Kansas Holds On To Beat Texas A&M
by PenHawk on Feb 22, 2012 10:21 PM CST
in Kansas Jayhawk Basketball 2011-12
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Survive and advance. Usually, that's a mantra reserved for the Tournament, but tonight it seemed fitting. Regardless of how much emphasis Self and co. placed on maintaining focus in College Station this week, Saturday is the big game, and Wednesday's matchup against the Aggies seemed more like a nuisance than anything else.
Despite this, and what the score might suggest, Kansas didn't come out and lay and egg against A&M. On the shoulders of a breakout first half by Elijah Johnson, the Jayhawks built a ten point lead as the first half came to a close. Not a pretty effort ("pretty" is not an adjective used to describe many A&M games), but the Jayhawks were keeping the Aggies at bay.
The 'Hawks came out strong in the second half as well, and would eventually push the lead all the way to 20. For a while, it looked like we would get what we wanted, and our impact players would get some much needed rest down the stretch on our way to comfortable win. Unfortunately, only part of that came true. Thomas Robinson did spend quite a bit of time on the bench over the last ten minutes, largely due to foul trouble. However, Tyshawn watched a chunk of the game down the stretch from the sideline as well, suggesting that perhaps Bill Self wanted to see just how much he could rely on the rest of the 8 man rotation to maintain.
As it turns out, sloppy play and poor offense (kind of a recurring theme this year) allowed Texas A&M to make this one a game down the stretch. In the end there was just too much ground for them to try to make up, and the Jayhawks were never really in danger of falling behind, but this one came way too close for comfort given the 20 point second half lead, especially considering our penchant for letting leads slip away this year.
In the end, we survived and advanced. Kansas held on to their one game lead over Missouri, and now Saturday's game has a clinched share of an eighth straight Big 12 Championship on the line.
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Shit happens when you win championships
by Andrew Clark on Feb 22, 2012 10:40 PM CST reply actions 6 recs
Passion
We just didn’t seem to have any passion to play tonight. Normally, our team is high-fiving and doing jumping bumps and crap. I didn’t really see any of that tonight. Just seemed like a normal day at work. We used superior talent to beat an aTm that played better than it had most of the year.
I am so excited about Sat…. AFH is going to be rocking more than it did back in 03 vs Texas. I hope T-Rob goes 20&20 like Collison did for us back then.
That Texas game is one of the main things I think of
when I say that I think Collison was a far better college basketball player than T-Rob (so it’s a sad statement on how college basketball has slid in quality that T-Rob is a front-runner for POY while Collison didn’t get much consideration).
That game was one of my favorite regular season experiences as a KU fan. My favorite was being at the game when Wilt came back. Also in the top 5 would be the New Year’s game against Georgia Tech.
why do you think Collison was far better
I write everywhere. You're probably better off following me on twitter
The eye test
I’ve never done any research on it, so if somebody made a good argument the other way, I’d be ready to be convinced.
But Collison seemed to me to have more polish on his low post moves (slight advantage) while having a much better game around the court. I think of him as having a much better jumper and a better first step when he took his man off the dribble from 15 feet.
I also think of Collison as a significantly better defender, but that may not be fair because I think Robinson has to be more concerned about fouls. Robinson seems a better rebounder, but, especially with that Texas game sticking out in my mind, Collison seems very close behind.
I also just though of Collison as being better suited to take over a game in the final minute than Robinson. It’s a tough thing for a big man to do, but Collison seemed better at it.
that's fair
I can see why the eye test leads you to believe he’s better, I feel the same way. I was just curious. For the record I looked it up and they were fairly close in ORtg/Usage, and Robinson was/is a far far superior defensive rebounder. Tough to go based on stats but yes I’d agree Collison is a better defender (though Robinson is hamstrung by the fact that he really can’t be in foul trouble)
I write everywhere. You're probably better off following me on twitter
That really surprises me that they're comparable in usage
I think of this team as far more dependent on Robinson than the 2001-02 or 2002-03 teams were on Collison. Part of why I questioned my eye test perception is that I figured Collison was getting to pick his spots more.
How similar is this team to the 02-03 team?
Collision : Robinson
TT : Hinrich
Releford : Langford?
Withey : Graves/Simien hybrid
EJ : Miles ???
Eh, not a great comparison. But I’d be interested to know how the usage numbers compare (EJ is going to be way higher than Miles and Releford is going to be way lower than Langford)
i'll do a post next week (slammed with school this week)
but Collison was at 25% and TRob at 28.6%.
I write everywhere. You're probably better off following me on twitter
Part of the reason I don't care as much about getting the 1 in St Louis
is the horrible memory of being there for that game against Holy Cross in 2002 when Hinrich went down with the ankle injury. Collison wasn’t awesome in that game, but he did enough to get us a win against a tall Holy Cross front line. That also helps elevate my memory of him.
(The other reason I don’t care as much about the 1 in St Louis is the loss to Georgia Tech in 04 there. I just haven’t had very good experiences watching KU in St Louis, so I don’t want us to go back there, even though I won’t be able to make the trip this year.)
very interesting debate
I agree that Collison has the better “eye test” as well in what he did at Kansas. I’m wondering if that feel doesn’t have more to do with him doing it at a high level for longer than T-Rob? Also, does Collison playing at a high level for more year’s at KU than T-rob change that feel?
