Kansas

[BigErnMcCracken]

Foul trouble and the crowd are my biggest concern. Will the team be able to handle the crowd and can we keep our cool? We know they’re going to chirp bc they’ll have the home crowd and whistle

The freshmen might feel it but the rest of these dudes have played in a final four in front of 70k people - they're not going to get rattled by a random December crowd. Newton looked like his pulse was about 60 when he was closing out SDSU when the stakes were much, much higher.

I suppose it's entirely possible that they the bed a la Marcus Williams's return when Steve Novak bent them over but I don't see it with this bunch. They might lose, but I don't think it'd be because they weren't composed. We have some battle-tested dudes on this team. Count me among those that think a sluggish effort against NH isn't the worst thing that could have happened in the lead up to this one. At the risk of regretting this statement on Saturday morning, these guys generally come to play and I expect them to be dialed in. They won't be throwing up a bunch of crap like they were in that Marquette beating in '06.

 

[notEwekon]

As long as they don't shoot like they did Monday Huskies are going to dust these dudes

 

[Rico444]

Kansas has opened up some breathing room, but only up 8 against Eastern Illinois.

 

[notEwekon]

Hunter Dickinson isn't much of a physical presence, he moves around the floor a little weasely, he certainly doesn't seem like the kind of 7 footer who could lose a tooth and still contribute

 

[auror]

Kansas closed as 38.5 point favorites over #323 Eastern Illinois, and the game has been as close as 2 in the 2nd half. Right now 8 with 8 minutes left.

We're not the only ones not exactly shining heading into Friday's game.

Kansas is getting outrebounded by Eastern Illinois at the moment. EIU is like 150th in rebounding. Could be a big advantage for us.

 

[caw]

I think this Kansas game is showing just how impressive UConn's 10+ point game streak is. Eastern Illinois is 344 on Kenpom right now and within two possessions with 8 to go. And yes I know Kenpom isn't really helpful right now but they are also 3-4 with losses by nearly thirty to Illinois and Loyola Chicago and about ten to Illinois St and Miami...OH

 

[auror]

Eastern Illinois cuts it to 3.

 

[auror]

Still a 3 point game with 2.5 minutes left. Eastern Illinois with a couple onions 3s to keep it close

 

[HooperScooper]

Bad whistles and all.

 

[brihman]

Kansas closed as 38.5 point favorites over #323 Eastern Illinois, and the game has been as close as 2 in the 2nd half. Right now 8 with 8 minutes left.

We're not the only ones not exactly shining heading into Friday's game.

Kansas is getting outrebounded by Eastern Illinois at the moment. EIU is like 150th in rebounding. Could be a big advantage for us.

We were ice cold from deep, down a starter, refs all had cabins in the White Mountains and we still won by 20.

 

[B1GEast]

I wonder what the Vegas line will be after this game.

You have to think they'll give UConn 3 points.

 

[auror]

Ends up winning by 8.

Dickinson has that turning post catch instant fingertip impossible angle layup that's a very interesting shot. Impossible to defend if you let him get to his spot.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Kansas closed as 38.5 point favorites over #323 Eastern Illinois, and the game has been as close as 2 in the 2nd half. Right now 8 with 8 minutes left.

We're not the only ones not exactly shining heading into Friday's game.

Kansas is getting outrebounded by Eastern Illinois at the moment. EIU is like 150th in rebounding. Could be a big advantage for us.

Kansas has not struck me as a high effort team in the couple games I’ve watched. Getting beat to rebounds pretty consistently tonight by smaller and way less athletic guys. Going to be an interesting game on Friday. I’m sure Self isn’t going to be happy after this one.

 

[Leebo]

Just goes to show there's nothing to be scared about. It's another game. Just execute what we do.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Ends up winning by 8.

Dickinson has that turning post catch instant fingertip impossible angle layup that's a very interesting shot. Impossible to defend if you let him get to his spot.

He was much more aggressive at getting post position when it got close in the second half. Through most of the rest of the game, he seemed pretty uninterested in fighting for that deep position. In very curious to see what Self does with Dickinson offensively on Friday.

 

[HooperScooper]

I don't know anything about Eastern Illinois but they out rebounded Kansas with a starting lineup that the ESPN boxscore says is three guards, 2 forwards and no centers. I hope UConn kills them on the boards.

Kansas 71-63 Eastern Illinois (Nov 28, 2023) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Kansas Jayhawks vs. Eastern Illinois Panthers NCAAM game from November 28, 2023 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

 

[SEbluebood]

Who knows based on their play so far including tonight, but I expect a locked in, fired up team of JayHawks spurred on by fans and supported by “refs” to be very ready for the Huskies game! I would be careful underestimating them. Should be an interesting battle!

 

[housekeys]

UConn's starting 5, with Castle, is able to beat anyone, anywhere. But when it comes to poor officiating and crowds, the only answer is to have a deep and capable bench. As others have pointed out (and with Castle questionable), our bench and depth are yet to be vetted. We will need our bench to come through for us to win.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Yeah the fact he shoots 72% is the point. He scores on cuts to the rim and lobs and is not a threat outside of 5 ft. He has a very simple offensive game. I’m not saying he’s bad. He does what he does well, but what he does is not what has given Karaban problems historically.

Stopping anyone inside has given Karaban problems

 

[HuskyHawk]

I don't know anything about Eastern Illinois but they out rebounded Kansas with a starting lineup that the ESPN boxscore says is three guards, 2 forwards and no centers. I hope UConn kills them on the boards.

Kansas 71-63 Eastern Illinois (Nov 28, 2023) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Kansas Jayhawks vs. Eastern Illinois Panthers NCAAM game from November 28, 2023 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

KU rebounding is abysmal. Adams should be a big rebounder and he’s not.

 

[BiggieSmall]

I take nothing from Kansas this game as they are looking ahead just like we did. Glad they didn’t lose because when was last time Kansas lost back to back games at home.

Dickinson doesn’t like to bang I expect him to pull Donovan out. He has a deadly jumper and was 8-12 from 3 prior to this game.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Stopping anyone inside has given Karaban problems

My biggest concern this game is Adams getting a couple quick ones on Karaban. There’s going to be a huge athleticism gap in that matchup.

 

[HuskyHawk]

The freshmen might feel it but the rest of these dudes have played in a final four in front of 70k people - they're not going to get rattled by a random December crowd. Newton looked like his pulse was about 60 when he was closing out SDSU when the stakes were much, much higher.

I suppose it's entirely possible that they the bed a la Marcus Williams's return when Steve Novak bent them over but I don't see it with this bunch. They might lose, but I don't think it'd be because they weren't composed. We have some battle-tested dudes on this team. Count me among those that think a sluggish effort against NH isn't the worst thing that could have happened in the lead up to this one. At the risk of regretting this statement on Saturday morning, these guys generally come to play and I expect them to be dialed in. They won't be throwing up a bunch of crap like they were in that Marquette beating in '06.

They will be fine. The place is insanely loud and the rock chalk chant is a bit creepy. UConn likely has the better team. KU offense is struggling. We sucked vs UNH and KU sucked vs Eastern Illinois. Both teams looking to Friday.

 

[Scrutineer]

He was much more aggressive at getting post position when it got close in the second half. Through most of the rest of the game, he seemed pretty uninterested in fighting for that deep position. In very curious to see what Self does with Dickinson offensively on Friday.

I'm guessing he has him going right at DC to try to put him in foul trouble right from the get go. And that can mean inside as well as drawing him out to defend the three. DC has to stay composed and not try to make a name for himself with hero plays on defense.