Landen Lucas Isn't Getting Enough Love Here

... the "Superman's sidekick" role that his initials scream out to all us overgrown superhero fans. Now we just to keep our revolving door of Supermen (one day Selden, another day Graham, another Ellis, and then there is Iron Man Mason) moving while everyone plays solid D and we've got ourselves a tournament capable team.

But first, let's win the next 6, starting tonight with swooping those 'Pokes outta their saddles!

To put up those kind of numbers against the two best rebounders on two of the best teams in this league this late in the season is truly remarkable.

CONCUR.

He came up huge in the two most pivotal, high-stakes games of the year.

I really believe that Self pulled him aside at some point in the stretch between KSU-TCU and had a real man-to-man with him. Lucas even said something to that effect, that Self had challenged him. Part of that, I'm sure was telling Lucas to simply believe that he belongs there, on the court.

Self said after his monster game vs. WVU that Landon was recruited, honestly, as a filler player. And that his Dad was told that he wouldn't begin to shine until a couple years into the program. Despite all of that, he's worked his tail off, absorbed every detail of Self's system, and now is bringing it like a man out there. Yes, he can be a bit awkward, and yes, he had to learn to jump and dunk the darn ball. But he's doing that now, Ellis is finding him on the dishes, others are finding him on the alley-oops, and he's continuing to do what he's always done with rebounding and defense (his primary assets).

Will he have an "off" game in the future? Heck yes! But every single KU player has off games--many of them, to be exact. (See: Perry vs. UK and OSU, just as examples for a solid big) But I love what he's bringing now. He's essentially begun to fill the primary hole this team had, at the 5. And fill it rather nicely.

Here's hoping that continues. And may Self be deft at knowing when there might be a better matchup (Bragg? Diallo? Hunter? Traylor?) during some stretches in future games, as needed. We need all the arrows in our quiver, but right now at the 5 Lucas is the sharpest, most seasoned of the bunch, and the one that Ellis et al. feel most comfortable with. Lastly, per Self's edict, he gives KU the best chance to win.

Just my take. Folks know I'm not so sanguine about Traylor, but even he has given some good minutes ever since he, too, got challenged prior to the TCU game. Just keep the good performances going...and keep on winning! Everything else will take care of itself.

...ATXJayhawk.

Well played, sir, well played! (The emoji next to Puke were my favorite)

Wow, talk about an outlier that I certainly didn't see coming in that top 5.

I know nothing about them. Zilch.

Anyone? Buehler? Anyone?

Murph, I definitely remember that rebound. It was the perfect combination of want-to and skill (like his saying he would not be denied), and you're right--it was pivotal.

And yep, we do!

...Keegan did a nice piece on him after last night's game:

www2.kusports.com/news/2016/feb/15/tom-k...ness-work-benefitin/

Hard work, solid game IQ, fire, and skills. He's always had the first three going for him, and the fourth when it came to defense, rebounding, and performing his role in the system. Now that he's expanding that final category to the offensive end, he is becoming an important component of the KU machine.

Onward and upward, young man...