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Anything pertaining to basketball: college, pro, HS, recruiting, TV coverage
We HAVE to get the real Devonte back Sunday, or it's going to be a sad evening
- konza63
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- c'85 Towering toward the Blue
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7 years 5 months ago #17928
by konza63
“With kindest regards to Dr. Forrest C. Allen, the father of basketball coaching, from the father of the game.”
1936 inscription on the portrait of Dr. Naismith, displayed above Phog Allen's office desk at KU.
I can't quite figure out what is going on with Graham. The last two games, he's been exceptionally timid, he's made some very bad and untimely decisions, he's having trouble with his ball-handling, his defense isn't as good as it's been, and he's most definitely lost his scoring touch and aggression. He seems so timid with the ball, particularly when shooting. It's just odd.
That said, he showed a few spurts and glimpses tonight, which I thought each time would be the "breaking down of the door" and his confidence and aggression being restored. Then he'd have a reversion to "bad" play and I'd shake my head again.
Devonte is the straw that stirs the KU drink. And that straw needs to be both firm and completely free of obstructions, metaphorically speaking, on Sunday. He needs to be hitting on all cylinders, needs to take that game personally (and any comparisons between him and Allen, much less the 1-year freshmen of Duke), and LEAD our team the way he has all year.
If we get that, and we get the Malik Newman that has stepped into the leadership breach to put the team on his back, plus the invigorated Vick of the tourney, plus Dok doing his thing and negating Bagley, we will have a great shot. Speaking of Bagley, I think he's the paramount key to stopping Duke and gumming up their gears. I think and hope Self throws all three of our bigs (but especially Dog and Silvio) at him and frustrates him ad nauseam. If we can "cut off the head" (with Bagley being that head), Devonte returns to form as a relatively blemish-free leader and scoring threat, and we do what we know we can do on offense, I have no doubt we will win the game. But we need all of that. Duke is going to be mega-fired up for this elite matchup (which will be THE game of the tourney, and the featured game of the weekend in the final F4 entry slot on CBS), as will we. It should be epic. But we HAVE to be hitting on all cylinders.
That said, he showed a few spurts and glimpses tonight, which I thought each time would be the "breaking down of the door" and his confidence and aggression being restored. Then he'd have a reversion to "bad" play and I'd shake my head again.
Devonte is the straw that stirs the KU drink. And that straw needs to be both firm and completely free of obstructions, metaphorically speaking, on Sunday. He needs to be hitting on all cylinders, needs to take that game personally (and any comparisons between him and Allen, much less the 1-year freshmen of Duke), and LEAD our team the way he has all year.
If we get that, and we get the Malik Newman that has stepped into the leadership breach to put the team on his back, plus the invigorated Vick of the tourney, plus Dok doing his thing and negating Bagley, we will have a great shot. Speaking of Bagley, I think he's the paramount key to stopping Duke and gumming up their gears. I think and hope Self throws all three of our bigs (but especially Dog and Silvio) at him and frustrates him ad nauseam. If we can "cut off the head" (with Bagley being that head), Devonte returns to form as a relatively blemish-free leader and scoring threat, and we do what we know we can do on offense, I have no doubt we will win the game. But we need all of that. Duke is going to be mega-fired up for this elite matchup (which will be THE game of the tourney, and the featured game of the weekend in the final F4 entry slot on CBS), as will we. It should be epic. But we HAVE to be hitting on all cylinders.
“With kindest regards to Dr. Forrest C. Allen, the father of basketball coaching, from the father of the game.”
1936 inscription on the portrait of Dr. Naismith, displayed above Phog Allen's office desk at KU.
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- Riverhawk
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7 years 5 months ago #17938
by Riverhawk
Can't disagree with much of what you wrote. I think he just may be worn out. He has carried a huge burden this year and played a ridiculous amount of minutes. He has demonstrated the ability to play excellent defense in the past (shadowing Buddy at OU) but now he has trouble keeping his man in front of him in the second half of games. Plus teams are extending their defense and making him (and Svi) work harder for their shots (and the looks aren't as good). I hope he has at least one more great game in him, but we may be asking too much even for the terrific competitor and clutch player that he is.
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- DrJHawker
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7 years 5 months ago #17939
by DrJHawker
I agree with your analysis. Dok has often been dominate and has constantly improved throughout the season. Silvio has been such a big lift and an essential lift late in the season. Vick's and Newman's play have been key to our strong run. It's almost like Graham and Svi have dropped off with Vick's and Newman's resurgence. If we can get Graham and Svi playing at the level they were earlier in the year we become a Juggernaut that can certainly overcome the immense talent of the Duke Blue Devils.
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- murphyslaw
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7 years 5 months ago #17943
by murphyslaw
It certainly would be understandable if DV is worn out, and as we all do, I wish for the same regarding breakout games. On the positive side, his assist numbers have to be off the chart since he's so adept at getting the ball to the right man at the right time, which I think has to be one reason why we've come this far.
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- porthawk
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7 years 5 months ago #17946
by porthawk
Graham still searching for shot; Azubuike says knee is ‘better’
www2.kusports.com/news/2018/mar/23/noteb...e-s/?mens_basketball
www2.kusports.com/news/2018/mar/23/noteb...e-s/?mens_basketball
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- HawkErrant
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- b82, g84 Lift the chorus...
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7 years 5 months ago #17947
by HawkErrant
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." - Mark Twain "Innocents Abroad"
I wonder if Devonté is having repercussions from the head hit he took in the Seton Hall game?
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." - Mark Twain "Innocents Abroad"
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