the problem was with the mohawks.
I think it needs to be said right now: Cole has been almost perfect this season so far. Now I've probably jinxed him.
Is this team ready for its first road test -- at Arizona, no less? Both teams are a little suspect, with the Cats facing coaching turnover, so I'll give the 'Hawks a 50-50 chance to steal this one.
Incidentally, I still don't see what the problem was with the mohawks.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The Horror, The Horror
There were a lot of positive takeaways from the Syracuse loss, but yesterday's loss to the UMass Minutemen is best relegated to the dustbin of history.
The freshmen were without exception horrendous -- the capper being the late-game foul by Marcus Morris on a player 20 feet from the basket with 1 second left on the shot clock, completely wrecking what had been a great defensive sequence for the 'Hawks.
But the elder statesmen bear some blame as well -- Collins for once again taking too many bad shots, and Self for the late-game T and uncreative play-calling.
Sherron is starting to turn into Allen Iverson out there, putting up big numbers but overhandling and taking too many shots to get there -- and ultimately, losing the game. We need to start running more plays to set him up for the jumper, as when they ran the "Mario" at the end of the game.
The good news is we can't play much worse than that, yet only lost by one; and the freshmen will only get better. But what's still worrying me is shooting. Do we have any other shooters besides Sherron? If not, teams are just going to keep swarming Cole and we won't be able to counter it.
On a positive note: I do believe that despite the outcome today, the mohawks should stay.
The freshmen were without exception horrendous -- the capper being the late-game foul by Marcus Morris on a player 20 feet from the basket with 1 second left on the shot clock, completely wrecking what had been a great defensive sequence for the 'Hawks.
But the elder statesmen bear some blame as well -- Collins for once again taking too many bad shots, and Self for the late-game T and uncreative play-calling.
Sherron is starting to turn into Allen Iverson out there, putting up big numbers but overhandling and taking too many shots to get there -- and ultimately, losing the game. We need to start running more plays to set him up for the jumper, as when they ran the "Mario" at the end of the game.
The good news is we can't play much worse than that, yet only lost by one; and the freshmen will only get better. But what's still worrying me is shooting. Do we have any other shooters besides Sherron? If not, teams are just going to keep swarming Cole and we won't be able to counter it.
On a positive note: I do believe that despite the outcome today, the mohawks should stay.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Enemy Of The 'States'
Since the 'Cuse loss, it's been a series of home wins over "State" schools -- Coppin, Kent and New Mexico.
The only impressive one of the three was Kent State -- a perennial mid-Major nuisance that took Illinois to overtime recently. Beating them at Allen is no big deal, but doing so by 27 points is a good sign. I saw a bit of this one online -- including this play.
Oh, and I did get to watch our brilliant football victory over Mizzou last week. Was that great or what? Eh? Mmm?
Still no big basketball games on the immediate horizon, but I think the future looks bright, especially with the imminent debut of Mario Little.
Next sacrificial lamb at the Fieldhouse? Jackson State.
The only impressive one of the three was Kent State -- a perennial mid-Major nuisance that took Illinois to overtime recently. Beating them at Allen is no big deal, but doing so by 27 points is a good sign. I saw a bit of this one online -- including this play.
Oh, and I did get to watch our brilliant football victory over Mizzou last week. Was that great or what? Eh? Mmm?
Still no big basketball games on the immediate horizon, but I think the future looks bright, especially with the imminent debut of Mario Little.
Next sacrificial lamb at the Fieldhouse? Jackson State.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
(Hiccup)
Before Syracuse pulled a Mario on us at the end of last night's game, I was ready to write another post about how much promise this team has, how great the newcomers are, how far we can go in March, etc. So I'll still try to keep this on a relatively positive note.
A lot of the good things we said yesterday still stand. As a matter of fact, some of the newcomers impressed me even more against the 'Cuse than against the Huskies.
I may have been unfair to the twins. Last night they were snatching contested rebounds, blocking shots, nailing 3's, driving and dishing -- Marcus had 2 turnovers last night, but he also had 6 assists. (!)
And Tyshawn Taylor? That f**king guy can finish!
On the other hand, Taylor did have 4 of our 17 turnovers, and TOs were the key to the game, I thought. The Orange had almost as many, but more of ours were in the backcourt, leading to easy runouts for them; I thought our defense was pretty good, but they shot 48% largely because we gave them so many layups.
Which begs the question: Who is our point guard? Down the stretch Taylor was bringing the ball up, but he doesn't really strike me as a PG -- only had 2 assists to his 4 TOs. If Sherron is our only guy who can really play the point, this could be a huge Achilles heel. Maybe Reed can do it? He had a terrible first half but finished with 5 assists.
FTs were obviously an issue as well -- one more from Cole at the end and we win the game. The twins seem to be a liability at the stripe: 1 for 5 collectively.
But the other major problem last night was Sherron, as he readily admits. He seemed out to prove that he was better than Syracuse's Flynn, which led to a lot of ill-advised freelancing down the stretch, and his miscues seemed to deflate our whole team. Maybe he's not yet "ready to lead," after all.
