KU 57-55.
That was a close game. KU played pretty poorly, and are not living up to the billing that I gave them. I think that in the post game interview, Bill was fairly eloquent for him, but his hair is probably dyed. Just a random thought.
Cole was an animal leading the 'Hawks with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks. He went 4-5 from the line and was a force down low. Collins with 12, Henry with 11 (off of 3-11 shooting, 5-6 from the line), Marcus Morris didn't start, but got 10 points and only 1 rebound, and Tyrel Reed got his best stat (1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 0-2 shooting) on the last play.
Wild one that KU will build on. Young and immature, and it showed. The only saving grace is that KU has GREAT depth. That will be a huge factor later in the year. Along with the maturation of the freshman and the addition of Morningstar and Withey, KU will only get better.
Whew!
11:20pm
Setting the table:
16.7 seconds left. KU by one with the ball. 56-55. Memphis with a press and let's see if KU breaks it. Time out. Ewwwww. I'm not liking this. Last Time out by KU.
Now, no TO's.
KU gets it in, with Reed throwing in instead of Henry (shorter player, but smarter and more experienced). Collins to the line for 2.
Oh.... free throws. How I hate thee.....
Collins makes the second to make it a 2 point game.
The Three is Bricked and KU wins!!!!!
Way too close. Way too close.
11:15pm
Collins with a great floater, then goaltending. Easiest call of the night for the Refs who have been pretty good. I dont say that too often, but they really haven't sucked.
Until, there is some crazy stoppage of play with a subsequent 3 from Memphis. Way to set them up ref. (Ok, so I'm just bitter they made a 3, and it was ugly too).
11:13pm
Cole makes both. How many times can I say that he is earning himself a big payday come June.
Enormous 3 grom Memphis. They break the press and Billy calls a time out. Good idea. With all the young players on the floor (Morris is just a Sophmore), settle them down and have a plan.
11:10pm
What the heck? Traveling by Taylor. Dickie V said that he has not been himself and that has been the understatement of the night.
Aldrich with a clutch block. Again, it seems like he is the only one playing up to his potential.
Foul sends Memphis to the line. Result: 2 of 2. They can't miss them all.
Cole is fouled down low. Even though it was a great move, it was totally expected.
11:05pm
Memphis misses the first 2 of 3. Wow, I didn't think that demon would rear its head.
Breaking the press is Sherron and he gets it to Cole-nan. Amazing. He's hurt, but he knows what has to happen. Followed by Xavier with a board and gets fouled. Free throws will get him back on track. He makes them both.
11:03pm
Cole with a loose ball. Everywhere tonight.
Ick. Bad Offense. Bad Defense.
Bad foul.
11pm
Ok, strech time without Sherron. Who steps up? So far it has been Morris, but someone else needs to. I vote Henry.
OH! Here he comes to earn his money. SHERRON!
10:55pm
Marcus Morris with good position down low. Finally, he is showing us what he is made of. KU needs that especially with Sherron out.
Johnson gets deeked for a three, but Cole feeds Morris down low. The High has to be at least tried for the rest of the game. KU has that battle won. If Memphis keeps playing man to man, they will get destroyed down low from here on out. The 'Hawks are too deep and talented in the front court as I said to start the night.
Ku gives up a hoop down low, but Morris on the Oop from Taylor gets fouled. He is being very active now.
Of note, the drive Memphis just got was a GREAT play. Went right at Aldrich, a shot blocker. The only way that you do it. Two misses by Morris and a TO are not good.
10:50pm
Cole now with a double double. He is the best, but no one else is even coming close to playing. 6:23 left and KU up 44-37. Never would have guessed that the game would be that low scoring.
Questions for the rest of the game?
Will Sherron return and be effective?
Yes and probably. Just not scoring. He is smart when he has to be.
Will someone else besides Cole-nan step up?
Yes, I just dont know who yet. Either Morris, Tyshawn (probably on D) or Henry.
Will KU fans show themselves?
This should probably be 50-50 and KU is the better team, so KU should be louder in the stands. But they aren't and won't be. The fans are those with money now since Lew Perkins took over. More on this later.
