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Ugly win.
- NotOstertag
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Furphy was the only bright spot and our "stars" didn't look like it. McCullar did have 20 points, but he seemed to be missing more than he was hitting, and he missed 4 FTs. He also seemed tired or possibly dinged up. Dickinson, however, just looked like he was checked out. 6 rebounds? It's no wonder Cinci outrebounded us 40-29, almost all of which were on the offensive side. Thankfully, Cinci didn't convert at a high rate on those 2nd chances.
Searching for good news, KJ continues to be a solid performer, and Coach has 4 days to whip these guys into shape before we have to go to Ames where it's ALWAYS a struggle. ISU will certainly smell blood in the water.
I get it that we've seen these kind of mid-season doldrums before, but there's very little margin of error this year.
Side note: Line of the night went to HCBS who, when informed of Joel Embiid's 70 point game, took credit (tongue DEEP in cheek) for Embiid's big night by saying that he taught Embiid everything he knows during his 8 months in Lawrence. Well played, HCBS.
"When I was a freshman, I remember Coach Naismith telling us how important it was to play good defense." - Mitch Lightfoot
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- Riverhawk
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- KMT
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I always wonder if this will contribute to more transfers now that the portal is a viable option for these players.
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- NotOstertag
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Just 2 cents.
"When I was a freshman, I remember Coach Naismith telling us how important it was to play good defense." - Mitch Lightfoot
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- replayloungehawk
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- NotOstertag
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We don't see what McDowell is doing well or poorly in practice. For all we know, he has major flaws that Self sees in the gym that are keeping him on the bench, or at the very least, on a very short leash. Self has admitted that the bench is a big problem, but also says that we can't have a major dropoff in effectiveness when we go to the bench. I'd wager that Self honestly feels that going to these guys results in too big of a dropoff. Take McDowell's quick return to the bench. We might see it as one fairly insignificant mistake. Self (by seeing him practice) might see it as a CONTINUED problem that is a point if emphasis for him. When that "I told you to do just one thing" thing fails right away, I can't blame Self for cutting it off quick.
One idea that MIGHT be helpful would be to pay Furphy's parents to come to every game for the next few months. Seems their presence gave him a boost. Hell, invite the whole Furphy famly...aunts, uncles, whatever.
"When I was a freshman, I remember Coach Naismith telling us how important it was to play good defense." - Mitch Lightfoot
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- HawkErrant
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Second, the bench is really just Braun, Jackson and McDowell.
Parker is the only one of the 3 who has basically played to expectations. His role is to give Hunter 5-10 minutes rest every game without hurting the team, and he has done that.
Nick has improved on defense so he is not the defensive liability he was earlier this season. If he can find his offense — which is the reason he was pursued by KU — Bill has a huge part of his answer. If Nick fails to become the scorer we had hoped for, this season is essentially a second rate season for KU.
Now to be fair to Nick, Elmarko — who has been playing out of position all season (he always played PG, not 2G before KU) — is another hoped for contributor who has not contributed. EJ needs to find his scoring mojo if KU is to make any real noise.
If BOTH of them can find their offensive mojo, KU can go far. If neither one, or only one finally click, it’s going to be a rough road over the next 12 Big 12 games and into the postseason.
I have not given up on our guys yet, but my hopes and expectations have been significantly reduced because of our guys not playing to expectations. Here’s hoping things start to click for them.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." - Mark Twain "Innocents Abroad"
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- hairyhawk
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- porthawk
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I could even see having a monster game during the tournament that will propel the Jayhawks to victory. I'll even be more specific to say that it'll happen in the second round or Sweet 16. (Newman's game came in the Elite 8 against Duke).
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- HawkErrant
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hairyhawk wrote: I just want to comment on the thought that " our guys not playing to expectations." I just want to say so far Mr Furfy has been better than I had thought he would be. His rebounding has been very important.
I was thinking of several players- EJ for one, but particularly of Nick and Harris - when I wrote that.
Furphy has been a difference maker as a starter. He is the one player truly *exceeding* expectations.
I am a big Harris fan, but he has been frustrating this season. Not even close to the caliber of performance he has displayed in the past.
Nick is slowly improving, but he has not been anywhere close to expectations. His “forte” has essentially been nonexistent.
EJ suffers from not meeting the hype. For the worst, he was built up and he has not delivered. But as I wrote before, in the 3+ years he has seriously dedicated himself to playing hoops, he’s always been a PG with the ball in his hand. He’s never played off the ball, and suddenly he’s put in that role. I’m hoping he’ll be a contributor by the time March rolls around.
Even Hunter has not lived up to expectations these past few games.
At this point I’m hoping for the best, but sadly not expecting it. I’m rooting for them every game, but I've steeled myself for disappointment this year. May they prove me oh, so wrong!
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." - Mark Twain "Innocents Abroad"
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- USAF Jayhawk
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hairyhawk wrote: I just want to comment on the thought that " our guys not playing to expectations." I just want to say so far Mr Furfy has been better than I had thought he would be. His rebounding has been very important.
I believe that should be spelled Phurphy
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