Tonight should be fascinating to watch...

Talk about two very evenly matched teams. To wit:

* KU and OU are easily two of the most balanced teams among the elite-ranked schools in the land. KU is ranked numero uno in KenPom, with the #7 adjusted offense and adjusted defense in the land. OU is ranked 4th overall in KenPom, and 9th and 8th in the respective adjO and adjD categories.

* Both teams play through their guards...and both rely on a three-pronged attack from the perimeter. For KU, it's Frank, Devonte, and Wayne. For OU, it's Buddy Hield, Isaiah Cousins, and Jordan Woodard.

* Both teams shoot lights-out from behind the arc. KU is tied for #1 in the land in overall 3-point field goal percentage, at 46.0%, while OU comes in right on our heels at 45.3%. (Those are astounding numbers, by the way, and a sure sign that the game has changed in a very fundamental way...just as orange is the new black, the 3 is the new 2--whether Coach wants to call it fools gold or not!)

* Both teams have set the standard for scoring margin, with KU winning its games by an average of 23 points and OU winning its contests by an average of 20 (best for 3rd and 7th in the land). [Both average high scores as well, with KU averaging 88pg and OU averaging 87]

* Both teams are exceptionally veteran in nature. OU has the edge in this category: 3 of their primary four starters and minute-eaters are seasoned seniors (Hield, Cousins, Spangler), and even Woodard is a very experienced junior. KU, as we know, is led by a senior (Ellis), two juniors (Mason and Selden), and a sophomore (Graham).

* Both are exceptionally well-coached. With Coach Self and Coach Kruger manning the sidelines, nothing further needs to be said.

If we play to our strengths and our perimeter basically manages to fight to a draw with OU's, it will come down to Spangler and OU's upcoming bigs versus our seasoned and unseasoned bigs. Whoever wins inside could prove to be the difference (on both ends of the court, but especially in rebounding, blocks, hustle plays, and HITTING BUNNIES). In this vein, while Spangler is solid, I feel like his 6'8 frame (though broad-shouldered and strong) should not be that overwhelming for our guys when we're on defense. He can stretch the floor with an occasional three, but I'd actually like to see us reverse that with Perry doing most of his damage offensively from outside, off the weave, and off of the creative inbounds screening plays that were so effective against Baylor (freeing up Perry for the easy twos).

Throw in the AFH home court factor (and the return of the students), and I like our chances. However, make no mistake about it, this should be one heck of a battle. Two very evenly-matched, balanced, and relatively experienced teams playing for early pole position in the Big 12. This will be an exceedingly competitive conference to win this year, so it's imperative for KU to hold serve at home.

Bottom line: get your popcorn, your bevy of choice, roll out your good-luck charms and superstitions, put the pets outside or in another room, buckle your seat belts, and get ready for a major early-season rumble in the Old Barn!

Rock Chalk...

Thanks, Bay. I definitely thought of you when I raised that flag!

Spangler might be the key really. Not just to foul, but to get into foul trouble. I think if we can make them the Buddy Hield show, that will help us defensively. Take away Spangler and you really do limit what they can do offensively. That makes our defense of Hield a bit easier (though he is going to get his no matter what).

Good stuff, Corpus (as always). All four are sound to me, and I think you can also flip #1 for us--meaning I would drive like crazy against them. They have no towering rim protector (I think Spangler is only 6'9), and our three-guard tandem (with a special hat tip to Frank) is outstanding at that game. It is the most disruptive play in basketball when it works well, because in those cases it will either result in a decent look at a shot or the help D coming over to enable an open cutter for the dish.

Off the top of my head, I'd dare say that this team has the best penetration game of any KU team I can recall. Reason: we have not one or two but three guys that can do it and do it as needed. (In the past, we would have a Sherron or a Tyshawn, but a three-headed dribble-drive monster is super hard to deal with) The trick is to pick your spots to utilize it, because if you over-apply it or run into fantastic rim protectors (much less both...see UK Nov 2014 blowout and Nov 2011 loss), the D can adjust. Luckily for this KU team, the outside shooting is so solid that it's a "pick your poison" dilemma for any opposing defense.

Last comment: Your #4 is very well taken. But would you characterize that as a variable that fans actually control (that is, it impacts the game) or just a feel-good placebo? Haha, had to ask...and perhaps that kind of philosophical question would be better positioned on the politics board!

Rock Chalk...

You can do it. The KU radio broadcast is archived right after the game. It includes about an hour of pregame. Load each of them, skip to the the beginning of the game in both (lotta guessing for the radio one), hit play.

To change the subject, Vitale. Ugh. I know many don't like Fran anymore, but I think he's pretty good. He just needs to be a little more neutral when KU is playing one of his kids. The OU one has finally left.

I miss that weekly article about '6 degrees of Vitale' or whatever from grantland. That was always funny, and the alternates were always so plausible.

had an official over/under on that for all his broadcasts.

I know he'll bring up the death of Izzo's father. And Izzo getting nominated or elected to the HOF. And he'll say it's stupid to wait til someone retires to vote them in.

He has to mention someone's beautiful wife.

What else?