10:45pm
Stupid rule in college basketball. The non-charge under the basket rule with the imaginary box. Why not just put the line up like the NBA. I don't get it.
Memphis is keeping it close cause of KU's ineptitude to capitalize. Aldrich with a block. Memphis just needs to try for 3. The inside game is not working. Collins out again. Hopefully this will be ok.
Does anyone else remember losing in Maui cause of cramping to some MAC school? That was a good team too.
Aldrich with a good fake and will go to the line. He is money.
The ref on the far side of the court calls a foul on the block. Why does it always work like that? I will never understand how someone so far away can justifiably make a call under the basket when there are 2 guys closer.
KU is struggling on offense until they get inside with Morris. Let's go KU.
10:40pm
Cole gets fouled and makes two, but only gets one cause of a lane violation. Stupid. Someone will be running suicides for that. Speaking of stupid, turnover and easy lay in for Memphis. Elijah Johnson, welcome to Division 1. So far tonight the freshman have looked like freshman, and that's about the best I can say. When Henry is open, he makes some shots, but that's about it.
Collins is back cause he will not let KU lose this game. Memphis press, again bad move. KU will eat it up.
10:35pm
What? Memphis missing free throws? I would never have guessed.
Two possessions later, great box out and rebound by Morris. KU needed that with Cole and Sherron out. The most interesting man in the world commercial is on and I love that. "He had an awkward moment once, just to see how it felt." Priceless.
10:32pm
Collins off his foot and Dickie V wants to see Carolina. Well, one of those was expected.
Now Collins limps off the court. I dont think I like that.
HUGE follow from the other Morris, but Memphis gets to the right away after that.
10:30pm
Just read some disturbing news about Mangino berrating a KU student who was a parking attendant person. Following the incident, Mangino did not get any more tickets. I dont think this is going to end well.
On a happier note, Henry with a beautiful move in transition. He can finish and has the body to be a player at the next level. At least 3 KU players will go pro next year. Collins (graduation) and Aldrich (lottery) and Henry (maybe lottery). That means more players to root for in the NBA. I'm stoked.
10:25pm
Memphis starts to press. Bad move.
Cole with a slam off a defensive breakdown and KU gets bailed out by a close Memphis miss. Cole is up to 12 points, 9 boards and 4 blocks. Quite a line.
10:22pm
Marcus Morris (announcer said his name) with a good move on the post. Cole follows with a great defensive play. It helps that he is bigger than everyone. And he airballs a long 2. TV timeout, KU 32-26.
10:20pm
Great block by Aldrich on D. Too bad they can't finish on the other end. Another turnover, but that is followed by a Memphis TO to get KU the ball.
Zone D by Memphis forces a 3 by Henry, Missed, and then Henry redeems himself with a steal. Sherron with a nice floater.
Henry gets beat on D, and sends Memphis to the line for a chance at the 3 point play. Good.
Come on KU, no turnovers.
10:15pm
Slow to start the half, and then a Memphis 3. 30 seconds of good defense is not good. KU needs 35.
KU forces the ball down low and Morris gets fouled. I am not differentiating between the two because neither has wowed me.
Aldrich on the Alley Oop!
Halftime:
Decent half from KU. They didn't look great, but are getting it done.
Rebounding has gone KU's way, but that is the way it should be. My story of the first half would have to be inexperience. Memphis's allowing KU to take control of the game, and KU's showing by them not finishing where they should. Billy Self said they were running too fast and being forced into it. I think that KU knows they have the running game, but they aren't finishing.
They also need to pound it inside (insert whatever joke you want here). They have the experience factor, as well as the number of talented bodies. Cole is in foul trouble, but KU should be dominating in the paint. Dominating. It's not happening yet, but I think that will change early in the half.
Stats:
Aldrich, 8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and should have a couple more. Three of his rebounds are offensive boards. He's an animal.
Collins, 7 points, 4 rebounds, 0 assists and 2 TO's. Bad with TO's, but not considering only Cole has less from the starters
Henry, 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 TO's. Right now a freshman.
KU leads rebounding 20-12. 5-6 from the charity stripe, but 11 turnovers, compared to Memphis's 7. That has to be changed and will be.