A lot of the good things we said yesterday still stand. As a matter of fact, some of the newcomers impressed me even more against the 'Cuse than against the Huskies.
I may have been unfair to the twins. Last night they were snatching contested rebounds, blocking shots, nailing 3's, driving and dishing -- Marcus had 2 turnovers last night, but he also had 6 assists. (!)
And Tyshawn Taylor? That f**king guy can finish!
On the other hand, Taylor did have 4 of our 17 turnovers, and TOs were the key to the game, I thought. The Orange had almost as many, but more of ours were in the backcourt, leading to easy runouts for them; I thought our defense was pretty good, but they shot 48% largely because we gave them so many layups.
Which begs the question: Who is our point guard? Down the stretch Taylor was bringing the ball up, but he doesn't really strike me as a PG -- only had 2 assists to his 4 TOs. If Sherron is our only guy who can really play the point, this could be a huge Achilles heel. Maybe Reed can do it? He had a terrible first half but finished with 5 assists.
FTs were obviously an issue as well -- one more from Cole at the end and we win the game. The twins seem to be a liability at the stripe: 1 for 5 collectively.
But the other major problem last night was Sherron, as he readily admits. He seemed out to prove that he was better than Syracuse's Flynn, which led to a lot of ill-advised freelancing down the stretch, and his miscues seemed to deflate our whole team. Maybe he's not yet "ready to lead," after all.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
We're Back, Baby!
Last night against Washington was my first exposure to the '09 'Hawks, though my ESPN-deuce shorted out for the first 15 minutes of it. What I saw, from the 6:30 mark of the 1st half on, was more than encouraging:
1. Cole is ready to break out as a star. He didn't look like a guy who'd been warming the bench only last season.
2. Sherron has become a supremely confident quarterback. Like Obama, he is putting to rest all questions about being "ready to lead."
3. The supporting cast looks none too shabby. Morningstar, Taylor, and the twins -- esp. Marcus -- all showed me something last night. And Conner T. got his stroke back.
4. The Self formula lives on with different personnel. The zone is not necessarily a welcome innovation, but shooting 50% while holding the opponent to 29% -- those are numbers worthy of last year's team.
Now, a few caveats:
1. This was a home game, with friendly refs, against a team that couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Is our defense really that good, or are the Huskies just that incompetent? Syracuse tonight will be a better gauge.
2. Outside shooting could be a big question mark. Cole and Sherron need to be able to kick it out when the double-teams come, but we were 2 for 9 from 3-point range; Morningstar and Reed were 0-fer. (The line has been moved back this year, which could theoretically help us if it makes the inside game that much more important; but still, we're in a bit of a hole if we can't nail the open 3.)
3. Rebounding was obviously an issue. That's typically the first thing to suffer when you go to a zone, and we were playing against maybe the best rebounder in the nation in Brockman. So let's reserve judgment on that one.
4. The Twins, as advertised, have talent but low hoops IQ -- remind me a little of C.J. Giles. They combined for half of our 10 turnovers. As sidekicks to Aldrich, they can be very dangerous; hopefully he stays healthy and they won't have to be load-bearers.
We haven't done predictions yet, because I had absolutely no sense of this team until last night. Maybe after this tourney we can do some late handicapping.
Tonight, j'Cuse!
1. Cole is ready to break out as a star. He didn't look like a guy who'd been warming the bench only last season.
2. Sherron has become a supremely confident quarterback. Like Obama, he is putting to rest all questions about being "ready to lead."
3. The supporting cast looks none too shabby. Morningstar, Taylor, and the twins -- esp. Marcus -- all showed me something last night. And Conner T. got his stroke back.
4. The Self formula lives on with different personnel. The zone is not necessarily a welcome innovation, but shooting 50% while holding the opponent to 29% -- those are numbers worthy of last year's team.
Now, a few caveats:
1. This was a home game, with friendly refs, against a team that couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Is our defense really that good, or are the Huskies just that incompetent? Syracuse tonight will be a better gauge.
2. Outside shooting could be a big question mark. Cole and Sherron need to be able to kick it out when the double-teams come, but we were 2 for 9 from 3-point range; Morningstar and Reed were 0-fer. (The line has been moved back this year, which could theoretically help us if it makes the inside game that much more important; but still, we're in a bit of a hole if we can't nail the open 3.)
3. Rebounding was obviously an issue. That's typically the first thing to suffer when you go to a zone, and we were playing against maybe the best rebounder in the nation in Brockman. So let's reserve judgment on that one.
4. The Twins, as advertised, have talent but low hoops IQ -- remind me a little of C.J. Giles. They combined for half of our 10 turnovers. As sidekicks to Aldrich, they can be very dangerous; hopefully he stays healthy and they won't have to be load-bearers.
We haven't done predictions yet, because I had absolutely no sense of this team until last night. Maybe after this tourney we can do some late handicapping.
Tonight, j'Cuse!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
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