Connect with us

Hoops

10 Thoughts: Kansas

Published

on

Photo Attribution: US Presswire

Photo Attribution: US Presswire

BOX SCORE

Well, we didn’t do as the papers foretold but how much fun is it to have meaningful late-February hoops in a full GIA? Kansas was too much (actually I think it was more like OSU was not enough) on Wednesday in Mr. Iba’s sanctuary as they reapplied their stranglehold on the Big 12 crown. I’l try to condense 100 thoughts into 10…

1. Let’s talk about the refs, shall we? Once-in-a-decade scandals aside, I don’ think referees decide the outcome of games. Or at least I defy you to prove it to me statistically. I do, however, feel like Big 12 refs think there are three teams playing ever game — the two schools and the group of guys in striped shirts.

Both Withey and Cobbins had fouls called on them that made my eyes bulge. It’s embarrassing that, win or lose, these clowns continue to insert themselves in the narrative. That’s all on that…for now.

2. Smart was (obviously) not in Big 12 POY form tonight. 2-14 from the field and just one assist — although he did find a way to, somehow, put up 16 points and hit an end-of-regulation three that made GIA wet itself.

I thought he went hard on a bummy ankle, there just wasn’t a ton there tonight. At this point I really have no idea how the tank isn’t on E. These guys have played a ton of minutes (three straight home OT games) and I was a little worried after Bedlam that the win streak was wearing on them, tiring them. I guess we’ll see on Saturday…

3. Kansas made one field goal in two combined overtimes. One. And it came with under a minute left in the second OT. And they won! The difference? Allow Mr. Morris…

4. The Big 12 title shot is gone but there’s still a ton to play for. Quade called me after the game and I said the following things to him about the rest of OSU’s season:

We win out and win the Big 12 tourney: 3-seed
We win four of five and make it to the Big 12 finals: 4-seed
We win three of five and make it to the Big 12 semis: 5-seed, maybe 6-seed.

5. This is correct, the place was rocking GIA-style tonight. I loved it. OSU delivered them a ballgame and they closed so freaking hard. Just wasn’t meant to be tonight I guess…

6. Phil Forte, that three he hit in the first OT was pure ice veins but man, 1-8 from deep is not going to get it done. He’s 12 for his last 47 three-pointers and well, it’s not like he’s bring all-conference defense to the table either. He needs to get it going as the Cowboys head into the tournament(s). Also, side (uniform) note: he needs to black out the socks and shoes J.J. Redick-style. Just go with it, none of this white on white on white garbage.

7. Also true, we shot so poorly. In fact, at 32.8% it was the worst shooting night OSU has had all year.

https://twitter.com/runofplay/status/304457812027772928

You might disagree but I thought Kansas’ D was pretty outstanding. The play at the end of regulation when Withey hedged on Smart was emblematic of the entire night — there was just nothing there. Also, I feel like it says a lot about your team, your defense, and your crowd when you shoot 33% and still roll with the #9 team in the nation.

8. That 70-footer from Smart at the end of the first OT…good Lord, you really would have had to rename the university because it would have burned to the ground tonight. Heck, I would have driven up and rushed the Colvin courts tomorrow morning if that thing had dropped. Holder would have asked him for his uniform and made one of his minions run it up the catwalk and wave it from the ceiling as a ceremonial retirement after the game.

myfacewhen (12)

9. I don’t understand Kansas. Are they good? Is Self just the best coach in the history of college basketball? Elijah Johnson just thugs up every game, Withey doesn’t do much for me besides throw around razor blade elbows, Releford and Perry Ellis are “meh”, and Kevin Young might be “the worst player in the history of KU basketball” according to Amilian. McLemore is obviously world-class but I just don’t think, as a team, they’re better than what OSU is throwing out there.

10. I’m officially worried about Saturday. Soul-sucking games against KU have a way of emptying squads and WVU isn’t a fun place to go whether they’re sporting Mike Gansey or Mike Schmidt. Bounce back is big time.

WVU on deck.

Most Read

Copyright © 2011- 2023 White Maple Media