The first KU Game

Love, Love, Love Kansas Basketball. Can't get enough of it. This post will be about KU's most recent game, their first real test of the year, against Washington.



Washington is not a great team, but they do have a potential all-american in John Brockman. It was an interesting matchup, especially with the youth and inexperience of KU.



The final was 73-54. Jayhawks win without a lot of trouble, except for on the boards. It's always easier to talk about your team after a win.



It's like facing a girl that you just asked out who said yes. It makes things way less awkward. On top of that, it means this girl does not think you are too bad of a looker, which is so not true....



Back to the game.



List #3

First Impressions from the Jayhawks basketball team after their first real test. A six pack on Tuesday Morning.

1. Sherron Collins is a stud.

He is going to lead this team and has already decided that. He has a sweet stroke, knows where to be on offense and defense, and is having fun doing it. The smirk on his face after he made his third shot (out of three attempts) of the game says that loud and clear. Plus, Billy Self trusts him to lead the team. He will be first team all-conference no doubt.

2. Cole Aldrich is ready for the NBA.

The way he controlled the paint all game long was just amazing. Not just the blocks that he had, but the way he altered shots and got Morris Twin #1 and Twin #2 going was great.



KU allowed 17 first half offensive rebounds and was up by 10. I dont think that will ever happen again in my life time. The reason they were able to do this is because they had Cole altering every shot.



He is a true center, not a power forward playing center (i.e. Nick Collison, who should be making more money for doing so in the NBA. There is no way he should be playing center, he barely played it in college. I wonder what he could do on a team that played him as that energy guy off the bench who relieves the star power forward. Put him behind a Rasheed, Timmy Duncan or Carlos Boozer and he would be the X factor in the playoffs. Or, put him in Mike D'Antoni's offense and be amazed at the speed.) and has already learned how to do whatever he can to help the team.



He rebounds, blocks shots, scores from all over the floor (he won me money in Vegas last year with that 16 foot goofy looking jumper; SWISH!) and even makes incredible passes to whoever is open. Would be atleast a first rounder after this year and will be a lottery pick if he stays another year.



3. The guard play (other than Sherron) is better than expected.

I was really excited to see Tyrel Reed play and start this year, only to be disappointed to see Brady Morningstar. After watching the game last night, I am totally for Brady. He does the little things and makes it happen. He runs the floor, plays defense (I might be worried later in the year when he plays quicker, better guards) boxes out well (best block out of the game as called by Bobby Knight) and is experienced (He's a red-shirt sophmore who went to prep school first. He's been around for a while).



Tyshawn Taylor is a great athlete and if he learns to control himself on offense, he could be a great compliment to the machine that is Sherron.



Throw in Tyrel Reed's defense and intelligence off the bench as well as Mario Little when he gets healthy (in the mold of Brandon Rush and a JUCO player who was preaseason newcomer of the year in the Big XII) the guard play could be pretty good.



4. The post play is questionable other than Cole-nan the Barbarian.

The Morris twins are going to be pretty good, but I think may have some attitude problems. Both of them got into the faces of the Washington players and could have showed more hustle and made better decisions with the ball.



There is no doubt these guys have talent as evidenced by the rebounds (15 by Twin #1 in the opener) and the ability to score (fade away jumpers and post moves that I didnt think was possible), but I would bet money they will get frustrated by not getting calls in league play, respond by making a dumb foul and seriously hurt this team by taking themselves out of the game.



If we are able to later in the season, look for the team to throw in a smaller line up with a Mario Little playing the 4. That will be danger for other teams with the offensive fire power it posseses, but will not work against BIG teams.



Stay tuned.



5. If Bobby Knight continues to announce KU games instead of Fran Fraschilla-Vanilla-Manilla, ratings will skyrocket.

Did you listen to Bobby Knight? He was great. Insightful, smart (not just former coach knowledgable, but former great coach knowledgable) and personable. When he's not pissed about his team losing, BK whopper is a pretty personable guy.



I will say he did get a little lovey dovey with Cole Aldrich, but I think everyone this year will. Atleast he wasn't comparing him to Psycho T in UNC or some center who's not as good.



Bobby Knight is my favorite color analyst right now. Gus Johnson is still my favorite announcer period, but he's lead. I think I have a man crush on GJ's voice. MMMMMmmmm.... Gus Johnson.



6. KU will compete. Let the excitement begin (atleast until tomorrow - hope we beat the Orange)

They can play defense, even when they can't rebound. They have a two headed monster in Sherron and Cole-nan. They will only get better this year, adding players and gaining experience as the year goes on.



Bill Self is a great coach. It's early, but he got his point of defense across already and gave the team a leader -Sherron- that is more than capable.



There's my take on the game, but just as a treat here are some stats that I liked from last night.



Team Turnovers: 10
Turnovers by Guards: 3
Meaning: The guys who should take care of the ball are taking care of the ball

Connor Teahan's stat line: 1 minute, 1 steal, 1-1 FG, 3 points and no turnovers.
Meaning: High School Musical is a fan favorite and helps the team morale when he is on.

Morris Twin's Stats
Good: 40 minutes, 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 offensive, 3 blocks, and 1 assist
Bad: 8 personal fouls, 5 Turnovers
Meaning: Good and Bad all at the same time. They're freshman, but will be heavily relied upon this year, and need to grow up.

Peace out, see you tomorrow
DDSF