+/- for K-State

All the guys in "+" territory contributed in very important ways. And all of the guys in "-" territory were complete drags and liabilities on our performance.

For the "+" guys:

* Devonte actually came on late in a big way, such that the "eye test" would bump him up just a bit in terms of his significance to the win. He was just "neutral" for most of the game--not doing anything scoring-wise, but running decent point and playing good D. But then he really came up big late with that key 2-pointer and the free throws.

* Lucas was just huge, and we really suffered when he was out. The guy has become a versatile rebounding machine, and he is now scoring very effectively when near the rim as well. He contributed to a beautiful pick and roll on one point and finished like a man. The kid has clearly turned a corner, and we're all the better for it.

* Svi was the man in the first half with those killer threes...and UNLIKE GREENE, HE CAN PLAY DEFENSE! I watched him like a hawk on the defensive end, and it was textbook man to man. Just outstanding, and 180 different from Brannen. He came up huge, despite the missed shots in the 2nd half, and really was a key cog in this win.

* Ellis going down to injury also really undercut us (no-brainer there). He was having a really nice game.

* Frank was a liability for the opening part of the game (including on defense), but man, did he turn it on. He was Sherron-like and Tyshawn-like for big spurts, and is arguably the toughest little dude to wear a KU uniform. I can't think of any that were tougher. (And that behind the back driving layup in transition was a highlight play for the ages)

* Selden played well. He was missing some threes, but did other important things, which is precisely what we needed him to do. He contributed great energy and made some big plays.

* Jamari played a really, really solid game. Yes, he had a turnover or two, but he really brought it tonight. And that thunderous dunk was a very big play. Who doesn't think that he was thinking about that T-boning fan from last year when he about ripped the rim off?

As for the "-" guys:

* Bragg was a complete train wreck, and single-handedly helped the Grapes get back in it with 3 straight bad moves in successive offensive-defensive possessions. He also got pushed around under the bucket, and took a very ill-advised long 2 shot with only a few seconds off the shot clock when we needed to be running clock.

* Diallo was putrid. Still not getting it. Based on his and Bragg's performance, and coupled with the performance of Lucas (and Traylor), it's patently obvious now that Self has been making the right call all along in going with the seasoned guys for the bulk of minutes. This was a big game that we needed to win, and experienced players were key. And when said experienced players got in foul trouble (or hurt), we suffered big-time with our bench options in the 4/5 spots.

* Mickelson did little to nothing to impact the game in the time he was in. He didn't kill us, but didn't certainly didn't help us. And the fact that he was -6 when in tells you that he probably did more than not help us (in the negative) since we didn't execute well at all when he was out there.

* Greene deserved worse than a -2 with the eye test. He passed up key 3s, turned the ball over on travels and what-not, and played his usual stand-up, poor lateral mobility D. He was single-handedly responsible for at least 3 help D breakdowns caused by him losing his man. I guess the pressure of going to Bramlage after Dunk-gate got to him?

My take on the +/- numbers. Curious if others saw it the same way.

Hawknmo: I believe Corpus and Keegan conveyed my perspective pretty well on this one:

Corpus: Mickelson had a really nice defensive play. But overall the Jayhawks were out of sync when he was in the game.

Keegan: The biggest reason that the same K-State team that trailed by 10 points at halftime on the way to losing to Kansas, 72-63, is quite easy to identify. Fourth-year Kansas junior post man Landen Lucas played 10 minutes in the first half and K-State wide bodies D.J. Johnson and Stephen Hurt combined for five points. Lucas played three second-half minutes before fouling out and K-State’s two hulks combined for 19 points.

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Translation: it was a pretty big fall-off (on both ends) once Lucas left the floor (regardless of who we were shuffling out there). I know you personally don't buy that, because you still don't believe in Landen, but that's for you to sort out (or not). As for Hunter, I'm glad that he finally got some minutes from Coach Self, though it took LL and JT fouling out (and Ellis getting knocked out) to get him on the floor. At future points Hunter will be needed, as will others. I hope he keeps his head up high and remains ready to contribute at a moment's notice. All hands on deck, as it were...