Unbiased Opinions on Kansas

[TheMogul]

1. Their guards are short.... this is important because I feel like Pj Thompson, Mathias, etc can handle players that are quicker provided they are not bigger too. (Mason 5'11... Graham 6'1)

2. Their bigs cannot shoot.... the fact that Lucas and Bragg cannot shoot is HUGE. Mo Wagner was able to bring Biggie out and then burn him on the drive... but this will not be the case with their bigs.

Kansas is a talented and athletic team but they aren't particularly big and they are not an exceptional rebounding team. Given that they only have 4 losses and are a number 1 seed I would be lying if I didn't believe them to be the favorites. However, I believe that Purdue matches up just as well with them as they do with any other number 1's. We may not win the game but they are going to see just how talented our team is come Thursday.

 

[BoilerNGold013]

The fact that their bigs cannot shoot is huge. However, they play 4 out 1 in system so if we Biggie and Haas together at all (which I totally think they will be and should be), Biggie will be out on the perimeter. Vince will be covering Jackson whenever they are in the game together but I don't know if biggie will get Jackson or you rotate some one like Carson or Mathias over to Jackson and put Biggie on whoever their other 3/4 guy is.

 

[TheBoris]

1. Their guards are short.... this is important because I feel like Pj Thompson, Mathias, etc can handle players that are quicker provided they are not bigger too. (Mason 5'11... Graham 6'1)

2. Their bigs cannot shoot.... the fact that Lucas and Bragg cannot shoot is HUGE. Mo Wagner was able to bring Biggie out and then burn him on the drive... but this will not be the case with their bigs.

Kansas is a talented and athletic team but they aren't particularly big and they are not an exceptional rebounding team. Given that they only have 4 losses and are a number 1 seed I would be lying if I didn't believe them to be the favorites. However, I believe that Purdue matches up just as well with them as they do with any other number 1's. We may not win the game but they are going to see just how talented our team is come Thursday.

I do not dispute your comments but fact is thay play very well as a TEAM on offense and their defense is as solid as any in the Sweet 16. Excellent coach, too.

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

I do not dispute your comments but fact is thay play very well as a TEAM on offense and their defense is as solid as any in the Sweet 16. Excellent coach, too.

Their defense isn't THAT good. They are 69th in field goal percentage defense. Basically identical to Purdue this year. They have a tendency to get out rebounded as well. Sometimes severely. This team just wants to run and gun and be on espn. They can't beat us in the half court. As long as we aren't jacking 3s giving up long rebounds or turning it over we are going to win.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Their defense isn't THAT good. They are 69th in field goal percentage defense. Basically identical to Purdue this year. They have a tendency to get out rebounded as well. Sometimes severely. This team just wants to run and gun and be on espn. They can't beat us in the half court. As long as we aren't jacking 3s giving up long rebounds or turning it over we are going to win.

If the players run their offense and don't get caught up in an up and down game...like they did when they lost the lead...they should have as good a chance as any to win. I would say this game is very close to what we saw with the final game against Northwestern @ Welsh-Ryan Arena. A hostile environment on a big stage BUT with a decent Purdue backing in the stands. Purdue played well enough to win and hopefully gained some valuable experience in the process. It appears that Carsen has been inserted early on in games to see if he is capable of making sound decisions with the ball in his hands. Although he is as much an instant offense as we have on the floor at times, this is not a team that CMP can allow him to work through his issues and create bad transition baskets for Kansas off poor or rushed shots. The thing with Carsen's looks is that he could get those same looks a majority of the time if he allowed the offense to run...once he makes that determination, he'll be a hell of a player.

 

[boilersrdue]

I'm pretty sure Purdue is going to be jacking 3s. I expect they'll shoot 5+ by the first TV timeout, then Haas comes in and they'll go down low to get Kansas bigs in foul trouble, with hopefully a few and-ones along the way. If by the 10 minute mark Purdue is at the 20 point range, this will end up a shoot out. If they have less than 10, big trouble.

My takeaway from Kansas is they play on the fringe of out of control, with exceptional athletes that style can work. But if they get too careless with the ball, aren't hitting their shots, and they get into foul trouble then Purdue can take this game.