Only 2 points from KU's bench, but not much scoring all the way around. Let's get to the second half.
9:57pm
KU missed Aldrich on an offensive rebound by Memphis. He would have had that. Winding down the half, KU palys good ball control with Sherron. Tough shot that gets swatted.
Fortunate to end the half for KU as Taylor steals that ball and gets an assist to Collins who just got up from the floor. KU by 6 at half 26-20.
Observations from the half to come.
9:54pm
Almost a steal by Collins, and then a block by Aldrich. He gets called for the foul. Tough call. Could have gone either way, but it was massive and I know the KU fans liked it.
9:51pm
Morris travels out top. We can't have that. Not efficient. He had his brother down low on the block. Memphis with a slow down game on the offensive end. They get it down low, but good defense by KU.
My goodness, did you see how fast they got down the court! Amazing. This is going to be a fun team to watch. 2:05 left, KU 24 -17
9:48pm
Good offensive sequence for KU. Even though Reed missed another 3, it was an open look and one that Bill would like to see more of. Henry with the offensive rebound, then Morris who got fouled. I like that effort and KU will need that from those players. Especially with Cole out of the game.
9:45pm
Reed misses a three pretty badly. He can make an open look, but I dont think the team wants him taking guarded shots like that. Tyshawn with a foul on the defensive end. Not a bad foul cause he got beat, but that shouldn't happen.
Under 4 timeout. Still 20-17 KU leads.
9:40pm
Billy is pissed. This is the sloppiest this team has played for a while.
Henry should get a lot of rebounds and if he can, will make this team a lot better.
Aldrich with a block that is called a foul. He is an animal on the defensive end.
Nice feed inside for Aldrich and he makes the basket. However, he gets beat on the defensive end on a nice move.
Boo Yeah! Put back by Cole-nan. KU 20-17. Closer than it should be, but still a lead.
9:36pm
Sloppy play, including a poor shot from Tyshawn Taylor, but Aldrich and Reed combine for a couple blocks on the defensive end and a rebound to keep Memphis off the board.
On the run up the court (KU will have numbers for the rest of the game, they figured this Tiger team out already) Collins hits Henry on a drive to the bucket where he is fouled. Should have been an And One, but we will have to settle for the free throws.
9:33pm
3 for Memphis. The "backups" are in. I say that cause this is a first team that is coming off the bench for KU. They are just behind the first team in the nation.
Thomas Robison missed a short put back. He has to get that and he will later. Danny Manning is the coach. I dont think that is discussed enough. How much does it mean to have a former dominate college big man on the bench as well as someone who was a quality NBA player. I say priceless. Adds at least 2 wins a year.
9:30pm
Aldrich with a slam! Give that big man the ball!
Dickie V mentions that he is a treu center and post up player. So true. Too much of the European game has influenced american ball.
Aldrich with a turnaround. Danny Manning should get a raise for that move. Aldrich should give him part of his guaranteed money when he is a lottery pick in the next years draft.
15 - 9, 9:24 left
9:28pm
Aldrich getting a couple rebounds and more looks. Keep it up 'Hawks.
Henry with a travel. Freshman mistake. He needs to prove to Memphis fans that he is that good and they missed big time by not getting him. I know he has that ego.
Collins for 3! He is going offf tonight.
9:26pm
Forgot to mention that this is rematch of the Championship game from 2 years ago. Collins played a huge role in that game and no one else did. Aldrich a little. These are not the same teams though, so on the court it looks like a distant memory.
Aldrich gets fouled on the post out of the timeout. At least we are getting him the ball.
9:23Pm
Collins looks like he wants it, but the offense is doing nothin. We can't get it to Aldrich and too much standing around on the perimeter.
Nice bucket by Morris #1 and then taking a charge.
Not much better at the under 12 minute timeout. KU 8-7. So far, its been a slow game with poor execution from both teams. Billy has to be reeling with the poor play of everyone and will probably play with the lineup to get that right mix.
9:12PM
Collins drills the first bucket of the game. The way it should be. He is going off tonight.
