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SPORTS
KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 2015
On-court growing pains for Mason and Graham
SCOTT CHASEN @SChasenKU
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About three minutes into the game, there was little separation between Kansas and Pittsburg State. Neither team was shooting well from the floor, and those struggles continued as Kansas point guard Frank Mason III attempted a straightaway three that caromed off the rim.
The ball bounced out to the top of the key, where both Mason and sophomore point guard Devonte' Graham had a chance at an offensive rebound, but they both got in each other's way as the ball rolled out into the backcourt.
Josiah Gustafson scooped up the ball and kicked it ahead to lavis Flynn, who went up to the rim, expecting an easy layup. Instead, Mason met him at the rim, swatting the ball out of bounds.
On one end, it was a shaky moment for the duo of Mason and Graham, who were still feeling each other out. On the other end, it was just basketball. Mason went up on instinct to make a play, and things went the right way.
Frank Mason III, a junior guard, attempts to get around his defender in order to make a basket during the Pittsburg State exhibition game on Nov. 4.
However, that didn't happen often enough, said Kansas coach Bill Self, who made it clear after the game — which Kansas won 89-66 — that this wasn't anywhere near where the team needed to be when the regular season rolls around.
“[Pittsburg State] exposed us. They were quicker than us," Self said after the game. "Our perimeter play was just deplorable. There’s no doubt about
that. Frank and Devonte' had good stretches ... but that's about as poorly as we can play".
Early on, foul trouble forced Self to adjust his rotations, but throughout the night he was able to stagger Mason and Graham's minutes pretty evenly. At halftime, the minutes split between the two were almost identical, which Self said was an emphasis coming into the game.
"Something that is a little nerve racking is that Devonte' and Frank both got in foul trouble," Self said. "We have to have one of those guys in the game."
KELCIE MATOUSEK/KANSAN
It wasn't perfect by any means. Many of the struggles for the duo — and much of the team — came on defense. It was clearly a work in progress for the Jayhawks, especially with the new backcourt that spent little time together last year, but it wasn't all bad. Mason and Graham struggled in some areas, but each also had his moments.
Mason shot 6-of-9 on twopoint field goals and added four assists and four rebounds. Meanwhile, Graham struggled shooting the ball at just 1-of-6 from the field, but he made it up with eight assists and eight rebounds.
"It's funny because my friend from back home [told me to] get a triple-double tonight," Graham said after the game. "I'm just playing hard, trying to help the big rebound, trying to find open teammates and they're knocking down shots.
Mason's and Graham's game. When they were on the court together, it seemed as though before each possession the two decided who would crash the glass — more often than not it was Graham — and who would break down the court in transition, usually Mason.
Backtracking on rebounds was actually a big part of both
Those long outlet passes allowed Kansas to push the tempo at times, which led to easy transition opportunities. And after the game, Self said he wanted to see more of those breaks come to fruition, while Pittsburg State head coach Kevin Muff said the pace was a bit faster than he was used to.
"It's going to take me a while to get used to it," Muff said. "When you look at the box score and you see 100 rebounds — I don't know if I've ever seen that before at the end of a game."
Having Graham and Mason on the court together for nearly a third of the game helped the Jayhawks push the ball ahead, even though they weren't able to do so as much with Mason in foul trouble. However, Self reiterated that even though Mason spent some extra time on the bench, the team still needed to get out and run.
"We want to try to push the tempo as much as possible," Self said. "I don't think it has anything to do with the shorter clock."
Carlton or anybody like that
Cannon of anybody like that ... it gives us a chance to get an easy bucket."
"A lot of people can't guard [players] like Wayne (Selden) in transition — him coming at you with a full head of steam." Graham said. "Pitching up the floor to him, Frank, Perry,
And Graham echoed those sentiments.
At the end of the day, Mason and Graham turned in a collective performance that won't be typical throughout the year. As the chemistry between them builds, the team's backcourt should be its biggest strength, rather than where it
was tonight.
However, there's plenty of time — a whole season's worth — to get things figured out.