 

[jaffinatordotte]

1. Their guards are short.... this is important because I feel like Pj Thompson, Mathias, etc can handle players that are quicker provided they are not bigger too. (Mason 5'11... Graham 6'1)

I don't think this is going to make a difference one way or the other - they really aren't that short, at least not compared to our guys. This team is not as small is everyone is making them out to be. Starting lineups:

• 5'11", 6'2", 6'5", 6'8", 6'10"
• 5'10", 6'4", 6'5", 6'8", 6'9"

You tell me which one the "big" team is. (Disclaimer: I know this doesn't take Ivan Drago into account, but it's still worth pointing out.) The difference is our physicality and their athleticism.

2. Their bigs cannot shoot.... the fact that Lucas and Bragg cannot shoot is HUGE. Mo Wagner was able to bring Biggie out and then burn him on the drive... but this will not be the case with their bigs.

Svi shoots ~60% of his shots from outside, where he's hitting ~40% of the time - as their 6'8 wing/"4 guard". Jackson hits a similar percentage, but has half as many threes on the year (but just as many as Biggie). If we try to play Isaac and Biggie together, one of them is going to be chasing those guys around on the defensive end.

Kansas is a talented and athletic team but they aren't particularly big and they are not an exceptional rebounding team. Given that they only have 4 losses and are a number 1 seed I would be lying if I didn't believe them to be the favorites. However, I believe that Purdue matches up just as well with them as they do with any other number 1's. We may not win the game but they are going to see just how talented our team is come Thursday.

This is the #1 we really wanted to play from a matchup standpoint. We have proven we can maintain pace with a guard-heavy lineup better than we did earlier in the year, and so long as we aren't 100% cold from deep and can finish at the rim, we are going to have a really good shot.

We need to avoid getting "cute" as much as possible and play OUR game. Matt did an amazing job game planning and exploiting ISU right up until they started to make their run. The "Vince-at-the-5" lineup was not good and we kept Biggie out two possessions and/or two minutes too long. If we manage to extend a lead, we have to anticipate a KU run and avoid playing "prevent" offense in an effort to run the clock out. No lead is safe against this team, or any of the other teams left in the tournament.

This has the potential to be the best game of the tournament between teams that can exploit one another's weaknesses, featuring the top two NPOY candidates. If that doesn't excite you as a Purdue fan, you may not have a pulse.

 

[TC4THREE]

Could Swanigan defend Mykhailiuk? Might be an option if we want to play Caleb and Isaac together. I'm not sure what his abilities are in terms of putting the ball on the floor but it seems the vast majority of his shots come from 3-point territory.

Problem is that if we try that we will always one ball screen away from him getting switched onto a more troublesome matchup.

 

[jaffinatordotte]

Could Swanigan defend Mykhailiuk? Might be an option if we want to play Caleb and Isaac together. I'm not sure what his abilities are in terms of putting the ball on the floor but it seems the vast majority of his shots come from 3-point territory.

Problem is that if we try that we will always one ball screen away from him getting switched onto a more troublesome matchup.

We know that Biggie's biggest vulnerability on defense is his lateral quickness. I wouldn't be trying to pin him to perimeter guarding. Vince should be all over Svi.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Could Swanigan defend Mykhailiuk? Might be an option if we want to play Caleb and Isaac together. I'm not sure what his abilities are in terms of putting the ball on the floor but it seems the vast majority of his shots come from 3-point territory.

Problem is that if we try that we will always one ball screen away from him getting switched onto a more troublesome matchup.

You can hide a lot of that by switching and allowing Caleb to maintain position lower on the court (nearer the baseline). You saw that more and more in the second half against Michigan in the first game and again in the BTT against UM. If the normal man to man concepts struggle to adapt and contain, they will more than likely go to switching everything outside of a screen involving Haas (or Biggie when Biggie is in the game).

 

[tjreese]

1. Their guards are short.... this is important because I feel like Pj Thompson, Mathias, etc can handle players that are quicker provided they are not bigger too. (Mason 5'11... Graham 6'1)

2. Their bigs cannot shoot.... the fact that Lucas and Bragg cannot shoot is HUGE. Mo Wagner was able to bring Biggie out and then burn him on the drive... but this will not be the case with their bigs.

