Balanced Attack Lifts Kansas Over Missouri
by Owen on Feb 7, 2011 10:22 PM CST
in Kansas Jayhawk Basketball 2010-11
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PrintFor the first time in three seasons the Missouri Tigers walked into Allen Fieldhouse and put up a fight. After two consecutive trips resulting in early blowouts, the Tigers found the hot hand early and led the Jayhawks for a time in Monday night's matchup. For Missouri it was a much needed confidence boost after four consecutive road losses since the start of league play. Unfortunately, a start was all it was and the Tigers just didn't have an answer for the Kansas offense. The Jayhawks stayed the course, weathered the Missouri storm and slowly pulled away.
The exciting thing for Kansas is the balance of the contributions throughout the night. Perhaps the story of the game early on was senior Mario Little who stepped up off the bench and provided 17 points including a perfect 3 for 3 shooting night from beyond the arc. Little knocked down some of his biggest shots when Kansas was trailing early and then again as the Jayhawks extended their lead in the middle of the second half.
Brady Morningstar continued his recent run of solid performances and the senior guard is coming on strong at exactly the right time for Bill Self and the Jayhawks. A Kansas native, in his final border war game in Allen Fieldhouse scored 8 points while adding an impressive 7 assists.
Travis Releford, another area player that is more than familiar with the Kansas v Missouri rivalry, played more minutes on Monday than he has in any game since sustaining an injury earlier in the season and responded well. Releford continued his solid play on the defensive end and provided another surprising lift to the Kansas offense with 10 points off the bench.
Last but certainly not least for Kansas is a usual suspect; the Morris twins. The Jayhawks held a decisive advantage on the interior heading into this one and while the start was slow, the second have gave way to what is becoming just another day at the office for the Kansas duo. Final stat line for the Morrii; 38 points, 15 rebounds.
Certainly the Jayhawks had areas they could button up. The defensive play left a little to be desired at times but much of the credit there has to go to the Tiger guards who are incredibly quick and a mismatch in terms of athleticism for a lot of teams. In general though, this was a Kansas win much like recent wins. It's not necessarily explosive from the start, but before you know it the game is out of hand and Kansas cruises.
Sometimes it becomes a little too easy to take things for granted with the Jayhawks, but over the last five games this is a team that is starting to play more consistently and a team that plays good basketball more often than bad. That's a good trend to see with March Madness just a month away. Final score; Kansas goes over the century mark 103-86.
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Days where you can beat Missouri feel so much better than other days
It's not that I'm lazy; it's that I just don't care. (#739)
So, you mean
pretty much anytime we get to play Missouri in basketball then, right?
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by Andy Edwards on Feb 7, 2011 10:50 PM CST up reply actions
Really great game
Missouri shot the lights out and we still won by double digits. This team looks great right now.
That being said, is anyone else ready to say that Tyshawn Taylor is a liability to this team? He does some good things from time to time that stand out, but time and time again he makes very poor decisions on the basketball court. Tonight, I liked some of his “takes” to the basket, nice drives to the hole when the defense gave it to him. The finishing was not there by any means but sometimes that happens. What I can’t take are the ill-advised passes, the dribbling out in front of a defender who is clearly right in his mug, and the moments of total disregard for the situation in the game. When you’re a point guard who is not a premiere scorer, you have to be one of the smartest players on the floor and I haven’t seen that from this junior in a long time.
The only thing that makes his poor play tough is who is going to play point over him? Right now I want to say that when Selby is healthy again, Brady takes his spot and we have the classic 3 way ball-handlers: Reed, Selby, and Brady. I’m not sure I feel good about this, though. For as much as Tyshawn’s play has irked me during most (not all) of conference play, his play in the full court is something that I trust. In half-court sets, not so much.
I’m ready to sit here and say that this team is a National Title Contender. However, Tyshawn Taylor being the key point guard for that team is something that really scares me.
by I need more Esteban on Feb 7, 2011 11:05 PM CST reply actions
I thought TT was great
especially in attacking the hoop, drawing fouls, and getting their starters out of the game. It’s not a coincidence that Ratliffe was being serenaded to the bench with 9 minutes to go or someting like that.
I don't think there is another option that's not more dangerous.
Granted, Taylor makes some bad plays, but he has the speed and dribbling ability that Reed and Morningstar just don’t have. Johnson and Selby seem to turn the ball over more times per posession than Talyor does, at least to my eye.
Morningstar is a savy, verteran guard and a very good passer, but he is just not gifted with the kind of ball handling and speed that Taylor has. Remember, we were playing a team tonight that makes their living by disrupting the guards and the PG will always take the brunt of that. I think Taylor did pretty well. He had a few turnovers, but that’s to be expected with Missouri. He did a good job of driving to the hoop. He did not finish well but he got fouled a lot and fouling out the Missouri bigs, Ratliffe in particular, had a very positive impact on the game.