- Edited by Emma LeGault
Lineups by point guard
8 minutes 16 minutes
12 Neither minutes 4 minutes
MISSY MINFAR/KANSAN
Senior Chelsi Miller races against Missouri State and Denver University Saturday afternoon in Lawrence.
Blog: Swimmers earn top honors
ERIK NELSON
@erikthefan
Haley Bishop is phenomenal. Truly phenomenal.
Bishop, a freshman who specializes in the butterfly, has been a shark in the pool over the last four weeks. All she does is win — or place second.
In Bishop's first showing in the Crimson and Blue Intrasquad meet, she was victorious in all four events the 200-yard medley relay. 50-yard freestyle,100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard freestyle relay.
The next time out, in Kansas' double dual against Missouri State and Denver, Bishop racked up multiple second place finishes in the 50-yard freestyle, the 200-yard medley relay, the 800-yard freestyle relay, the 200-yard freestyle relay, the 100-yard butterfly and the 400-yard freestyle relay.
At TCU. Bishop continued her streak of stellar swims. Bishop swam in the winning 200-yard medley and 400- yard freestyle relays, and she dominated in both the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly.
And she was recognized for her high-caliber performances.
On Tuesday, Bishop was tabbed as the female Big 12 Swimmer of the Week by CollegeSwimming.com.
This is the second week in a row that a Jayhawk has earned the honor. Last week, the senior jack-of-all-trades Chelsie Miller was named the female Big 12 Swimmer of the Week.
One individual Jayhawk, Miller, is ranked in the top 50 in the nation.
Miller currently sits at No. 17 in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:18.37.
Top in the countrv
Two relays have earned their spots in the top 50 as well.
The Kansas team of Bishop Miller, senior Haley HaleMold and junior Sammie Schurig is ranked No. 13 in the 800-yard freestyle relay.
The team of Bishop, Molden, junior Yulduz Kuchkarova and senior Bryce Hinde is ranked No.49 in the country in the 200-yard medley relay.
The Jayhawks host former conference foe Nebraska on Friday at 5 p.m.
Next up
- Edited by Maddy Mikinski
KU volleyball, looking to improve to 22-1 travels to Oklahoma to face the Sooners
Sophomore right side Kelsie Payne attempts to hit the ball to Baylor's side on Saturday. Kansas defeated Baylor 3-0.
MISSY MINEAR/KANSAN defeated Bavior Z-O
JOSH MCQUADE
@LOneWolfMcQuade
In their last match on Saturday, the Jayhawks maintained control over the Iowa State Cyclones, winning in three sets. If the Jayhawks play like they did then, they should have no trouble in the match against the Sooners.
Kansas volleyball will hit the road on Saturday, looking to defeat the Oklahoma Sooners for the second time this season.
However, with a week of practice before the game against Oklahoma, the coaching staff said they anticipated having plenty of time to settle down and take things one day at a time.
After a week off, the Jayhawks should come into the weekend
To beat the Sooners, the gameplan is simple: Kansas has been working well as a team, and, if the connection between the players continues to strengthen, Kansas should be able to improve to 22-1, and maybe defeat Texas, too.
In their last meeting, Kansas swept Oklahoma. The Sooners posted 22 errors, which was more than half of the team's total kills. The Jayhawks recorded 46 kills with a .355 hitting percentage.
well rested. The only thing that might cause them trouble is that the team's next matchup is against Texas, which handed Kansas its first loss of the season.
["We have] a good training week to get ready to go down to play a team that we know is very talented," coach Ray Bechard said after Kansas' last game.
Sophomore middle blocker Kelsie Payne has been a force on the court with her 4.1 kills per set average, the highest for
First serve is set for noon on Saturday in Norman, Okla.
However, Kansas is on Oklahoma's turf this weekend, and Oklahoma has only been swept at home once, by Kansas State. If the Jayhawks are looking for an easy match, they'll need to click — but they've been doing that more often than not this season.
the jayhawks. Payne has also posted 55 blocks this season, which should help Kansas greatly in the match against Oklahoma.
Edited by Dani Malakoff
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