Free Throws, and other observations (some proving me wrong)

How wonderful is it to have a team that makes free throws. We've been in a multi-year slump on that shot, and it makes me too nervous in close games. Just keep Dok off the line, he may dislocate his wrist with that form.

Also, how nice is it to have so much maturity - i.e. seniors. We won't be rattled by anyone. Even the Syracuse zone - which is the equivalent of playing Navy in football setting the sport back 30 years - only confused us for about 15 minutes. Then we figured it out and rolled.

I thought for sure that Svi was at best a Euro guy after this season. I think I was fooled by how young he still is. He won't be a NBA star, but he will play for a lot of years, especially if he continues to mature and progress like he has this season.

Graham is also a guy who seems to have figured out his role, and quickly. No more trying to be the drive and score Mason. He's lethal at hitting the three, getting into the lane, and his poise is amazing. He may not be a NBA guy, but he will be one of my favorites.

I thought Newman would be the star of this team. He may be by season's end, but he sure looks lost sometimes. Disappointing that an entire season of practicing doesn't seem to have made him comfortable yet. Let's hope.

And Vick - see my post from Late Night last year where I said he would be a freak athlete and almost unstoppable in certain situations. He will be the most exciting player this year, and will have an entire highlight real by season's end.

I especially love the concept of the short roster and how Self will make it work this year (as an aside, how does a hall of fame coach end up with only 7 scholarship players? That seems ridiculous doesn't it??). Adding Cunliffe, maybe De Sousa, and who knows about Preston (I've had enough of these pain in the butt freshmen - I frankly don't care if he plays this year) adds intrigue for sure.

Dinner time - Rock Chalk.

Ah, if thé Jawhawks in that NC game against ‘Cuse had shot FTs half as well as this team does...

I agree playing with 7 is fun, but one freak injury and the show is over

I think Saturday was a good test. One of the players mentioned after the game that even practicing against the "Syracuse Zone" isn't a great prep because the KU players who are trying to replicate it can't play it as effectively as Syracuse can.

While we couldn't get our offense rolling in the 1st half, neither could Syracuse against our defense. I also think having Dok and Lightfoot on the bench was a good test for the guys, and they came through with flying colors. This will happen again this year, so it's good to know that you can overcome this stuff.

A couple of final notes:
1.) Baylor plays a lot of annoying zone, so I think that this was good prep for our guys (if they remember it).
2.) Empty stadium: how many empty seats were in that place???? You'd think that a premiere matchup like this (Ok, 'cuse isn't ranked, but I imagine they have a decent fan base) would fill up the stadium a little better. Looked like a daytime session at the old NAIA tourney at Kemper.

Re: Playing against the Zone - Vick was great at the high post in the middle of much longer defenders. He seemed able to find an effective space to work in, and his numbers backed that up. Where Baylor is concerned, it seems that HCBS has always had Drew's number, and the way this team is shooting it should not be a daunting task. One wonders how the arrival of new players will work with the team chemistry that has developed to this point.

I think Vick EVENTUALLY played well at the high post. Early in the game, they had no problem getting him the ball around the free throw line, but he lost the ball several times because he seemed rushed or unsure of what to do.

I read somewhere that at halftime they told him to slow down, make sure he got himself facing the basket, and THEN make a decision on whether to shoot, pass, or drive.

Doesn't shock me. These guys just don't face many zones, much less a GOOD and well-practiced zone. Seems that zone is an afterthought for most teams, so even when you do face it, it's not necessarily as effective as it could be.