To me, I think it will all even out if T-rob helps lead us to a Nat. Title apperience like Collison did. (How about Tyshawn playing the Hinrich role in this scenario)
by I need more Esteban on Feb 22, 2012 11:44 PM CST up reply actions
Collison did have the advantage of four years, which I think helps a lot
Both in giving him time to improve and get polished but also in creating the sort of memories that I’m relying upon to make these judgments.
D-Rebounding
Could Robinson have the better defensive rebounding stats because Roy’s teams were willing to let people make baskets and then beat them back?
The poster formerly known as DCJayhawk0208
Can't help but feel if the last 6 minutes of that game was played against anyone better it would have been a loss.
Robinson tried pretty hard to sink the team at the same time the D fell apart and O looked worse. With the overall second half play by this team I hope it is a wake up call before the Missouri game.
There was another game
where we built a big lead early, got complacent, disinterested, bored, … and let the other team back in. Fairly confident that won’t happen Saturday.
It was interesting some of the lineups that Coach was playing even early in the game. That stretch was also followed closely by a comment from Fran, “That’s also why Tharpe isn’t playing more.” He seemed like he had been doing so much better in his decision making and getting more minutes as a result. (Shaking head) It sure would be nice to have more than 1 PG going into March.
So in LA
sometimes you miss early games if things come up. (Yeah, I’m a big deal)
No actually it’s because they start so fucking early and Happy Hour is essential after stressful days. Anyways, I’m watching this game for the first time right now on DVR after accidentally seeing the score in the bar and watching a KU game is definitely different when you don’t have to worry about if we’ll win or lose, some thoughts:
-This game feels like Self planned it, it was like the gameplan was to not get Trob as involved.
-Releford and EJ’s play will be key to a FF run.
-Anyone else think the NCAA would be unhappy with Fran saying, “Jeff Withey is making himself money!” (Or would they?)
-A&M cheerleaders are hot. (Or are college girls just hot?)
-TCU could end up being good in basketball in the next decade. Stay with me. This game is like if KU was playing a mid-conference SEC team. They will go back to irrelevance in basketball but since their inclusion in the Big 12, they’ve had some decent-good years (especially by their standards). TCU hires the right coach, they could have a Baylor like run.
-Overall point of that last ramble is that A&M is already terrible at Bball like every other SEC team not named Kentucky is.
-I want Missouri in the Big 12 Tournament!!!
-This is not pretty but we got it done (unlike Missouri)
-You can tell Bill is trying to find that guy who is going to step up out of nowhere in the tourney. You have to have that guy come up big in at least one game to make a run.
-I’d love to sit in on when KU opponents are doing the scouting report on Teahan
-Loubeau definitely didn’t foul TRob on that rebound, unfortunate kind of call that happens so much in basketball, college and pro
-Fran: “I’ve got a feeling the Jayhawks are just putting it on cruise right now” – around the 6:00 minute mark, up 12.
-agree with post that it felt like Bill was trying to let these guys in w/out both their stars in, especially maybe for EJ to lead the team
-We will not make a run this season if Teahan can’t make wide open 3’s
-this is what happens when someone tries to start their own OGT postgame
by I need more Esteban on Feb 23, 2012 12:25 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
"-A&M cheerleaders are hot. (Or are college girls just hot?)"
I noticed this as well, I think it’s a combination of both with the A&M girls just standing out a bit more.
I was not a big fan of the announcing last night, seemed like they were either not talking or stretching to find something to talk about the entire game. No chemistry? Just a bad game to announce? Idk, usually not a complainer about the announcers but they just bored me to death last night.
Here's a little tip: A&M only has male cheerleaders
Not that there’s anything wrong with that…..or you saying that they’re hot.
The females you see are technically part of the dance squad, not cheerleaders.
Members of the Aggies cult are very quick to point this out.
We had one work for us a few years ago. The other ladies in the office called her “glitter tits” behind her back. I always thought that was a bit harsh, but truth is that girl did wear way, way, way too much makeup.
"No time for questions. No time for games. Start kickin' ass and takin' down the names." - Dave Mustaine.
Nope, Meghan
Beautiful girl that would be much more beautiful if she didn’t wear any make up (in my opinion).
She’s a big-time marathon runner now and just married another marathon runner. I’m sure they’ll have marathon-running kids soon!
"No time for questions. No time for games. Start kickin' ass and takin' down the names." - Dave Mustaine.
Most marathon runners don't even have boobs.
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk
She's not employable at Hooters
"No time for questions. No time for games. Start kickin' ass and takin' down the names." - Dave Mustaine.
They may have their first female yell leader next year
http://www.tmdailypost.com/article/sports/will-am-elect-its-first-female-yell-leader
And there’s talk of having the dance squad perform at a football game. Previously they have been relegated to girly sports like men’s basketball.
