Does anyone know why Garrett got the start over Newman?

I concur with the flock on this one re: Garrett and Newman. But given our depth this year (lack thereof), I think both have key roles to play and contributions to give.

I've talked a lot offline with HawkE about Newman, with both of us expressing concerns that have only deepened as the season has progressed. At this point, with this many games under his belt, it's hard to imagine there is "another gear" for him to find and that this is anything but who he actually is. That being said, I am personally trying to "shift my frame" on Newman and thereby adjust expectations. Like everyone else, I looked at his back-story and recruiting status (chased by UK and us, 5-star phenom, etc.), and I read the Self press clippings last year on how he was the "best athlete" in practice. So, like everyone else, my expectations for him were sky-high, and have been summarily dashed often this year.

So I'm shifting a bit on him. I'm trying to "forget" all the ink and hype on him and just look at him as the equivalent of a freshman player on the team. Yes, I know, he played a full year before and then had a year of practice with us, but he's now playing his first year at KU, so that's how I'm trying to view it. And I'm just trying to view him as a "nobody" who is on the court playing in our system. When I do that, I can actually glean some clear contributions and, yes, even some upside. He too often chucks the ill-advised three (as he did yesterday, when we were up 5 and prepared to run away with the game, and his miss led to a UT breakaway and foul, if I recall, for a 6-point swing). The missed first FT in crunch time was also telling, as Hawknmo noted. Very bad timing on both counts. But then there are times where he hits a nice three, defends nicely, or does something else--as he did yesterday in hitting the REST of his key free throws down the stretch. (He hadn't shot a FT since November, so the first one could've arguably just been rust shaking off)

The other thing I saw--and LOVED--was the KU breakaway when DG found him flying up the court and he just went all instincts, going right at the UT defender and flying into the air, MJ-style, and thunderously dunking the ball. THAT might have been his best play of the year, and a signature moment, because it was just pure, unadulterated MOJO and swag and instincts on display. After the play, UT called a timeout and Self gave him a huge smile, saying something congratulatory to him as he came to the bench. He flashed the biggest grin and you could just see that it was a special moment for him, and between he and Coach Self.

Here's to looking at him with less hyped lenses, and just watching him contribute and grow, along with our solid young freshman, Mr. Garrett (who is my son Garrett's favorite new KU player--go figure!)