I say let Taylor continue to improve. The difference between Taylor this year and Taylor last year is dramatic. Hopefully he can continue to get better and eventually get to the point where he makes smart plays nearly all the time. After Coach Self talked to him in the first half he settled down some and did better.
Marty
by MartyR on Feb 7, 2011 11:27 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
That was an interesting interaction
between Coach Self and TT after the silly foul.
I thought so too.
I wish I could have overheard what was said. But whatever Coach Self said, it seemed to have a positive impact on Taylor’s play thereafter.
Marty
I think Tyshawn excelling is crucial to us being a true contender.
When we play elite teams like Texas, Duke, etc., we’ll need his athleticism, ball-handling, and defense. And over the last 5 games, I really think he’s playing better. Not perfect, but better. And he’s hitting open jumpers! Hang in there. If he and Selby play a little smarter in a month than right now and nobody really backslides, I like our chances in the tournament.
definetly agree that we need him to play well to be a contender
this is why some of his decisions scare me, because I think KU making a run really hinges on us having solid, consistent point guard play.
by I need more Esteban on Feb 8, 2011 10:36 PM CST up reply actions
What kills me about Tyshawn...
Is that he hasn’t improved his game all that much since he’s been here. He still can only dribble drive to his right, he still has an inconsistent jump shot outside about the free throw line, he still can’t make a left handed layup, and he still makes dumb turnovers.
When I look at how much better other players on this team have gotten since joining the program, I can’t help but wonder why we haven’t seen the same from TT. Has he simply maxed out as a player? Or is he just not taking advantage of the amazing opportunity he’s had?
Has a team ever won a title when they didn’t trust their starting PG before?
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Feb 8, 2011 5:47 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I said put Selby in at PG forever ago.
Apparently, that was a mistake since Selby is a freshman. Yet, Taylor plays like a freshman as well.
I eat nails for breakfast, tacks for snacks, and I sh*t nickel.
by SupremeChief on Feb 8, 2011 11:05 AM CST up reply actions
They're about the same at handling the ball and Taylor ends up with more assists.
When the team has every single player that gets meaningful minutes with an offensive rating above 110, I’ll take the PG that has a better assist rate.
Interestingly, the two lowest offensive ratings for the team right now: Selby- 99.7 and Taylor- 103.2
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball...Rock Chalk Talk
But I'm still willing to put Selby in Taylor's place. Selby has a good excuse, at least.
Taylor is a junior and has been playing ball for a couple years. I just don’t know if he will ever “get it.”
I eat nails for breakfast, tacks for snacks, and I sh*t nickel.
by SupremeChief on Feb 8, 2011 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
So you think the team is better this year with Selby running point than Taylor running it?
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball...Rock Chalk Talk
In the long run, I think the team will be better off.
Selby is a freshman who makes mistakes, yes…but I also see it as he has more potential to grow. I think Taylor has hit his ceiling (and is still pretty bad).
I eat nails for breakfast, tacks for snacks, and I sh*t nickel.
Okay. You're right. Selby has zero potential to improve.
And Taylor has an insurmountable amount. Go you.
I eat nails for breakfast, tacks for snacks, and I sh*t nickel.
by SupremeChief on Feb 10, 2011 10:43 AM CST up reply actions
Understatement of the season award goes to...
The defensive play left a little to be desired at times…
Well...
When you score in the triple digits, the bend done break defense works great. The game was close for most of the game, but Mizzou never once controlled the game. We did for the last 15 (10?) minutes. Sorry I blinked and we jumped to a double digit lead. Overall, I’m not disappointed in our D because the only stat that matters at the end of the day is the score, and our number was larger so we get the W.
by hawkinwihita on Feb 8, 2011 12:17 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Getting a little tired of the Morri's antics. To be truthful.
Doesn’t reflect well on the program. I don’t remember seeing Manning, LaFrentz, Collison, Gooden, Simien, Aldrich etc. do any of this garbage. I feel embarrassed when stuff like that happens.
Uncalled for. Beat them on the scoreboard.
I don’t care how good you are. You’re not above respecting your opponents better than that. Even if they are MU (We all know this isn’t an isolated incident either).
Dexter McCluster's 2010 "Broken Ankle" list:
9/13 vs SD, Mike Tolbert en route to 94-yard Punt Return for TD.
9/27 vs SF, Shawntae Spencer and Travis LaBoy en route to 31-yard TD catch and run.
