Kentucky...

[Dan]

I couldn't figure out of Kentucky was that good or the Jayhawks that bad. I always wonder how Perry Ellis would have done had he come to WSU. The Jayhawks fans seem to think he's a big flop. He had 4 points and 2 boards last night. Jayjawks are probably going to struggle this year without good guard play, and Conner couldn't crack this lineup?

[asiseeit]

Self reminds me of Ted Owens - one heck of a recruiter but doesn't know how to
put the pieces together.

[kcshocker11]

Kentucky couldnt hit an outside shot, KU couldnt boxout and Frank Mason driving the lane isnt a great offensive plan.

[im4wsu]

KU dropped in Ken Pom from #4 to #9 last night. WSU is the top Kansas team in the current rankings at #7 Kansas State is #36.

UNI is #69.

[Dave Stalwart]

KU dropped in Ken Pom from #4 to #9 last night. WSU is the top Kansas team in the current rankings at #7 Kansas State is #36.

UNI is #69.

Bubble territory?

[OregonShocker]

Several things come to mind. 1. I agree that ball movement against bigs is key, especially with big guards. Setting screens away from the ball for a 15 foot shot can bring the paint players out and open up rebound lanes. Frequently saw KU set high screens but were looking for the pick-and-roll instead of a jump shot; ended up getting the ball in the paint against 2-3 guys 6in taller on average. 2. Hit your outside shots. Gotta open up the middle. 3. KU played into UK's game plan. Pounding it inside is Self's modus operandi and would work against most teams, but UK is SOOO big it won't work. This is where I believe we would be better against UK than KU was last night. 4. KU needed to drive and pass off, or lob (aka Chalmers). UK is so quick to leave their feet to block the shot that SOMEBODY has to be open. KU couldn't find them; FVV could, I believe.

[shockmonster]

Hitting 3 pointers is essential against bigs like UK has.

[CBB_Fan]

I love the optimism of Shockernet posters. While we will definitely improve through the course of the season, so will Kentucky. Looks to me like the field is playing for second place. I guess we could all hope both platoons get caught at the same holiday party with booze, dope, and hookers.

Buffalo led at half-time against this same UK team. They aren't unbeatable, but KU literally could not have had a worse gameplan or personnel for this game. Throwing prayers at the rim is going to get teams killed, and that is ALL KU did. No 3s, no real press to get into transition, no ball movement. KU tried to fight UK with both arms tied behind their back and their foot up their arse, and tripped into a pile of their own excrement. Wait till UK plays a team with a strategy that isn't as stubborn and foolish as KU's before you crown them.

[shockerfanmas]

The first half against Buffalo proves that with the right gameplan, Kentucky can be beat. A guy like Connor Frankamp who can knock down a three pointer might have really stretched the Kentucky D. Not saying the KittyHawks have no good guards.. but.. they were non-existent last night.

I posed this question elsewhere, but I have to wonder, with that many McDonald's All-Americans, how long before the NCAA is investigating the program, specifically coach Cal?

[kochHead]

Buffalo led at half-time against this same UK team. They aren't unbeatable, but KU literally could not have had a worse gameplan or personnel for this game. Throwing prayers at the rim is going to get teams killed, and that is ALL KU did. No 3s, no real press to get into transition, no ball movement. KU tried to fight UK with both arms tied behind their back and their foot up their arse, and tripped into a pile of their own excrement. Wait till UK plays a team with a strategy that isn't as stubborn and foolish as KU's before you crown them.

This UK team is better than last years and they played in the NC game. They will lose a game, but right now there is not a better team in the country, period. All IMHO of course.

[OregonShocker]

This UK team is better than last years and they played in the NC game. They will lose a game, but right now there is not a better team in the country, period. All IMHO of course.

Earlier this year I read an article about the best teams NOT to win the NC; certainly many things could happen to deny UK the title between now and March 2015. Having said that, if I had to bet today, I'd pick UK.

[CBB_Fan]

This UK team is better than last years and they played in the NC game. They will lose a game, but right now there is not a better team in the country, period. All IMHO of course.

And that is actually what we knew going into the season. They start five players (well, really four since Cauley-Stein was injured) that played major minutes on a national title-runner up; they SHOULD be the best team in the country. I'm not saying they aren't the #1 team, I'm saying I'd still take the field over them in the tournament and I'll still say they are going to lose a game or three on the way. Even the strongest teams of the last few years (2008 KU, 2009 UNC, 2012 UK) all had 2-4 losses and could have lost in the title game if they faced the right team.

[top20shock]

KUs approach was ridiculous, I can't imagine what Self was thinking! It seemed to me they didn't even attempt a 3-pointer until very late in the first half, instead opting for their guards to drive to the rim and throw the ball against some trees. Great gameplan, Self!! I'm sure Kentucky will be a handful for any team, but I'm quite certain that Marshall would/will at least have our guys prepared and give us every opportunity to pull out a win.

Agree. KU was just destroyed and Self played Kentucky like he had last years team.

[AZ Shocker]

Still though...it is "interesting" and neato that we lost to Kentucky by only 3 points eight months ago while the bulk of Kentucky's leaders played the other team in the state of Kansas last night which lost really bad. 40 points???? 40 points?????

Yes...yes....I know that was last year and this is this year.....but c'mon. OVERRATED once again. Nice work ku. Way to show the nation what a #5 ranked team looks like you propaganda fools!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave Stalwart]

Still though...it is "interesting" and neato that we lost to Kentucky by only 3 points eight months ago while the bulk of Kentucky's leaders played the other team in the state of Kansas last night which lost really bad. 40 points???? 40 points?????

Yes...yes....I know that was last year and this is this year.....but c'mon. OVERRATED once again. Nice work ku. Way to show the nation what a #5 ranked team looks like you propaganda fools!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent point. KU just played basically the same team we played last year in the dance because most of the starting lineup and key reserves are the same. We lost by 2 and they lost by 32. Well, we also have basically the same team, minus Cle, which is a pretty big deal, but based on what I've seen so far, I do NOT think we would lose to UK by 32. If I had to bet $100 on it, I would go UK by maybe 8 over us, but I would not be surprised at all if our guards created enough turnovers to win if we shot well outside. We are way more deserving of a #5 ranking than KU right now. Not that we do deserve it just yet, but we definitely do more than they do.