Xavier mishandles a pass from Collins. Looks like he has some nerves. He just needs to get around the first few minutes and will settle down.
16:21 left
Henry with a nice drive and bucket. He's not backing down. That's for sure.
The offense needs to slow down. Too many turnovers. Not enough Cole.
First TV timeout. 4-0 lead. Memphis looks bad.
9:05pm Central time
Great game between Gonzaga and Michigan State. Keep an eye on the young bulldogs team. Should be a good one.
8:55pm Central time
Just come quick thoughts before the Game starts.
KU is loaded we know that. Now that KU is playing a decent team (at least better than Hofstra) we will see how loaded. If the freshman are freshman, they will struggle. If Xavier is an NBA ready player, he will dominate. Not only that, but CJ Henry is cleared to play and could be a huge boost later in the year as he develops.
Look for Memphis to try to play tough and not run with this KU team. They have a new coach, who will try to limit the posesssions because he knows he's not as deep as Bill Self's squad. He has to be a good coach with the number 1 recruiting class coming in for next year already.
When you look at KU's big guys, remember that there are more to come. Jeff Withey will be eligible after the first semester and will bolster a huge front court. At almost 7 feet, imagine him and Cole-nan the Barbarian playing side by side. Huge! He has some experience too, so that is great. If he can fit with the Morris twins and the frosh with the motor, look for awesomeness to ensue.
8:39pm Central time
Now some comments on KU's football situation. The team has been awful this year, just awful. And apparently there is more than meets the eye.
Earlier this week, Lew Perkins met with the entire KU football team about some concerns brought to him by KU senior linebacker Arist Wright. The concerns were about Mark Mangino. Lew and Mangino would not discuss what was talked about, but "an unbiased" source is looking into the situation.
Two trains of thought. It has been fairly well known that Mangino has not necessarily been the most liked coach in college football. So, it doesn't come as a surprise that he would rub players the wrong way. It was probably just a matter of time before players started to complain. On the other hand, Mrs. DDSF brought up a good point. The seniors are not going out the way they want and are looking for a reason/excuse to put their poor performance on. It was brought about by a senior player and many players are not getting the playing time they want.
My opinion. Something really fishy is going on with that program. The players (especially the upperclassman) are not giving the effort that was consistent with the good KU teams of the last couple of years. You just don't see that killer instinct or that all heart play from the juniors and seniors. I think there is more than some players looking for a way out. More to come.
8:19pm Central time
I am so stealing this idea from every sports blog person in the world, but it sounded great and fun and like I could do it since I am traveling for business and have nothing better to do. So here goes.
First some comments on one of the more sports worthy days in the history of Kansas City area sports.
The Great news of the day is the new AL Cy Young award winner Zac Greinkkkkkkke! As my brother Mark put it, "The Baseball Writers of America got it right." He was the best pitcher in baseball. He should have won 20 games, if he had any kind of offense and was a complete pitcher as shown by his place in just about every major pitching category. For fun, here is a link to Joe Posnanski's article about the win. He is probably one of Zac's biggest supporters.
Congratulations Zac. You deserved it.
Next, the Chiefs. Larry Johnson was signed by the Bengals after a mutual disagreement to part with the Chiefs. He needed to go. He didn't get along with Haley. He didn't fit the mold of a running back with Haley's offense. He didn't fit the mold of being on a rebuilding team. He played well with a chip on his shoulder and he lost that chip by being the incumbent starter in an offense that he didn't mesh with.
Mrs. DDSF was upset, because the Chiefs kept losing players she knew and were pretty good. But that was the only reason. It didn't matter that it was Larry Johnson, as much as it mattered that it was a familiar face. That should tell you something.
Then the news came today Dwayne Bowe was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy. Supposedly it was for using a diuretic (water pill) for weight loss during training camp. And I do have an opinion on this because I am a drug expert.
YOU USED A DIURETIC FOR WEIGHT LOSS IN TRAINING CAMP!!! REALLY?!?!?!? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING????
While diuretics can be used for some weight loss, its predominately water weight. Which is what he would lose anyway from working out during two-a-days. Just ridiculous. RIDICULOUS!