Kansas is a talented and athletic team but they aren't particularly big and they are not an exceptional rebounding team. Given that they only have 4 losses and are a number 1 seed I would be lying if I didn't believe them to be the favorites. However, I believe that Purdue matches up just as well with them as they do with any other number 1's. We may not win the game but they are going to see just how talented our team is come Thursday.

Yeah, I saw the guard heights earlier, but diedn't know about their big's shooting

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Yeah, I saw the guard heights earlier, but diedn't know about their big's shooting

Kansas 3pt Shooting %'s:
Frank Mason: 76/161 47% (5'11 Guard)
Josh Jackson: 32/83 38% (6'8 Guard)
Devonte Graham: 89/227 39% (6'2 Guard)
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk: 66/167 39% (6'8 Guard)
Landen Lucas: 0/0 0% (6'10 Forward)
Lagerald Vick: 32/85 37% (6'5 Guard)
Carlton Bragg: 0/3 0% (6'10 Forward)
Udoka Azubuike: 0/0 0% (7'0 Center)
Team: 298/734 40%

Kansas also shoots a 3 on 35% of their attempts whereas Purdue is 37%, so the idea that Kansas just goes down to jack up threes is a bit of misconception. Purdue also shoots at the exact same rate as Kansas does at 40%.

These are the players that average more than 10 minutes per game. After Azubuike, it drops significantly down to 5 minutes per game and I am guessing that those players got mostly mop up duty in blow outs rather than spot minutes. With their top 6 players averaging 24.3 minutes or more per game and then dropping to 14 after that (Bragg), I would venture to say Kansas is simply going to try their small lineup to outpace Purdue. More than likely, Mason and Graham will stay in most of the game (36 and 25 minutes per game between the two) while the other four will sub in and out with Bragg and Udoka getting some minutes if the combination of Haas and Biggie proves to be potent for Purdue on the offensive end while Kansas goes through a lull in scoring OR if Mason or Graham get in to foul trouble.

As the team did against ISU, if they can come out and play to their strengths and force Kansas in to something they aren't used to doing, Purdue has a shot. The big difference between Kansas and Iowa State is that Iowa State literally had no alternative to going small whereas Kansas has some size and height. If Purdue can force Kansas to play their big game, I like Purdue.

The match-up literally comes down to athleticism on the outside versus skill on the inside...a very interesting match-up indeed!

 

[tjreese]

Kansas 3pt Shooting %'s:
Frank Mason: 76/161 47% (5'11 Guard)
Josh Jackson: 32/83 38% (6'8 Guard)
Devonte Graham: 89/227 39% (6'2 Guard)
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk: 66/167 39% (6'8 Guard)
Landen Lucas: 0/0 0% (6'10 Forward)
Lagerald Vick: 32/85 37% (6'5 Guard)
Carlton Bragg: 0/3 0% (6'10 Forward)
Udoka Azubuike: 0/0 0% (7'0 Center)
Team: 298/734 40%

Kansas also shoots a 3 on 35% of their attempts whereas Purdue is 37%, so the idea that Kansas just goes down to jack up threes is a bit of misconception. Purdue also shoots at the exact same rate as Kansas does at 40%.

These are the players that average more than 10 minutes per game. After Azubuike, it drops significantly down to 5 minutes per game and I am guessing that those players got mostly mop up duty in blow outs rather than spot minutes. With their top 6 players averaging 24.3 minutes or more per game and then dropping to 14 after that (Bragg), I would venture to say Kansas is simply going to try their small lineup to outpace Purdue. More than likely, Mason and Graham will stay in most of the game (36 and 25 minutes per game between the two) while the other four will sub in and out with Bragg and Udoka getting some minutes if the combination of Haas and Biggie proves to be potent for Purdue on the offensive end while Kansas goes through a lull in scoring OR if Mason or Graham get in to foul trouble.

