With five games left, the Little Ball of Hate takes a look at where Kansas stands and what lays ahead. It’s been a nail biter of a year so far, and the Little Ball of Hate is reminded of his Grandma, who hated close Husker football games. Luckily, she did not see many of those while she was alive.
20 wins again, wow this is getting old
The Little Ball of Hate will admit, he has been spoiled. Since he has started following KU, before heading to Lawrence, KU has only missed the tournament one year.
Adonis Jordan committed to KU without ever visiting campus because of recruiting violations, a lot of trust in Roy Williams.
This is the 35th season that Kansas has won at least 20 games, dating back to the 1989-90 season. And yes that is a record. Guesses on who was on that team? Four NBA players Kevin Pritchard, Mark Randall, Adonis Jordan, and Rick Calloway, as well as “Downtown” Terry Brown, Alonzo Jamison, and Mike Maddox.
That also started a streak of making the NCAA tournament. The year before Larry Brown put the Jayhawks in purgatory with recruiting violations. This was also Roy Williams first season as KU’s head coach.
Analysis of the remaining schedule
Next up vs. Texas, vs. No. 25 BYU, at No. 11 Baylor, vs. Kansas State and at No. 2 Houston. My guess is KU goes 3-2 or 4-1, the Jayhawks, specifically the Phog crowd, will not allow losing at home.
A win against Houston on the road is a tough ask, but KU can beat Baylor in Waco. Kansas has an advantage in steals 7.6 vs. 7 for Baylor. Baylor hits 40% from 3-point land, so the Jayhawks will need to clamp down on outside shooting. Baylor has a 7-footer Yves Missi averaging 11.1 points and 5.6 rebounds. Hunter has the ability to dominate him. If Baylor doesn’t double-team Dickinson, he could have a field day.
It is amazing how an All-American can seem to disappear, when KU needs him the most. Dickinson has the ability to carry this team.
Hunter Dickinson’s frustrating performances
Dickinson can be unstoppable and then he can completely disappear. In Kansas’ big wins vs. UConn, Kentucky, Houston, Tennessee and the road win against Oklahoma, Dickinson averaged 19.8 ppg and 14.8 rpg. And in KU’s losses, Hunter seems to disappear, 15 ppg and 8.5 rpg.
The Jayhawks will only go as far as Hunter takes them. But KJ Adams, Dejuan Harris and Johnny Furphy are the key to KU being consistent. If two out of three can score double digits, KU can beat anyone.
NCAA Tournament predictions
Kansas is looking like a No. 2 seed right now, which is accurate for this team. Although, a run to the Final in the Big 12 tournament could push them into a No. 1 seed. As a 2-seed, the Little Ball of Hate could see the Jayhawks losing to a 7-10 seed in the second round, or they could go all the way to the Final Four. This team could get 🔥 and win six straight games. To do that Dickinson and McCullar need to be studs and Phreshman phenom Furphy (see what I did there?) needs to go off, kind of like what Gradey Dick did last year.
Bad losses on the road
KU’s win against Oklahoma was only its second conference win on the road this year. Everyone knows that the Phog is impossible to win in for visiting teams, but this year the Big 12 is a gauntlet of rough road games.
Why has Kansas struggled?
In their six road losses, KU has shot 44% from the field (including shooting 32.7% vs Texas Tech in their last loss) compared to 50% overall this season. Opposing teams were hitting 46% of their shots.
Rebounds is another issue: -5 deficit in losses vs. +2.8 overall. Offensive rebounds are also where opposing teams have done their damage all season long: -2.5 in losses and -2.2 overall. I blame Hunter Dickinson, he doesn’t fight enough on the offensive side of the ball for rebounds, and it frustrates the hell out of the Little Ball of Hate.
Kansas thrives on transition hoops this season, and that shows in the difference in losses. Therapist steal differential is clear, in losses -0.2 overall +0.9.
And finally three-point shooting. KU is not great from the three-point line, but especially not good on the road: 28.8% in losses and 34.7% overall. Meanwhile the opposition can’t miss at home against Kansas: 39.6% vs. 32.4% overall. The Little Ball of Hate thinks KU’s perimeter defense needs to step up for the rest of the season.
Tidbits
The NBA All-Star game is a joke! Final score 211-186? Huh? The Little Ball of Hate did not watch it, and can't remember the last full NBA game he has watched from start to finish. And don't get him started on the traveling violations that aren't called. This guy does great reenactments.
Caitlin Clark is the most exciting basketball player in college, without question. I like that she doesn't shy away from controversy, even when people who should know better continue talk shit about her. Nobody does this, from the logo to break the scoring record!
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