Lots of changes coming with this SEC move. Old Ags are pissed.
by jayhawk1996 on Feb 23, 2012 8:52 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
They don't have male cheerleaders...
They call the milkmen “Yell Leaders”.
Their pom squad is damn hot, though.
After listening to this game on the radio at work...
I can’t tell you how happy I was to see/hear Elijah have such a great game. I want to see a lot more of this Elijah. Always liked him and he really stepped up in the trap game when we needed him to.
What a weird game.
Almost like an exhibition game. Obviously trying to get EJ and Teahan started.
Not exactly making me think this team is going to steamroller Mizzou buzzer to buzzer on Saturday.
Agreed.
Granted I only watched the last 5 minutes of the game (which frickin took 30 minutes to play). But we didn’t look like a team that could easily take care of business at home against the slavers. Here’s hoping our team feeds off the crowd, Kimmy English has 3 fouls in the first 5 minutes of the game, and the old T-Rob shows up and plays at the same time the new Withey does.
Oh, and good TT shows up and leaves bad TT on Twitter.
"No time for questions. No time for games. Start kickin' ass and takin' down the names." - Dave Mustaine.
Shut the game off when we were up 46-26.
What happened with T-Rob’s technical?
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk
dumbest play by a guy who should be the leader of the team that I've seen...
scrum on the floor and he comes out throwing elbows. His attitude seems to be wearing thin on officials lately. The hands over the head smile thing every time he gets called for being overly physical. It just doesn’t feel like he’s adjusting well at the moment, maybe a little slump and I do think maybe he’s reading the Davis hype for POY and he’s pushing a little.
He’ll come around, he’s too good not too. I just hope he does it Saturday and then it sticks. Still it doesn’t feel like a real good stretch for him lately despite what the stats may say.
Questions, Comments? email me at denverjhawk@hotmail.com
Sometime in the noncon, later in the noncon
TRob developed an attitude of “I’m jacked and more athletic, so eff it, I’m going to destroy everyone.”
It pays off big at times, and sometimes it gets the best of him. He has got that edge now, but he needs to keep in under control. He has become very Kevin Garnettesque.
Shit happens when you win championships
by Andrew Clark on Feb 23, 2012 8:12 AM CST up reply actions
Are you implying the Morri?
Because that’s my hunch. It’s swag, and it’s good at times…but sometimes it hurts you.
Questions, Comments? email me at denverjhawk@hotmail.com
Oh come on...
The Morri are not the first people to come through CBB with some swag to them. He’s a ridiculously scultped and gifted athlete from DC… I think it’s safe to assume he’s always had some swag.
by hiphopopotamus on Feb 23, 2012 8:53 AM CST up reply actions
They definitely aren't.
But they did play with him for his first two years of school. The relationship often portrayed as they mentored him. They definitely weren’t above a few cheap shots here and there. Like I said earlier, I didn’t see the play and have no idea how it played out. But he has seen that behavior from fellow teammates, teammates he looked up to.
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk
I'll say this in Robinson's defense...
he was getting beat up all night and I think it was fine for him to “punch” back so to speak. Just a HORRIBLE time to do it.
Questions, Comments? email me at denverjhawk@hotmail.com
With everything that has happened in T-Rob's life
he’s had to grow up quickly. I had hoped that a side effect to that would be more maturity than what the Morri displayed.
But we’re not really seeing it lately.
"No time for questions. No time for games. Start kickin' ass and takin' down the names." - Dave Mustaine.
Admittedly, it's a low bar to clear
But I think he’s displaying considerably more composure than the Morrii.
He still needs to get better (although I don’t want him to lose all the swagger — I think swagger is what separated Chalmers from any number of guards with comparable talents), but he’s taking far more abuse that either of them did under the basket, and his weakness is in responding to provocation rather than instigating. The Morrii were prone to do both.
What can I say...
He’s not perfect, but few are. Like Owen said, last night wasn’t even that big of deal (more goes on in a 8 year old Biddy game), but the timing was unfortunate.
I have no problem whatsoever with how he handles himself, except of course when he starts trying to do too much on his own. (There is literally nothing I want to see less than him driving full speed, in traffic, and attempting to throw a pass behind his back.) He’s got a ton of potential and he is our best player, but he’s far better when he plays patiently. As long as he’s doing that, he won’t get any grief from me about the other “stuff.”
by hiphopopotamus on Feb 23, 2012 9:27 AM CST up reply actions
I can't tell if he's trying to show off for scouts or just trying to put the team on his back
But I don’t understand why he keeps trying to drive the basket.
That behind the back pass last night would’ve been really cool if it worked, but it still would have been a very stupid idea.
That's a very good piece by Moore
We’re lucky to have him covering this team.
Thanks for the link
I think T-Rob
is just wound up too tight lately. He needs to smoke a j or shack with his girlfriend(s) or something…….
"No time for questions. No time for games. Start kickin' ass and takin' down the names." - Dave Mustaine.
by Rivethead on Feb 23, 2012 8:36 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
or win a Big XII title
I hear that does wonders for stress :)
by 2.1 seconds left on Feb 23, 2012 9:37 AM CST up reply actions
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