As the team did against ISU, if they can come out and play to their strengths and force Kansas in to something they aren't used to doing, Purdue has a shot. The big difference between Kansas and Iowa State is that Iowa State literally had no alternative to going small whereas Kansas has some size and height. If Purdue can force Kansas to play their big game, I like Purdue.

The match-up literally comes down to athleticism on the outside versus skill on the inside...a very interesting match-up indeed!

Their 4 and 5's whoever they are apparently don't shoot many threes..other than Jackson and so they will play one inside all the time and hope he is a non factor scoring and offensive rebounding. Their spot shooter (Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk) has a lot of length and hopefully doesn't rebound. I think Purdue guards have similar size with Mason and GRaham..although Mason can score more like Carsen and Spike, Cline adn PJ need time. CAn Vince negate Jackson somewhat? If Purdue bigs can defend and NOT get in foul trouble and the other three can contain the dribble and make shots difficult that would be huge. Kansas hopefully has to devote more than one person to PUrdue's inside game. Lots of what ifs...but I really don't fear this team as much as Iowa State and that shouldn't be taken to mean they are not as good..just that I'm not sure they can put Purdue in the same defensive bind as Iowa State by playing one big. Course they may have a more consistent offensive package as well...I just don'tknow

 

[proudopete]

I'm pretty sure Purdue is going to be jacking 3s. I expect they'll shoot 5+ by the first TV timeout, then Haas comes in and they'll go down low to get Kansas bigs in foul trouble, with hopefully a few and-ones along the way. If by the 10 minute mark Purdue is at the 20 point range, this will end up a shoot out. If they have less than 10, big trouble.

My takeaway from Kansas is they play on the fringe of out of control, with exceptional athletes that style can work. But if they get too careless with the ball, aren't hitting their shots, and they get into foul trouble then Purdue can take this game.

Jacking 3's will lead to more run outs, exactly what we don't want. Our bigs scored 55 of our 80 points against Iowa State. We need to hit 3's for sure, but I'm not sure the best idea is to go in looking just to shoot from deep. These guys will kill us in transition as well as firing up thr crowd. We need to value every possession and get as high a percentage shot as possible, to avoid run outs.

 

[JayhawkinGeorgia]

Kansas 3pt Shooting %'s:
Udoka Azubuike: 0/0 0% (7'0 Center)

After Azubuike, it drops significantly down to 5 minutes per game and I am guessing that those players got mostly mop up duty in blow outs rather than spot minutes.

You're probably already aware, but I just wanted to point out that Azubuike was injured and he is out for the season.

 

[delish1]

Kansas 3pt Shooting %'s:
Frank Mason: 76/161 47% (5'11 Guard)
Josh Jackson: 32/83 38% (6'8 Guard)
Devonte Graham: 89/227 39% (6'2 Guard)
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk: 66/167 39% (6'8 Guard)
Landen Lucas: 0/0 0% (6'10 Forward)
Lagerald Vick: 32/85 37% (6'5 Guard)
Carlton Bragg: 0/3 0% (6'10 Forward)
Udoka Azubuike: 0/0 0% (7'0 Center)
Team: 298/734 40%

Kansas also shoots a 3 on 35% of their attempts whereas Purdue is 37%, so the idea that Kansas just goes down to jack up threes is a bit of misconception. Purdue also shoots at the exact same rate as Kansas does at 40%.

These are the players that average more than 10 minutes per game. After Azubuike, it drops significantly down to 5 minutes per game and I am guessing that those players got mostly mop up duty in blow outs rather than spot minutes. With their top 6 players averaging 24.3 minutes or more per game and then dropping to 14 after that (Bragg), I would venture to say Kansas is simply going to try their small lineup to outpace Purdue. More than likely, Mason and Graham will stay in most of the game (36 and 25 minutes per game between the two) while the other four will sub in and out with Bragg and Udoka getting some minutes if the combination of Haas and Biggie proves to be potent for Purdue on the offensive end while Kansas goes through a lull in scoring OR if Mason or Graham get in to foul trouble.

As the team did against ISU, if they can come out and play to their strengths and force Kansas in to something they aren't used to doing, Purdue has a shot. The big difference between Kansas and Iowa State is that Iowa State literally had no alternative to going small whereas Kansas has some size and height. If Purdue can force Kansas to play their big game, I like Purdue.

