Quote:
Originally Posted by BWillie
I don't think anybody is saying that. In the past, we may have been 17-5, but played a more difficult schedule and more cheerful about our team because of the way they are playing. This team could easily be 16-6, could have easily lost both the UK and OU game at home. The frustrating thing is that this team theoretically has alot of talent. I don't think some of that talent ever came to fruition in Ellis and Selden although they are going to make great 4 year players, while others are frustrated that clearly our best post player (Hunter Mickelson) doesn't play and our best freshman (Bragg) doesn't really play while Jamari Traylor and Landen Lucas are able to play thru their mistakes.
I actually kind of respect the knowledge of our fan base, lots of fanbases would just look at yesterdays game as a 18 point win and think there are no issues. Over at the Phog, where it is usually overrun with overthetop positivity, most of the people were still citing concerns.
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This fanbase is bitchy ass bitch town right now. I have never seen a fanbase react so poorly after beating a blue-blood rival and then a conference rival (in-state, no less) by almost 20 pts.
Are there issues? Of course. There are issues at MSU, UK, Duke, Arizona, Maryland, UNC, OU.
Everyone has issues. There are no perfect teams. KU has plenty of room to grow and improve. I personally have no ****ing clue why the **** Hunter Mickelson isn't playing. It's beyond baffling.
I'm not sure I would be starting anyone over Lucas, however. Right now I feel like Bragg is our second best big, but he really replaces Ellis much better than he complements him. Lucas really does do some things well. Unfortunately, scoring is not one of them, and scoring is a tempting bitch.
I think if Bragg were simply getting Traylor's minutes, a lot of this bitching would go away. Bragg has shown me time and again that he understands the game, has skill and tenacity to match that understanding, and is physically capable of competing and succeeding at this level. Play him.
The bigger problem for me is the regression of Mason. The ball hits his hands and immediately stops for at least three seconds. He is never immediately decisive with the ball, so he misses out on open 3 pointers and quick passes for an easy basket. He catches the ball, waits, sizes up the defender and then starts to dribble. The problem is that, by that time, the defense is completely adjusted and back in position.
Mason really won me over last year, but I am really concerned that he is closer to Freshman year than sophomore year. I have loved Devonte Graham since the moment he stepped on the court, and I am 100% convinced that he is by far the superior player.
This team's goals are predicated on guard play. I don't care if it's Lucas or Hunter or Diallo or Bragg, our three guards are what will take this team to the promised land. All this concern about the fourth big - what we should be worried about is the first guard.