10/24 vs JAC, Aaron Kampman 2 yards in the backfield en route to 13 yard run.
Knight called for an ejection
which seemed to be a bit extreme to me. It is mazing that they haven’t learned more, tho they seemed to be improving. After all, they have limited their antics to opponents, and are leaving alone the ref’s, moms, …
It is sort of scary to think about what they may become when they are turned loose in the NBA.
Aldrich used to scream like a banshee after every block
Gooden talked a lot of trash. Simien did early in his career, too. It’s not unprecedented. I think the Morrii need to understand that because of their value to our team, when they enter a fight, the opponent has already won.
There have always been ""Dark Arts" to the game of basketball—especially down low. What the Morrii really need to learn is to throw elbows low, not high. And sometimes its better to just stick a foot under a shooter rather than hack him. Or the….
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Feb 8, 2011 5:55 AM CST up reply actions
Huge difference between screaming after a basket and cheap shots.
The Morri have thrown enough elbows and arms towards other opponents this year that I agree with Carl C. It is embarrassing. These guys are so good already, why even mess with it?
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball...Rock Chalk Talk
Yesterday's shot to the face was done while Kief was staring right at the ref.
They really are starting to live up to their reputation that ref’s put on them early.
by MichiganJayHawk on Feb 8, 2011 8:07 AM CST up reply actions
I agree wholeheartedly.
In fact, my buddy’s exact words after that dumb intentional foul were “It’s crap like that that makes me miss Wayne Simien.” I’ve got a friend who works for KU Parking and has had some run-ins with the twins, and he says those guys are pretty much what you’d expect: arrogant thugs.
Can we stop referring to the twins as thugs? That terminology is for envious, downtrodden MU fans.
They are immature. Bill Self said it best.
I eat nails for breakfast, tacks for snacks, and I sh*t nickel.
by SupremeChief on Feb 8, 2011 12:45 PM CST up reply actions
I can only recall two blatant instances of flagrant fouls by the twins.
That being said, at least Self gave them an attitude check.
I eat nails for breakfast, tacks for snacks, and I sh*t nickel.
by SupremeChief on Feb 10, 2011 10:45 AM CST up reply actions
totally agree
shit is getting real old
by I need more Esteban on Feb 8, 2011 10:38 PM CST up reply actions
BENSA...
How’d it go? One of 3 things happened and I missed it:
1) I was too drunk when the game started that that I don’t remember the National Anthem
2) I was in the bathroom during it
3) ESPN didn’t show it cause the Pitt/West Virginia game took to long
Whatever the reason was that I missed it, how’d it go?
by hawkinwihita on Feb 8, 2011 12:21 AM CST via mobile reply actions
With all humility,
I thought it went really, really well. I’ve got some video posted on my facebook, but I’ll put some more on YouTube tomorrow sometime.
...and the home of the Brave
what do i have to search for it on youtube?
by hawkinwihita on Feb 8, 2011 12:27 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
shouldn't it be...
Sexy beast sings National Anthem before the ass kicking of Mizzou?
by hawkinwihita on Feb 8, 2011 12:56 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Sam Mellinger liked it
I thought that was pretty cool.
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball...Rock Chalk Talk
Don't forget Little's great drive and dish under the basket
Watching Little during the game I was thinking, “this is what Sherron would have been like if he were 6’7”.
I think Little can be a bit of a ball hog in the sense that he looks to shoot EVERY time he gets the ball. But, that’s not all bad – on his drive and dish, he drew 3 defenders even though he wasn’t really in a good position to score. I have to think that’s because his propensity to shoot makes him draw more attention, and it worked to TRob’s benefit on that play.
The whole problem with the world is that fools & fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. ~ Bertrand Russell
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Feb 8, 2011 11:34 AM CST reply actions
I think it was Tully Corcoran who said last night on twitter
that he’d love see Mario just come down and shoot every time to try and find out how many he’d score. How many people do you think replied back saying Mario was already shooting every time he touched it?
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball...Rock Chalk Talk
Every player should look to score if they have the ball. If there's a chance take it.
I saw him play unselfish basketball when he was swarmed by the defense. It would be problematic if he didn’t dump the ball off to someone else.
I eat nails for breakfast, tacks for snacks, and I sh*t nickel.
by SupremeChief on Feb 8, 2011 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
I'll politely disagree with this.
Yes, if they’re open they should look to score. But there are guys who should search out shots and a few guys that really shouldn’t.
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball...Rock Chalk Talk
Little isn't Tyshawn Taylor, though. He doesn't miss just about every shot he takes.
I eat nails for breakfast, tacks for snacks, and I sh*t nickel.
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