The match-up literally comes down to athleticism on the outside versus skill on the inside...a very interesting match-up indeed!

I hesitate to even type this because I don't want to see it, but a massive key is Vincent staying out if foul trouble. I don't know who else can check Jackson at all. This could be a game where edwards scores 8 with 7 boards but is the most important player on the court

 

[boilersmitty]

Jacking 3's will lead to more run outs, exactly what we don't want. Our bigs scored 55 of our 80 points against Iowa State. We need to hit 3's for sure, but I'm not sure the best idea is to go in looking just to shoot from deep. These guys will kill us in transition as well as firing up thr crowd. We need to value every possession and get as high a percentage shot as possible, to avoid run outs.

They are lightning fast in transition, need to block the middle of the floor when we get back in transition

 

[Boilermaker]

You know they will be slamming down dunks (hopefully not too many!) Likely one or more ally oop attempts. Would be nice to see our guys draw some charging fouls on those athletes (they can jump out of the gym, more hang time equals time to set up for that charge!)

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

They are lightning fast in transition, need to block the middle of the floor when we get back in transition

This is why, although Kansas does worry me, I think the games against Villanova, Maryland, MSU, and Michigan really prepared Purdue for a game like this. Maryland is a team led by an elite college guard with supreme athleticism and surrounded by other athletes who like to get out and run. Purdue was able to maintain their advantages and pull out a win by sticking to what they do well. Against Villanova, again a team built similarly to Kansas, Purdue was able to stay with what they did well and make a game of it in the second half and have a chance to win in the end.

Purdue, over the last few weeks, have seen teams built like Kansas multiple times...Michigan dominted the first matchup but Purdue obviously made adjustments to counter their smaller and more athletic lineups in the second matchup. Obviously we know how the ISU game went when Purdue was able to work towards their advantages and not try to shift to what the other team is doing. Given Painter's ability to scheme to our advantages and to the other team's weaknesses (see Kansas 2012 and thr first two plays of the second half against ISU), and I have to think Purdue will be ready to give Kansas all they can handle.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

You're probably already aware, but I just wanted to point out that Azubuike was injured and he is out for the season.

Honestly didn't cross my mind while typing it and was just going by the stats on ESPN.

 

[tjreese]

This is why, although Kansas does worry me, I think the games against Villanova, Maryland, MSU, and Michigan really prepared Purdue for a game like this. Maryland is a team led by an elite college guard with supreme athleticism and surrounded by other athletes who like to get out and run. Purdue was able to maintain their advantages and pull out a win by sticking to what they do well. Against Villanova, again a team built similarly to Kansas, Purdue was able to stay with what they did well and make a game of it in the second half and have a chance to win in the end.

Purdue, over the last few weeks, have seen teams built like Kansas multiple times...Michigan dominted the first matchup but Purdue obviously made adjustments to counter their smaller and more athletic lineups in the second matchup. Obviously we know how the ISU game went when Purdue was able to work towards their advantages and not try to shift to what the other team is doing. Given Painter's ability to scheme to our advantages and to the other team's weaknesses (see Kansas 2012 and thr first two plays of the second half against ISU), and I have to think Purdue will be ready to give Kansas all they can handle.

and this Purdue team is much closer to that ability of Kansas than the 2012 that went to the final minute with Lewjack getting stuck in the lane after driving successfully earlier with small ball by Purdue. Cmon Vince...keep the tourney stats going..and Carsen...legends are sometimes made in the tourney...

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

and this Purdue team is much closer to that ability of Kansas than the 2012 that went to the final minute with Lewjack getting stuck in the lane after driving successfully earlier with small ball by Purdue. Cmon Vince...keep the tourney stats going..and Carsen...legends are sometimes made in the tourney...

I think we will see what type of Carsen Purdue will get very early and this effect his playing time...although with the time between games, I expect the coaching staff to show him his mistakes and be better this weekend. I am glad Purdue is playing Kansas Thursday instead of potentially playing them on a short turnaround Saturday!