THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013
PAGE 38
HOMETOWN REBOUND
Jayhawks look to improve after two-game losing streak
BLAKE SCHUSTER
bschuster@kansan.com
KANSAS VS. NEW MEXICO DEC.14,6 P.M., SPRINT CENTER, KANSAS CITY, MO.
AT A GLANCE
Yeah, it looks pretty bad at a glance. Four games, three losses and more question marks than we had when the season started. The reality is that Kansas is still learning, and like most freshmen, it seems they've slept through a few classes. The Battle 4 Atlantis was supposed to toughen this team up. It didn't. The matchup in Colorado
was supposed to help Kansas bounce back. it did the opposite. If there's one good thing to take away it's how the Jayhawks were able to battle back in the second half against Florida. Perhaps the biggest lesson Kansas can take away from the last two games is that it's capable of fighting back. Better to learn that sooner rather than later.
than later.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Naadir Tharpe
This one is a split between Naadir Tharpe and Frank Mason. One of them will need to establish themselves as the more competent point guard and so far that hasn't been the case. Tharpe has the experience. Mason is relentless on the floor. Yet against Florida the two combined for 11 points, five assists and eight turnovers. Making matters worse is the lack of passing ability from the two. Both have seemed panicked when facing a zone and until they figure out how to beat it you can be sure they'll continue to split time on the floor.
QUESTION MARKS
Speaking of that zone defense, will Kansas finally find a way to plan through it?
In Florida coach Billy Donovan used a 1-3-1 that confused the Jayhawks as much as anything else. Kansas never showed much of an ability to beat it. There's no doubt the Jayhawks will continue to face the zone until they can prove their offense is good enough to score either way. Joel Embidb has maintained that the team has been able to show some success when matching up against it in practice, but that has yet to transfer to a live game.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Jayhawks had four fast-break points against Florida
Only one Kansas played scored in double digits in Gainesville (Wiggins, 26)
- Edited by Ashleigh Tidwell
30
The Jayhawks continue to play with as much aggressiveness and rage against New Mexico as they did in the second half against Florida. Now that Self has seen the Jayhawks play at that level it's hard to believe he'll let anything less slide.
Days since Kansas has played in Allen Fieldhouse
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF
STARTERS
Frank Mason. Guard
As of now there is no solution for the Jayhawks' point guard problems so Self is forced to chose between the lesser of two liabilities. Both Mason and Tharpe have struggled to run the offense when facing a zone but Mason's ability to fight through traffic and get to the line should keep him in the
starting lineup.
Wavne Selden Jr.. Guard
You could say Selden is the latest member of Bill Self's doghouse. Since playing 36 minutes against UTEP in the Battle 4 Atlantis consolation game, Selden has played 34 minutes in his last two games combined – including just 14 minutes against Florida. Selden isn't the reason why the Jayhawks have dropped three of their last four games, but he can be a big factor in breaking out of the funk
Andrew Wiggins, Guard
Strange as it may be, the worse the Jayhawks have played the better Wiggins has looked. In each loss this season Wiggins has combined for 58 points and 19 rebounds. For certain, he was the only reason Kansas had a chance to come back against Colorado and Florida. His ability to get down the floor and knock down threes when the pressure is on has become one of his most valuable tools. Then again, when the Jayhawks are in a hole, there's only one person they give the hall to if they want to climb back out.
Perry Ellis, Forward
Ellis had as much trouble playing against the zone as anyone else on Kansas. In Florida he scored four points and turned the ball over three times. Not exactly what you're veteran sophomore can get away with in a tight battle. Then again, Ellis is still growing too. And right now he's going to have to figure how to be a go-to guy even when he's being swarmed by defenders.
Joel Embiid, Center
It is a little concerning that Kansas' best lineup includes four freshman and a sophomore but Self has got to play to his strengths and no one is stronger in the paint than Embid is right now. His offensive game is developed far beyond where many imagined he'd be at this point and his defense isn't far behind. Like Jeff Withey did in previous seasons, Embid factors into the defense just by standing on the floor. His shot blocking isn't all that bad either. Maybe every big man should start off playing volleyball.
★★★★★
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Sophomore forward Perry Ellis dunks the ball during the Dec. 10 game against Florida in Gainesville, Fla. Kansas lost 67-61.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Freshman guard Frank Mason attempts to block a shot during the Dec. 10 game against Florida. Mason scored nine points.
Prediction: Kansas 80, New Mexico 72
8