Kansas Jayhawks Basketball vs UNLV: A (Semi) Statistical Recap

Even though UNLV is bad on offense, Kansas jumped all the way to 7th in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency from outside the top 10 before the game thanks to allowing .76 points per possession last night. UNLV made a bit of a charge in the second half when Kansas had ceased interest in the game, which is part of why the Rebels rebounded to shoot 45 percent on twos for the game. Fortunately, they shot just 20 percent from deep, turned it over on nearly 20 percent of their trips, and rebounded just 23 percent of their misses.

KU meanwhile was hot and cold on offense, ending up at a disappointing 1.01 points per possession. Again, though, it’s the last game before break, everyone wants to get home, etc etc. Kansas shot just 49 percent on twos and just 35 percent from three, but when you turn it over on fewer than 16 percent of your possessions you’re going to get enough shot volume up to score over a point per trip even when you’re not shooting well.

Letter grades

• Frank Mason: C+. He had his worst game of the season, going 3-7 on twos, 1-4 from three, and 4-10 from the line. He also had a couple nasty falls, which is the most important thing. He needs to be wrapped in bubble wrap and take as little impact as he can if Kansas is going to win a national championship. Mason did have 8 assists and 3 turnovers.
• Josh Jackson. A-. He was 8-14 on twos, 1-2 from three, and added 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. His off ball defense struggles a bit at times still, but that is going to get better.
• Svi Mykhailiuk: A. Svi has quietly been wonderful all season, and it was all encapsulated into one game last night as he was 4-8 from two and 4-6 from deep. He added 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. At his best, Svi is one of the best shooters around, he handles the ball incredibly well for his size, and is one of the more underrated perimeter defenders in America.
• Devonte Graham: C-. Kind of a nothing game for Graham, who was 0-5 from three, though he did have a couple assists and steals.
• Landen Lucas: B+. Lucas did everything he was asked to do defensively, not blocking a shot but consistently making it tough for UNLV inside. He also had 12 rebounds and 2 assists. In order for him to get an A or better for me though he has to do better than 1-3 from the field.
• Lagerald Vick: C. Vick is consistently the hardest guy for me to grade. He does things few others in the country can do, like his chase down block in the second half, but he still disappears at times and has taken some really bad shots. In this one he was 1-2 from two, 1-3 from three, but also had 3 turnovers.
• Carlton Bragg: B-. Bragg was just 1-3 from the field, but had 6 rebounds in 15 minutes, and 2 assists as well. He also played some pretty good defense hedging out on screens. He’s still not a good interior defender, but he’s been pretty good at getting out and moving his feet on the perimeter.